Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Efficient Method and Architecture for Real-Time Video Defogging

Real-time video defogging has a huge demand in intelligent transportation, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), long-range surveillance, autonomous aerial vehicles and endoscopic surgery. Most of these applications are constrained by stringent frame rate, power and memory budget. Till date, the methods devised for such requirements are very rare. Therefore, this paper proposes an efficient method and very-large-scale integration (VLSI) architecture for resource-constrained embedded system targeting real-time video defogging. The method and architecture are co-designed to achieve high throughput while consuming less resources and power. The architecture is divided into four parts namely, atmospheric light estimation unit, airlight adjustment unit, transmission estimation unit, and pixel restoration unit. The atmospheric light estimation unit employs a $3\times 3$ tile based approach that eliminates the requirement of large buffer memory for $15\times 15$ support size. The transmission is estimated using dark channel prior and gradient threshold based Gaussian filtering approach. In order to overcome flickering artifacts, an adaptive airlight updating scheme is employed. From the quantitative and qualitative evaluations, it is observed that the proposed method outperforms the existing hardware approaches. Furthermore, the field-programmable gate array (FPGA) and application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) implementations of the architecture achieve a high throughput of 200 MPixels/s and 600 MPixels/s, respectively. The ASIC implementation dissipates 9.03 mW power at 200MHz. Moreover, the proposed design does not require any external memory such as dynamic random-access memory (DRAM), thus making it suitable for on-chip processing that can be closely integrated with an image sensor.
Incidence of Salmonella and Shigella Species on some Selected Fruits and Vegetables Obtained from Open Area Markets in Calabar Metropolis

Consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables is in an increase demand because of their health benefits but the hazards associated with them are not taken notice of. Consumer demand is to use fresh fruits and vegetables which are bacteriologically safe but incidences have shown that eating these produce are not always safe. Survey of 390 samples of fresh fruits and vegetables among which were 100 each of cucumber (Cucumis satavum), garden egg (Salinum melongena) and carrot (Daucus carota) and 30 bundles each of pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis), waterleaf Talinum triangulare) and afang (Gnetum africanum) bought from area markets for possible contamination with Salmonella and Shigella species were analysed. The high number of the pathogens on the surface of the fresh pumpkin, waterleaf, cucumber and garden egg is an indication of gross contamination of the fresh produce by pathogenic microorganisms. These range between 1.10 X 10 4 and 2.4 X 10 5 cfu/g. The higher incidence rate of these organisms also varies. The highest incidence of Salmonella spp (77%) and Shigella spp (57%) were found on the surface of waterleaf. Pumpkin followed with the incidence rate of 53% Salmonella spp and 33% Shigella spp. Carrot had only 5% incidence rate of Salmonella spp but 0% incidence rate of Shigella spp while afang had &% incidence rate of Salmonella spp but 0% Shigella spp. Salmonella spp was found to be the pre-dominant species in most of the samples. The loads and incidence rates of these pathogens on these produce show the contamination levels of these produce. The findings of this study show that most fruits and vegetables consumed in this part of the country are grossly contaminated with Salmonella spp and Shigella spp which are involved in food borne disease. K e y w o r d s Contamination, Food borne disease, Fruits, Pathogens, Vegetables, Incidence rate
Structural and geochemical alterations in the Mg calcite bryozoan Myriapora truncata under elevated seawater pCO(2) simulating ocean acidification

The possible effects of ocean acidification on the calcareous skeleton of the Mediterranean bryozoan Myriapora truncata (Pallas, 1766) were studied by transplanting live and dead colonies into an area of natural volcanic CO2 vents at Ischia (Gulf of Naples, Tyrrhenian Sea), Italy. Morphology and geochemistry were compared between colonies from normal (mean pH = 8.07, min. pH 7.95), below-normal (mean pH 7.66, min. pH 7.32) and acidic (mean pH 7.43, min. pH 6.83) conditions after colonies had been exposed in situ for 45 and 128 days. Both distal (juvenile) and proximal (adult) parts of the branches were investigated. Skeletons of live colonies in acidic pH site after 45 days of exposure were less corroded than those of dead colonies, suggesting that the organic tissues enveloping the skeleton play a protective role. Colonies remained alive at the below-normal and acidic pH sites during the 45-day experiment but corrosion was very striking after 128 days, with colonies from the acidic site showing significant loss of skeleton. Compared to the control, these colonies also had lower levels of Mg (mean 8 versus 9.5 wt% Mg) within their skeletons. Electron microprobe mapping showed Mg to be higher in the outer layers of the skeletal walls in colonies from the normal pH site. Corrosion of outer layers of the walls probably explains the lower Mg level found in colonies exposed to acidic conditions. As solubility of calcite increases with Mg content, the enrichment of Mg in outer layers of the skeleton should enhance the vulnerability of Myriapora truncata to dissolution. These findings raise concerns over the survival of bryozoans with Mg calcite skeletons in the face of predicted decreases in oceanic pH levels.
Antibacterial screening of Ficus palmata Forsk. pure latex and its methanolic and ethanolic extracts

The antibacterial activity of various extracts of the latex of Ficus palmata Forsk. was studied against two bacteria (Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus) using disc diffusion method. Methanolic extract of latex showed significant antibacterial activity against both the test organisms. The zone of inhibition by latex was found to be significantly higher than the zone of inhibition shown by tetracycline. The magnitude of antibacterial activity of latex and its extracts found to be more against Escherichia coli (Gram-negative bacterium) as compared to Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive bacterium).
Managing coastal grasslands for an endangered wader species can give a positive result only when expanding the area of open landscape

Abstract The rapid loss of wetlands during the 20th century has caused a severe decline in the biota associated with these habitats. In Europe, the loss of wet grasslands has seriously affected breeding waders, whose numbers have halved in the past 50 years and remaining populations are facing fragmented, low quality habitats. To improve the remaining sites as breeding grounds for these birds, the exact habitat requirements of the species need to be known. Our study was carried out in Boreal Baltic coastal grasslands in Estonia, where land abandonment has been the main reason behind waders’ population declines in the past decades. Hence, we focus on partially overgrown fields, aiming to ascertain habitat characteristics determining the breeding site selection of meadow birds, especially the endangered Southern Dunlin (Calidris alpina schinzii). We studied the breeding site selection of four wader species (Southern Dunlin, Common Redshank (Tringa totanus), Northern Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) and Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago)) in 23 coastal grasslands over two years. We analysed seven habitat characteristics which could influence the breeding habitat selection of these species. Our study demonstrates that breeding sites of all studied wader species are located closer to wet areas and coastline and further away from woodland. Also, the height of the ground level has an impact on the breeding probability, with lower areas favoured. Concerning the Southern Dunlin, our results show that on sites where the species was absent, suitable breeding sites, regarding the distance from woodland edge, were absent. Thus, reforestation of grasslands may be the key reason behind the poor population status of the species. We also demonstrated that proximity of reed beds did not influence the breeding site selection of waders – a result which contradicts current wet grassland management suggestions. Expanding the open landscape, maintaining a large quantity of wet features suitable for foraging and preventing overgrowth of coastline and lower parts of the meadow makes the habitat optimal for breeding waders. Concerning the growth of the population size and spatial distribution of the Southern Dunlin, removal of woodlands adjacent to grasslands is crucial.
A new record of the enigmatic Eurasian Miocene ruminant artiodactyl Orygotherium

Abstract Hambach 6C, a recently discovered middle Miocene vertebrate locality in northwestern Germany, produced the fourth occurrence of the extremely rare ruminant Orygotherium escheri. The new record is an isolated M3. In Central Europe, O. escheri is known only from lignitic deposits of zone MN5, and may have been restricted to swampy habitats. Figures and measurements of the lecto- and paralectotypes are published for the first time. The phylogenetic position of Orygotherium within the Ruminantia remains uncertain despite 160 years of research.
Green Supply Chain Management: conceitos, práticas e tendências

O presente estudo teve como objetivo principal traçar um panorama geral sobre o tema Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM), a fim de identificar lacunas na área do conhecimento em questão. Os objetivos específicos desse trabalho envolveram verificar definições e conceitos sobre o tema GSCM, identificar práticas de GSCM, investigar as motivações e barreiras para a adoção dessas práticas, e indicar tendências e propor considerações para estudos futuros. A fim de cumprir os objetivos propostos recorreu-se à pesquisa bibliográfica, com a busca de dados bibliográficos na base de dados Scopus utilizando-se a palavra-chave “Green Supply Chain”. Os resultados da busca foram organizados de duas formas diferentes. A primeira foi ordenar os artigos por quantidade de citações (do mais para o menos citado) e selecionar os cinquenta artigos mais citados, para ter o suporte necessário para o desenvolvimento da parte teórica (obtenção de conceitos, práticas, e motivações e barreiras). A segunda foi ordenar os artigos por data de publicação (do mais recente para o mais antigo) e selecionar os cem artigos mais recentes, para obter informações sobre as tendências do tema e verificar possibilidades de estudos futuros. Como resultado da pesquisa foi possível detectar definições de diversos autores e em seguida, traçar uma definição concisa ao objetivo do trabalho esforçando-se para englobar as várias literaturas revisadas. Traçaram-se, ainda, quadros esclarecedores sobre as práticas, e as motivações e barreiras que resumem todos os pontos encontrados e que se repetiam em algumas literaturas. Constatou-se ainda que uma parcela significativa dos trabalhos existentes do tema GSCM são XXXIV ENCONTRO NACIONAL DE ENGENHARIA DE PRODUCAO Engenharia de Produção, Infraestrutura e Desenvolvimento Sustentável: a Agenda Brasil+10
Platelet-rich Plasma Extract Accelerates Lung Regeneration Through the LRP5-Tie2 Pathway.

Abstract Angiogenesis, the growth of new blood vessels, plays a key role in organ development, homeostasis, and regeneration and cooperation of multiple angiogenic factors, rather than a single factor, is required for physiological angiogenesis. Recently, we have reported that soluble platelet-rich plasma (PRP) extract, which contains abundant angiopoietin-1 and multiple other angiogenic factors, stimulates angiogenesis and maintains vascular integrity in vitro and in vivo. In this report, we have demonstrated that mouse PRP extract increases phosphorylation levels of the Wnt co-receptor low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5 (LRP5), and thereby activates angiogenic factor receptor Tie2 in endothelial cells (ECs) and accelerates EC sprouting and lung epithelial cell budding in vitro. PRP extract also increases phosphorylation levels of Tie2 in the mouse lungs and accelerates compensatory lung growth and recovery of exercise capacity after unilateral pneumonectomy in mice, while soluble Tie2 receptor or Lrp5 knockdown attenuates the effects of PRP extract. Since human PRP extract is generated from autologous peripheral blood and can be stored at -80 °C, our findings may lead to the development of novel therapeutic interventions for various angiogenesis-related lung diseases and the improvement of the strategies for lung regeneration.
Preliminary Phytochemical Screening and in vitro Antimicrobial Activity of Datura stramonium Leaves Extracts Collected from Eastern Ethiopia

The present study was conducted to identify the preliminary phytochemical identification and antimicrobial investigation of leaves extracts of Datura Stramonium Linn collected from eastern Ethiopia. Datura Stramonium is traditionally used to cure different human diseases including in skin disorder, ear pain, cough, fever, burns, and asthma in Ethiopia. Phytochemical screening test in five different solvents chloroform, hexane, petroleum ether, ethanol, and acetone crude extracts were indicated the presence of flavonoids, cholesterols, terpenoids, carbohydrates, glycosides, tannins, alkaloids, phenols, proteins, and saponins. However, glycosides, phenols, and cholesterols were not detected in hexane, petroleum ether, and ethanol crude extract, respectively. Antimicrobial activity of crude extract were tested using paper disk diffusion method against four bacteria strains (S. aureus, B. subtilis, E. coli and S. typhi) and three fungi strains (F. solani, F. oxysporum and A. niger). Datura stramonium petroleum ether extract produced maximum zone of inhibition (19.30±0.18mm) against S. aureus while minimum zone of inhibition (12.30±0.16mm) against S. typhi. Hexane crude extract leaves of Datura stramonium showed maximum zone of inhibition (18.00±0.27mm) against S. aureus while minimum zone of inhibition (11.05±0.62mm) against E. coli. Chloroform extract of the plant also showed maximum zone of inhibition (18.43±0.57mm) against B. subtillis while minimum zone of inhibition (11.51±0.54mm) against S. typhi. The various crude extracts of Datura stramonium were showed high potential antifungal activity against the tested fungi with maximum zone of inhibition (17.07±0.16mm) against A. niger was exhibited by petroleum ether extract while minimum zone of inhibition (8.05±0.43mm) against F. oxysporum was observed by ethanol crude extract. The antimicrobial activities of plant extract were compared with that of chloroamphenicol against bacteria and bavistin against fungi as reference antibiotics.
Gastrointestinal helminths in migratory Camel

Survey of gastrointestinal helminth parasites in camel migrated from U.P., M.P., and Rajasthan at Nagpur region was carried out in early summer, 2008. Total 28 samples (12 males and 16 females) were collected from different places of Nagpur region. They revealed parasites as Trichuris sp. (50%), Strongyloides sp. (32.14%), Trichostrongylus sp. (10.71%), Nematodirus sp. (10.71%), Haemonchus sp. (14.28%), Eurytrema sp. (21.42%) ,Eimeria sp. (25%), Entamoeba sp. (17.85%) and Balantidium sp. (7.14%). All were found positive for mixed helminthic infection.
Leveraging Technology Through Crowdfunding to Ease Barriers of Entry Into the Marketplace

Small businesses and entrepreneurs face barriers to entering new markets, such as access to capital. Crowdfunding is one method for financing new ventures. The purpose of this article is to explore how crowdfunding can ease barriers of entry into new markets. Drawing from strategic management, planning, marketing, and technology acceptance literature, we present a conceptual model to explain the use of crowdfunding by small businesses and entrepreneurs. Factors that impact individuals’ propensity to utilize crowdfunding as a source of capital include ease of use, intention to use, attitudes toward use, and effectiveness.
OS SOLOS DAS CAMPINARANAS NA AMAZÔNIA BRASILEIRA: ECOSSISTEMAS ARENÍCOLAS OLIGOTRÓFICOS

As Campinaranas sao ecossistemas arenicolas de grande extensao na Amazonia brasileira, determinantes para os grandes sistemas de rios de aguas pretas. Em vista da carencia de estudos nestes ecossistemas, este trabalho teve como objetivos gerais estudar a distribuicao das Campinaranas e suas relacoes com os solos predominantes e sua geologia na porcao ocidental da Amazonia brasileira. Foram utilizados dados geograficos da vegetacao, geologia e solos, alem dos dados analiticos dos perfis de solos coletados pelo Projeto RADAMBRASIL, atualizados e sistematizados pelo IBGE, somados a perfis de referencia coletados no Parque Nacional do Virua, Roraima. De modo geral, os solos das Campinaranas sao predominantemente arenosos, desenvolvidos sobre materiais de origem de natureza arenoquartzosa. Do cruzamento dos dados geologicos com areas dominadas por Campinaranas, tem-se um predominio das formacoes sedimentares recentes (Quaternario), constituidas principalmente de materiais arenosos. A partir da analise dos dados, sugere-se um limite minimo de 55 dag kg -1 de areia nos solos para a ocorrencia das Campinaranas. Os solos mais argilosos sao reportados apenas para as areas ecotonais Florestas - Campinaranas, marginais aos corpos arenosos. Verifica-se predominio absoluto dos Espodossolos e Neossolos Quartzarenicos nas Campinaranas. Mesmo em diferentes formacoes geologicas e com processos pedogeneticos distintos, estes solos possuem caracteristicas morfologicas, quimicas e fisicas muito semelhantes. Apesar da diversidade pedologica das areas ecotonais, os solos encontrados guardam semelhancas com os solos das Campinaranas. Palavras-chave: Espodossolos; Neossolos Quartzarenicos; Amazonia brasileira; Ecossistemas arenicolas.
Low-Profile Broadband Patch-Driven Metasurface Antenna

In this letter, a patch-driven low-profile broadband metasurface (MTS) antenna is proposed. The novel antenna is constituted utilizing an aperture coupled patch and proposed configurations of finite-sized artificial magnetic conductor. With the surrounding MTS excited by the surface wave introduced through the center patch, an additional TM resonance is generated and a wideband impedance matching is achieved. The performance and operating mechanism of the proposed antenna are investigated and analyzed. To demonstrate the concept, a 1 × 4 array with an overall thickness of 0.047 λ0 (λ0 is the free-space wavelength at 28 GHz) is successfully implemented through advanced substrate manufacturing process. The obtained impedance bandwidth for reflection coefficient below −10 dB is 27.1% with a maximum realized gain of 13.6 dBi.
Development Policy Through the Lens of Social Structure

Abstract This paper studies how the social structure of village economies affects policy implementation by local agents. We randomly select one of two viable candidates to deliver an agricultural extension program in rural Ugandan villages. We show that delivery agents favor their own social ties over ex-ante identical farmers connected to the other (non-selected) candidate and that this is inconsistent with output maximization or targeting the poorest. Favoritism disappears when the potential delivery agents belong to the same social group. Using the randomized allocation of the program across villages, we show how unobserved social structures explain the variation in delivery rates and program effectiveness that we often observe in the data.
Effects of Accrual Discretion, Accrual Levels, Opinions and Political Factors on the Management of SILPA of Local Governments (Efforts to Detect the Management of SILPA Approach Zero)

The Government of the Republic of Indonesia has carried out various reforms. The element of financial governance that is currently very important and is the concern of many parties is the field of reporting. The government has compiled regulations and policies related to accounting. Policies taken by the government both for central and local governments are the basis of accounting. Accrual levels that occur in local governments turned out to be different. Accrual discretion influences the achievement of the remaining balance or lack of budget calculations. We feel the need to continue the research by combining the variables of accrual level, accrual discretion and new variables, namely opinion on the financial statements of audit results and political factors. With these four variables, we will examine their effects on the management of SILPA by local governments. The results show that accrual discretion and political factors do not affect the management of the SILPA while opinion has a significant effect on the management of the SILPA but the opposite direction. This means that if the opinion is higher than the management of SILPA has less power or there is an element of management of the SILPA to zero.
Influence of Incubation Environment on the Development of the Flatback Turtle (Natator depressus)

Abstract During the Australian summers of 1996/1997 and 1997/1998, the embryonic development of Natator depressus was investigated in the laboratory. Eggs were incubated under different thermal and hydric conditions on vermiculite substrates. The thermal environment between 26 and 32 C significantly influenced the water exchange of eggs, incubation duration, nutrient mobilization of embryos, and the size, tissue hydration, and energy reserves of hatchlings. Hatchlings produced at 26 C and 29 C were larger but had lower energy reserves than those produced at 32 C. The influence of the hydric environment depended greatly on the range of substrate water potentials used in experiments. Nutrient mobilization of embryos and the size and energy reserves of hatchlings were dependent on total egg water exchange over the range of 2% gain to 29% loss (at approximately −180 to −3500 kPa incubation substrates) of initial egg mass but independent within the narrower range of 6% gain to 19% loss (at approximately −200 to −650 kPa substrates). Hatching was affected only when eggs lost more than 21% of their initial egg mass (at approximately −1300 kPa). A significant effect of clutch on the morphological and physiological aspects of developing embryos indicated that genetic/maternal factors influenced these traits. Natator depressus eggs seem to be laid with sufficient water reserves for successful embryonic growth and development. In most natural circumstances, this would make them independent of supplementary water from the environment.
AN ASSESMENT OF NUTRIENT CONTENT OF UNDERUTILIZED GRASS SPECIES OF SOUTH INDIA

In the past and now most of the developments in conventional agriculture have concentrate on major grasses with little attention to the minor, underutilized grasses and as yet undeveloped grasses of livestock. Many underutilized grass species are being lost each day and more of which have unknown potential will be lost. The present study is undertaken to carry out the nutrient content of twenty grass species of family Poaceae, commonly found in waste lands of South India to screen some nutritive values. The Moisture content of the grass species varied between 42% to 71%, Protein content 1.66% to 5.43%, Sugar 1 % to 3.54%, Starch from 7% to 17.74% and Cellulose ranged from 1.79% to 7.60% of dry weight. Among the twenty grass species Eragrostis amabilis showed high nutritive value, followed by Cynodon dactylon, Pycreus flavidus, Digitaria sanguinalis and Brachiaria racemosa. Hence these grass species of high nutritive value can be choosen for feeding the live stock.