Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Moringa oleifera for drinking water treatment: influence of the solvent and method used in oil-extraction on the coagulant efficiency of the seed extract

AbstractMoringa oleifera seeds contain a cationic coagulant protein that can be used either for drinking water clarification or wastewater treatment. The seeds contain 30–40% (w/w) oil, which represents a valuable resource with industrial, food and renewable energy applications. However, the oil also increases the organic matter added to water and avoids storage of treated water and its consumption within 24 h. So oil extraction is recommended as a way to purify the extract. This work proposes solvent extraction using three solvents (hexane, acetone, ethanol) and two procedures (batch and Soxhlet) and analyses for the first time the influence that these factors have on the coagulant efficiency of the extract prepared using defatted seeds. Results show that solvent-defatted seed extracts have a coagulant efficiency comparable to that observed for polyaluminium chloride coagulant (up to 88%), while non-defatted seed extract efficiency is 30% lower. Moreover, ethanol and Soxhlet method for oil extraction all.
Developing social capital through postsecondary correctional education

Abstract This study examines the connection between participation in higher education programs in prison and the development of social capital. Interviews were conducted with eighteen formerly incarcerated participants enrolled in higher education programs while incarcerated. Findings suggest that participants developed self-efficacy, hard and soft skills, and connections to positive social networks through taking part in a postsecondary correctional education program. Participants noted an expansion of their self-awareness and improved communication skills that facilitated their mostly successful pursuits of employment opportunities after being released. The findings of this study also suggest that the outcomes of higher education programs in prisons extend beyond classroom learning and academic achievement in a way that provides students with knowledge, useful skills, prosocial networks, and access to employment prospects upon reentry into the community. More specifically, this study details how postsecondary correctional education programs provide a foundation for building social capital and preparing incarcerated individuals to become employable, law-abiding citizens. That this information came from formerly incarcerated individuals who are now thriving postrelease warrants further research that would support the expansion of educational programming for prisoners.
Verbal mediation of theory of mind in verbal adolescents with autism spectrum disorder

ABSTRACT This study tests the role of verbal mediation during theory of mind processing in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Adolescents with ASD or typical development completed a false belief task while simultaneously performing a verbal or nonverbal load task. There was no group difference in false belief accuracy; however, under verbal load, the ASD group was relatively less efficient, with slower reaction times, in false belief compared to true belief trials. Faster false belief task performance under verbal but not nonverbal load was associated with pragmatic language ability for the ASD group only. Results were consistent with the theory that there are two (implicit, nonverbal and explicit, verbal) processes that support cognitive reasoning about other people’s minds and that people with ASD rely more on the explicit system. Verbal mediation may be critical for false belief understanding in individuals with ASD but not typical development.
Effect of biochar rates on A-mycorrhizal fungi performance and maize plant growth, Phosphorus uptake, and soil P availability under calcareous soil conditions

ABSTRACT A pot experiment was carried out to identify the effect of biochar rates on the performance of Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) Rhizoglomus irregularis and the growth and phosphorus (P) uptake of maize (Zea mays L.) plants under calcareous soil conditions. Eight integration treatments, four biochar rates (zero (control) (B0), 5 (B1), 7.5 (B2), 10 g biochar/kg soil (B3)), and two AMF inoculations (untreated (NM) and inoculated with AMF (M)) were arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 5 replicates. The results showed that biochar had a positive effect on the growth of maize, P uptake, and available P in soil. It was also found that this positive effect of biochar increases with increasing rates, but it was found that there were no significant differences between the two highest rates of biochar B2 and B3. Plants treated with AMF had an influential role in the maize growth and its elemental content of P, as well as increasing the availability of P in soil. However, it was found that biochar reduces the effect of AMF but does not completely discourage the activity of AMF. Therefore, it is recommended that under the same circumstances of this experiment, using a rate B2 of biochar and treated with AMF which having the highest maize plant growth and its elemental P content.
Cognitive beliefs about, affective reactions to, and behavioral preferences for parent-adolescent conflict

ABSTRACT The proliferation of communication technologies provides channel choices to supplement or substitute face-to-face parent-adolescent conflict. Using social information-processing models as a foundation, this study examined the frequency of text-based and voice-based mediated channels to navigate conflict between parents and adolescents as a function of cognitive beliefs about, affective reactions to, and behavioral preferences for conflict. One hundred and seventy-six parents and paired adolescents completed measures assessing the variables of interest. The results and discussion illuminate how individuals’ schemata for conflict influence preferences for conflict style and the frequency of text-based and voice-based mediated conflict communication.
Responsible research practice: revisiting transformative paradigm in social research

importance of audience reception goes, somewhat understandably, unaddressed here too. A greater consideration of the role of production in understanding race in the cultural industries (Saha 2018) would have likewise made a welcome addition (this is covered to a degree in chapter four). These reflections do not, however, detract from the book’s key objective to critique the representation of blackness in sport films – a task that it achieves supremely. As we look, once again, to make sense of the current racialised and racist world we live in, and facilitate our students to do the same, Sheppard’s outstanding book will no doubt prove to be an instructive and indispensable resource.
I will never be good enough!! – The rise of perfectionism among young adults

ABSTRACT This paper explores different factors that have been found to have a detrimental impact on the mental health of young adults today. The author demonstrates how environmental factors negatively impact internal processes, such as anxiety and low self-esteem. It looks at the various external factors that have led to a significant rise in perfectionism among the age group, such as a tougher social and economic environment, changes in parental rearing practices, social media and the way that young people come to define themselves narrowly by wealth and success. This is further exacerbated by the financial and psychological repercussions of the COVID-19 crisis on young people. The author explores her clinical experience as a psychotherapist working with young adults who never feel ‘good enough’. The paper will suggest that parents, schools, universities, and employers need to understand that pushing for ever higher standards is problematic and proposes ways to help young adults to value themselves and be more resilient in tackling disappointments and challenges.
Whole body sensing dummy of the elderly to evaluate robotic devices for nursing care

ABSTRACT Robotic devices for nursing care are expected to help caregivers work with the elderly. Some robotic devices assist in the physical transfer of the elderly, and these robots come in contact with large surfaces of the human body. The regions of the buttock and the back may be uncomfortable due to the surface material or motions of the robotic devices. Therefore, sensing devices simulating a human body were developed to quantify and evaluate the load of a human body objectively. This simulated buttock consists of simulated bone and soft tissues, which include muscle, fat and skin. These regions have multi-axis force sensors to enable the quantification of the load due to the robotic devices used for nursing care. On measuring the soft exterior, it was found that the stiffness of the buttock dummy was similar to the human buttock. The comfort of a robotic bed was measured using the simulated buttock, and it was found that the shear force increased due to the deformation of the robotic bed. Thus, it was proven that the simulated buttock was capable of measuring the load of the human body when being used with robotic devices for nursing care. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Classification of sleep apnea using EMD-based features and PSO-trained neural networks

Abstract In this study, we propose a method for detecting obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) based on the features extracted from empirical mode decomposition (EMD) and the neural networks trained by particle swarm optimization (PSO) in the classification phase. After extracting the features from the intrinsic mode functions (IMF) of each heart rate variability (HRV) signal of each segment, these features were applied to the input of popular classifiers such as multi-layer perceptron neural networks (MLPNN), Naïve Bayes, linear discriminant analysis (LDA), k-nearest neighborhood (KNN), and support vector machines (SVM) were applied. The results show that the MLPNN learned with back propagation (BP) algorithm has a diagnostic accuracy of less than 90%, and this may be due to being derivative based property of the BP algorithm, which causes trapping in the local minima. For Improving MLPNN’s performance, we used the PSO algorithm instead of the BP method in training part. Therefore, the MLPNN’s accuracy improved from 89.36 to 97.66% after the application of the PSO algorithm. The proposed method has also reached to 97.78 and 97.96% in sensitivity and specificity, respectively. So, it can be concluded that the proposed method achieves better or comparable results when compared with the previous works in this field.
How Blue is the Sky?

Abstract The recent trend toward an industrialization of brain exploration and the technological prowess of artificial intelligence algorithms and high-performance computing has caught the imagination of the public. These impressive advances are fueling an uncontrolled societal hype, the more amplified, the more “Blue Sky” the claim is. Will we ever be able to simulate a brain in silico? Will “it” (the digital avatar) be conscious? The Blue Brain Project (BBP) and the European flagship the Human Brain Project (HBP) have surfed on this wave for the past 10 years. Their already significant lifetimes now offer new case studies for neuroscience sociology and epistemology, as the projects mature. Their distinctive “Blue Sky” flavor has been a key feature in securing unprecedented funding (more than one billion Euros) mostly through supranational institutions. The longitudinal analysis of these ventures provides clues to how the neuromyth they propagate sells science, in a scientific world based on an economy of promises.
Slot-die coating large-area formamidinium-cesium perovskite film for efficient and stable parallel solar module

Efficient and stable parallel perovskite solar module is achieved by slot-die coating. Perovskite solar cells have emerged as one of the most promising thin-film photovoltaic (PV) technologies and have made a strong debut in the PV field. However, they still face difficulties with up-scaling to module-level devices and long-term stability issue. Here, we report the use of a room-temperature nonvolatile Lewis base additive, diphenyl sulfoxide(DPSO), in formamidinium-cesium (FACs) perovskite precursor solution to enhance the nucleation barrier and stabilize the wet precursor film for the scalable fabrication of uniform, large-area FACs perovskite films. With a parallel-interconnected module design, the resultant solar module realized a certified quasi-stabilized efficiency of 16.63% with an active area of 20.77 cm2. The encapsulated modules maintained 97 and 95% of their initial efficiencies after 10,000 and 1187 hours under day/night cycling and 1-sun equivalent white-light light-emitting diode array illumination with maximum power point tracking at 50°C, respectively.
Mitochondrial respiration controls the Prox1-Vegfr3 feedback loop during lymphatic endothelial cell fate specification and maintenance

Mitochondrial complex III maintains the Prox1-Vegfr3 feedback loop and LEC identity. Recent findings indicate that mitochondrial respiration regulates blood endothelial cell proliferation; however, its role in differentiating lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) is unknown. We hypothesized that mitochondria could work as a sensor of LECs’ metabolic specific needs by determining their functional requirements according to their differentiation status and local tissue microenvironment. Accordingly, we conditionally deleted the QPC subunit of mitochondrial complex III in differentiating LECs of mouse embryos. Unexpectedly, mutant mice were devoid of a lymphatic vasculature by mid-gestation, a consequence of the specific down-regulation of main LEC fate regulators, particularly Vegfr3, leading to the loss of LEC fate. Mechanistically, this is a result of reduced H3K4me3 and H3K27ac in the genomic locus of key LEC fate controllers (e.g., Vegfr3 and Prox1). Our findings indicate that by sensing the LEC differentiation status and microenvironmental metabolic conditions, mitochondrial complex III regulates the critical Prox1-Vegfr3 feedback loop and, therefore, LEC fate specification and maintenance.
An Electrochemical Treatment for Improving the Activity of Nickel and Other Metals for the Hydrogen Evolution and Other Reactions

The electrolysis of water to produce hydrogen gas may form an important part of the world’s future economy as a way to store the energy for sustainable sources for later use. Part of what will determine if this use is practical is the efficiency of the catalysts used for the two half reactions that make up the electrolysis reaction. Presently in industry the cathodic reaction, the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), is catalysed by nickel most commonly. Thus, there is a motivation to increase the activity of nickel toward the HER. Traditionally this was done by creating a high specific surface area or by increasing the intrinsic activity of nickel through alloying with other metals. Recently the importance using bifunctional catalysts for the HER was seen, this opened up a new line of investigation for methods to increase the activity of nickel HER catalysts. In this work a novel procedure to modify a nickel surface into highly active bifunctional catalyst is presented. The method is an electrochemical treatment that works by applying an alternating voltage to the nickel surface in a mildly acidic environment that causes it to oxidize in a manner similar to platinum. The platinum-like oxidation of the surface yields the Ni(OH)x structure (with x=0-2 across the surface), and allows a way to side step the problem of clumping of phases which is seen in bifunctional catalysts. The surface created by the treatment not only catalyses the HER, but also the urea electrooxidation, among other reactions. In this thesis the treated nickel surface is characterized and shown to be a highly active stable bifunctional catalyst, when the optimal parameters for the treatment are used. The characterization also shows that treated surfaces conform to the expectations of the novel Ni(OH)x structure. The treated surface is also seen to be active toward urea electrooxidation, but for slightly different parameters than the optimal parameters for a HER catalyst. Several practical elements of implementing the treatment in an industrial setting are dealt with. Finally, after concluding remarks, several new lines of enquiry that have been opened by this novel technique are briefly discussed.
Metagenomic Insights Into Functional and Taxonomic Compositions of an Activated Sludge Microbial Community Treating Leachate of a Completed Landfill: A Pathway-Based Analysis

Upcycling wastes into valuable products by mixed microbial communities has recently received considerable attention. Sustainable production of high-value substances from one-carbon (C1) compounds, e.g., methanol supplemented as an external electron donor in bioreactors for wastewater treatment, is a promising application of upcycling. This study undertook a gene-centric approach to screen valuable production potentials from mixed culture biomass, removing organic carbon and nitrogen from landfill leachate. To this end, the microbial community of the activated sludge from a landfill leachate treatment plant and its metabolic potential for the production of seven valuable products were investigated. The DNA extracted from the activated sludge was subjected to shotgun metagenome sequencing to analyze the microbial taxonomy and functions associated with producing the seven products. The functional analysis confirmed that the activated sludge could produce six of the valuable products, ectoine, polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), zeaxanthin, astaxanthin, acetoin, and 2,3-butanediol. Quantification of the detected functional gene hit numbers for these valuable products as a primary trial identified a potential rate-limiting metabolic pathway, e.g., conversion of L-2,4-diaminobutyrate into N-γ-acetyl-L2,4,-diaminobutyrate during the ectoine biosynthesis. Overall, this study demonstrated that primary screening by the proposed gene-centric approach can be used to evaluate the potential for the production of valuable products using mixed culture or single microbe in engineered systems. The proposed approach can be expanded to sites where water purification is highly required, but resource recovery, or upcycling has not been implemented.
Diversity of the Swine Leukocyte Antigen Class I and II in Commercial Pig Populations

Among swine genetic markers, the highly polymorphic swine leukocyte antigen (SLA) is one of the key determinants, associated with not only immune responses but also reproductive performance and meat quality. The objective of this study was to characterize the SLA class I and II diversities in the commercial pig populations. In this study, a total number of 158 pigs (126 gilts and 32 boars) were randomly selected from different breeding herds of five major pig-producing companies, which covered ~70% of Thai swine production. The results indicate that a moderate level of SLA diversity was maintained in the Thai swine population, despite the performance-oriented breeding scheme. The highly common SLA class I alleles were SLA-1*08:XX, SLA-2*02:XX, and SLA-3*04:XX at a combined frequency of 30.1, 18.4, and 34.5%, respectively, whereas DRB1*04:XX, DQB1*02:XX and DQA*02:XX were the common class II alleles at 22.8, 33.3, and 38.6%, respectively. The haplotype Lr-32.0 (SLA-1*07:XX, SLA-2*02:XX, and SLA-3*04:XX) and Lr-0.23 (DRB1*10:XX, DQB1*06:XX, DQA* 01:XX) was the most common SLA class I and II haplotype, at 15.5 and 14.6%, respectively. Common class I and II haplotypes were also observed, which Lr-22.15 was the most predominant at 11.1%, followed by Lr-32.12 and Lr-4.2 at 10.8 and 7.9%, respectively. To our knowledge, this is the first report of SLA class I and II diversities in the commercial pigs in Southeast Asia. The information of the common SLA allele(s) in the population could facilitate swine genetic improvement and future vaccine design.
Appropriate NH4+/NO3– Ratio Triggers Plant Growth and Nutrient Uptake of Flowering Chinese Cabbage by Optimizing the pH Value of Nutrient Solution

Compared with sole nitrogen (N), the nutrition mixture of ammonium (NH4+) and nitrate (NO3–) is known to better improve crop yield and quality. However, the mechanism underlying this improvement remains unclear. In the present study, we analyzed the changes in nutrient solution composition, content of different N forms in plant tissues and exudates, and expression of plasma membrane (PM) H+-ATPase genes (HAs) under different NH4+/NO3– ratios (0/100, 10/90, 25/75, 50/50 as control, T1, T2, and T3) in flowering Chinese cabbage. We observed that compared with the control, T1 and T2 increased the economical yield of flowering Chinese cabbage by 1.26- and 1.54-fold, respectively, whereas T3 significantly reduced plant yield. Compared with the control, T1–T3 significantly reduced the NO3– content and increased the NH4+, amino acid, and soluble protein contents of flowering Chinese cabbage to varying extents. T2 significantly increased the N use efficiency (NUE), whereas T3 significantly decreased it to only being 70.25% of that of the control. Owing to the difference in N absorption and utilization among seedlings, the pH value of the nutrient solution differed under different NH4+/NO3– ratios. At harvest, the pH value of T2 was 5.8; in the control and T1, it was approximately 8.0, and in T3 it was only 3.6. We speculated that appropriate NH4+/NO3– ratios may improve N absorption and assimilation and thus promote the growth of flowering Chinese cabbage, owing to the suitable pH value. On the contrary, addition of excessive NH4+ may induce rhizosphere acidification and ammonia toxicity, causing plant growth inhibition. We further analyzed the transcription of PM H+-ATPase genes (HAs). HA1 and HA7 transcription in roots was significantly down-regulated by the addition of the mixture of NH4+ and NO3–, whereas the transcription of HA2, HA9 in roots and HA7, HA8, and HA10 in leaves was sharply up-regulated by the addition of the mixture; the transcription of HA3 was mainly enhanced by the highest ratio of NH4+/NO3–. Our results provide valuable information about the effects of treatments with different NH4+/NO3– ratios on plant growth and N uptake and utilization.
Integrating Histologic and Genomic Characteristics to Predict Tumor Mutation Burden of Early-Stage Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Tumor mutation burden (TMB) serves as an effective biomarker predicting efficacy of mono-immunotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Establishing a precise TMB predicting model is essential to select which populations are likely to respond to immunotherapy or prognosis and to maximize the benefits of treatment. In this study, available Formalin-fixed paraffin embedded tumor tissues were collected from 499 patients with NSCLC. Targeted sequencing of 636 cancer related genes was performed, and TMB was calculated. Distribution of TMB was significantly (p < 0.001) correlated with sex, clinical features (pathological/histological subtype, pathological stage, lymph node metastasis, and lympho-vascular invasion). It was also significantly (p < 0.001) associated with mutations in genes like TP53, EGFR, PIK3CA, KRAS, EPHA3, TSHZ3, FAT3, NAV3, KEAP1, NFE2L2, PTPRD, LRRK2, STK11, NF1, KMT2D, and GRIN2A. No significant correlations were found between TMB and age, neuro-invasion (p = 0.125), and tumor location (p = 0.696). Patients with KRAS p.G12 mutations and FAT3 missense mutations were associated (p < 0.001) with TMB. TP53 mutations also influence TMB distribution (P < 0.001). TMB was reversely related to EGFR mutations (P < 0.001) but did not differ by mutation types. According to multivariate logistic regression model, genomic parameters could effectively construct model predicting TMB, which may be improved by introducing clinical information. Our study demonstrates that genomic together with clinical features yielded a better reliable model predicting TMB-high status. A simplified model consisting of less than 20 genes and couples of clinical parameters were sought to be useful to provide TMB status with less cost and waiting time.