Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Extraction of Polyhydroxyalkanoates from Purple Non-Sulfur Bacteria by Non-Chlorinated Solvents

In this study, non-chlorinated solvents such as cyclohexanone (CYC) and three ionic liquids, (ILs) (1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium dimethylphosphate, [EMIM][DMP], 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium diethylphosphate, [EMIM][DEP] and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium methylphosphite, [EMIM][MP]) were tested to extract polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) from the purple non-sulfur photosynthetic bacterium (PNSB) Rhodovulum sulfidophilum DSM-1374. The photosynthetic bacterium was cultured in a new generation photobioreactor with 4 L of working volume using a lactate-rich medium. The extracted PHAs were characterized using a thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, infrared spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance and gel permeation chromatography. The most promising results were obtained with CYC at 125 °C with an extraction time of above 10 min, obtaining extraction yields higher than 95% and a highly pure poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHB-HV) with around 2.7 mol% of hydroxylvalerate (HV). A similar yield and purity were obtained with chloroform (CHL) at 10 °C for 24 h, which was used as the referent solvent Although the three investigated ILs at 60 °C for 4 and 24 h with biomass/IL up to 1/30 (w/w) obtained PHAs strongly contaminated by cellular membrane residues, they were not completely solubilized by the investigated ILs.
A Review of Keypoints' Detection and Feature Description in Image Registration

For image registration, feature detection and description are critical steps that identify the keypoints and describe them for the subsequent matching to estimate the geometric transformation parameters between two images. Recently, there has been a large increase in the research methods of detection operators and description operators, from traditional methods to deep learning methods. To solve the problem, that is, which operator is suitable for specific application problems under different imaging conditions, the paper systematically reviewed commonly used descriptors and detectors from artificial methods to deep learning methods, and the corresponding principle, analysis, and comparative experiments are given as well. We introduce the handcrafted detectors including FAST, BRISK, ORB, SURF, SIFT, and KAZE and the handcrafted descriptors including BRISK, FREAK, BRIEF, SURF, ORB, SIFT, KAZE. At the same time, we review detectors based on deep learning technology including DetNet, TILDE, LIFT, multiscale detector, SuperPoint, and descriptors based on deep learning including pretrained descriptor, Siamese descriptor, LIFT, triplet network, and SuperPoint. Two group of comparison experiments are compared comprehensively and objectively on representative datasets. Finally, we concluded with insightful discussions and conclusions of descriptor and detector selection for specific application problem and hope this survey can be a reference for researchers and engineers in image registration and related fields.
The CDIO Syllabus v2.0. An Updated Statement of Goals for Engineering Education

Modern engineering education programs seek to impart to the students a broad base of knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to become successful young engineers. This array of abilities is represented in the CDIO Syllabus, an attempt to create a rational, complete, consistent, and generalizable set of goals for undergraduate engineering education. This paper examines the content and structure of the Syllabus, as well as the roles played by the Syllabus in the design and operation of educational programs. The paper begins by examining the content and structure of the Syllabus, and then contrasts the Syllabus with other important taxonomies of educational outcomes. The CDIO Syllabus is first compared with the UNESCO Four Pillars of Learning, with which if is aligned at a high level. The Syllabus is then compared with national accreditation and evaluation standards of several nations. The finding is that the CDIO Syllabus is consistent and more detailed and comprehensive than any of the individual standards. Based on these comparisons, as well as other input received over the last decade since the Syllabus was originally written in 2001, a revised and updated Syllabus is presented, in part to add missing skills and in part to clarify nomenclature and make the Syllabus more explicit and more consistent with national standards. The result is called the CDIO Syllabus version 2.0. In modern society, engineers are increasingly expected to move to positions of leadership, and often take on an additional role as an entrepreneur. This paper also explores the degree to which the CDIO Syllabus already covers these topics, and the optional extension to the CDIO Syllabus that more adequately covers these two important roles of engineers.
EFFECT OF SODICITY AND NITROGEN LEVELS ON DRY MATTER YIELD, PROTEIN AND NUTRIENT UPTAKE IN TEOSINTE

SUMMARY The present study was carried out in the Department of Soil Science, CCSHAU, Hisar during kharif season in screen house. The experiments were conducted on a sandy loam soil having initial pH (1 : 2) 8.21 and ESP 7.88. Soil of different ESP (15, 30 and 45) was prepared. Observed ESP was 7.88, 13.86, 31.15 and 43.79, respectively. The first experiment was conducted in screen house to study the effect of different ESP levels (control, 15, 30 and 45) on teosinte with fixed 80 kg N/ha dose. In second experiment, different nitrogen levels, 0, 40, 80 amd 120 kg N/ha on pearl millet at an ESP of 45 were studied. The results showed decrease in the dry matter yield of teosinte crop with increasing ESP levels (control, 15, 30 and 45). The maximum (48.18, 45.97, 38.82 and 35.74 g/pot) and minimum (19.78, 25.18, 15.09 and 14.63 g/pot) dry matter yield of teosinte were observed at control and 45 ESP, respectively. The plant height and protein content also decreased with increasing ESP levels. The uptake of N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S decreased with increasing ESP levels. The reduction in N uptake over control was 10.83, 46.77 and 65.22 per cent at 15, 30 and 45 ESP levels, respectively. The uptake of micronutrients (Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe) in teosinte decreased with increasing ESP levels. The maximum uptake was observed at control, whereas minimum at an ESP of 45. The results of experiment conducted on different levels of N (0, 40, 80 and 120 kg/ha) on teosinte forage crop at a constant ESP level (45 ESP) indicated that dry matter yield increased with increasing N levels. The maximum dry matter yield (12.84 g/pot) at 120 kg N/ha and minimum (9.27 g/pot) was obtained at N control in teosinte. The plant height and protein content in these crops also increased with increasing N levels. Effect of different levels of N (0, 40, 80 and 120 kg/ha) on teosinte forage crop at a constant ESP level (45 ESP) indicated that uptake of nutrients N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, S, Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe by teosinte increased with increasing N levels.
Super-linear optical modulator technologies for optical broadband access network: development and potential

Linearized optical intensity modulator is recognized as one of the building blocks in any analog fiber-optics links systems such as subcarrier multiplexing (SCM) systems, ultra-dense CATV, Radio-over-Fiber (RoF) communications, and other platform access systems. For more than 30 years, the quest for highly linearized optical modulator with SFDR > 130 dB-Hz2/3 represents a major, on-going technology goal. This invited paper has three-fold objective namely: (1) provide comprehensive overview of the numerous existing linearized optical intensity modulators, (2) introduce a classification of these linearized modulators, and (3) present recent development of new, super-linear (SFDR = 130-140 dB-Hz2/3) modulator which the authors pioneered. Other features of this new modulator are simple setup, high tolerance and low-cost. Performance results are presented via numerical simulation, its potential applications and limitations are also discussed.
Impact of noise and nonlinear distortion due to clipping on the BER performance of a 64-QAM signal in hybrid AM-VSB/QAM optical fiber transmission system

Experimental BER measurements of a 64-QAM signal in a hybrid AM-VSB/QAM optical fiber transmission system are shown to be in good agreement with a corrected and reinterpreted theory of impulsive and Gaussian noise based on Middleton's class B impulsive noise model. Fiber dispersion induced distortion of the chirped laser output is also shown to adversely affect the QAM signal.
Factors Influencing Rural Households’ Decision-Making Behavior on Residential Relocation: Willingness and Destination

All the traditional models of centralized residence based on “building a new socialist countryside” and “maintaining a balance between the increase and the decrease” are top-down in nature and require farmers to make responses and readjustment to all possible policies and changes. Therefore, it’s important to understand farmers’ preferences and take their willingness and needs into account when designing and implementing the relative planning programs of centralized residence. In this paper, with the numerical value 10 as the criterion of Events Per Variable (EPV) and Variance Inflation Factor (VIF), four different types of binary logistic regression were respectively applied to analyze factors that may influence farmer households’ relocation willingness and relocation destination in the following five aspects: Individual characteristics, household characteristics, housing characteristics, farmland characteristics, and implementation environment of centralized residence. As indicated in the results, people would show more willingness to relocate when they were younger, had higher household income, lived in an older building, possessed a bigger building area, owned farmland with higher quality, or lived in an environment with a higher infrastructure match rate. In addition, household income was a common factor influencing households’ choice between nearby relocation sites (NRS) and urban areas as their relocation destinations. The building area and occupancy rate negatively affected households’ choice of NRS, while building age negatively affected that of urban areas. Based on these influencing factors, some policy suggestions are proposed in this paper in terms of job creation, implementation of zoning and classification strategies, improvement of the quality of land transfer services, and reconstruction of the rural landscapes.
Assessment of Vitamin D Metabolism in Patients with Cushing’s Disease in Response to 150,000 IU Cholecalciferol Treatment

In this study we aimed to assess vitamin D metabolism in patients with Cushing’s disease (CD) compared to healthy individuals in the setting of bolus cholecalciferol treatment. The study group included 30 adults with active CD and the control group included 30 apparently healthy adults with similar age, sex and BMI. All participants received a single dose (150,000 IU) of cholecalciferol aqueous solution orally. Laboratory assessments including serum vitamin D metabolites (25(OH)D3, 25(OH)D2, 1,25(OH)2D3, 3-epi-25(OH)D3 and 24,25(OH)2D3), free 25(OH)D, vitamin D-binding protein (DBP) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) as well as serum and urine biochemical parameters were performed before the intake and on Days 1, 3 and 7 after the administration. All data were analyzed with non-parametric statistics. Patients with CD had similar to healthy controls 25(OH)D3 levels (p > 0.05) and higher 25(OH)D3/24,25(OH)2D3 ratios (p < 0.05) throughout the study. They also had lower baseline free 25(OH)D levels (p < 0.05) despite similar DBP levels (p > 0.05) and lower albumin levels (p < 0.05); 24-h urinary free cortisol showed significant correlation with baseline 25(OH)D3/24,25(OH)2D3 ratio (r = 0.36, p < 0.05). The increase in 25(OH)D3 after cholecalciferol intake was similar in obese and non-obese states and lacked correlation with BMI (p > 0.05) among patients with CD, as opposed to the control group. Overall, patients with CD have a consistently higher 25(OH)D3/24,25(OH)2D3 ratio, which is indicative of a decrease in 24-hydroxylase activity. This altered activity of the principal vitamin D catabolism might influence the effectiveness of cholecalciferol treatment. The observed difference in baseline free 25(OH)D levels is not entirely clear and requires further study.
Detection of a Novel Reassortant H9N9 Avian Influenza Virus in Free-Range Ducks in Bangladesh

Wild aquatic birds are the primary natural reservoir for influenza A viruses (IAVs). In this study, an A(H9N9) influenza A virus (A/duck/Bangladesh/44493/2020) was identified via routine surveillance in free-range domestic ducks in Bangladesh. Phylogenetic analysis of hemagglutinin showed that the H9N9 virus belonged to the Y439-like lineage. The HA gene had the highest nucleotide identity to A/Bean Goose (Anser fabalis)/South Korea/KNU 2019-16/2019 (H9N2). The other seven gene segments clustered within the Eurasian lineage.
Does the Presence of a Bond Path Really Mean Interatomic Stabilization? The Case of the Ng@Superphane (Ng = He, Ne, Ar, and Kr) Endohedral Complexes

Using a fairly structurally flexible and, therefore, very suitable for this type of research, superphane molecule, we demonstrate that the inclusion of a noble gas atom (Ng = He, Ne, Ar, and Kr) inside it and, thus, the formation of the Ng@superphane endohedral complex, leads to its ‘swelling’. Positive values of both the binding and strain energies prove that encapsulation and in turn ‘swelling’ of the superphane molecule is energetically unfavorable and that the Ng⋯C interactions in the interior of the cage are destabilizing, i.e., repulsive. Additionally, negative Mayer Bond Orders indicate the antibonding nature of Ng⋯C contacts. This result in combination with the observed Ng⋯C bond paths shows that the presence of a bond path in the molecular graph does not necessarily prove interatomic stabilization. It is shown that the obtained conclusions do not depend on the computational methodology, i.e., the method and the basis set used. However, on the contrary, the number of bond paths may depend on the methodology. This is yet another disadvantageous finding that does not favor the treatment of bond paths on molecular graphs as indicators of chemical bonds. The Kr@superphane endohedral complex features one of the longest C–C bonds ever reported (1.753 Å).
The Link of Pancreatic Iron with Glucose Metabolism and Cardiac Iron in Thalassemia Intermedia: A Large, Multicenter Observational Study

In thalassemia major, pancreatic iron was demonstrated as a powerful predictor not only for the alterations of glucose metabolism but also for cardiac iron, fibrosis, and complications, supporting a profound link between pancreatic iron and heart disease. We determined for the first time the prevalence of pancreatic iron overload (IO) in thalassemia intermedia (TI) and systematically explored the link between pancreas T2* values and glucose metabolism and cardiac outcomes. We considered 221 beta-TI patients (53.2% females, 42.95 ± 13.74 years) consecutively enrolled in the Extension–Myocardial Iron Overload in Thalassemia project. Magnetic Resonance Imaging was used to quantify IO (T2* technique) and biventricular function and to detect replacement myocardial fibrosis. The glucose metabolism was assessed by the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Pancreatic IO was more frequent in regularly transfused (N = 145) than in nontransfused patients (67.6% vs. 31.6%; p < 0.0001). In the regular transfused group, splenectomy and hepatitis C virus infection were both associated with high pancreatic siderosis. Patients with normal glucose metabolism showed significantly higher global pancreas T2* values than patients with altered OGTT. A pancreas T2* < 17.9 ms predicted an abnormal OGTT. A normal pancreas T2* value showed a 100% negative predictive value for cardiac iron. Pancreas T2* values were not associated to biventricular function, replacement myocardial fibrosis, or cardiac complications. Our findings suggest that in the presence of pancreatic IO, it would be prudent to initiate or intensify iron chelation therapy to prospectively prevent both disturbances of glucose metabolism and cardiac iron accumulation.
Turbulent fluxes, stability and shear in the offshore environment: Mesoscale modelling and field observations at FINO1

This paper is focused on the evaluation of five planetary boundary layer (PBL) schemes in the Weather Research and Forecasting model for offshore wind energy purposes. One first order scheme: Yonsey University and four one-and-a-half order schemes: Mellor-Yamada-Janic, Quasi-Normal Scale Elimination, Mellor-Yamada-Nakanishi-Niino, and Bougeault-Lacarrere, are considered. Turbulent flux measurements from the FINO1 platform in the North Sea are used to estimate the Obukhov length, allowing the sorting of the data into different stability classes. In addition, wind LiDAR measurements are used to analyze wind profiles up to 251.5 m, encompassing the heights where today's wind turbines operate. The ability of the different PBL schemes to forecast turbulent fluxes of heat and momentum and surface stability is evaluated. Obukhov length results show that in general, PBL schemes forecast more moderated stable stratifications and a reinforcement of the instability for neutral and convective conditions, compared to .
Effects of Cold Storage on Host Antheraea pernyi Egg Quality for the Egg Parasitoid Anastatus fulloi Sheng and Wang

Simple Summary Producing and field releasing a large number of natural enemies within a short time for pest control helps biological control programs succeed. However, host eggs are often unsynchronized with pest occurrence. Storing host eggs can help synchronize the production of parasitoids with demands of the program. Anastatus fulloi is an egg parasitoid wasp that has been successfully used to control the Tessaratoma papillosa Drury populations in south China. Antheraea pernyi eggs are used as factitious hosts of Anastatus fulloi, and cold storage of these eggs is important for large-scale rearing and successful release of Anastatus in the field. We studied the effects of cold storage of A. pernyi eggs on host egg quality and the fitness of A. fulloi. Cold storage reduced host egg quality and the suitability of host eggs for A. fulloi. To minimize losses in the large-scale rearing of A. fulloi, A. pernyi eggs should be refrigerated in a 0–3 °C or −5 °C water bath. The storage period should not exceed 6 months. The results of this study provide technical support for mass rearing of A. fulloi in biological control programs. Abstract Chinese silkworm (Antheraea pernyi) eggs are used as factitious hosts of Anastatus fulloi, and refrigeration of these eggs is essential for large-scale rearing of A. fulloi. We studied the effects of cold storage of A. pernyi eggs on egg quality and the fitness of A. fulloi reared on the eggs. Four cold storage treatments and two cold storage periods were assessed. The 0–3 °C refrigerator treatment was unsuitable for long-term (>70 days) storage. Cold storage at −5 °C and −18 °C increased the loss rate of A. pernyi eggs, but there was no significant difference between the control and 0–3 °C water bath treatment. The parasitism rate of A. fulloi was reduced when A. pernyi eggs were refrigerated for 6 or 12 months. There were no obvious differences in eclosion rate and percentage of females between control and eggs subjected to 6-month storage in 0–3 °C, −5 °C, and −18 °C water bath treatments. However, the eclosion rate and percentage of females decreased sharply when the storage period was 12 months. The overall eclosion rate of A. fulloi was reduced at the prolonged refrigeration time. Cold storage reduced host egg quality and their fitness suitability for A. fulloi. To minimize losses in the large-scale rearing of A. fulloi, A. pernyi eggs should be refrigerated in a 0–3 °C or −5 °C water bath treatment, and the storage period should not exceed 6 months.
Vitamin D Deficiency in Patients with Diabetes in French Guiana: Epidemiology and Relation with Microvascular and Macrovascular Complications

Vitamin D (VD) insufficiency is common among patients with diabetes in French Guiana. The study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of VD deficiency in the different type of diabetes encountered and to analyze the relationship between VD deficiency and diabetes complications. Methods: An observational study was conducted between May 2019 and May 2020 in French Guiana, based on data from the CODIAM study (Diabetes Cohort in French Amazonia), describing the characteristics of patients with diabetes mellitus. Among 600 patients enrolled with diabetes, 361 had an available VD assay. Results: The mean 25(OH)VD (hydroxycalciferol) level was 27.9 ng/mL. The level of VD was inversely proportional to the HbA1c (glycated hemoglobin) level. Patients with angina pectoris had a greater proportion of deficiencies VD < 20 ng/mL than those without angina. By contrast, patients with retinopathy had higher vitamin D concentrations than those without retinopathy. There was no association between vitamin D and arteriopathy, stroke, nephropathy and polyneuropathy. VD deficiency was more frequent in women, and in patients with a high school education. Conclusion: The prevalence of VD deficiency was high in patients with diabetes in French Guiana, emphasizing the importance of VD supplementation.
Affect-Logic, Embodiment, Synergetics, and the Free Energy Principle: New Approaches to the Understanding and Treatment of Schizophrenia

This theoretical paper explores the affect-logic approach to schizophrenia in light of the general complexity theories of cognition: embodied cognition, Haken’s synergetics, and Friston’s free energy principle. According to affect-logic, the mental apparatus is an embodied system open to its environment, driven by bioenergetic inputs of emotions. Emotions are rooted in goal-directed embodied states selected by evolutionary pressure for coping with specific situations such as fight, flight, attachment, and others. According to synergetics, nonlinear bifurcations and the emergence of new global patterns occur in open systems when control parameters reach a critical level. Applied to the emergence of psychotic states, synergetics and the proposed energetic understanding of emotions lead to the hypothesis that critical levels of emotional tension may be responsible for the transition from normal to psychotic modes of functioning in vulnerable individuals. In addition, the free energy principle through learning suggests that psychotic symptoms correspond to alternative modes of minimizing free energy, which then entails distorted perceptions of the body, self, and reality. This synthetic formulation has implications for novel therapeutic and preventive strategies in the treatment of psychoses, among these are milieu-therapeutic approaches of the Soteria type that focus on a sustained reduction of emotional tension and phenomenologically oriented methods for improving the perception of body, self, and reality.
Biliary Atresia: Clinical Phenotypes and Aetiological Heterogeneity

Biliary atresia (BA) is an obliterative condition of the biliary tract that presents with persistent jaundice and pale stools typically in the first few weeks of life. While this phenotypic signature may be broadly similar by the time of presentation, it is likely that this is only the final common pathway with a number of possible preceding causative factors and disparate pathogenic mechanisms—i.e., aetiological heterogeneity. Certainly, there are distinguishable variants which suggest a higher degree of aetiological homogeneity such as the syndromic variants of biliary atresia splenic malformation or cat-eye syndrome, which implicate an early developmental mechanism. In others, the presence of synchronous viral infection also make this plausible as an aetiological agent though it is likely that disease onset is from the perinatal period. In the majority of cases, currently termed isolated BA, there are still too few clues as to aetiology or indeed pathogenesis.