Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Numerical study of discharge characteristics of an atmospheric pressure plasma jet with a coaxial dual-channel inlet

A two-dimensional axisymmetric fluid model was applied to investigate the influence of N2 flow velocity on the discharge characteristics of a He plasma jet with a coaxial dual-channel inlet. Helium working gas flowed in the annular space of a coaxial tube and N2 flowed in a central stainless steel tube powered by a DC voltage. When N2 flow velocity increases from 0 m/s, the jet appears to be stratified, forming the outer side and inner side of the jet, and the electron density on the outside of the jet is much higher than that on the inside. For different N2 flow velocities, the peak densities of He+ and N2(c3π) appear in the jet head, while the peak densities of He* and N2+ both appear at the dielectric nozzle and the jet head. When N2 flow velocity is low, the Penning ionization rate is lower than the electron impact ionization rate, but when N2 flow velocity is high, it is just the opposite, which can increase the concentration of reactive species and contribute to the practical application of the jet. N2 flow velocity not only changes the length and structure of the jet but also controls the uniformity of the distribution of reactive species in the jet, which indicates that there is an optimal N2 flow velocity to make the jet longer and more uniform in space, which will greatly promote the practicality and flexibility of the plasma jet and also provide meaningful insights for optimizing and controlling the characteristics of the plasma jet.
Efficacy of Terminalia catappa Leaf as an Alternative to Synthetic Antibiotics in the Diet of Oreochromis niloticus Challenged with Salmonella typhi

Terminalia catappa leaf meal was incorporated into 30% crude protein basal diets of Oreochromis niloticus at different inclusion levels of 0 (control), 25, 50, 75 and 100% to supplement yellow maize and diets were designated as TCD1, TCD2, TCD3, TCD4 and TCD5 respectively. Fish (10.38 ± 0.35) g were fed at 4% body weight for 70 days and later immersed in water with 2 ml / l of pathogenic strain of Salmonella typhi for 10 days. At the expiration of the feeding trials, growth performance indices of O. niloticus were significantly different (P< 0.05), with fish fed T. catappa having higher weight gain, specific growth rate and better feed conversion ratio. Crude protein of whole fish body was higher in fish fed T. catappa leaf supplemented diets. Challenge test with pathogenic strain of S. typhi, indicated that survival of O. niloticus can be improved by 50% when T. catappa is incorporated into fish diets. Therefore, incorporating T. catappa into the diets of O. niloticus between 25 – 100% from this study is sufficient to boost growth and improve survival against S. typhi.
Competencies Development: The Role of Organizational Commitment and the Perception of Employability

The main objective of this study was to analyze the mediating effect of perceived employability (internal and external) and the organizational commitment in the relationship between the organizational practices of competencies development (OPCD) and the turnover intentions. The sample consists of 2099 participants, all of them working in organizations based in Portuguese territory. The existence of a significant and negative effect of the OPCD, of perceived internal employability and the organizational commitment in the turnover intentions, has been proven. There was also a significant and positive effect of perceived external employability on turnover intentions. Finally, the serial mediating effect of perceived employability and organizational commitment in the relationship between OPCD and turnover intentions was proven.
A belt-like assistive device for visually impaired people: Toward a more collaborative approach

Abstract There is a large body of work focused on the development of mobility assistive devices for visually impaired (VI) people. However, none of them seems to satisfy the needs of VI people, which might suggest that these requirements have not been considered during the development process. In this sense, this study aimed to develop a novel assistive system based on the opinions provided by a group of VI persons who also participated in the performance assessment stage. Two ultrasonic sensors and one infrared sensor were combined to estimate the proximity and height of an obstacle in front of the user who acquired that information via audio messages and vibrating alerts. The proposed system was tested by twelve VI participants, who were asked to provide suggestions for improvement. Our prototype performed well indoors and achieved overall positive feedback when detecting obstacles at different heights, although it was unable to provide directional information. Future research endeavors in this field might be benefited from more collaborative participation between end-users, researchers, and institutes for VI people.
Potential Roles of Phytochemicals in Combating Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Infection

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of the current ongoing global pandemic COVID-19 is yet far away from the clutches of contemporary western medicines. With the lack of conventional drugs for this deadly disease the scope for the development of herbal formulations and Ayurvedic medication is finding a sound basis in the current scenario. The past two years has witnessed detailed and focused investigations on the biologically active constituents derived from a range of medicinal plants and their potential antiviral properties against SARSCoV-2. The promising results of these investigations have intrigued the medical and plant experts in pharmacognosy enough to consider herbal medicines and plant-based products as they are more effective in combating the COVID-19 crisis. However, a large-scale application of the same would require more focused and thorough research on this matter. This review is an attempt to describe the current and future prospects of using medicinal plants and herbal compounds as natural and sustainable alternative for treating COVID-19. The current article evaluates the various strong evidences from biochemical and molecular studies that have been investigated so far for the development of herbal formulations to combat COVID-19 with detailed focus on the most potential phytochemicals of medicinal plants studied in this regard namely, Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal, Cinchona officinalis L. , Curcuma longa L. , Ocimum sanctum L. , Azadirachta indica A. Juss. and Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers.
Fault-Tolerant Cooperative Driving at Signal-Free Intersections

Cooperative driving shows great potential to improve traffic safety and efficiency and has been well discussed in recent years. However, most existing studies focus on ideal traffic environments and ignore potential vehicle failures in traffic systems, which pose significant threats to traffic safety. Therefore, the fault-tolerant capacity of the existing cooperative driving strategies is questionable. To fill this research gap, this paper proposes a fault-tolerant cooperative driving strategy for signal-free intersections by modeling potential vehicle failure types, aiming to keep a good balance between traffic safety and efficiency. Notably, a rule-based fault-tolerant model is constructed to mitigate the threat of potential vehicle failures to traffic safety and efficiency, and to effectively recover the cooperative driving system after vehicle failures occur. Theoretical analysis and simulation results jointly demonstrate the promising performance of the proposed model in achieving fault tolerance and improving traffic efficiency.
A Comprehensive View on the Quercetin Impact on Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) represents the third type of cancer in incidence and second in mortality worldwide, with the newly diagnosed case number on the rise. Among the diagnosed patients, approximately 70% have no hereditary germ-line mutations or family history of pathology, thus being termed sporadic CRC. Diet and environmental factors are to date considered solely responsible for the development of sporadic CRC; therefore; attention should be directed towards the discovery of preventative actions to combat the CRC initiation, promotion, and progression. Quercetin is a polyphenolic flavonoid plant secondary metabolite with a well-characterized antioxidant activity. It has been extensively reported as an anti-carcinogenic agent in the scientific literature, and the modulated targets of quercetin have been also characterized in the context of CRC, mainly in original research publications. In this fairly comprehensive review, we summarize the molecular targets of quercetin reported to date in in vivo and in vitro CRC models, while also giving background information about the signal transduction pathways that it up- and downregulates. Among the most relevant modulated pathways, the Wnt/β-catenin, PI3K/AKT, MAPK/Erk, JNK, or p38, p53, and NF-κB have been described. With this work, we hope to encourage further quests in the elucidation of quercetin anti-carcinogenic activity as single agent, as dietary component, or as pharmaconutrient delivered in the form of plant extracts.
Of devils, angels and brokers: how social network positions affect misperceptions of political influence

ABSTRACT Misperceiving political opponents as more influential and evil than they are has been described as the devil shift. More recently, the opposite phenomenon known as the angel shift has been recognised where political allies are misperceived as more influential and virtuous than they are. However, research on the devil and angel shifts has been hampered by the lack of measures that separate these mechanisms analytically. We analyse the misperception of influence and differentiate between the devil and angel shifts. Furthermore, previous research has failed to take notice of how social network positions contribute to these phenomena. We argue that conceptualising the different roles that brokers play between advocacy coalitions helps explain the occurrence of the devil and angel shifts. Our findings demonstrate that the devil and angel shifts are not dyadic but triadic phenomena between advocacy coalitions and that network factors accentuate both ‘shifts’.
Adapting a Cognitive Dissonance-based Eating Disorders Prevention Program for Adolescent Girls with Type 1 Diabetes

ABSTRACT Adolescent girls with Type 1 diabetes (T1D) are at high risk for developing eating disorders (EDs), a comorbidity that undermines treatment adherence and contributes to serious medical complications. Despite these concerns, no teen prevention programs exist that address risk factors specific to T1D. This study aimed to adapt an existing, empirically supported cognitive dissonance-based ED prevention program (Body Project) for teen girls with T1D. Young women with T1D, parents, and multidisciplinary medical professionals participated in semi-structured focus groups and individual interviews centered on understanding T1D-specific factors that influence body image development and eating and gathering suggestions for modifying the program to address T1D-specific factors. Multiple themes were identified related to complicating factors: diabetes stereotypes and misinformation, illness non-acceptance, demands of T1D management, adolescent-doctor relations, and family factors. Three themes related to protective factors also emerged: illness acceptance, validation and normalization of experiences, and family factors. Stakeholder feedback on program structure was also gathered. The adapted manual protocol is described in detail in addition to how findings extend current theoretical models of ED development in young women with T1D. The adapted ED prevention program, Body Project (T1D Style), centers on promoting illness acceptance, encouraging self-affirmation, teaching effective communication skills, and enhancing social support in addition to the original program’s focus on challenging and resisting sociocultural appearance pressures.
Potential Impact of Spring Thermal Forcing Over the Tibetan Plateau on the Following Winter El Niño–Southern Oscillation

Using observational analysis and numerical experiments, we identify that the dipole mode of spring surface wind speed (SWS) over the Tibetan Plateau (TP) could act as a trigger for subsequent winter El Niño–Southern Oscillation events. During the positive phase of spring SWS dipole mode (south‐positive and north‐negative), a self‐sustaining “negative sensible heating–baroclinic structure” prevails over the western TP, which is characterized by negative surface sensible heating anomalies, anomalous low‐level anticyclones, and mid–high‐level cyclones. The “negative sensible heating–baroclinic structure” stimulates the surface westerly wind anomalies over the tropical western Pacific in May through two pathways, favoring the occurrence of subsequent El Niño events. One is through weakening the zonal monsoon circulation over the tropical Indian Ocean and the Walker circulation over the tropical western Pacific. The other is modulating the air–sea interaction over the North Pacific through triggering Rossby waves. The negative SWS dipole mode tends to induce La Niña events.
Kinect v2-Assisted Semi-Automated Method to Assess Upper Limb Motor Performance in Children

The interruption of rehabilitation activities caused by the COVID-19 lockdown has significant health negative consequences for the population with physical disabilities. Thus, measuring the range of motion (ROM) using remotely taken photographs, which are then sent to specialists for formal assessment, has been recommended. Currently, low-cost Kinect motion capture sensors with a natural user interface are the most feasible implementations for upper limb motion analysis. An active range of motion (AROM) measuring system based on a Kinect v2 sensor for upper limb motion analysis using Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) scoring is described in this paper. Two test groups of children, each having eighteen participants, were analyzed in the experimental stage, where upper limbs’ AROM and motor performance were assessed using FMA. Participants in the control group (mean age of 7.83 ± 2.54 years) had no cognitive impairment or upper limb musculoskeletal problems. The study test group comprised children aged 8.28 ± 2.32 years with spastic hemiparesis. A total of 30 samples of elbow flexion and 30 samples of shoulder abduction of both limbs for each participant were analyzed using the Kinect v2 sensor at 30 Hz. In both upper limbs, no significant differences (p < 0.05) in the measured angles and FMA assessments were observed between those obtained using the described Kinect v2-based system and those obtained directly using a universal goniometer. The measurement error achieved by the proposed system was less than ±1° compared to the specialist’s measurements. According to the obtained results, the developed measuring system is a good alternative and an effective tool for FMA assessment of AROM and motor performance of upper limbs, while avoiding direct contact in both healthy children and children with spastic hemiparesis.
Micro and Macro Determinants of Precarious Employment in Indonesia: An Empirical Study of Paid Workers using Multilevel Binary Logistic Regression

Decent work for all is one of the goals stated in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). One indicator that can represent proper work conditions is the precarious employment rate (PER). In recent periods, the precarious employment rate in Indonesia has shown an increasing trend. It indicates a decent work deficit in Indonesia. In addition, the PER among provinces has a different figure. This study aims to analyze the micro and macro factors that influence the status of precarious employees in Indonesia. The analytical method used in this study is multilevel binary logistic regression. The results show that micro factors; namely the worker's characteristics, including age, education level, employment sector, previous work status, and urban-rural area; have a significant effect on the precarious status of employees. In terms of macro factors, it is found that an increase in the output of the industrial and construction sectors can reduce the tendency of a worker to become a precarious employee. Meanwhile, an increase in labour supply increases the likelihood of workers becoming precarious employees. Various parties, including society and government, have to put extra efforts to reduce the precarious employment rate by improving the quality of human capital and domestic products demand.
Community Knowledge about Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Objectives: To explore the knowledge of the general community in Saudi Arabia about autism spectrum disorder. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted for the period between June and September 2021 in Saudi Arabia using an online questionnaire tool. The questionnaire tool was developed based on a literature review. The questionnaire tool consists of 34 items that assess knowledge about autism spectrum disorder in terms of its etiology, autistic patient features, autistic children’s abilities and needs, and autistic adults’ abilities and needs. The total score for each subscale was used to define the level of knowledge of it. Correct answers were given a score of one, and the total score for each subscale was used to describe the level of knowledge of it. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of good knowledge about autism spectrum disorder (defined as a total score equal or above the mean score of the study participants). Results: This study enlisted the participation of 500 people. The participants’ overall understanding of autism spectrum disorder was moderate, with a mean score of 20.6 (SD: 5.6) out of 34, or 60.6%. The participants’ knowledge levels ranged from 32.2% to 77.5%. The items about the abilities and needs of adolescents and young people with autism had the highest degree of knowledge (77.5%). The items about autism’s causes had the lowest level of expertise (32.2%). When compared to others, females, those with a master’s degree, and those working in the healthcare field had a higher likelihood of knowing more about the autism spectrum condition. (p ≤ 0.05). Conclusion: Knowledge about autism spectrum disorder in Saudi Arabia is moderate. Social media channels and healthcare centers should be used to conduct educational campaigns for parents. The goal of this educational campaign should be to improve parents’ ability to recognize the causes of autism.
Effect of mechanical milling and sintering on magnetic entropy of Ni-based Ni2CuCrFeAl x (x = 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.5) high entropy alloys

ABSTRACT Nickel-based Ni2CuCrFeAl x (x = 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.5) high-entropy alloys with good magneto-caloric properties have been successfully prepared by a mechanical milling technique. The phase transformation from FM to PM at the transition point was linear with composition and T c, respectively. Substitution of Al by mechanical milling with subsequent sintering induces a tetragonal distortion in the BCC structure. Prolonged hours of milling followed by sintering result in an increase in magnetic entropy that may result in high refrigeration capacity (RC). Temperature-dependent isothermal magnetization exhibits second-order magnetic phase transition with varying temperature. Moreover, it could be envisaged that distortion occurs in the alloy not only due to the milling effect, but sintering also plays a vital role in achieving large magnetic entropy due to the formation of different intermetallics. This study shows the variation in magnetic entropy of the alloy prepared by mechanical milling followed by sintering at 1073 K.
Targeting Proliferating Tumor-Infiltrating Macrophages Facilitates Spatial Redistribution of CD8+ T Cells in Pancreatic Cancer

Simple Summary Current studies aim to target tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) to alleviate immunosuppression and inhibit tumor growth. However, the specific mechanisms that drive TAMs to impede T cell migration into and within tumors are still unclear. Here, we found that after pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC)-bearing mice were treated with clodronate liposomes, the numbers of BrdU-incorporated and Ki-67+-proliferating macrophages were reduced, which might be maintained by local proliferation. Clodronate liposomes treatment could alter the macrophages that foster CD8+ T cell infiltration, promote CD8+ T cell spatial redistribution in tumors, and suppress PDAC growth. This study suggests that depletion of macrophages may increase CD8+ T cell infiltration and promote CD8+ T cell spatial redistribution in tumors, contributing to the antitumor effect. Abstract Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play crucial roles in cancer progression, but the contributions and regulation of different macrophage subpopulations remain unclear. Here, we report a high level of TAM infiltration in human and mouse pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) models and that the targeting of proliferating F4/80+ macrophages facilitated cytotoxic CD8+ T-cell-dependent antitumor immune responses. A well-defined KPC-derived PDAC cell line and the murine Panc02 PDAC cell line were used. Treatment of PDAC-bearing mice with clodronate liposomes, an agent that chemically depletes macrophages, did not impact macrophage subpopulations in the local tumor microenvironment (TME). However, further investigation using both BrdU and Ki67 to evaluate proliferating cells showed that clodronate liposomes treatment reduced proliferating macrophages in the KPC and Panc02 models. We further evaluated the distance between CD8+ T cells and PanCK+ tumor cells, and clodronate liposomes treatment significantly increased the number of CD8+ T cells in close proximity (<30 µm) to PanCK+ PDAC cells, with increased numbers of tumor-infiltrating IFN-γ+CD8+ T cells. This study suggests that targeting proliferating tumor-infiltrating macrophages may increase CD8+ cytotoxic lymphocyte (CTL) infiltration and facilitate the spatial redistribution of CD8+ T cells in tumors, contributing to the antitumor effect.
Impact of disturbance on biomass, carbon, and nitrogen storage in vegetation and on soil properties of tropical dry deciduous forest in Chhattisgarh, India

The tropical deforestation due to biotic interference, land use change, and population explosion in Asian countries has attracted the global concern with respect to conservation and protection of forest resources. Indian soils are limited in terms of nutrient reserves and organic matters. Our present study deals the influence of disturbance on phytosociology, vegetation carbon (C), and nitrogen (N) along with soil properties of tropical deciduous forest in Chhattisgarh. The stratified random sampling technique was used for quantifying the vegetation. Results revealed that 43.75% species are rare in occurrence in undisturbed forest (UF), and in disturbed forest (DF) about 50% species showed rarity over the area as per the Raunkiaer frequency class of species rarity and commonness. Total density and basal cover were 1090 trees ha−1 and 28.16 m2 ha−1, respectively. in UF and was 190 trees ha−1 and 10.99 m2 ha−1 in DF. The disturbance resulted into 31.63% loss in total biomass in DF compared to UF. The increasing disturbances are altering the forests attributes in terms of poor standing stock, basal area, and diversity in DF. The concentration of dominance and beta diversity value was higher in DF. It may be increased due to influx of generalist species in DF. Stand biomass was found to be 3‐times higher in UF than the DF. Higher value of C and N stock and soil nutrient were found in UF. Thus, proper conservation, protection, and restoration of these forests should be the priority to improve the C pool and ecological services.