Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Protection of Strawberry Plants against Charcoal Rot Disease (Macrophomina phaseolina) Induced by Azospirillum brasilense

Some Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) can induce protection against pathogens, increasing plant tolerance to various diseases. This so-called biocontrol activity is replacing harmful practices in agriculture caused by the use of agrochemicals. Azospirillum brasilense is one of the PGPR already effectively used as a resistance inducer in several crops. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of PGPR A. brasilense strains isolated from strawberry and petunia plants (REC3, 2A1, 2A2, and 2E1) against the fungal pathogen Macrophomina phaseolina, which is the causal agent of the strawberry charcoal rot disease. In vitro antagonism assays and enzymatic tests on Petri dishes revealed no direct inhibition on M. phaseolina growth by any of the A. brasilense strains. However, strawberry plants treated with REC3 and 2A1 strains increased callose and lignin deposition and stomatal closure compared to untreated plants. In addition, treatments with either bacterial strains induced a defense response in strawberry plants against virulent isolates of M. phaseolina evidenced by an increased tolerance to the charcoal rot disease. These results suggest that A. brasilense REC3 and 2A1 strains can be used for the activation of innate immunity in strawberry plants as a strategy for managing charcoal rot in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way.
Motivators and concerns for real-time online classes: focused on the security and privacy issues

ABSTRACT As education is increasingly going online, propelled by the COVID-19 outbreak, how to build student engagement has become critically important, and it is, therefore, necessary to explore the motivators and barriers to student engagement comprehensively. Given the nature of an online learning environment, this study specifically focused on security and privacy concerns as the major issues that may be restricting student engagement. Based on the data collected from 296 students studying at Y University, South Korea, this study reported the results of the structural model test supporting that perceived usefulness and peer behavior directly influence real-time online class participation intention. This study further showed the negative impact of privacy concern and security concern on the perceived ease of participation, which consequently influences RTOC participation intention through perceived usefulness and peer behavior. As technology-enabled contactless activities, including online education, have become new normal, this study’s approach will provide insightful implications that help encourage student participation and active learning.
Loneliness, Food Poverty, and Perceived Benefits of Communal Food Consumption from a Charity Service

ABSTRACT In the study, 686 (345 male) patrons of a UK charity communal food service reported their demographic attributes, loneliness, food poverty, and benefits of the service. Food poverty was associated with loneliness. Women reported greater benefits of the service than men. Loneliness and food poverty were greater in middle adulthood and among the unemployed than other groups. Loneliness during middle adulthood and unemployment was associated with forming friendships during visits which may have been motivated by the need for social belonging. Gender, age, and occupation played a role in the benefits of a food charity to redress loneliness and food poverty.
Fractional Characteristics of Heavy Metals Pb, Zn, Cu, and Cd in Sewer Sediment from Areas in Central Beijing, China

To identify the distribution of heavy metals in sewer sediments and assess their potential harmfulness to the environment and human health, the occurrence of Pb, Zn, Cu, and Cd in the sewer sediment of six functional areas and two streets in an inner-city suburb of Beijing, China, was investigated by using a sequential extraction procedure. Results show that the concentrations of Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb vary between 50 and 175, between 80 and 180, between 0.75 and 2.5, and between 20 and 110 mg/kg, respectively, and Fe-Mn oxide fraction is significant for all metals in sampling areas. Pollution assessment shows that 1–2% of Cu at Chegongzhuang Street and 1–3% of Zn at Fuwai Street in the exchangeable fractions are of low risk. 10–25% of Cd at six functional areas indicates medium risk. 40–60% of Pb at Fuwai Street existing in the exchangeable fractions is of high to very high risk. The sum of these metals associated with exchangeable, carbonate bound, and Fe-Mn oxide fractions is quite high; however, these three fractions represent the proportion of heavy metals that can be remobilized by changes in environmental conditions.
Return on Asset dan Investment Opportunity Set dalam Memprediksi Dividend Payout Ratio Perusahaan Manufaktur Sektor Consumer Goods

Among factors that may be instrumental in affecting the dividend payout decision, this study aims to determine the effect of return on assets (ROA) and investment opportunities on dividend distribution in a company. Using secondary data from 10 Consumer Goods companies listed on the Stock Exchange in the period 2015 - 2019, the data were analyzed using panel regression using EVIEWS. This study found that ROA and investment opportunities can predict the Dividend Payout Ratio in the Consumer Goods Industry. The results suggest that the more profitable a company is, the more likely it is to pay high dividends. Also, high investment opportunities are good position increases a firm's ability to pay dividends.
Printed Neuromorphic Devices Based on Printed Carbon Nanotube Thin‐Film Transistors

Hardware implementation of artificial synapse/neuron by electronic/ionic hybrid devices is of great interest for brain‐inspired neuromorphic systems. At the same time, printed electronics have received considerable interest in recent years. Here, printed dual‐gate carbon‐nanotube thin‐film transistors with very high saturation field‐effect mobility (≈269 cm2 V−1 s–1) are proposed for artificial synapse application. Some important synaptic behaviors including paired‐pulse facilitation (PPF), and signal filtering characteristics are successfully emulated in such printed artificial synapses. The PPF index can be modulated by spike width and spike interval of presynaptic impulse voltages. The results present a printable approach to fabricate artificial synaptic devices for neuromorphic systems.
Les dispositifs d’évaluation des parasportifs pratiquant des sports de petits terrains en fauteuil roulant manuel

Le but de cette revue de litterature narrative est d’identifier a travers les logiques internes de deux disciplines collectives paralympiques en fauteuil roulant manuel (FRM), l’apport et les limites des principaux dispositifs accessibles aux parasportifs en FRM. Dans le cadre de l’optimisation des performances, les parasportifs sont habituellement testes au laboratoire et/ou sur le terrain. Au laboratoire, les ergometres a manivelles (EM), les ergometres a rouleaux pour fauteuil (ERF) et le tapis roulant (TR) sont les plus utilises. Les EMs ne permettent pas de simuler la gestuelle mecanique de la propulsion du FRM. Les ERFs permettent l’utilisation du FRM personnel mais, neutralisent les forces de resistance des roulettes du FRM. Le TR est plus realiste mais neutralise les mouvements lateraux du FRM. La technologie embarquee est une evolution des outils de laboratoire. Ainsi, les roues instrumentees (RI) et des centrales inertielles (CI) sont adaptees pour les mesures en situations de terrain. Cependant, la masse des RI limite le comportement du FRM et les CI ne quantifient pas les forces developpees sur les mains courantes. La simulation des forces exercees sur les mains courantes a partir des donnees des CI permettra en perspective le developpement de capteurs de force miniaturises.
Bioleaching of Different Pyrites and Sphalerite in the Presence of Graphite

ABSTRACT In this research work the effect of pyrite type and graphite on the pyrite and sphalerite dissolution rate was investigated, using a mixed culture of moderately thermophilic microorganisms. Two samples of: fine granular surface pyrite and crystalline euhedral pyrite were prepared from black shale and copper porphyry deposits, respectively. Results indicated that granular surface pyrite dissolution rate and Fe(III) concentration are significantly higher than those of crystalline euhedral pyrite. As a result, higher Zn extraction improvement was observed in the presence of granular surface pyrite. Addition of graphite to the experiments enhanced the microorganism population in leaching solution and accelerated crystalline euhedral pyrite and sphalerite bioleaching rate. Using graphite in the experiments resulted in catalytic effect of crystalline pyrite and sphalerite, in which, with graphite, the Fe extraction increased from 25.57% to 59.84% and Zn extraction was improved from 22.17% to 53.37%, for 28 days of bioleaching. The catalytic effect of graphite on crystalline euhedral pyrite and also sphalerite bioleaching could be attributed to the rising of the microorganism population or galvanic interaction in which graphite acted as the cathode and accelerated the anodic dissolution of pyrite and sphalerite.
Investigation of the Carbonate Complexation of Pu(IV) in Aqueous Solution

The hydrolysis, acetate and carbonate complexation of Pu were investigated via absorption spectroscopy. Changes in the spectra of the Pu as a function of ligand concentrations were analyzed to obtain values of (2.67±0.21) Χ10" and (1.05±0.17) Χ 10 for the first hydrolysis and first acetate complex formation constants, respectively, at an ionic strength of 0.5 M. Using these data, it was also possible to estimate an upper limit for the first carbonate complexation constant of Pu of <8.3 Χ 10'.
The two sides of the coin: joint project leader interaction in university‐industry collaboration projects

This article focuses on how academic and industrial leaders view central aspects of the initiation, collaboration process, and the outcomes in government-funded R&D projects. In much previous work on university-industry collaborations (UICs), universities or researchers and/or firms have been studied without any direct reference to the other party, thus neglecting the fact that the motivations, perceptions, and actions involved in UICs are two-sided at least. In contrast, this study builds on interviews with academic-industry project leader pairs to identify how both sides perceive the initiation, interaction, conditions, and outcomes of the collaborative project. While there is unexpected overlap in both parties’ perceptions of goals and utilities of the collaboration, there is also a clear tendency for academics to stress the less tangible or distant factors (e.g., ‘a culture’, ‘priorities’, or general university support), while industry actors emphasize more tangible operative factors (e.g., collaborative networks, timing issues, having project owners and conflict resolution procedures). This might illustrate different cultural or professional mores as well as different notions of what types of efficiencies to seek collaborative R&D in general.
Parallel Operation of Split-Source Inverters for PV Systems: Analysis and Modulation for Circulating Current and EMI Noise Reduction

To satisfy the ever-increasing requirement from load side and improve the power quality through harmonic content reduction, the paralleled converters’ structure is seen to be an interesting solution. However, paralleled converters, in which the same dc and ac sides are shared, suffer from a major challenge related to the excessive circulating currents due to the difference in the induced common-mode voltage (CMV) in each converter. This voltage difference is due to the instantaneous potential difference between paralleled phase-legs, due to the discrepancy in circuit and control parameters of paralleled converters. Consequently, zero-sequence circulating current (ZSCC) as well as differential-mode circulating current (DMCC) shall appear between the paralleled converters. In this context, this article utilizes the interleaved pulsewidth modulation (PWM) concept for the ZSCC and DMCC reduction in paralleled split-source inverters (SSIs), where this SSI is a single-stage dc–ac converter and the prior mentioned operation and associated issues have not been investigated yet. This article describes the three-phase SSI structure and its basic operation, and shows the corresponding CMV waveform. Then, based on the shown analysis, an interleaved discontinuous PWM strategy is proposed to restrain the CMV amplitude and reduce the induced circulating currents. Furthermore, the effect of changing the modulation index and interleaving angle on the overall converter behavior has also been evaluated in case of using SSI. The analysis and simulations revealed the effectiveness of the proposed modulation strategy compared to counterparts. Finally, the shown simulation results are validated with an experimental prototype of 1 kW.
Synergistic effect of 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin with dehydroxymethylepoxyquinomicin on the human anaplastic thyroid carcinoma cell line KTC2

The use of targeted inhibitors has shown promise as an effective approach in cancer therapy. However, targeted therapies based only on one drug, such as 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG), have limited success, partly because cancer cells engage alternate pathways for survival and proliferation. In the present study, we evaluated whether dehydroxymethylepoxyquinomicin (DHMEQ), a nuclear factor ? B (NF-? B) inhibitor, can enhance the antitumor activities of 17-AAG, a 90 kDa heat shock protein (Hsp90) inhibitor, in the anaplastic thyroid cancer cell line KTC2. We examined the effect of combined drug treatment vs single drug treatment on cell survival. Isobologram analysis was performed to distinguish the additive vs synergistic effects of the drug combination. Western blotting was performed to investigate apoptosis markers: caspase 3, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-one (PARP-1), B-cell lymphoma-extra large (Bcl-XL), X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) and cellular inhibitor of apoptosis 2 (cIAP-2). Compared to monotherapy, the combined treatment enhanced growth-inhibitory effects in a synergistic manner and strongly potentiated apoptosis. These results demonstrate the first in vitro evidence that a combination of Hsp90 and NF-? B inhibitors is a more effective modality for inhibiting cell proliferation and survival in anaplastic thyroid carcinoma cells than either agent alone, warranting further investigations.
Resilient Distributed Coordination Control of Multiarea Power Systems Under Hybrid Attacks

Resilient distributed coordination control is studied on multiarea power systems with low inertia under hybrid attacks, including denial-of-service (DoS) attack and deception attack. The communication among various areas under the DoS attack is deteriorated to switching residual topologies whose time characteristic is modeled by model-dependent average dwell time (MDADT). Deception attack with malicious strategy targeting at negative feedback control is modeled by a sign function. To obtain resilience performance of the power system under low inertia and hybrid attacks, resilient distributed scheme combining load-frequency control (LFC) with virtual inertia control (VIC) is proposed. Then, resilient frequency control problem of the studied power system is converted to $H_{\infty }$ control of the switched nonlinear system. By employing the Lyapunov stability theory and switched system method, the resilient conditions are given by the lower bound of the average dwell time of each residual topology and the upper bound of deception attacks. Furthermore, a linear matrix inequality (LMI) technique is used to design the distributed resilient control gains of the LFC-VIC scheme. Finally, a simulation of four-area power systems is carried out to verify the validness of our theory.
Simulation of Flexible Fibre Particle Interaction with a Single Cylinder

In the present study, the flow of a fibre suspension in a channel containing a cylinder was numerically studied for a very low Reynolds number. Further, the model was validated against previous studies by observing the flexible fibres in the shear flow. The model was employed to simulate the rigid, semi-flexible, and fully flexible fibre particle in the flow past a single cylinder. Two different fibre lengths with various flexibilities were applied in the simulations, while the initial orientation angle to the flow direction was changed between 45° ≤ θ ≤ 75°. It was shown that the influence of the fibre orientation was more significant for the larger orientation angle. The results highlighted the influence of several factors affecting the fibre particle in the flow past the cylinder.
A prevented spark reactor for pollutant control, investigation of NO{sub x} removal

A non-thermal plasma reactor is investigated in view of NO{sub x} removal from exhaust gas of electrical plants. The plasma of the reactor is based on a prevented spark regime. A gas control system allows to introduce mixtures of gas composed of N{sub 2}, O{sub 2}, NO, H{sub 2}O. The densities of NO and NO{sub x} are measured using a chemiluminescent device. Results on NO removal introduced in the range of 20 to 700 ppmv are presented, with energy consumption per removed molecule. An attempt to model the chemical reactions due to the discharge is given.
Influence Celebrity Endorser, Brand Image, and Brand Trust on Emina's Cosmetics Product Purchase Decisions

This study aims to determine how the influence Celebrity Endorser, Brand Image, and Brand Trust on the decision to buy Emina cosmetic products, especially for adolescent women. This research is quantitative. The research method used is a survey method with a comparative approach. The data collection technique used a questionnaire, while the sampling technique used random sampling. The population in this study was the millennial population, amounting to 100 respondents. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 25.0. All independent variables affect the dependent variable with a critical value ratio (CR), but there is one independent variable that is not accepted with a P-value. H1 indicates that the trust variable has a critical value ratio (CR) of 3,630 > 1,985 and a P value of 0,000 1.985 and a P value of 0.001 <0.05 so there is a positive and significant influence between celebrity brand trust with a purchase decision.
Theory of electron-avalanche breakdown in solids

Electron-avalanche breakdown in solids is explained by a theory that is predictive and agrees with experimental results for the magnitude of the breakdown field and its temperature dependence, pulse-duration dependence, material-to-material variation, and wavelength dependence for λ > 1 μm. The good agreement between experiment and theory with no parameters adjusted is obtained by using improved magnitudes and energy dependences of the electron-phonon relaxation frequencies. The contributions of both optical and acoustical phonons to electron loss and diffusion must be included. The breakdown field E B is calculated by solving an eigenvalue equation obtained from the diffusion transport equation. Simple models and interpretations of the diffusion equation afford physical insight into breakdown and render the breakdown conditions predictable. Preliminary results indicate that the diffusion approximation fails for wavelengths considerably shorter than 1 μm, but that E B decreases with decreasing X as a result of multiphoton absorption before the diffusion approximation fails.
Data Analytics and Mathematical Modeling for Simulating the Dynamics of COVID-19 Epidemic—A Case Study of India

The global explosion of the COVID-19 pandemic has created worldwide unprecedented health and economic challenges which stimulated one of the biggest annual migrations globally. In the Indian context, even after proactive decisions taken by the Government, the continual growth of COVID-19 raises questions regarding its extent and severity. The present work utilizes the susceptible-infected-recovered-death (SIRD) compartment model for parameter estimation and fruitful prediction of COVID-19. Further, various optimization techniques such as particle swarm optimization (PSO), gradient (G), pattern search (PS) and their hybrid are employed to solve the considered model. The simulation study endorse the efficiency of PSO (with or without G) and G+PS+G over other techniques for ongoing pandemic assessment. The key parametric values including characteristic time of infection and death and reproduction number have been estimated as 60 days, 67 days and 4.78 respectively by utilizing the optimum results. The model assessed that India has passed its peak duration of COVID-19 with more than 81% recovery and only a 1.59% death rate. The short duration analysis (15 days) of obtained results against reported data validates the effectiveness of the developed models for ongoing pandemic assessment.
Complex precipitation phenomena in strip cast steels with high sulfur and copper contents

A series of three steel alloys with increasing Cu and S concentrations has been prepared by simulated direct strip casting. It was found that the rapid solidification that occurs during direct strip casting results in the formation of a high number density of fine MnS precipitates, while Cu was retained in solid solution above equilibrium concentration. Upon ageing the MnS particles were found to coarsen and increase in volume fraction, indicating that some S was retained in solid solution in the as-cast condition. Ageing also resulted in the precipitation of Cu-rich precipitates. A new method to determine precipitate composition from small-angle neutron scattering is presented. This methodology, in conjunction with atom-probe tomography, has been used to show that the composition of the Cu-rich precipitates depends on the alloy's bulk Cu content.
Techno-economic Feasibility Analysis of an Off-grid Hybrid Renewable Energy System for Rural Electrification

The demand for electricity in remote rural areas is a major obstacle to their development. The extension of the grid network to remote rural areas has been identified as a difficult topography for complex constructions and enormous investments. The development of off-grid renewable energy generation technologies offers the opportunity for tackling these challenges. This study provides a techno-economic feasibility analysis of an off-grid hybrid renewable energy system for a rural village of district Kech, Balochistan, Pakistan. The proposed hybrid system integrates the different combinations of the wind turbine, solar PV modules, and battery backups to meet the required electric load demand. The hybrid system is modeled and optimized through a powerful simulation software Hybrid Optimized Model for Electric Renewable (HOMER-Pro). The optimized configuration of the hybrid system consists of wind turbines (12kW), solar PV (103kW), 224 lead-acid batteries (72.4Ah each), and 29.1 kW converters. The simulation results show that the proposed system can meet the power requirements of 197.74kWh/day primary demand load with 27.87kW peak load. This system configuration has the Net Present Cost (NPC) of $127,345 and Cost of Energy (COE) of 0.137$/kWh with a 100% renewable fraction. Furthermore, the results of the present study are compared with the literature and have resulted in a cost-effective hybrid renewable energy system with a low COE.