Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Biological monitoring of environmental pollution and human exposure to metals in Tarragona, Spain. III. Blood levels

Blood samples were obtained from 72 men and 72 women (age > 16 years) living in 3 residential areas in the vicinity of a new hazardous waste incinerator (HWI), now under construction (Tarragona, Spain). The samples were subjected to arsenic (As), beryllium (Be), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), mercury (Hg), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), tin (Sn), thallium (Tl), and vanadium (V) analyses. Beryllium, Cd, Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb, Tl, Sn, and V were measured by ICP-MS. Arsenic and Hg were determined by using hydride generation/ICP-MS. Results were analyzed in terms of age, sex, and specific place of residence. Arsenic, Be, Tl, and V levels were under the respective detection limits. The geometric mean concentrations and ranges (μg/dl) of the remaining elements were the following: Cd 0.70 (0.20 - 3.24), Cr 0.02 (0.01 - 0.11), Hg 0.68 (0.37 - 3.54), Mn 1.90 (0.35 - 14.90), Ni 1.39 (0.08 - 8.81), Pb 3.83 (1.20 - 27.91), and Sn 1.14 (0.007 - 9.30). No differences in relation to sex were observed. In turn, only Cr (men) and Hg (men and women) concentrations were significantly increased with age. However, significant differences depending on the place of residence of the subjects were noted in the blood concentrations of Cd, Hg, Mn, and Pb. The current blood levels of Cd, Mn, and Pb show some remarkable differences compared to those found in previous surveys.
A New MOS Capacitance Correction Method Based on Five-Element Model by Combining Double-Frequency  ${C}-{V}$  and  $I$ –

For a very thin dielectric MOS capacitor, the influence of the interface layer on MOS capacitance extraction is not negligible. We report a new correction method for a thin dielectric MOS capacitor based on the five-element model, which includes MOS capacitance, parallel resistance, series resistance, interface capacitance, and interface resistance. This method needs to combine double-frequency C-V and I-V measurement data. By comparing the impedance of the five-element model with that of the two-element model, we have five characteristic equations. From these equations, we deduce a five-degree equation and then provide accurate numerical solutions for all five elements. Furthermore, we successfully demonstrate an application to Al/ZrO2/IL/n-Si capacitor (IL: interface layer). After correction, the frequency dispersion and upturn (or roll-off) of MOS capacitances at accumulation disappear. This correction method is superior to other methods. All five parameters in the five-element model have physically reasonable values. The relative dielectric constant (εr) and dielectric loss (tanδ) are also calculated. These results show the validity and self-consistency of this new correction method.
From object detection to text detection and recognition: A brief evolution history of optical character recognition

Text detection and recognition, which is also known as optical character recognition (OCR), is an active research area under quick development with a lot of exciting applications. Deep‐learning‐based methods represent the state‐of‐art of this area. However, these methods are largely deterministic: they give a deterministic output for each input. For both statisticians and general users, methods supporting uncertainty inference are of great appeal, leaving rich research opportunities to incorporate statistical models and methods with the established deep‐learning‐based approaches. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive review of the evolution history of research development on OCR with discussions on the statistical insights behind these developments and potential directions to enhance the current methods with statistical approaches. We hope this article can serve as a useful guidebook for statisticians who are seeking for a path toward edge‐cutting research in this exciting area.
Spikes and localised patterns for a novel Schnakenberg model in the semi-strong interaction regime

F A H A D A L S A A D I1,2, A L A N C H A M P N E Y S1, C H U N Y I G A I3 and T H E O D O R E K O L O K O L N I K O V3 1Department of Engineering Mathematics, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1UB, UK emails: a.r. champneys@bristol.ac. uk; fa17741@bristol.ac. uk 2Department of Systems Engineering, Military Technological College, Muscat, Oman 3Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2, Canada emails: Chunyi.Gai@dal.ca; tkolokol@gmail.com
The Serum of MEF2D Expression in Patients with Myocardial Infarction, May be Clinical Indicators and it Mediated ROS Signaling by HDAC5

Objectives: In this study, we explain that the function of MEF2D gene in myocardial infarction and its possible mechanism. Methods: Patients with MI and normal volunteers were collected. The left anterior descending arteries (LAD) of mice were ligated to induce myocardial infarction. H9c2 cells were stimulated with 5% oxygen (O2) and 5% carbon dioxide (CO2) and 90% N2 for 24 h. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), Microarray experiments, Western blot, Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Immunofluorescent staining were used at this experiment. Results: MEF2D mRNA and protein expressions in heart tissue of patients and mice with myocardial infarction were reduced. MEF2D protein prevented Myocardial infarction in mice of myocardial infarction. The inhibition of MEF2D aggravated Myocardial infarction in mice of myocardial infarction. MEF2D gene promoted ROS-induced oxidative stress in vitro model of myocardial infarction. MEF2D interlinkage HDAC5 to reduced oxidative stress in vivo model or vitro model. The regulation of HDAC5 adjusted the function of MEF2D in vitro model. Discussion: These data confirmed that the serum of MEF2D expression in patients with Myocardial infarction was reduced, may be clinical indicators and it inhibited ROS-induced oxidative stress signaling by HDAC5. Thus, our results suggest that targeting MEF2D may provide an approach for the treatment of myocardial infarction.
The Impact of Same versus Different Price Presentation on Travel Choice and the Moderating Role of Childhood Socioeconomic Status

When making travel decisions, consumers are frequently exposed to a multitude of options, including differing price levels for the same product or service across a range of online travel agencies. The current research investigates how the magnitude of price dispersion in online pricing can influence travelers’ product evaluations and purchase intentions. Specifically, we predict that travelers will prefer a hotel with no price dispersion to a hotel with different prices listed when the price difference is small, or narrow. However, when the price difference is more pronounced, or wide, travelers will prefer a hotel with price differences compared to a hotel with no price dispersion. Four experiments demonstrate that this effect is consistent across different contexts and categories. Additionally, based on life history theory, we argue that the relative preference for the same versus different price dispersion will be moderated by the travelers’ childhood socioeconomic status (SES).
Application of Big Data Information System in the Field of Public Utilities Management

With the continuous development of information technology, the management of social issues has entered a new era, and a series of management activities in the field of public service management are also facing new issues. Based on the above background, the purpose of this article is the application of big data information system in the field of public utilities management. This article first discusses the relevant theories of public information resources, including the concepts of public information resources, public information resource integration, public information big data platform, etc., and summarizes and summarizes them; secondly, it focuses on the current status of the integration and application of public information resources And the existing problems, and analyzed the advantages of using big data technology to promote the integration and application of public information resources; then, combining the current status of the integration and application of public information resources and the actual needs of the construction of public information big data platforms, the positioning of the public information big data platform is explained. And the construction content, built the overall construction framework of the public information big data platform, and carried out the functional analysis and design of the various subsystems of the platform; finally, discussed the performance evaluation index system of the public information big data platform, using the analytic hierarchy process and fuzzy The comprehensive evaluation method builds a public information big data platform performance evaluation model. When the number of folds is 2, its prediction accuracy is the highest, reaching 96.91%, which evaluates the construction and operation of the platform.
An optimal method for a staggered-grid finite-difference solution of elastic wave equations including rotational deformation

The staggered-grid finite-difference (SGFD) method is one of the most popular means used in seismic numerical modelling because of its computational efficiency and it is easy to implement. However, it will lead to serious numerical errors while using coarse grids or wavelet with high-frequency. In this work, we proposed an optimal spatial SGFD method based on a new improved particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm. Then the dispersion of numerical solution of the first-order spatial derivatives is analyzed. Meanwhile, numerical modelling of elastic wave equations and elastic wave equations including rotational deformation are performed with the optimal spatial SGFD method based on the improved PSO algorithm. Numerical dispersion analysis and numerical modeling results indicate that the optimal spatial SGFD method based on the improved PSO algorithm has high modeling accuracy and can efficiently suppress the numerical dispersion.
Realization and validation of continuous tunable metasurface for high resolution beam steering reflector at K‐band frequency

The realization and validation of a new reconfigurable metasurface high‐resolution steering reflector for K‐band are presented. The continuous tuning is achieved by integrating a varactor diode with each metasurface unit cell. This approach is shown in many studies, but not above Ku‐band, because of implementation difficulties. This letter presents design considerations, reflection simulations, and reflection measurements of a new resonant unit cell at K‐band, used for reconfigurable metasurface steering reflector. The reflection steering method and the reflection phase calibration are presented. Finally, the experimental far‐field results are provided to validate the continuous beam‐steering reflector performances in various frequencies at K‐band, with large‐angle steering, high resolution, and wide‐incident‐angular‐range abilities.
Monitoring of Industrial Electrical Equipment Using Iot

The fire outbreaks in Industries like petroleum, chemicals, oil, and gas have a high risk, that could lead to huge destruction, loss of property and the vast majority of all, deficiency of lives. It is vital to have some system that can keep the premises make secure and also inform the authorized people within the specified time if any incident takes place. IOT and Arduino based industrial issue recognition project is intended to recognize fire (using smoke and temperature sensor) and LPG leakage (using LPG gas sensor). This project utilizes IOT and sends data to a site. Internet Of Things (IOT) is basically, the network of ‘things’ by which the physical things can exchange the data with the help of sensors, electronics, software and availability. These systems don’t need any human association. Index Terms LPG leakage ,IOT, Smoke and temperature sensor Component
Resident-Tourist Value Co-Creation in the Intangible Cultural Heritage Tourism Context: The Role of Residents’ Perception of Tourism Development and Emotional Solidarity

The value co-creation behavior of residents can contribute to the sustainable development of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) tourism. This paper aims to provide a theoretical framework that uses “cognition–affection–behavior” theory to explain how the two variables of tourism development perception and emotional solidarity affect the value co-creation participation behavior of the local residents in the context of intangible cultural heritage tourism while considering the mediating role of emotional solidarity. This study empirically investigates Meizhou Island in Fujian Province, China as an example by using a structural equation model (SEM). Results show that the perception of local residents toward the benefits of tourism development has a significant positive impact on their emotional solidarity and value co-creation participation behavior, whereas their perception toward the costs of tourism development has a significant negative impact. In addition, the emotional solidarity of these residents has a significant positive impact on their value co-creation participation and plays a mediating role in the relationship between the tourism development perceptions of local residents and their value co-creation participation behavior. This study has important theoretical and practical significance for the management of ICH tourist destinations.
Synthesis of Industrial Ceramic (Cordierite) from Iraqi Raw Materials Through Solid-State Sintering Method

This study uses Iraqi raw materials (Western Desert) which include: Urdhuma silica sand, Duekhla kaolinitic claystone, flint clay, porcelanite, and karst bauxite, alongside other materials (pure silica created as by-product of Qaim phosphate manufacturing processes.), amorphous silica (silica from rice husk ash), Mg (OH)2, and MgCO3. The raw materials have been crushed and milled into sizes smaller than 45µ except the silica sand and kaolin that have been miled into different sizes 20 and 45 µ. Twenty-seven mixtures of different proportions were prepared from the above-mentioned materials. Ninety-two disk samples were formed by semi-dry pressing using the pressing force of 1000 kg/cm2. Those test samples were dried and fired at the temperatures of 1100, 1200, and 1300 °C with temperature rises 50 °C/h and the soaking time of 2 h. X-ray diffraction of those samples shows a difference in the mineral structure according to the firing temperature and the chemical composition of the mixtures. The samples containing the mixtures of 70% Kaolin, 5% pure silica (Qaim), and 25% Magnesite that were fried at the temperature of 1300 °C entirely consist of Cordierite.
CAMINHOS PARA OUTRA INVESTIGAÇÃO EDUCATIVA E SOCIAL NO CONTEXTO AMAZÔNICO: APROXIMAÇÕES POSSÍVEIS E NECESSÁRIAS

A escolha de “Caminos y derivas para otra investigacion educativa y social" para compor essa publicacao, no formato de resenha, foi devido as suas possiveis contribuicoes para investigacoes realizadas e a serem realizadas na regiao Amazonica. Seus autores ao abordarem questoes ontologicas, epistemologicas e metodologicas, assim como questoes referentes a etica e a divulgacao cientifica no contexto da investigacao educacional, abordam questoes pertinentes ao critico momento que estamos vivenciando no campo educacional e social. Alem disso, apresentam uma confluencia de uma diversidade significativa de experiencias e indagacoes, um movimento de inclusao decorrente da articulacao de grupos de investigadores de 11 Universidades da Espanha e uma disposicao para ir mais alem.
Effects of elevated CO2 and N fertilization on CH4 emissions from paddy rice fields

The authors employed free‐air carbon dioxide enrichment facilities for investigating the effects of elevating the present atmospheric CO2 by 200 μmol mol−1 and increasing the application rate of urea‐based fertilizers from 150 to 250 kg N ha−1 on CH4 emissions from paddy rice fields in southeastern China. The elevated CO2 significantly stimulated methane emission, which was mainly due to the stimulation in rice growth. Intensifying N fertilization mitigated the CH4 emission under the ambient CO2 but stimulated the CH4 emission under the elevated CO2. This suggests that N fertilization has a potential to stimulate both CH4 production and CH4 oxidation. Thus the net effect of N fertilization on CH4 emission from paddy rice fields most likely depends upon the counterbalance between the nitrogen‐induced increases in CH4 production and CH4 oxidation, as a N excess may result in the inhibition of methane emission, whereas a N limitation may result in the stimulation of methane emission.
Proof-of-Concept (POC) of Restaurant’s food requests in the Lisk Blockchain/sidechain

Request food online is daily present in the life of people, however, it is necessary to send delivery information to different restaurant systems and sometimes these restaurants share customer sensitive information with their partners without the authorization of the customer creating a security risk with customers data. Also, in most cases when a person travels to a different country and wants to request food online, it is necessary to use the local currency, requiring a currency exchange operation. This paper evaluates a proof-of-concept (POC) of the integration of blockchain in the food industry, allowing customers to order food online through a sidechain, an exclusive blockchain with specific custom transaction types for restaurants. The FoodTransaction type is responsible to order food and store cryptographically customer sensitive information that only the customer itself and the requested restaurant can read, hence it respects customer privacy. Furthermore, the blockchain cryptocurrency can be used anywhere in the world. The performance evaluation shows a great advance in throughput when compared to the use of the payment solution on Bitcoin applications. Finally, the results show the possibility to extend the restaurant sidechain business to several restaurants in the world and in different time zones.
Effects of plyometric jump training on soccer player’s balance: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized-controlled trials

Plyometric jump training (PJT) can be used for improving balance through bilateral and unilateral jump-landing drills. Since the increased number of articles testing the effects of PJT on dynamic and static balance, it is relevant to summarize the evidence and determine the effects across different original articles. This systematic review with meta-analysis was conducted to assess the effects of PJT programs on dynamic and static balance in soccer players. The data sources utilized were Cochrane, Medline (PubMed), SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science. (i) Soccer players of any age or sex without injury, illness, or other clinical conditions; (ii) PJT-based programs restricted to a minimum of three weeks (duration); (iii) passive or active control groups; (iv) pre-post interventions values of dynamic and/or static balance; (v) randomized-controlled trials; and (vi) peerreviewed original full-text studies written in English, Portuguese, and/or Spanish. The database search initially identified 803 titles. From those, eight articles were eligible for the systematic review and meta-analysis. The results showed no significant differences between PJT and active controls in dynamic anterior, postero-medial, or postero-lateral balance for both left and right legs (p > 0.05). Additionally, no significant differences were found between PJT and active controls in terms of static balance (p = 0.495). The current evidence suggests that PJT has no significant advantage over active control groups in terms of dynamic or static balance.
Adaptive Ultrasound-Based Tractor Localization for Semi-Autonomous Vineyard Operations

Autonomous driving is greatly impacting intensive and precise agriculture. Matter-of-factly, the first commercial applications of autonomous driving were in autonomous navigation of agricultural tractors in open fields. As the technology improves, the possibility of using autonomous or semi-autonomous tractors in orchards and vineyards is becoming commercially profitable. These scenarios offer more challenges as the vehicle needs to position itself with respect to a more cluttered environment. This paper presents an adaptive localization system for (semi-) autonomous navigation of agricultural tractors in vineyards that is based on ultrasonic automotive sensors. The system estimates the distance from the left vineyard row and the incidence angle. The paper shows that a single tuning of the localization algorithm does not provide robust performance in all vegetation scenarios. We solve this issue by implementing an Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) and by introducing an adaptive data selection stage that automatically adapts to the vegetation conditions and discards invalid measurements. An extensive experimental campaign validates the main features of the localization algorithm. In particular, we show that the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of the distance is 16 cm, while the angular RMSE is 2.6 degrees.
Isolation and Screening of Lactic Acid Bacteria Strains With Antibacterial Properties From The Vagina of Healthy Cows

Background Lactic acid bacteria with probiotic and antibacterial properties were isolated from the vagina of healthy cows. The purpose of the study is to isolation and screening of lactic acid bacteria strains with antibacterial properties from the vagina of healthy cows, which could be used to treat cow vaginal inflammation. Results Isolation and identification of eight dominant lactic acid bacteria strains from 55 isolates was performed using classic microbiology methods and fermentation engineering. Eight strains were selected that had no spores and capsules, exhibited strong acid production capacity (pH <4.5) and had a rapid acid production (time ≤12 h) at the lowest pH. These strains were screened using fermentation engineering, pharmacology, cell biology and molecular biology methods. Lactobacillus johnsonii (SQ0048) had the lowest pH (4.32) and shortest acid-producing time (8 h). L. johnsonii (SQ0048) could produce hydrogen peroxide, inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli and adhere to the vaginal epithelial cells of cows. The average number adhering to each cell was 304±2.67. Bacteriocin genes were detected in L. johnsonii (SQ0048), and the bacteriocin gene of a positive clone of this strain was 100% similar to that of Lactobacillus johnsonii NCC 533 (NC_005362.1). Expression of the bacteriocin genes had inhibitory activity against S. aureus and E. coli. Conclusions These advantages indicate that SQ0048 is a promising candidate for use in antimicrobial preparations.
Mechanism of Electronegativity Heterojunction of Nanometer Amorphous-Boron on Crystalline Silicon: An Overview

The discovery of the extremely shallow amorphous boron-crystalline silicon heterojunction occurred during the development of highly sensitive, hard and robust detectors for low-penetration-depth ionizing radiation, such as ultraviolet photons and low-energy electrons (below 1 keV). For many years it was believed that the junction created by the chemical vapor deposition of amorphous boron on n-type crystalline silicon was a shallow p-n junction, although experimental results could not provide evidence for such a conclusion. Only recently, quantum-mechanics based modelling revealed the unique nature and the formation mechanism of this new junction. Here, we review the initiation and the history of understanding the a-B/c-Si interface (henceforth called the “boron-silicon junction”), as well as its importance for the microelectronics industry, followed by the scientific perception of the new junctions. Future developments and possible research directions are also discussed.