Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessment on water requirement and irrigation scheduling in Field Pea under elevated thermal regimes: A Simulation Study

The present experiment was laid out on Field Pea (cv. AP 3) at the research farm of Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Kalyani, Nadia, West Bengal during rabi seasons of 2017-18 and 2018-19 to estimate the ETo and water requirement from Pea field using CROPWAT 8.0 model which will eventually help farmers in irrigating the crop in future also. Seasonal mean reference crop evapotranspiration was relatively higher (2.12 mm day-1) during first season than the second one (2.04 mm day-1). Radiation use efficiency has been found to be directly proportional to the ETo rate. Model derived total irrigation requirement and actual crop evapotranspiration remained maximum as 159.3 mm and 161 mm respectively during rabi 2017-18. Increment of temperature by 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 oC from the current scenario, resulted in increasing the seasonal ETo by 1.44, 2.40, 3.84, 5.76, 6.73 and 8.17%, respectively and water requirement by 2.41, 5.40, 7.56, 10.16, 13.02 and 14.54% in alike order. Two specific crucial crop growth stages viz. initial (7-10 DAS) and mid development (35-40 DAS) were simulated based on critical depletion for scheduling irrigation under already over exploited water resource zones. Therefore, the study concluded that need based judicious irrigation supplementation at critical stages could be a realizable option for effective planning and management of moisture regimes at optimum level in view of persisting climate change conditions.
Correlation Defense for Quantum Randomness

New nonparametric methods were developed for veriﬁcation and monitoring of quantum randomness based on the ranged correlation function (RCF) and a sequence of the ranged amplitudes (SRA). RCF analysis of diﬀerent topology subsamples from the raw data of the prototype of a quantum random number generator on homodyne detection was carried out. It was shown that in the real system there are weak local regression relations, for which it is possible to introduce a robust criterion of signiﬁcance. Precise SRA identiﬁcation of the long samples statistics was carried out. The obtained results extend the traditional entropy methods of the useful randomness analysis and open the way for creation of new strict quality quantum standards and defense for physical random number generators.
Synthesis and characterization of MnFe2O4@ZnO-GO and MnFe2O4@ZnO-rGO nanocomposites with evaluation of improved Photocatalytic performance Under Sun Light

We have fabricated novel MnFe2O4@ZnO–GO and MnFe2O4@ZnO–rGO nanocomposites through chemical facile hydrothermal procedure at low temperature of 180 °C for 3h.We reported the successfully synthesis of the MnFe2O4@ZnO nanocomposite via the co-precipitation method and was calcined at 200 °C for 3 h. Our synthesis of MnFe2O4@ZnO modified by the different weight percentages of GO and rGO.The as-synthesized samples were investigated by techniques XRD, FE-SEM, EDS, TEM,FT-IR,UV-DRS, PL, BET. TEM observations have displayed that MnFe2O4@ZnO nanoparticles were deposited on the graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide surface. Magnetic studies demonstrated that the MnFe2O4@ZnO–GO and MnFe2O4@ZnO–rGO nanocomposites can be used as a magnetically separable photocatalyst.The photodegradation efficiency of the prepared materials was evaluated by the decomposition of Congo Red (CR) in 35 min of natural sunlight irradiation. Among the synthesized materials, the MnFe2O4@ZnO-GO photocatalyst showed maximum photocatalytic activity(99.54 % ). We also investigated the role of some scavengers in the degradation procedures to study the effect of active species. The studies from the radical scavengertests showed that active radicals like •O2 -, e, h+, and •OH were involved in the photodegradation of CR dye. The experimental results were applied to illustrate the proposed mechanism ability for improved photocatalysis. The Kinetics investigations have revealed that the degradation of CR by the prepared photocatalysts follows the pseudo-first-order kinetics and the rate constant attained for MnFe2O4@ZnO-GO (k = 78.10-3 min−1) was higher than of MnFe2O4@ZnO-rGO (k = 57.10−3 min−1).
Conformal geometry of simplicial
 surfaces

What information about a surface is encoded by angles, but not lengths? This question encapsulates the basic viewpoint of conformal geometry, which studies holomorphic or (loosely speaking) angleand orientation-preserving maps between manifolds. In the discrete setting, however, the idea of literally preserving angles leads to an interpretation of conformal geometry that is far too rigid : the space of discrete solutions looks far more restricted than the space of smooth solutions it hopes to model (Figure 1). Instead, one must consider how several equivalent points of view in the smooth setting lead to a number of inequivalent treatments of conformal geometry in the discrete setting. This activity has recently culminated in a complete discrete uniformization theorem for polyhedral surfaces, which beautifully mirrors the classic uniformization theorem for Riemann surfaces. Why study discrete conformal geometry? From an analytic point of view, smooth conformal maps provide a strong notion of regularity, since they are complex analytic and hence have derivatives of all orders. In the discrete setting one therefore obtains one possible notion of what it means for a discrete (e.g., simpicial) map to be “regular,” even though no derivatives are available in the classical sense. From a topological point of view, conformal maps help one define canonical mappings between spaces—for instance, uniformization provides an explicit map between any two conformally equivalent surfaces, by passing through a canonical domain of constant curvature. Likewise, discrete conformal geometry can be used as a starting point for constructing canonical maps between simplicial surfaces, even when they do not have compatible triangulations [HK15, BCK18]. In applications, discrete conformal geometry has become a powerful tool for digital geometry processing algorithms, since many tasks ultimately boil down to solving sparse linear systems or easy convex optimization problems. Discrete conformal maps have hence become essential for tasks ranging from regular surface remeshing [CZ17], to machine learning [MGA17], to digital fabrication [KCD16, SC18]. Discrete conformal geometry also arises in the context of statistical mechanics, where theories based on
Evaluating the effects of drugs on behavior and quality of life : an alternative strategy for clinical trials

Conventional clinical trials involve tests of hypotheses with statistics computed from values of dependent variables alone. An alternative is to test hypotheses with statistics computed from benefit/harm scores that measure longitudinal associations between dose and values of the dependent variables. The proposed standardized measure of benefit/harm quantifies the strength of evidence that a patient did either better or worse while on treatment. A benefit/harm score, particularly when obtained from a randomized, N-of-1 trial, indicates a beneficial or harmful treatment effect for the individual. Benefit/harm scores from samples of patients are evaluated with standard statistical tests, with or without group comparisons, to make inferences about populations. The proposed alternative strategy can yield within-patient indicators of treatment effect that are more reliable, valid, comprehensive, and detailed. This, in turn, could help make many population-based clinical trials more informative, cost-effective, and clinically useful for participants.
The tunnel structure of blind mole rats (genus Spalax) in Turkey

Abstract The structure of the tunnels and burrows of mole rats (genus Spalax) was examined in Central and Southeastern Anatolia in the years 2002–2009. There are two types of mounds: linear ones and scattered ones. While a one-layer tunnel structure is observed in nearly all parts of Turkey, we also found three-layer tunnels, which were made in soft and moist soil. The tunnels made in moist soil were deeper than the ones made in hard soil. We found that mole rats blend the soil with their urine and produce a sticky mud with a bad odour in order to strengthen the walls of the opened galleries.
Classification of Primary and Secondary Dyslipidemias Revisited

The present revision brings the main characteristics of the different manifestations of hyperlipidemias. In each form there is one or more lipoprotein alterations, manifesting risk when apoprotein B lipoproteins are increased or when apoprotein A lipoproteins are decreased. The interest in this issue has to do with the cardiovascular risk that it involves. Normal or “goal” values vary from patient to patient depending on their clinical features, family history and lipid profile itself. Not only are there genetic heritage involved in the serum levels of cholesterol of each lipoprotein but also secondary causes have to be considered such as hypothyroidism for example as well as the use of some medications metabolized in the liver. The presence of xanthomas strongly corroborates being primary or genetic the cause of the dyslipidemia. The collection of samples can be made in a non fasting condition for two measurements only: total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol. In the impossibility of not being able to draw a fasting sample, risk evaluation can be evaluated by the non HDL cholesterol value. Recently a new formula for calculation of LDL cholesterol independent of triglycerides concentration is being used, Martin’s formula. Quality control of the techniques involved in the assays must always be checked by the laboratories and the updated reference values should always accompany the results sheet.
Volume measurement and intellectual development.

Used 2 studies, one with 48 students in grades 2–6 and one with 83 math students in high school–college, to try to extend the SOLO taxonomy (originally developed by J. B. Biggs and K. F. Collis, 1982) to examine the concept of volume measurement. The 48 Ss participated in tasks based on the measurement and concept of volume. Testing materials included colored cubes, a questionnaire, and a structured interview. The 83 Ss completed a questionnaire designed to cover volume measurement skills, all of which were in the Ss'curriculum. Results are explained in detail. The analysis shows 2 learning cycles with the relational concept of the first becoming a unistructural element in the second. Results are examined in detail.
Phenotypic and Genotypic Characterization of Nisin-Producing Lactococcus Lactis Subsp. Lactis YB23 Isolated from Raw Milk in Turkey

ABSTRACT A total of 142 presumptive lactococci were isolated from 40 raw milk samples and screened for bacteriocin production. Four presumptive lactococci isolates (YB23, YB42, YB98 and YB112) exhibited antimicrobial activity against indicator strains. Antimicrobial activity and protease sensitivity assays showed that a strain, YB23, produced bacteriocin that inhibited a broad spectrum of Gram-positive bacteria, and was selected for further analyses. It was identified as Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis, phenotypically by the API system and genotypically by 16S rDNA homology. YB23 was tested for determination of antimicrobial activity against indicator strains including known bacteriocin producing lactococci and it showed no activity against nisin producer Lactococcus lactis SIK83. Different pH and heat treatments showed that the bacteriocin produced by L. lactis subsp. lactis YB23 exhibited a similar behavior with nisin produced by L. lactis SIK83. The bacteriocin produced by YB23 strain was characterized as nisin by PCR analysis of its genomic DNA. Lactic acid production and proteolytic activity in strain YB23 were determined as 0.38% and 25.3 μg Tyr/mL, respectively.
Clone Detection in Secure Messaging: Improving Post-Compromise Security in Practice

We investigate whether modern messaging apps achieve the strong post-compromise security guarantees offered by their underlying protocols. In particular, we perform a black-box experiment in which a user becomes the victim of a clone attack; in this attack, the user's full state (including identity keys) is compromised by an attacker who clones their device and then later attempts to impersonate them, using the app through its user interface. Our attack should be prevented by protocols that offer post-compromise security, and thus, by all apps that are based on Signal's double-ratchet algorithm (for instance, the Signal app, WhatsApp, and Facebook Secret Conversations). Our experiments reveal that this is not the case: most deployed messaging apps fall far short of the security that their underlying mechanisms suggest. We conjecture that this security gap is a result of many apps trading security for usability, by tolerating certain forms of desynchronization. We show that the tolerance of desynchronization necessarily leads to loss of post-compromise security in the strict sense, but we also show that more security can be retained than is currently offered in practice. Concretely, we present a modified version of the double-ratchet algorithm that tolerates forms of desynchronization while still being able to detect cloning activity. Moreover, we formally analyze our algorithm using the Tamarin prover to show that it achieves the desired security properties.
Perceptions of Teachers on the Use of ICTs as a Teaching and Learning Tool in Secondary School Agriculture in Bungoma County, Kenya

Education is a basic right and essential part of human rights as recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. For the right to education to be realized, the process of learning should reflect the needs and aspirations of society. Technology is one such avenue through which education objectives may be achieved. Whereas evidence shows an increase in investment in ICTs in education in Kenya, perceptions of teachers on use of ICTs as a teaching and learning tool in secondary school agriculture has not been studied much, more so in Bungoma County. The purpose of this study was to establish the teachers’ perceptions on use of ICTs in the teaching and learning of secondary agriculture in Bungoma County. A descriptive research design was employed. The target population of the study consisted of 498 agriculture teachers of secondary schools in Bungoma County. Purposive sampling was used to select 120 respondents. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Validity of the instrument was ensured by input from the supervisors from the Department of Agricultural Education and Extension at Egerton University. Reliability was established by pretesting it with 30 agriculture teachers from the neighbouring Kakamega County. Data was collected and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 20. The results were presented in frequencies, means and percentages. The study established that the perception of agriculture teachers towards the use of ICTs
Approaches to systematic and evolutionary studies of perplexing groups: an example using fenestrate Bryozoa

Recognition of discrete taxa is an enduring problem in the biological sciences, especially for taxonomists who work with groups that display a great degree of homeomorphy at low taxonomic levels. Selection of the type and number of characters used to make taxonomic distinctions is important because it reflects taxonomic concepts for a group as a whole. Often the validity of characters used to develop classifications is not documented and resulting classifications are therefore suspect. However, classifications can be tested for their objectivity with numerical analysis and characters can be evaluated for their relative value for making taxonomic splits by a variety of statistical techniques. In addition, evaluation of the distribution of character states can lead to insights into evolutionary histories of any group. This study provides such an analysis. Fenestrate cryptostome Bryozoa are abundant and diverse in many upper Paleozoic rocks, and are therefore potentially highly useful for a variety of paleontologic studies. However, study of fenestrates is hampered by necessary complex preparation techniques and problems encountered with homeomorphy. In addition, inconsistent applications of inadequate methodologies have contributed to an unsatisfactory taxonomy. Results from cluster and discriminant analyses demonstrate that fenestrate species can be objectively recognized. Species distinctions are most clear when all available characters are used, although some characters are more diagnostic than others. Results from cluster and discriminant analyses suggest that fenestrate genera represent major evolutionary shifts associated with the development of key character(s) that allowed entry into new adaptive zones. Key characters allow for an oligothetic classification of genera, which is not merely an artifact created to simplify taxonomic analysis. Diversification of species within adaptive zones resulted in a natural hierarchy of genus-level and species-level characters. Iterative evolution at the species level within separate adaptive zones resulted in a great deal of homeomorphy. Morphometric analysis provides insights into several aspects of the paleobiology of this traditionally problematic group. Similar comprehensive studies may prove equally productive for other groups.
Trans-10,cis-12 Conjugated Linoleic Acid a Novel Inhibitor of Inflammatory Mediators

The present study is designed to understand the interaction between trans-10,cis-12 CLA ligand and the inflammatory mediators like COX-2, iNOS by performing molecular docking studies. Probiotic bacteria such as Lactobacilli are capable of converting linoleic acid to conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). CLA is a collective term used to describe a set of 28 distinct positional and geometric isomers of linoleic acid and the most commonly found isomers are cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10, cis-12 both of which possess biological activity. The trans-10,cis-12 CLA was docked into the COX 2 proteins using CDOCKER CHARMm-based molecular docking algorithm, Accelrys Discovery Studio v 3.5. The binding of COX-2 with CLA isomer revealed that the mode of molecular interaction of trans-10,cis-12 CLA and the standard indomethacin was similar. The in silico results suggest that trans-10,cis-12 CLA isomer could be potent anti-inflammatory agents compared to S-ethyl isothiourea and indomethacin.
Effects of light treatment on circadian rhythmicity in seasonal affective disorder

Summary Twelve outpatients with seasonal affective disorder were treated by 1-h morning bright light exposure for 5 days. The light treatment intervention produced a significant phase advance of self-rated sleepiness rhythm, a significant decrease of the mean level of subjective sleepiness, and a significant reduction of depression scores. No significant objective circadian rhythm phase shift nor amplitude changes would account for the antidepressant effect.
The potential role of miR-126, miR-21 and miR-10b as prognostic biomarkers in renal cell carcinoma

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most commonly diagnosed renal tumor, consisting of ~3% of all malignancies worldwide. The prognosis of RCC can vary widely, and detecting patients at risk of recurrence at an early stage of disease may improve patient outcome. The factors presently used in a clinical setting cannot reliably predict the natural history of the disease. Therefore, there is a requirement to identify novel biomarkers that can aid in predicting patient outcome. Previous studies have indicated that microRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) are potential candidates as prognostic biomarkers for patients suffering from RCC. Consequently, the aims of the present study were to validate the potential of 3 of these miRNAs to predict the prognosis of patients with RCC, and to investigate the stability of endogenous control genes for miRNA studies in RCC tissues. The expression of 7 endogenous controls was measured using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor and benign tissues from patients suffering from clear cell RCC (ccRCC). The analyses identified RNU48 and U47 as the most stable endogenous controls. The expression of miR-126, miR-21 and miR-10b was analyzed using RT-qPCR in renal tissues from 116 patients diagnosed with ccRCC. All three investigated miRNAs were differentially expressed between malignant and benign tissues. miR-126 and miR-10b were also differentially expressed between grades and stages of ccRCC. In a univariate, but not in a multivariate model, low expression of miR-126 was associated with shorter time to recurrence of the disease. The results of the present study indicate that of the 3 miRNAs investigated, the expression of miR-126 has the strongest potential as a prognostic biomarker for patients suffering from ccRCC.
Efficacy of clozapine in treatment-resistant psychosis and neuroleptic sensitivity: results of the Dutch open multi-center project

Summary In an open multi-center study, 57 schizophrenic patients were treated with clozapine for indications of treatment-resistant psychosis or severe extrapyramidal side-effects caused by conventional neuroleptics. In 58% of the patients a clinical relevant improvement, expressed as percentage reduction of at least 50 from baseline BPRS scores was observed. With respect to extrapyramidal side-effects, a marked reduction was found upon treatment with clozapine. No major side-effects occurred, particularly agranulocytosis. It was concluded that clozapine is a potent antipsychotic agent that can be used safely when treatment is accompanied by frequent clinical and hematological monitoring.
Activation of p38 Kinase Links Tau Phosphorylation, Oxidative Stress, and Cell Cycle‐Related Events in Alzheimer Disease

The temporal association between oxidative stress and the hallmark pathologies of Alzheimer disease (AD) demonstrates that oxidative stress is among the earliest events in the disease. Nonetheless, neither the consequences of oxidative stress nor how oxidative stress relates to other pathological features of the disease are clear at this point. To begin to address these issues, we investigated p38 kinase, which is induced by oxidative stress, in the pathogenesis of AD. In hippocampal and cortical brain regions of individuals with AD, p38 is exclusively localized in association with neurofibrillar pathology. By marked contrast, these brain regions exhibit a low level of diffuse p38 staining in the neuronal cytoplasm in controls. We found a complete overlap of the immunostaining profiles of p38 and tau-positive neurofibrillary pathology and that the majority of p38 was activated in AD neurons, both of which support an association of p38 with the disease process. Moreover, the finding that PHF-tau co-immunoprecipitates with p38, and that p38 co-purifies with PHF-tau, strongly suggests that they are physically associated in vivo. Since p38 is also implicated in cell cycle regulation, our findings provide a link between the cell cycle re-entrant phenotype, cytoskeletal phosphorylation and oxidative stress in AD.