Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characterizing temporal variability of PM2.5/PM10 ratio and its relationship with meteorological parameters in Bahrain

Abstract The Kingdom of Bahrain is ranked in the top 10 most urban ambient air polluted countries in the world due to high particulate matter (PM) concentrations. The main objective of this article is to analyze comprehensively long-term temporal (annual, seasonal, and monthly) trends of PM2.5/PM10 ratios using PM data collected simultaneously from five governorates in Bahrain over six years (2006–2012) by employing state-of-the-art Theil-Sen approach. Results showed the calculated mean PM2.5/PM10 ratio was 0.31 suggesting coarse particulates are the dominant source of PM pollution. Both observed and adjusted temporal trend of PM2.5/PM10 ratios showed significant decrease during the study period. Mean trend analysis of PM2.5/PM10 ratio also showed that it has decreased in all seasons. Annual cycle of PM2.5/PM10 ratio showed that the lowest ratio was observed in April while the highest ratio was witnessed in September. Weekly and diurnal trends of PM2.5/PM10 ratio were investigated using hourly data of PM10 and PM2.5 recorded in 2012. Temporal variation of PM2.5/PM10 ratio did not exhibit any distinctive trend on weekly and diurnal analysis. Correlation analysis showed positive association between PM2.5 and PM10 (r = 0.77) and PM2.5/PM10 ratio exhibited negative association with temperature and wind speed suggesting PM10 concentrations increase in high ambient temperatures and windy days. Bivariate polar plot analysis of PM data together with meteorological parameters demonstrated that sources of PM are primarily located in the west and north-west direction thus identifying surrounding deserts as major contributors to PM pollution.
Genomic signatures of artificial selection in the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas

The Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas, is an important aquaculture shellfish around the world with great economic and ecological value. Selective breeding programs have been carried out globally to improve production and performance traits, while genomic signatures of artificial selection remain largely unexplored. In China, we performed selective breeding of C. gigas for over a decade, leading to production of several fast‐growing strains. In the present study, we conducted whole‐genome resequencing of 20 oysters from two fast‐growing strains that have been successively selected for 10 generations, and 20 oysters from the two corresponding wild populations. Sequencing depth of >10× was achieved for each sample, leading to identification of over 12.20 million SNPs. The population structures investigated with three independent methods (principal component analysis, phylogenetic tree, and structure) suggested distinct patterns among selected and wild oyster populations. Assessment of the linkage disequilibrium (LD) decay clearly indicated the changes in genetic diversity during selection. Fixation index (Fst) combined with cross‐population composite likelihood ratio (XP‐CLR) allowed for identification of 768 and 664 selective sweeps (encompassing 1042 and 872 genes) tightly linked to selection in the two fast‐growing strains. KEGG enrichment and functional analyses revealed that 33 genes are important for growth regulation, which act as key components of various signaling pathways with close connection and further take part in regulating the process of cell cycle. This work provides valuable information for the understanding of genomic signatures for long‐term selective breeding and will also be important for growth study and genome‐assisted breeding of the Pacific oyster in the future.
Reliability-Aware Design of Spike-Event Neuromorphic Circuits

Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) based neuromorphic circuits also known as Silicon Neurons (SiNs) emulate the electrophysiological behavior of biological neurons. With the advancement in technology, neuromorphic systems also lead to various reliability issues and hence making their study important. Bias Temperature Instability (BTI) and Hot Carrier Injection (HCI) are the two major reliability issues present in VLSI circuits. In this work, we have investigated the combined effect of BTI and HCI on the two types of integrate-and-fire based SiNs namely (a) Axon-Hillock and (b) Simplified Leaky integrate-and-fire circuits using their key performance parameters. Novel reliability-aware AH and SLIF circuits are proposed to mitigate the reliability issues. Proposed reliability-aware designs show negligible deviation in performance parameters after aging. The time-zero process variability analysis is also carried out for proposed reliability-aware SiNs. The power consumption of existing and proposed reliability-aware neuron circuits is analyzed and compared.
Optimization of operating domain for generator set in series hybrid electric bus with power follower control strategy

Series hybrid electric buses with power follower control strategy require rotational speed of engine to operate over a wide range which may cause severe torsional vibration of generator set. In order to optimize operating domain of generator set for series hybrid electric bus, nonlinear dynamic model of generator set is established considering electromagnetic torque fluctuations. Then operating domain of generator set is optimized. Experimental results show that range of optimized rotational speed is 1500 < n < 5730, the range of optimized electromagnetic torque is 350 < T < 530.Series hybrid electric buses with power follower control strategy require rotational speed of engine to operate over a wide range which may cause severe torsional vibration of generator set. In order to optimize operating domain of generator set for series hybrid electric bus, nonlinear dynamic model of generator set is established considering electromagnetic torque fluctuations. Then operating domain of generator set is optimized. Experimental results show that range of optimized rotational speed is 1500 < n < 5730, the range of optimized electromagnetic torque is 350 < T < 530.
Properties of biobased epoxy resins from epoxidized linseed oil (ELO) crosslinked with a mixture of cyclic anhydride and maleinized linseed oil

This work has been supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, PROMADEPCOL (MAT2017-84909-C2-2-R). MDS is recipient of a APOSTD2018 contract (APOSTD/2018/209) from Conselleria d'Educacio, Investigacio, Cultura y Esport de la Generalitat Valenciana.
The crystal structure of 4-((2-(4,5-dihydro-1,5-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)anthracen-10-yl) methyl)morpholine, C34H31N3O

Abstract C34H31N3O, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 26.803(5) Å, b = 5.8243(12) Å, c = 16.893(3) Å, β = 98.53(3)°, V = 2608.1(9) Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0759, wRref(F2) = 0.2028, T = 113(2) K.
Are we truly modeling expressiveness? A study on expressive TTS in Brazilian Portuguese for real-life application styles

This paper presents a study of expressive speech synthesis applied to real-life application styles in Brazilian Portuguese. We explore the use of data with different recording conditions in state-of-the-art architectures in expressive TTS. Our results suggest that the variability of recording conditions of the same style, combined with a guided training of the latent representation space of the Reference Encoder, assists in the modeling of non-archetypal expressivities. Additionally, we propose an alternative to evaluating the model’s ability to generate expressive speech during preliminary results, based on a classiﬁer using GeMAPS features.
Conductivity modulation in strained transition-metal-dichalcogenides via micro-electro-mechanical actuation

In this work, strain-induced conductivity modulation in bi-layer molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) flakes is experimentally investigated and modeled. Uniaxial tensile strain in the MoS2 flakes is achieved using a micro-electro-mechanical (MEM) actuator. Conductivity ratios up to 400 are demonstrated. Theoretical predictions of conductivity versus applied voltage in the MEMS-MoS2 device match experimental data reasonably well using only the effective width of the TMDC flakes as the sole fitting parameter. The amount of strain induced in the MoS2 flakes was determined to be as high as 2.7% for one flake using the model fitted to the experiment data. The switching energy required to achieve a conductivity increase of 106 is calculated as a function of device critical dimension (length of TMDC flake). The model, which takes van der Waals forces into account, predicts a switching energy of 0.34 aJ cm−2 and subthreshold swing of 17 mV/dec for a device scaled down to 10 nm.
Horticultural Crop Response to Different Environmental and Nutritional Stress

Environmental conditions and nutritional stress may greatly affect crop performance. Abiotic stresses such as temperature (cold, heat), water (drought, flooding), irradiance, salinity, nutrients, and heavy metals can strongly affect plant growth dynamics and the yield and quality of horticultural products. Such effects have become of greater importance during the course of global climate change. Different strategies and techniques can be used to detect, investigate, and mitigate the effects of environmental and nutritional stress. Horticultural crop management is moving towards digitized, precision management through wireless remote-control solutions, but data analysis, although a traditional approach, remains the basis of stress detection and crop management. This Special Issue summarizes the recent progress in agronomic management strategies to detect and reduce environmental and nutritional stress effects on the yield and quality of horticultural crops.
Intraspecific variation in a dominant prey species can bias marine predator dietary estimates derived from stable isotope analysis

It is often assumed that variation in consumer stable isotope values (δ15N and δ13C) reflect shifts in diet between isotopically distinct prey species. However, an alternate hypothesis is that such variation could be as a result of spatial, temporal, or ontogenetic variation in the stable isotope values of a key prey species that propagate up marine food chains. In the Southern Ocean, Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) occupy a key position, linking primary production to secondary consumers including fish, squid, seabirds, and marine mammals. As such Antarctic krill represent an ideal prey species to test the critical assumptions behind what has become a common method of dietary analysis in marine predators. Similar to previous studies, we found that stable isotope values of Antarctic krill exhibit significant intraspecific variation associated with both ontogenetic (size) and oceanographic factors (chlorophyll a concentration). Our modeling results showed that intraspecific variation in the stable isotope values of Antarctic krill has the potential to force mean isotope values of krill predators by as much as 2.4‰, independent of changes in the species composition of diet. Our findings indicate that intraspecific variation in the stable isotope values of a single, dominate prey species, such as Antarctic krill, has the potential to bias both absolute and relative estimates of marine predator diets using stable isotope mixing models. Therefore, caution is warranted to avoid spatial, temporal, and ontogenetic mismatches between the stable isotope values of prey sources used in mixing models and the actual stable isotope values of prey consumed by marine predators.
Evolution of Percutaneous Renal Access

Introduction: Nephrostomy insertion is a vital part of modern-day urology used to manage obstructedrenal tract or gain percutaneous renal access.Method: We carried out a PubMed literature search on the history of the development of nephrostomies. Results: The first percutaneous nephrostomy was performed in 1864 on a child who died in 5 years. Nephroscopy was then described and performed in 1941 during an open surgery with subsequent advancement to percutaneous nephrolithotomy in 1976 and antegrade stent insertion in 1978.Conclusion: Clinical need and innovation have led to percutaneous renal access and subsequent stone treatment modality.
More Plausible Models of Body Ownership Could Benefit Virtual Reality Applications

Embodiment of an avatar is important in many seated VR applications. We investigate a Bayesian Causal Inference model of body ownership. According to the model, when available sensory signals (e.g., tactile and visual signals) are attributed to a single object (e.g., a rubber hand), the object is incorporated into the body. The model uses normal distributions with astronomically large standard deviations as priors for the sensory input. We criticize the model for its choice of parameter values and hold that a model trying to describe human cognition should employ parameter values that are psychologically plausible, i.e., in line with human expectations. By systematically varying the values of all relevant parameters we arrive at the conclusion that such quantitative modifications of the model cannot overcome the model’s dependence on implausibly large standard deviations. We posit that the model needs a qualitative revision through the inclusion of additional sensory modalities.
Exploring Consumers’ Preferred Purchase Location for Fresh Fruits

Before consumers choose what and how much fruit to buy, they first decide where to buy it. To address the choices of stores for fresh fruits, this study investigated the influence of market attributes and customers’ attitudes toward their purchasing decisions. Data from a web-based survey of 1658 U.S. consumers were used to conduct multinomial logit regression to investigate the factors guiding their choices regarding four types of stores: chain, independent, club/warehouse, and direct-to-consumer. We found attitudinal scales and market attributes have different effects on the choice of marketplace for fresh fruits. Driven by price and convenience, most consumers prefer chain stores when buying fresh fruits, whereas those same factors deter them from choosing independent and ethnic stores for fresh fruits. The supply of local fruits, friendly atmosphere, and access to desirable fresh fruits positively influenced consumers to purchase fruits at local markets. Our findings can provide insight regarding food retailers and farmers targeting fresh fruit consumers. For example, our findings highlight the importance of providing a friendly atmosphere and outstanding customer service to positively influence purchasing behavior.
Ising-type critical exponents of the fully frustrated spin-1/2 Heisenberg FM/AF square bilayer at a critical magnetic field

ABSTRACT The fully frustrated spin-1/2 Heisenberg FM/AF square bilayer in a magnetic field with the ferromagnetic inter-dimer interaction and the antiferromagnetic intra-dimer interaction is explored by the use of localized many-magnon approach, which allows to connect the original purely quantum Heisenberg spin model on a square bilayer with the effective ferromagnetic Ising model on a simple square lattice. Magnetization and specific heat are investigated exactly at a field-driven phase transition from the singlet-dimer phase towards the fully saturated ferromagnetic phase, which changes from a discontinuous phase transition to a continuous one at a certain critical temperature. The mapping correspondence between the spin-1/2 Heisenberg FM/AF square bilayer and the ferromagnetic Ising square lattice suggests for this special critical point of the spin-1/2 Heisenberg FM/AF square bilayer critical exponents from the standard two-dimensional Ising universality class.
Experimental study and modeling of the kinetics of gas hydrate formation for acetylene, ethylene, propane and propylene in the presence and absence of SDS

Abstract The kinetics of hydrate formation of the hydrocarbons acetylene, ethylene, propane, and propylene were investigated using a fully stirred batch reactor. In relation to hydrate formation, a kinetic model was used to determine the induction time, the rate of hydrate formation, the apparent hydration rate constant, water-to-hydrate conversion associated with hydrate growth as well the storage capacity. This was done for all gases investigated in this study. Experiments were performed in the temperature and pressure ranges of (273.7–280.0) K and (0.5–4.12) MPa, respectively. Furthermore, the effect of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) on the gas hydrate formation rate was examined. A substantial growth in the hydrate nucleation rate was observed in the presence of SDS.
Teacher Power and Gender in the Classroom Discourse of EFL Teacher Educators: Insights from a case study

How Teacher Power (TP) is exerted impacts affective learning and class participation. This mixed-method case-study research explores TP and the role of gender in a Libyan EFL Teacher Education context. Classroom discourse is analysed to determine the scale of Teacher Power Strategies (TPS) manipulated by both male and female educators with respect to Pro-social Teacher Power (PTP) and Anti-social Teacher Power (ATP). Six teacher educators (three males and three females) have been observed over 18 lectures involving 47 second-semester students. How the student teachers perceive and react to TP is explored through focus group interviews. The findings reveal interesting gender differences in the application of anti and pro-social power; the males’ TP ratio (2.3:1) is much greater than the females’ (1.5:1) who display far less ATP, e.g. command power, with zero criticism and zero coercion; PTP is distinguished by politeness and compliment; “command softening”, mitigated power and lowered anxiety. The students tolerate teachers’ command, interruption, questioning for pedagogic reasons; cases of unwarranted coercion and unconstructive criticism are met with silent protest. In conclusion, a balance of power is deemed essential in fostering students’ well-being, promoting a relaxed stress-free atmosphere, and facilitating active student participation.
Dégradation de l'amoxicilline par le procédé Electro-fenton

Refractory and toxic organic pollutants such as antibiotics used in and veterinary medicine has a significant effect on the quality of surface and groundwater. The removal of amoxicillin (AMX) by electro-Fenton process is reported in this study. Effect of current intensity, Fe ions concentration, temperature and initial AMX concentration were investigated. The results indicated that the removal efficiency of AMX increased with increasing current intensity and the temperature. The SMT degradation efficiency was improved significantly when the Fe concentration increased from 0.1 to 2 mM. The removal efficiency of AMX decreases with increasing of the AMX initial concentration. This effect is attributed to the competition of SMT and electrogenerated intermediate compounds for the consumption of oxidizing OH radicals. The BOD5/COD ratio increased substantially from 0.039 0 to 0.33 and from 0.0064 to 0.20 in the presence 0.082 mM and 0.164 mM of AMX, respectively, after 6h of electrolysis time, showing that the biodegradability was enhanced even if the limit of biodegradability (0.4) was not achieved
Associations between mastery of life and everyday life information‐seeking behavior among older adults: Analysis of the Pew Research Center's information engaged and information wary survey data

Given the aging world, it is important to understand older adults' everyday life information seeking (ELIS), which plays a vital role in healthy aging in later life. The present study analyzed national survey data collected by the Pew Research Center in 2016 based on Savolainen's ELIS model. The model's core concept, mastery of life, was measured in terms of general coping style to find information (cognitive vs. affective) and expectations about the findability of necessary information (optimistic vs. pessimistic). Weighted multiregression analyses were conducted to examine the associations between mastery of life and ELIS behavior of older Americans (65 years or older) in terms of breath and depth of interest in everyday topics, holding other sociocultural and demographic factors constant. The results showed a cognitive, as opposed to affective, coping style was associated with a wider range of ELIS topics and a deeper level of interest in political and cultural topics. However, whether an individual had an optimistic or pessimistic perspective toward information seeking was not associated with the variety or depth of interest in everyday topics. Neither dimension was related to the depth of interest in sports topics. Practical, theoretical, and methodological implications of the findings are provided.
Tell me how and where you play football and I’ll tell you how much you have to run

The aim of this study was to describe the team accumulated physical response per minute considering only the effective playing time (EPT) attending to different contextual and strategic variables in the Spanish Football First Division (LaLiga Santander). A sample of 2,959 performances was included in the analysis, considering a 4-year period of analysis (from 2016–17 to 2019–20). The physical variables were: total distance covered with (DTminPOS) and without (DTminNOpos) possession of the ball, and distance covered at > 21 km·h-1 with possession (DT21minPOS) and without (DT21minNOpos). Two contextual variables, i.e. Place (Home/Away) and Score (Lost/Draw/Win), and two strategic variables, i.e. level of effective playing time (LevelETP) and level of possession of the ball (LevelPOS), were analysed. The teams ran more without possession of the ball than with possession; nevertheless, the teams that had less possession of the ball had higher values in the distance covered at > 21 km·h-1 with possession of the ball and vice versa. Furthermore, the strategic variables also had influence on the physical response (DT and DT21) of the teams,LevelETP and LevelPOS, although with interactive effects: longer playing time, less accumulated distance, and greater possession, greater accumulated distance in the defensive phase, both per min. The findings of this study may offer important practical implications to practitioners in order to assess physical performances of the players in matches, because it is crucial to integrate in the analysis the different contextual and strategic variables where the match has taken place to assess performances of the teams.
Pharmacokinetic and Biodistribution Analysis of 5-Fluorouracil- and Celecoxib-loaded Eudragit S100-coated Chitosan Microspheres Intended for Colon-specific Delivery

Background and Objectives: Colon cancer is one of the leading causes of deaths around the world in human beings. In the present investigation, pharmacokinetic and biodistribution analysis of eudragit-coated chitosan microspheres bearing 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and celecoxib (Cb) combination (5-FU-Cb-Ch-ES-MSs) was carried out in Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: The tailored microspheres and a suspension of 5-FU and Cb (5-FU-Cb-PS) at the dose of 15 mg/kg of 5-FU and 3.3 mg/kg of Cb, respectively, were administered through oral route of administration. Results and Discussion: 5-FU-Cb-PS exhibited Cmax of 36.71 ± 3.23 μg/ml at tmax of 1 ± 0.17 h for 5-FU. On the other hand, Cmax of 10.14 ± 1.16 μg/ml at tmax of 10.26 ± 0.58 h was noticed for 5-FU released from 5-FU-Cb-Ch-ES-MSs. 5-FU-Cb-PS showed Cmax of 22.48 ± 5.32 μg/ml at tmax of 8 ± 0.00 h for Cb. Correspondingly, Cmax of 3.18 ± 0.16 μg/ml at tmax of 12.39 ± 0.62 h was observed for Cb released from 5-FU-Cb-Ch-ES-MSs. Moreover, at the end of 8 h, 5-FU-Cb-Ch-ES-MSs delivered a substantial amount of 5-FU (56.3 μg/g) and Cb (78.6 μg/g) in the colon, the site of action. Conclusion: This remarkable therapeutic concentration of both the drugs in the colon may be associated with pH-dependent solubility of eudragit S100 and subsequent degradation of Ch core in the colonic milieu due to the presence of polysacharidase enzyme. Therefore, it can be postulated that the 5-FU-Cb-Ch-ES-MSs is a potential candidate for further in vivo study.