Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Coal characterization and coalbed methane potential of the Chico-Lomã Coalfield, Paraná Basin, Brazil – Results from exploration borehole CBM001-CL-RS

The aim of this study was to determine the coal characteristics in the Chico-Lomã coalfield, Brazil and to evaluate the potential of natural gas associated with the coal seams (CBM), by carrying out a test well (CBM001-CL-RS) for collecting coal samples, followed by gas desorption measurements, and petrographical and chemical analyses of the coals and their methane adsorption capacities. The gas collected was analyzed for gas composition, stable carbon and hydrogen isotopes. The results indicate a cumulative coal thickness of 11.46 m in well CBM001-CL-RS, associated with an igneous intrusion of 10 m thickness. In the contact zone with the intrusion, the organic matter is severely altered with partial transformation of the coal to natural coke at distances less than 2 m from the intrusion. The ash content, based on proximate analysis, shows a variation from 29.1 to 82.8 wt. %. The sulphur content ranges from 0.43 to 3.89 wt. % and shows higher values in samples from the top of the Rio Bonito Formation. The gas desorption measurements range from 0.05 to 0.74 cm3/g, with methane being the predominant gas (>90%). A thermal origin of the gas is suggested by C and H isotopes and the C1 (methane) to C3 (propane) hydrocarbon distribution. The methane adsorption capacity of the samples varies from 2.50 to 6.50 cm3/g. Changes in microporosity related to thermal alteration may have a significant impact on the gas-holding capacity of samples located near the contact to the intrusion. For the study area, a 3D geological model was generated to estimate the volume of coal in the coalfield, followed by assessment of the gas volume associated with the coal. Based on the 3D model, a preliminary appraisal indicates resources of 7.2 billion tons of coal for the Chico-Lomã coalfield, associated with 2.7 billion m3 of gas.
Dietary Allicin Improved the Survival and Growth of Large Yellow Croaker (Larimichthys crocea) Larvae via Promoting Intestinal Development, Alleviating Inflammation and Enhancing Appetite

A 30-day feeding experiment was conducted to investigate effects of dietary allicin on survival, growth, antioxidant capacity, innate immunity and expression of inflammatory and appetite related genes in large yellow croaker larvae. Four iso-nitrogenous (53% crude protein) and iso-lipidic (19% crude lipid) diets were formulated via supplementing graded levels of allicin (0.0 (the control), 0.005, 0.01, and 0.02% dry diet, respectively). Results showed that, among dietary treatments, larvae fed the diet with 0.005% allicin had the highest survival rate (SR) (P < 0.05), while larvae fed the diet with 0.01% allicin had the highest specific growth rate (SGR) (P < 0.05). Activities of α-amylase in both pancreatic (PS) and intestine segments (IS) of larvae fed the diet with 0.01% allicin were significantly lower than that in the control (P < 0.05). On the other hand, the supplementation of 0.01% allicin in diets significantly increased activities of alkaline phosphatase (AKP) and leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) in the intestinal brush border membrane (BBM) of larvae than the control (P < 0.05), indicating the promoting roles of allicin on fish larval intestinal development. Moreover, compared to the control, both the nitric oxide (NO) content and the activity of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) were significantly up-regulated in larvae fed the diet with 0.005% allicin, and catalase (CAT) were significantly upregulated in larvae fed the diet with 0.02% allicin (P < 0.05). Transcriptional levels of pro-inflammatory genes including cyclooxygenase-2 (cox-2), interleukin-1β (il-1β) and interleukin-6 (il-6) significantly decreased with increasing allicin, compared to the control. The expression of appetite genes including npy, ghrelin and leptin significantly increased with the prolonged fasting period, and dietary allicin supplementation significantly increased the transcriptional level of neuropeptide Y (npy) at 0.01%, while increased the transcriptional level of leptin in larvae at 0.02% dosages (P < 0.05). These results showed that the supplementation of 0.005% – 0.01% allicin in diets could improve the survival and growth of large yellow croaker larvae probably by promoting intestinal development, alleviating inflammation and enhancing appetite.
Evolution of Flight Muscle Contractility and Energetic Efficiency

The powered flight of animals requires efficient and sustainable contractions of the wing muscles of various flying species. Despite their high degree of phylogenetic divergence, flight muscles in insects and vertebrates are striated muscles with similarly specialized sarcomeric structure and basic mechanisms of contraction and relaxation. Comparative studies examining flight muscles together with other striated muscles can provide valuable insights into the fundamental mechanisms of muscle contraction and energetic efficiency. Here, we conducted a literature review and data mining to investigate the independent emergence and evolution of flight muscles in insects, birds, and bats, and the likely molecular basis of their contractile features and energetic efficiency. Bird and bat flight muscles have different metabolic rates that reflect differences in energetic efficiencies while having similar contractile machinery that is under the selection of similar natural environments. The significantly lower efficiency of insect flight muscles along with minimized energy expenditure in Ca2+ handling is discussed as a potential mechanism to increase the efficiency of mammalian striated muscles. A better understanding of the molecular evolution of myofilament proteins in the context of physiological functions of invertebrate and vertebrate flight muscles can help explore novel approaches to enhance the performance and efficiency of skeletal and cardiac muscles for the improvement of human health.
Alterations of Gut Microbiome and Metabolite Profiling in Mice Infected by Schistosoma japonicum

Schistosoma japonicum (S. japonicum) is one of the etiological agents of schistosomiasis, a widespread zoonotic parasitic disease. However, the mechanism of the balanced co-existence between the host immune system and S. japonicum as well as their complex interaction remains unclear. In this study, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, combined with metagenomic sequencing approach as well as ultraperformance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry metabolic profiling, was applied to demonstrate changes in the gut microbiome community structure during schistosomiasis progression, the functional interactions between the gut bacteria and S. japonicum infection in BALB/c mice, and the dynamic metabolite changes of the host. The results showed that both gut microbiome and the metabolites were significantly altered at different time points after the infection. Decrease in richness and diversity as well as differed composition of the gut microbiota was observed in the infected status when compared with the uninfected status. At the phylum level, the gut microbial communities in all samples were dominated by Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, and Deferribacteres, while at the genus level, Lactobacillus, Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group, Bacteroides, Staphylococcus, and Alloprevotella were the most abundant. After exposure, Roseburia, and Ruminococcaceae UCG-014 decreased, while Staphylococcus, Alistipes, and Parabacteroides increased, which could raise the risk of infections. Furthermore, LEfSe demonstrated several bacterial taxa that could discriminate between each time point of S. japonicum infection. Besides that, metagenomic analysis illuminated that the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway and the chemokine signaling pathway were significantly perturbed after the infection. Phosphatidylcholine and colfosceril palmitate in serum as well as xanthurenic acid, naphthalenesulfonic acid, and pimelylcarnitine in urine might be metabolic biomarkers due to their promising diagnostic potential at the early stage of the infection. Alterations of glycerophospholipid and purine metabolism were also discovered in the infection. The present study might provide further understanding of the mechanisms during schistosome infection in aspects of gut microbiome and metabolites, and facilitate the discovery of new targets for early diagnosis and prognostic purposes. Further validations of potential biomarkers in human populations are necessary, and the exploration of interactions among S. japonicum, gut microbiome, and metabolites is to be deepened in the future.
XYLEM PRESSURE POTENTIALS OF THREE DOMINANT TREES OF THE EDWARDS PLATEAU OF TEXAS

Measurements of xylem pressure potential were made to determine the responses of three species to moisture stress. Predawn and diurnal measurements were made on Juniperus ashei, Quercus fusiformis and Quercus texana. Under all soil moisture conditions, the daily min- imum xylem pressure potential reached by J. ashei occurred at the time of day when vapor pres- sure deficit was greatest. Minima for the two oaks occurred before the daily maximum deficit under high stress conditions, suggesting that the stomata of the oaks were more sensitive than those of J. ashei. These responses to increased soil moisture stress indicated two types of drought resistance adaptations. Juniperus ashei is classified as drought-tolerant and Q. fusiformis and Q. texana as drought-avoidant.
THE EFFECT OF REPRODUCTION ON CANOPY STRUCTURE, ALLOCATION AND GROWTH IN OENOTHERA BIENNIS

SUMMARY (1) Time of reproduction in Oenothera biennis was controlled experimentally by gibberellic acid applications in a glasshouse experiment. Performance of vegetative plants and plants reproducing at various ages was compared by means of growth analysis. (2) Regardless of age, reproduction increased stem allocation and decreased root and leaf allocation. Early reproduction reduced growth relative to vegetative plants, while late reproduction had no effect on growth in the long term and enhanced growth in the short term. Seed output increased with age at reproduction up to a point after which there was little change. (3) The reduced growth of plants reproducing at an early age was due to a decrease in leaf area ratio, and the enhanced growth of older plants to a temporary increase. Specific leaf area in older plants increased with reproduction, temporarily overcompensating for the decrease in leaf allocation. There was a temporary increase in unit leaf rate in plants reproducing at a young age but not in plants reproducing at a late age. (4) Changes in specific leaf area were the result of a switch in leaf morphology between vegetative and reproductive plants. Vegetative plants produced leaves with petioles which increased in length with age. This morphology minimized self-shading in the vegetative rosettes. Leaves produced after reproduction had short petioles and, consequently, a higher specific leaf area. Plants reproducing at an early age produced few new leaves and exhibited little change in specific leaf area. (5) It is suggested that the beneficial effects of reproduction on canopy structure and photosynthesis that are observed in many species can compensate for the cost of reproduction, providing the accumulated nutrient reserves are sufficient to supply the reproductive structures.
Effect of infection with Toxoplasma gondii during early pregnancy on the transcription of RT.BM1 and RT1-E genes in rat placenta

To investigate the expression of RT.BM1 and RT1-E mRNA on normal rat placenta and their changes infected with Toxoplasma gondii during early gestation and in order to explore the molecular immunological mechanism in abnormal pregnancy induced by T.gondii infection.48 pregnant Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups equally.The infection group was intraperitoneally injecued with 1×105 of living T.gondii RH strian tachyzoites on the 5th day of gestation,and the normal group of rats were not given any injection.Six rats were euthanized at days 9,13,15 and 17 respectively.Placentas were collected and the expression of RT.BM1 and RT1-E mRNA were analyzed by real-time quantitative PCR.It was demonstrated that: ①The number of living embryo of normal group was 204,and the number of death embryos and absorption embryos was 3,then the stillborn rate was 1.4%. But the infection group was 133,27,16.9% respectively and the stillborn rate was significantly higher than that of normal group(P0.05);②The relative expression levels of RT.BM1 mRNA in the normal group at 9,13,15,17 day were(3.21±1.32),(4.35±1.29),(3.96±1.49),(11.1±2.15) respectively.There are no significant difference of expression level among 9th,13th day and 15th day(P0.05). But it significantly increased at 17th day(P0.01). The average mRNA expression of RT1-E of normal group were(0.79±0.45),(2.15±1.03),(2.13±1.74),(2.39±1.85) respectively and it was lowest at 9th day(P0.05);③The relative expression levels of RT.BM1 mRNA in the infection group was(12.4±2.86),(11.5±3.67),(6.89±1.59),(17.3±3.06) at the four time points and significantly higher than that of the normal group at 9th,13th,15th day(P0.01);The average mRNA expression of RT1-E of infected group were(1.83±0.886),(4.72±1.59),(4.24±2.26),(3.83±2.26) respectively and significantly higher than that of the normal group at 9th,13th,15th(P0.01,P0.05,P0.01). It is concluded that the rat model was successfully established;the normal expression of RT.BM1 and RT1-E in rat placenta is essential during the pregnancy and abnormal pregnancy was induced by infection with T.gondii due to expression level of RT.BM1 and RT1-E in rat placenta upregulated.This molecular immunological mechanism may play an important role in abnormal pregnancy infected with T.gondii during the early pregnancy.
Complete Mitochondrial Genomes Reveal Population-Level Patterns in the Widespread Red Alga Gelidiella fanii (Gelidiales, Rhodophyta)

Although complete mitogenomic data have been widely applied in human and other animal population studies, they are extremely limited for florideophycean red algal populations. Gelidiella fanii is a recently described rhodophyta, previously misidentified as G. acerosa, a cosmopolitan agar-yielding species from tropical to subtropical waters. To decipher patterns in genetic diversity and geographic distribution for G. fanii, we obtained 10 complete mitogenomes including two outgroups, G. acerosa and G. flabella. The mitogenomes ranged in size from 25,223 to 25,281 bp and had 48 genes, which are similar in general structure, gene order and content, and presence of a group II intron. Phylogenomic analysis revealed that G. fanii was monophyletic and clearly separate from G. acerosa. The range of G. fanii was extended from Southeast Asia and northern Australia to Eritrea, Juan de Nova Island, and Kenya in the west, and to Hawai‘i and Tetiaroa Atoll to the east. Haplotype network analysis of cox1 revealed seven geographically structured groups: Southeast Asia, Kenya/Juan de Nova Island, Indonesia, northern Australia, the Philippines, Tetiaroa Atoll, and Hawai‘i. This regional structure has likely resulted from the separation and isolation of an ancient widespread population during the Pleistocene. This study demonstrates that mitogenome sequencing is a powerful genotyping tool for studies of genetic diversity, biogeography, and conservation of economically valuable marine algal species.
Influence of running shoes on muscle activity

Studies on the paradigm of the preferred movement path are scarce, and as a result, many aspects of the paradigm remain elusive. It remains unknown, for instance, how muscle activity adapts when differences in joint kinematics, due to altered running conditions, are of low / high magnitudes. Therefore, the purpose of this work was to investigate changes in muscle activity of the lower extremities in runners with minimal (≤ 3°) or substantial (> 3°) mean absolute differences in the ankle and knee joint angle trajectories when subjected to different running footwear. Mean absolute differences in the integral of the muscle activity were quantified for the tibialis anterior (TA), peroneus longus (PL), gastrocnemius medialis (GM), soleus (SO), vastus lateralis (VL), and biceps femoris (BF) muscles during over ground running. In runners with minimal changes in 3D joint angle trajectories (≤ 3°), muscle activity was found to change drastically when comparing barefoot to shod running (TA: 35%; PL: 11%; GM: 17%; SO: 10%; VL: 27%; BF: 16%), and minimally when comparing shod to shod running (TA: 10%; PL: 9%; GM: 13%; SO: 8%; VL: 8%; BF: 12%). For runners who showed substantial changes in joint angle trajectories (> 3°), muscle activity changed drastically in barefoot to shod comparisons (TA: 39%; PL: 14%; GM: 16%; SO: 16%; VL: 25%; BF: 24%). It was concluded that a movement path can be maintained with small adaptations in muscle activation when running conditions are similar, while large adaptations in muscle activation are needed when running conditions are substantially different.
Do mindsets help in controlling eye gaze? A study to explore the effect of abstract and concrete mindsets on eye movements control

Abstract Research on construal level theory shows the influence of abstract and concrete mindsets on self-control. These studies indicate that in the abstract mindset people have more self-control than in the concrete mindset. Though some studies have been carried out on behavioral control as well, however, the influence of mindsets on eye movement control has not been explored. Aiming to explore this relationship, two experiments were conducted on university students using an eye-tracker. The mindsets of participants in both the experiments were manipulated by the temporal distancing technique. To test eye movement control, experiment 1 used an anti-saccade task, in which the participants were asked to look away from the target, while experiment 2 used a visual search task where participants were asked to make goal-directed eye movements and avoid any distraction. The results of both the experiments showed that participants tended to have more control over their eye movement during the abstract mindset than the concrete mindset. This shows that mindsets not only help in controlling thoughts and general behaviors but also influence eye movements and govern what to look and where to look. Results are discussed in the light of self-control and construal level theory.
Parametric stability analyses for green forge yielding traits in oats (Avena sativa L.)

The objectives of this research were to assess genotype environment interaction and determine stable oat (Avena sativa L.) cultivar in Kashmir division over three locations for fodder yield and its components in 10 genetically diverse genotypes using randomized block design. There was considerable variation in forage yield within and across environments. Stability analysis for forage yield was conducted to check the response to Genotype × Environment (G × E) interactions. The mean squares due to G × E (linear) were significant depicting genetic differences among genotypes for linear response to varying environments. Mean squares due to pooled deviations were highly significant, reflecting considerable differences among genotypes for nonlinear response. Out of 10 genotypes, only 4 oats lines, that is, Sabzaar, SKO-211, SKO-212 and SKO-213 showed non-significant deviation from regression and their regression coefficient values were close to unity classified were desirable for forge and dry matter yield across the environments. The cultivar, “SKO-212” with respective regression coefficient value of 1.001, the smallest deviations from regressions (S2di) value and the highest green forage yield could be considered the most widely adapted cultivar. The other test cultivars were sensitive to production-limiting factors, their wider adaptability, stability and general performance to the fluctuating growing conditions within and across environments being lowered. Key words: Genotype × Environment (G × E) interaction, stability analysis, forage yield, oats.
Designing hierarchical nanoporous membranes for highly efficient gas adsorption and storage

Hierarchical membranes with a “meatball sandwich” structure promise high adsorption capacities for VOC removal and H2 storage. Nanoporous membranes with two-dimensional materials such as graphene oxide have attracted attention in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and H2 adsorption because of their unique molecular sieving properties and operational simplicity. However, agglomeration of graphene sheets and low efficiency remain challenging. Therefore, we designed hierarchical nanoporous membranes (HNMs), a class of nanocomposites combined with a carbon sphere and graphene oxide. Hierarchical carbon spheres, prepared following Murray’s law using chemical activation incorporating microwave heating, act as spacers and adsorbents. Hierarchical carbon spheres preclude the agglomeration of graphene oxide, while graphene oxide sheets physically disperse, ensuring structural stability. The obtained HNMs contain micropores that are dominated by a combination of ultramicropores and mesopores, resulting in high VOCs/H2 adsorption capacity, up to 235 and 352 mg/g at 200 ppmv and 3.3 weight % (77 K and 1.2 bar), respectively. Our work substantially expands the potential for HNMs applications in the environmental and energy fields.
Recognition of speech emotion using custom 2D-convolution neural network deep learning algorithm

Speech emotion recognition has become the heart of most human computer interaction applications in the modern world. The growing need to develop emotionally intelligent devices has opened up a lot of research opportunities. Most researchers in this field have applied the use of handcrafted features and machine learning techniques in recognising speech emotion. However, these techniques require extra processing steps and handcrafted features are usually not robust. They are computationally intensive because the curse of dimensionality results in low discriminating power. Research has shown that deep learning algorithms are effective for extracting robust and salient features in dataset. In this study, we have developed a custom 2D-convolution neural network that performs both feature extraction and classification of vocal utterances. The neural network has been evaluated against deep multilayer perceptron neural network and deep radial basis function neural network using the Berlin database of emotional speech, Ryerson audio-visual emotional speech database and Surrey audio-visual expressed emotion corpus. The described deep learning algorithm achieves the highest precision, recall and F1-scores when compared to other existing algorithms. It is observed that there may be need to develop customized solutions for different language settings depending on the area of applications.