Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces: Simplified-Architecture Transmitters—From Theory to Implementations

Reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs) offer an entirely new route to alter the propagation properties of electromagnetic waves and thus control their reflection, refraction, and scattering features in arbitrary manners. Such physical attributes are perceived to bring about fundamental influence on the modern wireless communication system due to the possibilities to establish artificial and controllable propagation environments for radio signals, which no longer rely on the complex encoding, decoding, and other signal processing techniques. Recent studies reveal that the wave manipulation is not the only skill of the RISs. With the rapid developments of space–time digital metasurface and information metasurface, there has been increasing attention focused on the information manipulation via these artificial surfaces. In this article, we provide an overview of the theoretical models of the space–time digital metasurface and information metasurface, the mechanisms of wavefront shaping, and the signal modulations in space and time domains during the wave–matter interactions. We will also address some practical issues during implementations of the reconfigurable intelligent metasurfaces and the associated hardware architectures at microwave frequencies to realize simplified radio frequency transmitters. Several modulation schemes and the corresponding demonstration systems are introduced to illustrate the powerful abilities of the reconfigurable intelligent metasurfaces. Potential research directions of this technique are briefly discussed for their potential applications in future wireless networks.
Employee Record Management System

The purpose of this project is to create online Record Management Program which is essential to Organization. The main Purpose of the online PHP projects is also to develop web applications. The Employee Record information Management System we designed to automate the employee administration and management and the strategic planning of leaves for employees. This program manages all of the employee records. Employee Leave Record Management System was developed primarily to handle information about the employee. That serves as an instrument for better management. The key goal of this project to create an effective web-enabled framework that would be able to simplify workplace knowledge a management needs. It is meant to simplify the current manual framework for quick information collection, produce statistical reports and act as a data archive for efficient sharing of data and possible retrieval. Key Words: Employee, Admin, Leave Request, Leave Management system, Record Management, Organization
Practices for Scaling Lean & Agile Development: Large, Multisite, and Offshore Product Development with Large-Scale Scrum

Lean and Agile Development for Large-Scale Products: Key Practices for Sustainable Competitive Success Increasingly, large product-development organizations are turning to lean thinking, agile principles and practices, and large-scale Scrum to sustainably and quickly deliver value and innovation. Drawing on their long experience leading and guiding lean and agile adoptions for large, multisite, and offshore product development, internationally recognized consultant and best-selling author Craig Larman and former leader of the agile transformation at Nokia Networks Bas Vodde share the key action tools needed for success. Coverage includes Frameworks for large-scale Scrum for multihundred-person product groupsTesting and building quality inProduct management and the end of the contract game between business and R&DEnvisioning a large release, and planning for multiteam developmentLow-quality legacy code: why its created, and how to stop itContinuous integration in a large multisite contextAgile architectingMultisite or offshore developmentContracts and outsourced development In a competitive environment that demands ever-faster cycle times and greater innovation, the practices inspired by lean thinking and agile principles are ever-more relevant. Practices for Scaling Lean & Agile Development will help people realize a lean enterpriseand deliver on the significant benefits of agility. In addition to the action tools in this text, see the companion book Scaling Lean & Agile Development: Thinking and Organizational Tools for Large-Scale Scrumfor complementary foundation tools.
The course of pain and dysphagia after radiofrequency ablation for Barrett’s esophagus-related neoplasia

BACKGROUND Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is effective for eradication of Barrett's esophagus (BE) neoplasia, but little is known on the course of pain and dysphagia after RFA. We aimed to describe the course of post-RFA symptoms and to identify possible associated risk factors. METHODS In this multicenter, observational cohort study, all RFA procedures registered in a prospective database were included. Patient and treatment characteristics were collected from medical records and patients self-registered post-procedural symptoms in electronic symptom diaries for 14 days. Mixed model regression was used for the analyses. RESULTS In total, 255 diaries were completed. Post-RFA pain was reported for 95 % (95 %CI 93-98) of procedures (median duration 14 days; 25th-75th percentiles [p25-p75] 11-14) and major pain for 64 % (95 %CI 58-69; median duration 8 days, p25-p75 3-13). Post-procedural pain significantly increased with BE length, younger age, and no prior ablation. Dysphagia was present after 83 % (95 %CI 79-88) of procedures (median duration 13 days, p25-p75 9-14). The risk of dysphagia decreased with age and increased when patients experienced more pain. CONCLUSIONS RFA treatment for BE-related neoplasia seems a significant burden for patients, and post-procedural symptoms should be taken into account when counseling patients before starting endoscopic eradication therapy.
Dispersive interactions between standard and Dirac materials and the role of dimensionality

The van der Waals (vdW) interaction plays a prominent role between neutral objects at separations where short ranged chemical forces are negligible. This type of dispersive coupling is determined by the interplay between geometry and response properties of the materials making up the objects. Here, we investigate the vdW interaction between 1D, 2D, and 3D standard and Dirac materials within the Random Phase Approximation, which takes into account collective excitations originating from the electronic Coulomb potential. A comprehensive understanding of characteristic functionalities and scaling laws are obtained for systems with parabolic energy dispersion (standard materials) and crossing linear bands (Dirac materials). By comparing the quantum mechanical and thermal limits the onset of thermal fluctuations in the vdW interaction is discussed showing that thermal effects are significantly pronounced at smaller scales in reduced dimensions.
Association between Low-Dose Computed Tomography Results and 1-Year Smoking Cessation in a Residential Smoking Cessation Program

The COVID-19 pandemic is a global health threat. Smoking and smoking-related lung diseases are risk factors for severe COVID-19 infection. This study investigated whether low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) scan results affected the success of 1-year smoking cessation. The Gyeonggi Southern Smoking Support Center performed the residential smoking cessation program from January to December 2018. During the program, LDCT was performed on 292 participants; 6 months later, follow-up via telephone or visit was conducted. Among the 179 participants who succeeded in smoking cessation for 6 months, telephone follow-up was conducted to determine whether there was a 12-month continuous smoking cessation. In order to evaluate the association between LDCT results and 12-month continuous abstinence rate (CAR), logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). The CARs at 6 and 12 months were 61.3% and 31.5%, respectively. Indeterminate or suspicious malignant lung nodules were associated with a higher 12-month CAR (OR, 3.02; 95% CI, 1.15–7.98), whereas psychiatric history was associated with a lower 12-month CAR (OR, 0.06; 95% CI, 0.03–0.15). These results suggest that abnormal lung screening results may encourage smokers to quit smoking.
Application Analysis of UPOINT System in Chinese Type III Prostatitis Patients: A Single Center Experience

Objective UPOINT clinical phenotype system was used to estimate the type III prostatitis patients. Put in the erectile dysfunction (ED) domain and analysis the ED domain's effect towards the UPOINT system. Methods A total of 126 patients with type III prostatitis were prospectively collected and classified in each domain of the UPOINT system, including urinary, psychosocial, organ-specific, infection, neurological/systemic, and tenderness. Symptom severity was measured using the national institutes of health chronic prostatitis symptom index (NIH-CPSI) and the international prostate symptom score (IPSS). The erectile function was evaluated using the international index of erectile function (IIEF-5). Mental state was evaluated using the Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90). The quality of life of patients was assessed by the Quality of Life scale (QoL). Results The percentage of patients positive for each domain was 60.32%, 43.65%, 53.17%, 11.11%, 42.06%, and 33.33% for the urinary, psychosocial, organ-specific, infection, neurological/systemic, and tenderness, respectively. There were significant correlations between the number of positive UPOINT domains and total NIH-CPSI (r = 0.630, P < 0.001) and IPSS (r = 0.429, P < 0.001). Symptom duration was associated with a number of positive domains (r = 0.194, P < 0.05). After adding an ED domain to establish a modified UPOINT system, the correlation between the number of positive domains and symptom severity was not improved (0.630 to 0.590, P < 0.001). The percentage of the patients who suffered psychosocial problems was 43.65%. Conclusions In our cohort, the number of positive domains was correlated with symptom severity. Inclusion of the ED phenotype in the UPOINT phenotype classification system did not significantly enhance the association of positive presentation with symptom severity. Our findings presented do not support the utility of using ED as a stand-alone item in the UPOINT domain. Psychological problems should be considered when treating type III prostatitis patients.
GREEN NATURE/HUMAN NATURE: THE MEANING OF PLANTS IN OUR LIVES

daylight). The authors present a good discussion of albedo, including a table of values for many landscape materials. The direction of reflected light into buildings belongs in this presentation, whether from lighter colored plants or pavement. The authors’ detailed discussion of solar radiation returns to the subject of visible radiation, infrared radiation, and longer-wave radiation from objects on earth. A very useful table (page 116) presents twenty-three trees and their range of transmissivity, season of foliation-defoliation, and maximum expected height. I wish there were more trees presented! It would also be helpful to expand this table’s foliation-defoliation section to several climate zones; it is not clear which climate zone is described in this table, as the authors do not list their references for this information. The section on design testing by shadow casting is nicely done. Among the useful tips are the recommendation of two typical days for testing: May 6 (same sun path as August 6) and February 6 (same as November 6). Thus with only two sun-path tests, the designer gets the approximate midpoint of all four seasons. I wanted more of an emphasis on the value of deciduous vines and trees here--after all, each of these sun-path conditions represents two very different daily temperature ranges. The deciduous plant knows these differences well, and responds accordingly. This book is a useful contribution, especially to the teaching of landscape design. Significant points are made in boldface, and are easily found while skimming the book; graphics are simple and appealing; calculations are thoroughly explained; algorithms for computer programs are contained in several appendices. I found it enjoyable and informative reading. John S. Reynolds, A.I~t. , is Professor of Architecture at the University of Oregon, Eugene. Research interests include renewable energy utilization and passive cooling performance of courtyard buildings. GREEN NATURE/HUMAN NATURE: THE MEANING OF PLANTS IN OUR LIVES, by Charles A. Lewis. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1996. xix + 148 pages, text, notes, index, $14.95 paperbound, $32.95 clothbound. ISBN 0-252-06510-7 paper ISBN 0-252002213-0 clothbound
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE DURATION TIME OF TURN AND THE THROWING RECORD IN THE MEN'S HAMMER THROW

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the duration time of turn and the throwing record. We analyzed the duration time of turn for the 116 men's hammer throwers in the competitions. As a result, significant correlation was observed between the total time of turn and the throwing record (I=-0.83, p<0.001). In addition, the high correlation was observed especially between the total double support phase time and throwing record (r=-0.67, p<0.001), compared to the correlation between the total single support phase time and the throwing record (r=0.29, pc0.01). These results suggest that using the duration time of turn is available for the estimation of the throwing record and shortened the duration time of turn leads to the improvement of the throwing record.
The Role of N and S Doping on Photoluminescent Characteristics of Carbon Dots from Palm Bunches for Fluorimetric Sensing of Fe3+ Ion

This work aims to enhance the value of palm empty fruit bunches (EFBs), an abundant residue from the palm oil industry, as a precursor for the synthesis of luminescent carbon dots (CDs). The mechanism of fIuorimetric sensing using carbon dots for either enhancing or quenching photoluminescence properties when binding with analytes is useful for the detection of ultra-low amounts of analytes. This study revealed that EFB-derived CDs via hydrothermal synthesis exceptionally exhibited luminescence properties. In addition, surface modification for specific binding to a target molecule substantially augmented their PL characteristics. Among the different nitrogen and sulfur (N and S) doping agents used, including urea (U), sulfate (S), p-phenylenediamine (P), and sodium thiosulfate (TS), the results showed that PTS-CDs from the co-doping of p-phenylenediamine and sodium thiosulfate exhibited the highest PL properties. From this study on the fluorimetric sensing of several metal ions, PTS-CDs could effectively detect Fe3+ with the highest selectivity by fluorescence quenching to 79.1% at a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.1 µmol L−1. The PL quenching of PTS-CDs was linearly correlated with the wide range of Fe3+ concentration, ranging from 5 to 400 µmol L−1 (R2 = 0.9933).
The effect of exercise on thermo-tolerance in pregnant Holstein heifers

Dairy cows require a low-stress environment in order to efficiently produce milk, and thus stress management is a common focal point for both researchers and producers. A primary source of stress for dairy cattle is associated with the environment, particularly heat, and therefore a considerable amount of research has been done in an attempt to find ways of reducing heat stress. Most of the research, however, has focused on using heat abatement techniques to cool the cow, using evaporative cooling systems to reduce temperature in the environment thus also cooling the cow, and selective breeding to improve thermal tolerance. Whereas cow comfort has been improved, there are still negative responses to heat stress today including decreased milk production and altered milk composition. Cattle remove excess body heat primarily through evaporative and convective cooling in the respiratory system and exercise is likely to improve blood flow and efficiency of heat transfer within the lungs. Furthermore, exercise has been proven to improve performance in humans and horses. This study was designed to determine whether or not exercise improved fitness and heat tolerance, and to observe whether there were any resulting effects on milk production and parturition. Two experiments were carried out during the late summer/early fall of 2014 and summer of 2015. Each experiment utilized a different exercise regimen: experiment 1 used a combination of high-intensity intervals and endurance training, whereas experiment 2 involved an endurance regimen performed during the afternoon in early summer. Pregnant Holstein heifers (Experiment 1, n = 24; Experiment 2, n = 24) were exercised in an 8-panel motorized walker over a period of 8 wk that ended approximately 21 d prior to parturition. In experiment 1, fitness was improved in heifers that were exercised compared with their non-exercised counterparts based on their duration of exercise and speed of exercise at failure (P < 0.05). During a cool hour of the day after 6 wk of exercise, exercised heifers spent more time in body temperature zone 1 (< 39.0°C) compared with their non-exercised counterparts (P < 0.05). Exercised heifers also spent less time (P < 0.05) than non-exercised heifers in body temperature zone 3 (> 40.0°C) during the hottest hour of a hot day during the 6 th week. No treatment effects (P > 0.10) were found for weekly milk components or milk production. In experiment 2, exercise resulted in greater milk protein and solids-not-fat (SNF) percentage (P < 0.05) compared with contemporaries that did not exercise; however, there was no difference in weekly milk production during the first 150 days (P > 0.10). Fat-corrected milk and energy-corrected milk were calculated and no difference was detected between treatments (P > 0.10). These results are the first to show that high-intensity intervals and endurance training exercise in pregnant dairy heifers can improve heat tolerance, increase production of milk protein and SNF, and perhaps increase animal comfort and well-being during
Association of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Outbreak on the Diabetes Self-Management in Chinese Patients: An Analytical Cross-Sectional Study

Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has seriously affected people’s lives, especially those with chronic diseases. Diabetes self-management, which plays an important role in glycaemic control and reducing the risk of acute and long-term complications, may be discouraged by social distancing. Purpose To evaluate the level of self-management activities in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients and Methods A survey of with 872 patients with T2DM in the inpatient and outpatient departments through face-to-face interviews was conducted from 1 July, 2020 to 30 September, 2020. The main outcome measures were glycaemic control status and level of self-management activities during the pandemic. Results In terms of glycaemic control, the data showed that patients with fasting plasma glucose (FPG) < 7.0 mmol/L (36.4%), postprandial plasma glucose (PPG) < 10.0 mmol/L (26.3%), or glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) < 7.0% (18.6%) in our investigation has well-controlled blood glucose level, and 11.9% of patients experienced blood glucose <3.9 mmol/L during the outbreak. The diabetes self-management of Chinese patients decreased and the final diabetes self-management score of the Chinese patients was 3.4 ± 1.45. Patients with higher education, diabetes education, comorbidities, and online consultations had higher diabetes self-management scores (P <0.05). Adherence to diabetes self-management in the normal glycaemic control group was higher than that in the substandard glycaemic control group (P<0.05). Among all participants, 72.1% of the patients reduced the frequency of hospital visits, and 44.8% considered that they had diabetes-related stress during the pandemic. The mean anxiety level score rated by 286 patients was 5.3±2.8. Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic has affected diabetes self-management, including substandard glycemic control, increased diabetes-related stress, limited exercise range and medical visits. Therefore, future interventions should focus on the online management of chronic diseases and support online consultation’ development and promotion, which can overcome physical distance and provide personalized services conveniently.
Assessment of the Use of Subcontracting Options for Construction Project Delivery

In most developing countries around the world, construction projects are carried out on a daily basis, using diverse means of contracting. One of such means is the process of subcontracting which is gaining popularity as a result of specialization among construction participants. This research therefore assessed the use of various subcontracting options for construction project delivery. Using a survey design, 43 registered construction firms were sampled. Data gathered were analyzed using percentage, frequency and mean item score. Findings showed that nominated and domestic subcontracting options are the mostly used subcontracting options. Planned construction time, time taken to implement variation order and time taken to rectify defects are the major time related factors capable of causing poor project delivery, while contractor’s expected profit, contractor’s cash flow and the cost of materials and equipment are the major cost related factors capable of causing poor project delivery if not properly evaluated by the parties involved. The study further recommends that the level of awareness and usage of the other subcontracting options which are not widely known and used presently can be improved through seminars, meetings, conferences organized by construction professional’s supervisory bodies and relative agencies for construction stakeholders. Also effective monitoring and coordination of the activities of subcontractors by the main contractor is necessary so that the outline programme of works can be achieved on time and within budget. Keywords : Cost, Nigeria, Project delivery, Subcontracting, Time
Quantitative assessment of emphysema and bronchial wall thickness in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: comparison between the eosinophilic and non-eosinophilic phenotypes

Objective To perform a quantitative assessment of bronchial wall thickening and the emphysema score in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), comparing the eosinophilic and non-eosinophilic COPD phenotypes. Materials and Methods This was a retrospective observational study of patients with COPD followed between August 2018 and July 2019. The patients were divided into two groups by the eosinophil count in peripheral blood: eosinophilic (≥ 300 cells/µL); and non-eosinophilic (< 300 cells/µL). Quantitative, automated assessments of emphysema and bronchial wall thickness were performed by evaluating computed tomography scans of the chest. Results We evaluated the records of 110 patients diagnosed with COPD: 28 (25.5%) in the eosinophilic group; and 82 (74.5%) in the non-eosinophilic group. The demographic, clinical, functional, and therapeutic variables were comparable between the two groups. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of the emphysema score or bronchial wall thickness (p > 0.05 for both). Conclusion Patients with eosinophilic COPD do not appear to have lower emphysema scores or greater bronchial wall thickening than do those with non-eosinophilic phenotypes of the disease.