Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Replacing cottonseed meal and sorghum with dried distillers’ grains with solubles enhances the growth performance, carcass traits, and meat quality of feedlot lambs

Abstract We evaluated the impacts of substituting cottonseed meal (CSM) and sorghum grain (SG) with dried distillers` grains with solubles (DDGS) in lamb feedlot diets on the dry matter intake (DMI), the growth performance, blood serum analysis, feces phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N), wool production and quality, carcass traits, adipose tissue fatty acid (FA) profiles, and sensory panel tests. For 72 d, Rambouillet wether lambs (n = 44, initial body weight, BW = 28.8 ± 3.3 kg) were individually fed ad libitum pelleted diets containing DDGS that replaced 0% (0DDGS), 25% (25DDGS), 50% (50DDGS), or 75% (75DDGS) of the CSM and SG in a completely randomized design trial. Linear and quadratic effects of DDGS levels on the response variables were analyzed. Treatment × day interactions (P < 0.001) were observed for BW and DMI. As the DDGS level was increased, DMI (from days 21 to 70), lamb BW (from days 56 to 70), average daily gain, blood urea nitrogen and P, and fecal P linearly increased (P ≤ 0.05). Fecal N quadratically increased (P = 0.01), but no effects were found for gain:feed, blood insulin-like growth factor-1, or calcium. No differences in wool production or most of the wool quality parameters were detected. Adipose tissue stearic acid linearly increased (P = 0.02), linoleic acid quadratically increased (P = 0.01), and oleic acid tended to quadratically decrease (P = 0.08) as the DDGS increased in the diets. Increasing the DDGS level in the diets quadratically increased the hot carcass weight (P = 0.02), backfat thickness (P = 0.04), and body wall thickness (P < 0.001) while having no impact on the longissimus muscle area. As the DDGS increased in the diet, juiciness, tenderness, and overall acceptability linearly increased (P ≤ 0.05), while having no effect on the cook-loss, flavor intensity, or off-flavor detectability. Replacing 50% of CSM and SG with DDGS improved growth performance and enhanced the carcass and meat quality.
Influence of Temperature on the Properties of Cellulose Iβ based on Molecular Dynamics Simulations

Natural plants, such as cotton and linen, are rich in cellulose Iβ. The properties of cellulose Iβ under different temperatures was studied using molecular dynamics simulations. Firstly, the crystal of cellulose Iβ was built. To verify the model, the X-ray fibre diffraction and thermal expansion coefficients were calculated, which were found to agree with experimental results. Then the Mulliken population of the bonds were computed and the movement of the centre chain and hydrogen bonds studied over the range 300-550 K using a PCFF force field. The results of the Mulliken population reveal the three steps of pyrolysis. The higher the temperature is, the more intensely the movement of the centre chain is. However, the impact of temperature on the movement of the centre chain is not obvious. From 300 K to 550 K, the total number of hydrogen bonds decreased by only 20%. Moreocer, the rupture of intrachain hydrogen bonds and the formation of interchain hydrogen bonds at 400 K ~ 450 K temperature occurred.
A 950 MHz Clock 47.5 MHz BW 4.7 mW 67 dB SNDR Discrete Time Delta Sigma ADC Leveraging Ring Amplification and Split-Source Comparator Based Quantizer in 28 nm CMOS

This article presents a delta sigma modulator (DSM) analog to digital (ADC) that uses ring amplifiers as integrators to relax speed and efficiency bottlenecks in discrete-time (DT) oversampled ADCs. Its multi-bit quantizer is based on split source (SS) comparators, adding flexibility and power efficiency. The complete oversampling ADC is designed as a 3rd-order cascade of integrator with feed forward (CIFF) with a 4-bit quantizer, and it achieves a peak signal-to-noise and distortion ratio (SNDR) of 67 dB and DR of 70.0 dB with 47.5-MHz bandwidth when clocked at 950 MHz. This is the highest bandwidth reported to date among single-channel DT DSM ADCs and demonstrates a viable alternative to continuous-time (CT) DSM ADCs for wideband oversampling applications. With a power consumption of 4.7 mW from a 1-V supply, figure of merit (FoM) Schreier and Walden are 167.0 dB and 27.0 fJ/c.s, respectively, demonstrating efficient DT delta-sigma conversion with high bandwidth.
Occurrence of trimethyl phosphate and triethyl phosphate in a municipal wastewater treatment plant and human urine

ABSTRACT Trimethyl phosphate (TMP) and triethyl phosphate (TEP) are extensively used as flame retardants, but their analytical methods are scarce. In this study, a robust method for both TMP and TEP in environmental water and human urine was developed by coupling of solid phase extraction (SPE) with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). For both TMP and TEP, the method showed good recoveries (>81%) and precisions (RSD < 5%), as well as a limit of quantification of 3 ng/L for water and 40 ng/L for urine samples, respectively. Through this method, the occurrence of TMP and TEP in municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) were profiled and the anoxic step was found as the key role for their removal. Furthermore, TEP (110-2470 ng/L) was detected in all urine samples with generally higher concentration than TMP (70–2330 ng/L), which agreed with their occurrence profiles in the influent and effluent of the WWTP.
Expected Socioeconomic-Status-Based Discrimination Reduces Price Sensitivity Among the Poor

Low-socioeconomic-status (SES) consumers tend to be more price sensitive than their high-SES counterparts. Nonetheless, various economic-related burdens, such as mobility costs and lack of information, often hinder their ability to attend to scarcity—a phenomenon called “ghetto tax. ” The current research moves a step further to show that even when very poor consumers can exert price sensitivity and are fully informed, a “psychological ghetto tax” often discourages them from doing so. Across five studies, the authors demonstrate that, relative to (1) high-SES consumers or (2) contexts of intragroup interaction, low-SES consumers are willing to pay higher prices and to accept lower-value rewards to avoid commercial settings that require intergroup interaction (e.g., poor consumers in a high-end shopping mall). This effect is driven by the poor consumers’ heightened expectations of discrimination in upscale commercial settings, a concern virtually nonexistent among wealthy consumers. Companies’ inclusion statements emphasizing customer equality and/or customer diversity can serve as safety cues against stigmatized identities and increase low-SES consumers’ price sensitivity.
Proportional-Integral-Derivative Parametric Autotuning by Novel Stable Particle Swarm Optimization (NSPSO)

To improve the performance, robustness and stability of autotuning the proportional integral and derivative (PID) parameter, the novel stable particle swarm optimization (NSPSO) is proposed in this paper. The NSPSO is the combination of the particle swarm and optimization algorithm with the new stable rule to reconsider the survival of the remaining particle in the search space for handling the instability of the system. The new rule is proposed based on proving the stability according to the Lypunov stability theorem. Additionally, to show the method’s superiority in performance and robustness, the proposed method is compared with the results of simulations with the particle swarm optimization (PSO), the hybrid particle swarm optimization-grey wolf optimization (PSO-GWO), the whale optimization algorithm (WOA) and the social spider optimization algorithm (SSO) based on a direct current (DC) motor control system. In the comparative performance, the various fitness functions are applied, while the comparative robustness and the changed operation point of the DC motor are applied. After comparing the methods, the proposed method obtains better results than the PSO, PSO-GWO, WOA and SSO in both performance and robustness.
oldestwoodenobjects.net – A Compilation of Wooden Goods with Remarkable Longevity

The website oldestwoodenobjects.net serves as a platform for the scientific community to collect, display and share early traces of wood utilization. It also serves educational purposes, to teach a wide audience about how multifunctional and durable wood can be, when wisely used. The collection of objects is large and diverse, ranging from simple tools for hunting, like spears, to musical instruments of the high culture, such as violins. The first means of transport, dugout canoes or early infrastructure, like water wells, are remarkably old. Due to weathering, early buildings or constructions are poorly or only partially preserved. But some sacred buildings that are still in use today have an impressive age. At the time of writing this manuscript, a total of 211 prehistoric and historic wooden objects from around the globe were gathered and can be compared at the online application. The oldest item on the list is from 300 000 years before present. To continue expanding the database, the community is encouraged to contribute new entries.
Using Information Videos to Improve Patient Satisfaction in Endoscopy: A Prospective Service Improvement Project

Background: Endoscopy is a rapidly developing discipline with new techniques and procedures being introduced each year. The consenting process is central to patient perception; using information videos as additional tools to aid consent and improve the quality of care in endoscopy is not well established. Our aim was to develop, implement and validate the use of patient educational videos to improve patients’ satisfaction and experience in endoscopy. Methods and analysis: This was a prospective service quality improvement study. Eligible patients were invited to watch the educational videos in addition to standard practice. We compared this group with a matched cohort of patients who were receiving standard care of postal information leaflets. Patient satisfaction was measured through the validated Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Satisfaction Questionnaire (GESQ). Results: Patients in the intervention group scored four questions relating to pre-procedural information significantly higher than the control (p=0.038). The total mean GESQ score was also higher in the intervention group compared to the control, however this was not statistically significant (p=0.397). The intervention group had significantly lower cancellation rate (4%) compared to the control group (20%), p=0.023. Conclusions: Patients who watched educational videos were more satisfied with pre-procedural information in the consenting period than those who did not. Further research is still needed to determine if they reduce patient anxiety. Meanwhile, it would be appropriate to implement these videos into routine practice as a cost-effective method of improving patient satisfaction.
Effect of Nicotine on Immune System Function

As a parasympathetic alkaloid and the main substance in cigarette smoke, nicotine modulates the immune system, inhibits innate and acquired immunity and is used in treating many autoimmune diseases. It often stimulates the α7 receptor and causes an anti-inflammatory state in the body. This study is designed to evaluate the role of nicotine treatment on immune system. The results showed that nicotine affects many cells in immune system, alters the downstream intracellular mechanisms and changes lymphocytes polarization. This substance alters TLRs and STATs gene expression and thus changes in the innate immune system. All these events inhibit the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines which increase angiogenesis and metastasis and exacerbates tumors due to increasing survival and cell growth. Nicotine can aggravate tumors in cancer patients, with many positive effects observed in the treating autoimmune disease, Nicotine treatment function in different conditions depends on factors such as concentration, how it is employed, treatment duration and other conditions such as body conditions affecting the immune system, hence, further studies and review of all conditions are required.
Design and analysis of a novel SEPIC-based multi-input DC/DC converter

A novel single-ended primary-inductor converter (SEPIC)-based multi-input DC/DC converter is presented. The structure inherits all the advantages of the SEPIC converter such as step-up/down capability without inverting the polarity of the regulated output voltage and using a series capacitor to couple energy from the input to the output. The presented converter has a bidirectional input port, in which the energy storage system (ESS) can be connected, and several unidirectional input ports. Hybridising several alternative energy sources is achievable by the proposed converter. In addition, the load power can be flexibly divided among various power sources. Due to the buck-boost characteristic of the presented converter, it is suitable to charge-discharge the ESS and to extract maximum power from the photovoltaic panels. Based on the charging state of the ESS, two operation modes are defined. Steady-state and dynamic behaviour of the proposed converter is analysed thoroughly. Experimental results are also provided to verify the analysis and feasibility of the proposed converter.
Computer-Aided Image Enhanced Endoscopy Automated System to Boost Polyp and Adenoma Detection Accuracy

Colonoscopy is the gold standard to detect colon polyps prematurely. Early detection, characterization and resection of polyps decrease colon cancer incidence. Colon polyp missing rate remains high despite novel methods development. Narrowed-band imaging (NBI) is one of the image enhance techniques used to boost polyp detection and characterization, which uses special filters to enhance the contrast of the mucosa surface and vascular pattern of the polyp. However, the single-button-activated system is not convenient for a full-time colonoscopy operation. We selected three methods to simulate the NBI system: Color Transfer with Mean Shift (CTMS), Multi-scale Retinex with Color Restoration (MSRCR), and Gamma and Sigmoid Conversions (GSC). The results show that the classification accuracy using the original images is the lowest. All color transfer methods outperform the original images approach. Our results verified that the color transfer has a positive impact on the polyp identification and classification task. Combined analysis results of the mAP and the accuracy show an excellent performance of the MSRCR method.
PENDUGAAN PARAMETER REGRESI PANEL DINAMIS DENGAN BLUNDELL AND BOND GENERALIZED METHOD OF MOMENT

Model regresi data panel dinamis merupakan model regresi data panel yang melibatkan lag dari peubah bebas sebagai peubah penjelas yang berkorelasi dengan error. Lag dari peubah bebas tersebut dinamakan peubah endogen penjelas. Adanya peubah endogen penjelas menyebabkan pendugaan parameter dengan metode kuadrat terkecil menghasilkan dugaan yang bias dan tidak konsisten.
Soil nutrient and moisture environments and shoot growth of Quercus crispula canopy trees in two areas that experienced contrasting effects of deer overabundance over an 11-year period

ABSTRACT To elucidate the effects of modification of the understory aboveground plant biomass and soil nutrient and moisture environments on canopy tree growth in deer overabundance sites, we compared the canopy shoot growth of oak trees (Quercus crispula), which are not a target for bark stripping or bark feeding by deer, understory aboveground plant biomass, and components of soil nutrient and moisture between inside (protected) and outside (exposed) a large fenced area. We found that canopy shoot growth in the exposed area was reduced compared with that in the protected area. Net nitrogen (N) mineralization rates did not differ between areas, although understory aboveground plant biomass, total carbon (C) and N, and total soil inorganic N content were significantly lower in the exposed area than in the protected area. Indices of canopy shoot growth correlated significantly with soil water content, but due to the limited scope of our study this result does not confirm an effect of soil moisture on canopy shoot growth. Further study is required to clarify the effects of deer overabundance on canopy tree growth.
Impact of Manufacturing Procedures on CAR T Cell Functionality

The field of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) modified T cell therapy has rapidly expanded in the past few decades. As of today, there are six CAR T cell products that have been approved by the FDA: KYMRIAH (tisagenlecleucel, CD19 CAR T cells), YESCARTA (axicabtagene ciloleucel, CD19 CAR T cells), TECARTUS (brexucabtagene autoleucel, CD19 CAR T cells), BREYANZI (lisocabtagene maraleucel, CD19 CAR T cells), ABECMA (idecabtagene vicleucel, BCMA CAR T cells) and CARVYKTI (ciltacabtagene autoleucel, BCMA CAR T cells). With this clinical success, CAR T cell therapy has become one of the most promising treatment options to combat cancers. Current research efforts focus on further potentiating its efficacy in non-responding patients and solid tumor settings. To achieve this, recent evidence suggested that, apart from developing next-generation CAR T cells with additional genetic modifications, ex vivo culture conditions could significantly impact CAR T cell functionality – an often overlooked aspect during clinical translation. In this review, we focus on the ex vivo manufacturing process for CAR T cells and discuss how it impacts CAR T cell function.
Finite-element design of metamaterial beams for broadband wave absorption

Metamaterials were first introduced for dealing with electromagnetic waves. By creating a material with negative magnetic permeability and electric permittivity, it is possible to manufacture perfect optical lenses, electromagnetic absorbers, technologies for rendering objects invisible and so on. Later researchers began to look into metamaterials for dealing with acoustic waves. This thesis presents the modeling and analysis techniques for design of metamaterial beams as elastic wave absorbers. An acoustic metamaterial beam is designed by attaching tiny subsystems to an isotropic beam at separate locations. Each unit cell consists of a beam segment and a mass-spring-damper subsystem so that it could be modeled as a discrete system of two degrees of freedom. By integration, the idealized model becomes a dispersive medium with a frequency stopband. The work shows that the metamaterial beam uses the local resonance of subsystems to generate inertia forces to work against the external load and prevent elastic waves from propagating forward. Dispersion analysis and frequency response analysis are conducted to find the stopband of a metamaterial beam. Moreover, the working mechanisms of the metamaterial beam, the concept of negative effective mass, and acoustic and optical modes are presented. This concept is also extended to design a multi-frequency vibration absorber that works for absorbing broadband elastic waves. Numerical simulations by using finite elements validate the design and reveal a set of optimized parameter values. This work shows that, for a multi-frequency vibration absorber, a high damping ratio for the secondary absorber combines two stopbands into a broad one while a low damping ratio for the primary absorber guarantees quick response to the coming excitation elastic wave.
Efficacy and safety of rapid intermittent bolus compared with slow continuous infusion in patients with severe hypernatremia (SALSA II trial): a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background Hypernatremia is a common electrolyte disorder in children and elderly people and has high short-term mortality. However, no high-quality studies have examined the correction rate of hypernatremia and the amount of fluid required for correction. Therefore, in this study, we will compare the efficacy and safety of rapid intermittent bolus (RIB) and slow continuous infusion (SCI) of electrolyte-free solution in hypernatremia treatment. Methods This is a prospective, investigator-initiated, multicenter, open-label, randomized controlled study with two experimental groups. A total of 166 participants with severe hypernatremia will be enrolled and divided into two randomized groups; both the RIB and SCI groups will be managed with electrolyte-free water. We plan to infuse the same amount of fluid to both groups, for 1 hour in the RIB group and continuously in the SCI group. The primary outcome is a rapid decrease in serum sodium levels within 24 hours. The secondary outcomes will further compare the efficacy and safety of the two treatment protocols. Conclusion This is the first randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of RIB correction compared with SCI in adult patients with severe hypernatremia.
Derivation of Decision Boundaries for Left-Turn Treatments at Signalized Intersections

A new methodology is proposed to establish practical guidelines for four incremental left-turn treatments: (a) permissive single left-turn lane, (b) protected–permissive single left-turn lane, (c) protected dual left-turn lanes with equal lane use, and (d) protected dual left-turn lanes with unequal lane use. Decision boundaries were derived from the equilibrium at which the delays of two incremental treatments were equal. The benefits and costs associated with different left-turn treatments—including safety impact and construction and maintenance costs—also were considered. These benefits and costs effectually shift the boundary curves for more realistic decision making.
Comparison between methods to estimate bicep femoris fascicle length from three estimation equations using a 10 cm ultrasound probe

ABSTRACT The aim of the present study was to determine the reliability and differences between three fascicle length (FL) estimation methods when utilizing a 10-cm ultrasound (US) probe. Thirteen males (24.1 ± 3.8 years, 79.3 ± 14 kg, 179 ± 6.6 cm) participated. Bicep femoris long head (BFLH) US images were collected on two separate occasions. Three previously established extrapolation methods were utilized. Near-perfect reliability was observed for all methods. Criterion estimation resulted in a significant, trivial (p = 0.016,g = 0.17) increase in FL compared to the basic trigonometry equation with non-significant, trivial increase (p = 0.081,g = 0.10) between the criterion and partial measure method. The partial measure method was not significantly or meaningfully greater than the basic trigonometry method (p = 0.286,g = 0.08). Both alternative methods demonstrated unacceptable LOA (>5%), with heteroscedasticity. All methods of extrapolation are reliable and could be used over time. However, as methods are not comparable, there could be a rationale to utilize underestimated results to ensure a degree of cushioning.
Unknown Area Exploration with an Autonomous Robot using Markov Decision Processes

This paper addresses the problem of exploration of an unknown area by an autonomous robot. The robot decides at each step where it has to move, without any human intervention. The Goal is to gather the maximum information in a minimum time. This work is based on the Markov Decision Processes framework. We focus on the decision problem : the robot must automatically select points where it can maximize its information gain. Even if the goal of the robot is to produce a map of the environment, the localization aspect is not treated in this paper. We divide the environment into three layers. One Layer where the robot moves, another where the map is constructed and a last layer where decisions are taken. As this model is suitable for small robots with cheap sensors we present some experiments on real robots, with very good results.