Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Testing the Influence of Changing Seawater Ca Concentration on Elements/Ca Ratios in Planktic Foraminifera: A Culture Experiment

Element/Ca ratios in foraminifera shells are used to assess oceanic physical‐chemical properties (e.g., paleo‐temperature, paleo‐pH…). On geological time scales, these proxies may also depend on changes in the chemical composition of seawater. Here we investigate the effect of changing seawater calcium concentration on the Li/Ca, Mg/Ca, Sr/Ca, B/Ca, and Na/Ca ratios in low‐Mg calcite shells of the planktic foraminifer Globigerinella siphonifera. Specifically, we evaluate the possibility that Na/Ca in planktic foraminifera shells may serve as a proxy for Ca concentrations in the past ocean. Since Ca concentration in today's open ocean is largely conservative with relation to salinity, field calibrations are not possible. Therefore, we cultured the planktic foraminifer (G. siphonifera) collected from the Gulf of Eilat (Red Sea) in variable Casw (10.5–29 mmol/kg), at constant temperature (25°C) and under two salinities (37 and 40.6). When changing the Casw of the growth medium, the relationships between Mg/Ca and Na/Ca in the shells and their corresponding ratios in the seawater are best described by power functions implying a variable distribution coefficient function. For Sr/Ca and Li/Ca, the relations between the shells and the seawater are described by linear functions intersecting the origin implying their distribution coefficients are insensitive to changes in Casw. The results also confirm that foraminiferal B/Ca is not influenced by seawater Casw. We conclude that Na/Ca ratios in planktic foraminifera may serve as reliable proxy for Cenozoic ocean Ca, and that other El/Ca ratios may be used to determine their past concentrations relative to Ca.
Fast Convergence of Multi-quadrotor Cooperation Using Weighted-Neighbor-based Control

SUMMARY In this paper, a weighted-neighbor-based cooperation control of multi-quadrotor systems is investigated. A formation tracking problem is treated, where the reference formation trajectory (RFT) is not given a priori. The RFT is only available to some of the quadrotors (i.e. the leaders). In order to attain the fast convergence of the agents, we propose an algorithm to calculate the neighbors’ weights in decentralized way. Then, the weights are used to compose the formation controller. Compared to the widely used average-neighbor-based control method, the proposed control protocol can increase the convergence speed of the cooperation error. Since the formation control is improved in topological scale, the utilization of the proposed algorithms can be extended on any multi-robot systems. We show the improvement of the proposed control protocol by theoretical proof, simulation, and real-time experiments.
Sox14 is essential for initiation of interneuron differentiation in the chick spinal cord

The neural tube comprises several different types of progenitors and postmitotic neurons that coordinately act with each other to play integrated functions. Its development consists of two phases: proliferation of progenitor cells and differentiation into postmitotic neurons. How progenitor cells differentiate into each corresponding neuron is an important question for understanding the mechanisms of neuronal development. Here we introduce one of the Sox transcription factors, Sox14, which plays an essential role in the promotion of neuronal differentiation. Sox14 belongs to the SoxB subclass and its expression starts in the progenitor regions before neuronal differentiation is initiated at the trunk level of the neural tube. After neuronal differentiation is initiated, Sox14 expression gradually becomes confined to the V2a region of the neural tube, where Chx10 is co-expressed. Overexpression of Sox14 restricts progenitor cell proliferation. Conversely, the blockade of Sox14 expression by the RNAi strategy inhibits V2a neuron differentiation and causes expansion of the progenitor domain. We further found that Sox14 acted as a transcriptional activator. Taken together, Sox14 acts as a modulator of cell proliferation and an initiator protein for neuronal differentiation in the intermediate region of the neural tube.
News Industry 5.0: Humanoid vs Journalist’s Culture

Humanoid is a robot that resembles humans, both intelligence and physical appearance. The emergence of future humanoid journalists raised question, whether in the professional journalist and their culture will be completely replaced by humanoid journalist, or will they become partners with whom they expand the scope of work and build a more sophisticated culture. This study aims to explore how the news industry 5.0 brings together humanoid culture and journalistic culture in the future, and examines the possibility in technical, organizational, and cultural aspects of this phenomenon based on Arnold Pacey's thinking. Data collection was carried out through news observations on the website and video share regarding humanoid Sophia, through direct observation of the Sophia robot that had been conducted in May 2019, interviews with several journalists who has attended the conference. This study concludes that the existence of future humanoid journalists is a breakthrough in the industrial era 5.0 that needs to be observed as early as possible, especially in technical, organizational, and cultural aspects. Other than those issues, a crucial matter to be considered is regarding impact humanoid journalism on the cultural ethics of journalists that have been built for centuries.
The Stripe of Electron Diffraction in Magnetic Field—A Counterexample. In Electric Field, the Result Will Be the Same

As long as no one has done diffraction experiment in the spark chamber (DESC) , it makes sense to do this experiment. This experiment has two possible results: (1) Diffraction fringes cannot be obtained; (2) Path information and diffraction patterns can be obtained at the same time. If the result is (1), it provides direct and unambiguous experimental evidence for the existing Copenhagen quantum mechanics interpretation system, which can avoid some unnecessary disputes; If the result is (2), it will cause a scientific revolution in the field of quantum mechanics interpretation (After all, most people now think that "as long as the particle path is observed in the double slit experiment, the interference fringes will disappear"). "The result of the electron diffraction experiment in a magnetic field—diffraction fringes can still be obtained" was discovered. This finding provides an experimental evidence for DESC to be meaningful and predicts that the experimental result of DESC is the result (2).
A Network Meta-analysis and Systematic Review of Left Bundle Branch Pacing, His Bundle Pacing, Biventricular Pacing or RV Pacing in Patients Requiring Permanent Pacemaker

Background: Cardiac dyssynchronization is the proposed mechanism for pacemaker-induced cardiomyopathy. The standard of treatment is biventricular pacing. Left bundle branch pacing and His bundle pacing are novel interventions that imitate the natural conductionof the heart with, theoretically, less interventricular dysynchrony. One of the surrogate markers of interventricular synchrony is QRS duration. Our study aimed to compare the change of QRS duration before and after implantation between types of cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED): left bundle branch pacing versus His bundle pacing versus biventricular pacing and conventional right ventricular pacing. Methods: A literature search for studies that reported an interval change of QRS duration after CIED implantation was conducted utilizing the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases. All relevant work through September 2020 from these databases was included in this analysis. A random-effects model network meta-analysis was used to analyze QRS duration changes (i.e., electrical cardiac synchronization) across different CIED implantations. Results: The mean study sample size, from 16 included studies, was 185 subjects. According to SUCRA analysis for the studies analyzed, the His bundle pacing intervention resulted in the most dramatic decline in QRS duration (mean difference -53 ms, 95% CI -67, -39), followed by left bundle branch pacing (mean difference -46 ms, 95% CI -60, -33) and biventricular pacing (mean difference -19 ms, 95% CI -37, -1.8), when compared to conventional right ventricle apical lead placement. Conclusion: Our network meta-analysis found that His bundle branch pacing devices have the greatest effect on QRS duration reduction after implantation, followed by left bundle branch pacing. Physiologic pacing interventions result in improved electrocardiography markers of cardiac synchronicity, narrower QRS duration, and might lower electromechanical dyssynchrony.
DNA Barcoding of Rattan (Arecaceae) From Gunung Walat Education Forest, Sukabumi-West Java

Rattan is a forest plant that has high economic and ecological value. This species grows in various habitats because of its good adaptability. Gunung Walat education forest (GWEF) is an ex-situ conservation location owned by IPB University and rattan conservation potential. In 2005 rattan were planted in this area from some material source in Indonesia, but the information regarding its identity was still limited. Therefore, this study aims to identify rattan in GWEF using barcode methods. Four barcoding those were rbcL, matk K, psbA-trnH, and ITS 1 was used for this purpose. Molecular analysis was conducted through DNA extraction using the CTAB method, DNA quality and quantity observation using electrophoresis and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplification. The result of this research showed that DNA barcodes show a different
Assessing the Learning Effects of Host Communications on the Green Knowledge and Behavior of Festival Attendees—Evidence from Compulsory Garbage Sorting in China

Compulsory waste sorting has been in practice in pilot cities in China and is expected to be fully implemented in urban areas of the country by 2025. However, the learning of compulsory waste sorting by non-local festival attendees in a semi-free choice festival context and the roles of the relevant factors require further investigation. In particular, for the non-local attendees, the festival context avails both the opportunity and occasion for effective learning of compulsory waste sorting, a unique research window worth further exploration. Employing a systematic modeling approach to comprehensively investigate the interrelationships among the identified significant factors, this study explores and examines the mechanism of this learning process with a hierarchy of positive relationships between the host communications, learning outcomes and behavioral intentions of the festival attendees concerning compulsory waste sorting. The research subject of this study was a branded forest music festival held in a waste-sorting pilot city in East China, which has long been pivoting to the promotion of environmental-friendly values. The objective measurement of the learning outcomes integrated by this study accentuate the effectiveness of the proposed structural model. Our research findings confirmed all of the hypothesized relationships and established positive learning outcomes for the festival attendees on waste sorting as instructed by the festival hosts. The role of the festival attendees’ environmental attitudes in mediating their learning outcomes was corroborated. This study advances the understanding of the experiential learning processes of pro-environment and sustainability knowledge and behavior in festival contexts, areas that require future research attention with growing reflections on and awareness of environmental protection and sustainable development.
Floristic composition, structure and species conservation status of Mauritia flexuosa palm swamps in Andean-Amazonian piedmont in the Department of San Martín, Peru

We investigated the floristic composition, structure and conservation status of plant species in Mauritia flexuosa palm swamps of the Peruvian Amazonia. The study was carried out in 4 sites at the localities of Tingana and Posic. In each site, 25 plots of 20 × 20 m were established and all individuals ≥ 1 cm diameter at breast height were recorded. In total, 5,795 individuals and 112 species were registered. Rubiaceae was the family with the largest number of species and Arecaceae with the largest number of individuals. The most ecologically important species was M. flexuosa in all 4 sites. Abundance was significantly different among sites but not the richness, which was generally low due to the presence of hyperdominant species. Canopy and understory species showed differences in richness and abundance among 4 sites. Mantel test showed relationship between floristic similarity and geographic distances. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling and analysis of similarities revealed 3 floristic groups. Our sites comprise 8 endemic species, 13 protected species (IUCN), and 2 CITES species. These swamps should be conserved or sustainably managed to avoid being affected by the increasing land-use change and the selective extraction of species in the region.
Inhibition of endoplasmic reticulum stress reverses synaptic plasticity deficits in striatum of DYT1 dystonia mice

Background and objective: Striatal plasticity alterations caused by endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is supposed to be critically involved in the mechanism of DYT1 dystonia. In the current study, we expanded this research field by investigating the critical role of ER stress underlying synaptic plasticity impairment imposed by mutant heterozygous Tor1a+/- in a DYT1 dystonia mouse model. Methods: Heterozygous Tor1a+/- mouse model for DYT1 dystonia was established. Wild-type (Tor1a+/+, N=10) and mutant (Tor1a+/-, N=10) mice from post-natal day P25 to P35 were randomly distributed to experimental and control groups. Patch-clamp and current-clamp recordings of SPNs were conducted with intracellular electrodes for electrophysiological analyses. Striatal changes of the direct and indirect pathways were investigated via immunofluorescence. Golgi-Cox staining was conducted to observe spine morphology of SPNs. To quantify postsynaptic signaling proteins in striatum, RNA-Seq, qRT-PCR and WB were performed in striatal tissues. Results: Long-term depression (LTD) was failed to be induced, while long-term potentiation (LTP) was further strengthened in striatal spiny projection neurons (SPNs) from the Tor1a+/- DYT1 dystonia mice. Spine morphology analyses revealed a significant increase of both number of mushroom type spines and spine width in Tor1a+/- SPNs. In addition, increased AMPA receptor function and the reduction of NMDA/AMPA ratio in the postsynaptic of Tor1a+/- SPNs was observed, along with increased ER stress protein levels in striatum of Tor1a+/- DYT1 dystonia mice. Notably, ER stress inhibitors, tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA), could rescue LTD as well as AMPA currents. Conclusion: The current study illustrated the role of ER stress in mediating structural and functional plasticity alterations in Tor1a+/- SPNs. Inhibition of the ER stress by TUDCA is beneficial in reversing the deficits at the cellular and molecular levels. Remedy of dystonia associated neurological and motor functional impairment by ER stress inhibitors could be a recommendable therapeutic agent in clinical practice.
Rational Implementation of Fractional Calculus Operator Based on Quadratic Programming

When fractional calculus operators and models are implemented rationally, there exist some problems such as low approximation accuracy of rational approximation function, inability to specify arbitrary approximation frequency band, or poor robustness. Based on the error criterion of the least squares method, a quadratic programming method based on the frequency-domain error is proposed. In this method, the frequency-domain error minimization between the fractional operator s ± r and its rational approximation function is transformed into a quadratic programming problem. The results show that the construction method of the optimal rational approximation function of fractional calculus operator is effective, and the optimal rational approximation function constructed can effectively approximate the fractional calculus operator and model for the specified approximation frequency band.
Prevalence and Molecular Characterization Coat Protein Gene of Tobacco streak virus Causing Peanut Stem Necrosis Disease in Coastal and Rayalaseema Districts of Andhra Pradesh, South-India

Background: Peanut stem necrosis disease (PSND) caused by Tobacco streak virus (TSV) is a major constraint for groundnut production in Andhra Pradesh (A.P.). However, studies on prevalence and spread of the disease confined to only few districts of A.P. with this background current study focused on incidence and spread of the disease in entire state of A.P. Further an isolate of TSV occurring in A.P. characterized on the basis of genetic features by comparing with other TSV isolates originated from different hosts and locations from world.Methods: Roving survey was conducted during kharif 2017-18 in groundnut growing districts of Andhra Pradesh (A.P.) for peanut stem necrosis disease incidence. Groundnut plants showing PSND symptoms were collected and tested with direct antigen coating enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (DAC-ELISA). Groundnut samples found positive by ELISA once again tested by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The representative TSV-GN-INDVP groundnut isolate from Prakasham district was maintained on cowpea seedlings by standard sap inoculation method in glasshouse for further molecular characterization. The Phylogenetic tree for coat protein (CP) gene was constructed using aligned sequences with 1000 bootstrap replicates following neighbor-joining phylogeny.Result: Thirty-eight (52.7%) of seventy-two groundnut samples collected from different locations in A.P were given positive reaction to TSV by DAC-ELISA. For the first time, PSND incidence observed in coastal districts (Krishna, Guntur, Sri Pottisriramulu Nellore, Prakasham) of A.P. Maximum PSND incidence recorded from Bathalapalli (22.2%) and the minimum incidence in Mulakalacheruvu (4.1%). The coat protein (CP) gene of TSV-GN-INDVP groundnut isolate was amplified by RT-PCR and it shared maximum per cent nucleotide identity (97.51-98.62%) with TSV isolates from groundnut and other different crops reported in India. All Indian isolates cluster together irrespective of crop and location based on the phylogenetic analysis.
Photoionization Mass Spectrometry and Photoelectron-Photoion Coincidence (PEPICO) Spectroscopy Studies of Select Biofuel Molecules

This thesis is the culmination of numerous experiments, performed on two different continents, investigating the spectroscopic and thermodynamic properties of several biofuels and fuel additives. It will start with an introduction about the motivation behind these experiments. The second chapter will outline the experimental details of the apparatus at the Advanced Light Source (ALS) in Berkeley, CA, followed by the Swiss Light Source (SLS) in Villigen, Switzerland. Third, the theoretical concepts and data analysis methods will be discussed in detail. Chapter 4 will be the start of the newly obtained data. It presents some photoionization mass spectrometry studies on γ-valerolactone (GVL). The photoionization cross section of GVL and some suspected combustion products are measured. In addition, several dissociative ions are determined. Theoretical calculations are used to support all alignments. This data is vital to product identification and branching fraction calculations in timeand energy-resolved photoionization experiments. The fifth chapter will investigate the chlorine-initiated reactions of methyl butyrate (MB) and ethyl butyrate (EB) in the presence of oxygen. Ethyl crotonate is found to be a major product in the EB reaction. Formaldehyde and acetaldehyde are both formed in the EB and MB reactions. Both products are suspected to be produced by the RO2-HO2 radical-radical reaction and ab initio calculations are performed to analyze the reaction mechanisms. Finally, chapter six will discuss the photoelectron-photoion coincidence (PEPICO) spectroscopy of two biofuel additives (GVL and mesitylene). This technique is used to measure various thermodynamic quantities, such as heats of formation, entropies of activation, and bond strengths. In addition, dissociation rates will also be obtained with the use of two statistical models, Rice-RamspergerKassel-Marcus (RRKM) theory and the Simplified Statistical Adiabatic Channel Model (SSACM).
Population Genomics and Conservation of Erigenia bulbosa (Apiaceae), an Edge-of-Range Species in Pennsylvania

Premise of research. Erigenia bulbosa, or the harbinger of spring, is one of the earliest-blooming wildflowers in eastern North America. As a spring ephemeral of forests and woodlands, it is a common species throughout the Midwest. In Pennsylvania, E. bulbosa exhibits an east-west disjunct distribution, where widespread western populations are contiguous with the midwestern range and a handful of smaller populations in the eastern part of the state are restricted to the lower Susquehanna River Valley. The relative isolation of the eastern populations suggests a possible conservation concern; the smaller, less connected populations may be threatened by fluctuations in size and the potential for low genetic diversity. As a consequence, establishing regulatory measures in Pennsylvania has been problematic because of disagreement regarding how to treat E. bulbosa during the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (PA DCNR) environmental review process. Currently, populations in the east are subject to regulation, while populations in the west are not. Methodology. To better understand the population genetics of the species, we coupled field assessments of E. bulbosa with a population genomics approach. We sampled multiple individuals from eight populations and generated a genotyping-by-sequencing data set of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that we used to calculate population statistics (genetic variation [FST], inbreeding coefficient [FIS], and heterozygosity), estimate population structure (sparse nonnegative matrix factorization), identify clusters of genetically related individuals (discriminant analysis of principal components), estimate a NeighborNet, look at signatures of isolation by distance (IBD), and detect population differentiation (analysis of molecular variance) using the filtered SNP data set. Pivotal results. Our data reveal structure in all populations and suggest genetic isolation between the groups of populations in the eastern and western portions of the state. Genetic groups identified using multivariate methods correspond to populations. Within populations, we estimate low levels of heterozygosity, a significant signature of IBD, and that most of the genetic variation we find is due to differences between populations. Conclusions. Our results indicate that any conservation measures undertaken by the PA DCNR should be applied evenly throughout Pennsylvania. We expect that most populations will continue to be threatened by land use and other development activities. This work illustrates the strength of academic and nonacademic partnerships in fostering outcomes that inform conservation activities for local species of concern.
Comparison of different automatic solutions for resection cavity segmentation in postoperative MRI volumes including longitudinal acquisitions

In this work, we compare five deep learning solutions to automatically segment the resection cavity in postoperative MRI. The proposed methods are based on the same 3D U-Net architecture. We use a dataset of postoperative MRI volumes, each including four MRI sequences and the ground truth of the corresponding resection cavity. Four solutions are trained with a different MRI sequence. Besides, a method designed with all the available sequences is also presented. Our experiments show that the method trained only with the T1 weighted contrast-enhanced MRI sequence achieves the best results, with a median DICE index of 0.81.