Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gut Microbiota Composition Can Predict Colonization by Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria in SARS-CoV-2 Patients in Intensive Care Unit: A Pilot Study

The SARS-CoV-2 infection has increased the number of patients entering Intensive Care Unit (ICU) facilities and antibiotic treatments. Concurrently, the multi-drug resistant bacteria (MDRB) colonization index has risen. Considering that most of these bacteria are derived from gut microbiota, the study of its composition is essential. Additionally, SARS-CoV-2 infection may promote gut dysbiosis, suggesting an effect on microbiota composition. This pilot study aims to determine bacteria biomarkers to predict MDRB colonization risk in SARS-CoV-2 patients in ICUs. Seventeen adult patients with an ICU stay >48 h and who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection were enrolled in this study. Patients were assigned to two groups according to routine MDRB colonization surveillance: non-colonized and colonized. Stool samples were collected when entering ICUs, and microbiota composition was determined through Next Generation Sequencing techniques. Gut microbiota from colonized patients presented significantly lower bacterial diversity compared with non-colonized patients (p < 0.05). Microbiota in colonized subjects showed higher abundance of Anaerococcus, Dialister and Peptoniphilus, while higher levels of Enterococcus, Ochrobactrum and Staphylococcus were found in non-colonized ones. Moreover, LEfSe analysis suggests an initial detection of Dialister propionicifaciens as a biomarker of MDRB colonization risk. This pilot study shows that gut microbiota profile can become a predictor biomarker for MDRB colonization in SARS-CoV-2 patients.
Elastocaloric effect in a textured polycrystalline Ni-Mn-In-Co metamagnetic shape memory alloy

By direct measurements, the elastocaloric effect at various temperatures in a [001]-oriented Ni45.7Mn36. 6In13.3Co5. 1 metamagnetic shape memory polycrystal has been investigated. A reversible temperature change of ±3.5 K, due to the relatively low stress (100 MPa) induced martensitic transformation, was observed at room temperature. A theoretical analysis based on the Debye description has revealed that the adiabatic temperature change arising from the lattice vibration plays a dominant role in the large elastocaloric effect for Ni-Mn-In-Co alloys.
Aggregation, percolation and phase transitions in nematic liquid crystal EBBA doped with carbon nanotubes

Electrical conductivity, optical transmittance and microstructure of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) dispersed in nematic liquid crystal 4-ethoxybenzylidene-4′-n-butylaniline (EBBA) were studied in the temperature range between 287 and 363 K. The concentration C of MWCNTs was varied within 0.01–1% wt. The percolation threshold with a noticeable increase in electrical conductivity (by many orders of magnitude) was observed in the vicinity of C ≈ 0.1% wt. The heating–cooling hysteretic behaviour of electrical conductivity and optical transmittance thermal pre-history effects were studied. These effects reflected strong agglomeration and rearrangement of nanotubes during the thermal incubation. The estimates show that transient behaviour during the thermal incubation can be caused by Brownian motion of MWCNTs. The solidification of MWCNT + EBBA composite in the nematic range extended by conditions of supercooling was also studied as a function of temperature using electrical conductivity measurements. The solidification lag-time dependence on supercooling temperature followed the classical heterogeneous nucleation law, with MWCNTs serving as centres of EBBA solidification.
Evaluation and future projection of the extreme precipitation over India and its homogeneous regions: A regional earth system model perspective

A regional earth system model (ROM) was used to examine the projected change in the precipitation extremes (PEs) and associated dynamical and thermodynamical processes over India during the Indian summer monsoon (ISM). In this regard, PEs are computed for India, its six homogeneous regions and subregions the Western Ghats (WG) and central India (CI). The changes are computed for mid‐future (2040–2069: MDF) and far‐future (2070–2099: FRF) with respect to the historical period (1969–2000). ROM showed better resemblance with observation in simulating PEs over other regional climate models (RCMs) that participated in the CORDEX‐CORE simulation. The intense rainfall (95th percentile: R95) is expected to be enhanced over most of the region during MDF that further intensifies in FRF except CNE (central northeast) and NEI (northeast India), where the increase in R95 was restricted only up to MDF. Interestingly, very intense rainfall (99.9th percentile: R99) showed robust increases in both MDF and FRF for all regions. Additionally, long wet (dry) events were shortened (lengthen). Moreover, the short wet and dry spell frequency has increased, while the duration of the wet (dry) spell has decreased (increased) in both time slices over India with noticeable regional variation. This is attributed to the strong cyclonic circulation, reduced vertical wind shear and enhanced moisture transport during the ISM in both time slices. It is very important to highlight the substantial changes in the precipitation extremes to have better planning and strategies that will be helpful to minimize the incurred losses.
Geoscientists' views about science communication: predicting willingness to communicate geoscience

Abstract. The main barriers to science communication are common in different fields and they are widely identified in the literature. Studies focused on specific scientific communities framed science communication as an activity with the specificities of each context and field. In this study, we analysed geoscientists' representations and attitudes about communication to understand which factors can have significant impact on the prediction of public engagement and that can explain the frequency/intensity of communication. The results pointed out that factors such as professional experience, recognition by the institution, lack of financial support, personal satisfaction and geoscientific area of expertise, have a significant effect on their public engagement.
EFFECT OF E-CRM ON PORT PERFORMANCE THROUGH CUSTOMER SATISFACTION AND CUSTOMER LOYALTY THE CASE STUDY OF MENA REGION PORTS

Adoption of e-CRM has been a recent strategy in the majority of business organizations, more particularly the developing countries, and, as such, managers have strategically invested in online technologies while emphasizing the building and maintaining of worthy linkages with profitable customers. This study aims at identifying the role of CRM in enhancing port performance in regard to customer satisfaction and customer loyalty in MENA ports context. A quantitative research approach through use of questionnaire survey is used to answer the research questions and achieve the objectives of the study. Egyptian port customers and employees are used as the case study of the research for data collection, a total 403 valid questionnaires are collected form users of MENA ports, analysis and findings. Descriptive statistics is used to describe the findings and regression analysis used to describe and evaluate the relationship between the constructs. Finally, the results indicates that there is a positive relationship between E-CRM implication and port performance. Also, there is a positive relationship between E-CRM implication and customer satisfaction as well as customer loyalty. In addition, the relationship between customer satisfaction and customer loyalty is positive and statistically significant. Therefore, both customer satisfaction and customer loyalty have a positive impact on port performance as well. Moreover, the research gives recommendations for top managers and decision makers to be careful to avoid mistakes in electronic communication with customers, which enhances their confidence in this type of communication, and encourages them to use and benefit from it.
PMT6 Is Required for SWC4 in Positively Modulating Pepper Thermotolerance

High temperature stress (HTS), with growth and development impairment, is one of the most important abiotic stresses frequently encountered by plants, in particular solanacaes such as pepper, that mainly distribute in tropical and subtropical regions. Plants activate thermotolerance to cope with this stress; however, the underlying mechanism is currently not fully understood. SWC4, a shared component of SWR1- and NuA4 complexes implicated in chromatin remodeling, was previously found to be involved in the regulation of pepper thermotolerance, but the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. Herein, PMT6, a putative methyltranferase was originally found to interact with SWC4 by co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP)-combined LC/MS assay. This interaction was further confirmed by bimolecular fluorescent complimentary (BiFC) and Co-IP assay, and PMT6 was further found to confer SWC4 methylation. By virus-induced gene silencing, it was found that PMT6 silencing significantly reduced pepper basal thermotolerance and transcription of CaHSP24 and significantly reduced the enrichment of chromatin-activation-related H3K9ac, H4K5ac, and H3K4me3 in TSS of CaHSP24, which was previously found to be positively regulated by CaSWC4. By contrast, the overexpression of PMT6 significantly enhanced basal thermotolerance of pepper plants. All these data indicate that PMT6 acts as a positive regulator in pepper thermotolerance, likely by methylating SWC4.
Cytotoxicity and Biomineralization Potential of Flavonoids Incorporated into PNVCL Hydrogels

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of flavonoids incorporated into poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) (PNVCL) hydrogel on cell viability and mineralization markers of odontoblast-like cells. MDPC-23 cells were exposed to ampelopsin (AMP), isoquercitrin (ISO), rutin (RUT) and control calcium hydroxide (CH) for evaluation of cell viability, total protein (TP) production, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and mineralized nodule deposition by colorimetric assays. Based on an initial screening, AMP and CH were loaded into PNVCL hydrogels and had their cytotoxicity and effect on mineralization markers determined. Cell viability was above 70% when MDPC-23 cells were treated with AMP, ISO and RUT. AMP showed the highest ALP activity and mineralized nodule deposition. Extracts of PNVCL+AMP and PNVCL+CH in culture medium (at the dilutions of 1/16 and 1/32) did not affect cell viability and stimulated ALP activity and mineralized nodules’ deposition, which were statistically higher than the control in osteogenic medium. In conclusion, AMP and AMP-loaded PNVCL hydrogels were cytocompatible and able to induce bio-mineralization markers in odontoblast-cells.
Thermal Design Approach of a Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger for Pyrolysis-Vapor Condensations

This study aimed to design a condenser for a special application of condensing the vapor of pyrolysis process of hydrocarbon-based material such as plastic and biomass into liquid form or pyrolytic oil. Numerous condensers have been available in the market. However, a condenser cannot be selected and utilized directly for pyrolysis vapor condensation purposes. Before doing selection, the condenser must be designed first to meet the heat transfer requirements. In this work, the condenser was designed based on thermal analysis and validated with numerous published experimental data and the pyrolytic characteristics from related industry. A theoretical model is formulated for describing condensation of the pyrolysis vapor in the condenser to determine heat transfer requirement and the rate of condensation obtained. The effect of operating parameters such as cooling water rate in liters per minute (LPM) and temperature on the condensation rate was examined through an iterative procedure which rely to the heat transfer rate and the allowed pressure drop in the condenser. In this study, it was obtained that the highest cooling load is obtained when the flow rate of cooling water is 1.95 LPM. It was also obtained that the condenser effectiveness decreased of about 29.3 % with the ranges of cooling flow rate from 1.3 to 2.6 LPM
Distributed Censored Quantile Regression

Abstract This article discusses an extension of censored quantile regression to a distributed setting. With the growing availability of massive datasets, it is oftentimes an arduous task to analyze all the data with limited computational facilities efficiently. Our proposed method, which attempts to overcome this challenge, is comprised of two key steps, namely: (i) estimation of both Kaplan-Meier estimator and model coefficients in a parallel computing environment; (ii) aggregation of coefficient estimations from individual machines. We study the upper limit of the order of the number of machines for this computing environment, which, if fulfilled, guarantees that the proposed estimator converges at a comparable rate to that of the oracle estimator. In addition, we also provide two further modifications for distributed systems including (i) a communication-facilitated adaptation in the sense of Chen, Liu, and Zhang and (ii) a nonparametric counterpart along the direction of Kong and Xia for censored quantile regression. Numerical experiments are conducted to compare the proposed and the existing estimators. The promising results demonstrate the computation efficiency of the proposed methods. Finally, for practical concerns, a cross-validation procedure is also developed which can better select the hyperparameters for the proposed methodologies. Supplementary materials for this article are available online.
The rich young cluster NGC 6530: a combined X-ray-optical-infrared study

We present a combined X-ray, optical, and IR (2MASS) study of NGC 6530, complementing our previous studies of this cluster. We consider different indicators of IR excesses, which can be taken as an indicator of circumstellar disks and therefore of pre-main-sequence status. We used reddening-free indices to ensure that our results are unaffected by highly irregular, differential reddening. More than the study of the $\it JHK$ bands alone (33 IR-excess stars found), we found it useful to compare various optical and IR colors, finding overall 333 stars with optical-IR excess. In the field of the previously studied Chandra ACIS-I observation, we found 196 stars with optical-IR excess, of which 120 have not been previously found in X-rays. The total number of estimated cluster members thus becomes ≥ 1100. The estimated disk frequency in the ACIS field is ~20%. By considering different optical-IR excess indices, we find only partially overlapping subsamples, corresponding to different characteristics of their spectral energy distributions (longer- or shorter-wavelength IR excesses, or blue-violet excess). In a region displaced towards northwest with respect to the known cluster center, we find an unexpected concentration of stars with optical-IR excesses, most of which are not detected in X-rays. The spectral energy distribution of some of these objects shows more extreme excesses with respect to most ordinary T Tauri stars, which suggests circumstellar disks with very small inner holes and high accretion rates; some objects are best interpreted as being surrounded by reflection nebulosities, as found in some optically detected Class I objects in nearer star-forming regions. These reflection-nebulae candidates have the lowest X-ray detection rate among all subsamples considered here. Optical-IR excess stars in the north of NGC 6530 are nearly co-spatial with a sub-population of cluster stars older than the central cluster stars. This leads to the conclusion that in these northern regions of NGC 6530, far from massive cluster stars, star formation (and disk evolution) has proceeded rather undisturbed over longer time periods than near the cluster center, where most massive stars are found, and most stars lack substantial disks and strong accretion.
Piezophilic Phenotype Is Growth Condition Dependent and Correlated with the Regulation of Two Sets of ATPase in Deep-Sea Piezophilic Bacterium Photobacterium profundum SS9

Alteration of respiratory components as a function of pressure is a common strategy developed in deep-sea microorganisms, presumably to adapt to high hydrostatic pressure (HHP). While the electron transport chain and terminal reductases have been extensively studied in deep-sea bacteria, little is known about their adaptations for ATP generation. In this study, we showed that the deep-sea bacterium Photobacterium profundum SS9 exhibits a more pronounced piezophilic phenotype when grown in minimal medium supplemented with glucose (MG) than in the routinely used MB2216 complex medium. The intracellular ATP level varied with pressure, but with opposite trends in the two culture media. Between the two ATPase systems encoded in SS9, ATPase-I played a dominant role when cultivated in MB2216, whereas ATPase-II was more abundant in the MG medium, especially at elevated pressure when cells had the lowest ATP level among all conditions tested. Further analyses of the ΔatpI, ΔatpE1 and ΔatpE2 mutants showed that disrupting ATPase-I induced expression of ATPase-II and that the two systems are functionally redundant in MB2216. Collectively, we provide the first examination of the differences and relationships between two ATPase systems in a piezophilic bacterium, and expanded our understanding of the involvement of energy metabolism in pressure adaptation.
Horizontal Correlation Functions of Wind Fluctuations in the Mesosphere and Lower Thermosphere

Measurements of kinetic energy in vortical and divergent fluctuations in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere can be used to study stratified turbulence (ST) and gravity waves. This can be done using horizontal correlation functions of the fluctuating component of velocity. This study introduces a novel method for estimating these correlation functions using radars that observe Doppler shifts of ionized specular meteor trails. The technique solves the correlation functions directly on a longitudinal‐transverse‐up coordinate system, assuming axial symmetry. This procedure is more efficient and leads to smaller uncertainties than a previous approach. The new technique is applied to a year‐long data set from a multistatic specular meteor radar network in Germany, to study the annual variability of kinetic energy within turbulent fluctuations at 87–93 km of altitude. In monthly averages, the kinetic energy is found to be nearly equipartitioned between vortical and divergent modes. Turbulent fluctuations maximize during the winter months with approximately 25% more energy in these months than at other times. The horizontal correlation functions are in agreement with the inertial subrange of ST, exhibiting a 2/3 power law in the horizontal lag direction, with an outermost scale of ST to be about 380 km. This suggests that horizontal correlation functions could be used to estimate turbulent energy transfer rates.
The Dynamics Of Rational Deliberation

Preface 1. Principles of Rational Decision Two Paradigms of Rational Decision Expected Utility The Theory of Games Integrating the Two Paradigms 2. Dynamic Deliberation: Equilibria Deliberational Dynamics and Game Theory Deliberational Equilibria Games Played by Bayesian Deliberators Equilibrium Selection The Bayes Dynamics Refinements of the Nash Equilibrium for the Normal Form Refinements of the Nash Equilibrium for the Extensive Form Correlated Equilibria Equilibria and Rationality 3. Dynamic Deliberation: Stability Dynamic Stability of Equilibria Imprecise Priors and Elicitation through Deliberation Structural Stability I Structural Stability II Stability and Rationality 4. The Value of Knowledge Good Thinking Probable Knowledge Ramsey's Anticipation Dynamic Probability and Generalized Learning Generalized Learning Generalized Generalized Causal Decision Theory Deliberational Equilibrium Reconsidered M Is for Martingale 5. Dynamic Coherence Pumping Gold Coherent Expectations Utility Prevision and Measure Coherent Preferences and Upper and Lower Probabilities Dynamic Coherence Bayes' Rule Bayes' Method Probability Kinematics Black-Box Learning and Higher-Order Probabilities Rules and Reference Coherence and Deliberation 6. Good Habits On the Rational Stability of Good Habits Finite Iterated Prisoner's Dilemma Beyond Common Knowledge of Rationality Choosing Good Habits Just Habits The Social Contract Revisited Taking Turns Good Habits and Game Theory 7. Prospects for a Theory of Rational Deliberation Consistency Proofs Causal Independence and Rationalizability Nash Equilibrium Reconsidered Dynamics Fictitious Play by Carnapians More Sophisticated Deliberators The Tracing Procedure Toward a Theory of Dynamic Deliberation Appendix. Deliberational Dynamics on Your Personal Computer Notes References Index
TOWARDS DETACHED EDDY SIMULATION MODELLING USING A K-EQUATION TURBULENCE MODEL

A detached eddy simulation modelling approach is presented for turbulent flow computations, which is based on the transport equation for turbulent kinetic energy, k (and thus termed k-DES model). The model coefficients in the RANS form are calibrated in wall-attached flow computations, and the LES mode is calibrated in the simulation for decaying, homogeneous, isotropic turbulence. To combine the near-wall RANS mode with the off-wall LES mode, the RANS-LES interface is accomplished by means of an adaptation of turbulent length scales invoked in both the production term and the dissipation term of the k-equation. Examples presented for the modelling validation include a fully developed channel flow, a periodic hill flow and a three-dimensional axisymmetric hill flow. The results are compared with available DNS, LES and experimental data, showing reasonable agreement.
The optically pumped far-infrared laser: Rate equations and diagnostic experiments

A four-level rate-equation model for an optically pumped far-infrared (FIR) laser is presented, and an expression is derived for the output power as a function of pump power and gas pressure. The theory is compared with measurements on the 570.5-μm line of CH 3 OH, pumped by a CO 2 laser. The width of the gain curve is measured and is shown to go below the Doppler width of the laser transition at low pressure. This indicates that the use of a monochromatic pump source leads to a velocity selective pumping process.
Comparison of Automated Thresholding Algorithms in Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Image Analysis

(1) Background: Calculation of vessel density in optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) images with thresholding algorithms varies in clinical routine. The ability to discriminate healthy from diseased eyes based on perfusion of the posterior pole is critical and may depend on the algorithm applied. This study assessed comparability, reliability, and ability in the discrimination of commonly used automated thresholding algorithms. (2) Methods: Vessel density in full retina and choriocapillaris slabs were calculated with five previously published automated thresholding algorithms (Default, Huang, ISODATA, Mean, and Otsu) for healthy and diseased eyes. The algorithms were investigated with LD-F2-analysis for intra-algorithm reliability, agreement, and the ability to discriminate between physiological and pathological conditions. (3) Results: LD-F2-analyses revealed significant differences in estimated vessel densities for the algorithms (p < 0.001). For full retina and choriocapillaris slabs, intra-algorithm values range from excellent to poor, depending on the applied algorithm; the inter-algorithm agreement was low. Discrimination was good for the full retina slabs, but poor when applied to the choriocapillaris slabs. The Mean algorithm demonstrated an overall good performance. (4) Conclusions: Automated threshold algorithms are not interchangeable. The ability for discrimination depends on the analyzed layer. Concerning the full retina slab, all of the five evaluated automated algorithms had an overall good ability for discrimination. When analyzing the choriocapillaris, it might be useful to consider another algorithm.