Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Improving Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI) Screening and Treatment in a School-Based Setting

Background: San Diego County’s tuberculosis (TB) incidence rate is nearly double than the national rate. In 2019, there have been 5 cases of active TB in the county’s public high schools, which have demonstrated the need for prevention interventions in this setting. Objectives: This evidence-based project is aimed to increase awareness, screening and treatment of latent TB infection (LTBI) in the school setting. Methods: A TB risk assessment form and consent was sent in the registration packets. A onetime TB educational presentation was given to high school freshman students with a pretest and posttest. For students at-risk, a confidential package was mailed out to parents recommending testing along with a letter to the child’s provider offering the option of rifapentine and isoniazid (3HP) to be given at school. Incentives were provided throughout the program. Results: Following an educational intervention, there was an 18% increase. Out of the 243 Freshman cluster students, 92 (38%) of forms were returned. Approximately 68% of students were found to be at risk. Conclusions: Like the pilot project, there was a low return of TB risk assessments but a high percentage of students at risk. Future assessments will be needed to determine improving screening efforts
MORPHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF THE MAIZE EAR

THE FEMALE INFLORESCENCE, or ear, of Zea mays L. has been the subject of much research, but there has never yet been offered a wholly acceptable explanation of its morphology. In order to provide a sound basis for a study of variation in cobs of Indian corn or maize (Nickerson, 1953), the problem has been reinvestigated. Whether or not the interpretation here advanced is correct, the facts themselves must be considered in any explanation of maize ear morphology. In their classic work, Mangelsdorf and Reeves (1939) summarized botanical opinion on maizeear morphology up to that time. They pointed out that maize had a perfect-flowered ancestry, and that monoecism has developed by abortion of pistillate organs in the upper inflorescences and of staminate organs in the lower ones. They also emphasized the essential homology of ear and tassel, a fact already recognized by Collins (1912) and Weatherwax (1918), and further strengthened by the work of Anderson (1944), Anderson and Brown (1948), Laubengayer (1949), Reeves (1950, 1953), and Bonnett (1953). Mangelsdorf and Reeves (1939), Reeves (1950, 1953), and Reeves and Stansel (1940), agreed with Weatherwax (1935, 1950) that the origin of both ear and central spike results from reduction of branches of a panicle to one pair of spikelets for each member. Bonnett (1940, 1948, 1953) showed that lateral spikelet initials were homologous with branch initials in maize, and pointed out that in the ear they are subtended by ridges similar to leaf initials in barley, oats and wheat. Stephens (1948) stated that paired spikelets of maize may be regarded as greatly reduced branches, and showed that this reduction is not peculiar to either tassel or ear but is a cumulation of processes initiated in the vegetative phase. The conclusion which can be drawn from these investigations is that the maize ear arose phylogenetically by a telescoping and reducing of parts already present in the maize progenitor. This concept of suppression, condensation, telescoping or aggregation can be identified in some of its minor aspects throughout the maize plant, and extension of it to previously unconsidered units provides the key to understanding much of the heretofore puzzling morphology of the ear. Anderson (1944) noted that condensation is
Efficacy of Metarhizium anisopliae, Beauveria bassiana and neem oil against tomato fruit borer, Helicoverpa armigera under field condition.

A field study was conducted at farmers field of Jorhat, Assam during 2010-11 to evaluate the efficacy of three commercial biopesticides, two based on insect pathogenic fungi viz., Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae and one botanical-Neem oil in comparison with chemical-cypermethrin against the tomato fruit borer ( Helicoverpa armigera ). The study revealed the reduction in fruit damage was upto 92.20 per cent in cypermethrin treated plot followed by 91.12 per cent, 88.74 per cent and 87.01 per cent in the plots treated with Neem oil, B. Bassiana and M. Anisopliae , respectively due to H. armigera larvae over control. The study showed that neem oil was nearly as effective as cypermethrin in reducing fruit damage leading to increased yield. The highest increase in yield over control was noticed in cypermethrin treated plots (62.85%) followed by neem oil treated plots (41.83%). The entomopathogenic fungi- Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae could be effectively used as pest management option in production of organic tomato to reduce the pest population below economic threshold level and increased yield.
An efficient sun glitter detection and classification algorithm in infrared scenes

Sunlight reflected on the moving sea surface, often referred as sun glitter, can significantly impact the input data in many application areas like defense, security and border surveillance. The effectiveness of vision-based algorithms like target detection and tracking will decrease remarkably under the sun glitter. To deal with this drawback and give a reaction, the sun glitter should be detected in the scene firstly. In this paper, a straightforward and efficient sun glitter detection and classification method for infrared scenes is introduced. In the first step, the behavior of sun glitter in infrared scenes is analyzed. Two stepped frame buffering strategy with dilation process is used to model the spatiotemporal connection between glitter points. After some thresholding steps, the sun glitter detection decision is taken by checking the total number of glitter candidate pixels. And the classification, which means labeling the sun glitter level as low, mid or high for the scope of this paper, is made by checking the number of blobs that are close to each other. The performance of proposed algorithm is tested with real world infrared dataset, which has 30 different scenarios.
Susceptibility to Chalkbrood of Alfalfa Leafcutter Bees, Megachile rotundata, Reared on Natural and Artificial Provisions

Abstract Chalkbrood susceptibilities of leafcutter bees reared on either natural or artificial provisions were compared. The dose-mortality responses of larvae reared on artificial diet were similar to those reported earlier; the LD 50 was estimated to be 100 spores/larva with a probit slope of 1.13. Larvae reared on natural provisions showed different dose-mortality responses; mortality increased with an increase in dose up to 10 1 spores/larva. Above this dose, mortality decreased linearly with increasing dose. Differences in disease symptomatology were also detected; larvae reared on artificial diet had decreased numbers of sporulating cadavers at doses greater than 10 3 spores/larva. In contrast, such an effect was not apparent when larvae were reared on natural provisions; percentage sporulation was little affected by dose. It is concluded that diet has a profound influence on susceptibility of leafcutter bees to chalkbrood.
Integration of Boost-Type Active Power Decoupling Topology With Single-Phase Switched Boost Inverter

In this article, ripple energy of a single-phase switched boost inverter (SBI) is analyzed, and the amount of low-frequency ripple present in the switch-impedance network parameters is estimated. It is found that larger passive components are required to maintain smaller ripples resulting in poor power density. Therefore, integration of the single-phase SBI with an independent boost-type active power decoupling (APD) topology is proposed to deflect the low-frequency ripple to an auxiliary capacitor. Thus, the low-frequency ripple on inductor current and capacitor voltage of the switch-impedance network is significantly reduced, and much smaller passive elements are required only to filter high-frequency ripple. A passive element selection procedure for the switch-impedance network and the APD topology is presented to reduce ripple power. To properly mitigate the low-frequency ripple for varying ac loads of the SBI and also to avoid overcharging of the auxiliary capacitor, a closed-loop control strategy is developed for the APD topology. The proportional-resonant (PR) current controller is chosen due to its low steady-state error while tracking ac signals. The parameters of the PR controller are designed based on the small-signal analysis of the APD topology. A hardware prototype of the proposed system is fabricated, and its performance is demonstrated.
Molecular Characterization of the Mutant fap3(A22) Allele for Reduced Palmitate Concentration in Soybean

Reduction of the palmitate concentration in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ] oil is desirable for reducing the amount of saturated fat in the human diet. Chemical mutagenesis was used to develop the line A22 with the mutant allele designated fap3(A22) that reduces palmitate concentration in the seed oil. The objective of our study was to determine the molecular basis of the fap3(A22) mutation and develop a corresponding molecular marker to assist in future efforts for developing soybean cultivars with low saturated fat. DNA sequence analysis of the GmFATB1a gene of soybean revealed a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) resulting in a nonconservative amino acid substitution that was likely to be detrimental to the function of the 16:0-acyl carrier protein (ACP) thioesterase (TE) enzyme. An association analysis was conducted using F 2 ―derived lines from a cross between the cultivar Archer (Fap3Fap3) and A22 (fap3fap3) that had been analyzed for their palmitate concentration by gas chromatography. Molecular genotyping of these lines established a perfect correlation between lines phenotypically classified as homozygous for the Fap3 allele or homozygous for the fap3(A22) allele based on their palmitate concentration. The polymorphism in the GmFATB1a gene was used to develop a functional, codominant marker that could be used to distinguish the Fap3 and fap3(A22) alleles in segregating populations. This marker will be useful for breeders who are developing low-saturate cultivars with the fap3(A22) allele.
Scientific collaboration in the era of COVID-19 

We're in a crisis We are in the midst of an unprecedented global crisis. Just weeks since its outbreak, the Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has already affected, and will continue to affect, our daily lives, around the globe, for the foreseeable future. The answers and the solutions to this crisis will come from science. But the crisis affects science, too.It affects students, educators, and researchers; not just their day-to-day lives, social ties, and work routines, but also their ability to actively collaborate, convene in face-to-face meetings, attend academic conferences, teach and learn in an open university setting, pay a visit to the library, work overnight at the laboratory, and so on.But the thing is: science cannot stop. Scientific progress must go on. For each one of the challenges that scientists face in this time of crisis, there is, or there will be, a solution. We believe that the solution is not to be found in a single technological tool, product, framework, institution, funding agency, or company. It is the global cyber-infrastructure of scientific collaboration, built on scientific rigor, intellectual curiosity, and cooperation, that will enable science to advance in such difficult times. The power of scientific collaborationAs scientists, publishers, science communicators and technologists, we believe that: a. Science is the solution to the ongoing crisis. Now more than ever, reliance on the scientific method, rigor and clarity of scientific communication, transparency, reproducibility, and seamless sharing of all research data (including negative results), are fundamental to solving this health crisis and advancing human progress.b. Global collaboration and cooperation, beyond and above national and economic interests, is necessary not only at the scientific level, but also at the political and societal level. We're more interconnected and interdependent today than ever. And such interconnectedness extends to the ecological ecosystem in which we live. A crisis of such scale requires global solidarity, bipartisan political action, civic participation, and long-term thinking.
Colour diversification in Malawi cichlids: evidence for adaptation, reinforcement or sexual selection?

The mechanisms responsible for the explosive radiations of haplochromine cichlid fishes in Africa's great lakes remain controversial. Since species thought to be closely related often differ most apparendy in male breeding colours, I examined patterns of male colour variation in rock-dwelling cichlids from Lake Malawi to test whether initial divergence between species is likely to have been caused by adaptation to differing habitats, by selection against hybridization (reinforcement or character displacement), or by sexual selection. I found that all significant variation in overall male colour occurs within, not between, species complexes, in contrast to variation in habitat and behavioural traits, which differed significandy between complexes. Male colour does not vary significandy with habitat characteristics such as water depth, and sympatric species differ no more in colour than allopatric ones. These results fail to provide support for adaptation or reinforcement as initial causes of colour divergence, and are consistent with the possibility that divergence may instead have been caused by sexual selection, but a direct test of sexual selection is not yet possible.
Objeto de Aprendizagem Gamificado 2D na Modalidade EAD como Forma de Inclusão Social para o Desenvolvimento de Competências Profissionais

Este estudo é parte da uma pesquisa maior, realizada num mestrado profissional em educação e novas tecnologias. A partir de um foco de inclusão social e profissional de jovens de 14 a 24 anos, envolveu a construção de um Objeto de Aprendizagem (OA) gamificado 2D, como parte complementar de um programa de formação profissional na modalidade educacional totalmente a distância. A finalidade deste objeto visou criar mais envolvimento, senso de realidade e engajamento destes alunos no mundo profissional. O planejamento e a construção deste OA incluíram a criação de situações de aprendizagem que buscassem vivências mais reais, com conteúdos ligados ao cotidiano profissional, abrangendo mecanismos gamificados e estruturas imersivas para promover a aquisição de competências, habilidades e atitudes necestárias para atuação destes jovens no mundo do trabalho. Ao mesmo tempo em que os aprendizes realizavam este programa profissional a distância, eles já aplicavam imediatamente em sua realidade e eram também avaliados, de forma que este OA também pôde ser validado por 66 alunos. O suporte teórico deste estudo foi dos autores Zichermann e Cunningham (2011); Wiley (2011); Behar (2013); Bates (2016), entre outros. A metodologia desta pesquisa pauta-se em um estudo de caso, o qual enfatizou quatro importantes eventos: 1) o design de aprendizagem em 2D de um OA; 2) sua integração com o programa educacional na modalidade a distância já estabelecido no SENACPR, 3) sua avaliação pelos aprendizes; 4) sua validação. Os resultados obtidos, após a realização deste programa e aplicação de questionário aos participantes, mostram-se adequados ao desenvolvimento de competências voltadas ao trabalho profissional, assim como os elementos da gamificação envolvidos na atividade, entendidos como uma linguagem apropriada, embora com suas limitações, ao público-alvo em questão. O aspecto relevante a destacar é a educação inclusiva, com melhoria de autoestima e engajamento, alcançando bom nível de satisfação em contexto de grande carência na oferta de produtos educacionais presenciais, tornando-se viável e necestária a EAD.
A short-term yoga-based intervention improves balance control, body composition, and some aspects of mental health in the elderly men

Background: Body balance control represents a key function for the physical activities of elderly people aged sixty-five and over. Due to the biological and psychosocial changes in this age group, yoga-based intervention appears to be beneficial to maintaining their ability to balance along with related mental aspects of health. Objective: The aim of the presented study was to examine the effects of the 4-week yoga-based intervention on balance, body composition and the mental health aspects of elderly men. Methods: 67-80-year-old elderly men (N = 234, mean age 72.5 ± 7.7 years) were assessed with The Tinetti Balance Assessment Tool, bioimpedance body composition analyser InBody 230 and the Health Survey SF-36, applied for the pre- and post-testing. The experimental group (n = 122) underwent the 4-week intervention based on yoga exercises, while the control group (n = 112) had a usual daily program at their senior homes or centers. Results: The yoga intervention led to significant improvement of both the static balance and gait scores compared to the control group, with medium effect size, ηp2 = . 070 and . 080. The intervention also had an effect on the decrease of body fat percentage (by 1.7%) and an increase in muscle mass (by 1.3 kg), with a large effect size, ηp2 = . 214 and . 301. Results of the Health Survey showed that overall mental health did not change significantly although positive improvement in two items connected with emotional problems. Conclusions: A short-term yoga-based intervention may have a significant positive influence on physical abilities such as balance control and body composition rather than on mental health aspects in elderly men aged sixty-five and over.
Towards Grid of Microgrids: Seamless Transition between Grid-Connected and Islanded Modes of Operation

With the ever-increasing number of blackouts in distribution systems arising from a variety of natural and manmade disasters, the frequent and necessary isolation/reconnection of loads without power deviations/fluctuations has become an important issue. Grid of microgrids (MG)s is a promising solution towards a highly resilient and efficient power grid operation. To facilitate this implementation, seamless transition with the utility grid is a key feature the today's MG control needs to possess. This transition ability is of great prominence, especially after the accelerated adaptation of distributed renewable energy sources (RES) in MGs. This ability of the MGs should ensure uninterrupted energy services to critical loads and infrastructures. Thus, the implementation of MG control strategies to enable smooth transition between grid-connected (GC) and islanded (IS) operation modes is mandatory. The control scheme implemented should therefore be capable of mitigating the stirring voltage/current deviations due to frequency/phase misalignment during the transition process. This paper provides an overview of the various MG control schemes that enable seamless transition between GC and IS modes of operation. The main purpose of this paper is to provide a generic overview of the challenges and existing techniques available in literature to mitigate the voltage and frequency (V-f) fluctuations at the MG's point of common coupling (PCC) and that of the utility grid; during the transition process. It aims at motivating the development of advanced control schemes in this area of MG related research.
Wheat value: improvements by feed technology, plant breeding and animal genetics

Wheat is a common ingredient in poultry diets, especially in Europe. Due to its low protein and high starch levels, wheat is essentially used as an energy supplier. Nutritional values of wheat samples vary according to their nutrient content and digestibilities. Variations of nutrient contents may be associated with cultivars and environmental conditions. Digestibility variations in growing chicks may be associated with these factors, and also, with technological treatments of diets and genetic origin of birds. Total nutrient content (starch, protein, lipids and sugars) is strongly related to fibre content through a negative relationship. A large part of fibre content variations of wheat samples depends on their cultivar origin. Wheat protein content depends both on cultivar and environmental conditions. High yield cultivars are often associated with low protein content. Lipid and starch digestibilities of wheat diets given to growing birds may sometimes be rather low. The main reason of the low lipid digestibility values observed with some wheat samples is the high viscosity of water-extract induced by their water-soluble arabinoxylans. This viscosity results from a combination of several variables including the potential applied viscosity value (PAV as mL/g) of the wheat cultivar, the endogenous and exogenous xylanases, and the endogenous anti-xylanase contents. Environmental conditions and technological treatments are major factors acting on xylanase and anti-xylanase contents. A part of wheat starch digestibility variations may be related to accessibility problems in coarse particles due to hard wheat cultivars and coarse grinding. However, coarse particles may be positive for stimulating feed intake of mash diets, and protecting against intestinal transit disorders. In growing chicks, genetic origin of birds may result in very large variations in the digestibility of wheat diets, as observed with the divergent D+ and D- “Digestion” lines selected on the digestion ability of a wheat diet. In 3 w old chickens selected over 4 generations, the AMEn value of a Rialto wheat diet was 13% lower in D- than in D+ birds (P=0.0001). D- birds showed 10% variations in AMEn values between four cereal diets (P=0.0003), while D+ birds showed only 4% variations (P=0.0006). In D+ birds, AMEn values of wheat and maize diets were the same (14,488 vs. 14,538 J/g DM), while, in D- birds, AMEn values of wheat diets were 5% lower (P=0.015) than the maize diet value (13,106 vs. 13,809 J/g DM).
Effect of latex material on antioxidant enzymes, lipid peroxidation, DNA damage, and chromosomal aberration

Cell integrity is affected by oxidative stress when the production of active oxidants overwhelms antioxidant defense mechanisms. Latex, a natural polymer obtained from Hevea brasiliensis, is used in medical industry for manufacturing surgical gloves, urinary catheters, and dental dams. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of latex material on oxidative stress by in vivo and in vitro methods. In addition, the material was screened for its ability to induce any chromosomal aberrations (CAs) by in vitro method. In vivo studies were carried out with implanted latex material onto subcutaneous tissue of various batches of experimental Wistar rats. At the end of experimental period, animals were anesthetized, blood was collected for serum analysis, and sacrificed. Liver was excised for the determination of antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation (LPO). Subcutaneous tissues were obtained for the extraction of genomic DNA from implanted animals and checked for the presence of 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), considered an indicator of DNA damage. Simultaneously, in vitro studies were carried out using fresh liver and subcutaneous tissue obtained from Swiss albino mice treated with physiological saline extract of latex material. For the estimation of both in vitro and in vivo oxidative stress, 10% liver homogenate was assessed for stress indicators like reduced glutathione, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, LPO and protein content. The results of both in vivo and in vitro studies indicated that the chemical leachents from the latex material did not significantly affect LPO and the levels of antioxidant enzymes. There was also no significant increase in 8-OHdG content due to the presence of implanted latex material. Finally, the results of in vitro CA test and G banding indicated that extracts of test material did not induce any chromosomal abnormalities.