Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On the Design of Rectenna

This paper focuses on designing a circuit that rectifies background radiation and one that is self-biasing. This circuit set-up is called a rectenna which is a special type of antenna that is used to convert radio-frequency energy into direct current electricity. A simple model of a rectenna element consists of a monopole antenna with an radio frequency(RF) diode bridge connected in series with the antenna. The bridge rectifies the ac current induced in the antenna by the electromagnetic radiation to produce dc power which is used to bias a Bipolar Junction transistor(BJT). RF sensitive/high switching diodes are usually used because they have the lowest voltage drop and highest speed and therefore have the lowest power losses due to conduction and switching. The BJT transistor has a feedback biasing and essentially amplifies the ac signal from the antenna. The amplified signal is fed into an RF diode for dc conversion. There are two stages of amplification in order to achieve a big voltage magnitude at the output that can be used to charge a device with low power ratings. Thus the idea of a cell-less power source is achieved in such implementation.
By-Products in the Malting and Brewing Industries—Re-Usage Possibilities

Beer production includes the formation of different by-products such as wastewater, spent grains, spent hops, and yeast. In addition to these well-known by-products, it is necessary to mention germ/rootlets, which also remain after the malting process. Given that a huge amount of beer is produced annually worldwide, by-products are available in large quantities throughout the year. Spent grains, spent hops, and spent yeasts are high-energy raw materials that possess a great potential for application in the branch of biotechnology, and the food industry, but these by-products are commonly used as livestock feed, disposed of in the fields, or incinerated. Breweries by-products can be utilized for microalgae production, biofuel production, extraction of proteins, polyphenolic, antioxidative substances, etc. This paper aims to address each of these by-products with an emphasis on their possible application in biotechnology and other industries.
A comparative study of the pathology and pathophysiology of severe malaria in a non-human primate model

With the rise in plasmodial drug resistance throughout the world, a dwindling arsenal of anti-malarials and a predilection for use of less than ideal murine models, the need for effective, applicable and established animal models through which to understand severe malarial disease and test potential treatments is becoming increasingly crucial. Plasmodium coatneyi was discovered in the Philippines in the early 1960s in Rhesus macaque monkeys and has been evaluated sporadically as a potential platform for comparative studies of Plasmodium falciparum induced severe and cerebral malaria in humans. Using 30 years worth of archival samples at the Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences in Bangkok, Thailand, compounded with data and material from a series of prospective experimental studies, the work in this thesis sought to fully characterize and describe the pathology and pathobiology of the P. coatneyi/Rhesus macaque model. This included a thorough examination of the parasite host interaction, clinical symptomology, hematology and clinical pathology, gross pathology, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, cerebrospinal fluid cytokine profiles, transmission and scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy of the disease in 45 adult rhesus macaques. The study further compared P. coatneyi with existing P. falciparum infected human material maintained at the National University of Singapore’s Vivax laboratory and Oxford University’s Ultrastructural Morphology Group, Nuffield Division of Clinical Laboratory Sciences. The study culminated in a successful clinical drug trial which evaluated the efficacy of varying doses of methylene blue as a radical cure for malaria in this non-human primate model. In many ways, the model mirrors P. falciparum, however the benefit of this evaluation is that it highlights not only the similarities but also the divergences. The successful completion of this description of the pathology and pathobiology of the P. coatneyi/Rhesus macaque model of severe and cerebral malaria adds a complex but effective animal model to the armamentarium in the ongoing war against malaria.
Damage assessment of carbon fibre reinforced plastic using acoustic emission technique: experimental and numerical approach

In this research work, the acoustic emission results obtained from testing double cantilever beam specimens with carbon fibre reinforced plastic laminates are analysed. The acoustic emission descriptors such as amplitude, frequency centroid, counts, duration and risetime are clustered using k-means++ algorithm. An unconventional and innovative way of using the acoustic emission descriptors, after the clustering, is introduced. This method can favourably be used for relating the different damage progression modes in fibre reinforced plastics. Apart from this, the cumulative acoustic energy is used for predicting the crack length of the specimens. The predicted crack length is almost identical to the actual crack length opening recorded in each specimen. Finally, analytical and finite element models are used for validating the experimental results under the mode I delamination. The finite element studies are carried out using cohesive zone modelling in Comsol Multiphysics® platform.
The multipartite mitochondrial genome of Fallopia multiflora (Caryophyllales: Polygonaceae)

Abstract Fallopia multiflora is an important Oriental herb belonging to the family Polygonaceae. The F. multiflora mitochondrial genome consists of two circular chromosomes that were 200,352- and 112,098-nucleotides long. The mitochondrial genome encodes 57 genes, including 34 protein-coding genes, 20 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and three ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. When accounting for 3 overlapping genes, 38 genes were found in chromosome I, and 22 in chromosome II. The phylogenetic analysis suggests that F. multiflora is closely related to Beta macrocarpa and Silene latifolia.
Structural and biochemical studies of the large terminase protein from thermophilic viruses

In large dsDNA viruses, DNA is translocated into the procapsid by a powerful motor, formed by portal protein, large and small terminase proteins. An essential component of the motor, large terminase protein, is composed of an ATPase domain and a nuclease domain. In this thesis, large terminase proteins from several thermophilic bacteriophages: GVE2; GBSV1; phiOH2; 1-1; G20c and D6E; were cloned, expressed and purified. Of the soluble and functional proteins, the large terminases from G20c and D6E were chosen for further structural and mechanistic studies. Crystal structures of the large terminase nuclease domain from Thermus thermophilus bacteriophage G20c exhibits the closest similarity with the RuvC endonucleases which belong to the RNase H-like superfamily. Biochemical and mutagenesis studies identified catalytically indispensable residues including D294, D429 and D347 at the nuclease active site. Structures in complex with different metals reveal that only one catalytic metal ion is found at the active site in the absence of DNA. Binding of the second metal ion is likely to be facilitated by the observed conformational variability of loop L1, which may bring the two catalytic aspartic acids D347 and D294 closer to each other. These data support a RuvC like two-metal catalysis mechanism for the G20c large terminase nuclease. The crystal structure of the large terminase from the Geobacillus stearothermophilus bacteriophage D6E shows a unique inter-domain orientation of the N-terminal ATPase and C-terminal nuclease domains. AUC and SEC data demonstrated the presence of pentamers formed by the ATPase domain and a model pentamer was obtained by molecular docking from which a putative trans-arginine, R158, was predicted- and confirmed experimentally- as functioning as a trans-arginine finger. This residue is in an equivalent position to the trans-finger for the HerA/FtsK superfamily of ATPases, suggesting that large terminase proteins may be more closely related than previously thought.
Long Term Follow up of the Delayed Effects of Acute Radiation Exposure in Primates

Abstract : The overarching goal of this program is to explore our recent clinically relevant observations of DEARE in a unique cohort of non-human primates (NHP), termed the Radiation Survivor Cohort (RSC). This work consists of 4 projects: 1. Studies of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM); 2. Radiation-induced heart disease (RIHD); 3. Chronic immune impairment with restriction of the antigenic response repertoire; and 4. Genomic and transcriptomic studies of the molecular pathogenesis of T2DM, RIHD, and immune impairment in the context of DEARE.
Empowering Self-Organized Feature Maps for AI-Enabled Modeling of Fake Task Submissions to Mobile Crowdsensing Platforms

Mobile crowdsensing (MCS) has emerged as a ubiquitous solution for data collection from embedded sensors of smart devices to improve the sensing capacity and reduce sensing costs in large regions. Due to the ubiquitous nature of MCS services, smart devices require awareness of against misbehaving users that are becoming smarter to clog the resources in such a nondedicated sensing environment. In an MCS setting, the primary goal of a fake sensing task submission is to keep participant devices occupied, such as the battery, sensing, storage, and computing. Since the development of robust sensing campaigns highly depends on the existence of a realistic model of misbehaving users, this article leverages artificial intelligence and introduces a region-based self-organizing feature map (SOFM)-based model on user movement patterns so as to place the fake sensing tasks with the objective of maximum impacted participants and recruits. Uniformly and randomly initialized neurons are designed with fixed and adaptive quantities that are determined based upon the affected area on the covered terrain. Through numerical studies, we show that the impact of the SOFM structures can affect up to 46% of the participants and up to 37% of the recruits under various SOFM topologies. Furthermore, SOFM-based task submission models can increase the energy consumption in recruited devices by up to 39% due to the illegitimate task submission.
Ka band microstrip fed slot array antenna with PMC packaging

: A wideband slot array antenna fed by perfect magnetic conductor (PMC) packaged microstrip lines at 28 GHz frequency range is presented. The slot array is designed with conventional microstrip technology and a PMC layer is used as a packaging solution to stop surface waves, cavity modes or any unwanted field leakage, coupling or radiation from the feeding lines. The PMC is implemented with a periodic metal pin structure. The array is fed by a corporate feed system and a good agreement with experimental results is obtained.
Mechanical Properties of Bio-Based Epoxy Composites Reinforced with Hybrid-Interlayer Ramie and Recycled Carbon Fibres

The growing environmental concerns have led to attention on bio-based composite materials, such as the natural fibres, recycled carbon fibres and bio-based resins. Herein, the bio-based epoxy composites were reinforced with ramie fibre (RF) and recycled carbon fibre (rCF) via inter-layer hybridisation. The dynamic mechanical analysis, tensile, flexural and impact properties characterisation were conducted to analyse the mechanical behaviour of the specimens. Also, the morphology of fractured surface after mechanical tests was studied under a scanning electron microscope. When the volume ratio between RF and rCF was varied from 100/0 to 0/100, the flexural and tensile strength of composites was significantly increased, while the impact strength was reduced. Thus the maximum values of flexural strength (182 MPa) and tensile strength (165 MPa) were observed for rCF reinforced composite, whilst impact strength of 24 kJ/m2 was found for RF reinforced composite. Furthermore, the values of storage and loss modulus were increased with the rCF incorporation due to a greater degree of restriction with the addition of rCF into the matrix. The hybridisation was able to combine the specific properties of RF and rCF and optimise the mechanical performance of composites. Therefore, the alternative low-cost green composites are prepared which can replace synthetic materials for semi-structural applications.
Presurgical Orthopedic Intervention Prior to Cleft Lip and Palate Repair: Nasoalveolar Molding Versus Passive Molding Appliance Therapy.

BACKGROUND Nasoalveolar molding (NAM) is a widely used presurgical orthopedic device, despite disputes over its effectiveness. This study compares the outcomes after cleft lip and nose repair in patients who received NAM versus those who underwent passive alveolar molding with lip taping. METHODS A retrospective review of patients with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate who received either NAM (n = 16) or passive molding (n = 10) treatments was conducted. Alveolar gap width was measured on maxillary casts until time of palatoplasty. Nasolabial symmetry was assessed by examining anthropometric ratios on post-operative three-dimensional photographs. Burden of care was evaluated by analyzing the number of patient appointments attended, treatment costs, and caregiver satisfaction surveys. RESULTS No statistically significant difference existed in alveolar gap at time of initial appointment or palatoplasty, however the gap was smaller in the NAM cohort at time of lip and nose repair. No statistically significant difference existed in postsurgical heminasal width, nostril width, nostril height, labial height or nasal ala projection asymmetry between the NAM and the passive molding cohort. Patients in the NAM group attended more dental appointments and incurred higher treatment costs compared to the passive molding group. Caregivers reported high satisfaction with treatment outcomes in both cohorts. CONCLUSIONS There were no differences between NAM and passive molding regarding postsurgical nasolabial appearance and patient satisfaction. Both treatments narrow the alveolar gap. However, NAM places a higher burden of care on families.
Comparative transcriptome analysis of two Gerbera hybrida cultivars revealed cold tolerance mechanism

Temperature is one of central factors that shape the distribution and growth pattern of Gerbera hybrida. The cultivars of this species have vast variation in the morphology and stress adaptation. In the current study, comparative transcriptome analysis of two haploid cultivars with discriminative phenotype, i.e., Gerbera hybrida Hongjixing and Gerbera hybrida Qiuri, was used to uncover differentially expressed functional unigenes using an Illumina Hiseq2000 sequencing platform. Through high-throughput cDNA sequencing (RNA-seq), we generated 99160 UniGenes from 19.09G primary reads with an average length of 978 bp and an N50 equaling 1620. It was filtered by Trimmomatic and assembled by Trinity. A total of 58127 transcripts were functional annotated by mapping to five protein databases by BLASTX, with topmost differently expressed unigenes (DEGs) directed to transcriptional regulation, secondary metabolism and stress response, etc. Cold treatment (-2°C) of haploid seedlings in intelligent cooled incubator had adverse effects on both cultivars, which was more serious in Qiuri which was exhibited by the lower chlorophyll fluorescence after cold treatment, compared to Hongjixing. This indicates the better cold tolerance of Hongjixing. The qRT-PCR result indicated that besides common pathways, novel pathways like latex biosynthesis potentially contributes to the better cold tolerance of Hongjixing. In view of the ubiquity of cold temperature, this study provided new insights into the mechanism dissection and guidance for cold stress condition.
‘Our students do not get that equal chance’: teachers’ perspectives of meritocracy

ABSTRACT This study explores how Singapore social studies, geography and history teachers make meaning of the concept of meritocracy and its role in the education system. The findings indicate the participants simultaneously adopted and challenged the meritocratic values and beliefs promoted by the Singapore state. The teachers strongly believed that the principle of meritocracy helped promote educational and social equality, but they were also deeply concerned about the limitations of meritocracy and the impact of structural and institutional inequalities on educational equality. Even though most participants were able to identify and critique structural inequities and explain how this could affect students’ academic achievement, their awareness of the limitations of the meritocratic system did not undermine their belief in the system of meritocracy and they could not envisage alternative systems for determining educational access and equality.
Subtype Identification Of Avian Influenza Virus Isolated from Laying Duck In Sidenreng Rappang, South Sulawesi With Hemagglutination Inhibition Assay

Avian Influenza virus (AIV) have caused significant economic losses in poultry sector worldwide. Results of genetic mapping showed that circulating AIV in Indonesia were belong to clade 2.1. 1, 2.1. 2, 2.1. 3 and 2.3. 2, however the AIV subtype were merely H5N1.Our study aim to identify the hemagglutinin protein of AIV isolated from native laying duck in Sidenreng Rappang, South Sulawesi, Indonesia using HI assay. Three cloacal swab samples:Sidrap3 (S3), Sidrap5 (S5), and Sidrap10 (S10) were isolated from native laying duck at three duck farms at Sidenreng Rappang during AI outbreaks in 2016. These samples were propagated on spesific antibody negative (SAN) embryonated chicken eggs, followed by subtype identification using hemagglutination inhibition (HI) test using specific antibody of AIV subtype H5N1, AIV subtype H5N2, AIV subtype H5N3 and ND Lasota virus. Our study showed that H5N1 specific antibody has titer of 2 4 against virus isolates Sidrap3 and Sidrap10, titer of 2 6 against virus isolates Sidrap5. H5N2 specific antibody has titer 2 4 against virus isolates Sidrap3 and Sidrap5, titers of 2 6 against virus isolates Sidrap10. H5N3 specific antibody has titers of 2 6 against virus isolates Sidrap3, Sidrap5 and Sidrap10. Whilst, specific antibody of ND Lasota did not react with all of virus isolates. Our results showed that all AIV isolates gives highest reaction with specific antibody of AIV H5N3. According to the result, it is likely that AIV H5N3 might circulating among laying duck in Sidenreng Rappang.
Repletion of Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide restores adult stem cell function and extends lifespan in mice

Aging is a biological process increasingly recognized to be controlled by endogenous signaling and metabolism. It can be modulated by genetic, environmental, and pharmacological perturbations. Importantly, aging not only decreases our quality of life, but also contributes to many fatal diseases. According to the WHO report, the occurrences of many largely incurable pathological conditions, including cancer, diabetes, and neuronal degeneration, are strongly associated with aging (1).
Influence of Insulating Material Properties on Partial Discharges at DC Voltage

Understanding a partial discharge mechanism at direct current (DC) is an actual research topic that requires both modeling, simulations and measurements. This paper describes an influence of insulating material properties on partial discharges at DC voltage. Modifications of the traditional model reflecting the conditions of partial discharges (PD) inception and post discharge processes at DC voltage have been proposed. The aim was to show the partial discharge mechanisms and draw attention to the role of parameters of insulation materials adjacent to the cavity at DC voltage. The investigations were performed on two kinds of dielectric material used in power cables. Various combinations of specimens were designed to reveal the effect of the material resistivity on the PD activity. Key observations referred to the impact of the void adjacent material resistance on the partial discharge inception voltage threshold at DC voltage. The modified PD model was applied to analyze both inception and post discharge recovery stage. The role of dielectric properties of material adjacent to the void was investigated, highlighting its impact during static inception stage and in charging stage. Despite many simplifications introduced in the model, measurement results have confirmed the role of the dielectric material surrounding the void on partial discharge dynamics. The average time interval between PD pulses revealed a systematic relationship with respect to the applied voltage and specimen resistivity. This value can be considered in the future research for diagnostic indicator at DC voltage.
Towards Adoption of a Human Rights Based Framework for Social Protection in Botswana

A clear gap in the debate on social protection in Botswana has been the lack of a thorough analysis on the human rights based framework. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the position of the government of Botswana regarding a right- based approach to social protection. The primary objective is to assess whether social protection regime in Botswana is backed by a legal framework. The paper starts by examining conceptual issues. Here we discuss the concept of social security and social protection. The next section examines international and regional instruments that have been formulated to protect the right to access social protection. Through this analysis, it will be clearly shown that although Botswana is officially committed to providing social safety nets to the poor and vulnerably, social protection is not yet entrenched in the legal framework. To arrive at this conclusion, a thorough analysis is made using the Human Rights-Based approach for social protection developed by the United Nations General Assembly and the Human Rights Council. In conclusion the paper provides recommendations on how Botswana can develop a sustainable human rights- based social protection framework.
Improved Road Segment-Based Geographical Routing Protocol for Vehicular Ad-hoc Networks

The real-time traffic information dissemination among on-road vehicles has been envisioned via realizing vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs) as smart service-oriented roadside wireless sensor networks. The network enables various types of real-time traffic applications related to safety and infotainment for drivers and passengers. The information dissemination-centric routing protocols for vehicular networks have to dynamically adopt under the constrained network environment while considering the higher mobility of vehicular nodes and unpredictable physical topologies in the network. The issue needs to be addressed through smart and network-aware routing protocols. Geographical routing protocols have witnessed significant attention for information dissemination under these types of dynamic vehicular network environment. To this end, this paper presents an improved road segment-based geographical routing (ISR) protocol focusing on better head node selection for information dissemination. It divides the forwarding area into a number of road segments and selects a head node on each segment by focusing on traffic-aware information including the location, direction, and link quality-centric score for every vehicle on each road segment. Algorithms were developed for the complete process of head node selection and information dissemination among vehicles on the road segments. The simulation results attested the performance benefits of the proposed routing framework as compared to the state-of-the-art protocols considering dynamic vehicular traffic environment-related metrics.