Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Distribution of Stars Within Two Degrees of the Galactic Centre

La photometrie JHK d'une aire de 1°× 2°, incluant le centre galactique, est presentee. Les diagrammes magnitude-couleur sont analyses. Une carte de l'absorption interstellaire est realisee. La distribution des etoiles, en fonction de la distance angulaire au centre galactique et de la magnitude apparente, est determinee.
Irrigation with Magnetized Water Alleviates the Harmful Effect of Saline–Alkaline Stress on Rice Seedlings

Saline–alkaline stress suppresses rice growth and threatens crop production. Despite substantial research on rice’s tolerance to saline–alkaline stress, fewer studies have examined the impact of magnetic water treatments on saline–alkaline-stressed rice plants. We explored the physiological and molecular mechanisms involved in saline–alkaline stress tolerance enhancement via irrigation with magnetized water using Nipponbare. The growth of Nipponbare plants was inhibited by saline–alkaline stress, but this inhibition was alleviated by irrigating the plants with magnetized water, as evidenced by greater plant height, biomass, chlorophyll content, photosynthetic rates, and root system in plants irrigated with magnetized water compared to those irrigated with non-magnetized water. Plants that were irrigated with magnetized water were able to acquire more total nitrogen. In addition, we proved that rice seedlings irrigated with magnetized water had a greater root NO3−-nitrogen concentration and root NH4+-nitrogen concentration than plants irrigated with non-magnetized water. These findings suggest that treatment with magnetized water could increase nitrogen uptake. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed the expression levels of genes involved in nitrogen acquisition. The expression levels of OsNRT1;1, OsNRT1;2, OsNRT2;1, OsAMT1;2, OsAMT2;1, OsAMT2;2, OsAMT2;3, OsAMT3;1, OsAMT3;2, and OsAMT3;3 were higher in plants exposed to magnetized water medium compared to those exposed to non-magnetized water media. We further demonstrated that treatment with magnetized water increases available nitrogen, NO3−-nitrogen content, and NH4+-nitrogen content in soil under saline–alkaline stress. Our results revealed that the increased resistance of rice seedlings to saline–alkaline stress may be attributable to a very effective nitrogen acquisition system enhanced by magnetized water.
Significant effect of stacking on the electronic and optical properties of few-layer black phosphorus

The effect of the number of stacking layers and the type of stacking on the electronic and optical properties of bilayer and trilayer black phosphorus are investigated by using first-principles calculations within the framework of density functional theory. We find that inclusion of many-body effects (i.e., electron-electron and electron-hole interactions) modifies strongly both the electronic and optical properties of black phosphorus. While trilayer black phosphorus with a particular stacking type is found to be a metal by using semilocal functionals, it is predicted to have an electronic band gap of 0.82 eV when many-body effects are taken into account within the ${G}_{0}{W}_{0}$ scheme. Though different stacking types result in similar energetics, the size of the band gap and the optical response of bilayer and trilayer phosphorene are very sensitive to the number of layers and the stacking type. Regardless of the number of layers and the type of stacking, bilayer and trilayer black phosphorus are direct band gap semiconductors whose band gaps vary within a range of 0.3 eV. Stacking arrangements that are different from the ground state structure in both bilayer and trilayer black phosphorus exhibit significant modified valence bands along the zigzag direction and result in larger hole effective masses. The optical gap of bilayer (trilayer) black phosphorus varies by 0.4 (0.6) eV when changing the stacking type. The calculated binding energy of the bound exciton hardly changes with the type of stacking and is found to be 0.44 (0.30) eV for bilayer (trilayer) phosphorous.
Detection of COVID-19 using deep learning on x-ray lung images

COVID-19 is a widespread deadly virus that directly affects the human lungs. The spread of COVID-19 did not stop at humans but also reached animals, so it was necessary to limit it is spread and diagnose cases quickly by applying a quarantine to the infected people. Recently x-ray lung images are used to determine the infection and from here the idea of this research came to use deep learning techniques to analyze x-ray lung images publicly available on Kaggle to possibly detect COVID-19 infection. In this article, we have proposed a method to possibly detect the COVID-19 by analyzing the X-ray images and applying a number of deep learning pre-trained models such as InceptionV3, DenseNet121, ResNet50, and VGG16, and the results are compared to determine the best performance model and accuracy with the least loss for our dataset. Our evaluation results showed that the best performing model for our dataset is ResNet50 with accuracies of 99.99%, 99.50%, and 99.44% for training, validation, and testing respectively followed by DenseNet121, InceptionV3, and finally VGG16.
Working from home vs working from office in terms of job performance during the COVID‐19 pandemic crisis: evidence from China

Despite being a worldwide disaster, the COVID‐19 pandemic has also provided an opportunity for renewed discussion about the way we work. By contextualizing in the early periods of China's ending of lockdown policy on COVID‐19, this paper offers evidence to respond to an essential discussion in the field of working from home (WFH): In terms of job performance, can WFH replace working from the office (WFO)? The present study compares job performance in terms of quality and productivity between WFH and WFO from 861 Chinese respondents using entropy balance matching, a quasi‐experimental methodology. Results reveal that WFH enhances job performance in terms of job quality but lowers it in terms of job productivity. In addition, the present study aims to capture and empirically measure the variations in fundamental job characteristics in terms of job control and job demand between WFH and WFO by applying the job demand control support model. More specifically, we find that job control items, such as ‘talking right’ and ‘work rate’, and job demand items, such as ‘a long time of intense concentration’ and ‘hecticness of the job’, are vital factors that contribute to how these differences exert influence on employees' performance in the context of the pandemic.
A Spatially Complete 13CO J = 1-0 Survey of the Orion A Cloud

We present the results of new 13CO J = 1–0 observations of the Orion A molecular cloud made with two 4 m telescopes at Nagoya University. The area observed, corresponding to l ∼ 208°–215° and b ∼ -20. °5 to -18. °0, covers the full extent of this giant molecular cloud at a 2. ′0 grid spacing with a 2. ′7 beam. The present observations provide the first complete coverage of the cloud in 13CO with a reasonably high angular resolution relative to the cloud's size. In addition, the high velocity resolution of 0.1 km s-1 allowed us to resolve velocity components of the 13CO emission. The molecular distribution is highly elongated along the Galactic plane and is filamentary, as is consistent with previous molecular maps. The total molecular mass of the cloud is estimated to be ∼5.4 × 104 M⊙. By using the velocity channel maps every 0.5 km s-1, 39 individual filamentary components have been identified, and their basic physical quantities have been estimated. They typically are 4.8 pc in length, 1.4 pc in width, and 660 M⊙ in mass. We also find that these filamentary components are nearly in virial equilibrium.
Development of a Redox-Label-Doped Molecularly Imprinted Polymer on β-Cyclodextrin/Reduced Graphene Oxide for Electrochemical Detection of a Stress Biomarker

Cortisol is a major stress biomarker involved in the regulation of metabolic and immune responses. Readily accessible assays with sufficient quantitative and temporal resolution can assist in prevention, early diagnosis, and management of chronic diseases. Whereas conventional assays are costly in terms of time, labor, and capital, an electrochemical approach offers the possibility of miniaturization and detection at the point-of-care. Here, we investigate the biosensor application of molecularly imprinted polypyrrole (PPy) doped with hexacyanoferrate (HCF) and coupled to reduced graphene oxide functionalized with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD). β-CD provides an inclusion site for lipophilic cortisol and was electrochemically grafted simultaneous with reduction of GO. Next, PPy was electrochemically deposited in presence of cortisol template with HCF dopant ions serving as intrinsic redox probe. Thus, the sensor response was evaluated via changes of redox peak current in cyclic voltammetry and demonstrated a broad logarithmic detection range (5 pg/mL to 5000 ng/mL, R2 = 0.995), with a sensitivity of 8.809 μA log–1 (ng/mL) cm–2 and LOD of 19.3 pM. The sensor was shown to be specific toward cortisol in reference to salivary cortisol concentration in saliva over structural analogues. The sensor was exhibited to determine cortisol in artificial saliva at normal and elevated levels. The good performance and facile electrochemical fabrication of this antibody- and external label-free interface are promising for the development of affordable point-of-care biosensors.
Cobalt and Iron-based Heteroleptic Complexes of Imidazole: Synthesis, Antibacterial and Hemolytic Potential

Transition metal complexes can deliver exciting properties in the development of metal-based drug system. The aim of current study is to synthesis of metal complexes and to evaluate their biological properties such as antibacterial and hemolytic activity to know their biological importance. Five cobalt and iron-based complexes (1-5), [Co II (imiH)(benz) (N 3 )] (1) [Fe II (imiH)(piv)(N 3 )] (2), [Fe II (imiH)(benz)(N 3 )] (3), [Fe II (imiH)(N 3 ) 2 ] (4), [Fe II (imiH) (piv) 2 ] (5), (where imiH = imidazole, piv = pivalic acid, N 3- = azide, benz = benzoic acid) were produced by of the reacting of respective metal salts with selective ligands. These complexes were characterized through FTIR and elemental analyses. Compounds (1-5) were tested for their antibacterial biofilm inhibition and hemolytic studies. Complexes of 3 (85.42%) and 2 (69.58%) have promising inhibition for S. aureus whereas 5 (70.48%) and 2 (62.94%) also exhibit significant inhibition against E. coli. The hemolytic study of these metal complexes indicates the cytotoxicity against bovine erythrocytes. The current study will be useful for the development metallodrugs in future. Dr. Muhammad Nadeem Akhtar is working as an Associate Professor, Division of Inorganic Chemistry, Pakistan. He did his PhD in Inorganic Chemistry from Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Karlsruhe Institute of Chemistry, Germany. His major research interests are focused on Coordination Compounds, Molecular Nanomagnetism, Nanomaterials and Investigation of Biological Properties of Metal Complexes. Arfan
Ranking Opportunity Sets, Averaging Versus Preference for Freedom

We introduce and axiomatize two quasi-orderings that extend preferences on a set to its power set. First, a modified version of indirect utility takes into account the number of maximal elements in the opportunity set. This rule meets Puppe's axiom of preference for freedom. Second, an averaging rule takes into account the number of non-maximal elements in the opportunity set. Such a rule satisfies the Gardenfors principle. Axioms that involve no more than two alternatives capture the differences between the two rules.
Plant Volatile Oils and Compounds as Ecofriendly Mosquito Control Products: Review on Recent Developments

Mosquitoes occupy the first place among the most dangerous insects in the world, because they kill more than five lakhs people every year around the world by transmitting lethal pathogens. People use many methods and devices to combat the mosquito problem. Chemical pesticides are commonly used to control mosquitoes and their bites around the world. Since the last two decades public has started to avoid the use of synthetic chemicals for mosquito management due to their harmful effects on environment and human health. Pesticide resistance in mosquitoes is a major side effect of synthetic chemical applications. Volatile oils or essential oils obtained from green plants are considered as reliable alternatives for mosquito management. Several hundred volatile oils and volatile compounds have been tested against eggs, larva, pupa and adults of various vector mosquito species. Oils, extracts and powders of leaf, flowers and bark of many aromatic plants are being used as mosquito repellents in many countries for many centuries. Scientific validation of biological activities of several botanicals has been intensified in the last three decades and several herbal mosquito control products have been commercialized. The aim of the present review article is to provide up-to-date information on biological activities of plant volatile oils and volatile compounds against vector mosquitoes and to highlight the promising volatile compounds for the development of new herbal mosquito control products.
Presepsin Predicts Severity and Secondary Bacterial Infection in COVID-19 by Bioinformatics Analysis

Introduction Novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) is an acute respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Severe and critical illness, especially secondary bacterial infection (SBI) cases, accounts for the vast majority of COVID-19-related deaths. However, the relevant biological indicators of COVID-19 and SBI are still unclear, which significantly limits the timely diagnosis and treatment. Methods The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between severe COVID-19 patients with SBI and without SBI were screened through the analysis of GSE168017 and GSE168018 datasets. By performing Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis for significant DEGs, significant biological processes, cellular components, and molecular functions were selected. To understand the high-level functions and utilities of the biological system, the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis was performed. By analyzing protein-protein interaction (PPI) and key subnetworks, the core DEGs were found. Results 85 DEGs were upregulated, and 436 DEGs were downregulated. The CD14 expression was significantly increased in the SBI group of severe COVID-19 patients (P < 0.01). The area under the curve (AUC) of CD14 in the SBI group in severe COVID-19 patients was 0.9429. The presepsin expression was significantly higher in moderate to severe COVID-19 patients (P < 0.05). Presepsin has a diagnostic value for moderate to severe COVID-19 with the AUC of 0.9732. The presepsin expression of COVID-19 patients in the nonsurvivors was significantly higher than that in the survivors (P < 0.05). Conclusion Presepsin predicts severity and SBI in COVID-19 and may be associated with prognosis in COVID-19.
Role of Digital Media in Promoting Oral Health: A Systematic Review

Oral disease has affected almost half of the world’s population, causing an enormous economic burden. To overcome this huge problem, oral health promotion is one of the most cost-effective methods. Digital media can play a pivotal role in achieving the goal of reducing this burden by providing a wider platform to reach out to the population even in the areas of deficit oral health care service. The aim of this systematic review is to assess the effectiveness of digital media in oral health promotion. The combinations of terms in the following two broad categories were used to search the literature on PubMed, Cochrane Library articles, WHO guidelines on oral health promotion through digital media, and Google Scholar: Intervention (digital media, Mobile phones, Text messages, social media, Cell phones, MHealth application, Telemedicine, Television, Videos) and Outcome (Oral Health education, Oral health, Oral health promotion, Oral health literacy, Oral health knowledge, Oral health attitude, Oral health practice, Oral hygiene improvement). The review was conducted in two phases, using the standardized checklist applicable to studies. Initially, abstracts were retrieved, followed by the assessment of the full papers against the review criteria. Among the selected studies, digital interventions helped in providing continuity of care and services in seven studies, eight addressed the increase in knowledge, attitude, and practice, and all the studies analyzed oral health needs. The findings concluded that digital media-based interventions can enhance oral health literacy and help in tackling this problem among different age groups.
“Tokowa po ya ekolo”: The Military Body Within the Congolese Army

This article explores the conceptualization of the body among former Congolese soldiers living as refugees in Johannesburg. The article draws on extensive fieldwork in Johannesburg, South Africa and employs the concept of deterritorialization and reterritorialization to explain the bodies of those who have decided to join the Congolese Army. The article reveals the complex ways in which the army manipulates soldiers’ bodies to generate diverse lines of connection, coalition, and removal (or disconnection). We support that the soldiers’ bodies are not necessarily owned by the country, but that soldiers’ bodies become owned by military institutions, who employ nationalist rhetoric to justify their existence and actions. The act of joining the army could be considered a way of cutting ties with civilian life and joining a new world in which the individual is socialized into military culture. Through initiation, the soldier’s body is reterritorialized; it becomes a national asset. While this study focuses on former Congolese soldiers, it has broader relevance, giving insight into how soldiers perceive their body shifting from individual possession to be reterritorialized as the body of the nation.
Renormalisation of random hierarchial systems

﻿ This thesis considers a number of problems which are related to the study of random fractals. We define a class of iterations (which we call random hierarchical systems ) of probability distributions, which are defined by applying a random map to a set of k independent and identically distributed random variables. Classical examples of this sort of iteration include the Strong Law of Large Numbers, Galton-Watson branching processes, and the construction of random self-similar sets. In Chapter 2, we consider random hierarchical systems on ℝ, under the condition that the random map is bounded above by a random weighted mean, and that the initial distribution is bounded below. Under moment conditions on the initial distribution we show that there exists almost sure convergence to a constant. In Chapters 3 to 5 we consider the asymptotics of some examples of random hierarchical systems, some of which arise when considering certain properties of random fractal graphs. In one example, which is related to first-passage percolation on a random hierarchical lattice, we show the existence of a family of non-degenerate fixed points and show that the sequence of distributions will converge to one of these. The results of some simulations are reported in Chapter 7. Part III investigates the spectral properties of random fractal graphs. In Chapter 8 we look at one example in detail, showing that there exist localised eigenfunctions which lead to certain eigenvalues having very high multiplicity. We also investigate the behaviour of the Cheeger constants of this example. We then consider eigenvalues of homogeneous random fractal graphs, which preserve some of the symmetry of deterministic fractals. We then use relationships between homogeneous graphs and more general random fractal graphs to obtain results on the eigenvalues of the latter. Finally, we consider a few further examples.
Longitudinal Study of Entanglement Scars on Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaengliae) in California

The waters off central California are an important seasonal feeding ground for endangered and threatened populations of humpback whales. I used photographs and sightings records collected by Cascadia Research Collective and collaborators to track entanglement scar acquisition for 113 individually identified humpback whales in the area. I estimated that at least 22% of the sampled whales had been previously entangled. I compared linear regressions for annual new scar acquisitions and annual confirmed entanglement reports and found that they increased together, indicating that increases in confirmed reports are due to increases in entanglement, rather than improved reporting systems. These findings are useful for resource managers to evaluate the effectiveness existing anti-entanglement measures.
Improving Student’s Speaking Fluency Through Small Group Discussion Strategy

Abstract: This study discusses how the implementation of small group discussion (SGD) improved the student’s speaking fluency in intermediate class at Ma’had Al-Jami’ah UIN Maliki Malang. This was done based on the learning problems found in the preliminary study that the student’s speaking fluency was 3.5 in communication and 3.53 in explanation. They were not active in speaking fluency either communication or explanation. Furthermore, they did not totally involve in the learning process. This study used classroom action research of Kemmis and Mc Taggart Model with the procedures: planning, implementing, observing, and reflecting the action. The findings show that in cycle I, they got 3.70 in communication and 3.78 in explanation. Finally in cycle 2, their communication in fluency was 4.16 and 4.08 in explanation. This was done by revising the materials to support the discussion. This means that SGD can improve their speaking fluency.Abstrak: Penelitian ini mengkaji tentang bagaimana implementasi strategi diskusi kelompok kecil meningkatkan kemampuan kelancaran berbicara siswa kelas intermediate di Ma’had Al-Jami’ah UIN Maliki Malang. Penelitian ini dilakukan karena ditemukannya masalah pembelajaran pada pra penelitian, yakni kelancaran berbicara mereka masih 3.5 di dalam komunikasi dan 3.53 dalam menjelaskan. Mereka belum aktif dalam komunikasi dan menjelaskan sesuatu. Selain itu, mereka belum semuanya berpartisipasi selama proses pembelajaran. Penelitian ini menggunakan penelitan tindakan kelas menggunakan model teori Kemmis dan Mc Taggart dengan tahapan : perencanaan, pelaksanaan, observasi dan refleksi. Temuan dari penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa di siklus 1, kelancara berbicara mereka menjadi 3.70 di dalam komunikasi dan 3.78 dalam presentasi. Di siklus 2, kelancaran mereka meningkat menjadi 4.16 dalam komunikasi dan 4.08 dalam mejelaskan sesuatu. Hal demikian dilakukakan dengan memperbaiki materi untuk mendukung jalannya diskusi. Ini menunjukkan bahwa diskusi kelompok kecil bisa meningkatkan kelancaran berbicara mereka.