Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Selection and Use of MySQL in a Database Management Course

This paper presents a case study of the selection and use of a software package for an introductory Database Management course in a typical MIS program. Teachers of Database Management face the challenge of providing their students with meaningful experiences with actual database software. The software selected for use in a database course can generally be categorized as one of three types: commercial enterprise software, such as Oracle or IBM’s DB2; personal database software, such as Microsoft Access; or software available for no cost (including open source software), such as PostgreSQL or MySQL. The advantages and disadvantages of each of these types of software are discussed, as is the selection process utilized in this specific case. The teaching approach examined in detail is the use of MySQL on a Linux platform to allow students to create, modify, populate, and query databases. This approach is shown to have several advantages: • The software is available at no cost to the students or the institution. • It is configurable and manageable by the course instructor without the need to consult specialized database professionals. • It provides an enterprise database experience using Structured Query Language (SQL). • Using the Internet, it is available to students from remote computers.
Therapy progress indicator (TPI): Combining speech parameters and the subjective unit of distress

A posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a severe handicap in daily life and its treatment is complex. To evaluate the success of treatments, an objective and unobtrusive expert system was envisioned: an therapy progress indicator (TPI). Speech was considered as an excellent candidate for providing an objective, unobtrusive emotion measure. Speech of 26 PTSD patients was recorded while they participated in two reliving sessions: re-experiencing their last panic attack and their last joyful occasion. As a subjective measure, the subjective unit of distress was determined, which enabled the validation of derived speech features. A set of parameters of the speech features: signal, power, zero crossing ratio, and pitch, was found to discriminate between the two sessions. A regression model involving these parameters was able to distinguish between positive and negative distress. This model lays the foundation for an TPI for patients with PTSD, which enables objective and unobtrusive evaluations of therapies.
Issues in Political Economy, Vol 29(2), 2020, 100-119 Capital Concentration and Economic Growth: Interacting Income Inequality with Capital Accumulation

A great deal of literature has been devoted to the study of economic growth in the field of macroeconomics, while income inequality remains a topic of frequent discussion in political science circles. However, the intersection of the two has received less attention, and the literature in this subfield of political economy is mixed. Recent trends in the composition of Western income distributions offer an opportunity to study the effect that a more hierarchical distribution of earnings may have on economic output. For instance, the concentration of resources may heavily influence the productivity of physical capital, which has implications on output. Previous literature has postulated a fundamental inequality within the market system: due to the dynamics of the capital-income ratio, the rate of return on capital must remain greater than the growth of national income (Piketty, 2014). In other words, the annual yield of aggregate private capital must be greater than the annual growth of aggregate labor income. As a consequence, resources concentrate, and this may be the leading driver of the recent trend in income divergences. This hypothesis stands in contrast to the most prominent prediction of the relationship between income inequality and economic development (Kuznets, 1955).
The Effect of Temporary and Intense Exposure to Particulate Matter on Birth Outcomes in Montevideo

Background: Prior estimates of the correlation between ambient air pollutants’ concentrations and perinatal health show dispersion in magnitudes, as well as positive and negative signs. These differences may be partially explained by the diverse array of methodological approaches between studies, including the set of confounders considered. Objectives: This study explores the effect of breathable particulate matter with diameter of 10 micrometers or less (PM10) on perinatal outcomes in Uruguay, a middle-income country in South America with levels of PM10 that in general do not exceed the recommended thresholds. The analyzed outcomes are: birth weight (BW), the risk of low birth weight (LBW) and the risk of a pre-term birth (PTB). Methods: We exploit the fact that in 2011 the ashes and dust resulting from the eruption of the Puyehue volcano in Chile more than doubled monthly averages of PM10 concentration levels in Montevideo, Uruguay. Using prenatal and birth data for 2010-2013, we estimate the associations between mother’s average exposure to PM10 in each trimester-of-pregnancy and perinatal outcomes controlling for a rich set of covariates. Results: We find that exposure to high levels of PM10 concentration (above 50 µg/m³ for the trimester average) during the third trimester of pregnancy is associated with higher rates of low birth weight and prematurity, and lower birth weight. These effects are quite robust to different specifications, and are particularly large for pregnancies exposed to concentration levels above 70 µg/m³, suggesting non-linear effects. The impact of PM10 on BW and on the rate of LBW appears to be driven primarily by an effect on prematurity. Conclusions: Exploiting a natural experiment, our study shows that exposure to high levels of PM10 during the third trimester of pregnancy can trigger preterm births.
Research on the Mechanism of T Cell Subsets and Cytokines in Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

As being one of the most common diseases in autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD), Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is an organ-specific autoimmune disease. It is mostly related to genetics, infection, and excessive iodine, but the exact pathogenesis has not yet clear. As one of the most important immune cells, T cells play an important role in the human immune. Helper T cells (Th) and regulatory T cells (Treg) are two important subgroups of T cells. The former include Th1, Th2, Th17 and other cells. HT patients is mainly characterized by expressing Th1 cytokines. The imbalance of Th1/Th2 ratio can induce abnormal immune response, which is closely related to the incidence of HT. Th17/Treg cells are mutually restricted in differentiation and mutually antagonistic in function. IL-17 secreted by Th17 cells directly promotes the inflammatory response of thyroid tissue and accelerates the damage of thyroid tissue. Abnormal Treg cell function cannot effectively inhibit the occurrence of autoimmune reactions and promote immune tolerance. Th17/Treg constitute a relatively independent group of cell networks except Th1/Th2. Under normal circumstances, Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg cells maintain a dynamic balance. However, once unbalanced, they will lead to immune dysfunction and participate in the development of HT. This article reviews the mechanisms of Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg cells and their cytokines in the pathogenesis of HT.
Are routine chest radiographic examinations of students in Nigerian Universities still relevant? An imaging perspective

Routine chest radiographic examinations are usually performed for newly admitted students in Nigerian universities as a screening test for pulmonary tube rculosis (PTB). Such practice and their alleged benefits have generated a lot of controversy. The e vidence in favour of a non-selective screening for PTB using chest radiography in young asymptomatic s ubjects is extremely meagre. We evaluated this practice in Nigeria’s first and largest university. The chest radiographs of all consecutive newly admitted students taken over a 3-month period, betw een February and April 2011, were reviewed. All radiographs were read and classified as “normal” or “abnormal”. The abnormal radiographs were then further classified based on standard radiological c riteria on whether or not the abnormal lesions were indicative of PTB. 1021 chest radiographs were revi ewed. Of these, 572 (56%) radiographs were obtained in males and 449 (44%) in females. The sub jects’ ages ranged from 16 to 53 years (mean 26.1±8.9 years). 151 radiographs (14.8 %) were repor ted as abnormal on the basis of presence of an incidental finding or a clinically relevant radiogr aphic abnormality. The students with an abnormal radiograph were about 8 years above the mean age fo r the normal group (P=0.001), but gender distribution was similar to the normal group. Detec ted abnormalities were categorized as affecting the heart (49, 4.8%), the bones (44, 4.3%), the lung (4 1, 4.0%), the diaphragm (9, 0.9%) or other structur es (8, 0.8%). None of the detected lesions was clinically severe, except for a single case of suspected aorti c aneurysm. Only 2.8% (29/1021) showed lesions compat ible with PTB. Newly admitted students at our institution undergo routine chest radiography with a low positive yield for infectious PTB or any othe r clinically significant incidental findings. The cur rent guidelines may require a review to ensure more efficient use of available resources and avoid unwa rranted radiation exposure.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Otitis Media: Prevalence and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern in a Tertiary Care Hospital in India

Otitis media (OM) refers to a group of complex infections and inflammatory diseases affecting the middle ear. While OM occurs with different degrees of severity, it invariably presents a serious healthcare problem, with significant medical, psychological and social impacts. As quoted by Hippocrates “Acute pain of the ear, with the continued fever, is to be dreaded, for there is danger that the man may become delirious and die” (Slatter, 2003).
Avian marginal zone cells function as primitive streak inducers only after their migration into the hypoblast

Hypoblast cells of posterior marginal zone origin have been shown previously to be the inducers of primitive streak in the avian embryo. Here we checked: (1) whether the above cells acquire their inductivity while still whithin the marginal zone; (2) can inductivity be found in supernatants of defined blastodermic regions; (3) can differences in the electrophoretic pattern be shown between inducing and non-inducing tissue fragments and their conditioned media, which might give a clue as to what the inductive substance is. The following observations were made: 1. (a) Stage X chick posterior marginal zone cells prior to their migration into the hypoblast do not induce a primitive streak, when applied to a stage XIII competent epiblast central disc. (b) A posterior marginal zone fragment, when applied to an epiblast central disc, even after being preincubated for up to 9 hours in vitro, is still non-inductive. (c) Mechanically fragmented stage X posterior marginal zones when applied as a layer to epiblast central discs are non-inductive. (d) Hypoblastic tissue in strip form induces a primitive streak. 2. Competent stage XIII epiblast central discs (chick) were incubated for 2 hours in supernatants of stage XIII epiblasts or hypoblasts. Whereas no inductive effect was exerted by the epiblast supernatant, primitive streaks developed in about 50% of the epiblast central discs incubated in the hypoblast supernatant. 3. Electrophoretic analysis (quails) reveals a protein of 28x10-3 Mr that is enriched in both hypoblastic tissue and its incubation medium and not in the epiblast + marginal zone + area opaca and their incubation medium. These findings suggest a possible correlation between this protein and the induction process.
Differential geometric aspects of the tt*-equations

We discuss the relation between pluriharmonic maps and solutions of the tt*-equations. The correspondence is obtained without assuming the integrability of the almost complex structure of the base manifold. We present examples which stem from special Kähler and nearly Kähler geometry. This paper is based on a lecture given by the first author on the Workshop ‘From tQFT to tt* and integrability’ (Augsburg, 2007).
Fertilizing for Maximum Yield . By G. W. Cooke. London, Sydney, Toronto and New York: Granada (1982), third edition, pp. 465, £9.95 (paperback).

Doctor Cooke once again tackles the daunting problem of making sense of the ever-proliferating amount of information gained from experimentation with fertilizers. The material from earlier editions of the book has been reorganized and new data included. There is still a strong emphasis on the efficient use of fertilizers in Britain, within which England is given pride of place. Inevitably, many examples of work at Rothamsted and Woburn are quoted but, in this third edition, the balance has been changed by giving more examples from other temperate countries. There are also new chapters in which fertilizer use in the tropics is discussed. The data available for tropical regions, especially in relation to soil types, are still sparse and the areas so widespread and diverse that these chapters are necessarily speculative. Wisely, no attempt is made to give even broad fertilizer recommendations for tropical crops. The book starts with a vigorous advocacy of research on the production of large yields in intensive agriculture with special emphasis on the role of fertilizers. The essence of the book, however, is in the close-packed discussion of the scientific basis for determining the most efficient rates and timing of application and types of fertilizer for particular crops under specific conditions. These pages, and the following fertilizer recommendations for crops grown in temperate climates, are no meat for the casual or unwary reader. In particular, the tables of recommendations must be used only with very careful reference to the text. For example, the dressings in Chapter 23 for arable crops '. are for average yields now grown in Europe' and not for maximum yields. Also, some tables of recommendations (e.g. Table 83) refer only to particular regions and should not be applied elsewhere without seeking advice.
Neutralizing antibody against SARS-CoV-2 spike in COVID-19 patients, health care workers and convalescent plasma donors: a cohort study using a rapid and sensitive high-throughput neutralization assay

Rapid and specific antibody testing is crucial for improved understanding, control, and treatment of COVID-19 pathogenesis. Herein, we describe and apply a rapid, sensitive, and accurate virus neutralization assay for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. The new assay is based on an HIV-1 lentiviral vector that contains a secreted intron Gaussia luciferase or secreted Nano-luciferase reporter cassette, pseudotyped with the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) glycoprotein, and is validated with a plaque reduction assay using an authentic, infectious SARS-CoV-2 strain. The new assay was used to evaluate SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in serum from individuals with a broad range of COVID-19 symptoms, including intensive care unit (ICU) patients, health care workers (HCWs), and convalescent plasma donors. The highest neutralizing antibody titers were observed among ICU patients, followed by general hospitalized patients, HCWs and convalescent plasma donors. Our study highlights a wide phenotypic variation in human antibody responses against SARS-CoV-2, and demonstrates the efficacy of a novel lentivirus pseudotype assay for high-throughput serological surveys of neutralizing antibody titers in large cohorts.
Impact of Temperature Difference on the Physicochemical Properties and Yield of Tomato: A Review

The global human population is currently growing at an alarming rate and is expected to remain in such condition for at least 35 years [1]. An increasing population is associated with an increase in demand of food but the food production is not sufficient to feed the growing population. Global warming and associated heat stress due to climate change is a major threat which affects the crop production adversely [1]. The global climate change models predict an increase of 2°C daily mean temperature between year 2046 and 2065 and 3.7°C by 2100 [2]. This climate change is expected to affect the world in many ways, including the extinction of species that cannot escape their adverse environment and a decrease in food productivity.
RESULTS IN PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT AND OPERATIONAL OPTIMIZATION OF PHOTOVOLTAIC COMPONENTS AND SYSTEMS

New trends in advanced solar cells technologies regarding the conversion efficiency increasing and cost drop are analysed. In order to overcome the conversion efficiency Shockley-Queisser limitations new types of solar cells were developed (based on the third and fourth generations). A global vision in modeling and simulation of advanced solar cells was considered. High opportunities in PV modules and systems are based on new adhesive solutions for PV modules, development of PV ribbon products and spectral corrections for PV performance modelling, reliable solar radiation database and progressive integration of PV systems in electricity market. Modelling and simulation of photovoltaic systems represent an essential task for their integration in current power applications. A comprehensive analysis of the most interesting software packages used for simulation of a Photovoltaic Park is achieved and commented for future development.
Peripheral innate and adaptive immune cells during COVID-19: Functional neutrophils, pro-inflammatory monocytes and half-dead lymphocytes

A better understanding of the innate and adaptive cells in the COVID-19 disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus is a necessity for the development of effective treatment methods and vaccines. We studied phenotypic features of innate and adaptive immune cells, oxidative burst, phagocytosis and apoptosis. One hundred and three patients with COVID-19 grouped according to their clinical features as mild (35%), moderate (40.8%), and severe (24.3%) were included in the study. Monocytes from all COVID-19 patients were CD16+ pro-inflammatory monocytes. Neutrophils were mature and functional. No defect has been found in ROS production of monocytes and neutrophils as well as no defect in their apoptosis. As bridging cells of the innate and adaptive immune system; the percentage of NK cells was in normal range whereas the percentages of CD3-CD8+CD56+ innate lymphoid and CD3+CD56+ NK like T cells were found to be high in the severe cases of COVID-19. Although absolute numbers of all lymphocyte subsets were low and showed a tendency for a gradual decrease in accord with the disease progression, in all COVID-19 patients, the lymphocyte subset with the most decreased absolute number was B lymphocytes, followed by CD4 + T cells in the severe cases. The percentages of suppressive, CD3+CD4-CD8-; HLA-DR+CD3+ and CD28-CD8+ cells were found to be significantly increased. Importantly, we demonstrated spontaneous caspase-3 activation and increased lymphocyte apoptosis. Altogether our data suggest that SARS-CoV- 2 primarily affects lymphocytes not innate cells. So that, it may interrupt the cross-talk between adaptive and innate immune systems.
Reproductive performance of different crossbred cows of Bangladesh

The study was conducted at Central Cattle Breeding and Dairy Farm in Savar, Dhaka to evaluate the reproductive performance of different crossbred cows in terms of gestation length, service per conception, postpartum heat period and calving interval. The genotypes Australian Friesian Sahiwal (AFS), Sahiwal × Friesian (SL×F), Local × Friesian (L×F), Local × Friesian × Friesian (LF1×F) and Local × Friesian × Friesian × Friesian (LF2×F) were considered. The highest performance for the trait service per conception was found in AFS (1.40±0.69) and the lowest performance was found in SLF (1.80±0.63). The longest gestation length and calving interval were observed in SLxF, 281.0±3.26 and 542.0±9.87 days, respectively. The longest postpartum heat period (201.7±17.40 days) was found in LF1F cows. On the other hand, the shortest gestation length (277.0±5.21 days), postpartum heat period (135.5±10.58 days) and calving interval (436.07±9.87 days) were observed in LF crossbred cows. From the above perspective it is concluded that LF crossbred cows are more suitable for Bangladesh.
Impacts of people's learning behavior in fighting the COVID-19 epidemic

This work presents a mathematical model that captures time-dependent social-distancing effects and presents examples of the consequences of relaxing social-distancing restrictions in the fight against the novel coronavirus epidemic. Without social distancing, the spread of COVID-19 will grow exponentially, but social distancing and people's learning behavior (isolating, staying at home, wearing face masks, washing hands, restricting the size and frequency of group gatherings, etc.) can significantly impede the epidemic spread, flatten the infection curve, and change the final outcome of the COVID-19 outbreak. Our results demonstrate that strict social distancing and people's learning behavior can be effective in slowing the spread rate and significantly reducing the total number of infections, daily infection rate, peak of daily infections, and duration of the epidemic. Under strict social distancing, the rise and fall of infections would be nearly symmetric about the peak of of daily infections, and the epidemic spread would be essentially over within 60 days. Relaxing social distancing and people learning behaviors will significantly increase the total and daily numbers of infections and prolong the course of the outbreak. These results have immediate applications for the implementation of various social-distancing policies and general significance for ongoing outbreaks and similar infectious disease epidemics in the future.