Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Numerical investigation on shear strengthening of RC beams using Near Surface Mounted (NSM) FRP

A recent and promising method for shear strengthening of reinforced concrete (RC) members is the use of near-surface mounted (NSM) fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) reinforcement. So far, numerical studies concerning the NSM FRP strengthening method have been rather limited. Moreover, virtually no comprehensive analytical research is available on the behavior of shear-strengthened beams considering NSM FRP. This paper illustrates a numerical research program on shear strengthening of RC beams with NSM reinforcement, aimed to investigate individual parameters effecting numerical analysis and capture the effect of important issues. The proposed numerical analysis is validated against published experimental results. Maximum load bearing capacity of proposed numerical models was shown very good conformity to experimental results. As a result, the behavior of the FRP systems predicted by the analytical modeling was slightly stiffer than the values recorded experimentally; probable differences in stiffness are discussed in this study. In general, comparison between the numerical predictions and test results shows desirable agreement.
Radial Softmax: A Novel Activation Function for Neural Networks to Reduce Overconfidence in Out-Of-Distribution Data

Neural networks are used widely and give state-of-the-art results in fields such as machine translation, image classification and speech recognition. These networks operate under the assumption that they predict on data that originates from the same distribution, as the training data. If this is not the case then the model will output incorrect results, often with very high confidence. In this work we explain how the commonly used softmax is unable to mitigate these problems and propose a new function called radial softmax which might help to mitigate out-of-distribution (OOD) overconfidence issues. We show that radial softmax is capable of mitigating OOD overconfidence issues in almost all cases. Based on our literature review this is the first time an improvement to softmax has been proposed for this issue. We also showed that changes to the training cycle or intermediate activation functions are not needed. With this function it is possible to make the models more resistant to OOD data without modifications to the larger architecture or training cycles. By having models that we know are resistant to OOD data, we can be more confident in the model output and use them for applications where mistakes are unacceptable such as healthcare, the defence industry or autonomous driving.
Formation of acid-heat-induced skim milk gels in the pH range 5·0–5·7: effect of the addition of salts and calcium chelating agents

Summary The effects of pH and added salts or chelating agents on the gel strength and dynamic rheological properties of acid–heat-induced gels made from reconstituted skim milk (200 g solids/l) were investigated. Gel strength increased as pH was lowered between 5·75 and 5·15 except in the range pH 5·45–5·25 where a local maximum in gel strength was obtained at pH 5·35. Gel characteristics were affected by addition of salts or chelating agents but each of their effects was different, depending on the final pH of the milk gel. The addition of CaCl2 or chelating agents (Na2HPO4, disodium citrate or the disodium salt of EDTA) which affected micellar calcium phosphate, non-sedimentable casein and Ca2+ activity in different ways all resulted in decreased gel strength at pH 5·5. The addition of CaCl2 or MgCl2 caused a decrease in tanδ (ratio of the viscous modulus G″ to the elastic modulus G′) whereas disodium citrate or the disodium salt of EDTA addition caused an increase and Na2HPO4 addition did not cause a change. The addition of NaCl (up to 50 mM), which causes an increase in ionic strength but has no effect on non-sedimentable casein and Ca2+ activity, decreased gel strength but did not change tanδ. The addition of a range of other salts (KCl, NH4Cl, NaSCN, NaNO3 or Na2SO4) also decreased gel strength at pH 5·5.
Simulation of Perovskite based Solar Cell and Photodetector using SCAPS Software

A CH3NH3PbI3-xClx perovskite based device has been simulated to analyze its performance as solar cell and photodetector. The device shows high power conversion efficiency and open circuit voltage as a solar cell. It is shown that the thickness of perovskite absorber and the choice of electrode material have significant impact on the performance of the perovskite solar cell. The maximum power conversion efficiency of 22.7% and open circuit voltage of 1.13V is obtained after optimization of the device parameters. The same device also shows impressive response as a photodetector. It achieves maximum responsivity of 0.45 A/W at a wavelength of 600 nm and a detectivity of 6.01×10 Jones for perovskite absorber thickness of 500 nm. Effect of bulk and interface defects of perovskite absorber film on the performance of photodetector has also been studied. The results show that the perovskite device is a suitable candidate for both the solar cell and photodetector applications.
Trematode (Digenea: Bucephalidae) infection in the burrowing clam Tridacna crocea from the Great Barrier Reef

Larval trematode (Family Bucephalidae) infection of Tridacna crocea (Lamarck 1819) was investigated to determine pathological effects on the host. Of 108 T. crocea gonads examined, 13 (12%) were found to be parasitised. The bucephalid caused castration in heavily infected clams, gonadal tissue being completely replaced by sporocysts. The parasite was also found in the kidney, digestive gland and ctenidia. This is the first record of a bucephalid trematode in a member of the Tridacnidae. The parasite is of potential importance to tridacnid shellfisheries currently being developed.
Phytochemical and Quality Attributes of Strawberry Fruit under Osmotic Stress of Nutrient Solution and Foliar Application of Putrescine and Salicylic Acid

The moderating role of salicylic acid (SA) and putrescine (PUS) as plant growth regulators (PGRs), on the growth parameters and phytochemical and qualitative characteristics of strawberry fruit 'Selva' under osmotic stress was investigated under soilless culture. The osmotic potential (salinity) of the nutrient solution containing different NaCl concentrations (0, 7.5, 15, 30 and 45 mM) and foliar application of PUS (0 and 1.5 mM) and SA (0 and 1.5 mM) were studied. The results showed a significant decrease in plant leaf area (79.6%), total chlorophyll content (48%), fruit yield (73.5%), leaf relative water content (33%), total protein (33.4%), total phenol (7.8%), and vitamin C content (24.5%) under osmotic stress. Moreover, peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzymes activity, leaf ion leakage, and soluble carbohydrate and proline content increased significantly under osmotic stress. Application of PGRs had a significant effect on all the studied traits (except for SOD activity). Interactive effects of salinity and PGRs were significant on all the traits except for leaf ion leakage, POD activity, soluble carbohydrates, and protein. The highest total phenol and vitamin C contents were obtained with 15 mM salinity along with foliar application of PGRs. In conclusion, foliar application of PUS and SA ameliorate negative effects of salt stress on growth, yield, and quality of strawberry fruit.
Predicting Internal and External Whistleblowing Intentions: A Comparative Study between Malaysian and Indonesian Police Forces

The role of whistleblowing, as one of the effective internal control mechanisms to deter corruption, has been acknowledged around the globe. Instigated by its role and emulating the theory of reasoned action, the objectives of this study are to predict the determinant causes of internal and external whistleblowing intentions in relation to attitude and social norms. The data was gathered from 262 Malaysian, and 353 Indonesian police forces and was analysed using the partial least square approach (PLS), version three, of structural equation modelling (SEM). The findings indicated that the internal whistleblowing intention of Malaysian police force personnel was not related to attitude but was related to social norms. Additionally, the findings indicated that both attitude and social norms were factors of external whistleblowing intention of Malaysian police force personnel. The findings of Indonesian police force personnel, on the other hand, indicated that both attitude and social norms were the determinant causes of internal and external whistleblowing intentions. Despite the differences in findings, the discoveries are expected to provide competent insights for policy makers, authorities, academic fraternities, and the like, that a positive attitude and support from social groups would intrigue one to ‘whistleblow’ to the appropriate channels. Nurturing a whistleblowing culture through openness and transparency could promote corruption-free police forces and eventually elevate the nations’ reputation at an international level.
Neuromuscular performance changes throughout the menstrual cycle in physically active females

Objectives: To determine changes in neuromuscular performance throughout the menstrual cycle in females aged 18-25. Methods: Fifty physically active college females (25 on oral contraceptives (OC)) were recruited to participate. Data collection visits coincided with early-follicular (Fp), ovulatory (Op), and the mid-luteal (Lp) phases. Isokinetic peak torque at the knee (IPT) was measured at 60°/sec, 180°/sec, and 300°/sec. Grip force was measured using a handheld dynamometer. Plasma estradiol and progesterone confirmed menstrual cycle and serum relaxin was screened as a potential covariate. Results: Grip strength was lower during Fp (30.1±0.7kg) than during Op (31.5±0.7 kg, p=0.003) and Lp (32.6±0.7 kg, p<0.001). IPT at 60°/sec was lower during Fp (83±14 nM) than during the Op (86±15 nM, p=0.02). IPTs at 180°/sec and 300°/sec were lower during Fp than Op and Lp (180°:54±10 vs. 58±10 and 61±11 nM [both, p<0.001]; 300°: 43±9 vs. 46±9 and 47±9 nM [both<0.001]. The OC group-by-phase interaction was not significant for any of the outcomes. Conclusions: Results indicate that muscular performance is diminished during Fp and the lack of group-by-phase interaction indicates that this effect is not hormone-related. These data indicate that females may be at a greater risk of injury due to decreased strength during Fp than other phases of their cycle.
Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition by interacting with Transgelin in Colorectal Cancer

Background and Purpose: The role of the cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in tumor progression has been studied, but its exact regulatory mechanism remains unknown. Methods: The interaction between COMP and the actin-binding protein transgelin (TAGLN) was identified by interaction protein prediction and co-immunoprecipitation and verified through the stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (STORM) and duolink experiments. Western blot and immunofluorescence analyses were conducted to detect the changes in EMT-related markers after COMP overexpression and knockdown. Molecular docking and Biacore of the interaction interface of COMP/TAGLN revealed that Chrysin directly targeted COMP. The promotion of COMP and the Chrysin inhibition of EMT were detected through the cell migration, invasion, apoptosis, and xenotransplantation of nude mice. Results: COMP interacts with TAGLN in EMT in colorectal cancer to regulate cytoskeletal remodeling and promote malignant progression. COMP is highly expressed in highly malignant colorectal cancer and positively correlated with TAGLN expression. COMP knockdown can inhibit colorectal cancer metastasis and invasion, whereas COMP overexpression promotes EMT in colorectal cancer. Through virtual screening of the protein interaction interface, Chrysin, a flavonoid compound extracted from Oroxylum indicum, was found to have the highest docking score to the COMP/TAGLN complex. Chrysin inhibited COMP, thereby preventing EMT and the malignant progression of colorectal cancer. Conclusions: This study illustrated the role of COMP in EMT and suggested that COMP/TAGLN may be a potential tumor therapeutic target. Chrysin exhibits obvious antitumor effects. This work provides a preliminary antitumor therapy to target COMP or its interaction protein to inhibit EMT.
Micro-Physics of Discipline: Spaces of the Self in Middle Eastern Women Life Writings

Contemporary life narratives by or about Middle Eastern women often portray the female body as the object of oppressive ethical and political governmentalities. This article focuses on the writings of a generation of secular and Muslim women, whose works describe the condition of women as subjugated by sovereign states and disciplinary governments, to examine the politics of space in the workings of the complex interactions between gender and power. To this end, Erving Goffman’s spatial theories on the territories of the self and the modalities of contamination are used to examine the function of political spaces in Jean P. Sasson’s Princess, Azar Nafisi’s Reading Lolita in Tehran, Zainab Salbi’s Between Two Worlds, and Manal al-Sharif’s Daring to Drive. The findings indicate that three modes of violations strategically contaminate the female subjects’ spaces of the self: informational preserve, physical and interpersonal. Of all the three modes, physical contamination—such as mandatory veiling/deveiling, corporeal exposure, forced exposure to dirt and appropriation of personal possessions—proves to be the most common. The study concludes that even though space is used as a strategy of regulating the female body, the subjugated women constantly struggle to re-construct different spaces to disrupt the flow of contamination.
Effects of water stress on growth, oil yield, fatty acid composition and mineral content of Sesamum indicum.

Effects of water deficit on herbal growth, oil yield, fatty acid composition and mineral content in Sesamum indicumL. (Cultivars Cumhuriyet and Ozberk) aerial and edible parts were investigated in greenhouse conditions in 2012. Plants were subjected to the different levels of water deficiency; control (FC, Field Capacity), modera te water deficit (1/2 of FC) and severe water deficit (1/4 of FC). The experiments were arranged as a factorial, using a randomized complete design with three replications. Plant growth parameters were significantly reduced by 1/4 FC and consequently cause d reductions in seed yield and yield parameters. Drought did not influence the oil yield. With the increasing water deficit treatments, oleic acid content of both cultivars decreased but it was more pronounced for cv . Cumhuriyet. However, linoleic acid percentage of cv. Cumhuriyet was not influenced with the decreasing field capacity whereas it was positively affected with the treatment for cv . Ozberk. Minor fatty acid compounds such as arachidic acid, linolenic acid, lignoceric acid, and behenic acid were not statistically affected for both cultivars when exposed to different level of treatment except cis-11-eicosenoic acid. Besides, mineral contents (Ca, Mg, K, Na) showed variation depending on cultivars and water deficit treatments except Na content.
Derangements of Liver enzymes in Covid-19 positive patients of Pakistan: A retrospective comparative analysis with other populations

Abstract Background & Objectives: COVID-19 is a global pandemic, also affecting Pakistan with its first case reported on 26th February 2020. Since then, it has been a total of 217,809 positive cases and 4473 deaths in Pakistan so far. Deranged liver function enzymes levels are prominently detected extra-pulmonary clinical manifestation of COVID-19 reported by at least one-half of the patients. Our study aimed to evaluate these derangements in our population. Methods: A retrospective, observational study was conducted to include all the admitted patients having COVID-19 positive, and evaluated those for derangements of liver function enzymes (n=77). The statistical analysis was conducted to compare those derangements amongst the disease severity, prognostic markers, and death. Results: Out of the 77 patients, 55 were admitted in the ward, 22 were in ICU, 61 of them recovered, while 16 deaths reported. The most deranged liver enzyme was found out to be Gamma-glutamyl transferase (51.94%), followed by Aspartate transferase (41.55%), Alanine transferase (28.57%), and Alkaline phosphatase (14.28%). Total bilirubin was deranged in only 10 patients, however, direct bilirubin was above the normal range in 33 patients, while indirect component in only 4 patients. Increased direct bilirubin, Aspartate aminotransferase, and Gamma-glutamyl transferase were associated with increased mortality, increased ICU admissions, increased neutrophils, lymphocytopenia, leukocytosis, and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio>3, while Alanine aminotransferase and Alkaline phosphatase were not associated with the above factors. Conclusion: The deranged values of liver function enzymes in COVID-19 are correlated with an increased number of ICU admissions, mortalities as well as prognostic markers.
Temozolomide cytoreductive treatment in a giant cabergoline-resistant prolactin-secreting pituitary neuroendocrine tumor

Dopamine agonists (DAs, especially cabergoline) are recommended as first-line treatment in patients with prolactin-secreting pituitary adenomas, to reduce hormone secretion and tumor size. Pituitary surgery, suggested in nonresponsive patients, cannot achieve a gross total resection or is not feasible in some cases. Temozolomide (TMZ) has been proposed in patients with aggressive pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs) who do not respond to conventional treatments. We present a 47-year-old man with a giant (70×51×64 mm) prolactin-secreting PitNET. Cabergoline treatment (at first 1.5 mg/week, and then increased to 3.5 mg/week after 3 months) achieved prolactin suppression; however, magnetic resonance revealed a stable mass. After explanation of surgical complications, the patient rejected the procedure. Therefore, a primary neoadjuvant cytoreductive TMZ treatment was discussed during a meeting of the Pituitary Multidisciplinary Team, and added to cabergoline. After 13 cycles of TMZ (1 year of treatment), we observed dramatic reduction of the PitNET (from 18 cm3 of adenoma to 6 cm3 of necrotic tissue). MRI performed 4, 12, and 18 months after TMZ discontinuation revealed a stable residual PitNET, and 1.5 mg/week of cabergoline has been continued until today. Recently, the criteria for developing Pituitary Tumors Centers of Excellence have been proposed, indicating that a multidisciplinary team is the best care for patients. Surgery, rejected by the patient, could only achieve a partial resection; therefore, we decided to combine TMZ and cabergoline. An early initiation of TMZ could be considered in selected cases, especially when surgery could be only partially effective.
Isolation and characterization of antagonistic bacteria against fusarium wilt and induction of defense related enzymes in banana

Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum is considered a fatal disease to bananas.Chemical control of Fusarium wilt in bananas has received little efficiency. Alternatively, biological control is a viable strategy against soil-borne diseases. The objectives of this research were to isolate antagonistic bacteria and investigate the possible mechanisms against Fusarium wilt. An antagonistic Bacillus strain, termed KY-21 against F. oxysporumf. sp. Cubense was isolated from the soil of banana’s rhizosphere by dual culture. The strain was identified as Bacillus subtilis according to the characteristics of its morphology and by homology analysis of its 16S rDNA sequence. Mycelium growth of the pathogen was seriously inhibited after treatment with the fermentation filtrate of KY-21. Observation revealed that the tips of the hypha were deformed into spherical structures that were remarkably constricted. The strain KY-21 displayed a good ability to colonize and can transfer into banana tissues. The activities of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) in bananas showed an increase after inoculated with KY-21, compared to control.In vivo biocontrol assays showed a significant reduction in wilt index and vascular discoloration. These results indicated that the antagonistic mechanisms against Fusariumwilt were involved in the inhibition of mycelial growth and the improvement in activity of defense related enzymes. Key words: Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Cubense, antagonistic bacteria, screen,colonization, enzyme activity.
An improved strain-gauge device for continuous field measurement of stem and fruit diameter

An improved strain-gauge dendrometer was tested on apple (Pyrus malus L.) tree trunks and fruit to measure thickness dynamics. The sensor is similar to previous devices, but is more flexible allowing for a greater range of thickness change before it has to be physically reset. The practical resolution of the measurement system is given as one standard deviation about the mean of 51 observations taken on an Invar metal alloy in the field when temperatures ranged between 16°C and 17°C. The mean of these observations was 3.68356 mm with one standard deviation of 0.00947 mm. There is a positive correlation between temperature and sensor output having a slope of 2.96 μm°C -1 . For a typical daily temperature change of 21 °C, this causes an apparent change of 62 μm. Stem thickness varied 0.7 mm diurnally with maximum values at night and minimum values during the day. Apple fruit diameter increased 3.3 mm over the 15 d period.
On Laguerre-Sobolev type orthogonal polynomials, zeros and electrostatic interpretation

We study the sequence of monic polynomials orthogonal with respect to inner product $$ \langle p,q\rangle = \int_0^\infty p(x)q(x)e^{-x}x^{\alpha}\;dx +Mp(\zeta )q(\zeta )+Np^\prime(\zeta )q^\prime(\zeta), $$ where \(\alpha >-1\), \(M\geq 0\), \(N\geq 0\), \(\zeta doi:10.1017/S1446181113000308