Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Maternal tobacco smoke exposure is associated with increased DNA methylation at human metastable epialleles in infant cord blood

Abstract Metastable epialleles (MEs) are genomic regions that are stochastically methylated prior to germ layer specification and exhibit high interindividual but low intra-individual variability across tissues. ME methylation is vulnerable to environmental stressors, including diet. Tobacco smoke (TS) exposure during pregnancy is associated with adverse impacts on fetal health and maternal micronutrient levels as well as altered methylation. Our objective was to determine if maternal smoke exposure impacts methylation at MEs. Consistent with prior studies, we observed reductions in one-carbon pathway micronutrients with gestational TS exposure, including maternal folate (P = 0.02) and vitamins B6 (P = 0.05) and B12 (P = 0.007). We examined putative MEs BOLA3, PAX8, and ZFYVE28 in cord blood specimens from 85 Newborn Epigenetics STudy participants. Gestational TS exposure was associated with elevated DNA methylation at PAX8 (+5.22% average methylation; 95% CI: 0.33% to 10.10%; P = 0.037). In human conceptal kidney tissues, higher PAX8 transcription was associated with lower methylation (Rs = 0.55; P = 0.07), suggesting that the methylation levels established at MEs, and their environmentally induced perturbation, may have meaningful, tissue-specific functional consequences. This may be particularly important because PAX8 is implicated in several cancers, including pediatric kidney cancer. Our data are the first to indicate vulnerability of human ME methylation establishment to TS exposure, with a general trend of increasing levels of methylation at these loci. Further investigation is needed to determine how TS exposure-mediated changes in DNA methylation at MEs, and consequent expression levels, might affect smoking-related disease risk.
Hilbert Energy Spectrum and Its Application to Gear Fault Diagnosis

Hilbert-Huang transform(HHT) is a new and self - adaptive signal processing method, which includes EMD (Empirical Mode Decomposit ion) method.In this paper, the concept of local Hilbert energy spectrum was es tablished. Meanwhile, a gear fault diagnosis method based on HHT named Hilbert e nergy spectrum was proposed, in which the gear fault vibration signal is decompo sed into a number of intrinsic mode function(IMF) components, and the local Hilb ert energy spectrum ca n be obtained by applying Hilbert transform to some IMF components including fau lt information. The gear fault vibration signal changes periodically on the time axis of the local Hilbert energy spectrum, and the shock characteristic of gear fault vibration can be detected obviously from the local instantaneous energy. T herefore, the gear fault can be diagnosed.
Development of the Broadband Multilayer Absorption Materials with Genetic Algorithm up to 8 GHz Frequency

A widely used genetic algorithm (GA) is endorsed to improve the design of a multilayer microwave radar absorbing material (MMRAM) which shows good absorption of radar waves over a broad frequency range. In this research, the authors have used genetic algorithm based on MMRAM which plays an important role in defense and civil applications. The scope of multilayer microwave radar absorbing material (MMRAM) is that it can absorb radar signals and reduce or eliminate their reflection. Its primary use is in defense and certain commercial enterprises. The multilayer RAM design demands the superiority of suitable materials to be used in different layers, a decision about multiple layers, and the optimum breadth of an individual layer. The permeability and permittivity of the materials varying with frequency in a fictitious material are used. The effect of change in thickness and the number of layers of RAM on reflectivity is studied. Since the material characteristics are frequency-dependent, different restrained conditions are used for frequency bands to identify the RAM that has good electromagnetic absorption in the frequency range of 1 to 8 GHz.
Exploring the gifting motivations of young Chinese independent outbound tourists

ABSTRACT This study explored the motivations behind gift shopping behaviour of young Chinese independent outbound tourists. Analysis of 30 semi-structured interviews revealed six key motivations: expressing care and affection, enhancing post-trip experience, building/maintaining relationships, following cultural tradition, showing prestige, and fulfiling utilitarian purposes. Face, guanxi, and reciprocity were identified as the socio-cultural values behind these motivations. Implications for destination marketing practitioners were provided.
Pressure and Flow Control System of High Pressure Gas

A pressure and flow control system of high pressure gas was constructed.The hardware of this control system is consisted of controller,electromagnetic proportional valve,pressure servo valve,relief valve,shut-off valve,pressure transmitter,restriction orifice,etc.For the software part,two modules were composed.The pressure control module is based on PI method,using electromagnetic proportional valve and pressure servo valve to control gas pressure.And the gas flow control module is based on PID method.According to the formula,gas flow is calculated with real-time pressure difference and can be controlled accurately in this way.This system has been applied to industrial process successfully.
Synthesis, Characterization, Antibacterial Evaluation, and Molecular Docking of New Quinazolinone-Based Derivatives

Abstract Herein, new quinazoline derivatives were synthesized via efficient S-arylation, requiring only two steps and few reactants. As-obtained compounds named as 2-(4-fluoro-benzylsulfanyl)-3-(4-substitued)-6-methyl-3H-quinazolin-4-one were characterized by FTIR and NMR spectroscopy, as well as DFT calculations. The new quinazoline derivatives were prepared as drug-like molecules to assess their potential as antibacterial agents. Biological tests revealed that these derivatives exhibit interesting activities against several bacterial strains. Docking studies were conducted: Conventional intermolecular hydrogen bonds are observed between the docked compounds and the active site of the target enzyme. Our experimental results (in vitro study) were in agreement with those obtained from docking studies as the as-prepared compounds exhibited the highest docking result and simultaneously demonstrated promising antibacterial activity.
Flower Visitation Time and Number of Visitor Species Are Reduced by the Use of Agrochemicals in Coffee Home Gardens

Pollination services, from both wild and managed populations of insect pollinators, have degraded as a result of agricultural intensification. Whilst 75% of economically important crops depend on insect pollinators for cultivation, 40% of insect pollinator species are threatened with extinction. Pollination services must be preserved if there is to be enough food for a global population whose demand is expected to double, if not triple, by 2050. Pollinator diversity and pollinator efficiency have been found to increase as a result of wildlife-friendly farming practices (i.e., natural chemicals and fertilizers and agroforestry). We evaluated the presence of insect pollinators in 42 coffee home gardens in West Java, Indonesia. Via generalized linear mixed models, we found that number of visitor species (β = 0.418 ± SE 0.194, p = 0.031) and visitation time (β = 0.845 ± SE 0.308, p = 0.006) decreased as farms were more intensely managed, (i.e., used chemical pesticides), compared to fields using organic practices. As knowledge of pollination services is widespread amongst smallholder farmers in Indonesia and beyond due to the long-held tradition of beekeeping, these results will add to their existing knowledge and empower farmers to enhance resources for pollinator species through agroforestry and natural pest management. Although we found significant differences in pollination services provided in intensely managed and wildlife-friendly farms, chemical use can affect farms far beyond a particular area of production. Therefore, pollinator conservation must be applied at a landscape level and involve all stakeholders, including farmers, when making effective policies.
Drosophila suzukii population dynamics and control efficiency of mineral dusts with a focus on grape protection

The invasive pest Drosophila suzukii is threatening berry production. It is mainly managed via chemical control, which is associated with consumer and environmental concerns. Here, we tested the efficacy of mineral dusts under field and laboratory conditions in 2019 and 2020. Furthermore, population dynamics were studied in a vineyard and its surroundings. The kaolin products Cutisan and Surround®, as well as the CaCO3 product Carboliq, had neither insecticidal nor repellent effects on Drosophila suzukii adults in laboratory choice tests with grapes at concentrations of up to 2% (w/v). Cutisan and Surround® significantly reduced the number of deposited eggs (−41.9% and −49.3% respectively) while Carboliq had no effect on the oviposition under laboratory conditions. The Surround® treatment significantly reduced the number of flies trapped on 09 September 2020 at a test vineyard. Depending on the assessment date and treatment, between 59% and 84% of the flies in the bait traps were females. The number of eggs found in fruit treated with Carboliq in the field was higher at each assessment date than in the control but this difference was not statistically significant. Fruit treated with Cutisan or Surround® in the field showed an equivalent or lower average number of eggs compared with the control, but this difference was only significant on 24 September 2020. Between May 2015 and October 2020, the highest number of D. suzukii adults was observed around September in the field and a decline of the population occurred in the winter months until July. In epidemic years, temperature – humidity – combinations prior to population peaks were quite stable with low humidity being associated with a high temperature and vice versa. In non‐epidemic years, humidity fluctuated more than in epidemic years and temperatures were lower before population peaks. The effect of global radiation on population maxima seemed to be minor.
Spatial, Temporal, and Demographic Patterns in the Prevalence of Hemorrhagic Septicemia in 41 Countries in 2005–2019: A Systematic Analysis with Special Focus on the Potential Development of a New-Generation Vaccine

Hemorrhagic septicemia (HS) caused by Pasteurella multocida B:2 and E:2 is among the fatal bacterial diseases in cattle and buffaloes that are economically valuable in Asian and African countries. The current work aims to study the prevalence of HS among buffaloes, cattle, sheep, and goats in 41 countries in 2005–2019. The data analysis revealed that 74.4% of the total infection rate in the world was distributed among cattle, followed by buffaloes (13.1%). The mortality of HS among cattle and buffaloes increased in 2017–2019 compared to the period between 2014 and 2016. The best measure to control the disease is through vaccination programs. Current commercial vaccines, including live-attenuated vaccines and inactivated vaccines, have some shortcomings and undesirable effects. Virus-like particles (VLPs) have more potential as a vaccine platform due to their unique properties to enhance immune response and the ability to use them as a platform for foreign antigens against infectious diseases. VLPs-based vaccines are among the new-generation subunit vaccine approaches that have been licensed for the human and veterinary fields. However, most studies are still in the late stages of vaccine evaluation.
Correcting Sample Selection Bias of Historical Digital Trace Data: Inverse Probability Weighting (IPW) and Type II Tobit Model

ABSTRACT Digital trace data have become one of the central pillars of media research methods. Despite the opportunities for better understanding individual users’ true behaviors in the personalized media environment, many scholars have pointed out the potential for bias in trace data collections, questioning the generalizability of findings based on them. In this study, we propose two statistical bias correction methods–Inverse Probability Weighting (IPW) and Type II Tobit, which are designed to remedy selection bias of inference from digital trace data donated by research participants. Applying these methods to Facebook take-out data, we demonstrate how the correction methods can change estimated effect sizes, which is important for the translation of academic findings into real-world impacts. We conduct two simulation studies, one under fully synthetic and another under partially simulated conditions, and find that Type II Tobit generally provides a more robust and cost-efficient correction method for digital trace data.
Effects of Replacing Fishmeal by Raw or Lactobacillus acidophilus-Fermented Soybean Meal on Growth, Intestinal Digestive and Immune-Related Enzyme Activities, Morphology, and Microbiota in Turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L.)

This study was performed to investigate the fermentation efficiency of Lactobacillus acidophilus and compare the effects of dietary soybean meal (SM) or L. acidophilus-fermented SM (LASM) on turbot. Two hundred and seventy juvenile turbots ( 13.50 ± 0.13 g ) were randomly divided into three treatments fed with a fishmeal-based diet (CNT) and two experimental diets with 45% fishmeal protein replaced by SM or LASM for 8 weeks. The results showed that fermentation significantly improved the essential amino acid profile, increased the lactic acid content, and reduced the antinutritional factor level in SM. Inferior growth of fish was observed in the SM group after the feeding trial, while the LASM group exhibited comparable performance to the CNT group. Activities of intestinal digestive enzymes (trypsin and diastase) and immune-related enzymes (alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, and lysozyme) decreased significantly in the SM group, while no significant reduction was found in the LASM group compared to the CNT group. Dietary LASM alleviated SM-induced intestinal pathological disruption with higher villus and normal lamina propria width. Dietary LASM positively regulated the intestinal microbiota, making the overall profile more coherent with that in the CNT group. Spearman’s correlation analysis revealed that the altered intestinal microbiota was closely linked to the digestive enzyme activities. Collectively, this study indicated that L. acidophilus fermentation significantly improved the nutritional quality of SM and relieved SM-induced adverse effects on turbot, in terms of growth, intestinal digestive and immune-related enzyme activities, morphology, and microbiota.
Diversion and Restorative Justice: Salt Lake Peer Court Disrupting Disproportionate Minority Contact?

There is an increased acceptance of youth courts grounded in restorative justice principles to divert first-time nonviolent offenders away from formal juvenile court entry. Research assessing the effectiveness of various teen/peer courts is mixed, and focuses mainly on recidivism. This study analyzes 2010 to 2016 Salt Lake Peer Court data to examine the relationship legal and extralegal variables have on the participation in and completion of this diversionary program for first-time youth offenders. Overall, legal factors affected outcomes more than extralegal factors. Gender proved insignificant in both models with race, age, and school socioeconomic status (SES) producing varied significant effects in outcome models. Offense severity produced consistent strong significant effects across model outcomes. Implications of the study point to the possibilities of peer courts for reducing disproportionate minority contact.
Self- adaptive fuzzy PI control of DC voltage in active power filter

On the basis of PI control method for active power filter DC-side voltage,a novel control method was brought forward, which was self- adaptive fuzzy PI control. According to the fuzzy control rule, this strategy could change PI parameter automatically, improve the dynamic response of the system,and reduce the error of the stable state. The simulation results indicate that the fuzzy self-adapting PI controller method is superior to the traditional PI controller in that the former works well with high dynamic and static performance because of its advantages in quick response and good robustness.
Agonistic peace agreements? Analytical tools and dilemmas

Abstract Later years have seen the growth of a vibrant theoretical discussion on agonistic peace and the importance of creating space for contestation, plurality, and dissensus post-accord. However, there has been very few attempts at embedding agonistic theory in empirical analyses of peace agreements. This study attends to that lacuna by investigating how agonistic principles can be integrated and investigated in peace agreements. We suggest a threefold set of indicators for assessing the degree to which peace agreements are invested with agonistic dynamics: (1) what types of spaces for interaction are offered post-accord; (2) what forms of inclusion are stipulated; and (3) how is the peace agreement framed in terms of conflict termination and consensus/dissensus? We illustrate how the various indicators could be put into motion in concrete analyses applying them to examples from the Oslo Accords, the Belfast Agreement, and the Colombian Peace Agreement. Finally, we discuss four dilemmas and problematiques of integrating agonistic ideas in peace agreements; the issue of power, the mixing of agonistic and liberal ideals in peace agreements, the principle of ‘nothing is agreed until everything is agreed’ and the related double-edged potential of constructive ambiguity and finally the challenges of implementing peace agreements.
Automatic and Efficient Fall Risk Assessment Based on Machine Learning

Automating fall risk assessment, in an efficient, non-invasive manner, specifically in the elderly population, serves as an efficient means for implementing wide screening of individuals for fall risk and determining their need for participation in fall prevention programs. We present an automated and efficient system for fall risk assessment based on a multi-depth camera human motion tracking system, which captures patients performing the well-known and validated Berg Balance Scale (BBS). Trained machine learning classifiers predict the patient’s 14 scores of the BBS by extracting spatio-temporal features from the captured human motion records. Additionally, we used machine learning tools to develop fall risk predictors that enable reducing the number of BBS tasks required to assess fall risk, from 14 to 4–6 tasks, without compromising the quality and accuracy of the BBS assessment. The reduced battery, termed Efficient-BBS (E-BBS), can be performed by physiotherapists in a traditional setting or deployed using our automated system, allowing an efficient and effective BBS evaluation. We report on a pilot study, run in a major hospital, including accuracy and statistical evaluations. We show the accuracy and confidence levels of the E-BBS, as well as the average number of BBS tasks required to reach the accuracy thresholds. The trained E-BBS system was shown to reduce the number of tasks in the BBS test by approximately 50% while maintaining 97% accuracy. The presented approach enables a wide screening of individuals for fall risk in a manner that does not require significant time or resources from the medical community. Furthermore, the technology and machine learning algorithms can be implemented on other batteries of medical tests and evaluations.
Performance Analysis of Massive MIMO-OFDM System Incorporated with Various Transforms for Image Communication in 5G Systems

Modern-day applications of fifth-generation (5G) and sixth-generation (6G) systems require fast, efficient, and robust transmission of multimedia information over wireless communication medium for both mobile and fixed users. The hybrid amalgamation of massive multiple input multiple output (mMIMO) and orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) proves to be an impressive methodology for fulfilling the needs of 5G and 6G users. In this paper, the performance of the hybrid combination of massive MIMO and OFDM schemes augmented with fast Fourier transform (FFT), fractional Fourier transform (FrFT) or discrete wavelet transform (DWT) is evaluated to study their potential for reliable image communication. The analysis is carried over the Rayleigh fading channels and M-ary phase-shift keying (M-PSK) modulation schemes. The parameters used in our analysis to assess the outcome of proposed versions of OFDM-mMIMO include signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) vs. peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) and SNR vs. structural similarity index measure (SSIM) at the receiver. Our results indicate that massive MIMO systems incorporating FrFT and DWT can lead to higher PSNR and SSIM values for a given SNR and number of users, when compared with in contrast to FFT-based massive MIMO-OFDM systems under the same conditions.
Theoretical and numerical analysis of vortex bladeless wind turbines

Wind energy is one of the most abundant renewable energy resources that have been used to generate electricity. A new used method called Vortex Bladeless Wind Turbines which is basically a rod oscillating and vibrating in response to the vortices originating from the wind passing by the rod. This paper presents a mathematical model used in analysis the work of the VBWT. A prototype design was be created using solidwork to calculate the physical properties. In addition, a numerical study was carried out using Ansys software to calculate the forces affecting the VBWT. Finally, the safety of VBWT structure is studied. The results indicated that, the obtained model can be applied practically in studying the performance of general VBWT with low wind speed, as VBWT use less space, low maintenance and hence economical. The mathematical formula of VBWT power is function of air velocity, aerodynamic coefficients, and prototype physical properties.
International Journal of Education, Learning and Development

The study centers on principals’ management techniques and effective schoolcommunity relation in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State. It is a correlational study. One research question guided this study. Relevant related works were reviewed for the purpose of study. Three hundred and fourteen teachers randomly selected and the principals of the fifteen government secondary school in Ahoada East Local Government Area represented the sample size. The principals’ management techniques questionnaire was used to collect data for the study. Findings indicated that there is no significant difference between principals’ management techniques and school community relations Based on the findings made that : (1) seminars and workshops should be organized from time to time by the ministry of education for principals on management techniques. (ii) The ministry of education or schools board should constantly encourage the principals’ by giving them incentives in the form of a award or inservice training for excellent performances (iii) The Government should also pay teachers’ salaries on time to improve their productivity.