Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ionic Charge Emission Into Fog From a Remotely Piloted Aircraft

Charge influences the properties of liquid droplets, such as evaporation rates, hydrodynamic stability, and sticking probabilities. Modifying droplet charge therefore provides a possible method of influencing fogs or clouds. An instrumented, remotely piloted aircraft has been equipped with positive and negative corona emitters to cause droplet charging. With the aircraft circling at 20 m altitude, effects of ion release were compared in clear air and natural fog. In clear air, the surface atmospheric electrical field changed whenever the emitters were activated, but without significant differences in the short‐wave radiation as the aircraft passed over previously ionized air. In fog, radiation fluctuations showed a Gaussian distribution before either emitter operated or when both emitters were operating, but with different distributions during unipolar ion emission. Introducing unipolar ions led to a maximum change in fog reflectivity of ∼2%, about 25 s later.
In Vitro Comparison of the Effects of Ailanthus altissima and Salvia Nemorosa Extracts on Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Proteus vulgaris

Objective Some plants have antiseptic properties with no harm to humans or animals. In this study, we aim to assess the effects of Ailanthus altissima and Salvia nemorosa extracts on Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Proteus vulgaris in vitro. Methods Ailanthus altissima leaves and flowered branch of Salvia nemorosa were collected and dried in shade and powdered. Their aqueous, hydroalcoholic and methanolic extracts were prepared separately from the plants by Maceration method at four concentrations of 20, 30, 40, 50 mg/mL which were used in Mueller-Hinton Agar culture medium by the well diffusion method. Saponin was extracted was using 20% ethanol. The statistical results were analyzed in GraphPad Prism v.7 software. Results The aqueous extract of Salvia nemorosa was more effective on Pseudomonas aeruginosa (mean non-growth halo diameter = 26±1 mm). The diameter of the non-growth halo with Ailanthus altissima methanolic extract was 17.5±0.5 mm in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and 16.5±0.5 mm in Staphylococcus aureus, and the effect was significant (P<0.0001). Only Ailanthus altissima hydroalcoholic extract had an effect on Proteus vulgaris. High saponin content of two plants increased their effectiveness. Conclusion Aqueous extract of Salvia nemorosa is recommended to inhibit the growth and proliferation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Approaches in Bioremediation of Dioxins and Dioxin-Like Compounds – A Review on Current and Future Prospects

Waste generation is becoming increasingly prominent in the environmental arena due to the increase in population and living standards of life. Dioxin and Dioxin-related compounds are a set of hazardous chemicals that are ubiquitously distributed. Polychlorinated dioxins are introduced into our surroundings by both spontaneous and induced activities like combustion, incineration of waste, recycling of e-waste, and paper and pesticide manufacturing. They are chloroaromatic compounds that are found to be lethal and possess carcinogenic properties and are one of the primary examples of persistent environmental pollutants (POP). Removal of these compounds from the environment is very challenging due to their recalcitrant nature. An alternative technique is the use of microbial technology which includes the use of bacteria and fungi to detoxify the dioxins that are considered to be a more effective, economical, and environmentally sustainable alternative. Different microbial interactions were studied for their degradation potential. Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin and furans (PCDD/F) are found to be degraded by bacteria by adopting either aerobic or anaerobic pathways and the details regarding the diversity, distribution, bioremediation potential, metabolic pathway have been analyzed. This review provides an overview of the source of contamination, its potential toxicity assessment, and various bioremediation techniques that are employed are discussed in detail. It also highlights the nanoremediation technique - a promising tool in which nanoparticles are used in the treatment of toxic organic pollutants.
Monitoring of coastal landslides using Sentinel-1 imagery

The Bulgarian coastal zone of the Black Sea is known with large number of active landslides. The factors that contribute to their activations are both endogenous and exogenous. The goal of this paper is to summarize the efforts made in researching the temporal behavior of several landslides located in the NE Bulgaria region using data from synthetic aperture radar (SAR) processed by the differential interferometric SAR (DInSAR) method. In it presented are results for monitoring several active landslides in the area of circus Dalgya Yar based on the mentioned data and technology. The results are compared with displacements in GNSS points that are located in geodetic network around landslides circus.
Phytochemical Screening and HPTLC Analysis of Bio-active Markers of Ethanol Extract of Indian Bay Leaves

ABSTRACT Solvent extracts of Cinnamomum tamala (CT) leaves were screened for phytochemicals, and the flavonoid and phenolic contents were estimated. The two standard marker compounds quercetin and eugenol were also quantified using high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC). The total flavonoid and phenolic contents were determined using aluminum chloride and Folin–Ciocalteu colorimetric methods, respectively. The ethanolic extracts had the highest total flavonoid and phenolic contents with 141.31 ± 0.053 mg QE g−1 and 178.96 ± 0.62 mg GAE g−1, respectively. The HPTLC method was used to detect spots for quercetin and eugenol (Rf value of 0.63 and 0.59, respectively). The amounts of eugenol and quercetin were 452.6 µg and 705.6 µg in 100 mg of the ethanolic extract of CT leaves, respectively.
Proximate Composition, Phytochemical Profile, Antioxidant, Antidiabetic and Anti-inflammatory Properties of Justicia carnea Leaf Powder

Determining the proximate composition, phytochemical profile, antioxidant, anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory effects of Justicia carnea leaf powder (JLP) is the goal of this study. The results revealed that the crude fat (8.19%) had the lowest content in JLP and the nitrogen-free extract (37.85%) had the greatest. JLP included 9.98 percent crude protein, 17.54 % crude fibre, and 18.18 % ash, respectively. Phenol had the highest concentration (383.15 mg/g), whereas flavonoids (1.84 mg/g) had the lowest concentration. Alkaloids, tannins, saponins, and steroids all had concentrations of 24.03 mg/g, 84.81 mg/g, 188.13 mg/g, and 231.3 mg/g, respectively. JLP had a 62.21 % inhibition of lipid peroxidation and a 28.49 % scavenging of ABTS radicals, respectively. The percentages for the DPPH radical scavenging, Fe chelation, and hydroxyl radical inhibition were 54.05 %, 42.81 %, and 54.35 %, respectively. JLP's alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase inhibition activities were 65.96 and 65.82 %, respectively. JLP had a 35.51 % albumin denaturation inhibition and a 61.58 % antiprotease activity. Thus, these results suggested that JLP possesses antioxidant, antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory activities.
Matrices à blocs et en forme canonique

Nous presentons une formalisation realisee avec Coq visant essentiellement a prouver l'existence des formes matricielles canoniques de Frobenius et de Jordan, ainsi que leurs proprietes. Nous definissons formellement des notions importantes, comme les matrices diagonales par blocs ou les matrices compagnes, et prouvons des resultats intermediaires originaux, comme le theoreme fondamental de similitude sur un corps, ou encore l'unicite de la forme normale de Smith. Outre la formalisation de la theorie de la reduction des endormorphismes des espaces vectoriels de dimension finie, ce travail ouvre la voie a la certification d'algorithmes efficaces de calcul du polynome caracteristique ou de la forme de Frobenius.
Design opportunities for future development of crisis communication technologies for marginalised groups – Co-designing with Swedish disability organisations

PurposeThe purpose is to firstly, provide an example of how voices of people with various disabilities (motor, visual, hearing, and neuropsychiatric impairments) can be listened to and involved in the initial phases of a co-design process (Discover, Define). Secondly, to present the outcome of the joint explorations as design opportunities pointing out directions for future development of crisis communication technologies supporting people with disabilities in building crisis preparedness. The study was conducted during the Covid-19 pandemic.Design/methodology/approachThe study assumes a design research approach including a literature review, focus group interviews, a national online survey and collaborative (co-)design workshops involving crisis communicators and representatives of disability organisations in Sweden. The research- and design process was organised in line with the Double Diamond design process model consisting of the four phases: Discover, Define, Develop and Deliver, whereof the two first phases are addressed in this paper.FindingsThe analysis of the survey data resulted in a series of challenges, which were presented to and evaluated by crisis communicators and representatives from the disability organisations at the workshops. Seven crisis communication challenges were identified, for example, the lack of understanding and knowledge of needs, conditions and what it means to build crisis preparedness for people with disabilities, the lack of and/or inability to develop digital competencies and the lack of social crisis preparedness. The challenges were translated into design opportunities to be used in the next step of the co-design process (Develop, Deliver). Originality/valueThis research paper offers both a conceptual approach and empirical perspectives of design opportunities in crisis communication. To translate identified challenges into design opportunities starting with a “How Might We”, creates conditions for both researchers, designers and people with disabilities to jointly turn something complex, such as a crisis communication challenge, into something concrete to act upon. That is, their joint explorations do not stop by “knowing”, but also enable them to in the next step take action by developing potential solutions for crisis communication technologies for facing these challenges.
A Rare Case of Periprosthetic Streptobacillosis - Rapid Identification via Nanopore Sequencing after Inconclusive VITEK MS Results

Streptobacillus moniliformis is the main cause of human streptobacillosis, also known as rat-bite or Haverhill fever. A correct diagnosis might be delayed due to scarcity, non-specific symptoms, and difficulties in cultivating this fastidious organism. We report on an 85-year-old man with periprosthetic streptobacillosis, which manifested itself in the form of immobilizing hip pain in the left prosthetic hip joint. The patient denied fever, chills, and night sweats. No fraction of the left hip could be detected via x-ray. Punctuatio.n of the hip joint revealed putrid aspirate and computer tomography detected an abscess in the left hip. From the synovial fluid and from concomitantly drawn blood cultures grew a pleomorphic, gram-negative rod after 48 h and 35 h, respectively. The VITEK and VITEK MS (MALDI-TOF) analysis remained inconclusive. Therefore, the unknown isolate was sequenced using Nanopore Third-Generation Sequencing . After one hour enough data were generated to identify the microorganism as Streptobacillus moniliformis . To date, this is the first published case of identifying Streptobacillus moniliformis by rapid whole genome sequencing as the cause of a periprosthetic infection. Despite a mortality rate of around 10% in humans, streptobacillosis is rarely diagnosed and published. In this context, nanopore sequencing enabled fast and reliable diagnostic results for identifying microorganisms and their properties.
Symbolic representations social media and photography in Nigeria

Abstract The medium of “photography” has encompassed the world, but depending on the cultural context, it has different aesthetics that come with different associations and implications. Using social media as an example, this article explores how the social conventions of art influence popular Nigerian photography and create a unique style: there is a strong focus on the staging of people, who are usually shown in front of simple backgrounds as full body shots, whereas in a comparison group, people appeared more integrated in situations or places and there was more preference for narrower cuts. In addition, Nigerian photography places a lot of emphasis on color and heavy retouching. These aspects are consistent with African art in general, which is often more concerned with conveying abstract concepts than authenticity. In this way, Nigerians appropriated photography in their own way, emphasizing the symbolic rather than the indexical function of photography. Nigerian popular photography can be understood as a continuation of classical African art rather than a break with its tradition.
Brazilian stock market performance and investor sentiment on Twitter

PurposeThis study identified how investor sentiment on Twitter is associated with Brazilian stock market return and trading volume.Design/methodology/approachThe study analyzes 314,864 tweets between January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2018, collected with the Tweepy library. The companies’ financial data were obtained from Refinitiv Eikon. Using the netnographic method, a Twitter Investor Sentiment Index (ISI) was constructed based on terms associated with the stocks. This Twitter sentiment was attributed through machine learning using the Google Cloud Natural Language API. The associations between Twitter sentiment and market performance were performed using quantile regressions and vector auto-regression (VAR) models, because the variables of interest are heterogeneous and non-normal, even as relationships can be dynamic.FindingsIn the contemporary period, the ISI is positively correlated with stock market returns, but negatively correlated with trading volume. The autoregressive analysis did not confirm the expectation of a dynamic relationship between sentiment and market variables. The quantile analysis showed that the ISI explains the stock market return, however, only at times of lower returns. It is possible to state that this effect is due to the informational content of the tweets (sentiment), and not to the volume of tweets.Originality/valueThe study presents unprecedented evidence for the Brazilian market that investor sentiment can be identified on Twitter, and that this sentiment can be useful for the formation of an investment strategy, especially in times of lower returns. These findings are original and relevant to market agents, such as investors, managers and regulators, as they can be used to obtain abnormal returns.
Exponentially bounded positive definite functions

Equivalent conditions for scalar (or operator valued) positive definite functions, on a commutative semigroup $ with identity e, to admit a disintegration with respect to a regular positive (operator valued) measure supported by an arbitrary compact subset of semicharacters are given. The theory links to the theory of z-positive functions presented previously by the second author and comparisons between the two are given. Old and new theorems to classical and modern moment problems are obtained as a consequence.
Integrated dual grating method for extended range interferometric displacement detection in probe microscopy

The authors introduce a method that uses quadrature phase-shifted dual gratings to increase the range of optical interferometric displacement detection in phase-sensitive grating based microsensors. The concept is experimentally demonstrated on a surface micromachined probe microscopy structure suspended over a quartz substrate and two reflective gratings. Quadrature phase shift is obtained via a micromachined step in the quartz substrate below one of the gratings. Measurement of the intensity of the reflected diffraction orders from each grating while the mechanical structure is moved using an integrated actuator shows that interferometric sensitivity is maintained well beyond the quarter wavelength limit of similar sensors.
Overexpression of genes encoding enzymes involved in trehalose synthesis from Caragana korshinskii enhances drought tolerance of transgenic plants

Abbreviations : ABA - abscisic acid; CAT - catalase; GUS - β-glucuronidase; MDA - malondialdehyde; POD - peroxidase; ROS reactive oxygen species; RWC - relative water content; SOD - superoxide dismutase; TPP - trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatase; TPS - trehalose-6-phosphate synthase; WT - wild type. Abstract Trehalose, which plays important roles in resistance to abiotic stresses and preservation of biological activity in plants, is synthesized by two key enzymes, trehalose-6-phosphate synthase (TPS) and trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatase (TPP). Therefore, the expressions of the TPS and TPP genes directly affect trehalose synthesis and stress resistance of plants. In this study, CkTPS and CkTPP from Caragana korshinskii were identified, and the role of trehalose synthesis in the adaptation of this desert plant to adverse conditions was investigated. Higher CkTPS and CkTPP expressions were observed in the roots, whereas expressions were much lower in leaves and stems, and their expressions were upregulated under drought stress. Histochemical analyses showed that β-glucuronidase expression driven by the CkTPS and CkTPP promoters was strongly induced by abiotic stresses and phytohormones, such as abscisic acid, gibberellin, methyl jasmonate, and mannitol, which suggests that trehalose synthesis may be regulated by various signaling pathways. To determine the functional mechanism underlying the role of trehalose synthesis in regulating drought response in plants, CkTPS and CkTPP were introduced into Arabidopsis . Compared to wild-type (WT) plants, these transgenic plants showed higher germination rate, survival, less damage, better shoot growth, and longer roots under drought stress. Moreover, transgenic plants had a significantly higher content of proline, chlorophyll, trehalose, and activities of antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT), and lower malondialdehyde (MDA) content than WT controls. Double-transgenic plants carrying CkTPS and CkTPP showed better growth and stronger drought tolerance than either single transgenic plant line. These results provide a theoretical and experimental basis for further understanding the function and regulatory mechanism of CkTPS and CkTPP , as well as the possibility of their application for improving drought tolerance in crops through genetic engineering.
Combustion Synthesis of SrAl2O4: Eu2+, Dy3+ Phosphorescent Pigments for Glow-in-the-Dark Safety Markings

This study deals with SrAl2O4: Eu2+, Dy3+ phosphor pigments prepared by an optimized perchlorate-assisted combustion synthesis and tested for developing glow-in-the-dark safety markings. Recipes with different oxidizer/fuel ratios were designed to create an in-situ reducing-reaction atmosphere and promote Eu3+ → Eu2+ reduction, which is responsible for the specific long-lasting, green emission of the pigments. The obtained data proved the efficiency of glycine-rich mixtures (up to 200% glycine excess), which led to improved optical features, as compared to the reference stoichiometric sample. The best results in terms of emission intensity and decay time were obtained in the case of 100% glycine excess. The sample with optimum emission characteristics was successfully tested in making glow-in-the-dark coatings applied to two different substrates and using pigment concentrations between 10 and 33% weight.
Extending the Linear Model With R: Generalized Linear, Mixed Effects and Nonparametric Regression Models

cover point processes in the modern sense of random measures. This chapter also is more technical than the subsequent two on Markov processes. Chapter 4 (on discrete-time countable state Markov processes) is extremely short. At only 32 pages, it is shorter than all those covering a specific type of process, except for Chapter 6 (martingales). I wonder how much the typical student will benefit from the minimal, and delayed, presentation of this topic. In my experience, most students need this material early on, to fully appreciate just what stochastic processes are and what the relevant issues are, before moving on to the more technical processes. The fifth chapter (on continuous-time countable state Markov processes) is the best-developed chapter and contains many more examples than do the other chapters. Birth–death processes and queuing models get substantial coverage, and there is plenty of material here that an instructor may choose to incorporate into a course. I personally believe that an undergraduate text also should devote more space to discussion of covariance structure, especially in the context of Gaussian processes, to reinforce the notions of dependence. Examples with Kalman filters, time series, and control theory are certainly within the range of applications appropriate for a text such as this one. The opening chapter is quite long, covering a wide range of basic probability concepts, such as classification of distributions according to hazard rate behavior (e.g., IFR), partial ordering of distributions, Wald’s identity, general limit theorems, and even advanced inequalities, such as Hölder’s and Minkowski’s. The concise treatment makes these results easy to refer to, but again few if any examples are given for each topic and no context in which the student might appreciate their value is provided. On the other hand, these presentations can be skipped and then returned to later as needed. Although the title claims finance as an applied area, I could find only one financial application (options pricing in the chapter on Brownian motion), unless a few applications to actuarial science are included. The bottom line is that I would not use this book as a text for either an undergraduate or a graduate course. However, I will likely put it on the reference list for my course.
Public assessment of the Trump administration’s handling of the Covid pandemic: a case study in lifelong learning

ABSTRACT The Covid-19 pandemic is the most serious public health crisis in the lifetime of most living adults, but it may be a precursor of crises to come in the decades ahead. Apart from the health challenges associated with the pandemic, the public reaction to the continuing Covid-19 pandemic offers important insights into the role of lifelong learning about rapidly emerging issues and public policy decisions. Using data from a two-wave national probability sample of U.S. adults in 2020, we examine the influence of formal schooling, informal and occupational lifelong learning, religious beliefs and attitudes, current understanding of the coronavirus, and trust in information sources on the formation of an attitudinal assessment of the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic by the Trump Administration. We find that formal educational attainment, college science courses, biological literacy, and current coronavirus understanding are significant predictors of adult assessment of the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic by the Trump Administration. We explore the implications of these findings for lifelong education in the 21st century.