Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Miniaturized Maxwell Fisheye Lens for Terahertz Multibeam Luneburg lens Antenna

A terahertz Luneburg lens based on Maxwell fisheye lens is proposed in this work. Benefitted from the features of Maxwell fisheye lens, we design the Luneburg lens by Maxwell fisheye lens as an intermediate structure. The idea of the feed moving away from the lens allows for more flexible feed design and reduces the design complexity of compact feeds in the terahertz band. The Maxwell fisheye lens is used to keep the feed antenna away from the Luneburg lens. Further, miniaturized Maxwell fisheye lens via transformation optics is presented for terahertz multibeam Luneburg lens. The simulated results have confirmed the feasibility of this idea successfully.
Synergistic Action of Biosynthesized Silver Nanoparticles and Culture Supernatant of Bacillus amyloliquefacience against the Soft Rot Pathogen Dickeya dadantii

Nanomaterials are increasingly being used for crop growth, especially as a new paradigm for plant disease management. Among the other nanomaterials, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) draw a great deal of attention because of their unique features and multiple usages. Rapid expansion in nanotechnology and utilization of AgNPs in a large range of areas resulted in the substantial release of these nanoparticles into the soil and water environment, causing concern for the safety of ecosystems and phytosanitary. In an attempt to find an effective control measure for sweet potato soft rot disease, the pathogen Dickeya dadantii was exposed to AgNPs, the cell-free culture supernatant (CFCS) of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens alone, and both in combination. AgNPs were synthesized using CFCS of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain A3. The green synthesized AgNPs exhibited a characteristic surface plasmon resonance peak at 410–420 nm. Electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction spectroscopy determined the nanocrystalline nature and 20–100 nm diameters of AgNPs. Release of metal Ag+ ion from biosynthesized AgNPs increases with time. AgNPs and CFCS of B. amyloliquefaciens alone exhibited antibacterial activity against the growth, biofilm formation, swimming motility, and virulence of strain A3. The antibacterial activities elevated with the elevation in AgNPs and CFCS concentration. Similar antibacterial activities against D. dadantii were obtained with AgNPs at 50 µg·mL−1, 50% CFCS alone, and the combination of AgNPs at 12 µg·mL−1 and 12% CFCS of B. amyloliquefaciens. In planta experiments indicated that all the treatments reduced D. dadantii infection and increased plant growth. These findings suggest that AgNPs along with CFCS of B. amyloliquefaciens can be applied to minimize this bacterial disease by controlling pathogen-contaminated sweet potato tuber with minimum Ag nano-pollutant in the environment.
Impact of Prolonged Cessation of Organized Team Training Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Body Composition of Japanese Elite Female Wheelchair Basketball Athletes

Studies on the effects of training confinement on athletes with physical impairments are limited. Hence, in this retrospective cohort study, we aimed to investigate the impact of prolonged cessation of organized team training due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on the body composition of elite female Japanese basketball athletes. Fourteen female wheelchair basketball athletes (aged ≥20 years) were enrolled. The primary outcomes were lean and adipose indices measured using whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The impact of prolonged organized team training cessation on body composition was investigated by comparing the body composition at baseline and post-training confinement. A reduced whole-body lean mass (p = 0.038) and percent lean mass (p = 0.022), as well as an increased percent body fat (p = 0.035), were observed after the confinement period. The regional analysis revealed reduced percent lean and increased percent fat masses in the trunk (p = 0.015 and p = 0.026, respectively) and upper limbs (p = 0.036 and p = 0.048, respectively). In conclusion, prolonged organized team training cessation reduced lean mass and increased body fat percentage, primarily in the trunk and upper limbs. Individualized training programs targeting these body regions should be implemented to improve body composition and physical conditions in athletes during and after prolonged cessation of organized team training.
Development and Application of a Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Model for Diclazuril in Broiler Chickens

Simple Summary Coccidiosis is a devastating poultry disease with significant economic implications. The prevention and control of coccidiosis currently rely on the administration of anticoccidial drugs through feed or water. One of the commonly used drugs is diclazuril, which was approved in broilers for their whole life. Additionally, its prolonged use can lead to residue accumulation in edible tissues. As a result, we developed and validated a physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model for diclazuril to predict its residues in broilers. We identified and analyzed the key parameters associated with diclazuril concentrations in the muscle through Monte Carlo analysis. Our findings suggested that a withdrawal period of 0 days was suitable for both recommended dosing regimens. This model can be expanded to other coccidiostats and poultry species as a critical resource. Abstract Withdrawal periods for diclazuril in broilers have traditionally been determined through regression analysis. However, over the last two decades, the physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model has gained prominence as a predictive tool for veterinary drug residues, which offers an alternative method for establishing appropriate withdrawal periods for veterinary drugs. In this current study, a flow-limited PBPK model was developed to predict diclazuril concentrations in broilers following long-duration administration via medicated feed and water. This model consists of nine compartments, including arterial and venous plasma, lung, muscle, skin + fat, kidney, liver, intestine contents, and the rest of the body compartment. Physiological parameters such as tissue weights (Vcxx) and blood flow (Qcxx) were gathered from published studies, and tissue/plasma partition coefficients (Pxx) were calculated through the area method or parameter optimization. Published diclazuril concentrations were compared to the predicted values, indicating the accuracy and validity of the model. The sensitivity analysis showed that parameters associated with cardiac output, drug absorption, and elimination significantly affected diclazuril concentrations in the muscle. Finally, a Monte Carlo analysis, consisting of 1000 iterations, was conducted to calculate the withdrawal period. Based on the Chinese MRL values, we calculated a withdrawal period of 0 days for both recommended dosing regimens (through mediated water and feed at concentrations of 0.5–1 mg/L and 1 mg/kg, respectively). However, based on the European MRLs, longer periods were determined for the mediated feed dosing route. Our model provides a foundation for scaling other coccidiostats and poultry species.
Efficient Architecture for VVC Angular Intra Prediction based on a Hardware-Friendly Heuristic

This paper presents a low-power and high-performance hardware design for the Angular Intraframe Prediction (AIP) of the Versatile Video Coding (VVC). The designed architecture is based on a proposed heuristic developed to reduce the angular prediction computational effort. The proposed heuristic presented average encoding time reduction of 60.92%, and coding efficiency (BD-Rate) impact of 8.62%. The architecture was synthesized for TSMC 40nm ASIC technology and the results show it can process HD 1080p videos at 30 frames per second, with a power dissipation of 91.6mW. To the best of the author's knowledge, this is the first work in the literature reporting an ASIC design for the VVC AIP.
DILKASH-20: A NEWLY APPROVED WHEAT VARIETY RECOMMENDED FOR PUNJAB, PAKISTAN, WITH SUPREME YIELDING POTENTIAL AND DISEASE RESISTANCE

Wheat Research Institute (WRI), Faisalabad, Pakistan, a premier foundational birthplace of the Green revolution in Pakistan, has played a vital role in attaining food self-sufficiency. Latest grown varieties have succumbed to ever-changing pathogens, unable to stand in the fields. Hence, the initiative to develop an indigenous type to withstand high disease pressure producing better grain yield transpired during 2008–2009, with the hybridization of Dilkash-20 (WBLL*2/4/SNI/TRAP#1/3/KAUZ*2/TRAP//KAUZ/5/ PB.96//LU26/HD2179). It proceeded with segregating generations from F2 to F7 from 2009 to 2016. During 2016–2017 and 2017–2018, its testing followed at station yield trials, including Preliminary (A) and Regular (B), under code V-16005. It produced a significantly higher yield (10.86% and 10.40%) than the check varieties (Faisalabad-08 [FSD-08] and Punjab-11 [PB-11]). In provincial trials, it out-yielded a check variety by 4.06%. Testing in national yield trials, line V-16005 produced 17.40% and 12.03% higher grain yield than check cultivars during 2018–2019 and 2019–2020, respectively. It yielded better when planted on the first 10 days of November with a 100 kg ha-1 seed rate and 120:90:60 NPK (kg ha-1) fertilizer rate. The Dilkash-20 variety is a medium-height (105–115 cm), semi-erect producing 425 tillers per m2, with 119 days to heading and 145–150 days to maturity. It is of excellent quality, with protein (15.1%), starch (52.7%), gluten (28.7%), and test weight (72.1 kg hl-1), highly suitable for chapatti making. It has an effectual, durable resistance against brown and yellow rusts based on adult plant resistance genes. Therefore, the Punjab Seed Council approved Dilkash-20 for general cultivation throughout the irrigated areas of Punjab.
Predicting the Growth of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in Oysters under Varying Ambient Temperature

Temperature is a critical factor that influences the proliferation of pathogens in hosts. One example of this is the human pathogen Vibrio parahaemolyticus (V. parahaemolyticus) in oysters. Here, a continuous time model was developed for predicting the growth of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in oysters under varying ambient temperature. The model was fit and evaluated against data from previous experiments. Once evaluated, the V. parahaemolyticus dynamics in oysters were estimated at different post-harvest varying temperature scenarios affected by water and air temperature and different ice treatment timing. The model performed adequately under varying temperature, reflecting that (i) increasing temperature, particularly in hot summers, favors a rapid V. parahaemolyticus growth in oysters, resulting in a very high risk of gastroenteritis in humans after consumption of a serving of raw oysters, (ii) pathogen inactivation due to day/night oscillations and, more evidently, due to ice treatments, and (iii) ice treatment is much more effective, limiting the risk of illness when applied immediately onboard compared to dockside. The model resulted in being a promising tool for improving the understanding of the V. parahaemolyticus–oyster system and supporting studies on the public health impact of pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus associated with raw oyster consumption. Although robust validation of the model predictions is needed, the initial results and evaluation showed the potential of the model to be easily modified to match similar systems where the temperature is a critical factor shaping the proliferation of pathogens in hosts.
PHENOTYPIC AND GENETIC DIVERSITY OF NATIVE RHIZOBIUM ISOLATED FROM ROOT NODULES OF LEGUMINOUS PLANTS GROWN IN RECLAIMED SOIL, EGYPT

An investigation of the phenotypic characteristics of 19 rhizobial strains, isolated from root nodules of different plant legumes grown in the soil of agriculture farms in Ismailia governorate, transpired. Most isolates were creamy or white opaque, mucoid, with a convex elevation, translucent, and smooth margined. Microscopic investigation revealed that all bacterial isolates were rod-shaped and had no positive affinity for Gram-stain. Identifying rhizobial cultures from any bacterial contaminants employed confirmatory tests based on prepared special media, including YMA supplement with Congo red, glucose peptone agar, Kit-lactose agar, and Hoffer’s alkaline test. Based on an infectivity test, all isolates proved their ability to reinfect their host. These rhizobial isolates, classified into two categories, included fast and slow-growing rhizobia according to their growth in the YEM medium containing bromothymol blue (BTB). Meanwhile, the assessment of the genetic diversity among these isolates proceeded using ISSR and RAPD markers, which ISSR marker proved a more powerful tool in discriminating among the tested isolates than the RAPD marker. The cluster analysis, with the RAPD marker, classified the isolates into two main groups. The first group included the isolates (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 13), while the second group contained the isolates (12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19). Moreover, using ISSR markers also showed a cluster of two main groups with diverse categories; the first cluster included isolates 1 to 11, and the second group contained isolates 12 to 19.
Nonstorm loss of relativistic electrons in the outer radiation belt

We report observations of electron Phase Space Density (PSD) dropout and evidence that supports the loss mechanism of magnetopause shadowing and outward radial diffusion during a nonstorm period characterized by persistently positive values of the SYM‐H index. On 14 April 2013 an electron PSD dropout of 2 orders of magnitude was observed at the nightside magnetosphere by the Van Allen Probes. The magnetopause shadowing was associated with a strong pulse attributed to the arrival of an interplanetary coronal mass ejection. It is shown, for the first time in detail, that significant losses to the magnetosheath may occur even in the absence of significant reconnection and magnetic storm activity. Signatures of substorm injections that penetrate the outer belt and enhance the low‐energy electrons were also observed right after the interplanetary pressure pulse. Moreover, particle measurements from THEMIS constellation also show a PSD depletion in the dayside magnetosphere.
Chimeric Human Papillomavirus-16 Virus-like Particles Presenting HIV-1 P18I10 Peptide: Expression, Purification, Bio-Physical Properties and Immunogenicity in BALB/c Mice

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines based on HPV L1 virus-like particles (VLPs) are already licensed but not accessible worldwide. About 38.0 million people were living with HIV in 2020 and there is no HIV vaccine yet. Therefore, safe, effective, and affordable vaccines against both viruses are an urgent need. In this study, the HIV-1 P18I10 CTL peptide from the V3 loop of HIV-1 gp120 glycoprotein was inserted into the HPV16 L1 protein to construct chimeric HPV:HIV (L1:P18I10) VLPs. Instead of the traditional baculovirus expression vector/insect cell (BEVS/IC) system, we established an alternative mammalian 293F cell-based expression system using cost-effective polyethylenimine-mediated transfection for L1:P18I10 protein production. Compared with conventional ultracentrifugation, we optimized a novel chromatographic purification method which could significantly increase L1:P18I10 VLP recovery (~56%). Chimeric L1:P18I10 VLPs purified from both methods were capable of self-assembling to integral particles and shared similar biophysical and morphological properties. After BALB/c mice immunization with 293F cell-derived and chromatography-purified L1:P18I10 VLPs, almost the same titer of anti-L1 IgG (p = 0.6409) was observed as Gardasil anti-HPV vaccine-immunized mice. Significant titers of anti-P18I10 binding antibodies (p < 0.01%) and P18I10-specific IFN-γ secreting splenocytes (p = 0.0002) were detected in L1:P18I10 VLP-immunized mice in comparison with licensed Gardasil-9 HPV vaccine. Furthermore, we demonstrated that insertion of HIV-1 P18I10 peptide into HPV16 L1 capsid protein did not affect the induction in anti-L1 antibodies. All in all, we expected that the mammalian cell expression system and chromatographic purification methods could be time-saving, cost-effective, scalable platforms to engineer bivalent VLP-based vaccines against HPV and HIV-1
Reworked Neoproterozoic sub-arc lithosphere beneath the Eastern Desert (Egypt): Evidence from geochemistry and geochronology of metabasites and granitoid gneisses, Gabal Um Gunud area

ABSTRACT High-grade granitoid gneisses (740–710 Ma) and elongate bodies of amphibolite and hornblende schist with cm-scale layers of garnet pyroxenite form an overturned fold in the Gabal Um Gunud area, South Eastern Desert of Egypt. Whole-rock geochemical data combined with zircon U-Pb-Hf isotope data suggest that the metabasites represent relics of oceanic crust with an N-MORB affinity, which has been derived from partial melting (2.0–1.4 GPa; ~65- ~ 45 km depth) of a depleted mantle source beneath an intra-oceanic, spreading forearc basin. Such increment of melting degree resulted in small basaltic melt batches with transitional tholeiitic to boninitic affinities. Progressive slab subduction and partial melting of the tholeiitic amphibolite produced high-Al and low HREE melts for trondhjemite at av. T = 854°C and low-Al and high HREE melts for tonalite at higher temperatures (av. 949°C). The low Mg# of the trondhjemite-tonalite rocks may be attributed to limited contamination of subduction components, as evidenced by the weak lanthanide tetrad effects (TE1,3~1) and near-chondritic Zr/Hf, Nb/Ta, and Y/Ho ratios, while the garnet pyroxenite was the residuum produced in equilibrium with the trondhjemite-tonalite melts.
Human–Robot Collaborative Scheduling in Energy-Efficient Welding Shop

Human–robot collaborative scheduling has been widely applied in modern manufacturing industry. A rational scheduling of human–robot cooperation plays an important role in improving production efficiency. However, human–robot collaborative scheduling problem in welding production has not been studied so far. Thus, this article addresses a human–robot collaborative welding shop scheduling problem (HCWSSP) with minimization objectives of makespan and total energy consumption (TEC). To solve this multiobjective HCWSSP, a Pareto-based memetic algorithm (PMA), which hybridizes a genetic operator and variable neighborhood search (VNS), is presented to obtain a set of tradeoff solutions between makespan and TEC. In PMA, each solution is represented by two parts, i.e., job processing sequence and resource assignment. A novel integrated initialization strategy is proposed to generate one initial population with high quality and good diversity. Furthermore, five kinds of VNS are designed to improve the exploitation capability of PMA. Experimental results on test problems manifest that the proposed PMA performs better than its competitors.
State- and bond-selected photodissociation and bimolecular reaction of water

It is possible to exploit the isolation of the 0 —H stretching vibration in H 20 and HOD to control the photodissociation and reaction dynamics in water molecules excited in the region of the third overtone (4rOH) of the 0 -H stretch. In vibrationally mediated photodissociation of H 20, the selection of different initial stretching states having roughly the same energy leads to drastically different populations of the vibrational states of the OH photolysis product. By exciting the O-H stretching overtone in HOD, we can selectively photolyze that bond. In bimolecular reaction experiments, we react H 20 (4rOH) with H atoms to produce H 2 and OH. The reaction, which is endothermic, proceeds at an undetectable rate in our room temperature measurements. Vibrationally excited water, however, reacts at roughly the gas kinetic collision rate. Applying this technique to HOD (4rOH) allows us to demonstrate bond selected bimolecular chemistry in which the reaction produces only OD. This observation suggests a general approach to assessing bond controlled reactions in a variety of systems.
State and parameter estimation: a nonlinear Luenberger approach

The design of a nonlinear Luenberger observer for a parametrized linear SISO (single-input single-output) system is studied. From an observability assumption of the system, the existence of such an observer is concluded. In a second step, a novel algorithm for the identification of such systems is suggested and is implemented on a third order system. Compared to the adaptive observer available in the litterature, it has the advantage to be of low dimension and to admit a strict Lyapunov function.
Periquiteira (Cochlospermum orinocense): A Promising Amazon Fiber for Application in Composite Materials

Natural lignocellulosic fibers (NLFs) have in recent decades appeared as sustainable reinforcement alternatives to replace synthetic fibers in polymer composite material applications. In this work, for the first time, the periquiteira (Cochlospermum orinocense), a lesser known NLF from the Amazon region, was analyzed for its density and, by X-ray diffraction (XRD), to calculate the crystallinity index as well as the microfibrillar angle (MFA), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron analysis (SEM) and tensile strength. The apparent density found for the periquiteira fiber was 0.43 g/cm3, one of the NLF’s lowest. XRD analysis indicated a crystallinity index of 70.49% and MFA of 7.32°. The TGA disclosed thermal stability up to 250 °C. The FTIR analysis indicated the presence of functional groups characteristic of NLFs. The SEM morphological analysis revealed that the periquiteira fiber presents fine bundles of fibrils and a rough surface throughout its entire length. The average strength value of the periquiteira fiber was found as 178 MPa. These preliminary results indicate that the periquiteira fiber has the potential to be used as a reinforcing agent in polymeric matrices and can generate a lightweight composite with excellent mechanical properties that can be used in various industrial sectors.
COMPARISON OF FOUR ALGORITHMS FOR SOLVING PRESSURE- VELOCITY LINKED EQUATIONS IN SIMULATING ATRIUM FIRE

Four algorithms for solving the pressure-velocity linked equation were compared by simulating the pressure distribution in an atrium fire. The four algorithms studied were the SIMPLE, the SIMPLER, the SIMPLEC and the PISO. Four heat release rates of fire in an arbitrary atrium were considered. Different under-relaxation factors for velocity components were assigned. It is found that the flow variables predicted by the four algorithms are the same, though the pressure distributions are quite different. Two sets of predicted pressure were found. The SIMPLE/SIMPLEC/PISO resulted in one set and the SIMPLER resulted in another. Macroscopic parameters useful to the fire industry were also computed.