Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Directional Changes in the Intestinal Bacterial Community in Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Larvae

Simple Summary The black soldier fly (BSF), Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae), is renowned for its bioconversion of organic waste into a sustainable source of animal feed. Gut microbes play an essential role in aiding their host during the digestion of complex substrates by possessing metabolic properties that the insect lacks. Microbes that survive the gut passage are candidates for microbes that contribute more to larval development, besides just being a nutrient source. Insect larvae cohabit in some form of symbiosis with microbes. Here, a preliminary experiment was performed to explore the dynamics of the H. illucens gut microbiota and the changes in the composition of the bacterial community in organic waste with six different functional strains of the larval feed during rearing. The results showed that the increase in the abundance of Lysinibacillus in the experimental group that was exposed to Lysinibacillus sphaericus was significantly different to the other groups (p < 0.05). The results indicate that H. illucens larvae have a stable gut microbiome that does not change significantly during larval development, whereas bacterial communities in the feed residue with the addition of certain bacteria can be slightly affected by rearing. Abstract Black soldier fly (BSF) larvae, Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) have emerged as an efficient system for the bioconversion of organic waste. Intestinal microorganisms are involved in several insect functions, including the development, nutrition, and physiology of the host. In order to transform the intestinal bacterial community of BSF directionally, six different potential functional strains (Lysinibacillus sphaericus, Proteus mirabilis, Citrobacter freundii, Pseudocitrobacter faecalis, Pseudocitrobacter anthropi, and Enterococcus faecalis) were added to aseptic food waste, and aseptic food waste was used without inoculants as a blank control to evaluate the changes in the intestinal microbiota of BSF under artificial intervention conditions. These six strains (which were isolated from the larval intestinal tract in selective media and then identified and screened) may be considered responsible for the functional characteristics of larvae. The results imply that the increase in the abundance of Lysinibacillus in the experimental group that was exposed to Lysinibacillus sphaericus was significantly different to the other groups (p < 0.05). The results revealed that it is feasible to transform the intestinal microbiota of BSF directionally; there are differences in the proliferation of different strains in the intestine of BSF.
Single beam photoreflectance microscopy system with electronic feedback

A new photoreflectance (PR) system which uses only a single optical beam is described. The PR signal is detected at the second harmonic of the modulation frequency, contained in the backreflected light. To reliably measure this small signal, the second harmonic content of the incident beam is reduced by feedback to the modulator.
Use of Fibers and Welded-Wire Reinforcement in Construction of Slabs on Ground

Different types of fiber-reinforced concrete have been advocated and used as a replacement for welded-wire reinforcement (WWR) in slabs on ground, leading at times to conflicting opinion and/or unrealistic expectation about the benefits of using either WWR or different types of fiber in slabs. In order to verify some of these opinions, tests have been carried out on model slabs (2.5 m×2.5 m×150 mm thick) cast on grade in a test pit and loaded to failure. Results are compared to evaluate the load-carrying capacity for slabs having equivalent amounts of either WWR, fibrillated polypropylene fibers, or steel fibers. Test results show that steel fibers are a suitable alternative to using properly positioned WWR. However, use of polypropylene fibers at a low dosage, which is most common for slab construction (0.9 kg/m³), provides little benefit in terms of increased load-carrying capacity when compared with a plain unreinforced slab. Slab capacity is affected mainly by the postcracking strength of the concrete section, and results from flexure beam tests give a good indication of expected behavior of slabs. The test results also show that a poor subgrade support can be compensated by reinforcing a slab with a moderate amount of either WWR or steel fibers (at a dosage of 30 kg/m³).
Accurate MATLAB Simulink PV System Simulator Based on a Two-Diode Model

This paper proposes a MATLAB Simulink simulator for photovoltaic (PV) systems. The main contribution of this work is the utilization of a two-diode model to represent a PV cell. This model is known to have better accuracy at low irradiance levels which allows for a more accurate prediction of PV system performance. To reduce computational time, the input parameters are reduced to four and the values of Rp and Rs are estimated by an efficient iteration method. Furthermore, all of the inputs to the simulator are information available on a standard PV module datasheet. The simulator supports large array simulations that can be interfaced with MPPT algorithms and power electronic converters. The accuracy of the simulator is verified by applying the model to five PV modules of different types (multi-crystalline, mono-crystalline, and thin-film) from various manufacturers. It is envisaged that the proposed work can be very useful for PV professionals who require a simple, fast and accurate PV simulator to design their systems.
Systemic erythematosus lupus and pregnancy outcomes in a Colombian cohort

Objective Pregnant women with SLE have higher probabilities of maternal complications. SLE during pregnancy has alternating patterns of remission and flare-ups; however, most pregnant SLE patients tend to worsen with associated poor obstetric and perinatal outcomes. This study aimed to describe obstetric outcomes in pregnant women with SLE. Methods This retrospective study was performed between 2011 and 2020 at a highly complex referral health center in Cali, Colombia. Pregnant women with a diagnosis of SLE were included. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory features and obstetric and fetal outcomes, including intensive care unit (ICU) characteristics, were evaluated. Results Forty-eight pregnant women with SLE were included. The median age was 29 (25–33.7) years. The SLE diagnosis was made before pregnancy in 38 (79.1%) patients, with a median disease duration of 46 (12–84) months. Thirteen (27.1%) patients had lupus nephritis. Preterm labor (34, 70.8%), preeclampsia (25, 52%), and preterm rupture of membranes (10, 20.8%) were the most common obstetric complications. A relationship between a greater systemic lupus erythematosus pregnancy disease activity index (SLEPDAI) and the development of hypertensive disorders during pregnancy was established (preeclampsia = p < 0.0366; eclampsia = p < 0.0153). A relationship was identified between lupus nephritis (LN) and eclampsia (p < 0.01), preterm labor (p < 0.045), and placental abruption (p < 0.01). Seventeen (35.4%) patients required ICU admission; 52.9% of them were due to AID activity, 17.6% for cardiovascular damage, 11.7% for septic shock, and 5.8% for acute kidney failure. Fetal survival was 89.5% (N = 43/48). Among the live births, two (4.2%) newborns were diagnosed with neonatal lupus, and two (4.2%) were diagnosed with congenital heart block. One maternal death was registered due to preeclampsia and intraventricular hemorrhage. Conclusions This study is the first to describe SLE during pregnancy in Colombia. SLE was the most prevalent AID in this cohort, and complications included preterm labor, preeclampsia, and postpartum hemorrhage. A higher SLEPDAI and lupus nephritis predicted adverse maternal outcomes.
Perceptions of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the work of science journalists: global perspectives

The article presents the results of a survey of science journalists from six world regions about their work during the COVID-19 pandemic. The responses show perception of increasing workload for most participants. Local scientists and peer-reviewed articles are the main sources. According to the respondents, scientists have become more available during the pandemic. The use of preprint articles was a frequent practice, but a considerable proportion declared they did not adopt different procedures when reporting them. Most also said they take fake news into account when writing their stories.
A mathematical model to study railway track dynamics for the prediction of vibration levels generated by rail vehicles

This article presents a mathematical model aimed at predicting wheel–rail contact vibration force arising from wheel profile irregularities. Prediction of vibrations caused by a passing train is a basic factor in environmental impact studies related to planning new railway lines. The prediction model is useful during the development of a project as it facilitates selection of the most suitable track for reducing vibration levels. This article presents the model, analyses the influence of the track base on the vibration-generating mechanisms, and compares the dynamic behaviour of the most widely used urban railway tracks.
A Patient Self-Made Point-of-Care Fecal Test Improves Diagnostic Accuracy Compared with Fecal Calprotectin Alone in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients

Background: Monitoring inflammatory bowel disease patients may be challenging. Fecal calprotectin is one of the most performed tests. Other fecal biomarkers are less used in clinical practice. Rapid fecal tests that could be performed by patients may be a useful strategy to closely monitor disease activity. Methods: We performed a prospective observational study including consecutive inflammatory bowel disease patients referred for colonoscopy in a single center. Certest FOB + Transferrin + Calprotectin + Lactoferrin® (Certest Biotec S.L, Zaragoza, Spain), a one-step point-of-care test which simultaneously detects these four biomarkers was performed. Endoscopic inflammatory activity was defined using the Mayo score (≥1) in ulcerative colitis, SES-CD (>3) and Rutgeerts scores (≥1) for Crohn’s disease. Results: Out of a total of 106 patients (56.5% female, mean age 51 years), 54 (50.9%) were diagnosed with ulcerative colitis and 52 (49.1%) with Crohn’s disease. Endoscopic activity was detected in 42 patients (39.0%). Fecal calprotectin provided the best sensitivity (97.6%), with limited specificity (34.4%). Compared to calprotectin, the other 3 fecal biomarkers showed better specificity (87.5–92.1%) and lower sensitivity (45.2–59.5%). Patients with a negative result in all biomarkers (19/106—17.9%) had 100% (CI 95% 97.4–100) negative predictive value, while patients with the 4 biomarkers positive (13/106—12.3%) had 100% (CI 95% 96.1–100) positive predictive value of endoscopic inflammatory activity. AUROC of this 4 biomarker point-of-care test was 0.845 (95% CI 0.771–0.920), significantly higher than the AUROCs of any of the 4 biomarkers. Conclusions: This test may be a useful strategy to monitor inflammatory activity in clinical practice by excluding or prioritizing patients in need of a colonoscopy.
Time-Resolved Analysis of N-RNA Interactions during RVFV Infection Shows Qualitative and Quantitative Shifts in RNA Encapsidation and Packaging

Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a negative-sense, tripartite RNA virus that is endemic to Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. It can cause severe disease and mortality in humans and domestic livestock and is a concern for its potential to spread more globally. RVFV’s nucleocapsid protein (N) is an RNA-binding protein that is necessary for viral transcription, replication, and the production of nascent viral particles. We have conducted crosslinking, immunoprecipitation, and sequencing (CLIP-seq) to characterize N interactions with host and viral RNAs during infection. In parallel, to precisely measure intracellular N levels, we employed multiple reaction monitoring mass spectrometry (MRM-MS). Our results show that N binds mostly to host RNAs at early stages of infection, yielding nascent virus particles of reduced infectivity. The expression of N plateaus 10 h post-infection, whereas the intracellular viral RNA concentration continues to increase. Moreover, the virions produced later in infection have higher infectivity. Taken together, the detailed examination of these N–RNA interactions provides insight into how the regulated expression of N and viral RNA produces both infectious and incomplete, noninfectious particles.
Effect of Oils in Feed on the Production Performance and Egg Quality of Laying Hens

Simple Summary Eggs are a valuable source of protein and fat in the human diet. Due to continuous improvement in the production performance of laying hens, the requirements regarding the feed energy of laying hens are increasing. Oils, which are the main energy sources in feed, exert a substantial effect on the production performance and egg quality of laying hens. In this review, we discuss the classification of oils commonly used in the diets of laying hens and the process of lipid metabolism in laying hens. We further look at the effects of adding different oils on the nutritional composition of eggs with a focus on the mechanism through which dietary oils affect the production performance and egg quality of laying hens, the effects of adding different types of animal and plant oils to the diets, and the potential effects of different types of oils on the health of laying hens. Abstract With the development of a large-scale and intensive production industry, the number of laying hens in China is rapidly increasing. Oils, as an important source of essential fatty acids, can be added to the diet to effectively improve the production performance and absorption of other nutrients. The present review discusses the practical application of different types and qualities of oils in poultry diets and studies the critical effects of these oils on production performance, such as the egg weight, feed intake, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and various egg quality parameters, including the albumen height, Haugh units, yolk color, and saturated/unsaturated fatty acids. This article reviews the effects of different dietary oil sources on the production performance and egg quality of laying hens and their potential functional mechanisms and provides a reference for the selection of different sources of oils to include in the diet with the aim of improving egg production. This review thus provides a reference for the application of oils to the diets of laying hens. Future studies are needed to determine how poultry products can be produced with the appropriate proper oils in the diet and without negative effects on production performance and egg quality.
DETAILED MODELING OF THE SNS RFQ STRUCTURE WITH CST MICROWAVE STUDIO

We report detailed RF modeling on the SNS RFQ structure using CST Microwave Studio code. Due to the complexity of the RFQ structure, a three-dimensional model with large mesh ratio is required to adequately model the necessary details of the structure. Old 3-D codes are not capable of giving accurate predictions of resonant frequency and fields, or for including mode stabilizers and terminations. A physical prototype is needed to verify resonant frequency and field profile, including mode stabilizers and end terminations, which is expensive and time consuming. Taking advantage of the Microwave Studio’s Perfect Boundary Approximation (PBA) technique, we constructed a 3-dimensional computational model based on the as-built SNS RFQ dimensions with pi-mode stabilizers, end cutbacks and tuners and simulated it in the frequency domain using the CST Eigen-value Solver. Simulation results accurately predicted the resonant frequency and field distributions. We are applying the simulation technique to the design of another RFQ.
Acute Toxicity of Cigarette from Vietnam on in vivo Model Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Larvae

Smoking is widely known to has a major contributor to public health issues both in worldwide and Vietnam. At the same time, Vietnam have a large number of smokers and the market is filled with diverse brand of tobacco products. In this study, we sampled 6 types of cigarette: ThangLong, Vina, Craven, Demi, Maxx and Bastos from local stores and conducted toxicological test on zebrafish larvae. Our results show that there are varied in toxicological properties of total particle matter collected from different cigarette brands in lethal and morphology effects on zebrafish embryos. LC50 of 6 brands after 96 hours of exposure were: ThangLong = 48.7 mg/L, Vina = 45.96 mg/L, Craven = 80.52 mg/L, Demi = 30.91 mg/L, Maxx = 83.54 mg/L and Bastos = 74.92 mg/L. They are lower than 100 mg/L, which put them under Category 2 and 3 in the GHS classification criteria for acute toxicity.
What Do We Have to Know about PD-L1 Expression in Prostate Cancer? A Systematic Literature Review. Part 7: PD-L1 Expression in Liquid Biopsy

Liquid biopsy is an accessible, non-invasive diagnostic tool for advanced prostate cancer (PC) patients, potentially representing a real-time monitoring test for tumor evolution and response to treatment through the analysis of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and exosomes. We performed a systematic literature review (PRISMA guidelines) to describe the current knowledge about PD-L1 expression in liquid biopsies of PC patients: 101/159 (64%) cases revealed a variable number of PD-L1+ CTCs. Outcome correlations should be investigated in larger series. Nuclear PD-L1 expression by CTCs was occasionally associated with worse prognosis. Treatment (abiraterone, enzalutamide, radiotherapy, checkpoint-inhibitors) influenced PD-L1+ CTC levels. Discordance in PD-L1 status was detected between primary vs. metastatic PC tissue biopsies and CTCs vs. corresponding tumor tissues. PD-L1 is also released by PC cells through soluble exosomes, which could inhibit the T cell function, causing immune evasion. PD-L1+ PC-CTC monitoring and genomic profiling may better characterize the ongoing aggressive PC forms compared to PD-L1 evaluation on primary tumor biopsies/prostatectomy specimens (sometimes sampled a long time before recurrence/progression). Myeloid-derived suppressor cells and dendritic cells (DCs), which may have immune-suppressive effects in tumor microenvironment, have been found in PC patients circulation, sometimes expressing PD-L1. Occasionally, their levels correlated to clinical outcome. Enzalutamide-progressing castration-resistant PC patients revealed increased PD-1+ T cells and circulating PD-L1/2+ DCs.
Monitoring-Based Commissioning: Early Results from a Portfolio of University Campus Projects

Synopsis The University of California (UC), California State University (CSU), and California InvestorOwned Energy Utilities are collaborating in an innovative new program to retro-commission campus facilities with the assistance of permanently installed energy monitoring equipment and trending capability. This monitoring-based commissioning (MBCx) effort spans 25 campuses, with nine projects for plant systems and 37 projects for buildings. Half of the buildings include laboratory or other energy-intensive space. The program is a part of the implementation of the UC Green Building and Clean Energy Policy, the similar CSU policy, and the California Investor Owned Utility (IOU) customer funded Energy Efficiency Program. Monitoring-Based Commissioning (MBCx) employs remote energy system metering with trend log capability to identify previously unrecognized inefficiencies in energy system operations, facilitate the application of diagnostic protocols, document energy savings from operational improvements, and ensure persistence of savings through ongoing recommissioning. The program emphasizes training of campus staff in commissioning techniques including monitoring and diagnostic protocols. The program is also demonstrating the potential for MBCx to identify previously unrecognized cost-effective retrofit opportunities. In addition, the monitoring equipment will provide enhanced benchmarking capability for campuses—aiding in overall energy management efforts, as wells as design of new buildings and infrastructure. Based on the success of preceding efforts on university campuses and supported by research and development efforts, this synergy of retro commissioning practices and enhanced permanent monitoring results in a robust energy efficiency program. The monitoring supports persistence of savings for the commissioning effort, while the commissioning makes the monitoring action-oriented with energy savings the end-result.
Effect of harmonics on power measurement

The authors review three-phase power (kW) metering and analyze the effects of harmonics on power measurement. It is shown that the harmonic content of the load waveform affects power measurement significantly. It is suggested that it is necessary to be cognizant of harmonics in relationship to kWh and power-factor billing. The application of digital microprocessor technology to power metering permits the measurement of power very precisely. It is possible with sample data techniques to determine true real power or kWh consumed by the power distribution system or resolve poor power factor questions. <<ETX>>
The Uses of Social Network Analysis in Planning: A Review of the Literature

This article reviews the basic concepts of Social Network Analysis (SNA) and its uses in theoretical and empirical planning literature. Continuing a discussion among planning theorists that was initiated at the 2003 ACSP/AESOP Joint Congress, the authors respond to specific gaps identified in papers presented at that conference. Specifically, the authors review the literature on SNA within disciplines related to planning and empirical planning studies using SNA. The authors find that the knowledge base on SNA specifically and network analysis generally is highly fragmented along disciplinary lines, contributing to the critique that it is a fuzzy concept.