Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A comparative study of preoperative and postoperative hearing after type I tympanoplasty using temporalis fascia graft at Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Medical College, Bengaluru

Spontaneous healing of chronic tympanic membrane perforations is uncommon. Surgical intervention is the treatment of choice to effect closure of the perforation. Tympanoplasty is a surgical procedure designed to reconstruct the sound transmission mechanism of the middle ear. This procedure can be combined with either an intact canal wall or a canal-wall-down mastoidectomy to eradicate disease from the mastoid area.
The encapsulation of Lactobacillus casei probiotic bacteria based on sodium alginate and chitosan

Chitosan is a polysaccharide that can be used as a material in the encapsulation of probiotic bacteria. The process of bacterial encapsulation with chitosan polymers was carried out to protect the Lactobacillus casei bacteria which cannot last long in very acidic environments so that they can survive when exposed to gastric acid conditions and can live in the intestine. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of extrusion voltage on the survivability of L. casei bacteria in the encapsulation process. The encapsulation process in this study was carried out by the extrusion-emulsion method using a sodium alginate of 1 % (w/v) and chitosan of 0.2 % (w/v) and voltage variations of 0 kV, 10 kV and 20 kV. The resulting beads were immersed in a simulated gastric fluid (SGF) (NaCl 0.2 %; HCl 0.5 M with a pH of 1.5) for 0, 60 and 120 minutes at 37 °C. The number of L. casei cells before encapsulation was 1 × 109 cfu/mL. After encapsulation with voltage variations of 0 kV, 10 kV and 20 kV, the viability of probiotics were 2.6 × 108 cfu/g, 1 × 107 cfu/g, and 1 × 103 cfu/g, respectively. After testing the beads in SGF, the obtained results indicated that viability of L.casei in the sodium alginate - chitosan beads with an extrusion voltage of 0 kV were 20,300 cfu/g, 10 kV were 30 cfu/g and 20 kV were 0 cfu/g. The results of these studies indicated that survivability of L. casei in the sodium alginate - chitosan beads with a voltage of 0 kV indicates the highest survivability level of 51.19 % of the number of cells encapsulated after incubation in SGF and the higher voltage can kill more L. casei.
Deep Koopman model predictive control for enhancing transient stability in power grids

In this article, we propose a deep Koopman model predictive control (MPC) strategy to improve the transient stability of power grids in a fully data‐driven manner. Due to the high‐dimensionality and the nonlinearity of the transient process, we use the Koopman operator to map the original nonlinear dynamics into an infinite dimensional linear system. To facilitate the control design, we first utilize the deep neural network method to efficiently train observable functions to approximate the Koopman operator so that the obtained dynamics in the high dimensional space is a linear system. We then propose an MPC strategy for the obtained high dimensional linear system. The proposed control strategy utilizes energy storage units, which inject or absorb real power at the synchronous generator buses to enhance the transient stability. Simulation studies implemented on the IEEE 9‐bus 3‐machine test system and the IEEE 39‐bus 10‐machine test system illustrate the performance of the proposed deep Koopman MPC strategy. The results demonstrate that the proposed control strategy effectively enhances the transient stability of the system even in the presence of severe faults.
Effects of taboo conversation topics on impression formation and task performance evaluation

We examined how taboo conversation topics, such as being arrested, religion, and one’s body weight, affect impression formation and task performance. In an experiment with 109 women, each participant and a female research confederate, whom the participant believed to be another participant, had a conversation and were asked to complete a task. We manipulated the conversation topics and actual task performance of the confederate, and measured participants’ communication satisfaction; perception of the confederate’s social, physical, and task attractiveness; and task performance. The results show that when the confederate performed well and appropriate (vs. taboo) conversation topics were discussed, the participants formed a more positive impression of the confederate and evaluated her task performance more positively. Therefore, if social norms for appropriate conversation topics are not followed, individuals may be less satisfied with their interpersonal communication interaction with the person who has not observed the norms, and may evaluate the task performance of that other person more negatively.
Evaluation des FITKIDS-Programms zum gesunden Aufwachsen von Kindern aus suchtbelasteten Familien

Zusammenfassung Ziel Elterlicher Drogenkonsum kann zu prekären Lebensbedingungen für Kinder führen. Suchtbelastete Familien sind durch Hilfemaßnahmen schwer zu erreichen. Die Drogen-/Suchtberatung hat gute Zugangschancen, berücksichtigt die familiäre Situation bisher jedoch unzureichend. Die Implementierung des Organisationsentwicklungsprogramms FITKIDS in die Arbeit der Drogen-/Suchtberatungsstellen hat zum Ziel, die gesunde Entwicklung betroffener Kinder zu stärken. Methode Die Studie EvaFit II evaluiert die Wirkung von FITKIDS mittels semi-strukturierter, leitfadengestützter Einzelinterviews mit suchtkranken Eltern (n=14), und deren Kindern (n=6) in FITKIDS geschulten Beratungsstellen. Ergebnisse Die Ergebnisse zeigen positive Wirkungen bezüglich der Lebenssituation der Familien, z. B. in Bezug auf soziale Teilhabe, Kommunikation oder die Vermittlung in Hilfesysteme. Die vertrauensvolle Zusammenarbeit mit Beraterinnen und Beratern ist dafür entscheidend. Diskussion Mithilfe der kinderorientierten Ausrichtung der Beratungsstellen, der Kompetenzerweiterung der Beraterinnen und Berater und dem Aufbau von Netzwerkstrukturen gelingt es, Sucht- und Drogenberatung, Erziehungsberatung und die Kinder-/Jugendhilfe zu vereinen. Die Ergebnisse tragen zur Evidenzbasierung in der Suchthilfe bei.
Analisis Pengaruh Website Quality terhadap Kepuasan Pengguna dengan Menggunakan Metode WebQual 4.0

Online business competition requires business people who are able to improve the quality of the website to win market share. WebQual is a method developed by Barnes and Vidgen that measures website quality based on usability, information quality, and service interaction. This study aims to examine and analyze the effect of website quality on Traveloka's online booking site on user satisfaction. This research uses a quantitative approach with multiple regression analysis. Sampling uses a purposive sampling that is students in the city of Malang who have made online reservations on the Traveloka site with a sample of 186 respondents. Based on the results of data analysis found that: 1) usability has a positive and significant effect on user satisfaction, 2) information quality has a positive and significant effect on user satisfaction, and 3) the quality of service interactions has a positive and significant effect on user satisfaction https://doi.org/10.26905/jmdk.v8i1. 3782
More Resilient Cities to Face Higher Risks. The Case of Genoa

This paper analyzes some natural and man-made disasters that happened in recent years, which demonstrate how the resilience of a city does not depend only on the actions carried out by public authorities, but it requires the joint work of all actors that live or work in a city. Resilience represents the ability of an urban system to adapt to an external event and quickly return to normality. In recent years, urban resilience has mainly addressed natural risks, neglecting man-made disaster. Therefore, this study considers the risk issue in relation to the resilience concept within urban planning and policies to achieve sustainability and urban security. Urban resilience has become an important objective for cities, particularly to face climate change. The paper proposes a review of the existing Civil Protection Urban Emergency Plan, as a sector plan to support urban planning at the local level, aimed at building resilience in cities. In particular, the proposed Emergency Plan reduces risk and increases resilience by identifying specific scenarios and actions that every city actor—public authorities, research, enterprises, and citizens—can implement. This proposal contributes to the implementation of the quadruple helix principle, according to which the involvement of these four actors is necessary to achieve a common goal, such as increasing urban resilience. The proposed methodology is then applied to the man-made disasters that have involved the city (such as the flood of 2011 and the collapse of the Morandi Bridge in 2018). Genoa represents a good example to be studied according to the “learning-by-doing” approach to understand how the city has responded, adapting resiliently, to natural and man-made events thanks to the collaboration of all the actors above mentioned. The new scenarios, included in the Urban Emergency Plan, can play a fundamental role, both in the emergency and prevention phase, and can help other cities around the world in planning more resilient cities to face higher risks.
Performance Analysis of Cooperative Sensing over Time-Correlated Rayleigh Channels in Vehicular Environments

Spectrum starvation is a key challenge for wireless services and applications in vehicular networks with serious negative implications for traffic safety and transportation efficiency. As a promising solution, cognitive radio (CR) allows CR-enabled vehicles to access the spectrum holes of primary users (PUs) in an opportunistic manner, but requires a robust sensing mechanism to provide adequate protection for PUs. However, highly dynamic environments make spectrum sensing an increasingly difficult problem. For example, vehicular communications are subject to multipath fading due to vehicle mobility. In this paper, the wireless channels in vehicular environments are considered to be subject to time-correlated Rayleigh fading. To facilitate the analysis, temporal correlation could be classified into complete correlation, partial correlation and complete independence according to the degree of correlation. The performance of cooperative sensing scheme is investigated for soft fusion (SF) and hard fusion (HF) approaches. The simulation results are presented to verify our theoretical analysis for varying conditions and scenarios. The results indicate that the detecting performance could be importantly influenced by channel correlation, which can be improved by vehicles’ cooperation.
Characterisation of the ?2A-adrenoceptor antagonism by mirtazapine and its modifying effects on receptor signalling

i Title: Characterisation of the uu-adrenoceptor antagonism by mirtazapine and its modifying effects on receptor signalling Mirtazapine is an atypical antidepressant employed clinically for the treatment of major depression. As a multipotent antagonist it acts at am-adrenergic receptors (%-ARs). serotonin type-2A receptors (SHTm-Rs) and histamine type-I receptors (H,-Rs). Its actions at the amAR have been proposed to play a role in its putative earlier onset of action. However, it is not known whether mirtazapine is a neutral antagonist or inverse agonist at azARs. The current study aimed to determine the mode of am-AR antagonism by mirtazapine, as well as to investigate in vitro the modulatory effects of mirtazapine pre-treatments on padrenergic receptor (PAR), muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) and auAR functions. Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-K1) cells expressing the porcine am-AR at high numbers (%AH), a constitutively active mutant am-AR (%-CAM), or mock-transfected control cells (neo) were radio-labelled with [3H]-adenine and concentration-effect curves of mirtazapine, yohimbine, mianserin or idazoxan were constructed, measuring [3H]-cA~P accumulation. In addition human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells and CHO-K1 cells expressing the porcine amAR at low numbers (am-L) were used to investigate the effect of mirtazapine pre-treaments on mAChRs and PARS or am-ARs respectively. ARer radio-labelling with myo-[2-3H]-inositol or [2-%]-adenine, radio-label uptake was measured and receptor function was investigated by constructing concentration-effect curves, measuring [3~] -1~, or [ 3 ~ ] c A ~ ~ accumulation respectively. The results from the current study show that mirtazapine binds to the am-AR with an affinity value in the lower micromolar range (K, .; 0.32 pM; pK, = 6.50 + 0.07). Mirtazapine is not a partial agonist at am-ARs as it does not affect [ 3 H ] c A ~ ~ accumulation in am-H cells. Preliminary results suggest that mirtazapine displays partial inverse agonism in Q-CAM cells, while mianserin displays neutral antagonism. Mirtazapine pretreatment in SH-SY5Y cells does not alter muscarinic receptor function (different from fluoxetine and imipramine), but reduces Cisoproterenol-induced increase in [3H]-cAM~ accumulation in SH-SY5Y cells
Comparison of six genomic DNA extraction methods for molecular downstream applications of apple tree (Malus X domestica)

Abstract Extraction of high quality DNA is crucial for any molecular genetic analysis. However, it is difficult to be obtained from problematic plant tissue, high in phenolic compounds, such as apple leaves. Despite the variety of commercially available kits for DNA isolation, no study has been done so far evaluating their potential for apple tree. We have tested six different kits and compared their performance on five to ten samples of apple tree (Malus X domestica) leaves. Genomic DNA was extracted following manufacturers’ protocols and amplified by touchdown PCR using 12 different SSR markers. The quality of DNA and PCR products was proven on agarose gel; additionally, DNA concentrations were measured using fluorimeter. Results showed high level of variation for concentrations and DNA purities; the highest yield (more than 512 ng/µL) was obtained with E.Z. N.A. SP Plant DNA Kit (Omega bio-tek), although DNA was not absolutely pure. The highest DNA sample purity was obtained using the DNeasy Plant Pro Kit (Qiagen); however, it resulted in the lowest DNA concentration (13 ng/µL). Despite big differences in DNA yields, all kits performed well for further PCR amplification. We conclude that choosing suitable method for DNA extraction of the particular sample plays a big role for the quality of DNA and its downstream applications. Extraction with DNeasy Plant Pro Kit (Qiagen) was the most efficient, as it resulted in the purest DNA. Despite its relatively low DNA yield, concentrations were still high enough for further PCR amplification. Obtained results indicate the optimal DNA extraction method used for problematic plant species in molecular studies.
REFERENCE INTERVAL OF BLOOD BIOCHEMICAL VARIABLES IN RUSTIPOLLOS RAISED UNDER CONDITIONS OF SUBTROPICAL-HUMID CLIMATE

The determination of biochemical parameters in production animals represents a tool of great importance in the diagnosis of various diseases, especially those of subclinical manifestations, being influenced by climatic factors, genetic line, management and feeding. The objective of this work was to define reference intervals for blood biochemical variables in the Rustipollos poultry population of the Faculty of Veterinary Sciences in San Lorenzo, Paraguay. A total of 52 birds of the Rustipollos line were selected, 45 females and 7 males, between 2 and 3 years of age. Blood samples were obtained by puncture of the brachial vein to obtain serum and subsequent analysis. The biochemical variables studied were total protein (PROT-T), albumin (ALB), globulins (GLO), uric acid (URIC), cholesterol (COL), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), calcium (Ca) and inorganic phosphate (Pi). The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the reference intervals were determined applying a robust method as indicated by the standards for the elaboration of referential values. The values ? obtained were similar to those reported in the literature. However, high levels of GLO were reported that could be related to greater resistance of the birds, considering the management system employed. AST should be evaluated in conjunction with the enzyme creatine kinase in order to differentiate muscle or liver damage. The reported calcemia could be related to the age of the birds, hormonal effect and feeding. The data obtained could be used as a reference for future work, being necessary to establish reference intervals in different categories, in said local population.
Mechanical Advantages and Disadvantages of a Lower Limb Using Forefoot to Heel Strike Landing

A previous study reported that habitually barefoot Kenyan distance runners tend to use a mid-foot strike or a forefoot-heel strike (FHS). Current findings indicate FHS helps enhance Kenyans’ running performance. However, no study has investigated how FHS modulates leg stiffness (kleg) and altered running velocity with changes in kleg. Because vertical displacement of the centre of mass and kleg during hopping are applicable to the running process, this study investigated how FHS affects kleg and hopping frequency (fhopping) during hopping. Subjects hopped at 2.2 Hz with normal hopping (NH-2.2Hz) and at a comfortable frequency with FHS (FHS-CF). According to each subject’s comfortable frequency at FHS-CF, they were divided into higher (HG, 2.49 ± 0.11 Hz) and lower (LG, 2.16 ± 0.19 Hz) groups. With FHS-CF, the flight duration in HG was significantly shorter than that in LG. kleg in HG was greater than that in LG. Negative work in the first half of the stance phase and positive work in the second half of the stance phase at all three joints were smaller in HG than in LG. The touchdown angle was larger and angular displacements at the joints were smaller in HG than in LG. The findings indicate that when hoppers used FHS, they increased their preferred fhopping by stiffening their leg joints during the stance phase and jumping with a lower height than in normal hopping; additionally, it is important to increase the touchdown joint angle for a stiffened joint.
Recent Development in Earth-Abundant Kesterite Materials and Their Applications

Kesterite Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) has attracted attention as an earth-abundant alternative to commercially successful CIGS solar cells. CZTS exhibits decent optoelectrical properties while having excellent stability on top of being an earth-abundant, low-cost and non-toxic material. Therefore, in recent years, there has been a significant research effort to develop CZTS-based devices. The efficiency of CZTS solar cells reached 12.6% in 2013, and this was a remarkable achievement at the time. However, the efficiency of these devices has been stagnant since then while emerging technologies, most notably perovskite solar cells, keep breaking record after record. Currently, CZTS research focuses on discovering the secrets of material properties that hinder the efficiency of CZTS solar cells while branching out to develop alternative applications for this material. In this review, we summarize the interesting properties of CZTS as well as its promising applications, which include thin-film solar cells, charge-transfer layers in perovskite solar cells, and photoelectrochemical water splitting while briefly commenting on its other possible applications.
Design, Dynamics Analysis, and Real-Time Stiffness Control of a Variable Stiffness Joint

This paper proposes a variable stiffness joint based on a symmetrical crank slider mechanism (SCM-VSJ). Firstly, the mechanical design and the working principle of the variable stiffness joint is described, and its stiffness regulation characteristics are studied. Secondly, the dynamical model of variable stiffness joint including joint motor, harmonic reducer and stiffness adjustment motor is established, in addition, the transmission mechanism of the crank slider mechanism and the elastic deformation of the spring bar are considered in the dynamic modeling. Finally, in order to control the dynamic stiffness of the variable stiffness joint in real time, a kind of improved PID (proportional-integral-derivative) control algorithm based on feed-forward and feedback closed-loop is proposed on the basis of the existing dynamical model, and the simulation analysis of real-time tracking control of dynamic stiffness for sinusoidal wave expected stiffness signal and random expected stiffness signal is carried out respectively. The research shows that the real-time stiffness control of SCM-VSJ can be realized effectively, and during the stiffness adjustment process, the output torque of the stiffness adjustment motor will be affected by the elastic deformation of the spring bar.
Homology modeling, structure and active site prediction of stem rust resistant gene Sr22 in wheat cultivars

Protein structure and function is very important to study before gene transformation. Protein homology modeling is very important tool used to predict the structure of the protein. Sr22 gene codes for a Sr22 protein which confers resistance against Puccinia graminis. The homology modeling of Sr22 protein was obtained by using SWISS-MODEL web tool. Then the predicted model of Sr22 protein was superimposed to check the validation through errat. Errat score for this model was 77% which was further improved up to 80% by doing loop optimization of Sr22 using similar tool. 3D model of stem rust resistant protein was further used to analyze the activity of the protein. Active sites of Sr22 protein were detected by using ADDS (Automated active sites detection, docking and scoring) software. Total of 17 active sites were identified and active sites with the highest score were used in further studies. The information achieved may be useful to understand the mechanism resistance to stem rust disease in wheat which may further help to manipulate for sustainable resistance.
Stress breeding of neglected tetraploid primitive wheat (Triticum dicoccum, Triticum carthlicum and Triticum polonicum)

Ancient wheats are progressively more considered as valuable resources for genes of interest especially in organic and health food markets which could be introduced into cultivated varieties. Better evaluation of primitive wheats that symbolize a valuable genetic resource may provide breeders with important sources for biotic and abiotic stress tolerance. Emmer wheat (Triticum turgidum subsp. dicoccum) is one of the most ancient of cultivated cereals, makes good bread, higher in fiber than common wheat, emmer is used is for making pasta and bread, with no need at all to use pesticides during growing season, grow in severe environments and minor lands, resistance to Septroria leaf blotch and resistance to Russian wheat aphid and Green bug. Persian wheat (Triticum turgidum ssp. carthlicum) described with many favorable characters, like being a good resistant species to stem rust and powdery mildew, plants have more tillers with good productivity, low temperature tolerant and pre-harvest budding and fairly resistant to fungus diseases. Polish wheat (Triticum turgidum subsp. polonicum) were used for bread making as many forms having grains with high protein content (27%), and it is a great source for high yielding wheat varieties characterized by plump grain, and could be used in genetic bio-fortification of durum wheat and common wheat. Lack of scientific researches and facilities to produce and marketing, in addition to concentrating on new varieties are considered as limitation factors of expanding these species. For better adaptation to climate change and for future food security, it is highly recommended to improve utilization and sustainable use of targeted species and cooperation between scientists and researcher on the national and international levels. This review is an attempt to highlight the value of targeted species with general information about classification, origin and distribution, importance domestication, characterization and conservation, traditional breeding and role of each of molecular biology, tissue culture and mutation in exploiting genetic variation in targeted species.