Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In operando x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies of H2 oxidation and H2O electrolysis on gadolinia-doped ceria electrodes

In operando, ambient-pressure x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (AP-XPS) has been used to evaluate surface states of gadolinia-doped ceria (GDC) thin-film electrodes during H2 oxidation and H2O electrolysis, on yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ)-supported solid oxide electrochemical cells (SOCs). Porous nickel (Ni) and gold (Au) overlayers deposited on separate GDC thin films served as current collectors and potential electrocatalysts to facilitate heterogeneous chemistry for H2 oxidation or H2O electrolysis. Electrochemical characterization of the GDC thin-film electrodes complemented in operando XPS measurements of the O 1s spectra to correlate electrochemical overpotentials with surface chemistry near the Ni/GDC and Au/GDC interfaces. Shifts in O 1s binding energies across the metal/GDC/YSZ interfaces signified changes of local surface potential and provided a means of estimating kinetic parameters associated with charge transfer reactions. Effective oxygen partial pressure and surface potential impacted oxide vacancy and ceria polaron concentrations in the GDC, resulting in different reactivities of the GDC under the tested conditions. Both the Ni/GDC and Au/GDC demonstrated much higher currents for H2O electrolysis vs. H2 oxidation for comparable metal/GDC overpotentials due to increased electronic conductivity of the GDC under positive potentials and associated spreading of the electrochemically active region away from the triple-phase boundary. Higher electrochemical activity of the Ni/GDC electrode is attributed to the increased H2 activation on Ni in promoting charge transfer reactions (particularly for H2 oxidation). These results provide a basis for developing more informed reaction mechanisms for both H2 oxidation and H2O electrolysis of GDC-based composite electrodes in SOCs.
The occurrence of anxiety disorders among Poles during the COVID-19 pandemic .

OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to assess anxiety among Poles between the 35th and the 42nd day after the introduction of the state of epidemiological threat, and to compare the obtained results with global reports and the pre-pandemic state. METHODS The study was conducted on 2,457 respondents from Poland. The research methods comprised an original survey questionnaire, distributed via the Internet from 17 to 24 April 2020, assessing the sociodemographic state, and standardized psychometric tools: the Beck Depression Inventory, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire (GAD-7) and Manchester Short Assessment of Quality of Life. RESULTS The results of 71% of the respondents indicated the presence of anxiety symptoms with various degrees of severity. In 45% of the respondents, the total score was ≥10 points, indicating signs of Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Female respondents scored significantly higher than men. Place of residence, marital status and the type of performed work had no statistically significant impact on the level of anxiety. CONCLUSIONS The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected the mental condition of Poles, resulting in increased anxiety, fear and concerns regarding the future. 71% of the respondents showed different degrees of anxiety severity, and 44% of them scored at least 10 points in the GAD-7 scale, which indicates the presence of signs of Generalized Anxiety. There is a great need to provide Poles with mental support during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Dynamics of Endophytic Bacterial Community Structure in Rice Roots under Different Field Management Systems

The structure of endophytic bacteria is important to plant health and stress tolerance, but little is known about the impacts of farming systems on temporal changes in diversity of endophytic bacteria. In this study, we investigated the endophytic microbiome in rice roots under organic and conventional farming systems at the seedling and tillering stages over two consecutive cropping seasons using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Although the composition of the microbiome was significantly influenced by a field management system, growth stage, and interaction between the two factors, the growth stage alone explained more than 40% of variance. Soil pH and organic matter content also partially influenced the endophytic bacterial community composition. In addition, through indicator species analysis and the functional profiles predicted by phylogenetic analysis, we revealed the selection force of rice roots at the tillering stage to recruit endophytes, which are beneficial to plant growth. In summary, our data show that the dynamics of rice root bacterial composition are mainly influenced by the plant growth stage. Our findings offer new insights regarding the control of the root microbiome by host plants and the influence of farming systems.
Developing Trends in Power and Networking Technologies for Intelligent Cities

The introduction of Industry 4.0 has increased the focus on a number of technologies. These technologies also help realize the vision for intelligent cities. Furthermore, there are already discussions of Industry 5.0. One emerging aspect of Industry 5.0 is human-robot co-working. With the help of artificial intelligence, the internet of things paradigm, Industry 4.0, and Industry 5.0 visions, there will be two predominant types of systems interfacing with people in intelligent cities. These are robotic and ambient intelligence systems. The increasing deployment of these will help make cities even smarter. However, we need to see advancements in a number of relevant key technologies, including power and networking technologies. In this chapter, first, the authors briefly discuss Industry 4.0, Industry 5.0, and intelligent cities paradigm, as well as robotic and ambient intelligence systems. Then, they focus on developing trends in power and networking technologies.
Perancangan Primer Spesifik Subspesies Berbasis Gen Endoglukanase untuk Deteksi Ralstonia syzygii subsp. syzygii

Ralstonia syzygii subsp. syzygii that belong to Ralstonia solanacearum species complex is the cause of Sumateran disease of clove. The disease was reported to cause widespread devastation on clove plantings in Indonesia. One of the control strategies is to reduce the spread of the disease through early detection on clove seedlings. The study aimed to design the specific primers based on endoglucanase (egl) gene of R. syzygii subsp. syzygii as a tool for early diagnosis. The analyses were conducted on development of specific primers design using egl sequences retrieved from GenBank, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), primers sensitivity and specificity test. The pair of primers UGMRss-F (5’-GCTCACCATCGC CAAGGACAGCG-3’) and UGMRss-R (5’-TTCGATCGAACGCCTGGTTGAGC-3’) could amplify R. syzygii subsp. syzygii at ~378 base pairs with 0.8 ng/µl minimum concentration of DNA. The primers was specific to R. syzygii subsp. syzygii but not to other bacterial species even in the same phylotype. IntisariRalstonia syzygii subsp. syzygii merupakan bakteri yang termasuk dalam kelompok Ralstonia solanacearum species complex yang menyebabkan penyakit Sumatera pada tanaman cengkih. Penyakit ini menyebabkan kerugian yang sangat besar dan sampai saat ini belum ditemukan cara pengendalian yang efektif. Salah satu upaya pencegahan penyakit adalah melalui deteksi dini dan mencegah penyebaran penyakit melalui peredaran bibit dari areal yang endemis. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk merancang primer spesifik berbasis gen endoglukanase (egl) sebagai upaya deteksi dini penyakit Sumatera. Analisis yang dilakukan meliputi desain primer spesifik dengan menggunakan data sekuens gen egl dari GenBank, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), uji kepekaan primer dan uji kekhususan primer. Desain primer yang berhasil dirancang terdiri dari UGMRss-F (5’- GCTCACCATCGCCAAGGACAGCG-3’) dan UGMRss-R (5’-TTC GATCGAACGCCTGGTTGAGC-3’) dengan amplikon ~378 pasang basa. Pada konsentrasi DNA 0,8 ng/µl, secara peka R. syzygii subsp. syzygii masih dapat teramplifikasi dengan baik. Primer ini juga hanya dapat mendeteksi R. syzygii subsp. syzygii dan tidak untuk bakteri lain bahkan pada filotipe yang sama.
The Role of the Exocyst in Membrane Deformation, Cell Migration and Exocytosis

Dynamic shape changes of the plasma membrane are fundamental to many processes ranging from morphogenesis and cell migration to phagocytosis and viral propagation. In this study, I showed that Exo70, a component of the exocyst complex, induces tubular membrane invaginations towards the lumen of synthetic vesicles in vitro and generates actin-free protrusions on the surface of cells. Analyses using Exo70 mutants suggest that Exo70 generates negative membrane curvature through an oligomerization-based mechanism. The membrane-deformation function of Exo70 is likely to be independent of the other exocyst subunits. Exo70 thus represents a novel membrane-deforming protein for plasma membrane remodeling. Directional cell migration requires the coordination of actin assembly and membrane remodeling. Exo70 directly interacts with and activates the Arp2/3 complex, a central nucleating factor for the generation of branched actin networks for cell morphogenesis and migration. Here I found that both the stimulatory effect of Exo70 on Arp2/3 and the membrane-deformation function of Exo70 are required for lamellipodia formation and maintaining directional persistence of cell migration. Exo70 thus may couple actin dynamics and plasma membrane remodeling during cell migration. The late stage of exocytosis is regulated by the exocyst and SNARE complexes. The secretory vesicles are first tethered to the plasma membrane by the exocyst and then docked and fused to the plasma membrane by SNARE complex. Here I showed that the exocyst component Sec3, based on its sequence similarity to a SNARE-binding protein amisyn, directly binds to the plasma membrane SNARE Syntaxin4. Both Sec3 and amisyn binds to PI(4,5)P2 through basic residues on the Nterminus. Sec3 may regulate MMP and VSV-G exocytosis in cells. These results reveal a novel direct interaction between the exocyst and the plasma membrane SNARE and suggest that Sec3 may regulate the SNARE activity during exocytosis. Degree Type Dissertation Degree Name Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Graduate Group Biology First Advisor Wei Guo
Hybrid goals: institutional complexity and ‘legacy’ in a global sporting mega-event

ABSTRACT Definitions of social enterprise and hybrid organizations are compatible and allow application to a variety of organizational forms. We analyse the not-for-profit enterprise formed specifically to deliver the regional element of a global mega-sporting event: The 1994 FIFA (soccer) World Cup. The organization planned a sporting spectacle with commercial objectives to provide long-term benefits for society and a short-term economic boost. This longitudinal case traces the evolution of the organization and its emergent institutional complexity as it aligned commercial and societal goals.
On Some Modified Tests for Testing the Mean of a Right Skewed Distributions

Johnson (1978) and Chen (1995) proposed some modified tests (Johnson’s and Chen’s respectively) to asses the mean of a positively skewed population. The tests they have been considered for any distribution ranging from normal to a distribution as asymmetric as an exponential. In this paper we proposed one modified tests based on Chen (1995) paper for testing the mean of a positively skewed distribution. The sampling distributions of the proposed test statistics are unknown. However, using a Monte Carlo study it has been observed that the right tail of these statistics are somewhat robust. We made a simulation study to compare the powers of these test statistics for a variety of positively skewed distributions: Exponential, Gamma, Chi-squared and Log-Normal distributions. It is evident from simulation study that the proposed test is more powerful compared to , and for testing mean of a positively skewed distribution.
Greenhouse gas observation network design for Africa

Abstract An optimal network design was carried out to prioritise the installation or refurbishment of greenhouse gas (GHG) monitoring stations around Africa. The network was optimised to reduce the uncertainty in emissions across three of the most important GHGs: CO2, CH4, and N2O. Optimal networks were derived using incremental optimisation of the percentage uncertainty reduction achieved by a Gaussian Bayesian atmospheric inversion. The solution for CO2 was driven by seasonality in net primary productivity. The solution for N2O was driven by activity in a small number of soil flux hotspots. The optimal solution for CH4 was consistent over different seasons. All solutions for CO2 and N2O placed sites in central Africa at places such as Kisangani, Kinshasa and Bunia (Democratic Republic of Congo), Dundo and Lubango (Angola), Zoétélé (Cameroon), Am Timan (Chad), and En Nahud (Sudan). Many of these sites appeared in the CH4 solutions, but with a few sites in southern Africa as well, such as Amersfoort (South Africa). The multi-species optimal network design solutions tended to have sites more evenly spread-out, but concentrated the placement of new tall-tower stations in Africa between 10ºN and 25ºS. The uncertainty reduction achieved by the multi-species network of twelve stations reached 47.8% for CO2, 34.3% for CH4, and 32.5% for N2O. The gains in uncertainty reduction diminished as stations were added to the solution, with an expected maximum of less than 60%. A reduction in the absolute uncertainty in African GHG emissions requires these additional measurement stations, as well as additional constraint from an integrated GHG observatory and a reduction in uncertainty in the prior biogenic fluxes in tropical Africa.
Mechanical properties characterization of the Ichu fibers composites

In the recent years, natural fibers are gaining an outstanding position as a reinforcement material, due to diverse advantages like high specific properties, low cost and low environmental impact. On the other hand, according to the market studies, in the next years the offer of the natural fibers will be in deficit; therefore, exploration of new natural fibers from new resources can be an alternative to fill this gap. Along the Andean region there are diverse natural resources from which cellulosic fibers can be extracted, like the Stipa obtusa grass, also commonly known as Ichu. The main purpose of this research was to determine the mechanical properties of unidirectional composite laminates made from Ichu fibers mixed with polyester resin; tensile, compressive and shear properties were evaluated. Results show that the stiffness in the principal direction (E1 ∼ 16 GPa) and the transverse direction (E2 ∼ 4.7 GPa) are over the average values compared to the composites made from the commercial fibers; similar behavior was observed in its shear and compression characteristics. Strength shows values around σ 1 ∼ 118 MPa, σ 2∼ 13 MPa, τ 12∼ 46 MPa and τ 21∼ 18 MPa, which is similar to the values reported in the literature for the commercial natural fiber composites. Based on these results, the Ichu fiber has a great potential as a reinforcement in composites materials.
Evaluation of Sub Clinical Myocardial Systolic Dysfunction Using 2D Global Longitudinal Strain Assessment in Type 2 Diabetes Patients in Sub-Saharan Africa

Background: Heart failure is the commonest cardiovascular complication in type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, subclinical left ventricular dysfunction can’t be detected using 2D echocardiography which is routinely used for cardiac evaluation of diabetic patients. We aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated to left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV GLS) impairment in type 2 diabetes Cameroonians patients. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study from January 2019 to June 2019, including type 2 diabetes patients with preserved left ventricle ejection fraction. Clinical and echocardiographic data were collected, and LV GLS was assessed using speckle tracking technique, a value ≤ -16% been considered as normal value. Results: We recruited 95 patients, with a mean age of 57.4 ± 11.8 years old and median diabetes duration of 5 [2 - 12] years. Echocardiographic evaluation found 56.3% of left ventricle remodelling, 51.6% of left ventricle diastolic dysfunction and mean left ventricle ejection of 63.3% ± 6.6%. LV GLS impairment was present in 43.2% (95% CI: 32.6 - 53.7) of the participants. After adjustment to all significantly associated factors, Obesity (aOR: 4; 95% CI: 1.5 - 10.6) and diastolic dysfunction (aOR: 3.1; 95% CI: 1.2 - 8.2) were independent factors associated with LV GLS. Conclusions: Subclinical systolic dysfunction assessed by LV GLS impairment is frequent in diabetic patients. Further research should be carried out more extensively to integrate LV GLS in the type 2 diabetes patients’ routine follow up for a better prognostic outcome, especially in low-incomes countries.
Activity center selection by northern spotted owls

The federally threatened northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) has been intensively studied across its range, and habitat needs for the species have influenced forest management in northwestern North America for decades. Dense forest canopies are often reported in the scientific literature and agency management plans as an important habitat attribute for spotted owls, though the means of measuring forest canopy and interpreting species requirements vary across studies and more importantly, among management plans. We used light detection and ranging (lidar) measurements of canopy cover, canopy surface heterogeneity, and upper canopy surface connectivity, and an index of the presence of a competitive invasive species, the barred owl (S. varia), in multinomial discrete choice models using a Bayesian framework to evaluate selection of forest cover types by spotted owls in Oregon, USA, 2008–2015. We designated yearly activity centers based on the most biologically significant observation during the nesting season (Mar–Aug), generally centered on the nest tree. Spotted owls selected activity centers with more canopy cover and higher heterogeneity of the canopy surface within 100m than was available within their territories. The average proportion of canopy cover within 100m of a spotted owl activity center was 0.79 0.12 (SD; range1⁄4 0.34– 0.99). The presence of barred owls did not explain variability in selection of spotted owl activity centers, but barred owls might not affect third-order habitat selection within territories, or our index was too spatially coarse to detect these effects on spotted owl resource selection. We demonstrate that lidar provides researchers and managers with a tool that can accurately measure forest canopies over large areas, and assist in mapping spotted owl habitat. 2019 The Wildlife Society.
From excitation-contraction coupling to gene expression: Roles of RYR1 and Cav1.1 in myogenesis

The main function of differentiated skeletal muscle is contraction, allowing for movement. However, contraction also has important developmental roles and thus is indispensable for proper muscle formation and organization. On a molecular level, the initiation of skeletal muscle contraction relies on the interplay of two mechanically coupled Ca2+ channels - the principal subunit of the 1,4 dihydropyridine receptor (Cav1.1) and the type 1 ryanodine receptor (RYR1), the key event in the process of excitation-contraction coupling (ECC). While multiple functional and structural studies over the last decades have led to a deeper understanding of the roles of Cav1.1 and RYR1 in ECC, their specific involvement in muscle development and in gene expression remains obscure. The present work analyzes the morphological and global transcriptomic changes occurring in limb skeletal muscle from RYR1- and Cav1.1-deficient (RYR1-/- and Cav1.1-/-, respectively) mice at the beginning (E14.5) and at the end (E18.5) of secondary myogenesis. In both models initial muscle structure alterations are already observable E14.5. At this stage, increased apoptosis is observed only in Cav1.1-/- limb skeletal muscle. Microarray analyses reveal discrete transcriptomic changes in both mutants at E14.5, with downregulation of genes primarily associated with innervation and neuron development in RYR1-/-, and with muscle contraction in Cav1.1-/- skeletal muscle. At E18.5, both RYR1-/- and Cav1.1-/- skeletal muscles are characterized by more severe structural malformation, fibrosis, and signs of developmental retardation. At this stage a high number of the detected differentially expressed genes (DEGs) overlap i RYR1 /- and Cav1.1-/-. Both mutants display a failure to upregulate the expression of many genes involved in the buildup of the contractile machinery and exhibit changes in the expression of global signaling pathways and multiple microRNAs. Mutant-specific transcriptomic changes point to changes in the composition of the extracellular matrix in RYR1-/- muscle and in the lipid metabolism in Cav1.1-/- muscle. Finally, the absence of RYR1 in RYR1-/- mice alters the ratio of Cav1.1 splice variants at E14.5, and the total Cav1.1 mRNA levels at E18.5. Taken together, the results of this work highlight the importance of Cav1.1 and RYR1 for the proper execution of the developmental gene expression program during secondary myogenesis in mouse limb skeletal muscle. Furthermore, it provides insights into mutual but also specific roles of each Ca2+ channel during skeletal muscle development.
Turbulent Rayleigh-Bénard convection under strong non-Oberbeck-Boussinesq conditions

We report on Rayleigh-Bénard convection with strongly varying ﬂuid properties experimentally and theoretically. Using pressurized sulfur-hexaﬂuoride (SF 6 ) above its critical point, we are able to make measurements at mean temperatures ( T m ) and pressures ( P m ) along Prandtl-number isolines in the ( T , P ) parameter space. This allows us to keep the mean Rayleigh- (Ra m ) and Prandtl number (Pr m ) constant while changing the temperature dependences of the ﬂuid properties independently, e.g., probing the liquidlike or gaslike region that are left and right of the supercritical isochore. Hence, non-Oberbeck-Boussinesq (NOB) effects can be measured and analyzed cleanly. We measure the temperature at midheight ( T c ) as well as the global vertical heat ﬂux. We observe a signiﬁcant heat transport enhancement of up to 112% under strong NOB conditions. Furthermore, we develop a theoretical model for the global vertical heat ﬂux based on ideas of Grossmann and Lohse (GL) in OB systems, adjusted for nonconstant ﬂuid properties. In this model, the NOB effects inﬂuence the boundary layer and hence T c , but the change of the heat ﬂux is predominantly due to a change of the ﬂuid properties in the bulk, in particular the heat capacity c p and density ρ . Predictions from our model are consistent with our experimental results as well as with previous measurements carried out in pressurized ethane and cryogenic helium.
Relationships Between Brand Experience, Customer Satisfaction, Brand Love and Brand Loyalty: Airline Flight Service Application

Nowadays, when consumers make their choice of product or brand, they take into account their experiences such as brand, packaging, and design as well as product characteristics. Experience is an important variable in building brand loyalty and satisfaction. Another variable based on experience is brand love. Therefore, the main purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between consumers' brand experience, brand love, satisfaction, and brand loyalty. For this purpose, a survey was conducted on consumers with the experience of airline travel, and the 351-person sampling descriptive statistics, confirmatory factor analysis, and path analysis were applied. SPSS21 and Lisrel 8.7 programs were used in the analysis of the data. In the study, it was concluded that there is a positive and significant relationshi between brand experiences of consumers regarding airline flight service and brand love and customer satisfaction, and similarly, the same relationship is between brand love and customer satisfaction and brand loyalty.