Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Performance of starfruit cv. B10 under netted structure. I. Effect of crop load on plant physiological performance and yield

Plant physiological performance and yield of starfruit at several crop loads under netted structure were studied in the starfruit farm at MARDI, Serdang, Selangor. The crop load consisted of three treatments ranging from less than 100 to about 600 fruits per tree. Crop load significantly influenced the specific leaf weigh (SLW). The SLW from plants with the lowest crop load were significantly higher than the medium and high crop load. The rate of stomatal conductance and transpiration of mature leaf was significantly affected by the crop load treatments. The stomatal conductance of the high crop load (244.8 mmol m -2 s -1 ) and medium crop load (258.2 mmol m -2 s -1 ) were significantly higher at p <0.05 compared to the low crop load (133.0 mmol m -2 s -1 ). At the same time, leaves at the lowest crop load had the lowest transpiration rate of 2.3 mmol m -2 s -1 compared to 4.4 and 4.3 mmol m -2 s -1 at the medium and highest crop load respectively and the difference was significant at p <0.05. The yield increased significantly ( p <0.05) with increase in crop load from 6.3 t/ha at the lowest crop load to 22 t/ha at the highest.
Piezoelectric harvest of osteo-odonto-lamina in modified osteo-odonto keratoprosthesis: A maxillofacial perspective

Purpose: We describe the piezo-osteotomy feasibility in rehabilitation and harvesting of osteo-odonto lamina in modified osteo-odonto keratoprosthesis (MOOKP) surgery. Surgery was evaluated regarding operative technique and success of the keratoprosthesis (KPros) in terms of perception to light (+ve) to finger counting (+ve). Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 12 patients undergone MOOKP surgery procedures. Harvesting of osteo-odonto-lamina was performed using piezosurgical osteotomy during 2007–2012. Results: The mean follow up was 34 months (range 24–48 months). Of the 12 patients six patients had vision ≥6/12, four patients had vision <6/12, but >6/60 and one patients had vision ≤6/60. KPros was retained and functional in all the eyes after a minimum follow up of 24 months. There was mucosal overgrowth over the optical cylinder occurred in two cases over 4 years follow up which was corrected with trimming. Postoperative complication at donor site was seen in three cases, two cases with exposure of root of adjacent teeth and oro antral fistula in one. Conclusions: This study suggests that piezoelectric harvest of osteo-odonto-lamina is a valuable surgical option in patients undergoing MOOKP surgery, resulting in high success rate with less complication.
Development of Onchocerca volvulus in humanized NSG mice and detection of parasite biomarkers in urine and serum

Background The study of Onchocerca volvulus has been limited by its host range, with only humans and non-human primates shown to be susceptible to the full life cycle infection. Small animal models that support the development of adult parasites have not been identified. Methodology/Principal findings We hypothesized that highly immunodeficient NSG mice would support the survival and maturation of O. volvulus and alteration of the host microenvironment through the addition of various human cells and tissues would further enhance the level of parasite maturation. NSG mice were humanized with: (1) umbilical cord derived CD34+ stem cells, (2) fetal derived liver, thymus and CD34+ stem cells or (3) primary human skeletal muscle cells. NSG and humanized NSG mice were infected with 100 O. volvulus infective larvae (L3) for 4 to 12 weeks. When necropsies of infected animals were performed, it was observed that parasites survived and developed throughout the infection time course. In each of the different humanized mouse models, worms matured from L3 to advanced fourth stage larvae, with both male and female organ development. In addition, worms increased in length by up to 4-fold. Serum and urine, collected from humanized mice for identification of potential biomarkers of infection, allowed for the identification of 10 O. volvulus-derived proteins found specifically in either the urine or the serum of the humanized O. volvulus-infected NSG mice. Conclusions/Significance The newly identified mouse models for onchocerciasis will enable the development of O. volvulus specific biomarkers, screening for new therapeutic approaches and potentially studying the human immune response to infection with O. volvulus.
How Do Aftermath of Battle Experiences Affect Returning OEF/OIF Veterans?

ABSTRACT Aftermath of battle experiences (ABEs) may contribute to adverse mental and physical health outcomes. This study examined ABEs and their effect on health functioning and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in 66 Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF)/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)/Operation New Dawn (OND) veterans. Bivariate correlations were conducted to investigate the contribution of ABEs to PTSD and health functioning, after controlling for combat experiences. In addition, a mediation analyses was conducted on role limitations due to emotional problems. Results suggested that the association between ABEs and role limitations due to emotional problems was mediated by PTSD. These initials findings suggest the need for more research on differences in deployment experiences.
Semi-autonomous 3 D tracking

A 3D tracking system that works with a minimum of two cameras has been implemented. The proposed system consists of two main processes: a calibration process followed by a 3D tracking one. The calibration process is done only when the system is installed; but, should be repeated if camera parameters, either internal or external, are changed. Internal calibration was conducted based on the cameras’ final locations; therefore, internal parameters include operating conditions. The adopted Wide Baseline Matching (WBM) scheme provides feature descriptors with high distinctiveness. Matching is achieved by using a voting algorithm based on a similarity transform and the robust Random Sample Consensus (RANSAC) statistical method that enforces the epipolar constraints. The implemented WBM procedure provides feature correspondences between the image planes of the two cameras used for the external calibration. The 3D tracking process corresponds to the normal operation of the system after the calibration process. The proposed 3D tracking scheme which combines 2D tracking data from each camera is based on a triangulation method and the determined internal and external camera calibration parameters.
Optical and Photocatalytic Properties of Solar Light Active Nd-Substituted Ni Ferrite Catalysts: For Environmental Protection

In the present investigation, we have reported the fabrication of a low-cost, magnetically separable, solar light active NiFe2–xNdxO4 photocatalyst with different neodymium contents. The synthesized photocatalyst samples were characterized by a combination of various physicochemical techniques such as PXRD, SEM, EDS, FTIR, and UV–vis spectroscopy. It was observed that Nd substitution can greatly enhance absorption in the whole visible region. With an increase in Nd concentration, NiFe2–xNdxO4 samples show a red shift in absorption. Interestingly, Nd substitution into nickel ferrite results in a dramatic conversion of the inert NiFe2O4 into a highly solar light active photocatalyst for the degradation of organic pollutants and also shows excellent recyclability and durability properties. The significant enhancement in photoactivity under solar light irradiation can be ascribed to the reduction of the nickel ferrite band gap by Nd3+ substitution. Therefore, these unusual properties of NiFe2–xNdxO4 encourage.
Detailed Response to Reviewers The Comments of Reviewer 1 Response to Reviewer 1

The development of three-dimensional heat transfer and fluid flow in a square channel rotating in a parallel-mode has been investigated numerically. The duct is partially occupied by a foam material of high porosity ε≥0.89 and subjected to a uniform wall heat flux. In regards to the influence of rotation, both the centrifugal buoyancy and Coriolis forces are considered in the current study. The generalised model is used to mathematically simulate the momentum equations employing the Boussinesq approximation for the density variation. Moreover, thermal dispersion has been taken into account with considering that fluid and solid phases are in a local thermal non-equilibrium. The governing equations are discretised according to the finite volume method with employing a hybrid differencing scheme. Computations are performed for a wide range of parameters including the hollow ratio (0≤S≤1), foam porosity (0.89≤ε≤0.97), pore density (5PPI≤ω≤40PPI), solid to fluid thermal conductivity ratio (250≤κ≤4000), Reynolds number (250≤Re≤2000), and rotation number (0≤Ro≤1), while the values of characteristic temperature difference and Prandtl numbers are maintained constant at ΔTc=1000°C and Pr=0.7, respectively. Results reveal that flow resistance and heat transport are augmented with either decreasing the hollow ratio and foam porosity or increasing Reynolds and rotation numbers, while two contradictory trends are found for the impact of increasing pore density on heat transfer; either enhancing or suppressing depending on the size of hollow zone. In addition, both rotation and thermal dispersion have dominant roles in enhancing heat transfer at the higher levels of porosity or the lower values of conductivity ratios. However, these roles are reduced gradually with decreasing the foam porosity or increasing thermal conductivity ratio, but do not completely vanish. Eventually, the worth of using high porosity fibrous media in enhancing the heat transported through rotating channels has been inspected. An overall enhancement parameter is compared for the current study with a previous work regarding turbulent flow in a rotating clear channel, where it has been confirmed that the current proposal is practically justified and efficient.
Phosphorylation of the ryanodine receptor 2 at serine 2030 is required for a complete β-adrenergic response

During physical exercise or stress, the sympathetic system stimulates cardiac contractility via &bgr;-adrenergic receptor (&bgr;-AR) activation, resulting in protein kinase A (PKA)–mediated phosphorylation of the cardiac ryanodine receptor RyR2. PKA-dependent “hyperphosphorylation” of the RyR2 channel has been proposed as a major impairment that contributes to progression of heart failure. However, the sites of PKA phosphorylation and their phosphorylation status in cardiac diseases are not well defined. Among the known RyR2 phosphorylation sites, serine 2030 (S2030) remains highly controversial as a site of functional impact. We examined the contribution of RyR2-S2030 to Ca2+ signaling and excitation–contraction coupling (ECC) in a transgenic mouse with an ablated RyR2-S2030 phosphorylation site (RyR2-S2030A+/+). We assessed ECC gain by using whole-cell patch–clamp recordings and confocal Ca2+ imaging during &bgr;-ARs stimulation with isoproterenol (Iso) and consistent SR Ca2+ loading and L-type Ca2+ current (ICa) triggering. Under these conditions, ECC gain is diminished in mutant compared with WT cardiomyocytes. Resting Ca2+ spark frequency (CaSpF) with Iso is also reduced by mutation of S2030. In permeabilized cells, when SR Ca2+ pump activity is kept constant (using 2D12 antibody against phospholamban), cAMP does not change CaSpF in S2030A+/+ myocytes. Using Ca2+ spark recovery analysis, we found that mutant RyR Ca2+ sensitivity is not enhanced by Iso application, contrary to WT RyRs. Furthermore, ablation of RyR2-S2030 prevents acceleration of Ca2+ waves and increases latency to the first spontaneous Ca2+ release after a train of stimulations during Iso treatment. Together, these results suggest that phosphorylation at S2030 may represent an important step in the modulation of RyR2 activity during &bgr;-adrenergic stimulation and a potential target for the development of new antiarrhythmic drugs.
Bereavement-related regrets and unfinished business with the deceased

Abstract Unresolved relational issues with the deceased have been considered a prominent risk factor for negative bereavement outcomes. However, this area of study has suffered from a lack of conceptual clarity, with some commentators focusing on bereavement-related regret and others focusing on “unfinished business,” or lingering or unspoken conflicts with the deceased. This study examined the two concepts in a sample of 229 bereaved individuals, finding them to be overlapping but distinct constructs. Unfinished business occurred more frequently with immediate family and friends and in cases of sudden and violent death of loved ones. Both forms of unresolved issues were associated with bereavement outcome, with the relation between distress over unfinished business and complicated grief symptomatology being particularly robust.
STUDY OF QUANTUM SIZE EFFECTS AND OPTICAL CHARACTERISTICS IN COLLOIDAL CD1-XSNXTE QUANTUM DOTES

In this work, we report, optical properties of Cd1-xSnxTe quantum dots (x= 0.05, 0.10 and 0.15) synthesized in water using thioglycolic acid (TGA) as a modifier agent. The optical characterization of the samples was performed through absorption (UV) and photoluminescence spectra (PL). A red shift absorption and fluorescent emission peaks was observed which can be related to the increase of nanocrystals diameter with pass the reaction time. This size dependent phenomenon is concerned to the known “quantum confinement” effect and the highest quantum yield has been achieved under our experimental conditions (using thioglycolic acid (TGA) as a modifier agent) when the processing time reached to 150 min.
Magnesium-limited Growth of the Cyanobacterium Anacystis nidulans

SUMMARY: Mg2+-limited growth of the cyanobacterium Anacystis nidulans was investigated in batch and chemostat cultures. In batch cultures the growth rate of the organism depended on the Mg2+ concentration up to 5 μm. Although the maximum growth rate was achieved at this concentration, the organism formed aseptate filaments of three to four times the‘normal’ cell length. About 90 min after increasing the Mg2+ concentration from 5 μm to 1 mm the cell size decreased, followed by an increase in the division rate, which lasted for about 60 min and resulted in a 66% increase in cell number. The rates of DNA, RNA and protein synthesis were not altered during these Mg2+ shift-up experiments, showing that the control by Mg2+ of growth had been separated from its control of cell division, In Mg2+-limited chemostat cultures, the mean cell volume decreased from about 2.0 to 0.6 μm3 when the Mg2+ concentration was increased from 2.5 to 10 μm. This increase in Mg2+ also resulted in an increase in the calculated intracellular Mg2- concentration from 27 to 78 mm, and the amount of cellular Mg2+ bound in chlorophyll increased from 17 to 22%. A comparison of Mg2+- and SO4 2- -limited chemostat cultures showed that the mean cell volume decreased with increasing dilution rate when Mg2+ was the limiting factor, whereas it increased with dilution rate when SO4 2- was limiting. Only small differences in the rates of RNA and protein synthesis were found in the two cultures, although the synthesis of RNA was Mg2+-dependent. The ratio of total RNA to protein, which gives the amount of RNA necessary to synthesize one protein unit (RNA efficiency), was independent of the growth rate in both SO4 2-- and Mg2+-limited chemostat cultures showing that the efficiency of culture RNA was variable in both cases. The efficiency was higher under SO4 2--than Mg2+-limited conditions.
A Review of Routing Mechanisms in Wireless Sensor Networks

Research on Sensors is one of the major topics in computer and electronic fields. They used to monitor and control the physical environment such as buildings, forests and battlefields. According to these applications, sensors are expected to be functional for a long period of time. Since the sensor networks include many low cost and low power sensor nodes, a great effort is devoted to develop new protocols that use these limited resources efficiently. In this way, routing protocols play the key role to enhance the network parameters. In this paper, we classify the routing mechanisms into four categories. This classification consists of flat, hierarchical, QoS and geographic routing protocols. Moreover, each class can employ multi-path technique to decrease end-to-end delay and increase network lifetime. We categorize different multi-path strategies into linkdisjoint and node-disjoint mechanisms and discuss them in details. This paper covers a variety of famous protocols, which motivate potential ideas for future works. We finally present a comprehensive comparison among various routing protocols.
Contamination and Health Risks from Heavy Metals (Cd and Pb) and Trace Elements (Cu and Zn) in Dairy Products

Background and Purpose: Dairy products are known as an important food source in human diet. This study was carried out to analyze the content of metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn) in butter and cheese, and evaluates the potential health risks of metals to humans through the consumption of dairy products. Materials and Methods: In this analytical observational study, a total of 32 samples of butter and cheese were collected from the market basket of Hamadan City in 2016. After preparing and processing the samples in the laboratory, the content of metals were determined using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES). Also, all statistical analyses of the collected data were performed using SPSS version 19.0 statistical package according to Shapiro-Wilk test for normality, One Way ANOVA (Duncan Multiple Range Test), Pearson’s correlations, and Independent t-test. Results: The results of the current study showed that the mean concentrations (µg kg -1 ) of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn in butter samples were 0.83 ± 0.15, 6.25 ± 1.76, 21.75 ± 10.94, and 131.35 ± 9.24, respectively, while in cheese samples, they were 0.70 ± 0.11, 39.43 ± 40.26, 12.85 ± 2.41, and 198.08 ± 10.97, respectively. Also, the Target hazard quotient (THQ) values in adults and children through the consumption of butter and cheese were within the safe limits (THQ < 1). Conclusion: Considering the serious contamination of some brands of butter and cheese by Cu and Pb, a control of heavy metals and trace elements levels during the whole production processing of dairy products must be applied. Citation health risks from heavy metals (Cd and trace 2017; 5 (3):49-57.
Coordinated regulation of transcription by CcpA and the Staphylococcus aureus two-component system HptRS

The success of Staphylococcus aureus as a pathogen is due in part to its ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions using signal transduction pathways, such as metabolite- responsive regulators and two-component systems. S. aureus has a two-component system encoded by the gene pair sav0224 (hptS) and sav0223 (hptR) that regulate the hexose phosphate transport (uhpT) system in response to extracellular glucose-6-phosphate. Glycolytic intermediates such as glucose-6-phosphate are important carbon sources that also modulate the activity of the global metabolite-responsive transcriptional regulator CcpA. Because uhpT has a putative CcpA binding site in its promoter and it is regulated by HptR, it was hypothesized the regulons of CcpA and HptR might intersect. To determine if the regulatory domains of CcpA and HptRS overlap, ccpA was deleted in strains SA564 and SA564-ΔhptRS and growth, metabolic, proteomic, and transcriptional differences were assessed. As expected, CcpA represses hptS and hptR in a glucose dependent manner; however, upon CcpA derepression, the HptRS system functions as a transcriptional activator of metabolic genes within the CcpA regulon. Importantly, inactivation of ccpA and hptRS altered sensitivity to fosfomycin and ampicillin in the absence of exogenous glucose-6-phosphate, indicating that both CcpA and HptRS modulate antibiotic susceptibility.
‘Going the extra mile’ for older people with dementia: Exploring the voluntary labour of homecare workers

Homecare workers provide essential physical, social and emotional support to growing numbers of older people with dementia in the UK. Although it is acknowledged that the work can sometimes be demanding, some homecare workers regularly ‘go the extra mile’ for service users, working above and beyond the usual remit of the job. This form of voluntarism has been interpreted as an expression of an essentially caring nature, but also as the product of a work environment structured to tacitly endorse the provision of unpaid labour. This paper draws on a qualitative study of what constitutes ‘good’ homecare for older people with dementia. Using homecare workers’ reflexive diaries (n = 11) and interviews with homecare workers (n = 14) and managers (n = 6), we explore manifestations of, and motivations for, homecare workers going the extra mile in their everyday work. We describe three modes of voluntary labour based on these accounts which we characterise as affective, performative and pragmatic. Our study highlights the complex relationships between job satisfaction, social benefit and commercial gain in the homecare work sector. Further research is needed to define the full range of affective and technical skills necessary to deliver good homecare, and to ensure that homecare work is appropriately credited.
Assessing road construction: potential impact of constructing the Kwabenya Kitase road on the local economy

Road construction typically confers significant benefits on the population the road serves. A recent rapid growth of urban residential areas in Ghana has necessitated the construction and rehabilitation of the roads linking these urban areas to major commercial towns in the country. The Kwabenya (Abuom) to Kitase area, straddling Ghana’s Eastern and Greater Accra regions, is a typical example. Using both primary and secondary data sources, the research reveals that agricultural production is perceived by several respondents as likely to be improved by the construction of the road. Several major sectors of the economy, such as education, real estate, arts, entertainment and recreation, construction and hospitality are also identified as likely to be improved by a better road network. In spite of these positive impacts, the research identifies certain negative implications of a construction of the Kwabenya-Kitase road. These include dust, noise and the destruction of arable land and a consequent change in the livelihoods of inhabitants, especially within the Agyemanti-Kitase area. It is established that constructing the Kwabenya-Kitase road is likely to boost the local economy, as long as an effective maintenance culture is enforced. However, responses also show a concern that an influx of businesses is likely to diminish arable land for construction and commercial purposes.
University of Birmingham Design and rationale of the Edoxaban Treatment in routiNe clinical prActice for patients with Atrial Fibrillation in Europe (ETNA-AF-Europe) study

the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in adult patients with atrial ﬁbrillation and for the treatment and secondary prevention in adult patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE). This study details the design of the Edoxaban Treatment in routiNe clinical prActice for patients with Atrial Fibrillation in Europe (ETNA-AF-Europe) study – a postauthorization observational study, which is part of the postapproval plan for edoxaban agreed with the European Medicines Agency.