Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Brucella
 spp. and
 Francisella tularensis
 from an invasive alien species (
 Sus scrofa
 ) in the southcentral USA

Wild pig ( Sus scrofa ) populations in the United States are expanding and increasing in distribution and abundance and are known to reservoir a variety of pathogens that can have economic and agricultural impacts. We examined wild pigs for exposure to Brucella spp. and Francisella tularensis from Oklahoma and Texas to determine their potential role as a regional reservoir for these pathogens since wild pigs co-occur with livestock, especially on rangelands in this region. Antibodies to Brucella spp. and F. tularensis were found in every location sampled and during multiple years. Overall, wild pigs had a 12.5% prevalence of Brucella spp. and a 14.8% prevalence of F. tularensis in this study. Wild pig prevalence of Brucella spp. was 43 times higher in southcentral Oklahoma compared to previously published results. Understanding and monitoring regional disease prevalence rates in wild pigs are necessary, especially on rangelands managing for livestock that may be susceptible to these diseases.
Bioactive compounds of oils extracted from fruits seeds obtained from agroindustrial waste

This study aimed at evaluating the oils extracted from seeds originating from agroindustrial wastes, in order to identify the presence of bioactive compounds. The oils extracted from seeds of apple, citron, grape, guava, kumquat, mangaba, mango, melon, orange, papaya, passion fruit, pumpkin, soursop, strawberry, and tomato were studied. Therefore, determination of fatty acid profile, triglycerides, composition of tocopherols, phytosterols and phenolic compounds, and total carotenoids was performed in the oils. Strawberry seed oil stood out for its high content of linolenic acid (31.5%), which is classified as essential fatty acid, and also for its high content of phenolic compounds, compared to the other samples. The concentrations of tocopherols ranged from nd (not detected), in kumquat seed oil, to 534.53 mg/kg, in apple seed oil. The main phytosterol found among the samples was β-sitosterol. Practical applications: The analyses accomplished indicate that these oils can be a new source of oils for human consumption. The information presented might be directly used for developing of functional foods, as well chemical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. This study aimed at evaluating the oils extracted from seeds originating from agroindustrial wastes. Determination of fatty acid profile, composition of tocopherols, phytosterols and phenolic compounds, and total carotenoids was performed in the oils extracted from seeds of apple, citron, grape, guava, kumquat, mangaba, mango, melon, orange, papaya, passion fruit, pumpkin, soursop, strawberry, and tomato.
Decolonising research with black communities: developing equitable and ethical relationships between academic and community stakeholders

In this International Decade for People of African Descent,1 the spotlight in Canada and in other Western countries has turned to understanding and documenting the lived experiences of black communities. This interest by scholars is perhaps even greater over the last few months with the heightened attention around the world as the Black Lives Matter movements have highlighted anti-black racism in North America. However, reflective of the wider social injustices against black persons, there have been harmful relationships between researchers and black communities historically that has led to black communities mistrusting researchers (Davis et al, 2010; Scharff et al, 2010). These histories have parallels with critiques of the sustained damages of white settler scholarship on, but not with, Indigenous communities where, as Linda Tuhaiwi Smith famously noted that ‘“research” is probably one of the dirtiest words in the indigenous world’s vocabulary’ (Smith, 2012: 1). Moreover, more and more attention has been given to ethical research practices that go beyond simply getting ethical approval from research ethics boards (Tuck and Guishard, 2013; Doucet, 2018a). In particular, Indigenous communities and scholars who conduct research with them, and to a lesser extent black communities and scholars, have been calling for more attention to be paid to the nature and quality of the relationships that researchers are building with communities who have historically been oppressed in research and in society generally (Gibbs, 2001; Semali et al, 2007; Napoli, 2019). Specifically, Families, Relationships and Societies
Design and Durability of Early 20Th Century Concrete Bridges in Scotland: A Review of Historic Test Data

ABSTRACT The development of Portland cement and concrete in the 19th and 20th centuries revolutionised the construction industry, and provided a means of achieving architectural and structural feats that were previously impossible. While reinforced concrete bridges provided a means of simultaneously spanning vast distances and carrying significant loads, the material was little understood and designs reflected this. As a result, many early reinforced concrete structures suffer from significant durability issues and there is a growing requirement for their maintenance and repair, but the extent of the issue is unclear. As such, this review of historic test data intends to provide insight into previous reinforced concrete bridge design in Scotland, compare their design to current engineering codes, and discuss the implications for maintaining and preserving these unique examples of architectural heritage.
Diversity Assessment of Mango (Mangifera spp) Plant Collection of Cibinong Germplasm Garden Based on Leaves Morphology and RAPD Markers

Mango genetic diversity becomes the successful key factor of the mango breeding program. To obtain higher genetic diversity can be done through explorations of mango germplasm. This study aims to complete the morphology and genetic data characterization of the mango plant collection of Cibinong germplasm garden. The morphology analysis was carried out on the leaves character, while the genetic conducted using the RAPD marker. The data was analyzed using PAST 3.25 and PowerMarker 3.25 software. The result showed that 7 out of 11 leaves characters have diverse variation. The qualitative morphological observation showed that the leaves of Kweni have the largest shape among the others. The first principal component analysis with eigenvalue >1 explained that the diversity index of examined material was 51.4%. The colour of the young leaves character became the most influential character in leaves morphology diversity. The genetic analysis results using 13 RAPD markers showed the average of alleles number, main alleles frequency, genetic diversity, heterozygosity, and PIC values were 7.1; 0.47; 0.72; 0.99; and 0.70, respectively. The most informative marker used in this study was OPA18. Phylogenetic analysis based on leaf morphology and RAPD markers divided seven mango plants into two groups. The first group consisted of Manalagi69, Arumanis143, Cengkir Indramayu, Sibadak, Gedong Gincu, and Kweni, while the second group was Apel. The similarity index showed that Cengkir Indramayu and Sibadak has 85% similarity, while Apel has the lowest similarity with Arumanis143 and Kweni by only 68%. The morphology and genetic analysis in this study was expected to be the basis for developing a new superior variety and conservation of mango plant collection of Cibinong germplasm garden.
Petrogenesis and tectonic implication of the lower Silurian high-Sr/Y subvolcanic rocks from the South Qilian suture zone in the Qilian Orogen, NW China

Abstract As the remnant of the South Qilian Ocean, the South Qilian suture zone recorded abundant information on the Cambrian–Ordovician subduction history of the southern branch of the Proto-Tethyan Ocean. However, the closure timing of the South Qilian Ocean and subsequent collision are poorly constrained. In this study, we report early Silurian (433–435 Ma) U–Pb ages of felsic subvolcanic rocks from Lianhuashan, Ayishan and Shihuiyao of the Lajishan district within the South Qilian suture zone. They intruded the Late Ordovician – Silurian sedimentary or Late Ordovician volcanic rocks and have high SiO2 (61.43–73.06 wt%), Sr/Y ratios with significant different rare earth elements (REEs) and trace-element spider diagrams, and Sr–Nd isotopic compositions, probably implying that they were formed through distinctly different generation mechanisms. Geochemistry of the Lianhuashan dacites reveals compositions typical of adakitic rocks derived from partial melting of lower crust in a thickened setting. The Ayishan dacites were derived from partial melting of crustal materials with the involvement of minor peridotite mantle, and the Shihuiyao rhyolites were derived from partial melting of felsic crust. The similar geochemical characteristics of coeval post-collisional igneous rocks in the Central Qilian and South Qilian blocks indicates that the lower Silurian subvolcanic rocks were generated in a thickened crust of post-collisional setting. Considering their intrusive contacts with Late Ordovician – Silurian retro-foreland basin and Late Ordovician collisional volcanic rocks, we propose that the South Qilian suture zone was at a transitional stage from collisional to post-collisional during the early Silurian Period.
Influence of Active Flow Control on Blunt-Edged VFE-2 Delta Wing model

This paper highlights the flow topology above blunt-edged delta wing of VFE-2 configuration when an active flow control technique called ‘blower’ is applied in the leading edge of the wing. The flow topology above blunt-edged delta wing is very complex, disorganised and unresolved compared to sharp-edged wing. For the sharp leading-edged wing, the onset of the primary vortex is fixed at the apex of the wing and develops along the entire wing towards the trailing edge. However, the onset of the primary vortex is no longer fixed at the apex of the wing for the blunt-edged case. The onset of the primary vortex develops at a certain chord-wise position and it moved upstream or downstream depending on Reynolds number, angle of attack, Mach number and the leading-edge bluntness. An active flow control namely ‘blower’ technique has been applied in the leading edge of the wing in order to investigate the upstream/downstream progression of the primary vortex. This research has been carried out in order to determine either the flow on blunt-edged delta wing would behave as the flow above sharp-edged delta wing if any active flow control is applied. The experiments were performed at Reynolds number of 0.5×106, 1.0×106 and 2.0×106 corresponding to 9 m/s, 18 m/s and 36 m/s in UTM Low Speed wind Tunnel based on the mean aerodynamic chord of the wing. The results obtained from this research have shown that the blower technique has significant effects on the flow topology above blunt-edged delta wing. The main observation from this study was that the primary vortex has been shifted 20% upstream when the blower technique is applied. Another main observation was the ability of this flow control to delay the formation of the vortex breakdown.
Tailoring multifunctional graphene-based thin films: from nanocatalysts to SERS substrates

Anchoring different functional groups on graphene may modulate and broaden its application, providing free groups to act for example as catalytic sites or for metallic nanoparticles (NPs) passivation. In this work, two novel approaches, based on the liquid/liquid (L/L) interfacial method, were used to obtain thiolated graphene oxide (GO) thin films rationally modified with cysteamine, through stable amide bonds, with different degrees of functionalization. In addition, nanocomposites of the functionalized film with silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) were obtained by the direct heterogeneous reaction of Ag+ cations with the films. The functionalized films were applied as nanocatalysts for organophosphate degradation, as SERS substrates and finally as a SERS-based qualitative sensor for nitrophenols. The thin film nanocomposites presented high performance in the detection of 4-aminothiophenol with enhancement factors up to 108. Moreover, the thiolated thin films were effective catalysts for degrading organophosphates such as the toxic pesticide Paraoxon, which presented impressive catalytic activity (106-fold). Elegantly, we managed to detect by Raman spectroscopy the degradation product adsorbed on the nanocomposite catalyst, hence achieving a SERS sensor for nitrophenol. Thus, we report for the first time the synthesis of functionalized graphene-based thin films through the interfacial route and their nanocomposites with Ag-NPs, along with their multiple applications. In fact, tailoring such multifunctionalities is particularly interesting for the development of sensors and detoxifying agents to monitor and eradicate abusive uses of toxic organophosphorus substances.
Economic Competition and Police-caused Killings

Blacks, Latinx, and American Indians are killed by police at a disproportionately higher rate than Whites and Asians, but whether racial discrimination accounts for these killings remains disputed. We contribute to this debate by examining structural conditions in U.S. metropolitan areas that are associated with the expected count of police-caused killings. Using an economic competition model, we find that the size of the metropolitan Black population (relative to the White population) positively predicts the expected count of police-caused killings for Blacks. Moreover, the size of the Latinx population (relative to Whites) predicts the expected count of police-caused killings of Latinx civilians. Furthermore, we find that metropolitan areas with more mixed-race neighborhoods experience higher expected counts of police-caused killings, specifically, for all, Black and White civilians. Finally, we find that overall population size also predicts the expected number of people killed by the police but violent crime does not, calling into question accounts that deaths are a function of crime. Our findings suggest, first, that the underlying conditions that lead to the deaths of Black and Latinx people at the hands of police are different than police-caused deaths of people of other races. Second, in developing solutions to the serious social problem of police-caused deaths, we need to look beyond the proximal causes of these deaths (i.e., the police) to the distal factors operating at the metropolitan level that promote White supremacy.
Learning to Calibrate Battery Models in Real-Time with Deep Reinforcement Learning

Lithium-ion (Li-I) batteries have recently become pervasive and are used in many physical assets. For the effective management of the batteries, reliable predictions of the end-of-discharge (EOD) and end-of-life (EOL) are essential. Many detailed electrochemical models have been developed for the batteries. Their parameters are calibrated before they are taken into operation and are typically not re-calibrated during operation. However, the degradation of batteries increases the reality gap between the computational models and the physical systems and leads to inaccurate predictions of EOD/EOL. The current calibration approaches are either computationally expensive (model-based calibration) or require large amounts of ground truth data for degradation parameters (supervised data-driven calibration). This is often infeasible for many practical applications. In this paper, we introduce a reinforcement learning-based framework for reliably inferring calibration parameters of battery models in real time. Most importantly, the proposed methodology does not need any labeled data samples of observations and the ground truth parameters. The experimental results demonstrate that our framework is capable of inferring the model parameters in real time with better accuracy compared to approaches based on unscented Kalman filters. Furthermore, our results show better generalizability than supervised learning approaches even though our methodology does not rely on ground truth information during training.
IT-enabled sustainable development in electric scooter sharing platforms: focusing on the privacy concerns for traceable information

ABSTRACT Electric scooter (e-scooter) sharing services have redefined the concept of urban transportation and development for cities around the world. These services, however, have raised concerns regarding information privacy in the wake of allegations that they are used by corporations and even government bodies to collect information. We introduce a new dimension of privacy concerns (i.e., privacy concerns for traceable information: PCTI) and utilize the antecedent-privacy concern-outcome (APCO) macro model to propose a research model for the relationships among privacy experiences and awareness, usage and geographical regularities, PCTI, and information privacy protective responses (IPPR). Our analysis suggests that privacy experiences and privacy awareness remain as salient antecedents and that geographical regularity should be included as a new antecedent for PCTI. This study contributes to the literature on information privacy in the sharing economy and provides implications for both stakeholders of e-scooter platforms and policymakers for urban transportation and IT-enabled development.
The Effect of Auditor Style on Reporting Quality: Evidence from Germany

This paper examines whether the ‘style’ of individual auditors influences financial reporting quality in Germany. Audit quality in Germany should be uniformly high, because of strong reputational needs, strict controls on operating procedures, and quality enforcement mechanisms. An audit partner’s style should not affect this quality level. However, our results do not support this expectation. Exploiting a unique dataset comprising the names of the audit engagement and review partners of listed German companies, we find that audit engagement partners in Germany have a significant influence on audit quality, beyond firm- and office-level factors. In contrast, audit review partners do not have a consistent significant influence on audit quality. We measure audit quality by the level of a firm’s abnormal accruals and its propensity to meet or beat an earnings target. We also find that the 2005 adoption of a new audit quality enforcement system that includes ‘naming and shaming’ does not reduce the influence of audit partner style on financial reporting quality.
Membership‐function‐dependent approach to design filter for non‐linear systems with time‐varying delay via interval type‐2 fuzzy model

This paper addresses the problem of H ∞ ﬁltering for non-linear systems with time-varying delay via the interval type-2 (IT2) fuzzy model and the membership-function-dependent approach. By taking the time-varying delay and uncertainties into consideration, the non-linear plant is modelled as an IT2 fuzzy delayed system, which fully captures the parameter uncertainties of the systems by using upper and lower membership functions. An IT2 fuzzy ﬁlter is designed to estimate the unknown information of the non-linear systems, which does not require the same premise variables as the plant. By combining the IT2 fuzzy delayed system and the IT2 fuzzy ﬁlter, a ﬁltering error system is established. Based on the Lyapunov theory, a fuzzy-dependent Lyapunov function is constructed. Then, the membership-function-dependent approach, delay analysis approach, and some slack matrix variables are employing to analyse the derivative terms of the Lyapunov function, and a less conservative condition is derived to guarantee the ﬁltering error system is stable. Moreover, the standard conditions of the ﬁlter are given in the form of linear matrix inequalities via the matrix decoupling technique. Finally, a numerical example is given to demonstrate the effectiveness and merits of the proposed method.
Protocol of Explanatory Study on Social, Economic and Political Dimensions of Nutritional Status of Children Aged Six to Sixty Months from Low Socio-Economic Strata in Kerala, India

Background: Despite having better human development indicators, one-fifth of under-five children in Kerala are undernourished. The demographic, socio-economic, cultural and political transition in Kerala necessitates a revisit on the causes of undernutrition among children given that it tackled many of the immediate causes of undernutrition. The present study aims at the multi-dimensional factors' influence on nutritional status of children from low socio-economic strata in Kerala. Methods/Design: The conceptual framework for the present study adapted the ecosocial theory by Nancy Krieger. We use an explanatory study design, by adopting both quantitative and qualitative methods. The sample size for the quantitative phase is 600 children of age six to 60 months and their mothers. The qualitative phase includes in-depth interviews with key informants. The data collection tools include weighing scale and stadiometer for taking anthropometric measurements, household survey questionnaire, interview schedule for mothers, interview guide for key informants, field diary and checklist for document analysis. Discussion: Contextual evidence that the study generates will have implications at individual, service provision and policy perspectives of undernutrition among children in Kerala. It will help improve the nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive policies and programs in Kerala, which in turn will improve the nutritional status of the children.
Molecular Signatures of Glacial Dissolved Organic Matter From Svalbard and Greenland

Glaciers and ice sheets cover over 10 % of Earth's land surface area and store a globally significant amount of dissolved organic matter (DOM), which is highly bioavailable when exported to proglacial environments. Recent rapid glacier mass loss is hypothesized to have increased fluxes of DOM from these environments, yet the molecular composition of glacially derived DOM has only been studied for a handful of glaciers. We determine DOM composition using ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry from a diverse suite of Arctic glacial environments, including time series sampling from an ice sheet catchment in Greenland (Russell Glacier) and outflow from valley glaciers in catchments with varying degrees of glacial cover in Svalbard. Samples from the Greenland outflow time series exhibited a higher degree of similarity than glacier outflow between glaciers in Svalbard; however, supraglacial meltwater samples from Greenland and Svalbard were more similar to each other than corresponding glacial outflow. Outflow from Russell Glacier was enriched in polyphenolic formulae, potentially reflecting upstream inputs from plants and soils, or inputs from paleosols overridden by the ice sheet, whereas Svalbard rivers exhibited a high level of molecular richness and dissimilarity between sites. When comparing DOM compositional analyses from other aquatic systems, aliphatic, and peptide‐like formulae appear particularly abundant in supraglacial meltwater, suggesting the DOM quickly metabolized in previous incubations of glacial water originates from energy‐rich supraglacial sources. Therefore, as glaciers lose mass across the region, higher‐quality fuel for microbial degradation will increase heterotrophy in coastal systems with ramifications for carbon cycling.