Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Recovery of Rare Earth Elements from the Leaching Solutions of Spent NdFeB Permanent Magnets by Selective Precipitation of Rare Earth Oxalates

After mechanical pre-treatment, the typical hydrometallurgical route of NdFeB magnet recycling starts with leaching in acidic solutions. However, due to the high concentration of iron ions in the leaching solution, the selective recovery of rare earths from the solution is challenging. In our work, the selective precipitation of rare earth oxalates as a potential separation method was proposed. The precipitation of neodymium oxalate was first tested on model solutions, which was then followed by experimental tests carried out on real solutions after the leaching of NdFeB magnets. The recovery of rare earths in the form of oxalates was investigated with the use of different amounts of oxalic acid in relation to its stoichiometric amount. The most efficient separation of rare earths was observed in the case where sulfuric acid was used for leaching. The use of oxalic acid in stoichiometric amounts resulted in the precipitation of about 93% of all rare earths present in the solution, whereas the concentration of Fe and other elements (Ni, Co, and B) practically did not change. An increase in oxalic acid of 20% and 40% more than the stoichiometric amount (100%) led to the increase in the precipitation efficiency of rare earths to 96.7% and 98.1%, respectively. However, the use of oxalic acid in a 1.4 ratio caused a 7% decrease in Fe concentration, which suggests Fe co-precipitation. In order to investigate a possibility of further increasing the separation of rare earths from iron, an additional method was tested, in which iron was first oxidized from Fe2+ to Fe3+ before the precipitation of rare earth oxalates.
A New Type of Misaligned Journal Bearing with Flexible Structure

A flexible structure is applied to improve the lubrication performance of a misaligned journal bearing. The journal bearing is a representative sliding bearing, and there is damage due to metal-to-metal contact as a result of misalignment. Since misalignment is an unavoidable phenomenon, a journal bearing with a flexible structure was proposed as a way to improve it. The lubrication characteristics of the bearing were evaluated numerically under a steady-state condition. EHL (elastohydrodynamic lubrication) analysis considering elastic deformation was performed. The lubrication performance was compared in accordance with variation of the geometry of the flexible structure and evaluated based on the minimum film thickness. Moreover, the results of the journal bearing with a flexible structure were compared with those of the journal bearing without the flexible structure. The flexible structure was then applied in the form of a groove to the area supporting high load on the journal bearing; it was elastically deformed by the generated oil film pressure, which helps obscure a larger oil film. Through numerical analysis, it was found that the journal bearing with a flexible structure can improve the lubrication performance in the misaligned condition.
Input Flux and the Risk of Heavy Metal(Loid) of Agricultural Soil in China: Based on Spatiotemporal Heterogeneity from 2000 to 2021

Identifying the current status of the heavy metal(loid) input of agricultural soils is vital for the soil ecological environment of agricultural-producing areas. Most previous studies have typically carried been out in small regions with limited sampling sites, which is insufficient to reveal the overall status of China. This study reviewed publications from over the past 20 years and calculated the input fluxes of heavy metal(loid)s in agricultural soil via atmospheric deposition, fertilizer, manure, and irrigation in different regions of China based on spatiotemporal heterogeneity using a meta-analysis, providing more accurate and reliable results. It was found that the heavy metal(loid) input flux of atmospheric deposition in China is large, while that of fertilizer and manure is relatively low compared to Europe. The major sources of As, Cd, Cr, Ni, and Pb entering the soil was atmospheric deposition, which accounted for 12% to 92% of the total input. Manure was responsible for 19% to 75% of the Cu and Zn input. Cd is the element presenting the most significant risk to the environment of agricultural soils in China and its safety limit will be reached within 100 years for most regions. The region we need to be concerned about is Huang-Huai-Hai due to its comprehensive pollution.
Acquiescence of UNESCO Cultural Heritage and Acoustic Environments: Assessment of Hanlar District

Several natural and historical areas around the world are listed as UNESCO Cultural Heritage Sites. Hanlar District, located in Bursa, is the fourth biggest city in Turkey, its history includes the Ottoman, Roman, and Byzantine Empires, and it is an area with unique environmental features that represent various historical periods. Scholars at institutions worldwide have already recognized that such an environment has unique characteristics, and so local authorities should preserve the soundscape of the district as the sounds reflect the urban identity of the city. This study aims to evaluate the sounds of this unique district and recommends ways to preserve the historical and cultural heritage of the site in terms of its sounds. After collecting more than seven hundred pieces of data on sound pressure levels (SPLs) at twenty-one locations, the SPLs were statistically analyzed (an ANOVA was used for different time intervals, and a t-test was used for different days). Noon and weekend measurements varied among the sites, and these variations were statistically significant. Furthermore, the SPLs were above the WHO’s suggested levels. The study findings show the importance of reducing sounds to create better acoustic environments. The local government should include all stakeholders, including residents, employees, and urban designers, in participatory approaches and action plans to preserve the sounds of cultural heritage sites.
Neurological Disorders following COVID-19 Vaccination

Nowadays, people all over the world have been receiving different types of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines. While their effectiveness has been well recognized, various post-vaccination disorders are not fully understood. In this review, we discuss neurological disorders related to vascular, immune, infectious, and functional factors following COVID-19 vaccination, and attempt to provide neuroscientists, psychiatrists, and vaccination staff with a reference for the diagnosis and treatment of these diseases. These disorders may present as a recurrence of previous neurological disorders or new-onset diseases. Their incidence rate, host and vaccine characteristics, clinical manifestations, treatment, and prognosis differ significantly. The pathogenesis of many of them remains unclear, and further studies are needed to provide more evidence. The incidence rate of severe neurological disorders is relatively low, most of which are reversible or treatable. Therefore, the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risk of COVID-19 infection, especially among fragile populations.
The Learning Curve of People with Complete Spinal Cord Injury Using a NESs-FESs Interface in the Sitting Position: Pilot Study

The use of assistive technologies, such as a non-invasive interface for neuroelectrical signal and functional electrical stimulation (NESs-FESs), can mitigate the effects of spinal cord injury (SCI), including impairment of motor, sensory, and autonomic functions. However, it requires an adaptation process to enhance the user’s performance by tuning the learning curve to a point of extreme relevance. Therefore, in this pilot study, the learning curves of two people with complete SCI (PA: paraplegic-T6, and PB: quadriplegic-C4) were analyzed, with results obtained on the accuracy of the classifier (AcCSP−LDA), repetitions of intra-day training, and number of hits and misses in the activation of FESs for sixteen interventions using the NESs-FESs interface. We assumed that the data were non-parametric and performed the Spearman’s ρ test (and p-value) for correlations between the data. There was variation between the learning curves resulting from the training of the NESs-FESs interface for the two participants, and the variation was influenced by factors both related and unrelated to the individual users. Regardless of these factors, PA improved significantly in its learning curve, as it presented lower values in all variables in the first interventions compared to the PB, although only PA showed statistical correlation (on AcCSP−LDA values in RLL). It was concluded that despite the variations according to factors intrinsic to the user and the functioning of the equipment used, sixteen interventions were sufficient to achieve a good learning effect to control the NESs-FESs interface.
Using Micro-Electrode-Array Recordings and Retinal Disease Models to Elucidate Visual Functions: Simultaneous Recording of Local Electroretinograms and Ganglion Cell Action Potentials Reveals the Origin of Retinal Oscillatory Potentials

Background: The electroretinogram (ERG) is an essential diagnostic tool for visual function, both in clinical and research settings. Here, we establish an advanced in vitro approach to assess cell-type-specific ERG signal components. Methods: Retinal explant cultures, maintained under entirely controlled conditions, were derived from wild-type mice and rd10 rod- and cpfl1 cone-degeneration mouse models. Local micro-ERG (µERG) and simultaneous ganglion cell (GC) recordings were obtained from the retinal explants using multi-electrode arrays. Band-pass filtering was employed to distinguish photoreceptor, bipolar cell, amacrine cell (AC), and GC responses. Results: Scotopic and photopic stimulation discriminated between rod and cone responses in wild-type and mutant retina. The 25 kHz sampling rate allowed the visualization of oscillatory potentials (OPs) in extraordinary detail, revealing temporal correlations between OPs and GC responses. Pharmacological isolation of different retinal circuits found that OPs are generated by inner retinal AC electrical synapses. Importantly, this AC activity helped synchronise GC activity. Conclusion: Our µERG protocol simultaneously records the light-dependent activities of the first-, second-, and third-order neurons within the native neuronal circuitry, providing unprecedented insights into retinal physiology and pathophysiology. This method now also enables complete in vitro retinal function testing of therapeutic interventions, providing critical guidance for later in vivo investigations.
Dietary Patterns, Gut Microbiota Remodeling, and Cardiometabolic Disease

The cardiovascular and metabolic disorders, collectively known as cardiometabolic disease (CMD), are high morbidity and mortality pathologies associated with lower quality of life and increasing health-care costs. The influence of the gut microbiota (GM) in dictating the interpersonal variability in CMD susceptibility, progression and treatment response is beginning to be deciphered, as is the mutualistic relation established between the GM and diet. In particular, dietary factors emerge as pivotal determinants shaping the architecture and function of resident microorganisms in the human gut. In turn, intestinal microbes influence the absorption, metabolism, and storage of ingested nutrients, with potentially profound effects on host physiology. Herein, we present an updated overview on major effects of dietary components on the GM, highlighting the beneficial and detrimental consequences of diet–microbiota crosstalk in the setting of CMD. We also discuss the promises and challenges of integrating microbiome data in dietary planning aimed at restraining CMD onset and progression with a more personalized nutritional approach.
Comparative Analysis of Paddy Harvesting Systems toward Low-Carbon Mechanization in the Future: A Case Study in Sri Lanka

In this study, three paddy harvesting systems, manual harvesting of paddy (MHP), reaper harvesting of paddy (RHP), and combine harvesting of paddy (CHP), were evaluated considering field capacities, field efficiencies, time and fuel consumption, mechanization indices, greenhouse gas emissions, straw availability, and direct and indirect costs. Field experiments were conducted in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka. The effective field capacity, field efficiency and fuel consumption of the combine harvester were 0.34 hah−1, 60.8%, and 34.1 Lha−1, respectively, and those of the paddy reaper were 0.185 hah−1, 58.2%, and 3.8 Lha−1, respectively. The total time consumed by MHP, RHP, and CHP were 76.05 hha−1, 39.76 hha−1, and 2.94 hha−1, respectively. The highest energy utilization was recorded by the CHP, at 1851.09 MJha−1, while MHP recorded the lowest at 643.20 MJha−1. The direct cost of the MHP was 1.50 and 1.52 times higher than those of the CHP and RHP, respectively. MHP recorded the lowest greenhouse gas emissions (32.94 kgCO2eqha−1), while CHP recorded the highest (176.29 kgCO2eqha−1). The RHP exhibited an intermediate level in all aspects. Although the CHP has higher field performance and direct costs, it has higher GHG emissions and indirect costs. Therefore, an optimum level of mechanization should be introduced for the long-term sustainability of both the environment and farming.
Dusky-like Is Critical for Morphogenesis of the Cellular Protuberances and Formation of the Cuticle in Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata

Simple Summary In Drosophila melanogaster and Tribolium castaneum, dusky-like (Dyl) is related to linking the insect cuticle to the plasma membrane of epidermal cells, regulating the cytoskeleton and deposition of the cuticle. A deficiency in Dyl impairs the formation of embryonic denticles and adult sensory bristles and wing hairs. In a polyphagous beetle, Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata, we characterized Hvdyl using RNAi. The results showed that the knockdown of Hvdyl inhibited the growth of cellular protuberances, inhibited foliage consumption, and affected the survival of the beetles. Our findings indicated that two functions of Dyl in Drosophila are conserved in H. vigintioctopunctata. Abstract Dusky-like (Dyl) is a transmembrane protein containing a zona pellucida domain. Its physiological roles during metamorphosis have been well explored in Drosophila melanogaster and have also been documented in Tribolium castaneum. However, Dyl has undergone a functional shift between Diptera and Coleoptera insects. Further investigation of Dyl in other insects will be helpful to further clarify its function in insect growth and development. Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata is an important Coleoptera that causes enormous economic losses in agriculture in China. In this study, we found that the expression of Hvdyl was detectable in embryos, larvae, prepupae, pupae, and adults. We knocked down Hvdyl in third- and fourth-instar larvae and pupae with RNA interference (RNAi). RNAi of Hvdyl mainly caused two phenotypic defects. Firstly, the growth of epidermal cellular protuberances was suppressed. Injection of dsdyl (double-stranded dusky-like RNA) at the third-instar larval stage truncated the scoli throughout the thorax and abdomen and shortened the setae on the head capsules and mouthparts of the fourth-instar larvae. Introduction of dsdyl at the third- and fourth-instar stages led to misshapen pupal setae. The setae were shortened or became black nodules. Treatment with dsdyl at the larval and pupal stages resulted in deformed adults with completely suppressed wing hairs. Moreover, the knockdown of Hvdyl at the third-instar stage caused deformed larval mouthparts at the fourth-instar period. As a result, foliage consumption was inhibited, and larval growth was slowed. The results indicate that Dyl is associated with the growth of cellular protuberances throughout development and with the formation of the cuticle in H. vigintioctopunctata.
Numerical Study on Deposition Behavior of Micron-Sized Suspended Solids in Broken Rock Mass within a Goaf Based on Coupled CFD-DEM Method

After coal mine wastewater is artificially injected into a groundwater reservoir transformed from a goaf, micron-sized suspended matter in the wastewater is purified by the broken rock mass in the goaf. Existing studies can only analyze the macroscopic changes in the content of suspended solids during the purification process, and it is difficult to explain the microscopic deposition mechanism of the suspended solids in broken rock. This paper studied the microscopic deposition behavior of micron-sized suspended solids inside the broken rock mass via numerical simulation using a coupled CFD-DEM method. In addition, indoor model tests were carried out to verify the accuracy and reliability of the model in comparison. The study results show that suspended solids’ deposition behavior varies significantly under broken rock masses’ different pore sizes (0.47 mm, 1.14 mm, 3.00 mm, and 5.33 mm). Within the goaf, the adsorption of suspended solids by the broken rock mass plays a dominant role. At the same time, suspended particles are mostly collected in the inlet area, and the difference in the number of deposited particles can reach 74% when comparing the first 50 mm range as well as the 50–100 mm range. The number of deposited particles at a flow rate of 0.02 m/s is 14% more than that at a flow rate of 0.06 m/s. This work offers new ideas for studying the purification mechanism of coal mine wastewater within a goaf.
Comparison between the Nature and Activity of Silver Nanoparticles Produced by Active and Inactive Fungal Biomass Forms on Cervical Cancer Cells

Silver nanoparticles (SNPs) can be produced by active and inactive forms of biomass, but their properties have not been compared. Recent research is attempting to reveal their differences in shape, size, amount, antibacterial activity, cytotoxicity, and apoptosis induction. The biomass of Fusarium oxysporum was divided into four groups and pretreated in the following devices: room temperature (RT) and refrigerator (for preparation of active biomass forms), autoclave, and hot air oven (for preparation of inactive biomass forms). Samples were floated in ddH2O, and SNPs were produced after the addition of 0.1699 g/L AgNO3 in the ddH2O solution. SNP production was confirmed by visible spectrophotometry, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). SNPs were washed, and their concentration was determined by measuring atomic emission spectroscopy with inductively coupled plasma (ICP-OES). For antibacterial activity, the plate-well diffusion method was used. MTT and Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide assays were used for cytotoxicity and apoptosis induction, respectively. The maximum absorbance peaks for SNPs pretreated in RT, refrigerator, autoclave, and hot air oven were 404, 402, 412, and 412 nm, respectively. The SNPs produced were almost the same shape and size, and the XRD results confirmed the presence of SNPs in all samples. Due to the differences in the type of bacterial strains used, the SNPs produced showed some differences in their antibacterial activity. The MTT assay showed that the amounts of SNPs in their IC50 dose based on the results of ICP-OES were 0.40, 0.45, 0.66, and 0.44 ppm for the samples pretreated in the hot air oven, autoclave, and refrigerator, and RT, respectively. The apoptosis induction results showed that the biologically engineered SNPs induced more apoptosis (about 34.25%) and less necrosis (about 13.25%). In conclusion, the type and activity of SNPs produced by the active and inactive forms of fungal biomass did not change. Therefore, use of the inactive form of biomass in the future to avoid environmental contamination is reccommended.
High-Intensity Interval Training for People Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks the immune system, leaving individuals vulnerable to infections and diseases. More than 1 million Americans are living with HIV, and one of eight people with HIV do not know they have it (1). Human immunodeficiency virus continues to spread, and in 2020 alone, 30,635 people in the United States and surrounding territories received an HIV diagnosis (1). In the past, a diagnosis of HIV was inextricably associated with premature mortality, but with the advent of antiretroviral therapy (ART), the life expectancy of people living with HIV (PLWH) has greatly improved. In fact, PLWH who take ART as prescribed and have a consistently undetectable viral load can expect to have a life expectancy similar to that of individuals without HIV (2). Progression from HIV to AIDS from a weakened immune system is becoming rarer due to the highly successful developments in ART treatment options over the past decade. As a result, more PLWH remain undetectable in terms of viral load and therefore also lessen any damage to the immune system (3). The PLWH who are on ART however, have an increased risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and certain types of cancer. The increased risk of chronic diseases is likely due to the ongoing inflammation and immune activation that occurs in the body because of HIV infection, even when the virus is well-controlled with ART. It is important for PLWH, and their health care teams, to mitigate their increased risks of chronic diseases and encourage and support PLWH to adopt and maintain a healthy lifestyle, such as eating a healthy diet and engaging in regular physical activity.
WeChat-based remote follow-up management reduces the burden of home care and anxiety on parents of children with refractory epilepsy: A randomized controlled study

Objective: The present research was designed to study the effect of WeChat-based remote follow-up management on the burden of home care and anxiety on parents of children with refractory epilepsy. Methods: 161 refractory epileptic children were included in this study. They were divided into control group and WeChat group according to their management protocols after discharge, namely, control group with traditional follow-up (n = 81) and WeChat group with remote follow-up based on WeChat (n = 81). We evaluated home care burden by family caregiver task Inventory (FCTI) scale and zarit burden interview (ZBI) scale, and evaluated negative emotion by self-rating anxiety Scale (SAS) scale and self-Rating depression scale (SDS) scale. Results: There was no significant difference in the demographic characteristics of epileptic children and their parents and the scores of FCTI, ZBI, SAS and SDS before treatment between the 2 groups (all P > .05), and the score of FCTI (20.86 ± 4.26), ZBI (39.63 ± 4.46), SAS (44.49 ± 4.15) and SDS (50.02 ± 4.13) in WeChat group were all significantly lower than the score of FCTI (25.25 ± 3.71), ZBI (45.47 ± 4.61), SAS (52.75 ± 4.93) and SDS (54.51 ± 6.59) in control group (all P < .05). Conclusion: WeChat-based remote follow-up management reduces the burden of home care and anxiety on parents of children with refractory epilepsy.