Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
550 GHz bandwidth photodetector on low-temperature grown molecular-beam epitaxial GaAs

The authors demonstrate that a 550 GHz bandwidth photodetector can be fabricated on low-temperature grown MBE GaAs. The pulse response shows 0.4 and 0.6 ps rise and fall times, respectively. The bandwidth is in agreement with a value calculated using a carrier lifetime of 0.2 ps, measured by femtosecond time-resolved reflectivity, and a capacitance of 0.014 fF/µm2, determined from microwave measurements. The device bandwidth is RC limited.
Genetic relationships between efficiency traits and gut microbiota traits in growing pigs fed a conventional or a high fiber diet

In pigs, the gut microbiota composition plays a major role in the process of digestion, but is influenced by many external factors, especially diet. To be used in breeding applications, genotype by diet interactions on microbiota composition have to be quantified, as well as their impact on genetic covariances with feed efficiency (FE) and digestive efficiency (DE) traits. This study aimed at determining the impact of an alternative diet on variance components of microbiota traits (genera and alpha diversity indices), and estimating genetic correlations between microbiota and efficiency traits for pigs fed a conventional (CO) or a high fiber (HF) diet. Fecal microbes of 812 full-siblings fed a CO diet and 752 pigs fed the HF diet were characterized at 16 weeks of age by sequencing the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. A total of 231 genera were identified. Digestibility coefficients of nitrogen, organic matter and energy were predicted analyzing the same fecal samples with near infrared spectrometry. Daily feed intake, feed conversion ratio, residual feed intake and average daily gain (ADG) were also recorded. The 71 genera with less than 20% of zeros were retained for genetic analyses. Heritability (h2) of microbiota traits were similar between diets (from null to 0.38 ± 0.12 in the CO diet and to 0.39 ± 0.12 in the HF diet). Only three out of the 24 genera and two alpha diversity indices with significant h2 in both diets had genetic correlations across diets significantly different from 0.99 (P < 0.05), indicating limited genetic by diet interactions for these traits. When both diets were analyzed jointly, 59 genera had h2 significantly different from zero. Based on the genetic correlations between these genera and ADG, FE and DE traits, three groups of genera could be identified. A group of 29 genera was favorably correlated with DE and FE traits, 14 genera were unfavorably correlated with DE traits, and the last group of 16 genera had correlations close to zero with production traits. However, genera favorably correlated with DE and FE traits were unfavorably correlated with ADG, and vice versa. Alpha diversity indices had correlation patterns similar to the first group. In the end, genetic by diet interactions on gut microbiota composition of growing pigs were limited in this study. Based on this study, microbiota-based traits could be used as proxies to improve FE and DE in growing pigs.
Tight and Scalable Side-Channel Attack Evaluations through Asymptotically Optimal Massey-like Inequalities on Guessing Entropy

The bounds presented at CHES 2017 based on Massey’s guessing entropy represent the most scalable side-channel security evaluation method to date. In this paper, we present an improvement of this method, by determining the asymptotically optimal Massey-like inequality and then further refining it for finite support distributions. The impact of these results is highlighted for side-channel attack evaluations, demonstrating the improvements over the CHES 2017 bounds.
Microglia Reduce Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Lethality of Mice with Decreased T Cell and Interferon Responses in Brains

Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) infects the majority of the human population and can induce encephalitis, which is the most common cause of sporadic, fatal encephalitis. An increase of microglia is detected in the brains of encephalitis patients. The issues regarding whether and how microglia protect the host and neurons from HSV-1 infection remain elusive. Using a murine infection model, we showed that HSV-1 infection on corneas increased the number of microglia to outnumber those of infiltrating leukocytes (macrophages, neutrophils, and T cells) and enhanced microglia activation in brains. HSV-1 antigens were detected in brain neurons, which were surrounded by microglia. Microglia depletion increased HSV-1 lethality of mice with elevated brain levels of viral loads, infected neurons, neuron loss, CD4 T cells, CD8 T cells, neutrophils, interferon (IFN)-β, and IFN-γ. In vitro studies demonstrated that microglia from infected mice reduced virus infectivity. Moreover, microglia induced IFN-β and the signaling pathway of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 1 to inhibit viral replication and damage of neurons. Our study reveals how microglia protect the host and neurons from HSV-1 infection.
How is COVID-19 perceived by medical students? A survey in Aceh province, Indonesia

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has burdened the health system and medical education programmes both locally and globally, requiring medical students to continue their education whilst engaging in prevention programmes to support primary health services. This study aims to describe medical students’ knowledge, attitudes in the prevention of COVID-19, and to determine the relationship between the knowledge of COVID-19 preventive behaviour and attitudes towards it. This study used an analytical cross-sectional observational design with a sample of 290 students. Data were collected through a self-assessment method using a validated questionnaire. Analysis of the frequency distribution test for knowledge found that 54.1% of the respondents and 99.0% of the students had a good understanding of the mode of transmission of COVID-19. The majority of medical students (73.1%) also had a good attitude towards COVID-19 and around 84.3% of the students considered that good ethics is needed when coughing or sneezing during this pandemic. As many as 46.6% of the respondents had good preventive behaviour against COVID-19 and always imposed restrictions on using public transportation during a pandemic. The Spearman’s correlation test shows a weak but meaningful relationship between knowledge (r = 0.214, p = 0.000) and COVID-19 preventive behaviour, and a significant relationship between attitudes (r = 0.477, p = 0.000) towards COVID-19 preventive behaviour. This study concludes that medical students have good knowledge, preventive behaviour and an understanding of infection risk. An enhanced knowledge and awareness will increase preventive behaviours that will provide support in controlling the disease.
Intake of Animal-Based Foods and Consumer Behaviour towards Organic Food: The Case of Nepal

This study aims to segment Nepalese consumers based on the frequency of animal-based food intake and thereby the determinants of organic food purchasing behaviour to suggest possible marketing strategies for organic food suppliers. A face-to-face survey was conducted among Nepalese consumers (n = 527), underpinned by the theoretical framework, ‘theory of planned behaviour (TPB)’, and extended to include: knowledge, environmental concerns, health-consciousness, and background factors (socio-demographic and lifestyle characteristics). Three segments of consumer types were identified by employing k-means segmentation: All Low (n = 113), High Dairy (n = 246), and High Dairy and Meat (n = 168). A covariance-based structural equation modelling (CB-SEM) analysis indicated that perceived behavioural control (β = 0.438, p < 0.001) was the main predictor of organic food purchasing intention, followed by attitude (β = 0.302, p < 0.001), subjective norms (β = 0.300, p < 0.001), knowledge (β = 0.211, p < 0.001), and environmental concerns (β = 0.208, p < 0.001). Health-consciousness (β = −0.034, p = 0.374) showed no significant impact on organic food purchasing intention. Organic food purchasing intention had a strong positive impact on organic food purchasing behaviour. Socio-demographic and lifestyle characteristics were found to impact behavioural intention indirectly by their effects on attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control, knowledge, and environmental concern. Income also had a direct impact on organic food purchasing behaviour. Further, consumers with a low intake of animal-based foods held positive attitudes towards organic food and had higher environmental concerns. The findings can be used to inform organic food producers and targeted marketing campaigns towards promoting organic food purchasing behaviour in Nepal and similar countries.
Different models of the SRM in state space format for the sensorless control using a Kalman filter

This paper presents different ways to realise the sensorless control of the Switched Reluctance Motor (SRM) with a Kalman Filter. Several models of the SRM are set up. All models are in the state space format and take magnetic non-linearity into account. Experimental results taken from a test bench with a DSP TMS320C40 and a fractional horse power 8/6 SRM are shown.
Dynamic and hybrid neural model of thermal drying in a fluidized bed

ABSTRACT A preliminary study aimed at comparing Classical Dynamic Neural Modelling (CDNM) and Hybrid Neural Modelling (HNM) to describe thermal dewatering process in a fluidized bed is presented Two schemes of HN modelling were developed to find the most efficient way of combining a classical mathematical model of the process and Artificial Neural Network (ANN). CDN model was developed using “moving window” technique. In the first scheme of HNM a feed-forward ANN was trained to predict evaporation rate and heat flux in the drying process. In the second scheme of the HN model, ANN was used to determine heat transfer coefficient only. Excellent prediction of drying process by HNM is proved.
Economic impact assessment of African Timber and Plywood company in Sapele, Delta state, Nigeria.

The Impact of African Timber and Plywood (AT & P) industry on Sapele community is an important issue that warrants empirical investigation. Specifically, the study was designed to assess the positive and negative impact of AT & P on Sapele community. A sample of 90 respondents comprising of 30 AT & P company staff and 60 numbers of Sapele community, was composed using simple random sampling techniques. Primary data were collected from the respondents with the aid of structured questionnaire and interview schedule in May 2009. A combination of descriptive statistics (such as means, standard deviation, percentage, table, graph); and inferential statistics (probit regression model) were used to analyse the collected data. The result of the study showed that AT & P industry made positive impact on Sapele community through creation of job opportunities (77.78%) and award of scholarship to indigenes (55.56%), the study revealed that the negative impact created by AT & P industry included deforestation (66.67%) and generation of wastes (61.11%). The result of the probit model showed that AT & P industry created significant impact on Sapele community through the provision of social amenities and wood supply. The average log likelihood value of 0.48 indicated that the mean degree of impact created by AT & P was 48%. It was therefore recommended among others that more forest related industries should be sited in other parts of Delta State Nigeria for the purpose of development. Keyword: Economic Impact assessment, Timber and plywood, Sapele Community, Nigeria.
The effects of human resource management function on the growth of micro enterprises, Kenya

Globally, Micro and small enterprises (MSEs) have been accepted as the means through which accelerated economic growth and rapid industrialization have been achieved. In most developing countries like Kenya, MSEs are generally regarded as the driving force of economic growth in job creation and poverty reduction. Besides, various studies have been conducted highlighting the constraints which affect the growth of micro enterprises but to no success since they still stagnate and eventually fail. To fill the gap, the researcher conducted a research on the effects of human resource on growth of micro enterprises. The research objective that guided the study was to investigate how human resource affects the growth of micro enterprises. The study sample was drawn from a population of 210 enterprises comprising six different business trade areas whose owner/managers are registered with Murang’a Jua kali Pioneer Association. Stratified random sampling was used since the population was not homogeneous. To constitute the study sample, respondents from each stratum were selected using Systematic sampling. The researcher collected Data from a sample size of 70 respondents of various enterprises using the administration of structured questionnaires. The quantitative data was processed by statistical package for social sciences (SPSS). The analysis was done using descriptive statistics. Simple regression analysis was used to test relationships between variables. The results showed that human resource is very significant since p-values 0.002 < 0.05 influence change in the growth of the enterprises. The study found out that there is need for micro enterprises to consider human resource function to boost the growth of micro enterprises. In view of the findings, the study recommended government intervention in organizing regular training and skill development since human resource has an important effect on the growth of micro enterprises.
Propulsive jet aerodynamics and aeroacoustics

Abstract Comprehensive understanding of propulsive jet aerodynamics and aeroacoustics is key to engine design for reduced jet noise and infra-red signature in civil and military aerospace, respectively. Illustrated examples are provided of other aerodynamic/aeroacoustic problems involving jet development, including chevron nozzles, increased jet/wing/flap interference (as fan diameter increases), high acoustic environment (and potentially damaging screech) of supersonic jets on carrier decks and the strongly Three-Dimensional (3D) unsteady flow during the in-ground effect operation of Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) aircraft. To date, laboratory/rig test measurements have primarily been used to identify design solutions; increased use of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) would help achieve cost/time reductions, but Reynolds-Average Navier–Stokes (RANS) CFD with statistical turbulence modelling has proven inadequate for such flows. The scenarios described are far removed from flows used to calibrate model constants, and predictive accuracy demands detailed insight into unsteady flow. Large-Eddy Simulation (LES), whilst computationally more demanding, offers a potential solution. Research undertaken to assess LES capability to address the challenges described is reviewed here. This demonstrates that tremendous progress has been made, indicating that LES can provide sufficiently accurate predictions, representing high value for engineering design. A series of validation studies of increasing realism to practical engineering systems is presented to underpin this conclusion. Finally, areas for further work are suggested to support the combined application of RANS and LES that is probably the optimum way forward.
Imaging blood's velocity using synthetic aperture ultrasound

The blood velocity vector can be estimated using synthetic aperture techniques in medical ultrasound by using short emission sequences. The whole image region is insonified and the flow can be tracked in all directions continuously. This is a major advantage compared to commercial systems, since the separation between blood and tissue is greatly eased by this, and the estimates can be averaged over long time than in traditional systems. Vector velocity imaging can, thus, be made and attain an order of magnitude higher precision than in current commercial systems and at higher frame rates. It is also possible to visualize very slow moving flow. The paper will present methods for making such imaging.
Freedom to Surf: The Positive Effects of Workplace Internet Leisure Browsing

It is commonly believed that for workers to browse the Internet for personal reasons during work hours is non‐productive. Contesting this belief, this study documents positive effects of workplace Internet leisure browsing (WILB) on employee productivity. It is argued that WILB is an unobtrusive interruption which enables restoration of mental capacity and fosters feelings of autonomy.
A Multiparametric MR-Based RadioFusionOmics Model with Robust Capabilities of Differentiating Glioblastoma Multiforme from Solitary Brain Metastasis

Simple Summary Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and solitary brain metastasis (SBM) are common brain tumors in adults. The two tumors often pose a diagnostic dilemma owing to their similar features on conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Ability to discriminate the two tumors is critical as it informs clinical treatment strategies. This pilot study attempts to employ the machine learning technique to identify GBM and SBM by fusing radiomics features of multiple MRI sequences and multiple models. A multiparametric MR-based RadioFusionOmics (RFO) model was developed and has demonstrated promising prediction accuracy for the identifications of GBM and SBM. Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic potential of a novel RFO model in differentiating GBM and SBM with multiparametric MR sequences collected from 244 (131 GBM and 113 SBM) patients. Three basic volume of interests (VOIs) were delineated on the conventional axial MR images (T1WI, T2WI, T2_FLAIR, and CE_T1WI), including volumetric non-enhanced tumor (nET), enhanced tumor (ET), and peritumoral edema (pTE). Using the RFO model, radiomics features extracted from different multiparametric MRI sequence(s) and VOI(s) were fused and the best sequence and VOI, or possible combinations, were determined. A multi-disciplinary team (MDT)-like fusion was performed to integrate predictions from the high-performing models for the final discrimination of GBM vs. SBM. Image features extracted from the volumetric ET (VOIET) had dominant predictive performances over features from other VOI combinations. Fusion of VOIET features from the T1WI and T2_FLAIR sequences via the RFO model achieved a discrimination accuracy of AUC = 0.925, accuracy = 0.855, sensitivity = 0.856, and specificity = 0.853, on the independent testing cohort 1, and AUC = 0.859, accuracy = 0.836, sensitivity = 0.708, and specificity = 0.919 on the independent testing cohort 2, which significantly outperformed three experienced radiologists (p = 0.03, 0.01, 0.02, and 0.01, and p = 0.02, 0.01, 0.45, and 0.02, respectively) and the MDT-decision result of three experienced experts (p = 0.03, 0.02, 0.03, and 0.02, and p = 0.03, 0.02, 0.44, and 0.03, respectively).
Counterfeiting: Exploring mitigation capabilities and resilience in South African pharmaceutical supply chains

Orientation: Pharmaceutical supply chains (SCs) are experiencing a growing emergence of illicit trade of counterfeited products. This threat is amplified because of global distributed SC networks, increased access to the Internet and challenging economic conditions.Research purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore risk mitigation capabilities and SC resilience (SCRES) to reduce the effects of counterfeiting in the South African pharmaceutical industry.Motivation for the study: Developing countries such as South Africa tend to be more vulnerable to counterfeiting, as these countries do not have established responses that are seen in more developed countries, such as SC regulation, track-and-trace technology and enforcement regimes.Research design, approach and method: This study employed a generic qualitative research design. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from 12 pharmaceutical manufacturers, distributors and retailers in the South African pharmaceutical industry. A thematic analysis approach was followed to analyse the collected data.Main findings: The findings show that the sources of counterfeiting stem from the local and outsourced manufacturing of counterfeited products, presence of unauthorised distributors and importing of counterfeit products. Risk awareness can be enhanced by collaborating with industry members, training members to identify counterfeits and by developing authentication technologies. The industry actively combats counterfeiting by using SCRES enablers including visibility, collaboration, information sharing and by developing an SC risk management culture.Practical/managerial implications: South African pharmaceutical firms have limited resilience. Therefore, managers should develop flexibility, agility, sensing and redundancy as resilience enables firms to combat counterfeiting.Contribution/value-add: This study expands the current literature by identifying the unique sources of counterfeiting and risk mitigation capabilities to combat counterfeiting in pharmaceutical firms in a developing country context.
Chronic Milk-Dependent Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome in Children from West Pomerania Region

Characteristics of chronic milk-dependent food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) in children from the region of Western Pomerania were studied. Prospectively, 55 children were diagnosed at a median of 2.2 months. The open food challenges (OFC), morphologies, milk-specific IgE (sIgE) (FEIA method, CAP system), and skin prick tests (SPTs) were examined. Vomiting and diarrhea escalated gradually but quickly led to growth retardation. Of the infants, 49% had BMI < 10 c, 20% BMI < 3 c; 25% had anemia, and 15% had hypoalbuminemia. During the OFCs we observed acute symptoms that appeared after 2–3 h: vomiting diarrhea and pallor. A total of 42% children required intravenous hydration. Casein hydrolysates or amino acids formulae (20%) were used in treatment. In 25% of children, SPT and milk sIgE were found, in 18%—other food SPTs, and in 14% allergy to other foods. A transition to IgE-dependent milk allergy was seen in 3 children. In the twelfth month of life, 62% of children had tolerance to milk, and in the twenty-fifth month—87%. Conclusions. Chronic milk-dependent FPIES resolves in most children. By the age of 2 children are at risk of multiple food sensitization, and those who have milk sIgE are at risk to transition to IgE-mediated milk allergy. Every OFC needs to be supervised due to possible severe reactions.
The natural adaptation and human selection history of African sheep genomes

African sheep manifest diverse but distinct physio-anatomical traits which are the outcomes of natural- and human-driven selection. Here, we generated 34.8 million variants from 150 indigenous African sheep genomes sequenced at an average depth of ∼54x for 130 samples (Ethiopia, Libya) and ∼10x for 20 samples (Sudan), representing sheep from diverse environments, tail morphology and post-Neolithic introductions to Africa. Phylogenetic and model-based admixture analysis provided evidence of four genetic groups that correspond to altitudinal geographic origins and tail morphotypes. Comparative genomic analysis identified targets of selection spanning conserved haplotype structures overlapping genes and gene families relating to hypoxia responses, caudal vertebrae and tail skeleton length, ear morphology, and tail fat-depot structure. Our findings provide novel insights underpinning variation and response to human selection and environmental adaptation, and possible pleiotropic gene interactions in indigenous African sheep genomes, which guaranteed the successful establishment of the species on the continent.