Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Provenance, Structural Geology, and Sedimentation of the Miocene and Pliocene Californias

The first chapter of this thesis documents a provenance study, in which orthoquartzite clasts deposited in the Miocene Sespe Formation are linked to the Mesoproterozoic Shinumo Quartzite. The Sespe Formation outcrops in the Santa Monica Mountains and the Santa Ana Mountains, both in California. The Shinumo Quartzite outcrops only in Grand Canyon. We determine that the Shinumo Quartzite can be distinguished from other sources that may feed the Sespe Formation through its unique combination of a moderate paleomagnetic inclination and 1.2, 1.4, and 1.7 Ga detrital zircon spectrum peaks. This provenance link places an important constraint on the drainage of a paleo-Colorado River from Grand Canyon during Miocene time. The second and third chapters of this thesis are hinged upon a geologic mapping project on Isla Angel de la Guarda, a microcontinental block, in Baja California, Mexico. A plate reorganization at the end of the late Miocene andesitic arc marks the transfer of Baja California and the not-yet-rifted Isla Angel de la Guarda to the Pacific plate from the North American plate. Between 3 and 2 Ma, the plate boundary jumped again, northward along the Ballenas Transform fault. In this Pliocene time, units mapped in this study were deposited. The oldest units mapped are Miocene-Pliocene volcanic flows, for which we have no lower age constraint. The oldest volcanic flow dated is a Pliocene andesite lava (3.916 ± 0.088 Ma from 40Ar/39Ar). We map Miocene to Pliocene volcanic flows and Pliocene to Quaternary sedimentary units in two field areas. The sedimentary units are probably results of Pliocene rifting-related basin subsidence. Geochemical data from X-ray fluorescence indicate that lavas are compositionally similar to ~12 Ma arc-related rocks mapped in the Puertecitos Volcanic Province. In the southern field area, the sedimentary units are overlain by a Pliocene basaltic andesite with an 40Ar/39Ar age of 2.754 ± 0.021 Ma. We map several NNE-striking faults throughout both field areas, which cut NNW-striking bedding in Pliocene units. The Pliocene volcanic flows and sedimentary units were probably tilted before faulting, and the faults are likely linked to the Northern Salsipuedes Basin, offshore of the island in the Ballenas Channel. Both of these events may be results of 3-2 Ma rifting.
How can we generate innovative ideas for new product development

: Competition is fierce and intense in the contemporary global marketplace. Companies today face immense pressure to innovate when they seek to develop and introduce new products in order to fight competition and ensure business survival. However, generating new ideas is not easy and the continued capability and capacity to do so is even more challenging. In light of these challenges, this paper endeavours to shed light on how companies can generate innovative ideas for new product development. In particular, this paper makes clear that innovation in new products and services helps companies in meeting and exceeding customer expectations. Generation of ideas for innovation in new product development may come from a number of sources and by applying a number of creativity techniques. Companies may generate innovative ideas by interacting with customers, employees, outsiders, and other stakeholders. Ideas may also be generated by analysing competitors. Companies may adopt a number of creativity techniques like brainstorming, role-playing, forming forced relationships, morphological analysis, reversing of assumptions about usage of products, mind mapping of individuals, and lateral marketing for generating innovative ideas. Companies are encouraged to apply these techniques and create a culture of innovation to generate ideas, implement them, exceed customer expectations, and succeed in the competition.
Experimental approaches to the target editing of the CFTR gene using CRISPR-Cas9

Муковисцидоз — тяжелое аутосомно-рецессивное заболевание, обусловленное мутациями в гене CFTR, основной из которых в европейской популяции является F508del. Патогенетическая терапия существенно улучшила прогноз для жизни у пациентов с муковисцидозом, однако генная терапия не оказалась такой эффективной, как ожидалось. Геномное редактирование, в том числе с помощью CRISPR-Cas9, открывает новые возможности для этиотропного лечения, так как позволяет исправить мутации в клетках. Целью исследования было сравнение эффективности коррекции мутации F508del с помощью различных комбинаций направляющих РНК и Cas9 и повышение эффективности редактирования. Работу проводили на культуре клеток HEK293T, эффективность редактирования генома оценивали с помощью анализа T7E1, как на геномном, так и на плазмидном сайтах. Наиболее эффективной оказалась комбинация SaCas9 вместе с РНК на мутацию F508del — произошло редактирование 29% аллелей. Комбинация аналогичной направляющей РНК на F508del для SpCas9 показала небольшую эффективность редактирования, что связано с низкой экспрессией направляющей РНК. Были предприняты попытки увеличения экспрессии данной РНК с помощью разных подходов, однако повышения эффективности ее работы получено не было. Стабилизация направляющей РНК путем добавления в последовательность G-квадруплекса, укорочения и добавления GG в 5′-область также не принесла результатов. Вероятно, низкая эффективность работы использованной направляющей РНК обусловлена ее нуклеотидной последовательностью, что ограничивает ее использование.
Switched-Capacitor-Assisted Power Gating for Ultra-Low Standby Power in CMOS Digital ICs

This article presents Switched-Capacitor assisted Power Gating (SwCap PG) for reducing the leakage currents of large digital circuits. For the first time, PG switch is biased in the super turn-off and the super turn-on mode during the off-state and the on-state, respectively. A simple switched-capacitor network reconfigures and biases the PG switch in four different possible states with low area and power overhead. During the super turn-off, voltage stress is avoided in the PG switch when the circuit load uses supply voltage equal to the nominal <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{V}_{\mathbf {DD}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> in a given technology, and maximum possible leakage current reduction is achieved by the optimal biasing of the gate voltage. The proposed SwCap PG is experimentally validated in the 180nm CMOS technology. Measurement results of CMOS SwCap PG show that leakage current and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{R}_{\mathbf {ON}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> reduce by 186-<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$226\times $ </tex-math></inline-formula> and 18% respectively, as compared to the conventional PG. An alternate solution for SwCap network using MEMS devices as the switching elements is implemented for additional benefits. Measurement results of MEMS SwCap PG show that leakage current and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{R}_{\mathbf {ON}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> reduce by <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$172\times $ </tex-math></inline-formula> and 26% respectively, compared to the conventional PG. Finally, the applicability of the SwCap PG in the nano-scale CMOS technologies is addressed.
Guidance Protocol: Application of Nucleic Acid-Based Tools for Monitoring Monitored Natural Attenuation (MNA), Biostimulation, and Bioaugmentation at Chlorinated Solvent Sites

Abstract : Reductive dechlorination is a promising process for biodegradation of chlorinated solvents. The successful field evaluation and implementation of the reductive dechlorination process is dependent on a comprehensive understanding of contaminant, geochemical, and microbial data. Nucleic acid-based tools are commercially available to identify relevant Dehalococcoides (Dhc) bacteria. These tools detect and quantify Dhc 16S rRNA genes and three Dhc reductive dehalogenase (RDase) genes involved in the reductive dechlorination of chlorinated ethenes. These tools were demonstrated and validated in ESTCP Project ER-0518 (Application of Nucleic Acid-Based Tools for Monitoring Monitored Natural Attenuation (MNA), Biostimulation, and Bioaugmentation at Chlorinated Solvent Sites). The application of nucleic acid-based molecular biological tools (MBTs) can result in significant cost reductions and reduced project time-lines. There are several sampling methodologies available to field practitioners. The selection of groundwater sampling methods can significantly influence the quantification of Dhc biomarker genes. The sampling and handling procedures described herein have been validated for Dhc assessment at chlorinated solvent sites. These techniques can also be applied to sites impacted with other contaminants. By clearly understanding how site geochemistry and Dhc abundance affect contaminant transformation and detoxification, MNA, biostimulation, and bioaugmentation, remedies can be designed and modified to optimize the efficiency of bioremediation treatments.
Plasticity in the shape and growth pattern of asteriscus otolith of black prochilodus Prochilodus nigricans (Teleostei: Characiformes: Prochilodontidae) freshwater Neotropical migratory fish

1Pós-Graduação em Biologia de Água Doce e Pesca Interior, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (INPA), Av. André Araújo, 2.936, Petrópolis, Caixa Postal 2223, 69060-001 Manaus, AM, Brazil. (RMRC) rosamaria.rcosta@gmail.com, http://orcid.org/00000002-2160-1513 (corresponding author), (SAA) sidamadioinpa@gmail.com 2Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Setor Ecologia e Conservação, Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Rua Av. Lourival Melo Mota, s/n, Cidade Universitária, 57072-900 Maceió, AL, Brazil. tchoni1@uol.com. br 3Instituto de Ciencias del Mar, Passeig Marítim 37-49, 08003 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. vtuset@icm.csic. es Introduction
Buccal Film –A Review on Novel Drug Delivery System

Nowadays, requirement of design and development of novel dosage form is created to improve patient compliance, safety and efficacy. Buccal film is novel film technology which is fulfilled all these requirements. Buccal film is administered through buccal drug delivery system. Buccal film is small in size, dose, easily administered so that it is more palatable and acceptable dosage from than other buccal drug delivery system like wafers, lozenges, microparticles, gel, tablets. Buccal film is effective dosage form which improves bioavailability as it bypasses first pass metabolism. It is satisfactorily adhered to buccal layer of oral cavity so it is more convenient than other dosage form. It is cost effective, biodegradable, fast absorption, elegant, easy to handle, non irritating and no requirement of swallowing of drug henceforth it is more accepted dosage form by geriatric and pediatric patients. This article gives comprehensive review on benefits, limitations, manufacturing methods, evaluation parameters and formulation of buccal film.
Utilizing Industry 4.0 on the Construction Site: Challenges and Opportunities

In recent years, a step change has been seen in the rate of adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies by manufacturers and industrial organizations alike. This article discusses the current state of the art in the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies within the construction industry. Increasing complexity in onsite construction projects coupled with the need for higher productivity is leading to increased interest in the potential use of Industry 4.0 technologies. This article discusses the relevance of the following key Industry 4.0 technologies to construction: data analytics and artificial intelligence, robotics and automation, building information management, sensors and wearables, digital twin, and industrial connectivity. Industrial connectivity is a key aspect as it ensures that all Industry 4.0 technologies are interconnected allowing the full benefits to be realized. This article also presents a research agenda for the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies within the construction sector, a three-phase use of intelligent assets from the point of manufacture up to after build, and a four-staged R&D process for the implementation of smart wearables in a digital enhanced construction site.
Class Communication Tools in a Blended Graduate Course

The study presents a research carried out at the School of Continuing and Distance Education at the University of Ghana during the second semester of the 2015-2016 academic year. The research was carried out over a period of sixteen weeks from August to November 2015 for a course DEEL 612 taught at the graduate level. The study involved 11 graduate students who were studying for a Master’s Degree delivered in a blended mode. An in-depth telephone interview of the eleven students conducted by a trained and experienced interviewer was carried out. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. Results show that, respondents studying online enjoyed equality in the ability to share thoughts and ideas. They found studying online with the use of the Sakai LMS to be useful, flexible and convenient. Respondents in the study affirmed that, Sakai LMS enhanced interactivity with peers and the instructor in ways that supported trusted relationship building. This helped learning to take place, made it of fun and innovative. Keywords: Blended mode, online, Sakai LMS, interactivity, student learning DOI: 10.7176/JEP/11-13-10 Publication date: May 31 st 2020
Genetic Variation of European Beech Populations and Their Progeny from Northeast Germany to Southwest Switzerland

Climate change can adversely affect the growth of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) across its entire distribution range. Therefore, knowledge of the adaptive potential of this species to changing climatic conditions is of foremost importance. Genetic diversity is the basis for adaptation to environmental stress, and the regeneration phase of forests is a key stage affecting genetic diversity. Nevertheless, little is known about the effect of climate change on the genetic diversity of adult trees compared to their progeny. Here, we present genetic diversity data for 24 beech populations ranging from northeast Germany to southwest Switzerland. Potentially adaptive genetic variation was studied using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers in candidate genes that are possibly involved in adaptive trait variation. In addition, more than 2000 adult trees and 3000 of their seedlings were genotyped with simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers to determine selectively neutral genetic diversity and differentiation among populations. All populations showed high SSR and SNP variation, and no differences in genetic diversity were found between adult trees and their offspring. The genetic differentiation between adults and seedlings within the same stands was also insignificant or very low. Therefore, we can conclude tentatively that the transfer of genetic variation among tree generations, currently, is not much affected by climate change, at least in the studied beech populations.
Sliding Modes in a Class of Complex-Valued Nonlinear Systems

A number of physical systems allow a complex-valued representation. This article extends the theory of sliding modes to a class of nonlinear systems described by complex-valued variables. Hence, states, parameters, control actions, and sliding manifolds belong, in general, to the complex field. In this article, it is also shown that the proposed design in the complex-valued framework provides shorter reaching times to the sliding manifold than the standard sliding-mode design at equal initial condition and control effort. Different implementation approaches are also evaluated, and numerical examples illustrate the proposal.
Graph Matching Via the Lens of Supermodularity

Graph matching, the problem of aligning a pair of graphs so as to minimize their edge disagreements, has received widespread attention owing to its broad spectrum of applications in data science. As the problem is NP–hard in the worst-case, a variety of approximation algorithms have been proposed for obtaining high quality, suboptimal solutions. In this article, we approach the task of designing an efficient polynomial-time approximation algorithm for graph matching from a previously unconsidered perspective. Our key result is that graph matching can be formulated as maximizing a monotone, supermodular set function subject to matroid intersection constraints. We leverage this fact to apply a discrete optimization variant of the minorization-maximization algorithm which exploits supermodularity of the objective function to iteratively construct and maximize a sequence of global lower bounds on the objective. At each step, we solve a maximum weight matching problem in a bipartite graph. Differing from prior approaches, the algorithm exploits the combinatorial structure inherent in the problem to generate a sequence of iterates featuring monotonically non-decreasing objective value while always adhering to the combinatorial matching constraints. Experiments on real-world data demonstrate the empirical effectiveness of the algorithm relative to the prevailing state-of-the-art.
Assessment of Effects of Concomitant Exposure to Sound, Heat, and Physical
Workload Changes on Physiological Parameters in Five Different Combination
Modes, a Controlled Laboratory Study

Exposure to sound, heat, and increased physical workload can change physiological parameters. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of concomitant exposure to sound, heat, and physical workload changes on physiological parameters in controlled laboratory conditions. This experimental crosssectional study was conducted in 35 male university students with a mean age of 25.75 years and a mean BMI of 22.69 kg/m. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate were measured after 15 min rest in the laboratory, 5 and 10 min after starting the experiment, and then after 20 min in controlled laboratory conditions in five combination modes. The combination modes were (Sound: 65 dB, WBGT: 22°C, Speed: 1.7, Slope: 10%), (Sound: 65 dB, WBGT: 22°C, Speed: 3.4, Slope: 14%), (Sound: 95 dB, WBGT: 22°C, Speed: 1.7, Slope: 10%), (Sound: 65 dB, WBGT: 32°C, Speed: 1.7, Slope: 10%), and (Sound: 95 dB, WBGT: 32°C, Speed: 3.4, Slope: 14%). Mixed model analysis and paired t-test were applied for analysis. The results showed that the mean physiological parameters (Systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate) increased when different combination modes worsened (Sound from 65 to 95 dB, WBGT from 22°C to 32°C, speed from 1.7 to 3.4, and slope from 10% to 14%, and when sound: 95 dB, WBGT: 32°C, Speed: 3.4, and Slope: 14%). Moreover, the mean changes of systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significant in all conditions when compared with the reference condition (Sound: 65 dB, WBGT: 22°C, Speed: 1.7, and Slope: 10%). The mean heart rate changes were also significant except for exposure to the second condition (Sound: 65 dB, WBGT: 22°C, Speed: 3.4, Slope: 14%) and the third condition (Sound: 95 dB, WBGT: 22°C, Speed: 1.7, Slope: 10%). Exposure to hazardous levels of sound, heat, and workload has adverse effects on physiological parameters. Concomitant exposure to all three hazards has a synergistic effect and increases the adverse effect.
Transforming a Theoretical Framework to Design Cards: LEAGUE Ideation Toolkit for Game-Based Learning Design

Educational game design is a complex process demanding multi-dimensional focus in a heterogeneous team to balance multiple aspects. The existing Game-based learning (GBL) frameworks detail the required knowledge but are hard to use in design practice. Conversely, card-based design tools are a lightweight approach used to assist the early design phase. While several game design cards exist, none is specific for informing GBL knowledge. There is a lack of operationalizable approaches for designing learning games that integrate research based GBL knowledge into the actual ideation process. This paper presents a card-based GBL ideation toolkit to reduce the complexity of framework application and introduction of key GBL concepts in the design process as a tangible reference point to facilitate multi-dimensional focus, supporting idea generation, critical reflection, and creation of a shared understanding in the collaborative design process. The paper describes a ten-step process of transforming the LEAGUE framework into the LEAGUE toolkit (GBL ideation cards), an evaluation of the toolkit with design workshop participants, and design lessons detailing strengths and limitations to support GBL design practices.
Genome-wide interaction analyses of milk production traits in dairy cattle

Genetic effects on milk production traits in dairy cattle might change during lactation. However, most genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for milk production traits assume that genetic effects are constant during lactation. This assumption might miss these QTL whose effects change during lactation. This study aimed to screen the whole genome specifically for QTL whose effects change during lactation. For this purpose, 4 different GWAS approaches were performed based on 19,286 test-day milk protein content records of 1,800 first-parity Dutch Holstein cows that were genotyped using a 50k SNP panel. Separate GWAS for specific lactation stages suggested that the detection power greatly differs between lactation stages and that genetic effects of some QTL change during lactation. GWAS for estimated Wilmink lactation curve parameters detected many chromosomal regions for Wilmink parameter a (protein content level), whereas 2 regions for Wilmink parameter b (decrease in protein content towards nadir), and no regions for Wilmink parameter c (increase in protein content after nadir). A GWAS using a repeatability model where SNP effects are assumed to be constant during lactation detected 20 chromosomal regions with effects on milk protein content, however, there was no evidence that their effects changed during lactation. A GWAS for genotype by lactation stage interaction using a repeatability model and accounting for changing genetic effects during lactation detected 5 regions on chromosomes 3, 9, 10, 14, and 27. The significant genotype by lactation stage interaction indicated that their effects changed during lactation. Three of these 5 regions were only identified using a GWAS for genotype by lactation stage interaction. Our study demonstrated that GWAS for genotype by lactation stage interaction offers new possibilities to identify QTL involved in milk protein content. The performed approaches can be applied to other milk production traits. Identification of QTL whose genetic effects change during lactation will help elucidate the genetic and biological background of milk production.
Performance Analysis and Cell Association Design for Drone-Assisted Heterogeneous Networks

Equipped with base station hardware, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can act as drone small cells (DSCs) to complement the traditional terrestrial small cells (TSCs) in providing ubiquitous connectivity for a wide range of applications. Although the performance of drone-assisted heterogeneous networks has been investigated, the state-of-the-art adopts simplified channel models that are not applicable to practical network scenarios. To make an accurate analysis on the network performance, and provide guidelines for the practical design of cell association and network deployment strategy, in this work, we consider a drone-assisted heterogeneous network that employs a flexible biased cell association policy and adopts a more general channel model that incorporates line-of-sight (LoS) and non-line-of-sight (NLoS) components for both air-to-ground (ATG) and ground-to-ground (GTG) transmissions. We develop a unifying analytical framework to evaluate the network performance in terms of coverage probability, area spectral efficiency (ASE) and user throughput. Our results show that 1) deploying DSCs to complement traditional TSCs can only deteriorate the network performance within the ultra-dense network region, 2) by optimally setting the bias factor for cell association policy, the network performance can be further enhanced.