Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Integrated Pest Management Package for Leafhoppers and Planthoppers (Insecta: Hemiptera) in Paddy Fields

The aim of the present article is to shed light on the current status, species composition, abundance, habitat affinities, distribution patterns of leafhoppers and planthoppers along with their integrated pest management (IPM) in the rice growing regions. Leafhoppers and planthoppers such as white rice leafhopper (Cofana spectra Distant), brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens Stal), whitebacked planthopper [Sogatella furcifera (Horvath)], green planthoppers [Nephotettix nigropictus (Stal)] and Nephotettix virescens (Distant), and lophopid leafhopper (Pyrilla perpusilla Walker) are sap feeders from the xylem and phloem tissues of the plant. Both adults plus nymphs of leafhoppers and planthoppers have piercing mouthparts that they insert into the leaf blades and leaf sheaths of rice plants to suck sap, and egg laying by hoppers blocks the water and food channels inside the plant. Severely damaged plants become dry and take on the brownish appearance as these have been damaged by fire, hence termed as hopper burn and at this level, crop loss may be 100%. The Integrated Pest Management (IPM) philosophies are growing a healthy crop by conserving of natural enemies; observing the field regularly (e.g., water, plants, pests and natural enemies); and farmers should strive to become experts. Simultaneous planting and cropping of rice over large areas; rotating rice with non-host crops, or fallowing between two rice crops; selective elimination of suitable hosts and habitats (sanitation); plant spacing to allow some sunlight to reach basal portion of plant; proper water management i.e., raising water level, or draining; early planting of short-season rice; integration of resistant varieties; and judicious use of pesticides are key component in IPM. Host plant resistance has served as a key component in IPM programs and in the development of sustainable rice creation systems, widespread adoption of such varieties has helped to stabilize rice production. The overall assessment indicates that resistance in rice to the hoppers is shown by the combined influence of non‐ preference by the hoppers for feeding, orientation and oviposition coupled with antibiosis. However, to accomplish this, decision-making must always take into consideration both the costs of inputs and the ecological ramifications of these inputs.
A Novel Excitation Control Technique for Offshore Wind Farm with MPPT

This paper presents a novel excitation synchronous wind power generator (ESWPG) with a maximum power tracking scheme. The main idea of this paper is to get constant speed of the generator and controllable output power. The excitation synchronous generator and servo motor rotor speed tracks the grid frequency and phase using the proposed coaxial configuration and phase tracking technologies. The generator output can thus be directly connected to the grid network without an additional power converter. The proposed maximum power tracking scheme governs the exciter current to achieve stable voltage, maximum power tracking. The simulation results are carried out by using MATLAB/SIMULINK shows that the proposed method has constant generator speed and controllable output power when the input wind power is subjected to the
Does pleurotomy have any effect on postoperative respiratory system functions after cardiac surgery?

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of pleural integrity on respiratory system functions after cardiac surgery. Patients and methods: In this prospective, cohort study, a total of 114 patients (84 males, 30 females; mean age 56.3±13.1 years; range, 21 to 76 years) who underwent on-pump cardiac surgery between February 2016 and June 2016 were included. The patients were divided into two groups: open (Group 1, n=56) and intact pleura (Group 2, n=58). Arterial blood gas values (pH, partial pressure of oxygen [PaO2], partial pressure of carbon dioxide [PaCO2], and oxygen saturation [SaO2]), and respiratory and heart rates were evaluated per-operatively. Preoperative and the fifth postoperative day values of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and FEV1/FVC% were compared between the groups. Results: Extubation time and duration of mechanical ventilation were similar in both groups (p>0.05). There was a significant decrease of FEV1 and FVC of open versus intact pleura group in terms of preoperative and the fifth postoperative day values (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). There was no significant difference in the PaCO2 in arterial blood gas between the groups (open; 38.6±3.5 vs. 39.0±4.2 mmHg, Intact; 37.8±2.3 vs. 38.1±2.1 mmHg, respectively p=0.49) at room air before surgery and on the first postoperative day (p>0.05). However, a significant decrease was observed in the PaO2 (p=0.006 vs. p<0.001, respectively) and SpO2 (p<0.001 vs. p<0.001, respectively) values of the groups between the preoperative and the fifth postoperative day values. The only significant difference regarding postoperative complications, which was higher in Group 1 (p=0.003), was observed in bleeding on the first postoperative day. Conclusion: Based on our study findings, opened pleura seems not to be associated with a higher incidence of pulmonary complications, compared to the intact pleura.
Investigation of Korean Precipitation Variability using EOFs and Cyclostationary EOFs

Precipitation time series is a mixture of complicate fluctuation and changes. The monthly precipitation data of 61 stations during 36 years (1973-2008) in Korea are comprehensively analyzed using the EOFs technique and CSEOFs technique respectively. The main motivation for employing this technique in the present study is to investigate the physical processes associated with the evolution of the precipitation from observation data. The twenty-five leading EOF modes account for 98.05% of the total monthly variance, and the first two modes account for 83.68% of total variation. The first mode exhibits traditional spatial pattern with annual cycle of corresponding PC time series and second mode shows strong North South gradient. In CSEOF analysis, the twenty-five leading CSEOF modes account for 98.58% of the total monthly variance, and the first two modes account for 78.69% of total variation, these first two patterns’ spatial distribution show monthly spatial variation. The corresponding mode’s PC time series reveals the annual cycle on a monthly time scale and long-term fluctuation and first mode’s PC time series shows increasing linear trend which represents that spatial and temporal variability of first mode pattern has strengthened. Compared with the EOFs analysis, the CSEOFs analysis preferably exhibits the spatial distribution and temporal evolution characteristics and variability of Korean historical precipitation. Key Word : Precipitation, EOF, CSEOF, Spatial Distribution, Temporal Evolution.
Health risk assessment of consuming heavy metal contaminated benthic seafood, Anadara (Senilia) senilis in the southern region of Nigeria

This study evaluated health risks associated with the consumption of a seafood (bivalve Anadara (Senilia) senilis) contaminated with some heavy metals in southern Nigeria. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry was used for metal analysis. Mean metal concentrations (μgg) was in the order of Zn(12.96±1.0)> Pb(4.69±0.6)> Cr(2.91±0.7)> Ni(2.47±0.2)> Cu(2.03±0.3)> Cd(1.68±0.2). Mean concentrations of Cr, Cu and Zn were below their respective FAO/WHO recommended limits while those of Ni, Cd and Pb exceeded. The Estimated daily intake-EDI values of all metals were less than their respective reference oral doses-RFD implying minimal health risk. The target hazard quotient (non-carcinogenic) and hazard index-HI had values <1suggesting minimal health risk of non-carcinogenic origin but HI value showed potency of increase. The value of Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk-ILCR ranged from 10-10 with Ni and Cd within the acceptable range of 10-10 while Cr and Pb exceeded the limit. The target cancer risk-TR had values of 10 indicating moderate to high risk according to the New York State Department of Health classification. The study concluded the presence of moderate to high carcinogenic risk due to Cr and Pb for consumers of heavy metal contaminated seafood (bivalves) in southern Nigeria. Minimal consumption and further action are advised with regular monitoring to detect changes.
RECENT CHANGES IN AN UPLAND FOREST IN SOUTH-CENTRAL NEW YORK

FAHEY, T. J. (Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853). Recent changes in an upland forest in south-central New York. J. Torrey Bot. Soc. 125:51-59. 1998. -Sixteen permanent plots in the Arnot Forest in upstate New York, originally surveyed in 1935 and resurveyed in 1985, were measured in 1993 and 1996 to examine recent changes in forest structure and composition resulting from tree mortality, growth and recruitment. Tree density (' 5 cm dbh) declined significantly forest-wide between 1985 and 1993 (1275 to 1079 stems/ha) in this ca. 1 10-yr-old, even-aged forest because the high mortality of several dominant species (especially sugar maple, American beech and basswood) was not matched by recruitment. A small but nonsignificant decline in basal area also was observed during this interval (31.7 to 30.5 m2/ha). During the interval from 1988 to 1993 tree mortality was significantly higher in the Arnot Forest than the earlier (1935-1988) and most recent (1993-1996) periods. This pulse of high mortality apparently affected nearly all species (with the notable exceptions of white ash and hemlock) and size classes, though the suppressed and largest size classes were most affected. Weather records for nearby Ithaca, NY indicated that an unusually severe drought occurred in early summer 1988 and the pulse of mortality may have been triggered by this drought.
Hericium erinaceus Mycelium Exerts Neuroprotective Effect in Parkinson’s Disease-in vitro and in vivo Models

Hericium erinaceus (H.E.) is a well-known edible and folk medicinal fungi in Japan, China and other Asian countries without harmful effects. It has been recognized that this unique mushroom is capable of keeping the brain healthy, supporting the immune system to help prevent gastric cancer and other diseases, boosting mood and concentration, decreasing inflammatory processes in the body. But more scientific researchers are needed to confirm its nutritional and medicinal effects. In the present study, we investigated the effects of Hericium erinaceus mycelium (H.E. mycelium) against 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium(MPP+)-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells and 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced Parkinsonian mice. In the cell viability results, treatment with H.E. mycelium increased the cell viability in MPP+-treated cells and induced antioxidant activity in PC12 cells. H.E. mycelium also reduced MPTP-induced loss of dopamine concentration level and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) positive cells in mice. Our results suggest that H.E. mycelium performs significant protection of dopaminergic neuron under severe conditions and is very effective in the treatment of damaged neuron in the brain to recover in the case of Parkinson’s disease. Practical applications: In this article, we provide science-based evidence related to H.E. mycelium to be a potential effective material for the treatment and prevention of Parkinson’s disease.
Simulation of ZnMgO as the window layer for CdTe Solar Cells

CdS has been used as window layer for CdTe solar cells during the last decades of years. New wider band gap (Eg) materials is being found to replace CdS in order to remove blue loss so that short-circuit current (JSC) of CdTe solar cells can be significantly increased. ZnMgO, synthesized by incorporating Mg content into ZnO, is one of the potential candidates. Some researchers have already successfully made high efficiency CdTe solar cells using ZnMgO. In this work, ZnMgO is used as the window layer and systematic computer simulation is finished to investigate the influence of the resistivity (R) of ZnMgO and the conduction band offset (∆EC) between ZnMgO layer and CdTe layer on the performance of CdTe solar cells. Simulation results indicate that low resistivity and high doping is needed for ZnMgO and the influence of conduction band offset is quite different when the doping concentration of ZnMgO varies. +0.2eV is an acceptable value for conduction band offset and the ideal Mg content in ZnMgO is around 10%. Finally, a new optimized CdTe solar cell with highest efficiency is designed and a flat band diagram is plotted. Index Terms — CdTe solar cells, window layer, ZnMgO, resistivity, conduction band offset.
The Bone Phenotype and Pain Response to Pamidronate in Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor–Treated Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia

Abstract Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been linked to bone pain and linear growth attenuation in children with TKI-treated chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). We describe the skeletal phenotype in an 11-year-old boy with chronic bone pain due to TKI-treated CML, including his response to intravenous (IV) pamidronate. This boy was diagnosed with Philadelphia chromosome-positive CML at 4 years of age. He was treated with imatinib for 3 years, followed by dasatinib for 4 years. At age 11 years, he was seen in a bone health clinic with a 4-year history of leg pains that necessitated regular nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) and downward crossing of height percentiles (from the 25th to fifth). The bone volume/tissue volume Z-score was +1.6 for a trans-iliac bone biopsy specimen, with an increase in trabecular number (Z-score, +3.1). Bone formation and resorption parameters on trabecular surfaces were within normal limits. Tibia volumetric bone mineral density (BMD) and bone geometry were normal by peripheral quantitative computed tomography, areal BMD Z-scores were average or above average at multiple skeletal sites by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, and tibia length Z-score was reduced (−2.3). Growth- and bone-related biochemical studies were unremarkable except a low serum alkaline phosphatase level. His bone pain resolved completely after 9 months of low-dose IV pamidronate. An increase in trans-iliac trabecular number and shortened tibia were the main skeletal features in this patient. Short-term IV pamidronate was effective for mitigating bone pain, allowing this boy to continue receiving dasatinib without the need for chronic NSAID therapy.
STATISTICAL MORPHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS BASED SUPERVISED CLASSIFICATION ALGORITHM FOR DIAGNOSING ACUTE LYMPHOBLASTIC LEUKEMIA

Leukemia is a fatal disease of the type “Blood Cancer”, where the White Blood Cells (WBC) increases in human bone marrow and peripheral blood. Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) is a common types of leukemia that affects young children of below 10 years and adults over 60 years, aroused by accumulation and overproduction of immature and cancerous cells identified as lymphoblasts. At present, the diagnosis of ALL includes measures alike performing a full blood count, bone marrow biopsy, blood picture, immunophenotyping, cytochemical stain and cytogenetics. These medicinal techniques are highly tedious, costly, requires expertise of hematologists and available only in few hospitals especially in developing countries. Hence, as an alternative, use of image processing and machine learning to diagnose ALL would become an effective solution. Even though, several research groups have used image processing to detect and diagnose ALL, recognition and splitting of overlapping Red Blood Cells (RBC) with WBC has however been a challenging issue. This paper is about a research study and an application that includes an image processing and machine learning algorithm to diagnose ALL while attempting to solve the issue of overlapping cells. The research is also extended to detect the quality devastation in blood films in terms of storing them for prolonged period. The inputs for this application include microscopic peripheral blood films of ALL patients and healthy individuals obtained from Department of Pathology Clinic at Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka. This research project has received verification of ethical approval from Faculty of Medicine, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Sri Lanka. In the developed application, segmentation using morphological operations in OpenCV Python and supervised learning based classification using K-Nearest Neighbour implementation has been proposed in detection and diagnosing of ALL. As per the results, the proposed algorithm has led to a high accuracy of 88.8% in diagnosing ALL. The end product includes a Python based QT GUI based development suite that performs main targeted backend functionalities and a PHP based web application that serves hematologists, doctors and patients to perform utility functions.
STI und Schwangerschaft – die epidemiologische Lage

Sexuell übertragbare Erkrankungen (STI) können in der Schwangerschaft zu Fehlbildungen, Entwicklungsstörungen und Erkrankungen des Fötus bzw. Embryos führen. Der Artikel erläutert die epidemiologische Lage sowie die klinische Relevanz des Themas für die Schwangerenbetreuung und Geburtshilfe.
A STUDY ON AFTER SALES SERVICE QUALITY & ITS INFLUENCE ON CUSTOMER SATISFACTION IN SELECTED AUTOMOBILE COMPANIES

In the era of cut-throat competition, companies are attempting to improve their performance and profits by intervening and improving processes and systems at different levels. One of these levels is after sales service provided by companies to their customers through authorised workshops. This study has been conducted in the industrial town of Punjab i.e Ludhiana with the objectives; to compare customer satisfaction on after sales service quality and establish its relationship with the various demographic factors of three automobile companies namely Hyundai Motor, Ford Motor and Tata Motors. The study is descriptive and empirical in nature and the primary data was collected through SERVQUAL questionnaire. For comparison of service quality of the selected companies one way Anova test and Scheffe has been used and it was found that that there is a significant difference in the customer’s perception about quality of service for the targeted organization, further it was also concluded that there is no significant difference in customer satisfaction based on quality of service provided by the targeted companies. To test relationship of customer satisfaction with the various demographic factors different statistical techniques like t-test, Pearson Correlation Test has been used and different type of association was found between customer satisfaction and selected variables.
Modelling Crude Oil Production In Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation

16 www.ijeas. org  Abstract— In the last few decades, crude oil (petroleum) has claimed the topmost position in Nigerian export list, constituting a very fundamental change in the structure of Nigerian international trade. This paper work is focus on time series analysis on monthly crude oil production, the data used is secondary extracted from Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) record online and the statistical tools used for this research work are time plot to determine level of fluctuation of data, inferential statistics employed were Autocorrelation function, Autoregressive models, Partial Autocorrelation function and forecasting using autoregressive model. From the analysis it was discovered that fluctuation in production are mostly apparent in 2013 and 2015. This might be due to lack of adequate supply of stock to the depot and the forecasted values for 2016 quarters were increasing and decreasing in the same order.
Transformation of intact yeast cells treated with alkali cations

Intact yeast cells treated with alkali cations took up plasmid DNA. Li+, Cs+, Rb+, K+, and Na+ were effective in inducing competence. Conditions for the transformation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae D13-1A with plasmid YRp7 were studied in detail with CsCl. The optimum incubation time was 1 h, and the optimum cell concentration was 5 x 10(7) cells per ml. The optimum concentration of Cs+ was 1.0 M. Transformation efficiency increased with increasing concentrations of plasmid DNA. Polyethylene glycol was absolutely required. Heat pulse and various polyamines or basic proteins stimulated the uptake of plasmid DNA. Besides circular DNA, linear plasmid DNA was also taken up by Cs+-treated yeast cells, although the uptake efficiency was considerably reduced. The transformation efficiency with Cs+ or Li+ was comparable with that of conventional protoplast methods for a plasmid containing ars1, although not for plasmids containing a 2 microns origin replication.
A review on bio-based graphene derived from biomass wastes

Biomass waste has become a new source for producing graphene due to its carbon-rich structure and renewable nature. In this paper, the research on the conversion of bio-based graphene from different biomass wastes is summarised and discussed. This paper reviews the methods for converting biomass to bio-based graphene. There are two approaches for thermal degradation of biomass: thermal exfoliation and carbon growth. The purpose of the thermal treatment is to increase the carbon content by removing volatile matter from the biomass polymer chain. Pre-treatments that help to break down the complex structure of the biomass are discussed; pre-treatments also remove impurities from the said biomass. Lastly, the characteristics of bio-based graphene produced from different biomass and thermal treatments are summarised.
Banks, Non banks, and Lending Standards

We study how competition between banks and non-banks affects lending standards. Banks have private information about some borrowers and are subject to capital requirements to mitigate risk-taking incentives from deposit insurance. Non-banks are uninformed and market forces determine their capital structure. We show that lending standards monotonically increase in bank capital requirements. Intuitively, higher capital requirements raise banks' skin in the game and screening out bad projects assures positive expected lending returns. Non-banks enter the market when capital requirements are sufficiently high, but do not cause a deterioration in lending standards. Optimal capital requirements trade-off inefficient lending to bad projects under loose standards with inefficient collateral liquidation under tight standards.
Approaches for reducing the insulator-metal transition pressure in hydrogen

Two possible techniques for reducing the external pressure required to induce the insulator-metal transition in solid hydrogen are described. One uses impurities to lower the energy of the metallic phase relative to that of the insulating phase. The other utilizes a negative pressure induced in the insulating phase by electron-hole pairs, created either with laser irradiation or pulsed synchrotron sources.