Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optimal physicochemical properties of dried litchis for Thai consumers

The litchi is a fruit essential for the economies of several Southeast Asian countries, but markets regularly reject it, mainly due to spoilage. Drying extends the shelf-life of litchis, but in Thailand the optimal characteristics of the dried product have not yet been determined. The purpose of this study was to determine the optimum physicochemical properties of dried litchis – those suitable for Thai consumers. The dried fruits were submitted to physicochemical measurement and consumer evaluation, with datasets subsequently integrated using circular ideal-point regression analysis. Response surface methodology was then used to predict the optimum physicochemical properties of the fruits. It was found that Thai consumer preferences with regard to dried litchis are for the fruits to be of golden-yellow color (L* ranging around 54; H ranging around 79°), to have a soft flesh (SMF ranging between 13 and 14 kN/100 g) and to have a sweet taste (TSS:TA ranging between 25 and 28). The results may be used in the future to prescribe pretreatments and drying conditions. Keywords: consumer preference, response surface methodology, circular ideal-point regression, product optimization, market acceptance, lychee DOI: 10.3965/j.ijabe. 20140705.011 Citation: Precoppe M, Nagle M, Mahayothee B, Udomkun P, Janjai S, Muller J. Optimal physicochemical properties of dried litchis for Thai consumers. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2014; 7(5): 103－110.
Lymphovenous anastomoses in patients with primary and secondary lymphoedema

Lymphoedema is a chronic disease that may be congenital (primary) or acquired (secondary). Without appropriate treatment, lymphoedema leads to pain and an impaired quality of life. We investigated the efficacy and safety of lymphovenous anastomoses (LVA), a minimally invasive supermicrosurgical procedure, in patients with primary and secondary lymphoedema. One non-randomised controlled study and four prospective single-arm studies were evaluated. Overall, the level of evidence is "very low" for the outcomes of clinical effectiveness and safety. Based on the available evidence, no conclusions can be drawn as to whether the assessed procedure of LVA is at least as effective and safer as the comparator VLNT or conservative therapy. Therefore, we currently do not recommend the inclusion of LVA in the Austrian catalogue of procedures and suggest a re-evaluation after 2021, provided that the ongoing studies report patient-related outcomes.
Frequency Domain Tuning Method for Unconstrained Linear Output Feedback Model Predictive Control

This paper provides a novel solution to the problem of tuning linear output feedback model predictive control (MPC). A systematic tuning method that allows to obtain all the parameters of an unconstrained output feedback MPC based on disturbance model and observer is presented. It is shown that such tuning can be translated to a frequency domain control design problem, which can be solved using existing techniques. Experimental results on a quadrotor reference tracking problem show the effectiveness of the proposed MPC tuning method.
Influence of seed size and weight used in sowing on common bird’s-foot-trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) Plant vigour

Growth and development of common bird’s-foot-trefoil ( Lotus corniculatus L.) plants are influenced by seed size and weight upon sowing. Studies show that the five seed size groups influence plant vigour, i.e. a 2-4 times increase of morphological organs (roots, seedlings, leaves) in larger and heavier seed group than in smaller and lighter seed group. This increase was also pointed out by the strong correlations between seed size and plant vigour.
Recent Advancements & Methodologies in System Identification: A Review

System Identification (SI) is a discipline in control engineering concerned with inferring mathematical models from dynamic systems based on its input/output observations. Rich literature is available regarding SI due to its applications in understanding complex systems as well as to design control systems for complex processes. A summary of those literatures is presented in this paper, which covers general classifications of SI, methodologies for design and implementation of the models, as well as recent advancements in application of optimization techniques for SI. It is hoped that this paper would serve as a guide for budding practitioners regarding the fundamentals of the discipline, while serving as a summary of new research trends for experienced researchers in the area.
ADBI Working Paper Series YOUNG ENTERPRISES AND BANK CREDIT DENIALS

By employing a sample of 20,956 observations of non-financial SMEs headquartered in the Euro area, between 2009 and 2015, we test whether young businesses are more likely to face credit rejections from lenders than their older peers. Our findings appear to confirm our suspicions that new enterprises consistently experience higher denials from banks compared to more established businesses. Such a result is stable to different model specifications and is also confirmed once we handle the issue of sample selection bias potentially affecting our data. Additional tests also reveal that credit constraints are particularly difficult for young SMEs located in Southern and Central Europe, as well as for those operating in the “Trade” industry. Overall, our evidence suggests that actions from the policy maker could be desirable to support the viability of credit and, thus, ensure the growth of young businesses in the Euro area.
In vitro activity of bedaquiline against slow-growing nontuberculous mycobacteria.

Bedaquiline (BDQ) is a recently approved antibiotic for the treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, but its potential against slow-growing mycobacteria (SGM) is still unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the in vitro activity of BDQ on SGM by assessing their MIC and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC). The MIC of BDQ against 17 clinical isolates including Mycobacterium avium, Mycobacterium intracellulare, Mycobacterium chimaera, Mycobacterium kansasii and Mycobacterium simiae species was determined by the resazurin microtitre assay and the MBC by the c.f. u. determination on 7H10 agar plates. BDQ has a bacteriostatic activity on all SGM tested with a MIC range from 0.03 to 0.007 µg ml-1 and surprisingly a good bactericidal activity on the majority of the isolates tested with an MBC of 1-2 µg ml-1 . Based on these preliminary results BDQ seems to be very promising for treatment of diseases caused by SGM.
The Revival of the Battle between David and Goliath in the Enteric Viruses and Microbiota Struggle: Potential Implication for Celiac Disease

The human gut is inhabited by overcrowded prokaryotic communities, a major component of which is the virome, comprised of viruses, bacteriophages, archaea, eukaryotes and bacteria. The virome is required for luminal homeostasis and, by their lytic or synergic capacities, they can regulate the microbial community structure and activity. Dysbiosis is associated with numerous chronic human diseases. Since the virome can impact microbial genetics and behavior, understanding its biology, composition, cellular cycle, regulation, mode of action and potential beneficial or hostile activities can change the present paradigm of the cross-talks in the luminal gut compartment. Celiac disease is a frequent autoimmune disease in which viruses can play a role in disease development. Based on the current knowledge on the enteric virome, in relation to celiac disease pathophysiological evolvement, the current review summarizes the potential interphases between the two. Exploring and understanding the role of the enteric virome in gluten-dependent enteropathy might bring new therapeutic strategies to change the luminal eco-event for the patient’s benefit.
Implementation of Virtual Router in User Space by Bypassing the Kernel using Snabb

: As network adapters get faster, the time between packets i.e. the time the kernel has to process each packet gets smaller. That does not leave a lot of time for kernel to figure out what to do with each packet. The kernel has traditionally not done a great job with this kind of network-intensive workload. This is due to the latency of multiple system calls involved while an application reads packets from the network interface. This has led to existence of a number of networking implementations that bypass the kernel's network stack entirely. We use Snabb which is one of many such implementations. Snabb allows us to build our own network design on top of the Snabb core, bypassing the kernel. Our virtual router is built on top of Snabb. The virtual router runs in user space and also bypasses the kernel entirely. This capability allows us to make fast and intelligent forwarding decisions in the virtual router. This is suitable for dedicated servers which have high network traffic and require fast packet forwarding.
Functional shifts in leaves of woody invaders of deciduous forests between their home and away ranges.

Temperate forests are widely invaded by shade-tolerant shrubs and trees, including those of Eastern North America (ENA). However, it remains unknown whether these invaders are 'pre-adapted' for success in their new ranges due to unique aspects of their evolutionary history, or whether selection due to enemy release or other post-introduction processes have driven rapid evolution in the invaded range. We sampled leaf traits of populations of woody understory invaders across light gradients in their native range in Japan and in their invaded ENA range to examine potential phenotypic shifts related to carbon gain and nitrogen use between ranges. We also measured leaf traits in three co-occurring ENA native shrub species. In their invaded range, invaders invested significantly less in leaf chlorophyll content (both per unit leaf mass and area) compared to native range populations of the same species, yet maintained similar rates of photosynthesis in low light. In addition, compared to ENA natives, ENA invaders displayed greater trait variation in response to increasing light availability (forest edges, gaps), giving them a potential advantage over ENA natives in a variety of light conditions. We conclude that, for this group of species, newly evolved phenotypes in the invaded range are more important than preadaptation for their success as shade-tolerant forest invaders.
Prospective ECG-triggering Coronary CT Angiography (CCTA): How Safe is this Procedure?

With the rapid development of CT technology, the procedure of Coronary CT Angiography (CCTA) has been increasingly used and widely available for the diagnosis of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). Other than having its advantages to improve the sensitivity and specificity in the detection of CAD, CCTA also associated with high radiation dose. Several dose-reduction strategies have been introduced to reduce radiation dose during CT procedure. However, one of the technique, namely prospective ECG-triggering CCTA provides tremendous radiation dose reduction to patient. Therefore, this article provides information on the prospective ECG-triggering technique and how it can further reduce the radiation dose to patient.
Moving Object and Shadow Detection Algorithm Using Lab Color Space

Taking advantage of independence of chromaticity and brightness in Lab space, this paper transplants the idea separating the brightness distortion from the chromaticity distortion mentioned in the Color Algorithm into Lab space, redefine the brightness distortion and chromaticity distortion. Based on the new computational color model, the paper simplifies and improves the formulas relevant. Besides, aiming at the problem of outdoor illumination change, this paper also updates the brightness of outdoor background combined with frame difference in time. The experiment proved that the improved algorithm shows good effect of detecting moving target and shadow. Compared with the original algorithm, the improved algorithm can better adapt to detection of vehicles and shadow outdoor.
Ion content and its correlation with some physiological parameters in olive cultivars in response to salinity

ABSTRACT- Olive (Olea europaea L.) is one of the most valuable and widespread fruit trees in Iran. Salt stress-induced changes in membrane stability, photosynthesis and antioxidant enzyme activity were examined on four olive cultivars (Dakal, Shiraz, Zard and Amigdalifolia) by emphasizing the correlation between measured parameters and ion (K+, Na+) accumulation. Plants were subjected to four salt treatments (0, 100, 150 or 200 mM NaCl) under greenhouse conditions. The exposure of the olive plants to increased salinity resulted in a decline in relative leaf chlorophyll content (RLCC), photosynthesis rate (Pn), transpiration rate (E) and leaf and root K+ content. NaCl increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POX) activity of olive leaves. Increasing the concentrations of NaCl in soil increased the concentration of Na+ in the leaves and roots. Differences in the effectiveness of Na+ exclusion mechanism among cultivars at high salinity reflected differences in salt tolerance. ‘Zard’, the better-adapted cultivar, displayed tolerance to high internal salt concentrations without apparent cell damage. Relationships between parameters involved in salinity response are discussed in relation to ion accumulation in leaves and roots of olive cultivars.
Insomnia and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in Elderly People: A Systematic Review

Background: Insomnia seems to be related to disability, risk of injury, metabolic syndrome, risk for cardiovascular diseases, cognitive impairment, depression and impaired quality of life. Objectives: The goals in this paper was (1) to keep track of technological concepts and approaches to improve insomnia in elderly people, and (2) to define the effect that information and communication technologies (ICT) is having on patients’ care. Design: A systematic review was conducted from existing literature. Our selection criteria included: (1) age ≥ 60 years; (2) diagnosis of insomnia with the International Classification of Sleep Disorders (ICSD-II), (3) CBTi (cognitive behavioural therapy insomnia), (4) use of technological tools, and (5) associations between insomnia-related variables and indices of disability, quality of life, and global clinical assessments. Data analysis: 11 articles were included. An inductive content analysis was used for data extraction. Results: Our review revealed any technological systems that could purportedly rehabilitate elderly patients with insomnia. Three categories of research were identified from the review: (1) Internet Deliver-CBTi, (2) virtual coaches, and (3) sleep technologies. Conclusions: The potential for ICT to support insomnia care at home can improve the quality of life for families and reduce health care costs and premature institutional care.
Effect of zinc on the immune response and production performance of broilers: a meta-analysis

Objective This study performed a meta-analysis of published trials to determine the effects of zinc on the immune response and production performance of broilers. Methods A database was built from published literature regarding the addition of zinc forms or doses and their relation to the immune response and production performance of broilers. Different doses or forms of zinc were identified in the database. The recorded parameters were related to the immune response and production performance. The database contained a total of 323 data points from 41 studies that met the criteria. Then, the data were processed for a meta-analysis using a mixed model methodology. The doses or different forms of zinc were considered fixed effects, different studies were treated as random effects, and p-values were used as the model statistics. Results An increase in zinc dose increased (p<0.05) pancreas metallothionein (MT) and zinc concentrations in the plasma, tibia and meat, all in quadratic patterns, but linearly decreased (p<0.05) the heterophil/lymphocyte (H/L) ratio. Regarding the different zinc forms, both inorganic and organic zinc increased (p<0.05) the zinc concentrations in the plasma and tibia, the calcium and phosphorus contents in the tibia, and the antioxidant activity of superoxide dismutase in meat as compared to control. An increase in zinc dose increased average daily gain (ADG) and decreased feed conversion ratio (FCR) following a quadratic pattern (p<0.05). Inorganic and organic zinc decreased (p<0.05) FCR and H/L ratio than that of control, but these two forms were similar for these parameters. Conclusion Zinc addition has a positive impact on immunity and broiler production. Zinc can suppress stress and inhibit the occurrence of lipid peroxidation in broilers, and it can also improve ADG, FCR, and the quality of broiler carcasses.
Simulating Urban Area Development for Semantic Game Worlds

Due to the growing need for content in games, more money is spent on creating game content. Many games are situated in urban areas, complex collections of buildings and roads. To create these by hand is costly, and therefore procedural techniques have been proposed in the past decades to automate the creation process to reduce the amount of work needed to create these complex scenes. The creation process and the resulting urban areas of these methods, however, lack meaning and cannot be applied directly in a semantic game world due to the lack of semantic information in the model. In this thesis I present a simulator called UrbSim that simulates the development of an urban area over time for a specific semantic game world. The semantic information of the semantic game world is used to shape the generation process of the urban area and it also influences the shape of the created model. By doing this, UrbSim adds more meaning to both the creation process and the urban area itself than previously proposed solutions to procedurally generating virtual urban areas. It is able to produce urban areas that contain both a history and semantic background, each created element has semantic data linked to it, allowing it to be used in the semantic game world it was created for.
Effects of nutrition on residual renal functions during peritoneal dialysis

Gönderilme tarihi: 30.06. 2016 Kabul tarihi: 30.11. 2016 Abstract Purpose:The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the effect of nutritional management on residual renal function; and the efficacy of dialysis by providing adequate calorie supplements to Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) patients. Materials and methods: Twelve CAPD patients followed in the Diyarbakir Children’s Hospital between September 2014 and March 2015 were enrolled in the study. Nine subjects using the same type of CAPD fluid were provided with oral calorie supplements Recommended Dietary Allowance with the same type of enteral nutrition products due to inadequate calorie and protein intake. Anthropometric measurements were evaluated at baseline, month 3, and month 6 by calculating nutritional parameters, biochemical parameters residual renal functions, and calculations of urea clearance (Kt/V) before the nutrition support. Results: Statistically significant difference was detected in weight (p=0.01), Kt/V (p=0.03), and residual renal function (p=0.01) starting from the 6th month after providing nutrition support to the patients. Also CaxP value improved during month 3 (p=0.01). Conclusion: We believe that providing adequate calorie supplements to peritoneal dialysis patients can reduce supportive care needs, allow better preservation of residual renal function, and improve the efficacy of dialysis.
Students Attitudes Regarding The Ethics Of Earnings Management Activities: An Empirical Investigation

The objective of this paper is to assess the ethics of short-term earnings managementin a code-law country. In order to understand the morals of short-term earnings management weconducted a survey using students as respondents. Even if we found disagreement among ourrespondents, the findings of this study document that ethical acceptance of short-term earningsmanagement depends on the type of manipulation (e.g. accrual-based earnings management versusreal earnings management). Also, the results indicate that students with higher moral developmentevaluate short-term earnings management practices as less ethical and are less likely to accept it.The paper concludes with a discussion of the implications and suggestions for future research.
Assessment of Treatment Efficiency of Lysimeter Leachate using Leachate Pollution Index

This study illustrates the leachate treatment efficiency based on leachate pollution index (LPI) of pretreatment leachate as well as post-treatment leachate with chemical coagulants. Leachate samples were collected at regular intervals of time from the leachate collection chamber of the landfill lysimeter at KUET campus, Bangladesh to compute its pollution potential. The landfill lysimeter consists of one open dump lysimeter-A with leachate detection (A1) and collection system (A2) as well as two sanitary landfill lysimeters B and C having two different types of cap liner. The relevant parameters of leachate sample were measured in the laboratory to evaluate sub-pollution (sub-LPIs) in terms of LPI in organic pollutant (LPIor), inorganic pollutant (LPIin) and heavy metal (LPIhm) as well as the overall LPI. Moreover, the values of LPI in pre-treatment leachate were to be found 19.53, 25.33, 23.48 and 23.74 for the A1 and A2 systems of open lysimeter-A, as well as the collection systems of sanitary lysimetersB and C, respectively. It reveals significantly the higher values than that of LPI of 5.77, 7.38 and 7.38 for the maximum leachate discharge standards of Bangladesh, India and Hong Kong, respectively. The leachate was then treated with ferric chloride (FeCl3), poly alluminum chloride (PAC), ferrus sulphate (FeSO4) and aluminum sulphate (Al2(SO4)3) in various dosages and pH values. The concentrations in post-treatment leachate by using FeCl3 at optimum dosage were to be found below the limit of maximum leachate discharge standards. Study also reveals the values of LPI of 5.32, 5.69, 5.32 and 5.24 in post-treatment leachate for the A1 and A2 systems of open lysimeter-A, as well as the collection systems of sanitary lysimeters-B and C, respectively below the values of LPI in leachate of maximum discharge standards. Finally, it can be concluded that differences in the level of contaminants of pretreatment and post-treatment leachate indicated the role of leachate treatment system in minimizing the level of contaminants and lowering the risk of leachate contamination based on LPI. doi: 10.5829/idosi.ijee. 2016.07. 01.11
A reconfigurable broadband dual-mode dual-polarized antenna for sectorial/omnidirectional mobile base stations

© 2018, Electromagnetics Academy. All rights reserved. This paper proposes a new design of reconfigurable three-sector dual-mode dual-polarized antenna for use primarily in mobile communication base stations. The design offers the flexibility to be used as a sectorial (directive) or omnidirectional base station antenna whenever required. The two different radiating modes (omnidirectional and sectorial) depend only on the excitation scenario. The proposed antenna has the advantages of offering broadband, stable radiation pattern and high polarization purity within the desired frequency band, and a simple feeding structure with a very compact size (less than 800 cm3) and low profile. The achieved fractional bandwidth is 55.3% (1.7 - 3GHz). A prototype antenna was constructed and tested with the two modes of operation. Results demonstrate the principle of the design and show how the design may be packaged in a compact size to offer excellent omnidirectional or sectorial performance which makes this new design an ideal candidate for reconfigurable dual-mode mobile base stations.