Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Controlling light on the nanoscale : ultrafast plasmonics and phase change functionality

The first experimental confirmation that femtosecond plasmon pulses can be generated, transmitted and modulated along a metal/dielectric waveguide is achieved. The ultrafast optical modulation of plasmons is accomplished by optical excitation of the aluminium plasmonic waveguide using 200 fs optical pulses at wavelengths near the aluminium’s interband absorption resonance (lambda ~ 800 nm). The demonstrated modulation rates are at least five orders of magnitude faster than provided by existing technologies. Modulation depths ~30% are achieved at pump fluences of ~10 mJ/cm2. The first quantitative analysis of femtosecond surface plasmon polariton pulse propagation effects in several metal/dielectric waveguides is presented. It is found that femtosecond plasmon pulses will reshape because of group velocity and loss dispersion. These dispersions have substantial impact on shape, intensity and retardation of plasmon pulses. For instance, propagation of 700 nm, 10 fs plasmon pulses on gold surface results in 155% pulse broadening on a plasmon decay length. The first experimental confirmation that stable silver/gallium lanthanum sulphide interfaces support plasmon propagation is presented. It is shown for the first time that plasmonic properties can be effected by structural changes in the chalcogenide layer, providing high contrast plasmonic modulations. Moreover it is shown experimentally that photo-induced changes by white light optical illumination with intensities of 630 mW/cm2 of chalcogenide glass results in plasmonic modulations of up to 3% in a silver/gallium lanthanum sulphide interface. The first experimental electro-optic switch of a chalcogenide hybridized metamaterial is achieved on the nanoscale. The transition between amorphous and crystalline forms of chalcogenide brings ~140 nm resonance shift of the hybrid structure. Transmission modulation with a contrast ratio of 4:1 in a device of 370 nm thickness is demonstrated at wavelength of 1200 nm. The spectral band of the high contrast modulation can be engineered by design and located within the entire transparency range of the chalcogenide glass.
Iron content in leafy plants cultivated in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Iron deficiency anemia is one of the main health issues that has an impact on cognitive function, physical ability, immune function, and reproductive performance. Therefore, this study focused on the determination of iron content in leafy plants cultivated in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the average daily intake of iron via consumption of these plants. The plant samples were prepared by wet digestion with nitric acid (HNO3), and iron content was determined using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The mean concentration of Fe ranged from 41.97 mg/kg for Brassica oleracea var. acephala to 338.73 mg/kg for Spinacia oleracea. Daily intakes for different leafy plants were also calculated. The leafy plants were arranged by daily iron intake in the following decreasing order Spinacia oleracea > Beta vulgaris > Atriplex hortensis > Urtica dioica > Brassica oleracea var. acephala. Results from this study indicate that leafy plants can be a significant source of iron. The findings conclusively suggest that our local leafy plants are good source of iron through diet.
Dynamique De L’occupation Du Sol Dans Les Zones Humides De La Commune D’allada Au Sud-Benin (Sites Ramsar 1017 Et 1018)

The wetlands are the integral element of the natural resource of Benin Republic. However, anthropic pressure on those “fragil” environments, contribute to the reducing of their surface and accordingly, to a loss their biodiversity. The target objective is to make cartography of land units from 1990 to 2014 in order to identify the various pressures upon the wet ecosystems. A 2014 Landsat 8 OLI-TIRS image and a 1990 map of Benin land cover were used to establish the cartography. We used the Maximum likelihood algorithm to execute the supervised classification of the landsat image in ERDAS. The mapping of the land’s units in the wetlands was then carried out in ArcGIS. The results revealed that the tree savana have completely disappeared. It represents 11.47 % of the landscape in 1990 against 0 % in 2014. The mosaics of fields and fallows under palm plantations have reduced to -30.42 % in 2014. They represent 66.63 % of the landscape. The land units which progressed are the mosaic of fields and fallow (12.06 %), the swamps (10.47 %), the plantations (5.26 %) and the agglomerations (2.71 %). This shows strong human pressure exerted on the natural vegetation of the wetlands in the Allada district. These results will provide the local authorities with a tool for decision support, for an efficient use and a sustainable management of these natural wet ecosystems.
Meteorological Factors Affecting Pan Evaporation in the Haihe River Basin, China

Pan evaporation (Epan) is an important indicator of regional evaporation intensity and degree of drought. However, although more evaporation is expected under rising temperatures, the reverse trend has been observed in many parts of the world, known as the “pan evaporation paradox”. In this paper, the Haihe River Basin (HRB) is divided into six sub-regions using the Canopy and k-means (The process for partitioning an N-dimensional population into k sets on the basis of a sample is called “k-means”) to cluster 44 meteorological stations in the area. The interannual and seasonal trends and the significance of eight meteorological indicators, including average temperature, maximum temperature, minimum temperature, precipitation, relative humidity, sunshine duration, wind speed, and Epan, were analyzed for 1961 to 2010 using the trend-free pre-whitening Mann-Kendall (TFPW-MK) test. Then, the correlation between meteorological elements and Epan was analyzed using the Spearman correlation coefficient. Results show that the average temperature, maximum temperature, and minimum temperature of the HRB increased, while precipitation, relative humidity, sunshine duration, wind speed and Epan exhibited a downward trend. The minimum temperature rose 2 and 1.5 times faster than the maximum temperature and average temperature, respectively. A significant reduction in sunshine duration was found to be the primary factor in the Epan decrease, while declining wind speed was the secondary factor.
Effect of plastic-viscous layering and strain softening on mode selection during lithospheric extension

[1] Factors controlling the selection of deformation modes during continental extension are investigated using analytical and numerical methods. We view the lithosphere as a laminate and examine a simple system with a uniform plastic layer overlying a uniform linear viscous layer. The rate of energy dissipation is analyzed for pure shear (PS), symmetric plug (SP), and asymmetric plug (AP) extension modes, and the analysis reveals that the primary control is the relative rate of dissipation in the two layers. A basic difference is that the plastic layer yield strength is independent of the strain rate, whereas the viscous stress depends on strain rate; therefore dissipation scales linearly and quadratically with extension velocity for these respective layers. When other parameters, e.g., extension velocity, and properties are held constant, minimum dissipation predicts that the modes AP, SP, and PS will be selected in this order with increasing viscosity of the lower layer. Transition viscosities between modes, ηT1 and ηT2 are 4 × 1021 Pa s and 8 × 1022 Pa s, respectively, for our parameters values. Numerical models confirm the analysis results, inferred mode controls, and order of mode selection when strain softening of the plastic layer occurs during extension. Implications for lithosphere that acts as a bonded plastic/viscous laminate include the following (1) asymmetric extension (AP mode) is preferred when the extension rate and/or effective viscosity is low or the viscous region temperature is high, (2) symmetric (SP mode) extension is preferred for intermediate combinations of parameters, and (3) overall pure shear (PS mode) may occur for opposite end-member parameter combinations.
Constraints from finite element modeling on the active tectonics of northern Central America and the Middle America Trench

We have developed an elastic finite element model in order to study the role of the different forces acting on the northwestern part of the Central American Volcanic Arc and the Chortis Block. We present synthetic focal mechanisms, maps of tectonic regime, and strain crosses to analyze the results. The models show that to achieve the observed state of stress on the volcanic arc, the arc must be modeled as a lithospheric weak zone. Also, the forces related to the eastward drift of the Caribbean plate must be higher than those related to the subduction of the Cocos plate. The coupling on the subduction interface must be low, with or without slip‐partitioning due to the obliquity of the subduction at the trench. At Guatemala the western edge of the Chortis block is pinned against North America, even with low trench‐normal forces, making the triple junction between the Cocos, North American, and Caribbean plates a zone of diffuse deformation. The extension in the western part of the Chortis block, from Guatemala to the Honduras depression, is explained by the geometry of the North American‐Caribbean plate boundary and the direction of motion of the Caribbean plate with respect to North America. The direction of extension in the Chortis block is always E‐W regardless of the magnitude of the applied forces, and the main part of the deformation is absorbed between the Ipala graben and the Honduras depression, both features being consistent with our models.
Is Rho the Key to Hazardous Weather Avoidance

Current in-cockpit looping Next-Generation Radar (NEXRAD) is inadequate to maintain safe (20 nm) aircraft separation from heavy weather (> 40 dBZ reflectivity). This assertion is supported by mathematical information analysis and an empirical study (Knecht, 2016), as well as numerous previous empirical studies. The current work revisits the ecological analysis by examining the putative affordance ρ (rho) specifying when weather-avoidance maneuver should begin, as suggested by General Tau Theory (Lee, 2009). With“gap”defined as the distance between the on-screen aircraft icon and the weather hazard, ρ is specified by the ratio ((dg/dt)/g)(t), the instantaneous gap contraction rate divided by the instantaneous gap size. In current looping NEXRAD, ρ clearly does not reach perceptible threshold until too late to facilitate 20 nm separation from hazard. The addition of a range ring plus future-predicted weather and aircraft position could remedy this deficiency, enabling safe, efficient navigation around heavy weather.
EFFECT OF CHEMICAL, BIO FERTILIZATION AND COMPOST TEA SPRAYING ON GROWTH AND PRODUCTIVITY OF ZANTEDESCHIA BULBS

Prof. Dr. Nadia A. Ali, Soil, Water and Environ. Res. Inst. ,ARC. ABSTRACT: A pot experiment was carried out during two successive seasons of 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 in a split design to determine if compost tea spraying and Enterobacter cloacae KX034162 inoculation under phosphorus fertilization levels influence plant development, rhizome weight and chemical constituents of Zantedeschia aethiopica plants. The study showed that generally E. cloacae KX034162 inoculation had a positive effect on growth, flowering and chemical constituents under the different phosphorus (p) fertilization levels. E. cloacae KX034162 inoculation under 50% Prate of recommended dose combined with compost tea spraying resulted in a significant increase in plant height, number of leaves per clump, leaf area, shoot and rhizome fresh weight, rhizome dry weight, stalk length and diameter, inflorescence height and diameter, flowering spike fresh weight, N, P and K concentration in shoot, flowering period and flower date and increased activity of dehydrogenase in soil. While, total inflorescence clump and vase life (days) were increased by inoculation with E. cloacae KX034162 under 75% P-rate of the recommended dose combined with compost tea spraying.
Protein pyrophosphorylation by inositol phosphates: a novel post-translational modification in plants?

Inositol pyrophosphates (PP-InsPs) are energy-rich molecules harboring one or more diphosphate moieties. PP-InsPs are found in all eukaryotes evaluated and their functional versatility is reflected in the various cellular events in which they take part. These include, among others, insulin signaling and intracellular trafficking in mammals, as well as innate immunity and hormone and phosphate signaling in plants. The molecular mechanisms by which PP-InsPs exert such functions are proposed to rely on the allosteric regulation via direct binding to proteins, by competing with other ligands, or by protein pyrophosphorylation. The latter is the focus of this review, where we outline a historical perspective surrounding the first findings, almost 20 years ago, that certain proteins can be phosphorylated by PP-InsPs in vitro. Strikingly, in vitro phosphorylation occurs by an apparent enzyme-independent but Mg2+-dependent transfer of the β-phosphoryl group of an inositol pyrophosphate to an already phosphorylated serine residue at Glu/Asp-rich protein regions. Ribosome biogenesis, vesicle trafficking and transcription are among the cellular events suggested to be modulated by protein pyrophosphorylation in yeast and mammals. Here we discuss the latest efforts in identifying targets of protein pyrophosphorylation, pointing out the methodological challenges that have hindered the full understanding of this unique post-translational modification, and focusing on the latest advances in mass spectrometry that finally provided convincing evidence that PP-InsP-mediated pyrophosphorylation also occurs in vivo. We also speculate about the relevance of this post-translational modification in plants in a discussion centered around the protein kinase CK2, whose activity is critical for pyrophosphorylation of animal and yeast proteins. This enzyme is widely present in plant species and several of its functions overlap with those of PP-InsPs. Until now, there is virtually no data on pyrophosphorylation of plant proteins, which is an exciting field that remains to be explored.
Two New Species of Freshwater Planarian (Platyhelminthes, Tricladida, Dugesiidae, Dugesia) from Southern China Exhibit Unusual Karyotypes, with a Discussion on Reproduction in Aneuploid Species

Two new species of the genus Dugesia from Southern China are described by applying an integrative approach, including morphological, karyological, histological, and molecular information. In the molecular phylogenetic tree, the two new species, Dugesia pendula Chen & Dong, sp. nov. and Dugesia musculosa Chen & Dong, sp. nov., fall into an Eastern Palearctic/Oriental clade and an Oriental/Australasian clade, respectively, while sharing only a rather distant relationship. The separate specific status of the two new species is supported also by their genetic distances. Dugesia pendula is characterized by the following features: symmetrical openings of the oviducts into the bursal canal, a duct between seminal vesicle and diaphragm, small diaphragm, dorsally located seminal vesicle, a penis papilla suspended from the dorsal wall of the male atrium, and mixoploid karyotype with diploid complements of 2n=2x=14+0−1 B-chromosome and triploid complements of 2n=3x=21+0−1 B-chromosome, with all chromosomes being metacentric. Dugesia musculosa is characterized by the following features: asymmetrical openings of the oviducts into the bursal canal; a ventrally displaced ejaculatory duct with a terminal opening; two diaphragms; a bursal canal provided with a strong, thick layer of circular muscle, which extends from the copulatory bursa to the common atrium and gonoduct; the left vas deferens opening at the midlateral wall of the seminal vesicle, while the right sperm duct opens at the dorsolateral wall of the seminal vesicle; and karyotype consisting of complicated diploid and aneuploid mosaicism, with diploid complements of 2n=2x=16 and 2n=2x=16−17th-18th, with all chromosomes being metacentric. The uncommon karyotypes, combined with the asexual reproduction of aneuploid animals, are evaluated in the context of the relationship between ploidy levels and reproductive modalities in the genus Dugesia.
Clinical Characteristics and Relevance of Dizziness in Patients with de novo Parkinson's Disease.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to determine the detailed characteristics of dizziness in patients with de novo Parkinson's disease (PD) and the clinical implications of dizziness. METHODS Ninety-three people with de novo PD were enrolled between July 2017 and August 2022 for this retrospective study. Using each representative scale, various motor and non-motor symptoms were assessed. In addition, clinical manifestations of dizziness in those patients, including its presence, type, frequency, and duration of occurrence, were investigated. RESULTS Thirty-nine patients with de novo PD reported dizziness, with presyncope being the most common (38%). The most common frequency was several times a week (51%). The most common duration was a few seconds (67%). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that dizziness was more common in women than in men {odds ratio (OR): 3.3601, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.0820-10.4351, p = 0.0361}. Dizziness was significantly related to non-motor symptoms of low global cognition (OR: 0.8372, 95% CI: 0.7285-0.9622, p = 0.0123) and severe autonomic dysfunction (OR: 1.1112, 95% CI: 1.0297-1.1991, p = 0.0067). A post-hoc analysis revealed that dizziness was only associated with cardiovascular dysautonomia (adjusted OR: 10.2377, 95% CI: 3.3053-31.7098, p < 0.0001) among several domains of dysautonomia. CONCLUSIONS About 42% of patients with de novo PD complained of dizziness. The occurrence of dizziness in those people was highly associated with female gender women, cognitive impairment, and cardiovascular dysautonomia. These results suggest that clinicians should pay close attention when patients with PD complain of dizziness.
E-Learning After the Pandemic from the Perspective of Digital Skills Teachers

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis and the coincidental shift in public education to distance education was a starting point from which all educational institutions, especially those in developing countries, must benefit in terms of e-learning development. The need to effectively explore the use of e-learning after returning to school (face-to-face) has been increasing. Thus, we investigated the use of e-learning after the COVID-19 pandemic by examining the case of Saudi Arabia. The findings of this case study can be applicable and beneficial to other countries. By applying a qualitative research design, 15 Saudi digital skills teachers were invited to voluntarily participate in this study, and an open-question survey was conducted electronically using the snowball technique and a focus group. The teachers’ reflections on this experience have implications for their professional development and are an opening for using educational technologies and utilizing students’ digital skills in education. The study shows that the teachers continued using e-learning in their daily teaching after the pandemic. The three most important theme determinants in this study were the teachers’ use of e-learning for blended learning, communication, and professional development, in this order. Moreover, the teachers believed that they and their students had acquired and developed many skills as a result of using online learning. Finally, the study implications and suggestions are highlighted in this article.
The role of the soil seed bank in Southern Appalachian wildfire response

Wildfire disturbance is likely to increase in Southern Appalachian forests due to climate change and anthropogenic land-use changes. The soil seedbank can be a source of plant community response after this disturbance. Fire can affect seeds and seed germination both positively and negatively, yet little is known about seedbank response to fire in this region. A seedbank study was conducted in the greenhouse from May 23, 2017 to January 9, 2018 using litter and mineral soil samples from burned (B) and unburned (U) plots in three mid-elevation sites to determine seedbank contribution to first-season plant community response following wildfires that swept through the region in fall, 2016. In addition, extant vegetation, woody and herbaceous seedlings, and environmental variables including canopy openness, litter cover, soil moisture, bare ground cover, temperature and tree and shrub mortality were surveyed in the field over the 2017 growing season. Seedbank-generated plant abundance and species richness were compared between B and U plots, and with field seedling and field tree communities. Seedbank abundance and richness were lower in B samples from the litter layer, but not the soil layer, suggesting that fire killed seeds near the surface but that seeds underground were insulated. Density and richness of field seedlings were higher in B plots than U plots, suggesting that post-fire environmental differences, not changes to the seedbank itself, control forest response to wildfire from the seedbank. High light, low litter, and fluctuating temperature in B plots favored germination. Species that responded most strongly in the field were generalist disturbance-adapted species such as black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), not species specifically adapted to fire. Some species, such as black locust and birches (Betula spp.), were more common in the seedbank than in extant vegetation. Recruitment from the seedbank after periodic disturbance may allow these species to persist at these sites. Overall, the seedbank can contribute to first-year post-fire vegetation response, and has the potential to shift species composition in Southern Appalachian forests.
Prenatal Maternal Immunization for Infant Protection: A Review of the Vaccines Recommended, Infant Immunity and Future Research Directions

Prenatal maternal immunization is an effective tool to protect mothers and infants from poor health outcomes due to infectious diseases. We provide an overview of the rationale for the use of prenatal vaccines, discuss the immunologic environment of the maternal–fetal interface including the impact of maternal vaccines prenatally and subsequently on the infant’s immune response, and review vaccines currently recommended in pregnancy and landscape for the future of maternal vaccination. This review aims to provide an understanding of the recent history and progress made in the field and highlight the importance of continued research and development into new vaccines for pregnant populations.
The Influence of Oocyte Diameter and Culture Media Type on in vitro Nuclear Maturation in Camel

This study aimed to determine the influence of oocyte diameter and culture medium (tissue culture medium (TCM-199) and minimal essential medium (MEM)) on in vitro nuclear maturation in camel ( Camelus dromedarius ). The recovered oocytes (523 oocytes) were classified into three diameter categories: including ≤120, 120-150, and ≥150 µm. The results revealed that Oocytes matured in TCM-199 had a significantly (p<0.05) higher percentage of oocytes reaching the metaphase II (MII) (46.34%) than oocytes matured in MEM medium (38.63%). Percentage of oocytes arrested at MII was significantly (p<0.05) higher for oocytes with diameter of ≥150µm (53.25%), moderate for 120-150µm (43.36%) and lowest for ≤120µm (24.16%) oocytes, regardless of the type of maturation medium. The interaction between culture medium and oocyte diameter was insignificant, except for interaction between TCM-199 medium and ≥ 150 µm of oocyte diameter, reflecting a higher percentage of oocyte arrested at MII (58.88%). In conclusion, oocytes with a diameter of ≥ 150 µm matured in TCM-199 medium have the potential to improve the in vitro maturation of camel oocytes