Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Flavonoid detection and antioxidant estimation in Rosa damascena Mill. growing in Taif and Al-Madinah cities, Saudi Arabia

The genus Rosa L. belongs to the important family Rosaceae. Some taxa in Rosaceae produce delicious and beneficial fruits and some are good source of wood. In Saudi Arabia, Rosa L. is represented by different species, one of which is Rosa damascena Mill. R. damascena grows in many localities in Saudi Arabia. The most popular cities in growing rose are Taif and Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah. There are some differences between the taxa growing in both localities. Some refers to the chemical components and some are regarding to their harvesting time. This work aimed to find scientific phytochemical informations about both roses. In this paper the phenolic and antioxidant compounds were investigated and recorded in taxa from both locations. Paper chromatography, thin layer chromatography and High-performance chromatography were used to detect the flavonoids compounds and to give the antioxidant estimation. Quercetin and Letulin were the main agylcons presented in Rosa. Qercetin represents the flavonol group while Letulin represents the flavones one. Some of their glycosides are common in both Taif and Al-Madinah roses such as: Quercetin-3- arabinoside, Quercetin-7-glucoside and Apigenin-7-rhamnoglucoside. On the other hand, some flavonoids are restricted to the plants from one area only. For example, Gossyptin-3-monogalactoside was observed in Al-Madinah samples, while it was undetected in Taif samples. In contrast Quercetin-3-rhamnoside, Quercetin-3-monorhamnoside and Kaempferol-3-monoglucuronide were detected in Taif samples only. Finally, the antioxidant estimation of both localities showed that the Flavonoids content in Almadinah Rose leaves were very much greater than Taif Rose leaves.
High-resolution imaging of biological tissue with full-field optical coherence tomography

A new full-field optical coherence tomography system with high-resolution has been developed for imaging of cells and tissues. Compared with other FF-OCT (Full-field optical coherence tomography, FF-OCT) systems illuminated with optical fiber bundle, the improved Köhler illumination arrangement with a halogen lamp was used in the proposed FF-OCT system. High numerical aperture microscopic objectives were used for imaging and a piezoelectric ceramic transducer (PZT) was used for phase-shifting. En-face tomographic images can be obtained by applying the five-step phase-shifting algorithm to a series of interferometric images which are recorded by a smart camera. Three-dimensional images can be generated from these tomographic images. Imaging of the chip of Intel Pentium 4 processor demonstrated the ultrahigh resolution of the system (lateral resolution is 0.8μm ), which approaches the theoretical resolution 0.7 μm× 0.5 μm (lateral × axial). En-face images of cells of onion show an excellent performance of the system in generating en-face images of biological tissues. Then, unstained pig stomach was imaged as a tissue and gastric pits could be easily recognized using FF-OCT system. Our study provides evidence for the potential ability of FFOCT in identifying gastric pits from pig stomach tissue. Finally, label-free and unstained ex vivo human liver tissues from both normal and tumor were imaged with this FFOCT system. The results show that the setup has the potential for medical diagnosis applications such liver cancer diagnosis.
Investigating burn-out contributors and mitigators among intensive care unit nurses during COVID-19: a focus group interview study

Objective Past literature establishes high prevalence of burn-out among intensive care unit (ICU) nurses, and the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic in intensifying burn-out. However, the specific pandemic-related contributors and practical approaches to address burn-out have not been thoroughly explored. To address this gap, this work focuses on investigating the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the burn-out experiences of ICU nurses and identifying practical approaches for burn-out mitigation. Design Semistructured focus group interviews were conducted via convenience sampling and qualitatively analysed to identify burn-out contributors and mitigators. Maslach Burnout Inventory for Medical Personnel (MBI-MP) and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL-5) were employed to quantify the prevalence of burn-out of the participants at the time of study. Setting Two ICUs designated as COVID-19 ICUs in a large metropolitan tertiary care hospital in the Greater Houston area (Texas, USA). Participants Twenty registered ICU nurses (10 from each unit). Results Participants experienced high emotional exhaustion (MBI-MP mean score 32.35, SD 10.66), moderate depersonalisation (M 9.75, SD 7.10) and moderate personal achievement (M 32.05, SD 7.59) during the pandemic. Ten out of the 20 participants exhibited post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms (PCL-5 score >33). Regarding contributors to burn-out in nurses during the pandemic, five thematic levels emerged—personal, patient related, coworker related, organisational and societal—with each factor comprising several subthemes (eg, emotional detachment from patients, constant need to justify motives to patients’ family, lack of staffing and resources, and politicisation of COVID-19 and vaccination). Participants revealed several practical interventions to help overcome burn-out, ranging from mental health coverage to educating public on the severity of the pandemic and importance of vaccination. Conclusions By identifying the contributors to burn-out in ICU nurses at a systems level, the study findings inform the design and implementation of effective interventions to prevent or mitigate pandemic-related burn-out among nurses.
Acteoside Derived from Cistanche Improves Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis by Activating PI3K/AKT/mTOR Pathway

Abstract Objective Glucocorticoids are widely used in clinical practice; however, they can cause side effects, such as osteoporosis. Acteoside (ACT) from Cistanche has been used to combat a variety of diseases. The study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of ACT in glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP) and its potential mechanism. Methods Dexamethasone (Dex) was injected intramuscularly to induce osteoporosis in a rat model, and ACT was given orally. ACT was supplemented in vivo in Dex-stimulated osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells. RT-qPCR was performed to assess the mRNA levels of bone formation (Runx2, CoL1A1), and bone resorption (OPG and RANKL). A commercial ELISA kit was applied to assess serum OC and CTX levels. Western blot was performed to assess protein levels in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry were performed to assess osteoblast viability and apoptosis. Results ACT reduced Dex-induced bone microstructure deterioration, increased serum levels of OC, and decreased the levels of CTX (P < 0.05). In the MC3T3-E1 cells, Dex inhibited cell viability and promoted apoptosis; however, this effect was greatly attenuated by ACT (P < 0.05). Concurrently, ACT reversed the reduction in Runx2, osterix, CoL1A1, and OPG mRNA levels, ALP activity, and the promotion of RANKL by Dex. Additionally, ACT attenuated Dex-induced inhibition of p-AKT/AKT, p-mTOR/mTOR, and p-PI3K/PI3K protein levels by Dex (P < 0.05), while the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway inhibitor LY294002 diminished the potential effect of ACT (P < 0.05). Conclusion ACT from Cistanche may exert osteoprotective effects by activating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway to alleviate Dex-induced osteoporosis.
Lexis: An R Class for Epidemiological Studies with Long-Term Follow-Up

The Lexis class in the R package Epi provides an object-based framework for managing follow-up time on multiple time scales, which is an important feature of prospective epidemiological studies with long duration. Follow-up time may be split either into fixed time bands, or on individual event times and the split data may be used in Poisson regression models that account for the evolution of disease risk on multiple time scales. The summary and plot methods for Lexis objects allow inspection of the follow-up times.
Dust acoustic solitary wave with variable dust charge: Role of negative ions

The role of negative ions on small but finite amplitude dust acoustic solitary wave including the effects of high and low charging rates of dust grains compared to the dust oscillation frequency in electronegative dusty plasma is investigated. In the case of high charging rate, the solitary wave is governed by Korteweg–de Vries (KdV) equation, but in the case of low charging rate, it is governed by KdV equation with a linear damping term. Numerical investigations reveal that in both cases dust acoustic soliton sharpens (flatens) and soliton width decreases (increases) with the increase of negative-ion number density (temperature). Also, the negative ions reduce the damping rate.
Dynamical critical exponent of the 3D Ising model

Using Monte Carlo simulations we investigate the linear (equilibrium) dynamic critical behavior of L×L×L simple cubic Ising models with periodic boundary conditions. The critical exponent z is determined from the scaling behavior of the relaxation time as a function of lattice size. Our estimate of z=2.03±0.04 agrees well with the theoretical prediction obtained by e expansion.
Modelling Individual Choice: The Econometrics of Corners, Kinks, and Holes

The Econometrics of Individual Behaviour Part 1 The Theory of Rational Choice: Choice Sets, Preferences and Utility Functions The Opportunity Set Direct Utility and the Interior Optimum Indirect Utility and Roy's Identity The Cost Function and Shephard's Lemma The Distance Function Variation in Preferences.Part 2 Survey Methods and Cross-Section Econometrics: Sampling Techniques The Survey enquiry An Example - the UK Family Expenditure Survey Estimation Under Exogenous Sampling Estimation Under Endogenous Sampling Non-Response and Extraneous Sample Selection. Part 3 Choice Among Discrete Alternatives: Applications of Discrete Choice Models Estimation and Testing Random Parameter Models Alternative-Specific Random Errors Tversky's Elimination Model Hierarchical and Sequential Discrete Choice Composite Discrete-Continuous Choice. Part 4 Zero Expenditures and Corner Solutions: Single Equation Censored Regression (Tobit) Models Systems of Censored Regression equations Corner Solutions Consumption and Purchases - the P-Tobit Model Partially-Observed Explanatory Variables. Part 5 Kinked and Discontinuous Budget Frontiers Some Examples Models with Deterministic Preferences Models with Random Preferences More on Stochastic Specification. Part 6 Sequential Choice in Continuous Time - Duration Models The Hazard Function Applications of Duration Models Extensions Parametric Estimation Semi-Parametric Methods. Part 7 Barriers to Choice: Point Rationing Bounds on Behaviour Discrete Opportunities. Appendices: logistic, extreme value and generalised value distributions truncated and censored distributions the computation of probability integrals.
An Assessment of the Reliability and Validity of the PERMA Well-Being Scale for Adult Undergraduate Students in an Open and Distance Learning Context

Background: The PERMA well-being scale measures the multidimensionality of well-being in human populations. It highlights positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment. Despite the empirical advancement and evolution of the PERMA scale in different settings, its applicability to open and distance learning (ODL) has not been adequately established among undergraduate students in sub-Saharan Africa. Methodology: Our study examines the theoretical reliability, validity, and five-factor structure of the shortened 35-item version of the PERMA well-being scale as it was adapted in an ODL tertiary institution in Botswana. The PERMA model of well-being and self-determination theory (SDT) served as theoretical frameworks. We evaluated the adapted PERMA scale’s reliability, construct validity, confirmatory factor analysis, and measures of invariance to assess if the data of undergraduate students in an ODL context study fitted the PERMA model of a well-being five-factor structure. We used a multi-stage sampling scheme incorporating a convenience sampling approach where the respondents were invited to voluntarily participate in the study through a WhatsApp group, followed by snowball sampling where we asked the participants to add others to the WhatsApp group during the timeline of the survey; the sample comprised 215 respondents (age: mean = 38.17, standard deviation = 6.472). We collected data from former and active undergraduate B.Ed. (Bachelor of Education) degree students from five regional campuses of the open university through an online survey built into the Qualtrics platform. The Cronbach’s alpha indicated that one item should be removed from the engagement domain. Results: The overall adapted scale retained a 34-item PERMA well-being scale in the particular ODL context. The goodness of fit indices confirmed the five-domain structure with the 34 items. Conclusions: The psychometric properties of the 34-item adapted PERMA well-being scale suggest that it can be a valuable and feasible instrument in ODL in sub-Saharan Africa. Furthermore, the adapted scale can be applied in educational settings moving towards open and distance e-learning forms of delivery.
Time Delay Observer: A Robust Observer for Nonlinear Plants

Motivated by the idea of the time delay estimation used in the Time Delay Control, Time Delay Observer (TDO) has been constructed. Owing to this idea, TDO does not require a model, and hence is easy to design for nonlinear systems in the phase variable form, even when the plant dynamics is not well known. Not including a model, TDO turned out to be robust to parameter variations and computationally efficient ; yet achieved better accuracy. For this observer, the convergence property and the sensitivity to sensor noise have been analyzed. Then, in a simulation with a nonlinear plant, and in an experiment with a robot, TDO achieved an accuracy level similar to sliding observer and better than a Kalman filter. In an experiment on a pneumatic cylinder control, TDO reconstructed states much better than a numerical differentiator with low-pass filtering.
Steiner Minimal Trees in a Hexagonally Partitioned Space

Given a set of points in the Euclidean plane the Steiner Minimal Tree problem seeks a minimal cost collection of edges spanning the given points. A generalization of this problem is introduced in which the Euclidean plane is partitioned into hexagonal cells, each having an associated cost to traverse. The goal is to minimize the cost required to span the given points in this non-uniform metric. A genetic algorithm is described which builds Steiner trees by combining full components from two participant Steiner trees. The solution quality is compared against standard library instances, for which optimal solutions are known, and random instances. The results show that the genetic algorithm generates high quality solutions.
OTs Delivering Culturally Sensitive Care for Dementia Family Caregivers From Diverse Backgrounds

As occupational therapists, addressing key cultural barriers that may obstruct access to dementia care and education for individuals with dementia and their caregivers from diverse backgrounds is a priority for client-centered care. Stress, racial discrimination, and distrust may exacerbate symptoms and prevalence of dementia in certain populations, such as Chinese- Americans and Latinx (Quinones et al. 2020). Immigrants’ experiences of aging and health are diverse due to belonging to different socioeconomic, ethnic, cultural, and linguistic groups and having varying levels of education and work experience (R. S. 2020). There are existing cultural differences regarding caregiving and family networks, perception and recognition of dementia and associated symptoms, negative experiences with health and care services, and language barriers. Examining how individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds understand dementia and experience the caregiving role can provide occupational therapists (OTs) with an understanding of the importance of cultural sensitivity. We aim to establish educational resources for OT Practitioners (OTPs) on how to be culturally sensitive when supporting caregivers from diverse backgrounds and individuals living with dementia (ILwD) and their particular needs. Providing educational resources to OTPs will contribute to fostering collaborative relationships between OTPs and dementia family caregivers from diverse backgrounds.
Three-dimensional shape enhanced transform for automatic apple stem-end/calyx identification

In automated apple sorting and grading applications, one persistent problem is to identify apple stem-ends and calyxes from defects. To solve this problem, a Three-dimensional (3D) Shape Enhanced Transform (SET) approach is presented. The SET method enhances the apple stem-end/calyx area according to the 3D surface gradient difference between the stem-end/calyx and the apple surface region. In addition, the proposed SET approach does not depend on the location of the stem-end/calyx on the apple surface, making it more suitable for apples orientated randomly. SET is also an automated and robust method, which detects the apple stem-end/calyx without any human intervention, and performs well with noise and even incomplete image data. A total of 232 Golden Delicious apple images were tested, and an overall detection rate of 93.97% was achieved.
The Physics of Supersonic Turbulent Boundary Layers

When a vehicle travels at Mach numbers greater than one, a significant temperature gradient develops across the boundary layer due to the high levels of viscous dissipation near the wall. In fact, the static-temperature variation can be very large even in an adiabatic flow, resulting in a low­ density, high-viscosity region near the wall. In turn, this leads to a skewed mass-flux profile, a thicker boundary layer, and a region in which viscous effects are somewhat more important than at an equivalent Reynolds number in subsonic flow. Intuitively, one would expect to see significant dynamical differences between subsonic and supersonic boundary layers. However, many of these differences can be explained by simply accounting for the fluid-property variations that accompany the temperature
A CMOS Voltage Reference with Output Voltage Doubling Using Modified 2T Topology

This paper presents an ultra-low power CMOS voltage reference which operates in the subthreshold region. Modified from the conventional 2T circuit, the proposed circuit is capable of generating higher output voltage by using the resistor subdivision. The design comprises a negative-threshold native NMOS transistor as the current generator, a high-threshold PMOS transistor as the active load and an active voltage doubling network to generate the reference voltage. Implemented in TSMC 40 nm CMOS technology, the proposed circuit operates at a minimum supply of 0.65 V and consumes 5.5 nA. Under one sample simulation, the obtained T.C. is 16.64 ppm/°C and the nominal Vref is 489.6 mV (75.3% of Vddmin) for the temperature range from −20 °C to 80 °C. For Monte-Carlo simulation of 200 samples at room temperature, the average output voltage is 488 mV and the average T.C. is 29.6 ppm/°C whilst with the standard deviation of 13.26 ppm/°C. Finally, at room temperature, the proposed voltage reference has achieved a process sensitivity (σ/μ) of 3.9%, a line sensitivity of 0.51%/V and a power supply rejection of −45.5 dB and −76.3 dB at 100 kHz and 100 MHz. Compared to the representative prior-art works realized in the same technology and a similar supply current, the proposed circuit has offered the best 1-sampe T.C. , the best average T.C. in multiple samples, the highest output voltage, the maximum output voltage per minimum supply voltage and the lowest process sensitivity in the output, Vref.
Magnetic relaxation in the nanoscale granular alloy Fe 20 Cu 20 Ag 60

nanocrystalline soft magnets. Samples were produced by mechanical alloying ~70 h, argon sealed! and were homogeneous according to scanning electron microscopy and electron microprobe analysis. Room-temperature magnetoresistance measurements in applied fields up to H590 kOe gave a value of 5% ~at 90 kOe! for the @R(H)2R(0)#/R(0) ratio. Rietveld calculations on high-resolution image plate data using a synchrotron source (l50.6920 A) showed that the specimen comprised a dispersion of bcc Fe 60Cu40 ~Im-3m, a 52.951 A! particles of mean size 5.5 nm in an fcc Ag90Cu10 ~Fm-3m, a54.057 A! matrix. This structure was stable up to 380 K as revealed by differential scanning calorimetry. dc magnetization ~peaks in zero-fieldcooled data! and frequency-dependent ac susceptibility ~in external dc magnetic fields from zero to 500 Oe! measurements showed blocking transitions between 280 and 300 K, with the onset of superparamagnetic behavior at higher temperatures. The superparamagnetic regime was confirmed at room temperature by the
PERFORMANCE OF THE DACTYLIS GLOMERATA L. SPECIES IN THE CONDITIONS OF A.R.D.S. LOVRIN

The Dactylis glomerata L. species is found in a spontaneous state in the meadows of Romania. It is an essential component in the composition of simple mixtures with alfalfa and complex mixtures along with other grasses and perennial legumes. The manifestation of agrobiological characteristics in Dactylis glomerate L. is characterised by complexity and variability, influenced by technology, soil, and climatic conditions that vary inherently in space and time. The research was focused on the knowledge of the agro-biological characteristics and production capacity of the species Dactylis glomerata L. in correlation with local conditions. The research was carried out at Agricultural Research-Development Station of Lovrin and as a biological material the cock's-foot genotype LVDG1 was used, the culture has been established in the Autumn of 2020. Biometric measurements were made on the main agro-biological characters until the first scythe was harvested as a green mass feed. Research shows that all parameters analyzed have the same tred, in both experimental years, with small variations, the differences being attributed to the lack of uniformity of precipitation, the temperature not being a restrictive factor. In the case of the experimental site, the characteristics and type of variation of the decadal quantities of atmospheric precipitation, expressed by the modified Angot index (km), show that in the range of 1.01 to 31.05. 2021, the decades with a pluviometric surplus prevail, with large differences compared to the same period of 2022, which is also found in the externalization of the characters in cock's-foot. The rainfall in the year 2021 contributed to a better expression of vegetative parameters, including the production of green mass at the first scythe. Hence, in 2021 was the highest production of green mass at the first scythe of 25 t.ha -1.