Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A new species of the water mite genus Sperchon Kramer, 1877 from China, with identifying Sperchon rostratus Lundblad, 1969 through DNA barcoding (Acari, Hydrachnidia, Sperchontidae)

Abstract A new species of the water mite genus Sperchon Kramer, 1877 from China, Sperchon fuxiensis Zhang, sp. n. , is described and illustrated in this article. DNA barcoding for the new species is documented for future use. Descriptions of both male and female of Sperchon rostratus Lundblad, 1969 are given in the present study, and DNA barcoding for identifying S. rostratus is also discussed.
US GLOBEC NEP phase IIIb-CGOA : Synthesis of biophysical observations at multiple trophic levels using spatially nested, data-assimilating models of the Coastal Gulf of Alaska

Contribution to Project: Vincent Combes is conducting his Ph.D. dissertation on the dynamics of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) circulation. As part of his thesis he has been conducting ensemle ocean simulations of the GOA, which are currently beeing used to setup the adjoint sensitivities and data assimilation experiments.
Multiple Injections of Coloured Microspheres for Islet Blood Flow Measurements in Anaesthetised Rats: Influence of Microsphere Size

We investigated if coloured microspheres could be used for repeated measurements of pancreatic islet blood flow in rats. An initial injection of 1.0-1.5 x 105 microspheres (black colour), with a size of 10 or 15 µm, was made into the ascending aorta, while an arterial reference sample was collected from the femoral artery. Twelve min later, 1 ml of saline or 30% D-glucose was injected intravenously. Three min after this injection a second injection of 10- or 15-µm microspheres (green colour) was given. The animals were then killed, and the pancreas and adrenals were removed and samples (150-200 mg) were secured from the duodenum, ileum, colon, right kidney and liver. The microsphere contents were determined with the aid of a freeze-thawing technique and blood flow values were calculated. Our results suggest that 10-µm microspheres, but not 15-µm microspheres, provide reproducible islet and total pancreatic blood flow measurements when repeatedly injected. Values for the blood flow to the intestines, kidney and liver were less sensitive to the size of the microspheres. We conclude that repeated administration of 15-µm microspheres induces a high risk for erroneous islet and total pancreatic blood flow measurements, whereas two such measurements can be performed if 10-µm microspheres are used.
Annotation in three dimensions. PINTS: Patterns in Non-homologous Tertiary Structures

The detection of local structural patterns in proteins (e.g. active sites) can provide insights into protein function in the absence of sequence or fold similarity. Methods to detect such similarities are key during structural annotation, for example with results from Structural Genomics initiatives. PINTS (Patterns in Non-homologous Tertiary Structures, http://pints.embl.de) performs database searches for such patterns and most importantly provides a measure of statistical significance for any similarity uncovered. To aid functional annotation of proteins, we allow comparisons of pre-defined patterns against databases of complete structures and of entire structures to databases of particular residues likely to be functionally important.
Evaluation of the environmental quality monitoring protocol for Amazonian streams: a systematic review

The Amazon Rainforest is renowned for its extraordinary biodiversity and the ravages of pervasive deforestation. The removal of natural vegetation significantly affects Amazonian streams, leading to alterations in their environmental conditions. In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency has devised a comprehensive protocol to monitor changes in the environmental quality of streams. Since 2011, the Sustainable Amazon Network has implemented this protocol in Amazonian streams. Our systematic review aimed to address the following questions: i) How widely has the protocol been employed in Amazonian streams? ; ii) Is the utilization of this protocol well-distributed across the Amazon Basin? ; iii) Which types of land use have been assessed using this protocol? ; iv) Which components of the aquatic biota have been studied in conjunction with the protocol? ; and, v) Which metrics of the protocol are most crucial for elucidating aquatic biota distribution? We conducted searches using the Web of Science and Google Scholar databases, identifying 34 studies that directly aligned with our objectives. It was observed that the Eastern Amazon had the highest number of streams evaluated. Additionally, aquatic insects emerged as an effective tool when utilized alongside the protocol for evaluating the impacts of changes in land use. Ultimately, the most important metrics for assessing impacts on aquatic biota were shelter availability in the channels, the preservation status of riparian forests, and water quality. We recommend developing a simplified version of this protocol to facilitate its application for research teams with limited personnel and financial resources available for fieldwork. Keywords: aquatic conservation, biomonitoring, land use change, sampling efficiency, stream ecology.
Non-commercial Research and Educational Use including without Limitation Use in Instruction at Your Institution, Sending It to Specific Colleagues That You Know, and Providing a Copy to Your Institution's Administrator. All Other Uses, Reproduction and Distribution, including without Limitation Comm

In this paper we explore the use of a new rate–distortion metric for optimizing real-time Internet video streaming with the transmission control protocol (TCP). We lay out the groundwork by developing a simple model that characterizes the expected latency for packets send with TCP-Reno. Subsequently, we develop an analytical model of the expected video distortion at the decoder with respect to the expected latency for TCP, the packetization mechanism, and the error-concealment method used at the decoder. Characterizing the duo protocol/channel more accurately, we obtain a better estimate of the expected distortion and the available channel rate. This better knowledge is exploited with the design of a new algorithm for rate–distortion optimized encoding mode selection for video streaming with TCP. Experimental results for real-time video streaming depict improvement in PSNR in the range of 2 dB over metrics that do not consider the behavior of the transport protocol.
Interacting with multi-perspective views: challenges and approaches

This paper discusses challenges and approaches of interaction and navigation techniques for multi-perspective views (MPVs) in the context of 3D geovirtual environments. In contrast to single-perspective views, MPVs seamlessly combine multiple views from different perspectives in one image to reduce occlusion and visual clutter while providing additional context information. 3D geovirtual environments often provide a single-perspective view and use interaction techniques that are based on ray-casting. The application of ray-cast based interaction techniques for MPVs introduces a number of technical challenges. We show how existing interaction techniques can be adapted for the application to multi-perspective city panoramas. Further, we introduce interaction techniques that enable a fast and directed exploration of virtual 3D building models based on multi-perspective detail+overview visualization.
Future internet: The Internet of Things

Nowadays, the main communication form on the Internet is human-human. But it is foreseeable that in a near soon that any object will have a unique way of identification and can be addressed so that every object can be connected. The Internet will become to the Internet of Things. The communicate forms will expand from human-human to human-human, human-thing and thing-thing (also called M2M). This will bring a new ubiquitous computing and communication era and change people's life extremely. Radio Frequency Identification techniques (RFID) and related identification technologies will be the cornerstones of the upcoming Internet of Things (IOT). This paper aims to show a skeleton of the Internet of Things and we try to address some essential issues of the Internet of Things like its architecture and the interoperability, etc. At the beginning we describe an overview of the Internet of Things. Then we give our architecture design proposal of the Internet of Things and then we design a specific the Internet of Things application model which can apply to automatic facilities management in the smart campus. At last, we discuss some open questions about the Internet of Things.
A Model-Driven Development Framework for Non-Functional Aspects in Service Oriented Grids

Service-oriented grids are grid computing systems built with the notion of service-oriented architecture (SOA). Using two major abstract concepts, services and connections between services, each grid application is designed as a collection of loosely-coupled services in an implementation independent manner. In service-oriented grids, the non-functional aspects of services and connections (e.g., message transmission and security) should be described separately from their functional aspects because different applications use services and connections in different nonfunctional requirements. This paper presents a UML profile to graphically specify and maintain non-functional aspects in service-oriented grids as implementation independent UML models. The UML models are transformed into implementation specific code by a model-driven development tool. This paper demonstrates how the proposed UML profile is used in model-driven development of service-oriented grid applications
Stimulated Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells Enhance the Osteogenesis and Cranial Bone Regeneration through IL-32 Mediated P38 Signaling Pathway

Objective Our previous study found that it could significantly increase the expression of IL32 after stimulating the human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (S-HuMSCs). However, its role on the osteogenesis and cranial bone regeneration is still largely unknown. Here, we investigated the possible mechanism of this effect. Material and Methods. A series of experiments, including single-cell sequencing, flow cytometry, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and western blotting, were carried out to evaluate the characteristic and adipogenic–osteogenic differentiation potential of IL-32 overexpression HuMSCs (IL-32highHuMSCs) through mediating the P38 signaling pathway. Moreover, a rat skull bone defect model was established and treated by directly injecting the IL-32highHuMSCs to conduct its role on the cranial bone regeneration. Results In total, it found that compared to HuMSCs, IL32 was significantly increased and promoted the osteogenic differentiation (lower expressions of PPARγ, Adiponectin, and C/EBPα, and increased expressions of RUNX2, ALP, BMP2, OPN, SP7, OCN, and DLX5) in the S-HuMSCs (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the enhanced osteogenic differentiation of HuMSCs was recovered by IL-32 overexpression (IL-32highHuMSCs) through activating the P38 signaling pathway, like as the S-HuMSCs (P < 0.05). However, the osteogenic differentiation potential of IL-32highHuMSCs was significantly reversed by the P38 signaling pathway inhibitor SB203580 (P < 0.05). Additionally, the HuMSCs, S-HuMSCs, and IL-32highHuMSCs all presented adipogenic–osteogenic differentiation potential, with higher levels of CD73, CD90, and CD105, and lower CD14, CD34, and CD45 (P > 0.05). Furthermore, these findings were confirmed by the rat skull bone defect model, in which the cranial bone regeneration was more pronounced in the IL-32highHuMSCs treated group compared to those in the HuMSCs group, with higher expressions of RUNX2, ALP, BMP2, and DLX5 (P < 0.05). Conclusion We have confirmed that S-HuMSCs can enhance the osteogenesis and cranial bone regeneration through promoting IL-32-mediated P38 signaling pathway, which is proved that IL-32 may be a therapeutic target, or a biomarker for the treatment of cranial bone injuries.
Low Salinity Water Alternate Gas Injection Process for Alaskan Viscous Oil EOR

Carbon dioxide has excellent oil swelling and viscosity reducing characteristics. CO2 injection alternated with water has shown substantial incremental recovery over waterflood for the Alaska North Slope (ANS) viscous oil reservoirs. However, for any project, the ultimate CO2 slug size is finite and once the apportioned solvent volume is used up, the reservoir oil rates gradually revert to the low waterflood rates during the later life of a field. Low salinity waterflooding (LSWF) has also shown some promise based on corefloods and single well tracer tests in North Slope light oil reservoirs. However, two challenges impede its implementation as a standalone enhanced oil recovery (EOR) option on the North Slope: 1) slow response; the delay prolonged with increasing oil viscosity and 2) large upfront investments for the processing and transport of source water. This study proposes a hybrid EOR scheme, the low salinity water alternate gas (LSWAG) process, for the viscous fields of the ANS. The process was modeled by coupling geochemical and ion exchange reactions to a CO2-WAG type pattern model of the Schrader Bluff O sand. The Schrader Bluff reservoir has been classified suitable for low salinity EOR based on its permeability, temperature, clay content, and oil and formation water properties. Oil recovery through wettability alteration was modeled through ion exchange at the clay sites. Multiphase compositional flow simulation was run using numerical dispersion control. LSWAG forecast for 50 years following 36 years of high salinity waterflood recovered 15% OOIP more oil over high salinity waterflood and 4% incremental over high salinity WAG. This translates to an improvement of 58% and 11% over waterflood and conventional WAG respectively. Higher oil rates were observed during later life due to increased oil relative permeability caused by the low salinity mechanism. Furthermore, very low solvent utilization values were seen for LSWAG which can be tied to the higher ultimate oil recovery potential of using low salinity water over conventional waterflood. In summary, LSWAG outperformed LSWF and conventional WAG by synthesizing the oil swelling and viscosity reduction advantages of CO2 with lower residual oil benefits of LSWF, while overcoming the challenges of the late response of LSWF and low waterflood oil rates during later life in a conventional WAG flood.
The performance of three estimates of glomerular filtration rate before and after live donor nephrectomy

Serum creatinine‐based estimates of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) are inaccurate in healthy individuals. Therefore, their use in assessment prior to live donor nephrectomy has been restricted. There are less data on their use postdonor nephrectomy. This study assessed three GFR estimates against Cr51 EDTA radioisotope GFR (iGFR) in the same cohort of patients before and after donor nephrectomy. A total of 206 patients underwent iGFR measurement prior to donor nephrectomy and this was repeated in 187 patients 6–8 weeks postsurgery. The iGFR was compared with the modification of diet in renal disease (eGFR), Cockcroft–Gault (cgGFR) and Mayo Clinic equation (mcGFR) estimates of GFR. Preoperatively, all GFR estimates performed poorly against iGFR; however, mcGFR provided the most reliable estimate. The eGFR underestimated iGFR by 23.60 ± 16.43 ml/min/1.73 m2, cgGFR by 15.54 ± 18.13 ml/min/1.73 m2 and mcGFR overestimated by 0.72 ± 18.11 ml/min/1.73 m2. Postdonation, all estimates again performed poorly, but eGFR and mcGFR outperformed cgGFR. The eGFR underestimated iGFR by 9.13 ± 10.11 ml/min/1.73 m2, mcGFR by 9.44 ± 13.80 ml/min/1.73 m2 and cgGFR overestimated by 6.42 ± 14.49 ml/min/1.73 m2. No GFR estimate performed sufficiently well to supersede iGFR measurement prior to donor nephrectomy. Performance postdonation was little better. In addition, there was no correlation between fall in iGFR and fall in GFR estimates postdonation.
The trajectory of gray matter development in Broca’s area is abnormal in people who stutter

The acquisition and mastery of speech-motor control requires years of practice spanning the course of development. People who stutter often perform poorly on speech-motor tasks thereby calling into question their ability to establish the stable neural motor programs required for masterful speech-motor control. There is evidence to support the assertion that these neural motor programs are represented in the posterior part of Broca’s area, specifically the left pars opercularis. Consequently, various theories of stuttering causation posit that the disorder is related to a breakdown in the formation of the neural motor programs for speech early in development and that this breakdown is maintained throughout life. To date, no study has examined the potential neurodevelopmental signatures of the disorder across pediatric and adult populations. The current study aimed to fill this gap in our knowledge. We hypothesized that the developmental trajectory of cortical thickness in people who stutter would differ across the lifespan in the left pars opercularis relative to a group of control participants. We collected structural magnetic resonance images from 116 males (55 people who stutter) ranging in age from 6 to 48 years old. Differences in cortical thickness across ages and between patients and controls were investigated in 30 brain regions previously implicated in speech-motor control. An interaction between age and group was found for the left pars opercularis only. In people who stutter, the pars opercularis did not demonstrate the typical maturational pattern of gradual gray matter thinning with age across the lifespan that we observed in control participants. In contrast, the developmental trajectory of gray matter thickness in other regions of interest within the neural network for speech-motor control was similar for both groups. Our findings indicate that the developmental trajectory of gray matter in left pars opercularis is abnormal in people who stutter.
Local Ecological Knowledge of the Whitemouth Croaker, Micropologias furneri among the Caiçaras in the Sepetiba Bay, SE Brazil

Local Ecological Knowledge of artisanal fishers (Caiçaras) was employed to investigate various biological aspects of the Whitemouth croaker (Micropogonias furnieri) in the Sepetiba Bay, in the state of Rio de Janeiro. This included migration patterns, reproduction, feeding habits, and interactions such as parasitism. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 40 fishers in two communities using the “snowball” technique. It was found that the fisher’s information coincides with the academic literature for some aspects of the biology and ecology of the species. Furthermore, the fishers provided descriptions of novel patterns, which contributed to a deeper understanding of the species' natural history. These included observations of reproduction occurring almost throughout the entire year, the influence of east and north winds on the species' entry into the bay, interactions with marine catfish (Ariidae), and notable records of the isopod Cymothoidae as an important parasite of the Whitemouth croaker. This study contributes new insights to the ecological understanding of this fish species, which holds significant socio-environmental importance. It also documents changes in the livelihoods of artisanal Caiçaras communities resulting from the increasing anthropogenic activities in the region. Finally, it highlights the species' significance in terms of its sale and consumption within these communities, owing to its relative abundance in the area, despite the environmental impacts.
Calcium carbonate budget in the Atlantic Ocean based on water column inorganic carbon chemistry

Recent independent lines of evidence suggest that the dissolution of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) particles is substantial in the upper ocean above the calcite 100% saturation horizon. This shallow‐water dissolution of carbonate particles is in contrast with the current paradigm of the conservative nature of pelagic CaCO3 at shallow water depths. Here we use more than 20,000 sets of carbon measurements in conjunction with CFC and 14C data from the WOCE/JGOFS/OACES global CO2 survey to estimate in situ dissolution rates of CaCO3 in the Atlantic Ocean. A dissolution rate is estimated from changes in alkalinity as a parcel of water ages along an isopycnal surface. The in situ CaCO3 dissolution increases rapidly at the aragonite 100% saturation horizon. Estimated dissolution rates north of 40oN are generally higher than the rates to the south, which is partly attributable to the production of exported CaCO3 being higher in the North Atlantic than in the South Atlantic. As more CaCO3 particles move down the water column, more particles are available for in situ dissolution. The total water column CaCO3 dissolution rate in the Atlantic Ocean is determined on an annual basis by integrating estimated dissolution rates throughout the entire water column and correcting for alkalinity input of approximately 5.6 × 1012 mol C yr−1 from CaCO3‐rich sediments. The resulting water column dissolution rate of CaCO3 for the Atlantic Ocean is approximately 11.1 × 1012 mol C yr−1. This corresponds to about 31% of a recent estimate (35.8 × 1012 mol C yr−1) of net CaCO3 production by Lee [2001] for the same area. Our calculation using a large amount of high‐quality water column alkalinity data provides the first basin‐scale estimate of the CaCO3 budget for the Atlantic Ocean.
Sustainability of biogas production from biomass waste streams

Biogas plays an important role in many future renewable energy scenarios as a source of storable and easily extracted form of renewable energy. However, there remains uncertainty as to which sources of biomass can provide a net energy gain while being harvested in a sustainable, ecologically friendly manner. This study will focus on the utilization of common, naturally occurring grass species which are cut during landscape management and typically treated as a waste stream. This waste grass can be valorized through co-digestion with cow manure in a biogas production process. Through the construction of a biogas production model based on the methodology proposed by (Pierie, Moll, van Gemert, & Benders, 2012), a life cycle analysis (LCA) has been performed which determines the impacts and viability of using common grass in a digester to produce biogas. This model performs a material and energy flow analysis (MEFA) on the biogas production process and tracks several system indicators (or impact factors), including the process energy return on energy investment ((P)EROI), the ecological impact (measured in Eco Points), and the global warming potential (GWP, measured in terms of kg of CO2 equivalent). A case study was performed for the village of Hoogkerk in the north-east Netherlands, to determine the viability of producing a portion of the village’s energy requirements by biogas production using biomass waste streams (i.e. common grass and cow manure in a co-digestion process). This study concludes that biogas production from common grass can be an effective and sustainable source of energy, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and negative environmental impacts when compared to alternate methods of energy production, such as biogas produced from maize and natural gas production.