Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cold Cathodes with Two-Dimensional van der Waals Materials

Two-dimensional van der Waals materials could be used as electron emitters alone or stacked in a heterostructure. Many significant phenomena of two-dimensional van der Waals field emitters have been observed and predicted since the landmark discovery of graphene. Due to the wide variety of heterostructures that integrate an atomic monolayer or multilayers with insulator nanofilms or metallic cathodes by van der Waals force, the diversity of van der Waals materials is large to be chosen from, which are appealing for further investigation. Until now, increasing the efficiency, stability, and uniformity in electron emission of cold cathodes with two-dimensional materials is still of interest in research. Some novel behaviors in electron emission, such as coherence and directionality, have been revealed by the theoretical study down to the atomic scale and could lead to innovative applications. Although intensive emission in the direction normal to two-dimensional emitters has been observed in experiments, the theoretical mechanism is still incomplete. In this paper, we will review some late progresses related to the cold cathodes with two-dimensional van der Waals materials, both in experiments and in the theoretical study, emphasizing the phenomena which are absent in the conventional cold cathodes. The review will cover the fabrication of several kinds of emitter structures for field emission applications, the state of the art of their field emission properties and the existing field emission model. In the end, some perspectives on their future research trend will also be given.
Anomalous correlations between mental intention and remote traffic density with direct feedback over Internet

Unselected users of Internet did more than 350 sessions from over 200 locations in the world in which they attempted to 'influence' the traffic density in front of the University of Amsterdam. They got direct feedback in the form of pictures of the remote traffic. In contrast with the explicit goal to increase the traffic in the target pictures the traffic density decreased in those pictures (Wilcoxon signed ranks z-value = -2.2; p< 0.03). The traffic elements bicycles (z=-1.44), cars (z=-2.55) and trams (z=-1.53) contributed to this opposite effect while the trend for persons went into the 'wished for' direction (z=1.49). None of the measured personality characteristics turned out to be a significant predictor, although 'openness' reached a marginal level of significance (tied p-value: 0.056) and showed a remarkable consistent trend across the 4 levels, with the closest subjects scoring the worst. Possible methodological weaknesses and theoretical relevance are discussed.
Using E-Module in Guidance Lessons to Enhance Multicultural Self-Efficacy of Islamic and Public High School Students

The implication of multiculturally Islamic and public high schools for guidance and counseling was how to help students enhance multicultural self-efficacy using self-learning electronic based-materials. The current study examined the effect of using an e-module of guidance lessons on students' multicultural self-efficacy. It constituted 10th graders of an Islamic High School (IHS) and a Public High School (PHS) as its samples. A Multicultural Self-Efficacy Scale (MSES) was employed to measure students' multicultural self-efficacy before and after completing the self-instruction of the guidance lesson comprising five units of an e-module. The study analyzed the data sets employing a paired sample t-test, independent t-tests, and N-gain techniques to test the hypotheses. The results revealed the significant effect of using the e-module on the multicultural self-efficacy of Islamic and public high school students, no significant differences between the multicultural self-efficacy of IHS and PBS students, and the value of using the e-module was at a moderate level for both groups. In conclusion, using the e-module could provide a functional account of guidance lessons to increase multicultural self-efficacy among students of IHS and PHS.
Output-Constrained Control of Nonaffine Multiagent Systems With Partially Unknown Control Directions

In this paper, an output-constrained control algorithm is presented for the consensus control of a class of unknown nonaffine multiagent systems (MASs) with partially unknown control directions. Our contribution includes a step forward beyond the usual consensus stabilization result to show that the outputs of agents remain within user-defined time-varying constraints. To achieve the new results, an error transformation technique is established to generate an equivalent MAS from the original one. Stabilization and consensus of the transformed agent states ensure both the satisfaction of the time-varying constraints and the consensus of the original agent states. Based on the Nussbaum gain technique, the unknown control direction problem is solved. By the Lyapunov synthesis, the asymptotic consensus result and the satisfaction of the output constraints are theoretically proved, along with all the closed-loop signals being bounded. Additionally, the developed consensus controller is distributed since each agent only exchanges information with its neighbors. Finally, simulations on a nonaffine MAS demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme.
Chronic defensiveness and neuroendocrine dysfunction reflect a novel cardiac troponin T cut point : the SABPA study Running head : defensiveness ; depression ; heart-rate-variability ; catecholamine , cardiac Troponin

267 Text: 7922 Number of tables: 3 Number of figures: 2 E-component: A Title: Chronic defensiveness and neuroendocrine dysfunction reflect a novel cardiac troponin T cut point: the SABPA study Running head: defensiveness; depression; heart-rate-variability; catecholamine, cardiac Troponin T Leoné Malan,1 Mark Hamer,1,2 Roland von Känel,1,3, Gavin W. Lambert,4,5 Rhena Delport,6 Hendrik S. Steyn,7 Nicolaas T Malan.1 1Hypertension in Africa Research Team (HART), North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa 2National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine, Loughborough University, Leicestershire, United Kingdom 3Department of Neurology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern Switzerland 4Iverson Health Innovation Research Institute, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn 5Baker Heart & Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Australia 6Department of Chemical Pathology, University of Pretoria, South Africa 7Statistical Consultation Services; North-West University; Potchefstroom; South Africa Corresponding author: Prof Leoné Malan (RN, PhD) Hypertension in Africa Research Team (HART), Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa Tel +27 18 2992438; Fax +27 18 2991053; Email: Leone.Malan@nwu.ac. za
The role of outgroup homogeneity and the neurodynamics of the frontal cortex during beauty comparisons

ABSTRACT The distance effect states that the closer two compared magnitudes (e.g., two numbers, physical attractiveness in two faces), the more difficult the comparison, and the greater the activity of the frontoparietal control network. However, it is unclear whether this network is also recruited to the same extent when we perform ingroup and outgroup beauty comparisons and whether the activation of these networks is tracked by interindividual variation in the perceptions we hold about an outgroup. We recorded brain activity with fMRI, where participants compared the beauty of two women ostensibly either from their ingroup or from an outgroup. Low-distance conditions produced longer response times than the high-distance conditions, and this was found in both the ingroup and outgroup conditions. However, our neuroimaging analyses revealed that the left IFG/anterior insula showed the classic distance effect only during ingroup processing but not during outgroup processing. Notably, interaction-specific activity within the left IFG/anterior insula was related to perceptions of outgroup homogeneity assessed via a questionnaire. This set of findings reveals the dynamic role of the prefrontal cortex and its interplay with perceptions of outgroup homogeneity in shaping ingroup and outgroup decision-making.
Antibacterial Effect of Mastic Gum on Aerobic Oral Bacteria

Objective: To evaluate the antibacterial effect of mastic gum against the most common aerobic oral bacteria andemphasized on oral streptococci.Methodology: In this study 10 persons (males and females of 18-60 years old) were randomly assigned to chewmastic gum (1.5 gm for 45 minutes). Mouth washes were collected before and after gum chewing . The two mouthwashes were diluted (10-1 – 10-6) and cultivated aerobically for 24 hours at 37C0 on BHI agar for total bacterialcount and on MSF agar for counting the oral streptococci.Results: The results showed that the total bacterial count for staphylococci, Neisseria and oral streptococci on BHIagar and MSF agar for oral streptococci after mastic chewing were highly reduced and arrived to more than 5grades according to statistical analysis.Recommendations: To keep your mouth healthy we recommended the followings : Chewing of mastic gum daily ,using oral mastic products such as toothpaste and mouthwash, and incorporation of mastic as powder with sometype of foods.
Parent-Directed use of Over-the-Counter Medications and Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapies among Pediatric Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

ABSTRACT Objective: The use of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs and complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) as initial options by parents is common in the pediatric population. Despite the widespread use of parent-directed medication (PDM) among the pediatric population, we have scarce data in the Indian context. This study was done to assess the PDM practices and its determinants in the Indian population. Methods: It was a descriptive cross-sectional study assessing a representative sample of 284 parents of pediatric patients visiting the pediatrics department of a tertiary care hospital. Findings: Majority (64.08%; 182 out of 284) of the parents agreed to have used some form of PDM in the past 3 months. While higher socioeconomic status and having 2 or more children were associated with higher practice of PDM (P < 0.05), it was similar between educated or uneducated parents, rural or urban backgrounds, and nuclear or joint families (P > 0.05). CAM was the most commonly used option (58.12%; 161 out of 277), followed by OTC conventional allopathic medications (41.88%; 116 out of 277). Homeopathic medicines were the most preferred alternative therapy under the Alternative Medical System Category of National Centre for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Majority of parents (71.43%; 130 out of 182) were confident that the treatment chosen could not harm the health of their children and they attributed time constraints or availability of prior prescriptions as reasons for such practice. Conclusion: PDM is a widespread phenomenon in the Indian pediatric population. The parents as well as the prescribers need to take a more balanced, practical, and judicious approach toward medications given to a child.
Geographical distribution and potential for adverse biological effects of selected trace elements and organic compounds in streambed sediment in the Connecticut, Housatonic, and Thames River basins, 1992-94

Streambed-sediment samples were collected in 1992-94 at selected sites in the Connecticut, Housatonic, and Thames River Basins to determine the geographical distribution of trace elements and organic compounds and their potential for adverse biological effects on aquatic organisms. Chromium, copper, lead, mercury, nickel, zinc, chlordane, DDT, PAHs, and PCBs were detected in samples from throughout the basins, but concentrations of these constituents generally were lowest in the northern forested drainage basins and highest in the southern urbanized drainage basins of Springfield, Massachusetts, and Hartford, New Haven and Bridgeport, Connecticut. Possible anthropogenic sources of these contaminants include industrial effluent; municipal wastewater; runoff from agricultural, urban and forested areas; and atmospheric deposition. Some organic compounds pose the greatest threat to biological organisms in terms of exceedances of sediment-quality guidelines; those compounds are present at sufficiently high concentrations to potentially cause severe effects at several locations in the basins. Some trace elements represent the most geographically widespread threat to living organisms. These exceed sediment-quality guidelines over a wider geographical area, although usually by lower ratios of contaminant concentration to sedimentquality guideline than the organic compounds.
Interactions between microglia and glioma in tumor microenvironment

Gliomas, the most prevalent primary tumors in the central nervous system, are marked by their immunosuppressive properties and consequent poor patient prognosis. Current evidence emphasizes the pivotal role of the tumor microenvironment in the progression of gliomas, largely attributed to tumor-associated macrophages (brain-resident microglia and bone marrow-derived macrophages) that create a tumor microenvironment conducive to the growth and invasion of tumor cells. Yet, distinguishing between these two cell subgroups remains a challenge. Thus, our review starts by analyzing the heterogeneity between these two cell subsets, then places emphasis on elucidating the complex interactions between microglia and glioma cells. Finally, we conclude with a summary of current attempts at immunotherapy that target microglia. However, given that independent research on microglia is still in its initial stages and has many shortcomings at the present time, we express our related concerns and hope that further research will be carried out to address these issues in the future.
Transport choices - to and from Primary Schools in the Sutherland Shire

Private motor vehicle use dominates transport behaviours in Australia, even over traditionally short journeys such as the ‘school run’ the journey travelled to or from school. Such trends toward motor vehicle use in preference to active or public transport are widely recognised for their significant environmental, social and economic consequences. Transport trends within the Sutherland Shire, New South Wales, exhibit high and increasing rates of motor vehicle use. However, little is known about the transport behaviours of Sutherland Shire residents for the school run. This thesis explores the transport behaviours of children and their parents/ guardians as they undertake the school run within the Sutherland Shire. It also seeks to explore the factors which influence these transport behaviours, and how perceptions of ‘community’ and environmental knowledge and concerns may influence the modes of transport used for the school run. A self-administered, parental questionnaire was utilised to collect data on transport behaviours and attitudes, whilst a drawing task provided an opportunity for children to express their perceptions of the school run. Data collected within the questionnaire revealed that the majority of journeys to or from school in the Sutherland Shire are made by private motor vehicle, in preference to active or public transport. The key factors influencing these trends include safety concerns, aspects of the physical environment and available infrastructure, as well as practicality or convenience. Investigation into relationships between individuals’ perceptions of ‘community’, environmental concerns and transport behaviours revealed the importance of complex social factors which underlie transport choices, such as the ‘culture of the car’. Understanding the influence of each of these factors is critical when recommending how Sutherland Shire Council may promote the use of more sustainable forms of transport for the school run.
Research Note. The Illusion of Electronic Brainstorming Productivity: Theoretical and Empirical Issues

After discussing how group size might affect the effectiveness of electronic brainstorming (EBS) as an idea generating tool, Dennis and Valacich (1999) conclude that EBS is not likely to surpass nominal brainstorming for small groups, but that for large groups (i.e., nine or more members), “EBS offers clear performance benefits over nominal group brainstorming, as well as verbal brainstorming. ” However, in our view, the existing theoretical and empirical evidence does not provide sufficient justification to clearly establish EBS' superiority over nominal brainstorming for large groups.
Improved Cartilage Protection with Low Molecular Weight Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogel

Traumatic joint injuries are common, leading to progressive tissue degeneration and the development of osteoarthritis. The post-traumatic joint experiences a pro-inflammatory milieu, initiating a subtle but deteriorative process in cartilage tissue. To prevent or even reverse this process, our group previously developed a tissue-penetrating methacrylated hyaluronic acid (MeHA) hydrogel system, crosslinked within cartilage to restore and/or protect the tissue. In the current study, we further optimized this approach by investigating the impact of biomaterial molecular weight (MW; 20, 75, 100 kDa) on its integration within and reinforcement of cartilage, as well as its ability to protect tissue degradation in a catabolic state. Indeed, the low MW MeHA integrated and reinforced cartilage tissue better than the high MW counterparts. Furthermore, in a 2 week IL-1β explant culture model, the 20 kDa MeHA demonstrated the most protection from biphasic mechanical loss, best retention of proteoglycans (Safranin O staining), and least aggrecan breakdown (NITEGE). Thus, the lower MW MeHA gels integrated better into the tissue and provided the greatest protection of the cartilage matrix. Future work will test this formulation in a preclinical model, with the goal of translating this therapeutic approach for cartilage preservation.
Title: Nepalese origin of cholera epidemic in Haiti

Cholera appeared in Haiti in October 2010 for the first time in recorded history. The causative agent was quickly identified by the Haitian National Public Health Laboratory (LNSP) and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as Vibrio cholerae serogroup O1, serotype Ogawa, biotype El Tor. Since then, over one-half million government-acknowledged cholera cases and more than seven thousand deaths have occurred, the largest cholera epidemic in the world, with the real death toll likely being much higher. Questions of origin have been widely debated with some attributing the onset of the epidemic to climatic factors and others to human transmission. None of the evidence on origin supports climatic factors. Instead, recent epidemiological and molecular-genetic evidence point to the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping troops from Nepal as the source of cholera to Haiti, following their troop rotation in early October 2010. Such findings have important policy implications for shaping future international relief efforts.
Biomechanical evaluation of two implant-supported single crowns and union crown in the premolar area: a finite element analysis

The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the biomechanical differences between two implant-supported cement retained single crown, screw-retained single crown and screw-retained union crown in premolar area. Thus, three prosthetic restoration groups were established based on different abutment types and crown retention designs: 2 straight abutments and 2 single cement-retained crowns (T1), 2 screw-retained abutments and 2 single screw-retained crowns (T2), 2 screw-retained abutments and screw-retained union crown (T3). The finite element analysis (FEA) was performed to explore the stress distribution of prosthetic restoration. Further linear regression analysis was performed to study the effect of crown height (CH) on the maximum stress of the implant system. The FEA results demonstrated that T3 restorations model exhibited the lowest level of stress. The overall peak stress of the implant-abutment assembly in T3 model were reduced by 69.6%-92.9% compared with T1 and T2 models. Furthermore, increasing CH values will lead to a strong linear increase in the maximum equivalent stress of the implant-abutment assembly. In terms of biomechanical property, the screw-retained union crown design for the double implant-supported prostheses achieved the best load resistance and optimal stress distribution compared to the other two single crown designs. Besides, screw retained union crown with smaller CH value was preferred for implant-supported restorations.
Semantic Segmentation of Golf Courses for Course Rating Assistance

This paper introduces a system to assist golf course raters in determining the difficulty rating of a golf hole. Currently, determining the rating of a given golf hole relies on time-consuming manual measurements on the ground, which we attempt to partially automate. A U - net neural network is trained to classify greens, fairways, tees, bunkers, and water in golf courses, and a course rating assistance system is implemented to measure distances between relevant course parts. Since no public datasets containing golf courses existed prior to this work, we present a new public data set of golf courses created from orthophotos. 1,123 RGB orthophotos for training/validation and 108 RGB orthophotos for testing were gathered from 107 Danish golf courses (58 % of Danish courses) during the spring season and manually annotated. The dataset is publicly available on Kaggle11https://www.kaggle. com/datasets/jacotaco/danish-golf-courses-orthophotos. The U-net model accomplished a mean intersection over union (IoU) of 69.6%, mean sensitivity of 78.0%, and mean positive predictive value (PPV) of 84.1 %. Based on this automatic analysis of the course images, the course rating assistance system computes 5 crucial distances for course raters to determine a course rating and achieved a mean error of 2.7% and 17.7 % for green length and width, as well as a mean error of 3.3 % and 4.2 % for male/female hole lengths.
Decoding the Microbiome’s Influence on Rheumatoid Arthritis

The aim is better to understand and critically explore and present the available data from observational studies on the pathogenetic role of the microbiome in the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The electronic databases PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were screened for the relevant literature published in the last ten years. The primary outcomes investigated included the influence of the gut microbiome on the pathogenesis and development of rheumatoid arthritis, exploring the changes in microbiota diversity and relative abundance of microbial taxa in individuals with RA and healthy controls (HCs). The risk of bias in the included literature was assessed using the GRADE criteria. Ten observational studies were identified and included in the qualitative assessment. A total of 647 individuals with RA were represented in the literature, in addition to 16 individuals with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and 247 HCs. The biospecimens comprised fecal samples across all the included literature, with 16S rDNA sequencing representing the primary method of biological analyses. Significant differences were observed in the RA microbiome compared to that of HCs: a decrease in Faecalibacterium, Fusicatenibacter, Enterococcus, and Megamonas and increases in Eggerthellales, Collinsella, Prevotella copri, Klebsiella, Escherichia, Eisenbergiella, and Flavobacterium. There are significant alterations in the microbiome of individuals with RA compared to HCs. This includes an increase in Prevotella copri and Lactobacillus and reductions in Collinsella. Collectively, these alterations are proposed to induce inflammatory responses and degrade the integrity of the intestinal barrier; however, further studies are needed to confirm this relationship.