Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The significance of organic separates to carbon dynamics and its modelling in some cultivated soils

Les modeles de la dynamique du carbon des sols repartissent le carbone du sol en compartiments fonctionnels, de durees de vie tres differentes. On a cherche a separer materiellement les composes de durees de vie differentes, afin de proposer des estimateurs de ces compartiments. Les vitesses de renouvellement sont mesurees par la methode du marquage naturel en l3 C, dans des sols en culture cerealiere (maos) provenant d'experimentations de longue duree. Le modele de Rothamsted donne une bonne representation de la dynamique observee. Les fractions granulometriques grossieres permettent de quantifier le compartiment structural d'origine vegetale des modeles. Les composes extractibles a l'eau sont enrichis en composes jeunes, mais ne sont pas identifiables aux compartiments labiles. Concernant les matieres organiques <50 μm, aucune des methodes classiques evaluees (hydrolyses acides, oxydations humides, oxydations thermiques, pyrolyses, extraction alcalines) ne permettent de separer des composes de vitesses de renouvellement differentes. L'analyse permet de rejeter l'hypothese de formation des acides humiques par condensation des acides fulviques. La localization et la protection physique des matieres organiques apparaot comme plus determinante pour leur vitesse de biodegradation que leur appartenance a une famille chimique.
Photoassisted selective catalytic reduction of NO with ammonia in the presence of oxygen over TiO2

Selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO with NH3 in the presence of O2 takes place over titanium oxide under photoirradiation at low temperature. The active site of TiO2 is suggested to be the Ti4+ Lewis acid site. TiO2 exhibits the weak Lewis acid property. NH3 is adsorbed easily on the Lewis acid site as compared with NO. It is conceivable that NO in the gas phase attacks NH3 adsorbed on the Lewis acid site. N2 and H2O are generated via a nitrosamide intermediate. Consequently, the reduced Ti3+ species is formed and is reoxidized to the Ti4+ species by oxygen. NO can be also adsorbed directly on the Lewis acid site which is unoccupied by NH3 and transformed to inactive the nitrate species. In the absence of oxygen, NO reoxidizes the Ti3+ species and N2O was produced.
The exposure risk to COVID-19 in most affected countries: A vulnerability assessment model

The world is facing the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), which began in China. By August 18, 2020, the United States, Brazil, and India were the most affected countries. Health infrastructure and socioeconomic vulnerabilities may be affecting the response capacities of these countries. We compared official indicators to identify which vulnerabilities better determined the exposure risk to COVID-19 in both the most and least affected countries. To achieve this purpose, we collected indicators from the Infectious Disease Vulnerability Index (IDVI), the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Bank, and the Brazilian Geography and Statistics Institute (IBGE). All indicators were normalized to facilitate comparisons. Speed, incidence, and population were used to identify the groups of countries with the highest and lowest risks of infection. Countries’ response capacities were determined based on socioeconomic, political, and health infrastructure conditions. Vulnerabilities were identified based on the indicator sensitivity. The highest-risk group included the U.S., Brazil, and India, whereas the lowest-risk group (with the largest population by continent) consisted of China, New Zealand, and Germany. The high-sensitivity cluster had 18 indicators (50% extra IDVI), such as merchandise trade, immunization, public services, maternal mortality, life expectancy at birth, hospital beds, GINI index, adolescent fertility, governance, political stability, transparency/corruption, industry, and water supply. The greatest vulnerability of the highest-risk group was related first to economic factors (merchandise trade), followed by public health (immunization), highlighting global dependence on Chinese trade, such as protective materials, equipment, and diagnostic tests. However, domestic political factors had more indicators, beginning with high sensitivity and followed by healthcare and economic conditions, which signified a lesser capacity to guide, coordinate, and supply the population with protective measures, such as social distancing.
Design of an Intelligent Symptom Differentiation and Electrical Stimulation Rehabilitation System

Received: 17 April 2020 Accepted: 30 August 2020 In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), symptoms are mostly differentiated subjectively by doctors. This approach of symptom differentiation lacks objective basis. Moreover, it is difficult to differentiate between symptoms and treat them through electrical stimulation rehabilitation (ESR) in the absence of TCM doctors. To solve these problems, this paper designs an intelligent symptom differentiation (ISD)-ESR system, which includes a software part for dialectical analysis, and a hardware part for electric stimulation of acupoints. The system was designed with the aid of the following technologies: fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (AHP), chromatographic decomposition, spatiotemporal slicing, optical flow field method, collaborative filtering based on deep neural network (DNN), and software-hardware fusion techniques (e.g. electrical stimulation signal control and Bluetooth multi-pass control). The proposed system was applied to treat 30 patients with primary insomnia in the sleep center of a tertiary hospital. The results show that the proposed system achieved an accuracy of 93.3% in symptom differentiation, and significantly improved the effect of electroacupuncture on insomnia (P<0.05). Overall, the proposed system makes up for the defects of existing devices, and improves the effect of rehabilitation treatment.
Biodegradation of trichloroethylene in anaerobic hybrid reactor

In this study, anaerobic hybrid reactor (AHR) was intensively used for the treatment of synthetic wastewater containing trichloroethylene (TCE) by gradual increment in influent TCE and chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentrations. The acclimatization study revealed that 99.93 ± 0.13% and 97.81 ± 0.42% of TCE and COD could be removed at an influent TCE and COD concentrations of 50 and 2000 mg/L, respectively. The maximum yield coefficient (Ym) was found to be 0.05 mg biomass/mg COD, whereas the maximum specific substrate as COD (qm · S) and cosubstrate as TCE (qm · CS) utilization rates were found to be 0.526 mg COD/mg volatile suspended solids (VSS)/day and 0.0125 mg TCE/mg VSS/day, respectively, during the biokinetics study. An optimum hydraulic retention time for the maximum TCE removal was found to be 18 h. The AHR showed high potentiality for the treatment of wastewater containing high concentration of TCE. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 32: 1055–1060, 2013
The Prohıbıtıve Injunctıon In Kabıye

Research on the Kabiye language has already explored,to some extent, the injunction in the chapters that deal with the verb. Nevertheless, it remains relative to postulate that the ambiguity of the intercurrent amalgam between the expression of the negation and that of prohibition is clearly removed since the terminology used in French language ("negation a l'imperatif ", "formesnegatives de l'imperatif et du jussif", Etc.) still bears clues to the survival of this vagueness. However, in Kabiye, theenunciative operation of injunction is carried by the imperative and jussive modes with a conative scope which results from the injunctive behavior of the speaker. Prohibition is not,in that language, an avatar of the expression of an inadequacy, but a result of the injunction when it becomes deterrent or suspensive. It is introduced by the morpheme taa- /BB/ and can be nuanced or even reinforced with absolutive adverbs depending on the intention to act on the co-announcer that the speaker has assigned to himself.
Present landscape of quantum computing

Quantum computing is currently a topic of interest that harnesses the phenomena of quantum mechanics. It can address several scientific challenges and generate new business opportunities. Recently, for the first time in the history of quantum computing, the authors are starting to see practical applications. Keeping this in mind, this article is designed to explore the field without any required prerequisites. The authors start with a brief overview of the fundamentals of quantum computing and also outline several applications. The timeline for widespread adoption cannot be predicted, but quite a few organisations have built the first generation of quantum computers using various hardware technologies. The authors have briefly covered the wide landscape of hardware technologies. The first generation of quantum computers can be programmed using available software development kits and accessed using online cloud services. Furthermore, the growing trend in investments and patents in the field of quantum computing is also presented. A major reason for this trend is the threat that quantum computers pose against cryptography.
Search for structure-forming components in molecular crystals of binary compounds: a topological approach

Abstract Molecular crystal structures of 81 polymorphs of binary compounds are investigated with the method of coordination sequences and with the uniformity criterion for atomic sublattices. It is shown that using these tools one can estimate semi-quantitatively the relative force of inter-molecular interactions and to find so-called structure-forming lattice, i.e. the atomic sublattice, where the most stable long-wavelength phonons are likely to spread. When a crystal consists of molecules with distinguished central atoms, the polarizability of surrounding atoms is found to dictate mainly the composition of the structure-forming lattice. If the polarizability is small, crystal structure is formed by molecules as a whole, otherwise surrounding atoms form the structure basis themselves, and it is their lattice that often is one of the close packings. It is shown that if the central atom of a molecule has stereoactive lone pair the central atom can form the structure-forming lattice together with surrounding atoms.
Does Balance Dynamics Well Capture the Secondary Circulation and Spinup of a Simulated Hurricane?

This study investigates a claim made by Heng et al. in an article published in 2017 and intimated soon after in their article published in 2018 that axisymmetric “balanced dynamics can well capture the secondary circulation in the full-physics model” during hurricane spinup. Using output from a new, convection-permitting, three-dimensional numerical simulation of an intensifying hurricane, azimuthally averaged forcings of tangential momentum and heat are diagnosed to force an axisymmetric Eliassen balance model under strict balance conditions. The balance solutions are found, inter alia, to poorly represent the peak inflow velocity in the boundary layer and present a layer of relatively deep inflow extending well above the boundary layer in the high-wind-speed region of the vortex. Such a deep inflow layer, a hallmark of the classical spinup mechanism for tropical cyclones comprising the radial convergence of absolute angular momentum above the boundary layer, is not found in the numerical simulation during the period of peak intensification. These deficiencies are traced to the inability of the balance model to represent the nonlinear boundary layer spinup mechanism. These results are contrasted with a pseudobalance Eliassen formulation that improves the solution in some respects while sacrificing strict thermal wind balance. Overall, the quantitative results refute the Heng et al. claim and implicate the general necessity of the nonlinear boundary layer spinup mechanism to explain the spinup of a hurricane in realistic model configurations and in reality.
The impact of performing arts festivals on tourism development: analysis of participants' motivation, quality, satisfaction and loyalty

The festivals have had a very positive impact on tourism development, and on the promotion of destinations, they are positioned as important attractive elements that boost tourism in the several regions, as well as its economic and cultural development. This study aimed to analyse the motivation, quality, satisfaction and loyalty of two performing arts festivals participants (Andancas, Portugal and La Sierra, Spain). It followed a quantitative methodology, and questionnaires were applied to the participants of the events under analysis. The results of the test- t indicate that La Sierra festival participants (n=235), compared to Andancas festival participants (n=297), perceive the festival as having more quality (catering, hotel, information and transport), and are more faithful to the festival (even if prices increase). The results obtained contribute to a better understanding of the needs and perceptions of participants who practice festival tourism, particularly in performing arts festivals, supporting the manager's strategies in organising this type of event.
Synthesis and Biological Activity of New 16,17-Secoestrone Derivatives

Starting from estrone 3-benzyloxy-17β-hydroxyestra-1,3,5(10)-trien-16-one oxime (3b) was synthesized, which underwent Beckmann fragmentation giving the 3-benzyloxy-17-oxo- 16,17-secoestra-1,3,5(10)-triene-16-nitrile (4b). Sodium borohydride reduction of this compound afforded 3-benzyloxy-17-hydroxy-16,17-secoestra-1,3,5(10)-triene-16-nitrile (5b). The deprotection of the 3-hydroxy group was achieved by action of hydrogen upon derivatives 4b and 5b in presence of Pd/C as a catalyst, yielding 3-hydroxy-17-oxo-16,17-secoestra- 1,3,5(10)-triene-16-nitrile (4a) and 3,17-dihydroxy-16,17-secoestra-1,3,5(10)-triene-16-nitrile (5a). In biological tests on experimental animals, compounds 4a, 4b, 5a and 5b showed virtually a complete loss of estrogenic activity, whereas compounds 4a, 5a and 5b exhibited moderate antiestrogenic effect.
An in silico approach to target SARS-CoV-2 RNA dependent RNA polymerase of COVID-19 with naturally occurring phytochemicals

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was firstly reported from Wuhan city of China found as highly contagious, transmittable and pathogenic viral infection. The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 as a pandemic since its emergence from China. The RNA dependent RNA polymerase (nsp-12) is a complex with nsp-7 and nsp-8 cofactors major constituent of viral replication and RNA synthesis machinery. In current study, the RdRp of virus was selected as a receptor protein for computational drug discovery. Computational homology modelling was done in order to find the hidden secondary structures and structural assessment of viral protein to target them via antiviral drugs. The study based on docking of different phytochemicals to check potential of different plant metabolites against viral replicative proteins. Out of 200 ligands used in this study from different plants the best ten were selected based on drug discovery parameters such as S-score, ligand interactions, hydrophobic interactions and drug likeness. The ten best selected ligands were Verbenalin, Epigallocatechin, Swertisin, Nobiletin, Pinoresinol, Caftaric acid, Hesperetin, Islandicin, Neochlorogenic acid and Sesamin that exploit the potency as antagonist of viral protein. Among binding interactions of all ligands Arg339 centred as the main interacting residue among almost all the ligands. Till now many antiviral agents have shown potency in only mild cases of SARS-CoV-2 but no effective drug has been found for critical pulmonary cases. In clinical trials many broad-spectrum antiviral agents have been still in trail periods of testing against SARS-CoV-2. Till date no effective drug or vaccine has been validated with significant efficacy and potency against the SARS-CoV-2 therefore there is an urgent need to design effective vaccine against nCoV-19 infections.
Development and characterization of cationic nanoemulsions as non-viral vectors for plasmid DNA delivery

Gene therapy is a promising approach to treat several diseases including cancer. Unfortunately, free nucleic acids are negatively charged and not stable in blood. Cationic drug delivery systems like cationic nanoemulsions (CNEs) are useful to improve the stability and delivery of nucleic acids like plasmid DNA (pDNA) by increasing the interaction between nucleic acids and negatively charged cell membrane. This study is focused on the development and characterization of two CNEs (CNE 1 and CNE 2) for the delivery of pDNA. The CNEs were prepared with microfluidization by investigating the homogenization duration of 1-10 minutes and the droplet size (DS), polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential (ZP), complexation with pDNA and cytotoxicity on mouse fibroblast cells L929 were characterized. With increasing the microfluidization duration from 1 to 10 minutes, the DS and PDI decreased and the ZP increased for CNE 1, while for CNE 2 the ZP decreased too. Increasing the microfluidization duration does not lead to beneficial results, thus 1 minute seems to be sufficient for obtaining CNEs with appropriate properties. Both CNEs were able to form a complex in a ratio of 1 μl plasmid and 2 μl CNE. The cytotoxicity studies for CNE 1 and its complex revealed that with increasing the applied dose the viability of the L929 cells decreased to 70%, while for CNE 2 and its complex the viability was reduced to 10%. Based on these results it can be stated that CNE 1 is more appropriate than CNE 2 for pDNA delivery.
Characterization of silica xerogel films by variable-angle spectroscopic ellipsometry and infrared spectroscopy

Silica xerogel films with low dielectric constants were prepared using a sol-gel spin coating method. The as-prepared films were further treated by hexamethyldisilazane to achieve the hydrophobization of the pore surfaces, by replacing hydrophilic silanol groups with hydrophobic trimethylsilyl (TMS) groups. The thickness and optical constants of the films were derived from variable-angle spectroscopic ellipsometry measurements. The determined refractive index decreases from 1.271±0.008 to 1.188±0.003 (values at 632.8 nm) while the porosity increases from 40.4 to 58.6% with the process parameters used. The Maxwell-Garnet approximation was used to relate the ellipsometric data to porosity. The IR absorption bands of CH species in TMS groups reveal that the surface area of the pores is larger in the samples with lower porosity.
Formal verification of secondary authentication protocol for 5G secondary authentication

The Fifth-Generation mobile network (5G) will enable interconnectivity between the Home Network (HN) and Data Network (DN) whereby mobile users with their User Equipment (UE) will be able to access services provided by external Service Providers (SP) seamlessly. The mobile user and SP will rely on security assurances provided by authentication protocols used. For 5G, primary authentication between the UE and the HN has been defined and specified by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) while the secondary authentication has also been defined but not specified. 3GPP recommends the Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) framework for secondary authentication between the UE and the SP. However, the secondary authentication methods have not been formally verified, so this paper proposes a Secondary Authentication Protocol (SAP) for service authentication and provides a comprehensive formal analysis using ProVerif a security protocol verifier. Finally, it conducts a security analysis on the protocol's security properties.
Thermal characterization of nanoscale phononic crystals using supercell lattice dynamics

The concept of a phononic crystal can in principle be realized at the nanoscale whenever the conditions for coherent phonon transport exist. Under such conditions, the dispersion characteristics of both the constitutive material lattice (defined by a primitive cell) and the phononic crystal lattice (defined by a supercell) contribute to the value of the thermal conductivity. It is therefore necessary in this emerging class of phononic materials to treat the lattice dynamics at both periodicity levels. Here we demonstrate the utility of using supercell lattice dynamics to investigate the thermal transport behavior of three-dimensional nanoscale phononic crystals formed from silicon and cubic voids of vacuum. The periodicity of the voids follows a simple cubic arrangement with a lattice constant that is around an order of magnitude larger than that of the bulk crystalline silicon primitive cell. We consider an atomic-scale supercell which incorporates all the details of the silicon atomic locations and the void geometry. For this supercell, we compute the phonon band structure and subsequently predict the thermal conductivity following the Callaway-Holland model. Our findings dictate that for an analysis based on supercell lattice dynamics to be representative of the properties of the underlying lattice model, a minimum supercell size is needed along with a minimum wave vector sampling resolution. Below these minimum values, a thermal conductivity prediction of a bulk material based on a supercell will not adequately recover the value obtained based on a primitive cell. Furthermore, our results show that for the relatively small voids and void spacings we consider (where boundary scattering is dominant), dispersion at the phononic crystal unit cell level plays a noticeable role in determining the thermal conductivity.
Enacting competition, capacity, and collaboration: performing neoliberalism in the U.S. in the era of evidence-based interventions

ABSTRACT Funders increasingly encourage social and health service organizations to strengthen their impact on public health through the implementation of evidence-based interventions (EBIs). Local governments in the U.S. often utilize market-based contracting to facilitate EBI delivery via formal relationships with non-governmental community-based organizations (CBOs). We sought to understand how the discourses embedded within contracting to compete and perform influence how CBOs represent and accomplish their work. We draw on qualitative interviews conducted with government administrators (N = 16) overseeing contracts for one child welfare EBI, SafeCare® and the leaders (N = 25) of organizations contracted to implement this program. Participants endorsed competition, capacity, and collaboration as ideals within marketized contracting. Yet they expressed doubt about marketplace meritocracy and described the costs incurred in building the necessary organizational infrastructure to deliver EBIs and compete for contracts. We discuss the implications of marketized EBI contracting for CBOs and the limitations it poses for evidence-based public health, especially in socially marginalized communities.