Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Malaysia and the Rohingya: Media, Migration, and Politics

Abstract A framing analysis of Malaysian newspaper, The Star was conducted to identify narrative themes used to frame a period of escalating violence in Myanmar (2012 through 2016) that prompted the Rohingya to flee to Bangladesh. Our analysis found that the newspaper represented refugees as violent, criminal and illegal outsiders, while the host nation and its officials were cast as benevolent actors offering humanitarian aid. Rohingya people’s arrival in Malaysia was framed as a source of external and internal political debates about migration and the challenges that arise due to refugees’ mobility, porous borders, and human trafficking.
Hybrid Multimodule DC-DC Converters for Ultrafast Electric Vehicle Chargers

To increase the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), significant efforts in terms of reducing the charging time are required. Consequently, ultrafast charging (UFC) stations require extensive investigation, particularly considering their higher power level requirements. Accordingly, this paper introduces a hybrid multimodule DC-DC converter-based dual-active bridge (DAB) topology for EV-UFC to achieve high-efficiency and high-power density. The hybrid concept is achieved through employing two different groups of multimodule converters. The first is designed to be in charge of a high fraction of the total required power, operating at a relatively low switching frequency, while the second is designed for a small fraction of the total power, operating at a relatively high switching frequency. To support the power converter controller design, a generalized small-signal model for the hybrid converter is studied. Also, cross feedback output current sharing (CFOCS) control for the hybrid input-series output-parallel (ISOP) converters is examined to ensure uniform power-sharing and ensure the desired fraction of power handled by each multimodule group. The control scheme for a hybrid eight-module ISOP converter of 200 kW is investigated using a reflex charging scheme. The power loss analysis of the hybrid converter is provided and compared to conventional multimodule DC-DC converters. It has been shown that the presented converter can achieve both high efficiency (99.6%) and high power density (10.3 kW/L), compromising between the two other conventional converters. Simulation results are provided using the MatLab/Simulink software to elucidate the presented concept considering parameter mismatches.
Prevalence, incidence and molecular characterization of Phomopsis vexans (Diaporthe vexans) causing leaf blight and fruit rot disease of brinjal in Karnataka (India)

The distribution, prevalence and incidence of Phomopsis vexans in six major brinjal growing agro-climatic zones of southwest India is reported. P. vexans was isolated from diseased leaf and fruit samples from six zones and was studied for its morpho-cultural and molecular characteristics. Eighteen isolates were tested for their pathogenicity on 30-days old brinjal seedlings. The ITS regions of these fungal isolates were used for the molecular identification followed by phylogenetic analysis. The incidence of leaf blight and fruit rot disease was high in northern transition zone (NTZ: 10.625.3% and 2133.3%) followed by southern dry zone (SDZ: 8.318% and 22.362%) and central dry zone (CDZ: 1017% and 2939%). All the isolates exhibited similarities in colony morphology. Variation was observed with regard to number of pycnidia, colony growth and type. Among the 24 isolates, 18 belonged to G-type and the rest could not be ascertained to either colony type. The 18 G-type isolates produced leaf blight and fruit rot symptoms 2528 and 4555 days post inoculation, respectively. In the phylogenetic analysis, all the 24 isolates formed a single clade, thus confirming their close genetic relatedness, though they were isolated from different agro-climatic zones of southwest India. Phylogenetic analysis of complete ITS2 sequence showed the presence of two distinct groups based on substitutions and indels observed among the populations where six isolates from NDZ and CDZ formed a distinct group from the rest of the isolates.
Development of a Mortality Risk Model in Elderly Hip Fracture Patients by Different Analytical Approaches

Hip fracture is a major health issue that accompanies community aging. The most critical time after a hip fracture should be the first year. Care systems and surgical techniques for hip fractures have improved, so the trend of mortality in elderly hip fracture could be changed with them. Therefore, we observed the changes in the trend and critical factors for first-year mortality for the hip fractures in an elderly population in Taiwan, and mortality of prognosis prediction model was developed for the early diagnosis using a population-based database in Taiwan (National Health Insurance Research Database, NHIRD). A total of 166,274 elderly subjects with an age greater than 60-years-old from 2001 to 2010 were collected for this study. Cox proportional-hazards (PH) regression and logistic regression were calculated to odds ratio and hazard ratio for mortality of those patients and compared it. Data mining algorithms were also used to generate a risk stratification prediction model. The first-year mortality rate of the overall study group was 21.5% in 2001 and 15.0% in 2010 (p for trend < 0.001). In the male subgroup, the first-year mortality rate was 29.3% in 2001 and decreased to 17.3% in 2010; the trend of standardized mortality ratio was significantly decreased from 4.4 to 2.6 (p for trend < 0.001). By logistic regression, mortality significantly increased with age and male gender. Furthermore, gender, age, patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), cardiovascular (CV), and renal comorbidity, and surgical intervention can be variables for constructing the risk stratification model. The findings of the study will be used for helping related field physicians to predict the prognosis risk of hip fracture patients, and provide evidence-based tailored treatment recommendations for those patients. It may consider to build various models for predicting the prognosis of hip fracture or integrating prediction algorithms into the computerized physician order entry system, thus creating a practical clinical decision support system with warning functions.
Small business awareness and adoption of state-of-the-art technologies in emerging and developing markets, and lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract Many challenges continue to hinder digital technologies' adoption by small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) in developing economies. Comparatively, there are more success stories by SMEs in emerging markets. However, most SMEs operating in the informal sector in the emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs) face similar challenges that inhibit the adoption of advanced technologies and innovations needed to improve business operations and re-engineer processes. This article evaluates the implementation and use of state-of-the-art technologies by SMEs in EMDEs to improve operations performance and create sustainable competitive advantages. Further, the papers in this Special Issue identify FinTech and analytical algorithms as some of the current technologies employed by SMEs in EMDEs to improve operations and processes in the manufacturing and service industries. The recognized technologies and technical innovations that seem novel in EMDEs have long existed in the advanced economies. Most state-of-the-art technologies, including cloud computing, 'big data', and predictive analytics that can improve operations and strategic decisions, are yet to make inroads in most EMDEs. Also, disruptive computing technologies, data analytics, and the Internet of Things (IoT) required to engineer new business models, reduce overheads, enhance competitive advantages, and digitize SMEs' business operations remain untapped. The absence and non-adoption of digital technologies in EMDEs explain why business activities in most EMDEs remain shut during the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 and the community lockdown to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. The strategies to survive the 'new normal' imposed by COVID-19 and fierce global competition includes a successful adoption of advanced technologies.
High throughput measurement of antibody and complement mediated immunity to meningococcal disease

The accepted correlate of protection for meningococcal disease is serum bactericidal activity. The importance of bactericidal activity was established by Goldschneider et al. (1969) who demonstrated an inverse relationship between disease incidence and bactericidal titres of ≥1:4. The importance of antibody and complement mediated immune mechanisms is also emphasised by the increased susceptibility of complement deficient individuals to meningococcal disease. However, the absence of bactericidal activity does not necessarily indicate susceptibility and protection has been demonstrated in the absence of bactericidal activity. This has indicated the importance of other protection mechanisms such as opsonophagocytosis. In this study a high throughput antibody-mediated complement deposition assay has been developed to measure the deposition of both C3b/iC3b and C5b-9 onto Neisseria meningitidis. Antibody mediated C5b-9 deposition measured in this assay has been shown to correlate highly with bactericidal activity for several strains and C3b/iC3b deposition has been shown to correlate with opsonophagocytosis. This assay has also been shown to be reproducible. Measurement of antibody mediated C5b-9 and C3b/iC3b deposition will not be a replacement for opsonic killing assays or the accepted correlate SBA, but could be used as a tool to evaluate large panels of sera against multiple strains due to the very low serum volumes required. A respiratory burst assay has also been developed to measure both the uptake of fluorescently-stained bacteria and the induction of a respiratory burst response. This assay was optimised with respect to the reagents used to measure the respiratory burst response, bacterial stain and the assay buffers. Complement is an important reagent used in immunoassays to evaluate antibody mediated immunity to N. meningitidis. Due to the high levels of nasopharyngeal carriage in adults it is difficult to obtain a complement source without cross- reactive bactericidal activity, often resulting in the requirement for a source from a different individual for each strain. An IgG-depleted complement source has been developed for use in immunoassays. The method developed has been shown to be reproducible and effective at removing the IgG whilst retaining functional complement and will be a valuable tool for assessing immunity to N. meningitidis.
Global greenness in relation to reducing the burden of cardiovascular diseases: ischemic heart disease and stroke

This ecological study aimed to identify the association between greenness and cardiovascular diseases in terms of ischemic heart disease (IHD) and stroke in 183 countries worldwide. The country-level disability-adjusted life year (DALY) database provided by the WHO was used to represent the health burden due to IHD and stroke for the study countries. Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI—MOD13A3) was assessed to estimate the greenness in each country. After considering potential covariates, the generalized linear mixed model penalized quasi-likelihood coupled with a sensitivity test was applied to identify the greenness in relation to DALY loss due to IHD and stroke. Stratified analysis was then conducted to determine the effects of greenness among the different levels of gender, age, and economic status. A consistently significant negative association was found between greenness and both IHD and stroke; the NDVI coefficients of the main model were −11.245 (95% CI: −16.770, −5.720) and −4.387 (95% CI:−7.926, −0.085), respectively, in the DALY changes based on the increase of NDVI from 0 to 1. The stratified analysis recognized these effects in both females and males. Negative associations between greenness and IHD as well as stroke were also found in various age groups and were confirmed as significant in low and middle-income countries.
Multi-Partitioned Software Defined Radio Transceiver Based on Dynamic Partial Reconfiguration

Dynamic Partial Reconfiguration (DPR) proved itself for the implementation of multi-standard Software Defined Radio (SDR). Over the past few years, wireless communication standards witnessed great and rapid evolution. The market is always acquiring higher data rates and more special services. This leads to increase of design complexity, area, and power consumption. Deploying DPR technology on Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) made it feasible to design and manufacture all wireless communications standards on the same hardware. Loading each standard on demand reduces area and power consumption. This work implements SDR transceiver system for five wireless communication standards: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 2G, 3G, and LTE on Zynq-7000 evaluation kit. A new partitioning approach is deployed to achieve best performance for all transceivers. The new approach proves its ability to reduce the allocated area and power consumption for all chains. Power reduction for 2G and Bluetooth is 98.43%, for 3G and Wi-Fi is 79.69%, for LTE is 50.09% compared with no DPR approach.
Single-entry volume table for Pinus brutia in a planted peri-urban forest

Brutia pine is a Mediterranean tree species of high ecological value, widely planted for soil protection, windbreaks and timber, both in its native area and elsewhere in the Mediterranean region. However, there is not yet enough information relating its growth dynamics and yield. The aim of this study was to evaluate the volume of Pinus brutia in a planted peri-urban forest (reforested area) in Greece. A single-entry, individual tree volume model has been developed using data from 18 permanent experimental plots, in the context of a research project regarding recovery of degraded coniferous forests.
Numerical Study of Electromagnetic Loss and Heat Transfer in an Oil-Immersed Transformer

Transformer is one of the most important pieces of equipment in power system. The insulation aging and lifespan of transformer are significantly affected by hot spot distributions of internal components inside. In the present paper, the electromagnetic losses of different components and heat transfer process in a three-phase forced oil circulation transformer (400 kVA-15 kV/400 V) are numerically studied with finite element method. The leakage magnetic flux and eddy current loss density for metal components and oil tank are carefully analyzed, and the effect of metal components’ electromagnetic loss on hot spot temperature of different components and oil flow in transformer is also studied. It is found that the surface current of metal components is generated by leakage magnetic flux, and surface current density is large when leakage magnetic flux concentrates. The effect caused by relative magnetic permeability of metal components is remarkable on electromagnetic loss of metal components and oil tank, while the effect caused by relative magnetic permeability of transformer tank is relatively small. Due to the mixing of metal components on oil flow, the heat transfer of core is enhanced, its hot spot temperature is lowered, and the hot spot locations of coil and core also change. These results are meaningful for further understanding of heat transfer process in transformer and important for the optimal design of transformer.
Programmed death ligand 1 (PDL-1) expression in triple negative breast cancer cells: New proposal for a "tumor score" definition

Recently, several studies showed that PDL-1 pathway may have a key role in the interaction of tumor cells with host immune response, and PDL-1 expression of tumor cells may serve as a mechanism of adaptive immune resistance. The data available in the literature about PDL-1 immunohistochemical expression in tumor tissues are not uniform, for the use of different antibodies clones and the absence of a standardized operative protocol. In this study we analyzed PDL-1 expression in a series of triple negative breast cancers and defined a standardized protocol suggesting a “tumor score” for its evaluation. Its application on large tumor case series will allow to investigate the real prognostic value of PD-L1.
Effect of different concentrations of rooting hormones on growth of tomato cuttings (Solanum esculentus L.)

A study was conducted at Horticultural Research Institute, NARC, Islamabad, Pakistan during 2009. The axillary/lateral shoots (3-4 inches long) were taken from tomato (cv. Kurihara). The cuttings were dipped for 30 seconds in 0.25, 0.50, and 1.00 percent solutions of Indole Butyric Acid (IBA), Chinese Hormones (ABT), Naphthalene Acetic Acid (NAA), 4-Chlorophenyl Acetic Acid (4-CPAD) and control, planted in multi-pot trays filled with a mixture of well decomposed farm yard manure (FYM) and soil (1:1). All the treatments were triplicated using complete randomized design. The data were recorded on survival percentage, seedling height (cm), stem diameter (cm), shoot and root fresh weight (g), shoot and root dry weight (g), root and shoot ratio, root length (cm) and number of roots per cutting. Maximum seedling height (32.22 cm), root length (17.40 cm), number of roots (27.20), root/shoot fresh weight (0.78 and 9.65 g) and dry weight (0.23 and 1.87 g), was noted in control. It proved that tomato axillary/lateral shoots can be grown successfully in a media prepared with soil and well decomposed FYM in 1:1 ratio. This technology can be successfully utilized to grow the second crop of the same variety/hybrid saving the seed cost.
Complete mitochondrial genome of Ophichthus rotundus (Anguilliformes: Ophichthidae)

Abstract The complete mitochondrial genome of Ophichthus rotundus was sequenced in this study. The genome sequence is 17,785 bp in length, comprising 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes, and 2 control regions. Overall base composition is 30.59% A, 24.94% T, 17.01% G, and 27.46% C. The result of phylogenetic analysis indicates that O. rotundus mitogenome is close to that of M. maculosus, which are nested within the family Ophichthidae.
Gender disparities in sentencing outcomes for sexual offenders

ABSTRACT Prevalence rates indicate that female sexual offending is a serious problem in society, but when it comes to sentencing outcomes, females who have sexually offended (FSOs) tend to receive more lenient sentences than males who have sexually offended (MSOs). It is difficult to draw definitive conclusions based on these findings because potential confounding or case-relevant factors have not been well accounted for. We compare sentencing outcomes for ten cases of female sexual offending matched to ten cases of male sexual offending in New Zealand (NZ). We coded the sentencing notes for underlying case-relevant factors and found that although the factors and the way in which they were applied at sentencing were similar for both FSOs and MSOs, FSOs were significantly less likely to receive a prison sentence than were MSOs. We discuss what leniency means for FSOs in terms of impact on victims, community safety, and the rehabilitative processes that are available to reduce recidivism.
Reflecting on the Role of Mentorship in Gifted Education

This study fills several knowledge gaps within the literature of gifted education, specifically with respect to the role of mentorship in guiding and developing gifted young minds as they begin to move into advanced academic and professional environments. It surveys the experiences of college students, all of whom had participated in a university-based gifted mentorship program in high school, by asking them to relate their impressions of the program and its effects on their cognitive and research skills. It takes a mixed-method approach by analyzing an online questionnaire answered by 71 students, as well as responses to two open-ended questions answered by 35 students; finally, it conducts individual interviews with 10 students. Results indicate positive student perceptions toward the program overall, and positive correlations between those perceptions and other specific factors studied, with perceptions of cognitive development and university mentors being the most strongly correlated. Students also raised some unanticipated factors that may have contributed to shaping their impressions, including the characteristics of their mentors, as well as aspects related to program implementation and learning elements. Recommendations for future research are then provided.
Nutritional Assessment in Gastrointestinal Tumors: News from the 2020 ASCO and ESMO World GI Meetings

Nutritional risk screening and assessment of general nutritional status are of primary importance in the management of gastrointestinal cancers (GIC). Indeed, a major problem in these patients is the involuntary weight loss leading eventually to cachexia. With our review, we aimed at collecting the most recent advances in nutritional assessment of patients with GIC. All the abstracts presented both at the 2020 ASCO and ESMO World GI meetings were considered and a total number of 12 abstracts were selected, reporting colorectal, gastric, esophageal, and pancreatic cancer (PC) series. In some of the analyzed series, pathological conditions such as cachexia and sarcopenia had prognostic significance on clinical outcomes. One abstract reported the results of a phase I trial with the use of a novel interleukin-1-alpha antagonist, bermekimab. Its association with standard chemotherapy in advanced PC brought an improved patients’ performance during treatment. Insufficient attention is paid to the nutritional status of patients with GIC both at screening and during specific cancer treatment. The use of antropometric measurements, together with nutritional assessment tools, may facilitate the clinical evaluation of these patients. Large randomized trials are warranted in order to clarify the real impact of nutritional interventions on clinical outcomes.
Observational evidence of EPP–NOx interaction with chlorine curbing Antarctic ozone loss

Abstract. We investigate the impact of the so-called energetic particle precipitation (EPP) indirect effect on lower stratospheric ozone, ClO and ClONO2 in the Antarctic springtime. We use observations from Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) and Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) on Aura, Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment – Fourier Transform Spectrometer (ACE-FTS) on SciSat, and Michelson Interferometer for Passive Atmospheric Sound (MIPAS) on Envisat, covering the overall period of 2005–2017. Using the Ap index to proxy EPP, we find consistent ozone increases with elevated EPP during years with easterly phase of the quasi biennial oscillation (QBO) in both OMI and MLS observations. While these increases are opposite to what has been previously reported at higher altitudes, the pattern in the MLS O3 follows the typical descent patterns of EPP–NOx. The ozone enhancements are also present in the OMI total O3 column observations. Analogous to the descent patterns found in O3, we also found consistent decreases in springtime MLS ClO following winters of elevated EPP. To verify if this is due to a previously proposed mechanism of conversion of ClO to the reservoir species ClONO2 in reaction with NO2, we used ClONO2 observations from ACE-FTS and MIPAS. As ClO and NO2 are both catalysts in ozone destruction, the conversion into ClONO2 would result in ozone increase. We find a positive correlation between EPP and ClONO2 in the upper stratosphere in the early spring, and the lower stratosphere in late spring, providing the first observational evidence supporting the previously proposed mechanism relating to EPP–NOx modulating Clx driven ozone loss. Our findings suggest that EPP has played an important role in modulating ozone depletion in the last 15 years. As chlorine loading in the polar stratosphere continues to decrease in the future, this buffering mechanism will become less effective and catalytic ozone destruction by EPP–NOx will likely become a major contributor to Antarctic ozone loss.