Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Comparison of Cardiac Computed Tomography, Transesophageal and Intracardiac Echocardiography, and Fluoroscopy for Planning Left Atrial Appendage Closure.

Background Left atrial appendage (LAA) closure (LAAC) is accompanied by a high risk of complications. Due to the complex anatomy of the LAA and the oval-shaped ostium, the proper sizing of the device is often difficult. Purpose To assess individualized fluoroscopy viewing angles using pre-procedural CT analysis and to compare the results of landing zone measurements obtained from CT, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), intracardiac echocardiography (ICE), and fluoroscopy. Methods Patients with indications for LAAC were enrolled. Cardiac CT and TEE were done before the procedure; ICE and fluoroscopy measurements were done peri-procedurally. Multiplanar reconstruction of CT images, using FluoroCT software, was done, and optimal "personalized" viewing angles for fluoroscopy were determined. Moreover, a mean (using multiplanar CT reconstruction, derived from the LAA perimetr) amd maximum (using all four imaging modalitities) landing zone (LZ) of the LAA were masured. Results Twenty-five patients were analyzed. Despite significant correlation between LZs obtained from different imaging modalities, the values of LZs differed significantly; the mean LZ diameter on CT was 20.60 ± 3.42 mm, the maximum diameters were 21.99 ± 4.03 mm (CT), 18.72 ± 2.44 mm (TEE), 18.20 ± 2.68 mm (ICE), and 17.76 ± 3.24 mm (fluoroscopy). The mean CT diameter matched with the final device selection in 92% patients, while fluoroscopy or TEE maximum diameters in only 72% patients. Optimal viewing angles differed significantly from the fluoroscopy projections usually recommended by the manufacturer in 3 patients. Conclusions CT provides the best measurement of the LZ and the best prediction of the optimum fluoroscopy projections for the implantation procedure.
EFFECT OF BIOFERTILIZATION AND SOME SINAI’S FLORA EXTRACTS ON THE VEGETATIVE GROWTH AND YIELD OF BROAD BEAN

Broad bean plants (Vicia faba L.) were cultivated in two field experiments at the Experimental Station of the Faculty of Environmental Agricultural Sciences, Arish University, North Sinai, Egypt, during 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 seasons under North Sinai condition, to study the effect of soil application of some biofertilizers and foliar spray with some wild plant extracts on broad bean plants. Biofertilizer treatments contained combination of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) + Trichoderma harzianum + Rhizobium leguminosarum. Three wild plant extracts treatments; i.e., Qeysoom Gebeli (Achillea fragrantissima L.), Harmal (Peganum harmala L.) and Mitnaan (Thymelaea hirsute L.) were sprayed on plants. Treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replicates in split plot system. The results indicated that biofertilizers had significant effected of all studied traits in both seasons. Foliar spraying of Thymelaea hirsute extract had the highest stimulation effects on spores count, root colonization, mycorrhizal status, and weight of non-active nodules, broad bean plant growth characters; i.e. stem length, number of branches per plant, leaf area, and shoot fresh and dry weight as well as both of fresh and dry weight of roots. Both of Thymelaea hirsute and Achillea fragrantissima extracts combined with biofertilizer treatment had significant effects on yield and its components (pod length, number of pods per plant, average pod weight total yield per plant, and weight of seeds per pod) in both seasons. The combination between Thymelaea hirsute and biofertilizer was the superior interaction treatment of this study.
A closer look at how work placement learning influences student engagement in practical skills acquisition

ABSTRACT This study examines how work placement learning (WPL) might influence student engagement in practical skills acquisition (SEPSA). The study draws on key elements of three theories: the social cognitive career theory (self-efficacy), self-determination theory (intrinsic motivation) and expectancy-value theory (task value) to understand the mechanisms through which the relationship might exist. Using cross-sectional data from 326 university undergraduate students who had completed the work placement programme, we analyzed the effect of WPL on SEPSA as well as the multiple mediation effects of learning self-efficacy, intrinsic motivation and task value using Hayes-PROCESS Macro. Findings show that WPL was associated positively with SEPSA, learning self-efficacy and task value. However, only learning self-efficacy and task value mediated the relationship between WPL and SEPSA. The findings suggest the importance of helping students to form learning self-efficacy and have higher values for their WPL activities, which may, in turn, enhance their active engagement in practical skills acquisition. The findings have implications for higher education administrators, work placement supervisors, practitioners and policymakers who may be working toward improving SEPSA during WPL.
Effect of planting time and spacing on maturity, growth and fruit yield of bell pepper, Capsicum annuum L

An experiment was carried out at Vegetable Research Farm of the Department of Vegetable Science, Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, HP during Kharif season of 2011 to investigate the fruit yield and yield attributes of bell pepper cv Solan Bharpur as influenced by planting time and spacing. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design factorial comprising of 24 treatment combinations of different planting time and spacing. The results of the experiment showed that maturity, growth, fruit yield and yield components significantly varied with variation of planting time and spacing. Among all the treatment combinations 16 May and 60 x 45 cm was found the best for days to 50 per cent flowering and days to maturity for fresh fruit whereas 11 April and 60 x 45 cm resulted in highest number of fruits per plant, green fruit weight (g), fruit length (cm), fruit breadth (cm), fruit yield/plant (g), plant height (cm), plant spread/canopy width (cm) and number of branches per plant. In overall 11 April and 45 x 30 cm combination resulted in the highest fruit yield per plot (kg) and per hectare (q) as compared to other treatments.
Yoga and Health

The background of yoga has its origin in ancient Indian philosophy. In contemporary society we can observe many schools or types of yoga. Each having its own specific emphasis regarding body postures, breathing techniques, relaxation technics, and meditation practices. That nurture awareness and state of consciousness. The application of yoga as a therapeutic means, take advantage of the number of psychological and physiological benefits. Yoga exercises may increase man flexibility, strength, coordination while the breading and meditation practices may silent the mind, hence evoke greater awareness and diminish anxiety, reduce distress, and thus enhance quality of life. Despite of growing body of clinical research on the therapeutic effects of yoga, there is still a lack of evidence regarding its clinical validity for number of symptoms and health conditions. In some research studies we can observe inconsistent evidence with some reporting positive effect of yoga interventions, but some are less conclusive. In our review we summarize the current evidence on the clinical effect of yoga intervention on various factors of physical and mental health.
Succession Planning and the Sustainability of the Land Reform Programme in Zimbabwe

The influence of succession on organisational sustainability has been widely acknowledged globally, but studies focusing specifically on farms remain relatively limited. This article examines the factors influencing succession in the newly occupied farms under the fast track land reform programme in Zimbabwe and their implications for the sustainability of the land reform programme. The study followed a qualitative multi-case research design. Data were collected using a combination of unstructured interviews, informal discussions, lived experience narrations and direct observations. Notwithstanding other structural and institutional constraints, the absence of succession arrangements and the politics of survival have been found to be the major threats to sustainability.
Enumeration of viable CD34+ cells in cord blood using a novel stem cell enumeration kit

Objective To assess the detection performance of the hematopoietic stem cell enumeration kit developed by BD Biosciences. Methods Cord blood samples were prepared using a hematopoietic stem cell enumeration kit developed by BD Biosciences and Stem-Kit reagents from Beckman Coulter. CD34+ cells were enumerated using a BD FACSCanto instrument and FACSDiva software. Results A total of 519 samples were analyzed in this study. The hematopoietic stem cell enumeration kit developed by BD Biosciences yielded absolute counts of CD34-positive cells that were on average 8.7% lower than Beckman Coulter Stem-Kit reagents (range: −5.7% to−14.7%). The BD Biosciences kit yielded relative counts that were on average 9.9% higher compared with Beckman Coulter Stem-Kit reagents (range: −2.1% to +13.8%). The intraclass correlation coefficients for absolute and relative counts of CD34-positive cells were 0.9967 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.9961–0.9972) and 0.9512 (95% CI: 0.9423–0.9587) for the BD Biosciences and Beckman Coulter kits, respectively. Conclusions The hematopoietic stem cell enumeration kit developed by BD Biosciences can be used to enumerate CD34-positive stem cells from cord blood samples.
Earnings informativeness in the Brazilian market: the influence of dividends and financial constraints

ABSTRACT This study addresses the informativeness of accounting earnings in Brazil by analysing the impact of distributed dividends and the existence of financial constraints. Panel data regression with fixed effects and quantile regression estimated that the dividend informativeness in Brazil and the presence of financial constraints affect earnings informativeness, even when the different forms of earnings distribution in Brazil are considered. The main contribution of the study is to provide further evidence on the Brazilian market that adopts a rare mandatory minimum dividend rule, and moreover, defines the distribution of earnings under different tax regime categories.
Time to Develop and Predictors for Incidence of Tuberculosis among Children Receiving Antiretroviral Therapy

Infection by the human immune deficiency virus (HIV) is the strongest risk factor for latent or new infection of tuberculosis (TB) through reduction of CD4 T-lymphocytes and cellular immune function. Almost one-third of deaths among people living with HIV are attributed to tuberculosis. Despite this evidence, in Ethiopia, there is a scarcity of information regarding the incidence of tuberculosis for children living with HIV. Thus, this study assessed time to develop and predictors for incidence of tuberculosis in children attending HIV/AIDS care in public hospitals: North West Ethiopia 2021. Methods. A facility-based retrospective cohort study was conducted among 421 seropositive children on antiretroviral therapy in two hospitals between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2020. EPI-DATA version 3.2 and STATA/14 software were used for data entry and analysis, respectively. Tuberculosis-free survival time was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier survival curve. Bivariate and multivariable Cox regression model was fitted to identify predictors at a P value <0.05 within 95% CI. Results. In the final analysis, a total of 421 seropositive children were included, of whom, 64 (15.2%) developed tuberculosis at the time of follow-up. The mean (±SD) age of the children was 10.62 ± 3.32 years, with a median (IQR) time to develop TB that was 23.5 (IQR = ±19) months. This study found that the incidence of tuberculosis was 5.9 (95% CI: 4.7; 7.6) per 100 person-years (PY) risk of observation. Cases at baseline not taking cotrimoxazol preventive therapy (CPT) (AHR = 2.5; 95% CI, 1.4-4.7, P < 0.021), being severely stunted (AHR = 2.9: 95% CI, 1.2-7.8, P < 0.03), and having low hemoglobin level (AHR = 4.0; 95% CI, 2.1-8.1, P < 0.001) were found to be predictors of tuberculosis. Conclusion. A higher rate of tuberculosis incidence was reported in our study as compared with previous studies in Ethiopia. Cases at baseline not taking cotrimoxazol preventive therapy (CPT), being severely stunted, and having low hemoglobin (≤10 mg/dl) levels were found to be at higher risk to developed TB incidence.
Progress Toward Increasing Women’s and Minorities’ Access to Top State Government Jobs?

This study examines the impact of qualifications and hiring advantages on women’s and minorities’ access to state government jobs, both in managerial and high-salary positions and overall. It also looks at how race and gender differences in representation have changed since 1990 and how they compare with the private sector. All groups, except Latino and Asian men, are more likely than White men to work for state governments, and all groups are more likely to do so than comparable White men. White men remain more likely to be managers and to earn top-decile salaries than comparable White women and people of color. Differences in education, experience, veteran status, and citizenship contribute, in different ways, to each group’s underrepresentation at top levels, but sizable unexplained gaps remain. The good news is that access to top jobs is better in state governments than in the private sector and has improved since 1990.
Intermittent optical frequency measurements to reduce the dead time uncertainty of frequency link

The absolute frequency of the 87Sr lattice clock transition was evaluated with an uncertainty of 1.1 × 10−15 using a frequency link to the international atomic time (TAI). The frequency uncertainty of a hydrogen maser used as a transfer oscillator was reduced by homogeneously distributed intermittent measurement over a five-day grid of TAI. Three sets of four or five days measurements as well as systematic uncertainty of the clock at 8.6 × 10−17 have resulted in an absolute frequency of 87Sr 1S0–3P0 clock transition to be 429 228 004 229 872.85 (47) Hz.
An operational and safety evaluation of alternative horizontal curve design approaches on rural two-lane highways

This paper evaluates the effects of superelevation on 85th percentile speeds and accident experience as well as the effects of side friction demand on accident experience at horizontal curves on rural two-lane highways. These evaluations were conducted as part of research toward development of a design consistency evaluation model for the United States. The operating speed analysis verified previous models that used degree of curvature, length of curve, and deflection angle as independent variables for estimating 85th percentile speed on curves. The analysis also found superelevation to be a statistically significant independent variable. Independent variables in the accident analysis included degree of curvature, operating speed reduction, superelevation deficiency, and implied side friction demand. Operating speed reduction and superelevation deficiency were found to be significant accident predictors; however, implied side friction demand was the strongest accident surrogate. Comparisons of alternative horizontal curve design methods, with respect to which speed should be used for the design of curves, were made. The 85th percentile speed on a curve was the strongest performer of four curve design ideologies and is recommended for use in horizontal curve design. Superelevation has significant effects on 85th percentile speed on rural two-lane horizontal curves. Operating speed reduction, superelevation deficiency and side friction demand based on 85th percentile operating speeds have significant effects on the safety of horizontal curves. These findings provide further support of the adoption of an operating-speed based design procedure for two-lane rural highways in the United States.
Exploring the ideal foreign language teacher profile in Spanish preschools: teacher education challenges

ABSTRACT The democratisation of early childhood education and care and the promotion of plurilingualism across Europe have facilitated the implementation of educational projects and research on early language learning at the pre-primary stage. However, in Spain and similar foreign language (FL) education contexts, it is not clear who should be implementing this early introduction of the FL, what their qualifications should be, or what preparation they require. The objective of this study was to identify the most adequate teacher profile for this language education. A Delphi research design was applied focusing on three main concerns: the most suitable teacher profile, the required qualifications, and the necessary preparation. Ninety-nine experts participated in two rounds of questioning: one qualitative with an open-ended online questionnaire and another quantitative, wherein experts’ degree of agreement was recorded on a Likert scale online questionnaire. Results suggest that an early childhood educator with at least an upper-intermediate level in the FL seems to be the most suitable profile. However, experts considered adequate preparation is necessary at both the pre-service and in-service stages, covering language improvement, specific pedagogy, and child’s development.
Impact of silver nanoparticles on enhancingin vitro proliferation of embryogenic callus and somatic embryos regeneration of Date palm cv. Hayani

— The growth and development of in vitro plants are aided by silver nanoparticles. The Phoenix dactylifera is one in all the economically important fruit crops in many Arab countries. During this study, the various concentrations of Ag NPs (0, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0 ml/l) were added to MS basal medium to judge their effects on the embryogenic callus proliferation, differentiation, and development, regeneration of somatic embryos of feather palm Hayani cv. to check the consequences of Ag NPs, research with two separate experiments was conducted. Within the first experiment, MS basal salt medium containing 3.0 mg/l 2,4-D, 1.0 mg/l 2ip (mg/l), and different concentrations of Ag NPs were wont to determinate the embryogenic callus proliferation under in vitro conditions. While within the second experiment, the effect of MS basal medium supplemented with 0.05 NAA, 0.1 BA (mg/l), and different concentrations of Ag NPs were examined on regeneration of somatic embryos. Results of the primary experiment indicated that various concentrations of Ag NPs had a significantly affected on the embryogenic callus proliferation and substantially increased somatic embryos formation on the callus when added Ag NPs at 1.0 ml/l in MS basal medium. Within the second experiment, the appropriate medium for regeneration of somatic embryos was added 1.0 ml/l Ag NPs intothe medium which had a positive effect on the number of somatic embryos and registered to the utmost number of somatic embryos 35.30 embryo/jar with the best length of embryos 1.80 cm, the best number of leaves 43.72 leaf/jar and also the highest length 3.87 cm. During this treatment, the full chlorophyll content was 2.584 mg/g. Further, higher Ag NPs concentrations had negative effects. There was genetic stability between shoots sample which exposure with 1.0 Ag NPs and therefore the mother plant. Mean values significantly In brief and after two subcultures, the results showed that Ag NPs 1.0 ml/l positive response on the number of embryos and leaves. This result in agreement
Reliability-Driven Memristive Crossbar Design in Neuromorphic Computing Systems

In recent years, memristive crossbar-based neuromorphic computing systems (NCS) have provided a promising solution to the acceleration of neural networks. However, stuck-at faults (SAFs) in the memristor devices significantly degrade the computing accuracy of NCS. Besides, the memristor suffers from the process variations, causing deviation of the actual programming resistance from its target resistance. In this paper, we propose a reliability-driven design framework for a memristive crossbar-based NCS in combination with general and chip-specific design optimizations. First, we design a general reliability-aware training scheme to enhance the robustness of NCS to SAFs and device variations; a dropconnect-inspired approach is developed to alleviate the impact of SAFs; a new weighted error function, including cross-entropy error (CEE), the $l_{2}$ -norm of weights, and the sum of squares of first-order derivatives of CEE with respect to weights, is proposed to obtain a smooth error curve, where the effects of variations are suppressed. Second, given the neural network model generated by the reliability-aware training scheme, we exploit chip-specific mapping and re- training to further improve computation accuracy loss incurred by SAFs. Experimental results show that the proposed method can boost the computation accuracy of NCS and improve the NCS robustness. Note to Practitioners—This work is motivated by the manufacturing reliability problem in a memristive crossbar-based NCS. To enhance the robustness of an NCS to SAFs and device variations, this paper presents a reliability-driven design framework with taking account of both general and chip-specific design optimizations. The experimental results have demonstrated that the proposed framework is superior to the prior arts, and can be easily integrated with existing industrial hardware-based fault tolerance solutions for higher accuracy at lower overhead. Memristive crossbar-based computing system gives hope for the anticipated efficient implementation of artificial neuromorphic networks. With the help of the reliability-driven designs, the computation accuracy is restored, and hence we can expect the wide use of memristive crossbar-based computing system in neuromorphic computing applications.
Yoga: Past, Present & Future: A Brief Review

Yoga is essentially a spiritual discipline based on extremely subtle science, which focuses on bringing harmony between mind-body and thought-action with ultimate goal to attain self-realization of one’s soul with the cosmic consciousness. It is an art and science of healthy holistic lifestyle which is open for all to access, implement & propagate with its higher purpose to create well-being amongst all the religions & communities in this one world. The word ‘Yoga’ is derived from the Sanskrit root ‘Yuj’, meaning ‘to join’ or ‘to yoke’ or ‘to unite’. As per Yogic scriptures the practice of Yoga leads to the union of individual consciousness with that of the Universal Consciousness, thus indicating a perfect harmony between the mind and body, Man & Nature. According to modern scientists, everything in the universe is just a manifestation of the same quantum firmament that weaves the cosmic fabric of particles & its observer (i.e. consciousness). One who experiences this subjective feeling of oneness of existence after practicing the principles of Yoga (i.e.