Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bacillus amyloliquefaciens application to prevent biofilms in reclaimed water microirrigation systems *

Reclaimed water (RW) applied in drip irrigation systems could be a solution to cope with the challenges of limited freshwater resources. Biofilm growth in irrigation systems is an unavoidable issue when using RW. To date, strong chemical bactericides mostly dominate the commercial market in controlling biofilms. However, recently scientists have been concerned about their real efficacy and environmental risks. This study assesses a low‐concentration microbial antagonist (i.e., Bacillus amyloliquefaciens inoculums, BAI) intermittently injected into the systems to mitigate biofilm formation in three types of drip emitters using two kinds of treated RW. The results indicated that the application of BAI significantly (p < .05) mitigated the microbial biomass within biofilms when compared with the control groups (no‐BAI). In addition, BAI reduced the contents of extracellular polysaccharides and proteins of biofilms, which decreased the total biomass in BAI treatments by 44.9%–73.8%. Consequently, BAI effectively improved the emitter performances and increased the discharge variation rate by 31.9%–44.3%. These findings might provide a new perspective to control biofouling when applying RW in irrigation systems, with potential implications for sustainable water management in agricultural production.
Control of a Tilting Hexacopter under Wind Disturbance

Multicopters are well suited for executing fast maneuvers with high velocity, but they are still affected by the external atmospheric environment because attitude and position cannot be independently controlled. In this paper, we present a novel hexacopter which improves the wind resistance and strong coupling between attitude control and position control. The copter is designed such that the rotor sections can tilt around their respective arm axes. We present the aerodynamic methods to analyze the system dynamics model in windy environments. The entire system is decomposed into six loops based on the model, and the presented flight controller uses the ADRC method to consider both the attitude and the position. The controller introduces the extended state observer to estimate the white noise and wind disturbance. We use the nonlinear state error feedback law to control the output with disturbance compensation. Finally, we linearize the control allocation matrix that the controllers output directly mapped to the rotor velocities and tilting angles. The new theoretical results are thoroughly validated through comparative experiments.
A New Approach for Enhancing the Services of the 5G Mobile Network and IOT-Related Communication Devices Using Wavelet-OFDM and Its Applications in Healthcare

The heart of the current wireless communication systems (including 5G) is the Fourier transform-based orthogonal frequency division multiplex (OFDM). Over time, a lot of research has proposed the wavelet transform-based OFDM as a better replacement of Fourier in the physical layer solutions because of its performance and ability to support network-intensive applications such as the Internet of Things (IoT). In this paper, we weigh the wavelet transform performances against the future wireless application system requirements and propose guidelines and approaches for wavelet applications in 5G waveform design. This is followed by a detailed impact on healthcare. Using an image as the test data, a comprehensive performance comparison between Fourier transform and various wavelet transforms has been done considering the following 5G key performance indicators (KPIs): energy efficiency, modulation and demodulation complexity, reliability, latency, spectral efficiency, effect of transmission/reception under asynchronous transmission, and robustness to time-/frequency-selective channels. Finally, the guidelines for wavelet transform use are presented. The guidelines are sufficient to serve as approaches for tradeoffs and also as the guide for further developments.
Knowledge and Habits of Exercise in Medical Students

Objective. To examine the exercise habits, knowledge, and self-efficacy of incoming medical students. Methods. Mixed-methods study consisting of (1) cross-sectional surveys and (2) qualitative key-informant interviews. (1) International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), American Adult’s Knowledge of Exercise Recommendations Survey (AAKERS), and Self-Efficacy for Exercise Scale (SEES) to assess student’s physical activity level, knowledge of exercise recommendations, and self-efficacy for exercise. (2) Scripted questions explored exercise habits, sources of exercise knowledge, attitude toward exercise. Results. (1) Results of IPAQ classified students as 50% having high, 40% moderate, and 10% low levels of physical activity (n = 132). AAKERS demonstrated a mean total score of 16.2/20 (n = 130) (81% correct), similar to the national average (mean = 16/20) (n = 2002). SEES mean score of 48.5/90 (n = 128) is similar to previous studies (mean = 48.6/90, 52.75/90). (2) Interviews revealed that most students have a consistent exercise routine. Few students received formal education in exercise (10%), while the rest cited either peers, sports, or internet as primary sources of exercise knowledge. Less than half stated they would be comfortable designing an exercise routine for patients. Conclusions. Incoming medical students live an active lifestyle but have limited knowledge and formal training in exercise. Student’s knowledge is predominantly self-taught from independent resources.
Comprehensive evidence for subspecies designations in Cook’s Petrel Pterodroma cookii with implications for conservation management

Summary Cook’s Petrel Pterodroma cookii is an endemic New Zealand seabird that has experienced a large range decline since the arrival of humans and now only breeds on two offshore islands (Te Hauturu-o-Toi/Little Barrier Island and Whenua Hou/Codfish Island) at the extreme ends of its former distribution. Morphological, behavioural, and mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase 1 (CO1) sequence data led a previous study to recognise the two extant populations as distinct conservation management units. Here, we further examine the genetic relationship between the extant populations using two nuclear introns (β-fibint7 and PAX). Using one mitochondrial locus (CO1), we also investigate the past distribution of a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) that differentiates the modern populations using bone and museum skins sourced from within its former range across New Zealand’s North and South Islands. We found significant population genetic structure between the two extant Cook’s Petrel populations for one of the two nuclear introns (β-fibint7). The mitochondrial DNA CO1 analysis indicated that the SNP variant found in the Codfish Island population was formerly widely distributed across both the North and South Islands, whereas the Little Barrier Island variant was detected only in North Island samples. We argue that these combined data support the recognition of the extant populations as different subspecies. Previous names for these taxa exist, thus Cook’s Petrel from Little Barrier Island becomes Pterodroma cookii cookii and Cook’s Petrel from Codfish Island becomes P. c. orientalis. Furthermore, we suggest that both genetic and non-genetic data should be taken into consideration when planning future mainland translocations. Namely, any translocations on the South Island should be sourced from Codfish Island and future translocations on the North Island should continue to be sourced from Little Barrier Island only.
Identificación molecular de hemoparásitos transmitidos por garrapatas en equinos del Noroeste de Colombia

Objetive. To detect and identify Anaplasmataceae agents and piroplasms in equines from the slaughterhouse “La Rinconada” at Rionegro municipality in Antioquia. Materials and Methods. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out on equines selected by convenience during a period of 2015. Information about species, sex, age and origin of the animals. Whole blood was collected for DNA extraction procedure, and a PCR targeting a 360bp of Anaplasmataceae 16S ribosomal gene and 450bp of 18S ribosomal gene of Piroplasm were used for detection. PCR amplicons selected were submitted to direct sequencing for identification of hemoparasites through genetic analysis. Results. 135 equine samples from Antioquia, Cordoba y Sucre were analyzed. 78% were horses, 16% were donkeys and 6% were mules. Anaplasmataceae agents were not detected in any sample, meanwhile 13% were positive to piroplasm PCR. Sequence analysis reveals the circulation of Theileria equi in northwestern Colombia. Conclusion. This work presents the first molecular evidence of at least three genotypes of T. equi in equines of northwestern Colombia.
Don't eat where you sleep: unexpected diversity of food web for beetles feeding on mosses

Bryophytes represent favourable habitats for many arthropods, but their utilisation as a food source is marginal. While one of the largest monophyletic groups that represent obligatory bryophyte consumers are the Byrrhidae, host ranges for species in this group of beetles remain largely unknown due to their cryptic appearance and rarity. The occasional notes of ‘associated’ moss species that do exist are related to where Byrrhidae were found and not to diet analysis. Because the majority of Byrrhidae are stenobionts with limited dispersal, the assumption that associated moss species are also used as food is a useful hypothesis. To test this hypothesis, 328 individuals were sampled from the species: Cytilus sericeus, Byrrhus fasciatus, Byrrhus pilula, and Byrrhus glabratus. Mosses from both the stomachs and the immediate microhabitats of beetles were determined with the aim of (i) identifying their host range and (ii) testing whether the moss species from microhabitats in which beetles were collected were also found in their stomachs. Almost 40 bryophyte species were found in beetle stomachs and accumulation curves for all beetle species failed to achieve asymptotes, together showing that all species are highly polyphagous. Although a strong general correlation existed between moss consumption and occupation, discrepancies were present at the individual level with there being considerably higher moss species richness in beetle stomachs than in their immediate microhabitats. Our results question the assumption that bryophyte occupancy and consumption can be used interchangeably when studying host use in these insects.
A Study on Halal Supply Chain Awareness in Small and Medium Enterprise Towards Halal Certification in Indonesia

Halal is a standard rule that could not be tolerated by the Muslim community. The increasing variety of products and foods in Indonesia is one of the background of the legislation on halal product assurance certification. It aims to provide the assurance status of the product to make society feel confident to buy and consume the products. Responding to the halal certification program which will be- realized in October 2019, the industry and society need to- know the supply chain for these products from the- manufacturing process to the storage process. This study was conducted by distributing 50 questionnaires to the food and beverage industry with the aim to determine the knowledge of the current industry needs and the awareness of the halal supply chain to participate in the certification program. The results showed, small-medium enterprise (SME) industry participants already understand the halal supply chain and halal certification but there are still many businesses have not registered and halal certified.
Preparation and Characterization of Liposomal Everolimus by Thin-Film Hydration Technique

In 10% to 40% of the cases of coronary stent implantation, patients face in-stent restenosis due to an inflammatory response, which induces artery thickening. Everolimus, a drug that inhibits growth factor-stimulated cell proliferation of endothelial cells, represents a promising alternative to prevent in-stent restenosis. In this study, everolimus was encapsulated by a film hydration technique in liposomes by using phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol at different ratios. As the ratio of cholesterol increases, it modulates the rigidity of the structure which can affect the encapsulation efficiency of the drug due to steric hindrance. Moreover, various lipid : drug ratios were tested, and it was found that as the lipid : drug ratio increases, the encapsulation efficiency also increases. This behavior is observed because everolimus is a hydrophobic drug; therefore, if the lipidic region increases, more drug can be entrapped into the liposomes. In addition, stability of the encapsulated drug was tested for 4 weeks at 4°C. Our results demonstrate that it is possible to prepare liposomal everolimus by film hydration technique followed by extrusion with high entrapment efficiency as a viable drug delivery system.
Hydration Shells of DPPC Liposomes from the Point of View of Terahertz Time-Domain Spectroscopy

Analysis of structural and dynamic properties of water in suspensions of liposomes composed from 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) in three phase states (gel, rippled gel, liquid crystalline phase) by means of terahertz time-domain spectroscopy in 0.3–3.3 THz range was conducted in the current work. Fraction of free water molecules in DPPC liposome suspension was shown to decrease with temperature (compared to the analogous aqueous solution without liposomes), and intermolecular water binding was enhanced. The most crucial changes occur during gel-rippled gel phase transition (pretransition): at temperatures below pretransition point, liposomes alleviate water binding degree, while at temperatures above the transition point, they enhance water binding. This study has demonstrated the high information content of the terahertz time-domain spectroscopy method for exploring the hydration properties of phospholipids in water.
Molecular Modeling of the Amyloid β-Peptide: Understanding the Mechanism of Alzheimer's Disease and the Potential for Therapeutic Intervention

Alzheimer’s disease is the leading cause of senile dementia in the elderly, and as life expectancy increases across the globe, incidence of the disease is contin ually increasing. Current estimates place the number of cases at 25-30 million worldwide, with more tha n 5.4 million of these occurring in the United States. While the exact cause of the disease remai ns a mystery, it has become clear that the amyloidβ-peptide (Aβ) is central to disease pathogenesis. The aggregation and de position of this peptide in the brain is known to give rise to the hallmark lesions associated with Alzheimer’s disease, but its exact mechanism of toxicity remains largel y uncharacterized. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have achieved great su ccess in exploring molecular events with atomic resolution, predicting and explaining phenome na that are otherwise obscured from even the most sensitive experimental techniques. Due to the difficulty of obtaining high-quality structural data of Aβ and its toxic assemblies, MD simulations can be an especiall y useful tool in understanding the progression of Alzheimer’s disease on a m olecular level. The work contained herein describes the interactions of A β monomers and oligomers with lipid bilayers to understand the mechanism by which A β exerts its toxicity. Also explored is the mechanism by which flavonoid antioxidants may prevent A β self-association and destabilize toxic aggregates, providing insight into the chemical features tha t give rise to this therapeutic effect. This work has been supported by the Macromolecular Interfac s with Life Sciences (MILES) Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship (IGER T) of the National Science Foundation under Agreement No. DGE-0333378, and by the Institute for Cr itical Technology and Applied Science (ICTAS) at Virginia Tech. Computing time on the SystemX and Athena supercomputers was provided by Advanced Research Computing at Virginia Tech.
Unraveling the molecular mechanisms underlying alpha-synuclein oligomerization and cytotoxicity

Alpha-Synuclein (aSyn) is implicated in Parkinson’s disease and several other neurodegenerative disorders. To date, the function and intracellular dynamics of aSyn are still unclear. Here, we tracked the dynamics of aSyn using photoactivatable green fluorescent protein as a reporter. We found that the availability of the aSyn N-terminus modulates its shuttling into the nucleus. Interestingly, familial aSyn mutations altered the dynamics at which the protein distributes throughout the cell. Both the A30P and A53T aSyn mutations increase the speed at which the protein moves between the nucleus and cytoplasm, respectively. We also found that specific kinases potentiate the shuttling of aSyn between nucleus and cytoplasm. A mutant aSyn form that blocks S129 phosphorylation, S129A, results in the formation of cytoplasmic inclusions, suggesting that phosphorylation modulates aggregation in addition to modulating aSyn intracellular dynamics. Finally, we found that the molecular chaperone HSP70 accelerates the entry of aSyn into the nuclear compartment.
A Hybrid Dynamical‐Statistical Model for Advancing Subseasonal Tropical Cyclone Prediction Over the Western North Pacific

Tropical cyclone (TC) genesis prediction at the extended‐range to subseasonal timescale (a week to several weeks) is a gap between weather and climate predictions. The current dynamical prediction systems and statistical models show limited skills in TC genesis forecasting at the lead time of 1–3 weeks. A hybrid dynamical‐statistical model is developed that reveals capability in predicting basin‐wide TC frequency in every 10‐day period over the western North Pacific at a 25‐day forecast lead, which is superior to the statistical and dynamical model‐based predictions examined in this study. In this hybrid model, the cyclogenesis counts for different TC clusters are predicted, respectively, using the statistical models in which the large‐scale predictors associated with intraseasonal oscillation evolutions are provided by a dynamical model. A probabilistic map of TC tracks at the subseasonal timescale is further predicted by incorporating the climatological probability of track distributions of these TC clusters.
Modification of scale-free electrophysiological activity induced by changes in excitatory-inhibitory balance is governed by the dynamics of multiple oscillatory relaxation processes

Neurophysiological recordings are dominated by arhythmical activity whose spectra can be characterised by power-law functions, and on this basis are often referred to as reflecting scale-free brain dynamics (1/f β). Relatively little is known regarding the neural generators and temporal dynamics of this arhythmical behaviour compared to rhythmical behaviour. Here we used Irregularly Resampled AutoSpectral Analysis (IRASA) to quantify β, in both the high (5-100 Hz, βhf) and low frequency bands (0.1-2.5 Hz, βlf in EEG/MEG/ECoG recordings and to separate arhythmical from oscillatory modes of activity, such as, alpha rhythms. In MEG/EEG/ECoG data, we demonstrate that oscillatory alpha power dynamically correlates over time with βhf and similarly, participants with higher rhythmical alpha power have higher βhf). In a series of MEG investigations using the GABA reuptake inhibitor tiagabine, the glutamatergic AMPA receptor antagonist perampanel, the NMDA receptor antagonist ketamine and the mixed partial serotonergic agonist LSD we reveal systematic effects of excitation-inhibition balance on both βhf and βlf. Additionally, strong modulations of βhf are seen in monkey ECoG data during general anaesthesia using propofol and ketamine. Surrogate data analysis demonstrates that arhythmical activity is generated by both linear and non-linear schemes, with non-linear effects emerging at critical boundaries. We develop and test a unifying model which can explain, the 1/f nature of electrophysiological spectra, their dynamic interaction with oscillatory rhythms as well as the sensitivity of 1/f activity to excitation-inhibition balance by considering electrophysiological spectra as being generated by a collection of stochastically perturbed damped oscillators having a distribution of relaxation rates.
“SEW” What Do We Know and Where Do We Go? A Review of Socioemotional Wealth and a Way Forward

This analysis provides a review of family business literature concerning the application of socioemotional wealth (SEW) and its extension through the FIBER framework. Specifically, we answer Brigham and Payne’s call by assessing the multidimensionality of the SEW construct, the interrelatedness of the dimensions, and its specificity to family firms. We contribute to the literature by conducting a systematic review of the SEW literature and examining the applications of the FIBER dimensions, noting the evolution of specific research themes. Last, using necessary condition analysis, we provide four conceptual inferences regarding the assumptions of SEW to provide a way forward.
Effect of Wildfire on the Occurrence of Three Squirrel Species in a Dry Dipterocarp Forest in Northeastern Thailand

Abstract. Wildfires occur almost every year at the end of the dry season in some dry dipterocarp forests (or dry deciduous forests) of northeastern Thailand. This study assessed the effects of a wildfire on the occurrence of variable squirrels (Callosciurus finlaysonii), gray-bellied squirrels (C. caniceps), and Indochinese ground squirrels (Menetes berdmorei). Route census surveys before and after the wildfire revealed that the frequency of occurrence of the two tree squirrels (Callosciurus spp.) did not change, whereas that of the Indochinese ground squirrel decreased. The wildfire burned bushes and grasses but did not destroy the trees, leaving the food and resting sites for the tree squirrel species intact. Therefore, wildfires in this area may have no clear effects on tree squirrel species, but negative ones on ground squirrels. The probable reasons for these findings may be the nature and extent of the wildfire, as well as the space utilization of the squirrel species.
Bubble Bursting and Drainage Characteristics at the Free Surface of a Liquid Pool with an Aerosol

When nuclear reactor accidents such as steam generator pipe ruptures or core melting occur, radioactive aerosols will remain in the liquid pools. Bubbles may be generated by boiling or gas injection. Film droplets produced by bubble bursts may entrain radioactive aerosols from the liquid to the air. This long-lasting behavior can produce a considerable amount of aerosols. To evaluate radioactive source terms, many physical quantities related to bubble bursting need to be determined, such as bubble burst position, bubble lifetime, cap film roll-up velocity, and cap film thickness, which are very important parameters that influence the releasing of radioactive aerosols. In this research, the phenomenon of bubble bursting was investigated by visualization. The above parameters were measured. We obtained the lifetime distribution of bubbles under different conditions, and we found that the addition of an aerosol increased the lifetime of the bubbles. By comparing the bubble lifetime to the roll-up velocity and cap thickness, we showed that the increase of the liquid temperature thickened the cap at rupture and the increase of the air temperature thinned the cap. The addition of an aerosol increased the film roll-up velocity.