Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Development and Validation of an Empirical Instrument to Measure Organizational and Institutional Functioning Capacity Within International Extension Networks

International extension networks provide vital services to stakeholders using a variety of organizational structures. To continue offering services desired by stakeholders, it is important that both public and private extension networks develop effective organizational functioning capacities. Despite this need, an instrument to empirically examine the perceived capacities of effective international extension network organizational and institutional functioning was unavailable in the literature. The present study developed and validated the International Extension Network Organizational Functioning (IENOF) scale. Scale development included validation of content, response process, internal structure, and consequential utility. Structural analysis indicated the 21-items loaded on four factors, including: network structure and relevance, network management and activities, network strategy and guidance, and network leadership. The results of the study indicate the IENOF may provide an empirical instrument to examine the capacities of international extension network organizational functioning. Furthermore, the analysis provides insights into the nuance and unique characteristics associated with international extension network organizations. Replication studies and further statistical analyses are recommended to examine the nature of the instrument and associated outcome variables of interest. From a practical perspective the IENOF is recommended to be considered as an input to the theory of co-innovation to aid international extension networks in fostering a culture of innovation. Utilizing IENOF insights to inform the theory of coinnovation should better enable extension networks to provide services and programming that meet the needs of network stakeholders.
Graphene enhanced flexible piezoelectric transducers for dynamic strain measurement: from material preparation to application

In this study, graphene particles are introduced to the lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) to form a flexible ternary composite. The graphene concentration is rigorously designed and morphologically optimized, warranting good piezoelectric and dielectric properties. The piezoelectric and dielectric performances are greatly increased compared with the pure PVDF films. Then a theoretical model is formulated to quantitatively interpret the graphene effect on the permittivity performance and to provide guidelines for the optimization of graphene volume fraction. Moreover, a simple and cost-effective technique is designed to package the composite film as a large-area, lightweight and flexible transducer. Several confirmatory experiments and a proof-of-concept test are performed based on the proposed flexible piezoelectric transducer to validate the capability of the dynamic strain sensing. By comparing with the results from conventional strain gauges and ceramic piezoelectric wafers, it is verified that the proposed flexible transducer has proven responsivity and precision in responding to quasi-static strain, medium-frequency vibration, and ultrasound. The great potential of the developed transducer for a wide range of applications including structural health monitoring and human motion detection has been demonstrated.
Effect of integration of inorganic and organic sources of fertilizers on the yield and economics of rice cultivation var. CR1009

The complimentary role of organics as supplements to chemical fertilizers is important for keeping the soil healthy in order to harness the potential yield in rice. Therefore, a field experiment was carried out during the cropping year of 2020-2021 to ascertain the impact of inorganic and organic source fertilizers integration on rice production's yield and its economics in Cauvery deltaic region of Tamil Nadu. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications. The experiment comprised of eight treatments viz., T1 - RDF + 12.5 t FYM ( Farmer's practice), T2 - Vermicompost @ 5 t/ha + RDF, T3 - Coirpith compost @ 5 t/ha + RDF, T4 - Pressmud compost @ 5 t/ha + RDF, T5 - Poultry manure compost @ 5 t/ha + RDF, T6 - Goat manure compost @ 5 t/ha + RDF, T7 - Bone sludge compost @ 5 t/ha + RDF and T8 - Sewage sludge compost @ 5 t/ha + RDF was applied to see the effect of integration of both organic and inorganic sources of fertilizers on the yield and economics of rice (CR1009) cultivation. The present study's findings showed that the integrative application of vermicompost @ 5t ha-1 along with 100 per cent recommended dose of fertilizers (T2) excelled all treatments and gave significantly increased grain yield of 5792 kg ha-¹ with a value of 37 per cent over control and benefit-cost ratio of 3.45. The integrated application of Vermicompost @ 5tha-1 along with 100 per cent recommended dose of NPK registered the highest values in yield attributes, yield and economic returns in rice.
Genome-Wide Pleiotropy Study Identifies Association of PDGFB with Age-Related Macular Degeneration and COVID-19 Infection Outcomes

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has been implicated as a risk factor for severe consequences from COVID-19. We evaluated the genetic architecture shared between AMD and COVID-19 (critical illness, hospitalization, and infections) using analyses of genetic correlations and pleiotropy (i.e., cross-phenotype meta-analysis) of AMD (n = 33,976) and COVID-19 (n ≥ 1,388,342) and subsequent analyses including expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL), differential gene expression, and Mendelian randomization (MR). We observed a significant genetic correlation between AMD and COVID-19 infection (rG = 0.10, p = 0.02) and identified novel genome-wide significant associations near PDGFB (best SNP: rs130651; p = 2.4 × 10−8) in the pleiotropy analysis of the two diseases. The disease-risk allele of rs130651 was significantly associated with increased gene expression levels of PDGFB in multiple tissues (best eQTL p = 1.8 × 10−11 in whole blood) and immune cells (best eQTL p = 7.1 × 10−20 in T-cells). PDGFB expression was observed to be higher in AMD cases than AMD controls {fold change (FC) = 1.02; p = 0.067}, as well as in the peak COVID-19 symptom stage (11–20 days after the symptom onset) compared to early/progressive stage (0–10 days) among COVID-19 patients over age 40 (FC = 2.17; p = 0.03) and age 50 (FC = 2.15; p = 0.04). Our MR analysis found that the liability of AMD risk derived from complement system dysfunction {OR (95% CI); hospitalization = 1.02 (1.01–1.03), infection = 1.02 (1.01–1.03) and increased levels of serum cytokine PDGF-BB {β (95% CI); critical illness = 0.07 (0.02–0.11)} are significantly associated with COVID-19 outcomes. Our study demonstrated that the liability of AMD is associated with an increased risk of COVID-19, and PDGFB may be responsible for the severe COVID-19 outcomes among AMD patients.
Cardiac Morphofunctional Characteristics of Individuals with Early Repolarization Pattern: A Literature Review

The early repolarization pattern (ERP) is an electrocardiographic phenomenon characterized by the appearance of a distinct J-wave or J-point elevation at the terminal part of the QRS complex. ERP is associated with an increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias in susceptible individuals. The cardiac morphofunctional parameters in subjects with ERP have been characterized mainly by imaging techniques, which suggests that certain changes could be identified in the background of the electrical pathomechanism: however, in this regard, current data are often contradictory or insufficiently detailed. For clarification, a more comprehensive cardiac imaging evaluation of a large patient population is necessary. This review summarizes and analyses the data from the literature related to cardiac morphofunctional characteristics in individuals with ERP.
Electrical characterization of two deep electron traps introduced in epitaxially grown n-GaN during He-ion irradiation

Epitaxial n-GaN was irradiated with 5.4-MeV He ions. Capacitance–voltage (C–V) measurements showed that 5.4-MeV He ions remove free carriers at a rate of 6200±300 cm−1 in the first micron below the surface. Deep level transient spectroscopy (DLTS) revealed that, in addition to the radiation-induced defects previously detected by DLTS at 0.18–0.20 eV below the conduction band, He-ion irradiation introduced two additional prominent defects, ER4 (EC-0.78 eV) and ER5 (EC-0.95 eV) at rates of 1510±300 and 3030±500 cm−1, respectively. Capture cross-section measurements revealed that electron capture kinetics of ER5 is similar to that of a line defect.
Perceptions of inclusion in students with diagnosed behavioural, emotional and social difficulties (BESD) displaying internalising and externalising behaviour in inclusive and special education

ABSTRACT The present study aimed at researching whether students with formally diagnosed behavioural, emotional and social difficulties (BESD) differ in their self-perceived emotional and social inclusion as well as in their academic self-concept, depending on individual behavioural pattern (externalising and internalising behaviour) and school setting (inclusive and special education). In order to examine these research issues, students with diagnosed BESD from grade five to eight in inclusive and special school classes in Germany, North-Rhine Westphalia were questioned about their school-linked self-perceptions. Two-way analyses of variance were applied in order to investigate the relations between the included variables. The results indicate that academic self-concept of students with BESD is significantly more positive in special education than in inclusive education. Self-perceived social inclusion and academic self-concept of students with internalising behaviour prove to be significantly more negative in comparison to students with externalising behaviour. Descriptive statistics indicate that especially students with internalising behaviour in inclusive education are affected by low self-perceptions in school.
NUTRIENT CONCENTRATIONS IN THREE NEPENTHES SPECIES (NEPENTHACEAE) FROM NORTH SUMATRA

MANSUR, M. , SALAMAH, A. , MIRMANTO, E. & BREARLEY, F. Q. 2022. Nutrient concentrations in three Nepenthes species (Nepenthaceae) from North Sumatra. Reinwardtia 21(2): 55‒62. — Nepenthes is a genus of carnivorous plants that are unique ornamental plants, but their nutrient concentration relationships have not been studied much, especially in endemic species on the island of Sumatra. So far, the analysis of the nutrient concentration in Nepenthes is mostly limited to leaves. There are few reports of nutrient concentrations in the pitcher fluid and the soil around where it grows. Leaves, pitcher fluid, and soil around the growth sites of each species i.e., Nepenthes sumatrana, N. spectabilis, and N. tobaica, from North Sumatra province were collected for nutrient analyses (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and Na). The results showed that the nutrient concentrations in the leaves and pitcher fluid in the three Nepenthes species were generally low with those in the leaves greater than in the pitcher fluid. The concentration of nutrients in the leaves of N. sumatrana (lowland species) was least (except for N and Na) when compared to N. spectabilis and N. tobaica (highland species), likely reflecting the poorly fertile soil. In contrast, the nutrient concentration in the pitcher fluid of N. sumatrana was greater than N. spectabilis and N. tobaica. When compared across an extensive data set, we show that leaf N does not change with elevation, whereas P declines and the N:P ratio increases with elevation, suggesting that Nepenthes plants are obtaining sufficient N from prey at higher elevations.
Determination of the Optimum Geometry of the Heat Exchanger Body Via A Genetic Algorithm

ABSTRACT In the heat industry, design of the best-fitting heat exchanger in energy-converting systems has gained vital importance. In addition to fitness, the time needed to design an exchanger is also of great importance. In order to obtain the optimum heat exchanger, the geometry, the number of heat transfer units (NTU), and the pressure drop (ΔP) must be in harmony such that the requirements will be satisfied. The most important feature of this study, which makes it distinguishable from others, is the determination of optimum geometry, given performance limits, using a genetic algorithm. Therefore, this study offers an alternative way to calculate the needed geometry with a set of given initial values.
Association between sleep and problematic behaviours in gifted children: a polysomnographic study

Neurological uniqueness, maladaptive behaviours, as well as atypical sleep patterns are reported to be defining characteristics of giftedness, but this has received little empirical support. We studied the polysomnography recorded sleep of gifted and typically‐developing children together with features of maladaptive behaviours. The association of sleep macrostructure and sleep instability with maladaptive behaviours was also investigated in gifted children. In all, 19 gifted children (74% boys) and 17 typically‐developing children (76% boys) aged 6–12 years were studied. Giftedness was identified using Renzulli's three‐factor definition. The microarousal index, number of awakenings, and number of Stage shifts between sleep stages throughout the night were computed as sleep instability parameters. Maladaptive behaviours were assessed using the Child Behaviour Checklist. We found significantly more Stage N1 and less Stage N3 in gifted children compared to typically‐developing children. More Stage N1 sleep was correlated with more externalising problems and less Stage N3 sleep was correlated with more internalising problems. Gifted children also displayed more rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, but this was not significantly correlated with behavioural scales. Gifted children displayed two opposing trends of sleep instability: more instability involving N1 sleep and less instability involving N2, N3 and REM sleep. More total Stage shifts were correlated with more internalising and externalising problems. The results of this study provide initial evidence of polysomnography‐based characteristics of giftedness. Further studies are needed to explore common pathways linking sleep alterations and maladaptive behaviours in children with giftedness.
Ex vivo evaluation of antibiotic sensitivity in samples from endodontic infections

ABSTRACT Objective To develop an in vitro model for real-time monitoring of endodontic biofilm growth and evaluate the ex vivo effect of antibiotics on biofilm growth. Material and Methods Root canal samples were taken from 40 patients and inoculated into 96-well plates in a system that measures biofilm growth through electrical impedance. Biofilm bacterial composition at the genus and species level was analyzed by Illumina sequencing. ANCOM-BC corrected data were used to compare bacterial composition after antibiotic treatment through compositional analysis, and to compare microbiological with clinical data. Results The stationary phase was reached at 8 hours. The biofilm formed had a similar bacterial composition to the inoculum, and Enterococcus faecalis was virtually absent from the samples. The bacterial composition and the effect of antibiotics were sample-dependent. Metronidazole was the antibiotic that most inhibited biofilm formation and azithromycin the one that inhibited it in the highest percentage of cases. The antibiotic effect could not be related to the biofilm original bacterial composition. Conclusions The impedance system allowed real-time monitoring of endodontic biofilm formation, and we propose it as a model for ex vivo evaluation of the whole biofilm susceptibility to antimicrobials, as opposed to evaluating antibiotic sensitivity of specific bacterial isolates.
Changes in biochemical constituents and antioxidant enzyme activity in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) by the addition of coated multi-nutrient fertilization in calcareous soil

Sulphur and micronutrients play a vital in the growth and development of plants due to their catalytic effect on many metabolic processes. A field experiment was conducted to explore the changes in various biochemical constituents and antioxidants enzyme activities in response to coated multi-nutrient fertilization. The experiment consisted of five organic acids (citric acid, humic acid, fulvic acid, salicylic acid) and amino acid (glycine) coated multi-nutrient fertilizer sources applied at five different levels (0, 5, 10, 12.5 and 15 kg ha-1). Groundnut leaf samples were collected and analyzed for biochemical constituents such as proline, soluble protein and antioxidant enzymes viz., superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase and carbonic anhydrase activities at harvest stages. The results revealed that, application of fulvic acid coated multi-nutrient fertilizer at 15 kg ha-1 registered lesser proline (5.93 µmoles g-1) and higher soluble protein (22.2 mg g-1) content, superoxide dismutase (8.93 EU mg-1), catalase (18.2 µg H2O2 min-1 g˗1), peroxidase (6.11 µg min-1 mg˗1) and carbonic anhydrase (14.8 EU mg-1) activities at harvest stage followed by 12.5 kg humic acid coated multi-nutrient fertilizer. The lesser response was noted with NPK control in influencing the biochemical constituents and antioxidant enzymes. It was concluded that fulvic coated multi-nutrient fertilizer at 15 kg ha-1 was the better source for improving the biochemical constituents and antioxidant enzymes of groundnut in calcareous soils.
Brightness, not luminance, determines transition from the surface-color to the aperture-color mode for colored lights

Whether a color stimulus appears in the surface-color or in the aperture-color mode depends on the luminance relationship between the center color stimulus and its surround. We investigated how chromaticity of a color stimulus affected the luminance level at which the appearance of the stimulus changed from the surface-color to the aperture-color mode. Mode estimation points were obtained for 10-cd/m2 color stimuli with different chromaticities presented in the center of a white surround of variable luminance. The color stimuli tended to appear in the aperture-color mode as purity increased, similarly to the increase of the brightness-to-luminance ratio for equal-luminance colors. It was also found that the mode-transition sensitivity function was similar in shape to the brightness sensitivity function for 440–660-m monochromatic light. Our results indicate that brightness is a determining factor for mode transition between the surface-color and the aperture-color modes. We discuss a possible assumption for relationships between brightness and lightness limits of a surface color.
Changes in Immune Function during Initial Military Training

ABSTRACT Purpose Initial military training (IMT) is a transitionary period wherein immune function may be suppressed and infection risk heightened due to physical and psychological stress, communal living, and sleep deprivation. This study characterized changes in biomarkers of innate and adaptive immune function, and potential modulators of those changes, in military recruits during IMT. Methods Peripheral leukocyte distribution and mitogen-stimulated cytokine profiles were measured in fasted blood samples, Epstein–Barr (EBV), varicella zoster (VZV), and herpes simplex 1 (HSV1) DNA was measured in saliva by quantitative polymerase chain reaction as an indicator of latent herpesvirus reactivation, and diet quality was determined using the healthy eating index measured by food frequency questionnaire in 61 US Army recruits (97% male) at the beginning (PRE) and end (POST) of 22-wk IMT. Results Lymphocytes and terminally differentiated cluster of differentiation (CD)4+ and CD8+ T cells increased PRE to POST, whereas granulocytes, monocytes, effector memory CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and central memory CD8+ T cells decreased (P ≤ 0.02). Cytokine responses to anti-CD3/CD28 stimulation were higher POST compared with PRE, whereas cytokine responses to lipopolysaccharide stimulation were generally blunted (P < 0.05). Prevalence of EBV reactivation was higher at POST (P = 0.04), but neither VZV nor HSV1 reactivation was observed. Diet quality improvements were correlated with CD8+ cell maturation and blunted proinflammatory cytokine responses to anti-CD3/CD28 stimulation. Conclusions Lymphocytosis, maturation of T-cell subsets, and increased T-cell reactivity were evident POST compared with PRE IMT. Although EBV reactivation was more prevalent at POST, no evidence of VZV or HSV1 reactivation, which are more common during severe stress, was observed. Findings suggest increases in the incidence of EBV reactivation were likely appropriately controlled by recruits and immune-competence was not compromised at the end of IMT.
Patency Capsule: A Novel Independent Predictor for Long-Term Outcomes Among Patients With Quiescent Crohn's Disease

INTRODUCTION: Patency capsule (PC) is a recommended procedure to rule out small bowel stenosis before video capsule endoscopy (VCE). We examined future clinical outcomes among patients with a failed PC vs patients in whom the PC had passed (passed PC). METHODS: A post hoc analysis of 2 prospective cohort studies of adult patients with quiescent small bowel Crohn's disease (CD) who underwent PC between 2013 and 2020. The primary composite outcome was the need for intestinal surgery or endoscopic dilation during follow-up in patients with or without a failed PC. RESULTS: A total of 190 patients were included (47: failed PC and 143: passed PC, median follow-up 34.12 months). Patients with a failed PC had higher rates of the primary composite outcome (21.3% vs 1.4%, hazard ratio [HR] 20.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.4–93.7, P < 0.001) and also secondary outcomes including intestinal surgery (14.9% vs 0.70%, P < 0.001), endoscopic dilation (14.9% vs 0.70%, P < 0.001), admissions (23.3% vs 5.7%, P < 0.001), and clinical flares (43.9% vs 27.7%, P = 0.005) during follow-up compared with controls. Failed PC was the only statistically significant factor for surgery and/or endoscopic dilation, regardless of a B2/B3 phenotype at baseline. In sensitivity analyses restricted only to patients with a stricturing phenotype (n = 73), a failed PC still predicted the long-term composite outcome (HR 8.68, 95% CI 1.72–43.68, P = 0.002). Of the 190 patients ingesting a PC, only 1 patient with a failed PC had 48 hours of self-limiting mild symptoms. DISCUSSION: Patients with clinically stable CD with a failed PC have worse long-term clinical outcomes than those without, independently of the CD phenotype. Standalone PC may serve as a novel, safe, and affordable prognostic examination to identify patients with quiescent CD who have a higher risk for future worse clinical outcomes.