Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gammaproteobacterial Diversity and Carbon Utilization in Response to Salinity in the Lakes on the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau

ABSTRACT The Gammaproteobacteria are widely and abundantly distributed in various environments, and they play important roles in the geochemical cycles of biogenic elements (e.g., C, N and S) in the ecosystems. Previous studies showed that Gammaproteobacteria dominate in saline and hypersaline lakes. However, little is known on how salinity influences gammaproteobacterial community composition and their ecological functions (i.e., organic carbon degradation). In this study, we investigated the gammaproteobacterial diversity and carbon utilization and their response to salinity in six saline/hypersaline lakes and one freshwater lake on the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau (QTP). The results indicated that the gammaproteobacterial community composition was mainly influenced by the salinity of the studied QTP lakes. Salinity was also a key environmental factor influencing the carbon utilization ability of Gammaproteobacteria: within one genus (e.g., Halomonas, Pseudoalteromonas, Vibrio) the strains retrieved from low-salinity environments had stronger carbon utilization ability than their counterparts from high-salinity environments; within one genus, the strains isolated from lakes with different salinity shared similar carbon utilization preference, indicating that species belonging to the same genus may execute similar ecological functions in the environments regardless of salinity.
Analysis on the Vibration of Cracked Cantilever Beams with Application on Crack Detection

In this research, the transfer matrix of a cracked beam which includes the vibration modes of both longitudinal and transverse deformation is derived based on Timoshenko beam model. The expression of the natural frequencies and mode shapes of vibration using transfer matrix method are proposed which can be effectively used for real-time crack detection. Manifold types of cracks in the cantilever beam which have been simulated by finite element method, and the solutions are compared with those from the transfer matrix method. The difference between results could be used for detecting both the size and location of the crack. Therefore, the transfer matrix method can be successful used for analysis of vibration in the cracked beam, and the errors are within the tolerant range.
The Curriculum Development of Arabic Instruction to Improve Student's Writing Skills

This research study seeks to conduct an objective investigation into the current curriculum applicable to written Arabic instruction and its overall design, to come up with improvements that positively impact students' writing skills. The primary inspiration for this study is the ideas of Adab and Humanities of UIN Sunan Gunung Djati Bandung, consisting of objectives, content, methods, media, and evaluation. To accomplish these objectives, this study has utilized the research and development method, which happens to be a procedure used for developing and validating educational products. This method is based on the steps of analysis developed and established by Borg and Gall. This research study has been conducted based on three fundamental theories: Intentional interactions, cognitive theory, and competency-based language teaching. The findings revealed that the current curriculum applicable to written Arabic instruction had several faults: an extremely rule-oriented teaching program, lack of creativity in the teaching materials, usage of only markers and white boards as media, and an unhealthy focus on results. The developed Arabic curriculum has been proven to possess increased merits: providing learners with ample training for the application of language rules, attractive teaching materials, usage of several teaching methods, placement and achievement tests, and multimedia.
An eLORETA Longitudinal Analysis of Resting State EEG Rhythms in Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a degenerative brain disorder which is the most common cause of dementia. As there is no cure for AD, an early diagnosis is essential to slow down the progression of the disease with a proper pharmacological treatment. Electroencephalography (EEG) represents a valid tool for studying AD. EEG signals of AD patients are characterized by a “slowing”, meaning the power increases in low frequencies (delta and theta) and decreases in higher frequency (alpha and beta), compared to normal elderly. The purpose of our study is the computation of the power current density in eight patients, who were diagnosed with MCI at time T0 and mild AD at time T1 (four months later), starting from the brain active source reconstruction. The novelty is that we employed the eLORETA algorithm, unlike the previous studies which used the old version of the algorithm named LORETA. It is also the first longitudinal study which considers such a short time period to explore the evolution of the disease. Five patients out of eight showed an increasing power in delta and theta bands. Seven patients exhibited a lower activation in alpha 1 and beta 2 bands. Finally, six patients revealed a decreased power in alpha 2 and beta 1 bands. These findings are consistent with those reported in literature. On the other hand, the discrepancy of some outcome could be related to a not yet severe stage of the disease. In our opinion, this study could represent a good starting point for more detailed future investigation.
Quantification of Placental Dysfunction in Pregnancy Complications

Background The pathogenetic mechanisms behind placental dysfunction-related complications like preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction have remained perplexing till now, in part because of lack of well-defined structural and functional molecular characterisation. There is growing evidence that links trophoblast debris and the existence of syncytial nuclear aggregates (SNA) to the pathogenesis of gestational diseases. Characterisation and quantification of structural and functional parameters of placental dysfunction may give researchers a clearer picture of the mechanisms underlying the development of high risk pregnancy. Methods Placental samples were obtained from normal term pregnancies, preterm controls, as well as from pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia (PET), intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and PET-IUGR. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections were visualised with H&E, stained using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and digitally scanned. Using stereological methodology, volumes of placental SNAs, trophoblasts, villi and capillaries were measured. Three dimensional (3D) volume reconstructions of terminal placental villi with SNAs and fibrinoid degenerations were created. IHC-labelled slides were analysed by image analysis algorithms. Differential expression of placental genes and miRNAs, hypothesised to regulate cell death in placental dysfunction, were quantified using RT-qPCR. BeWo cell lines were carried out for in vitro validation of the effects miRNAs regulating programmed cell death (PCD) using flow cytometry and western blotting. Results Specific morphometric patterns of villous, trophoblasts, SNA and capillary volumes were demonstrated with characteristic higher SNAs and lower capillary volumes in PET placentae with reciprocal patterns in IUGR placentae showing a negative correlation pattern between nuclear aggregates and capillary volumes. Image analysis of immune-labelled slides showed a higher autophagy marker expression in PET and a positive correlation to SNAs as well as a balanced reciprocal expression patterns with apoptosis. Moreover, miR-204 transfected BeWo cells showed a similar balanced reciprocal regulation of autophagy and apoptosis expressions. Conclusion We have demonstrated that applying stereology-based and image analysis on digitised placental sections can be useful in quantifying and dissecting structural and functional patterns in normal and abnormal placental function. 3D reconstruction model are a novel approach towards placental characterisation in normal and complicated pregnancies. The study also showed that miR-204 plays a vital role in the regulation of placental autophagy and apoptosis, critical in the pathophysiology of placental dysfunction.
Influence of geographic distance and genetic dissimilarity among clones on flowering synchrony in a Teak (Tectona grandis Linn. f) clonal seed orchard

Abstract Influence of genetic dissimilarity among teak (Tectona grandis Linn. f.) clones on flowering synchrony was studied in a Clonal Seed Orchard (CSO) of teak in Karnataka, Southern India. Flowering phenology was monitored for all the 24 teak clones of the CSO and flowering synchrony between clones was assessed adopting a novel ‘overlap index’. Genetic dissimilarity among these clones was assessed adopting DNA based ISSR (Inter Simple Sequence Repeats) analysis. Large variation in the time of ‘flower initiation’ and of ‘peak flowering initiation’ was observed among the clones belonging to diverse sources, suggesting large asynchronous flowering. Cluster analysis based on ISSR marker indicated that the clones originating from a same source clustered together and there was a clear segregation based on their origin. Correlation analysis revealed a significant negative association between the average Jaccards’s dissimilarity index between pairs of clones and average peak flowering overlap index. Clones from geographically diverse regions had high genetic dissimilarity and also showed high flowering asynchrony within them.
Stair-Hexagonal Slot Antenna with Coplanar Waveguide Technique for Biomedical Applications

Nowadays, the interest of the scientific community towards the application of ultra-wideband (UWB) for biomedical and other diagnostic purposes at microwave frequencies has become prominent [1]. Breast cancer detection using ultrawideband technique is one of the applications. It is the most common disease suffered by women and increases significantly. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), about 9.6 million people died from cancer in 2018, and it is estimated that cancer patients around the world will increase by 18.1 million cases [2]. However, if breast cancer can be detected early, then the five-year survival rate is over 90% [3]. Current methods for breast imaging are Ultrasound, Mammography, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Mammography uses low energy to be used in breast cancer diagnosis, but it has several shortcomings. Several of its shortcomings are ionizing radiation that causes a health hazard, while the emphasis on the breast causes discomfort in the patient. Further, mammography needs the breast to be pressed during the examination, which can cause pain in the patient. Moreover, tumors located close to the chest wall or underarm result in a 10% 30% rate of false negatives [4]. Ultrasound is a common technique used to diagnose breast tumors but has a lack of detection. It is because ultrasound used sound waves, and the reflection of sound waves will be processed into images of the breast. The accuracy of reflected waves depends on the dimensions of the body, which makes ultrasound has a high false rate. While MRI technology is Abstract: Breast cancer is the most common disease suffered by women and increases significantly. UltraWideband (UWB) is a technology that applies electromagnetic signals with wide bandwidth that are currently widely used in the medical field. This research introduces the design of the Stair-Hexagonal slot antenna with the Coplanar Waveguide (CPW) technique which operated at desired frequency of 5.8 GHz. Firstly, the design process of the antenna is adding stair slot to get wide bandwidth. Secondly by adding Hexagonal slot to get the best S11 parameter at the desired frequency. The purpose of antenna is to detect an object in body organs such as tumors and cancer. The antenna is printed and tested. The measured return loss shows that the antenna works well in the desired frequency with wider bandwidth than simulated one. The measured bandwidth of 7.88 GHz is achieved. The gain of the antenna from the simulation is 2.42 dBi and radiation pattern of simulation and measurement are bidirectional, wherein the highest gain is in the rear position. Further analysis is done by comparing the proposed antenna with the existing related works. The result of this research shows the practical usage of the flexible substrate because it can increase the accuracy of object detection.
Monomeric streptavidin: a versatile regenerative handle for force spectroscopy

Most avidin-based handles in force spectroscopy are tetravalent biotin binders. Tetravalency presents two issues: multiple pulling geometries as well as multiple targets bound simultaneously. Additionally, such tetravalent handles require elaborate purification protocols in order to reassemble. A stoichiometric, monomeric variant of streptavidin (mcSA2) had been engineered previously. It is readily expressed and purified, and it binds biotin with a nanomolar KD. For atomic force microscopy-based single-molecule force spectroscopy (AFM-SMFS), we fused the monomeric streptavidin with a small protein domain as an experimental fingerprint and to improve solubility. A ybbR-tag was additionally included for covalent site-specific tethering. Rupture forces of the mcSA2:biotin complex were found to be in a comparable range above 150 pN at force loading rates of 1E4 pN/s as for previously published, tetravalent streptavidin:biotin systems. Additionally, when tethering mcSA2 from its C-terminus, rupture forces were found to be slightly higher than when tethered N-terminally. Due to its monomeric nature, mcSA2 could also be chemically denatured and subsequently refolded - and thus regenerated during an experiment, in case the handle gets misfolded or clogged. We show that mcSA2 features a straightforward expression and purification with flexible tags, high stability, regeneration possibilities and an unambiguous pulling geometry. Combined, these properties establish mcSA2 as a reliable handle for single-molecule force spectroscopy.
Comparison of the free vortex wake and actuator line methods to study the loads of a wind turbine in imposed surge motion

To enable the development of floating offshore wind farms, it is important to have a clear understanding of the aerodyamic forces applied on a floating offshore wind turbine. The paper presents comparisons between a lifting line free vortex wake method and an actuator line method in the case of a wind turbine in surge with blade-resolved CFD data as a reference. Each model is compared to a quasi-steady estimation of the loads to understand the variations due to the surge movement. The near-wake flow field is investigated in order to give an insight into the flow features leading to the observed behavior. Both methods predict a higher axial velocity at the position of the rotor and one radius downstream of the rotor in surge conditions compared to the fixed case.
Adaptive capacity of the Pearl River Delta cities in the face of the growing flood risk: Institutions, ideas and interests

Although the cities in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) in China are amongst the world’s cities most exposed to flooding due to climate change, surprisingly little is done to address this problem. This article explores the barriers to the emergence of policies adapting to the growing flood risk in two PRD cities, Guangzhou and Shenzhen, underlining the importance of the Chinese territorial governance system for adaptive capacity at the local level. Focusing on institutions, ideas and interests as a heuristic device, the article contributes to the literature on urban climate adaptation and the nexus of spatial planning and flood risk management by exploring why and how the development of the adaptive capacity of cities is hampered, despite an urgent need for it.
microCT-Based Skeletal Phenomics in Zebrafish Reveals Virtues of Deep Phenotyping at the Whole-Organism Scale

Phenomics—in-depth phenotyping at the whole-organism scale—holds promise to enhance our fundamental understanding of genes and genomic variation, yet methods in vertebrates are limited. Here, we demonstrate rapid whole-body profiling of hundreds of traits in the axial skeleton of adult zebrafish. We show the potential for vertebral patterns to confer heightened sensitivity, with similar specificity, in discriminating mutant populations compared to analyzing individual vertebrae in isolation, even when the latter is performed at higher resolution. We identify phenotypes associated with human brittle bone disease and thyroid stimulating hormone receptor hyperactivity. Finally, we develop allometric models and show their potential to discriminate mutant phenotypes masked by growth alterations in growth. Our studies demonstrate virtues of whole-body phenomic pattern analysis in a single organ system. The high sensitivity may increase productivity in genetic screens, and facilitate the study genetic variants of smaller effect size, such as those that underlie complex diseases.
Experiences of Community Health Centers in Expanding Telemedicine

RAND researchers evaluated the experiences of health centers that participated in the Sustainable Models of Telehealth in the Safety Net initiative, which aimed to support the growth of telemedicine. Although this evaluation occurred before the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic dramatically altered the health care system, the findings are relevant to health centers that are trying to rapidly expand telemedicine in response to the pandemic.
MDM4 is an essential disease driver targeted by 1q gain in Burkitt lymphoma

Oncogenic MYC activation promotes cellular proliferation in Burkitt lymphoma (BL), but also induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis mediated by TP53, a tumor suppressor gene that is mutated in 40% of BL cases. To identify therapeutic targets in BL, we investigated molecular dependencies in BL cell lines using RNAi-based, loss-of-function screening. By integrating genotypic and RNAi data, we identified a number of genotype-specific dependencies including the dependence of TCF3/ID3 mutant cell lines on TCF3 and of MYD88 mutant cell lines on TLR signaling. TP53 wild-type (TP53wt) BL were dependent on MDM4, a negative regulator of TP53. In BL cell lines, MDM4 knockdown induced cell cycle arrest and decreased tumor growth in a xenograft model in a p53-dependent manner, while small molecule inhibition of the MDM4-p53 interaction restored p53 activity resulting in cell cycle arrest. Consistent with the pathogenic effect of MDM4 upregulation in BL, we found that TP53wt BL samples were enriched for gain of chromosome 1q which includes the MDM4 locus. 1q gain was also enriched across non-BL cancer cell lines (n=789) without TP53 mutation (23% in TP53wt and 12% in TP53mut, p<0.001). In a set of 216 cell lines representing 19 cancer entities from the Achilles project, MDM4 was the strongest genetic dependency in TP53wt cell lines (p<0.001). Our findings show that in TP53wt BL, MDM4-mediated inhibition of p53 is a mechanism to evade cell cycle arrest. The data highlight the critical role of p53 as a tumor suppressor in BL, and identifies MDM4 as a key functional target of 1q gain in a wide range of cancers, which is therapeutically targetable.
Toward a theory for diversity gradients: the abundance–adaptation hypothesis

Author(s): Weiser, MD; Michaletz, ST; Buzzard, V; Deng, Y; He, Z; Shen, L; Enquist, BJ; Waide, RB; Zhou, J; Kaspari, M | Abstract: © 2017 The Authors The abundance–adaptation hypothesis argues that taxa with more individuals and faster generation times will have more evolutionary ‘experiments’ allowing expansion into, and diversification within, novel habitats. Thus, as older taxa have produced more individuals over time, and smaller taxa have higher population sizes and faster generation times, the Latitudinal Diversity Gradients (LDGs) of these clades should show shallower slopes. We describe the LDGs for archaea, bacteria, fungi, invertebrates and trees from six North American forests. For three focal groups – bacteria, ants, and trees – older taxa had shallower LDG slopes than the more recent, terminal taxa. Across 12 orders of magnitude of body mass, LDG slopes were steeper in larger taxa. The slopes of LDGs vary systematically with body size and clade age, underscoring the non-canonical nature of LDGs. The steepest LDG slopes were found for the largest organisms while the smallest, from bacteria to small litter-soil invertebrates, have shallower- to zero-slope LDGs. If tropical niche conservatism is the failure of clades to adapt to, and diversify in temperate habitats, then the steep LDGs of chordates and plants likely arise from the decreased ability of clades with large individuals to adapt to the multiple challenges of extra-tropical life.
Review of Physical Layer Security Technology in Battlefield Network

Global openness of battlefield network makes it face many security threats, the physical security technology can provide an important support to traditional security system and strong protection to messages transmission, studying its application in battlefield network is of great significance. In view of the current and future network development trend, this paper studies the physical layer security problem from the perspective of battlefield network under modern warfare conditions, summarizes and analyzes the basic model of physical layer security, sorts out and introduces the physical layer security technology of wireless communication, and finally summarizes the risks and challenges still faced by the physical layer of the current battlefield network.
Genetic variability for morphometric traits and insect damage in Dolichos bean (Lablab purpureus L. Sweet) germplasm

The variability among 44 accessions of Dolichos bean (Lablab purpureus L. Sweet) was assessed for seven quantitative traits, and bruchid and pod borer infestations. The experiment was conducted during the Kharif season 2012-2013 at the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Bangalore, India with two check entries (HA 4 and HA 3) in an augmented design using three blocks. A substantial variability among the accessions for quantitative traits, and bruchid and pod borer infestations, except for the number of branches per plant, was documented. The estimates of heritability were high for all the traits studied. The phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation, which reflect the average inter-accession differences, were moderate. However, these are useful statistics to understand variability among the accessions. The germplasm was grouped into seven clusters following Wards minimum variance clustering approach with significant deviations among clusters. The intra-cluster distance was lower compared to inter-cluster distance. Some of the accessions were superior to the check HA-4. The results could be used to adopt suitable strategies for breeding Dolichos bean aiming at improved productivity.
Analysis of face detection based on skin color characteristic and AdaBoost algorithm

For the face detection method based on skin color feature and AdaBoost algorithm, if one of them is used to detect the face, it can also catch the face to a certain extent. However, the detection rate and an error rate of this single method in its detection experiment can’t achieve good results. Therefore, this paper combines the advantages of the two algorithms, combines the two approaches, and improves them. The main idea is to use the skin color features of face detection as pre-detection, and use the established skin color distribution Gaussian model to obtain candidate regions containing the skin color of the face, and then use a cascade classifier to detect the skin color regions. By using OpenCV and Visual Studio software, a lot of experimental statistics and analysis are carried out. The research shows that the improved algorithm is superior to the two algorithms in detection rate and false detection rate, and it can also achieve a good detection effect for the face in a complicated situation.