Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic Constraints on the Ecobiochemical Status of Cultivated Soils along Transportation Routes

There is a lack of studies on the impact of COVID-19-related population mobility and freight transport restrictions on the soil environment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of automotive pollution on selected parameters describing the quality and healthiness of crop soils based on results obtained before the pandemic (2017–2019) in relation to data from the pandemic period (2020–2021). The study included soils from six cultivated fields located in eastern Poland along national roads (DK No. 74 and 82) and provincial roads (DW No. 761 and 835). Soil samples were taken from distances of 5, 20, 50, and 100 m from the edge of the roadway. The following soil characteristics were determined: pHKCl, content of total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), and activity of the three enzymes dehydrogenases (ADh), neutral phosphatase (APh), and urease (AU). The degree of traffic-generated soil pollution was assessed by determining the samples’ total cadmium and lead levels (Cd and Pb) and total content of 14 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (Σ14PAHs). The monitoring of cultivated soils showed that the parameters of cultivated soils varied primarily according to the distance from the edge of the roadway. There was an increase in soil acidity and TOC and TN content and a decrease in Cd, Pb, and Σ14PAHs as one moved away from the edge of the roadway. The highest ADh and APh values were found in soils located 100 m from the edge of the road. AU at 5 m and 20 m from the edge of the pavement was significantly higher than at 100 m away. The reduction in vehicular traffic associated with the pandemic did not affect the changes in the reaction of the studied soils and their TOC, TN, and Pb contents. The lowest content of Σ14PAHs was found in 2020. In the case of the amount of Cd in soils, a downward effect was also observed in 2020. However, no significant differences were noted, except for the soils in Skorzeszyce and Łuszczów Kolonia. The reduced influx of xenobiotics into the soil environment stimulated ADh and APh. In the following year (2021), the amounts of tested xenobiotics and enzyme activities in the soils were at a similar level to those in 2019. The results indicate a positive but short-term effect of the pandemic on reducing the contamination of soils located along transportation routes.
Evaluation of Novel Rapid Analytical Methods to Categorize Extra Virgin Olive Oil Based on the Coulometrically Determined Antioxidant Capacity and on the Spectrophotometric Assessment of Phenolic Compounds

The lack of a practical “fit for the purpose” analytical protocol is the main limitation that has hampered the exploitation of the EFSA analytical health claim on the extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) biophenols, more than ten years since its introduction. In this work, two analytical methods recently developed in our laboratories for categorizing EVOO have been evaluated on a set of 16 samples from Cilento (Campania Region, southern Italy) and compared to other commonly used quality indexes. The Coulometrically Determined Antioxidant Capacity (CDAC) is associated with the component responsible for the health-promoting properties and oxidative stability of EVOO. The Fast Blue BB (FBBB) assay consists of the spectrophotometric (420 nm) determination of biophenols-FBBB diazonium coupling products generated in unfractionated EVOO. The FBBB assay and HPLC-UV reference method provide values highly correlated to each other. Fourteen of sixteen EVOO samples with CDAC > 10 mmol kg−1 and FBBB absorbance > 0.5 had HPLC-determined biophenols > 250 mg kg−1, and therefore eligible for the EFSA health claim. Consistently, two EVOO samples with HPLC-determined biophenols < 250 mg kg−1 had CDAC values and FBBB absorbance below the respective thresholds. CDAC and FBBB assays are proposed individually or in combination as methods to categorize EVOO samples in alternative to HPLC-UV.
Aspect-ratio effects on rotating wings: circulation and forces

Abstract We employ experiments to study aspect ratio ( $\def\AR{A\mkern-8muR}\AR$ ) effects on the vortex structure, circulation and lift force for flat-plate wings rotating from rest at 45° angle of attack, which represents a simplified hovering-wing half-stroke. We use the time-varying, volumetric $\AR =2$ data of Carr et al. (Exp. Fluids, vol. 54, 2013, pp. 1–26), reconstructed from phase-locked, phase-averaged stereoscopic digital particle image velocimetry (S-DPIV), and an $\AR =4$ volumetric data set matching the span-based Reynolds number ( $\mathit{Re}$ ) of $\AR =2$ . For $\AR =1{-}4$ and $\mathit{Re}_{\mathit{span}}$ of $O$ ( $10^{3}$ – $10^{4}$ ), we directly measure the lift force. The total leading-edge-region circulation for $\AR =2$ and 4 compares best overall using a span-based normalization and for matching rotation angles. The total circulation increases across the span to the tip region, and is larger for $\AR =2$ . After the startup, the total circulation for each $\AR$ has a similar slope and a slow growth. The first leading-edge vortex (LEV) and the tip vortex (TV) for $\AR =4$ move past the trailing edge, followed by substantial breakdown. For $\AR =2$ the outboard, aft-tilted LEV merges with the TV and resides over the tip, although breakdown also occurs. Where the LEV is ‘stable’ inboard, its circulation saturates for $\AR =2$ and the growth slows for $\AR =4$ . Aft LEV tilting reduces the spanwise LEV circulation for each $\AR$ . Both positive and negative axial flow are found in the first LEV for $\AR =2$ and 4, with the positive component being somewhat larger. This yields a generally positive (outboard) average vorticity flux. The average lift coefficient is essentially constant with $\AR$ from 1 to 4 during the slow growth phase, although the large-time behaviour shows a slight decrease in lift coefficient with increasing $\AR$ . The S-DPIV data are used to obtain the lift impulse and the spanwise and streamwise components contributing to the lift coefficient. The spanwise contribution is similar for $\AR =2$ and 4, due to similar trailing-edge vortex interactions, LEV saturation behaviour and total circulation slopes. However, for $\AR =2$ the streamwise contribution is much larger, because of the stronger, coherent TV and aft-tilted LEV, which will create a relatively lower-pressure region over the tip.
Doped Electrospinned Material-Guides High Efficiency Regional Bone Regeneration

The main target of bone tissue engineering is to design biomaterials that support bone regeneration and vascularization. Nanostructured membranes of (MMA)1-co-(HEMA)1/(MA)3-co-(HEA)2 loaded with 5% wt of SiO2-nanoparticles (Si-M) were doped with zinc (Zn-Si-M) or doxycycline (Dox-Si-M). Critical bone defects were effectuated on six New Zealand-bred rabbit skulls and then they were covered with the membranes. After six weeks, a histological analysis (toluidine blue technique) was employed to determine bone cell population as osteoblasts, osteoclasts, osteocytes, M1 and M2 macrophages and vasculature. Membranes covering the bone defect determined a higher count of bone cells and blood vessels than in the sham group at the top regions of the defect. Pro-inflammatory M1 appeared in a higher number in the top regions than in the bottom regions, when Si-M and Dox-Si-M were used. Samples treated with Dox-Si-M showed a higher amount of anti-inflammatory and pro-regenerative M2 macrophages. The M1/M2 ratio obtained its lowest value in the absence of membranes. On the top regions, osteoblasts were more abundant when using Si-M and Zn-Si-M. Osteoclasts were equally distributed at the central and lateral regions. The sham group and samples treated with Zn-Si-M attained a higher number of osteocytes at the top regions. A preferential osteoconductive, osteoinductive and angiogenic clinical environment was created in the vicinity of the membrane placed on critical bone defects.
Satellite Tracking of Head-Started Juvenile Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas) Reveals Release Effects and an Ontogenetic Shift

Simple Summary Tracking juvenile animals is often difficult due to their small body sizes. We put miniature satellite tags on 40 captive-raised (“head-started”) green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) and released them during two different times (January and July) off the Cayman Islands to determine whether there were differences in their movements. We used a statistical model and plots of turtle swimming directions versus ocean currents to find out what influenced their swimming direction and speed. We found that turtles released in January had very different movement patterns from those in July. The January turtles all moved in random directions from the islands around the Caribbean, whereas the July turtles all moved north of the islands. Additionally, we found that both the January and the July turtles swam harder and with more direction the closer they got to coastal areas. Turtles also appeared to mostly swim in the opposite direction to ocean currents to keep their desired path. These results show that captive-raised juvenile green turtles can likely move through deeper ocean waters after being released to coastal habitats where resources (such as food and shelter) are available. These results are important for future releases of captive-born turtles and for the conservation of wild Caymanian green turtles. Abstract Juveniles of marine species, such as sea turtles, are often understudied in movement ecology. To determine dispersal patterns and release effects, we released 40 satellite-tagged juvenile head-started green turtles (Chelonia mydas, 1–4 years) from two separate locations (January and July 2023) off the coast of the Cayman Islands. A statistical model and vector plots were used to determine drivers of turtle directional swimming persistence and the role of ocean current direction. More than half (N = 22) effectively dispersed in 6–22 days from the islands to surrounding areas. The January turtles radiated out (185–1138 km) in distinct directions in contrast to the northward dispersal of the July turtles (27–396 km). Statistical results and vector plots supported that daily swimming persistence increased towards the end of tracks and near coastal regions, with turtles largely swimming in opposition to ocean currents. These results demonstrate that captive-reared juvenile greens have the ability to successfully navigate towards key coastal developmental habitats. Differences in dispersal (January vs. July) further support the importance of release timing and location. Our results inform conservation of the recovering Caymanian green turtles and we advise on how our methods can be improved and modified for future sea turtle and juvenile movement ecology studies.
Computer-Aided Detection and Diagnosis of Breast Cancer in 2D and 3D Medical Imaging Through Multifractal Analysis

The early detection and accurate diagnosis of breast cancer is of utmost importance in providing effective and efficient treatment in order to increase survival rates. The multifractal theory was first introduced for signal analysis and has shown its utility in describing physiologic behaviors of bio-signals and even in detecting and predicting pathology. In this Thesis, three multifractal analysis methods have been extended to two-dimensional (2D) images and compared in the detection of microcalcifications in mammograms. One of these methods was adapted for classification of breast masses in 2D cross-sectional breast magnetic resonance (MR) images in suspicious malignant and probably benign groups. A novel multifractal analysis method using three-dimensional (3D) lacunarity is proposed for classification of breast masses in 3D volumetric MR images. The multifractal analysis revealed differences in the underlying complexity of the microcalcifications relatively to the normal tissue allowing a good accuracy of their detection in mammograms. Moreover, it provided meaningful features that allowed identifying the typically biopsy-recommended cases from 2D breast MR images. The 3D multifractal analysis method was also effective in the classification of malignant and benign lesions in 3D breast MR images. This method was more accurate in estimation of the likelihood of malignancy than the 2D method and the standard analysis of tumor enhancement kinetics. In conclusion, multifractal analysis provides useful information for computer-aided detection in mammography and for computer-aided diagnosis in 2D and 3D breast MR images and have the potential to complement the interpretation of the radiologists.
Identifying a “Miscarriage of Justice”: Factors Influencing a Successful Appeal Against a Guilty Plea Conviction in Australia

While the difficulties in appealing a guilty plea conviction are widely acknowledged, little research has investigated how appellate courts handle guilty plea convictions. This study addresses this gap by examining Australian appellate court judgments in which a guilty plea conviction was contested, comparing successful appeals where a guilty plea conviction was overturned (n = 193) against unsuccessful appeals where a guilty plea conviction remained (n = 375). Hierarchical multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that, independent of other case characteristics, legal representation on appeal and support from legal actors significantly predicted a successful appeal, while significant predictors of an unsuccessful appeal included male defendants, defendants who received a term of imprisonment, and those who argued they were pressured to plead guilty. The findings highlight the significant influence of legal and extra-legal factors on appellate decision-making beyond the grounds of appeal raised by the defendant, raising important policy implications for the post-conviction process.
The Processes Determining the Annual Cycle of Equatorial Sea Surface Temperature: A Coupled General Circulation Model Perspective

Abstract The origin of the annual cycle of equatorial sea surface temperature (SST) is diagnosed using a global coupled atmosphere–ocean general circulation model (CGCM) that realistically simulates this annual cycle. The simulated heat flux, wind stress, upper ocean thermal structure, and mixed-layer depth, which are critical to the correct simulation of the near-equatorial SST, are compared with observations for realism. Based on this analysis, it is concluded that the model results should be applicable to the actual coupled system in the Indian and Atlantic Oceans. In the Pacific, errors in the simulated zonal wind stress and heat flux imply that, even though the SST annual cycle is realistic, the processes that govern its evolution may be different than those found in nature. The processes controlling the annual cycle of SST in the CGCM are diagnosed with experiments in which the ocean component model is forced with the CGCM surface fluxes of heat, momentum, and freshwater. In the eastern Pacific, the.
The Relative Number of Seyfert 2 Galaxies. I. Spectra of Emission-Line Galaxies in the Wasilewski Field

Mesure des flux de raies d'emission et des redshifts des galaxies decouvertes au pole Nord galactique par Wasilewski et presentant un spectre de raie d'emission. L'identification et la classification de ces galaxies permet de confirmer la surabondance des galaxies Sy 2 par rapport a Sy 1 (8 a 9 fois plus). On en deduit que si une meme galaxie evolue selon les differentes etapes de Seyfert, elles passent le plus clair de leur temps a l'etat de galaxies de Seyfert de type 2
Effects of maternal calcium propionate supplementation on offspring productivity and meat metabolomic profile in sheep

This study determined the effect of dietary calcium propionate (CaPr) as a source of energy supplementation during the First Half of Gestation (FMG), the Second Half of Gestation (SMG), and during All Gestation (AG), on offspring post-weaning growth performance, meat quality, and meat metabolomic profile. Thirty-one pregnant ewes were assigned to one of four treatments: a) supplementation of 30 gd−1 of CaPr during the first half of gestation (day 1 to day 75, n = 8) (FMG); b) supplementation of 30 gd−1 of CaPr during the second half of gestation (day 76 to day 150, n = 8) (SMG); c) supplementation of 30 gd−1 of CaPr during all gestation (AG, n = 8); d) no CaPr supplementation (control; CS, n = 7). The ewes were ad libitum fed a basal diet based on oat hay and corn silage. Ewes were distributed in a completely randomized unbalanced design to four treatments. The FMG group had lower (P ≤ 0.05) birth weight and weaning weight than the CS group. However, the average daily gain was similar across all treatments. Empty body weight and FMG had lower values (P ≤ 0.05) than the other groups. Both FMG and AG had lower hot carcass weight (P ≤ 0.05) compared to CS, while CaPr treatments resulted in reduced hot carcass yield (P ≤ 0.05). Meat color and texture were similar among treatments. A principal component analysis between gestation stages showed a trend for separating CS and FMG from SMG and AG, and that was explained by 93.7% of the data variability (PC1 = 87.9% and PC2 = 5.8%). Regarding meat metabolomic profile, 23 compounds were positively correlated between all treatments. Only 2 were negatively correlated (eicosane and naphthalene 1,2,3); but tetradecanoic acid, hexadecane, undecane 5-methyl, (-)-alpha, hexadecenoic acid, octadecanoic acid, and octadecane had a highly significant correlation (P ≤ 0.05). Overall, dam supplementation with CaPr during different periods of gestation provoked changes in meat metabolites related to the biosynthesis of fatty acids in lambs without negative changes in lamb’s growth performance and carcass quality.
An Artificial Immune System Model Tightly Coupled to the Inverse Design of Photonic Crystals

We propose a model based on an Artificial Immune System (AIS) to be used in conjunction with any electromagnetic solver in order to solve inverse design problems of integrated photonics. The proposed AIS was inspired by the Opt-aiNET algorithm coupled to a homemade electromagnetic solver based on the frequency domain Finite Element Method (FEM), which was used for calculating the fitness function. To validate the proposed model, we evaluate the photonic bandgap (PBG) of photonic crystals by the inverse design approach by assuming triangular lattices comprised of Si and air, and compared the results with other metaheuristics. The proposed AIS model is tightly coupled to such type of problem when the photonic structure is discretized in the binary-valued domain. Interestingly, different from many bio-immune-inspired metaheuristics, this proposed model has one of its metaheuristics parameters highly related to the characteristics of the application, which allows the algorithm itself to get a better “learning” of the problem and, additionally, reveals the designer some features intrinsic to the application. We have obtained midgap ratios of the first PBGs in triangular lattices of 47.55% and 49.11% for transversal magnetic (TM) and transversal electric (TE) polarizations, respectively. Additionally, the proposed model was applied to achieve large PBGs assuming the TM polarization in PhCs based on silicon carbide, and a new structure presented a PBG equals to 33.94%.
Well-posedness results for the generalized Benjamin-Ono equation with arbitrary large initial data

We prove new local well-posedness results for the generalized Benjamin-Ono equation (GBO) ∂tu+ℋ∂x2u+uk∂xu=0, k ≥ 2. By combining a gauge transformation with dispersive estimates, we establish the local well-posedness of GBO in H s (ℝ) for s ≥ 1/2 if k ≥ 5, s > 1/2 if k=2,4, and s≥ 3/4 if k=3. Moreover, we prove that in all these cases, the flow map is locally Lipschitz on H s (ℝ).
Understanding Austrian middle school students’ connectedness with nature

Abstract Fostering pro-environmental behavior to achieve a sustainable society is one goal of Education for Sustainable Development worldwide. Connectedness with nature positively correlates with pro-environmental behavior and therefore needs to be studied in detail. In this mixed-method study, applying the “Inclusion of Nature in Self” (INS)-scale, we investigated 1) how closely preadolescents from urban middle schools (n = 651, 6th grade) are connected with nature, 2) whether the type of school (general or academic track) or 3) the time spent outdoors influences students’ connectedness with nature. We also explored 4) students’ reasons for their specific INS level and 5) how reasons and levels interconnect. Data show that students’ reported nature connectedness differs significantly with school type and that the reasons for feeling connected to nature are diverse. Positive attitudes and emotions toward nature plus time spent outdoors seem to predict high connectedness with nature, indicating the importance of direct nature experiences.
A uniqueness theorem for a class of non-classical parabolic equations

In this paper we deal with a general non-classical parabolic equation in which a certain functional of the solution with respect to one of its arguments is involved as the coefficients of the equation. This system of equations is representative of a large class of inverse problems with a equation of parabolic type and an unknown parameter p = p(t). We prove an important lemma which improves the known weak singularity estimate for the Green's function of a linear parabolic boundary value problem. The uniqueness is demonstrated by virtue of a perturbation argument applied in conjunction with the results of Lemma and a generalized Gronwall-Bellman's inequality.
Low-stress phase plates produced by serial bideposition of TiO2 thin films

Abstract. The stresses in thin films are one of the main problems in the development of small dimensions or thin optical components. In order to produce low-tension anisotropic coatings, the characterization of serial bideposition is essential. Structural and optical performance have been tested for anisotropic TiO2 thin films deposited by serial bideposition technique. Three-dimensional surface interferometric measurements were performed for samples deposited at various angles. Also experimental observations of anisotropic tensions in annealed two-dimensional sculptured thin films of TiO2 material are presented. The deposition angle of 80 deg is considered to be the most applicable for developing optical components due to the befitting optical performance and the lowest tensions before and after the annealing.
Swine Colibacillosis: Global Epidemiologic and Antimicrobial Scenario

Swine pathogenic infection caused by Escherichia coli, known as swine colibacillosis, represents an epidemiological challenge not only for animal husbandry but also for health authorities. To note, virulent E. coli strains might be transmitted, and also cause disease, in humans. In the last decades, diverse successful multidrug-resistant strains have been detected, mainly due to the growing selective pressure of antibiotic use, in which animal practices have played a relevant role. In fact, according to the different features and particular virulence factor combination, there are four different pathotypes of E. coli that can cause illness in swine: enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) that comprises edema disease E. coli (EDEC) and enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC), enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), and extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC). Nevertheless, the most relevant pathotype in a colibacillosis scenario is ETEC, responsible for neonatal and postweaning diarrhea (PWD), in which some ETEC strains present enhanced fitness and pathogenicity. To explore the distribution of pathogenic ETEC in swine farms and their diversity, resistance, and virulence profiles, this review summarizes the most relevant works on these subjects over the past 10 years and discusses the importance of these bacteria as zoonotic agents.