Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Formation of a Calcium Phosphate Layer with Immobilized Cobalt Chromite Nanoparticles on Cobalt−Chromium Alloy by a Laser-Assisted Biomimetic Process

The biocompatibility and osteoconductivity of metallic biomaterials can be achieved by calcium phosphate (CaP) coating. We recently developed a laser-assisted biomimetic (LAB) process for rapid and area-specific CaP coating on several materials. In the present study, the LAB process was applied to cobalt–chromium (Co−Cr) alloy, a metallic biomaterial widely used in orthopedic and dental applications. The LAB process was conducted by irradiation of unfocused pulsed laser light onto the substrate immersed in supersaturated CaP solution. The LAB-processed substrate formed CaP on the irradiated surface within only 5 min and was coated with a micron-thick CaP layer within 30 min by the effects of laser-induced surface modification and heating. Ultrastructural analysis with transmission electron microscopy revealed that the resultant CaP layer was integrated with the underlying substrate through two intermediate layers, an upper chromium oxide layer and a lower Co-rich (Cr-deficient) alloy layer. The CaP layer was loaded with a large number of cobalt chromite (CoCr2O4) nanoparticles. The results obtained offer new insights into the mechanism of CaP coating in the LAB process and future applications of LAB-processed Co−Cr alloys.
Rural Public Acceptance of Wind and Solar Energy: A Case Study from Mersing, Malaysia

The sustainable development of the energy sector through the implementation of renewable energy (RE) technology has been a primary concern for the government of Malaysia since the 1990s. Developing RE technology in rural areas is also one of the most important energy strategies. One of the most important requirements for the successful adoption of renewable energy technology is the public acceptance of this technology. This article examines the public acceptance of RE (wind and solar) technologies among rural residents in Mersing, Malaysia. This study is conducted in conjunction with the development of the hybrid wind–solar RE generation system for the Marine Ecosystem Research Centre (EKOMAR), which located in Mersing. To investigate the public acceptance of RE technologies, two surveys were conducted, before and after the installation of the hybrid wind–solar RE generation system. The findings revealed that RE innovations, such as wind and solar energy, were well known among 54.7% and 96.2% of the respondents, respectively, before and after the introduction of EKOMAR. The survey results showed that rural residents generally support RE technologies and EKOMAR RE projects. They were also in line that the use of RE should also be extended to other parts of Mersing, including wind and solar. These findings illustrate that EKOMAR has played a crucial role in educating local residents about RE, wind and solar energy in particular. Residents believe the government plays an important role, particularly in rural areas, in encouraging and enhancing RE technologies.
Sustainable Preservation of Lanna Palm Leaf Manuscripts Based on Community Participation

Palm leaf manuscripts (PLMs), with their strong bond to Buddhism, are one invaluable symbol of the Lanna culture of Northern Thailand. This study investigates the views about PLM management among local people in the Pa Tum Don community, Chiang Mai province, Thailand, and explores the potential for them to sustain the preservation of PLMs. A thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with community members found that they engage in activities related to PLMs because of their continued faith in the goodness in them. Although it is mostly older people that have been very active participants in preserving PLMs, they lack systematic preservation knowledge. Aside from digitization, establishing rituals using and reproducing PLMs, transferring linguistic knowledge and reinserting Lanna language into fundamental education are suggested as possible means to enable sustainable preservation.
Detailed 3D Fault Representations for the 2019 Ridgecrest, California, Earthquake Sequence

We present new 3D source fault representations for the 2019 M 6.4 and M 7.1 Ridgecrest earthquake sequence. These representations are based on relocated hypocenter catalogs expanded by template matching and focal mechanisms for M 4 and larger events. Following the approach of Riesner et al. (2017), we generate reproducible 3D fault geometries by integrating hypocenter, nodal plane, and surface rupture trace constraints. We used the southwest–northeast-striking nodal plane of the 4 July 2019 M 6.4 event to constrain the initial representation of the southern Little Lake fault (SLLF), both in terms of location and orientation. The eastern Little Lake fault (ELLF) was constrained by the 5 July 2019 M 7.1 hypocenter and nodal planes of M 4 and larger aftershocks aligned with the main trend of the fault. The approach follows a defined workflow that assigns weights to a variety of geometric constraints. These main constraints have a high weight relative to that of individual hypocenters, ensuring that small aftershocks are applied as weaker constraints. The resulting fault planes can be considered averages of the hypocentral locations respecting nodal plane orientations. For the final representation we added detailed, field-mapped rupture traces as strong constraints. The resulting fault representations are generally smooth but nonplanar and dip steeply. The SLLF and ELLF intersect at nearly right angles and cross on another. The ELLF representation is truncated at the Airport Lake fault to the north and the Garlock fault to the south, consistent with the aftershock pattern. The terminations of the SLLF representation are controlled by aftershock distribution. These new 3D fault representations are available as triangulated surface representations, and are being added to a Community Fault Model (CFM; Plesch et al., 2007, 2019; Nicholson et al., 2019) for wider use and to derived products such as a CFM trace map and viewer (Su et al., 2019).
The Effects of Remittances on Economic Growth in West Africa

This paper is an attempt to investigate the cointegration and Granger causal relationship between remittances and economic growth in West Africa with special reference to Burkina-Faso, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Nigeria, and Togo. Different from limited existing countries studies in west Africa, an advanced panel econometric methodology such as dynamic Panel data techniques, considers the question of remittances on economic growth in West Africa. Our results suggest that remittances on economic growth in West Africa exert a positive and significant impact. Furthermore, a positive relationship between remittance, real effective exchange rate, trade openness, investment on economic growth was detected. Thereby it is important to examine the causal effects of both remittances and economic growth in West Africa, which conclude the existence of a short-term relationship between remittance and economic growth in West Africa. The above findings and conclusions informed the following recommendations: There is a need for carefulness in the management of funds sent home by migrants. Such monies are expected to be guided into productive ventures and not for wastefulness. To earn the full benefits of improved migrant’s remittances, West Africa must create an investment climate that is appealing to Africans in the diaspora. Lastly, there is equally the need for West Africa economies to rely more on domestic investment rather than on foreign capital inflows for their economic growth.
Taxonomic status of the loaches Paracobitis vignai and P. rhadinaea (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae) in Iran

The crested loaches of the genus Paracobitis from the Sistan basin (Iran) are reviewed based on morphological and mitochondrial cytb and COI sequences characters to check the status of taxa in phylogenetic trees. Paracobitis rhadinaea (Regan, 1906) and P. vignai Nalbant & Bianco, 1998 were known only based on minor morphological differences (presence or absence of scales, caudal fin shape, colour pattern and fish size). We failed to find any diagnostic molecular and morphological characters between them. Therefore, we regard P. vignai as a junior synonym of P. rhadinaea.
Effects of malate supplementation to the concentrate feed on performance, rumen fermentation and carcass yield of lambs fed forage at restricted and ad-libitum level

The effects of sodium and calcium salts of malic acid on growth performance, rumen pH, protozoa number, NH 3 - N level and volatile fatty acid (VFA) ratio and carcass yield in Akkaraman lambs fed alfalfa hay either restricted or ad-libitum were investigated. In a completely randomized design experiment, treatments were arranged at 2x2 factorial fashion: two forage levels (100 g/d or ad-libitum) and two malate levels (0 or 5 g/d), which were tested in 32 male lambs (3-4 months of age, 23.28±1.27 kg BW). Adaptation to feeding lasted 10 days; while sampling period lasted for 60 days. Growth performance, feed intake, slaughter and carcass weight were not affected by the treatments. A significant change was found in ruminal pH by forage feding level over time. At the beginning of the experiment the amount of acetic acid was increased by ad-libitum alfalfa hay consumption and malate addition but this effect was disappeared end of the trial. Rumen propionic acid, NH 3 -N concentration and protozoa number were not affected by the treatments but they changed by the sampling time. There was alfalfa hay level x malate supplementation x sampling time interaction effect on butyric acid concentration. In conclusion, malate addition did not improve growth rate and carcass yield of lambs but it affected ruminal acetic acid and butyric acid concentrations in lambs fed alfalfa ad-libitum.
Barriers to the Adoption of Energy Efficiency Measures in Mostaganem, Algeria

The residential sector of Algeria consumes 29% of the total energy consumption. In order to reduce and address this consumption along with the challenges of climate change, the Algerian public policy considers energy efficiency investment measures (EEIMs) in the residential sector as a key factor. However, despite the recommendations and incitement measures from the government, the adoption of EEIMs of Algerian homeowners is too low. In 2018, EEIMs have been implemented in 4,000 houses. This number represents only 4% of the government's target which is the implementation of EEIMs in 100,000 houses per year. The present article, accordingly, attempts to explore the barriers to the adoption of EEIMs. To this effect, a questionnaire survey with 150 randomly selected Algerian single-family homeowners in Mostaganem area was used for the study. It was found that the five greatest barriers to the adoption of EEIMs were: (1) the lack of subsidies and rebates on energy efficient equipment, (2) the high initial prices of energy efficient equipment, (3) the lack of techniques and tools for the estimation of saved energy, (4) the unwillingness to borrow money and (5) the difficulty of identifying, procuring, installing, operating and maintaining energy efficiency measures. The principal component analysis categorised 16 barriers around four components: (1) "Financial" barriers, (2) "Technological" barriers, (3) "Lack of time and knowledge" barriers and (4) "Attitude towards energy efficiency improvements" barriers. Finally, the multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) analysis has shown that the perception of barriers to the adoption of EEIMs also differs in accordance with certain personal characteristics of the homeowner.
Secondary forest succession in Silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) southern limits in Europe, in a site of Natura 2000 network – an ecogeographical approach

Aim of the study: To investigate the secondary forest succession in the study area and the pathways of its spread and the existing environmental, autecological factors and possible inter-specific competition relationships.Area of study: The study area is a Site of Natura 2000 network in northern Greece dominated by two pioneer forest species, Betula pendula and Pinus sylvestris. Study area is the southern limit of Silver birch in Europe and genotypes of these forests may be important due to the anticipated global increase of temperature and the forthcoming climate change.Materials and methods: The main forest types studied were: pure forests of B. pendula and P. sylvestris and mixed forests of these two main species. To study the expansion of forests in the area, a spatial analysis was performed based on geographical data. To detect forest changes, the rate thereof and their specific spatial distribution and preferences, a statistical analysis was performed.Main results: Approximately 60% of the studied area in 1945 was transformed from grasslands/barelands to forests. The composition of new forests was found to be different from the old ones. The rate of forest establishment in the first years was lower than in the latter years. All factors examined played an important role to the expansion of forest exept slope.Research highlights: Distance from the old stands played the most determining role to new forest structure and composition. Inter-specific competition results to the formation of pure stands, as indicated by the older stands.Keywords: secondary forest succession; Betula pendula; GIS; spatial analysis; forest species competition; forest species distribution.
Exploration of Anti-Yo and Anti-Hu paraneoplastic neurological disorders by PhIP-Seq reveals a highly restricted pattern of antibody epitopes

Paraneoplastic neurological disorders (PNDs) are immune-mediated diseases of the nervous system understood to manifest as part of a misdirected anti-tumor immune response. Identifying PND-associated autoantibodies and their cognate antigens can assist with proper diagnosis and treatment while also enhancing our understanding of tumor-associated immune processes, triggers for autoimmune disease, and the functional significance of onconeuronal proteins. Here, we employed an enhanced version of phage display immunoprecipitation and sequencing (PhIP-Seq) leveraging a library of over 731,000 unique phage clones tiling across the entire human proteome to detect autoantibodies and create high-resolution epitope profiles in serum and CSF samples from patients suffering from two common PNDs, the anti-Yo (n = 36 patients) and anti-Hu syndromes (n = 44 patients). All patient samples positive for anti-Yo antibody by a validated clinical assay yielded polyspecific enrichment of phage presenting peptides from the canonical anti-Yo (CDR2 and CDR2L) antigens, while 38% of anti-Hu patients (17/44) had a serum and/or CSF sample that significantly enriched peptides deriving from the ELAVL family of proteins, the anti-Hu autoantigenic target. The anti-Hu antibodies showed a remarkably convergent antigenic signature across 15/17 patients corresponding to residues surrounding and including the degenerate motif, RLDxLL, shared by ELAVL2, 3 and 4. Lastly, PhIP-Seq identified several known and novel autoantigens in these same patient samples, representing potential biomarkers that could aid in the diagnosis and prognosis of PND and cancer.
Precursor miRNAs are trafficked along axons associated with vesicles and locally processed to regulate growth cone steering

Various species of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are enriched in subcellular compartments but the mechanisms orchestrating their delocalization and their local functions remain largely unknown. We investigated both aspects using the elongating retinal ganglion cell axon and its tip, the growth cone, as models. We reveal that specific endogenous precursor microRNAs (pre-miRNAs) are actively trafficked, anchored to CD63-positive vesicles, to distal axons along microtubules. Upon exposure to the chemotropic cue Sema3A, pre-miRNAs are processed specifically within axons into newly synthesized mature miRNAs, which, in turn, silence the basal translation of TUBB3 but not of APP. At the organismal level, these mature miRNAs are required for growth cone steering and a fully functional visual system. Overall, our results uncover a novel mode of ncRNA transport from one cytosolic compartment to another within polarized cells. They also reveal that newly synthesized miRNAs are critical components of a ncRNA-based signaling pathway that transduces environmental signals into the structural remodelling of subcellular compartments. Highlights Precursor miRNAs are actively transported along axons to the growth cone tethered to CD63-positive vesicles Sema3A but not Slit2 induces the local biogenesis of specific miRNAs within axons Mature miRNAs are important for growth cone responsiveness ex vivo and the establishment of functional connections in vivo Newly synthesized miRNAs inhibit the basal translation of TUBB3 but not APP upon Sema3A exposure
Method for solving plane unsteady contact problems for rigid stamp and elastic half-space with a cavity of arbitrary geometry and location

In the work, the process of unsteady contact interaction of rigid stamp and elastic half-space having a recessed cavity of arbitrary geometry and location with a smooth boundary was investigated. Three variants of contact conditions are considered: free slip, rigid coupling, and bonded contact. The method for solving the problem is constructed using boundary integral equations. To obtain boundary integral equations, the dynamic reciprocal work theorem is used. The kernels of integral operators are bulk Green functions for the elastic plane. Because of straight-line approximations of the domain boundaries with respect to the spatial variable and straight-line approximations of the boundary values of the desired functions with respect to time, the problem is reduced to solving a system of algebraic equations with respect to the pivotal values of the desired displacements and stresses at each time interval. One of the axes is directed along the regular boundary of half-space, the second - deep into half-space.
On Representative Elementary Volumes of Grayscale Micro‐CT Images of Porous Media

The concept of linking pore‐scale data to continuum‐scale characteristics of porous media relies on the existence of a representative elementary volume (REV). The current techniques for estimating REVs require access to segmented micro‐computed tomographic (micro‐CT) images and computations of petrophysical properties which are computationally intensive and time‐consuming. Herein, a texture characterization method called the Gray‐Level Size Zone Matrix (GLSZM) is applied directly to raw grayscale micro‐CT images. GLSZM representations of 3D micro‐CT images capture information regarding the connectivity of gray‐level intensities, termed as “size‐zones. ” Statistical descriptors of pore space are calculated based on GLSZM to understand the connectivity of low gray‐level intensities. These GLSZM statistics capture microstructural fluctuations and offer insights into the impact of grayscale heterogeneity on REV size. This approach allows REV sizes to be estimated directly using grayscale micro‐CT images, in a reproducible, less time‐consuming and computationally efficient manner.
LRERNet: Low Resolution Expression Recognition Network

Facial expression recognition (FER) is a meaningful but challenging research direction. An important reason is that the image resolution used for FER is usually low. At present, there is no specially designed model for the challenge of low resolution FER. We propose a low resolution expression recognition network with front and back end structure using specially designed dilated convolution groups. In addition, for the need of pension agency, we establish a dataset for studying FER of the old in Asian countries and we named it AOPFE. We evaluate our method on three standard datasets (RAF, SFEW and CK+) and AOPFE. In our experiments, the method achieved good results in these datasets especially on RAF dataset.
Remote Sensing Scene Classification Based on Improved GhostNet

Nowadays, the design of convolutional neural network (CNN) models is getting deeper and wider. When traditional CNN is used to process limited data of remote sensing images, it will lead to overfitting. We will use lightweight and efficient models to classify remote sensing images. In order to improve the classification accuracy and reduce the intermediate parameters, we improved GhostNet and proposed a smaller CNN named Improved GhostNet. Meanwhile, we use image enhancement methods to enlarge the datasets and dropout, it will reduce the amount of parameters. We experimented on three datasets, such as AID, UC Merced, NWPU-RESISC45. Then, we used MobileNetV3-Small and GhostNet to compare with our CNN model. The classification accuracy of improved GhostNet achieves more than 91%, and the accuracy on the AID is improved by 2.05% compared to the original GhostNet. These results demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of improved GhostNet.
Phylogenetic signature of light and thermal stress for the endosymbiotic dinoflagellates of corals (Family Symbiodiniaceae)

Coral reefs around the world have been affected by a climate‐change induced phenomenon known as “coral bleaching,” which is caused by the interaction between high irradiance and elevated seawater temperatures, and involves the mass expulsion of Symbiodiniaceae from anemones, sponges, and corals. The primary drivers of this phenomenon are the inherent genetic variability in the Family Symbiodiniaceae, and the variability in the abiotic environment for variables such as irradiance and temperature. Recent experiments have either disregarded the important interactive role of irradiance or have suggested that photooxidative stress is not a prerequisite for coral bleaching because certain reactive oxygen species (ROS) can be produced in the dark. Here, fluorescent probes are used as proxies for the relative concentration of ROS in different genera of cultured Symbiodiniaceae under varying thermal and light conditions. The results show that taxon‐specific patterns of the concentration of ROS are observed but that all genera tested produced significantly greater amounts of superoxide radicals and hydrogen peroxide, compared to singlet oxygen, when exposed to high light and thermal stress. These results are contextualized in relation to the primary drivers of ROS production and the photo‐physiological basis for differences in ROS production that may then be correlated with symbiont driven coral bleaching.