Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vortex ring formation coupled with a translating bluff body

Abstract Motivated by the explosive launch of Sphagnum spores, this experimental study investigates how the vortices generated from two different sources, a piston–cylinder apparatus and a translating bluff body, interact with each other. While there have been numerous studies on the formation of a single vortex ring or multiple vortex rings, little is known about the effect of a translating bluff body on the formation of the coupled vortices. By varying the stroke ratio of the piston and the velocity ratio of the body to the piston, three distinct modes are identified for the mutual interaction between the starting jet from the piston and the wake from the cap: spill mode, attached mode and detached mode. The transitions between the vortex modes are predicted with simple analytical models. For the attached mode that appears at a velocity ratio intermediate between those of the spill mode and the detached mode, the merged flow structure becomes similar to a single vortex ring in the absence of the bluff body. By virtue of stable propagation following the cap, the vortex of the attached mode is capable of transporting a significant fluid volume initially inside the cylinder over a long distance, which shows its effectiveness in transport using a ballistic mechanism.
Multi-parameter analysis of combined hepatotoxicity induced by mycotoxin mixtures in HepG2 cells

Evaluation of combined toxicity and exploring the corresponding mechanism is of great significance in characterising the interactions of mixed mycotoxins. This study used high content analysis and multiple evaluation models to estimate combined toxic hepatotoxicity in HepG2 cells, due to aflatoxin B1, zearalenone and deoxynivalenol, which are often detected simultaneously in the same grain sample. All mycotoxins induced cell loss in HepG2 cells in a concentration dependent manner. The combined toxic effects observed by multiple evaluation models (CA, IA and CI) suggested a similar mechanism and dominant synergistic effects for binary and ternary combinations. Based on reactive oxygen species, intracellular glutathione (GSH), and mitochondrial transmembrane potential (MMP) assessment, the synergistic mechanisms may be associated with mitochondrial damage by reducing GSH and MMP.
Estimating the Heat Capacity of Non-Newtonian Ionanofluid Systems Using ANN, ANFIS, and SGB Tree Algorithms

This work investigated the capability of multilayer perceptron artificial neural network (MLP–ANN), stochastic gradient boosting (SGB) tree, radial basis function artificial neural network (RBF–ANN), and adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) models to determine the heat capacity (Cp) of ionanofluids in terms of the nanoparticle concentration (x) and the critical temperature (Tc), operational temperature (T), acentric factor (ω), and molecular weight (Mw) of pure ionic liquids (ILs). To this end, a comprehensive database of literature reviews was searched. The results of the SGB model were more satisfactory than the other models. Furthermore, an analysis was done to determine the outlying bad data points. It showed that most of the experimental data points were located in a reliable zone for the development of the model. The mean squared error and R2 were 0.00249 and 0.987, 0.0132 and 0.9434, 0.0320 and 0.8754, and 0.0201 and 0.9204 for the SGB, MLP–ANN, ANFIS, and RBF–ANN, respectively. According to this study, the ability of SGB for estimating the Cp of ionanofluids was shown to be greater than other models. By eliminating the need for conducting costly and time-consuming experiments, the SGB strategy showed its superiority compared with experimental measurements. Furthermore, the SGB displayed great generalizability because of the stochastic element. Therefore, it can be highly applicable to unseen conditions. Furthermore, it can help chemical engineers and chemists by providing a model with low parameters that yields satisfactory results for estimating the Cp of ionanofluids. Additionally, the sensitivity analysis showed that Cp is directly related to T, Mw, and Tc, and has an inverse relation with ω and x. Mw and Tc had the highest impact and ω had the lowest impact on Cp.
Assessing the role of aridity-induced vicariance and ecological divergence in species diversification in North-West Africa using Agama lizards

1CIBIO/InBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, Campus Agrário de Vairão, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal 2Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua Campo Alegre, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal 3Institute of Evolutionary Biology (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta 37–49, E-08003 Barcelona, Spain
Ecosystem Service Multifunctionality: Decline and Recovery Pathways in the Amazon and Chocó Lowland Rainforests

The balance between the supply of multiple ecosystem services (ES) and the fulfillment of society demands is a challenge, especially in the tropics where different land use transition phases emerge. These phases are characterized by either a decline (from intact old-growth to logged forests) or a recovery of ES (successional forests, plantations, and agroforestry systems). This highlights the importance of ecosystem service multifunctionality (M) assessments across these land use transition phases as a basis for forest management and conservation. We analyzed synergies and trade-offs of ES to identify potential umbrella ES. We also evaluated the impact of logging activities in the decline of ES and M, and the influence of three recovery phases in the supply of ES and M. We installed 156 inventory plots (1600 m2) in the Ecuadorian Central Amazon and the Choco. We estimated indicators for provisioning, regulating, supporting services and biodiversity. M indicator was estimated using the multifunctional average approach. Our results show that above-ground carbon stocks can be considered as an umbrella service as it presented high synergetic relations with M and various ES. We observed that logging activities caused a decline of 16–18% on M, with high impacts for timber volume and above-ground carbon stocks, calling for more sustainable practices with stricter post-harvesting control to avoid a higher depletion of ES and M. From the recovery phases it is evident that, successional forests offer the highest level of M, evidencing high potential to recover multiple ES after human disturbance.
Solving four-index transportation problem with the use of a genetic algorithm

Background: Under conditions of digital transformation, the effective decision-making process should involve the usage of different mathematical models and methods, one of which is the transportation problem. The transportation problem, as the problem of resource allocation, is applicable in such domains as manufacturing, information technologies, etc. To get more precise solutions, the multi-index transportation problem can be applied, which allows taking into account several variables. Methods: This paper develops an approach for applying the genetic algorithm for solving four-index transportation problems. Results : The steps of the genetic algorithm for solving four-index transportation problems are outlined. The research has proved the steps of the genetic algorithm to be the same for all four-index transportation problem types, except for the first step (initialization), which is described for every type of transportation problem separately. Based on the theoretical results, the program implementation of the genetic algorithm for solving four-index symmetric transportation problems has been developed with the open-source programming language typescript. Conclusions : The paper promotes the application of the genetic algorithm for solving multi-index transportation problems. The investigated problem requires comprehensive studies, specifically, on the influence of change different parameters of the genetic algorithm (population size, the mutation, and crossover rates, etc.) on the efficiency of the algorithm in solving four-index problems.
Analysis of monthly and annual rainfall variability using linear models in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Midwest of Brazil

This study aims at fitting polynomial models based on latitude, longitude and altitude coordinates to estimate the monthly and annual mean rainfall in Mato Grosso do Sul state, Midwest region of Brazil. Furthermore, its target is to verify whether hydrologically similar regions provide statistical improvement in the regression fit for rainfall estimation. To create the monthly and annual rainfall for 32 rain gauge stations, there were used at least 15 years long data records for analysis with a percentage of gaps at most 10%. Generally, the monthly and annual rainfall models present suitable statistical validation coefficients. The number of predictor variables enhances the performance of the regression method when estimating monthly and annual rainfall. Fitting regressions in hydrologically similar groups through cluster analysis tends to increase regression performance; however, the limited number of rain gauge stations in Brazil makes this technique difficult to apply because the number of parameters of the regression models may be greater than the number of rain gauge stations in the cluster. The first degree polynomial regression proved to be the most adequate to represent the mean monthly and annual rainfall because of the equivalence between observed and predicted values of rainfall and because of the statistical analysis. Fitting polynomial models presents suitable method for practical applications, forming an important tool for environmental management in the Mato Grasso do Sul State.
The prognostic value of pretreatment prognostic nutritional index in patients with small cell lung cancer and it’s influencing factors: a meta-analysis of observational studies

Background Numerous studies identified that pretreatment prognostic nutritional index (PNI) was significantly associated with the prognosis in various kinds of malignant tumors. However, the prognostic value of PNI in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) remains controversial. We performed the present meta-analysis to estimate the prognostic value of PNI in SCLC and to explore the relationship between PNI and clinical characteristics. Methods We systematically and comprehensively searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science for available studies until April 17, 2020. Pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to evaluate the correlation between PNI and overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in SCLC. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs were applied to evaluate the relationship between clinical features and PNI in SCLC. Results A total of nine studies with 4,164 SCLC patients were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled data elucidated that lower PNI status was an independent risk factor for worse OS in SCLC (HR =1.43; 95% CI: 1.24–1.64; P<0.001), while there was no significant correlation between PNI status and PFS (HR =1.44; 95% CI: 0.89–2.31; P=0.134). We also found that Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status ≥2 (OR =2.72; 95% CI: 1.63–4.53; P<0.001) and extensive-stage (ES) disease (OR =1.93; 95% CI: 1.62–2.30; P<0.001) were risk factors for low PNI, while prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) (OR =0.53; 95% CI: 0.40–0.69; P<0.001) was a protective factor for low PNI. Conclusions Our findings suggested that low PNI status was closely correlated with the decreased OS in SCLC. Surveillance on PNI, amelioration of nutritional and immune status, and timely initiation of PCI may improve the prognosis of SCLC.
Incorporation of phase information for improved time-dependent instrument recognition

Abstract Time-dependent estimation of playing instruments in music recordings is an important preprocessing for several music signal processing algorithms. In this approach, instrument recognition is realized by neural networks with a two-dimensional input of short-time Fourier transform (STFT) magnitudes and a time-frequency representation based on phase information. The modified group delay (MODGD) function and the product spectrum (PS), which is based on MODGD, are analysed as phase representations. Training and evaluation processes are executed based on the MusicNet dataset. By the incorporation of PS in the input, instrument recognition can be improved about 2% in F1-score.
Exploring the Emotional Experiences During Organizational Change: A Leader and Followers Perspective

This paper explores leader and followers’ emotions in relation to the specific context of change in one of the public sector universities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A qualitative approach has been used to understand the way individuals interpret situations and emotions during the change process. Data has been collected from a leader and nineteen followers through semi-structured in-depth interviews. Data was analyzed through thematic analysis to see the emergent patterns and to gain deeper insights on the way the leader and the follower interpreted situated emotions. The respondents reported mixed emotions in relation to the change process that were highly interpretive and were manifested in three main situations: when followers felt excluded from the change process; when leader encouraged followers to accept and implement change; and when they feared repercussions of their unwillingness to accept change. This study theoretically and empirically contributes to the change management literature by demonstrating the manifestation of lived emotions during dynamic and processual change. It highlights that the lens of emotions can help to understand the micro-processes involved in the change process that is often overlooked in the change and change management literature.
Comparative proteomics analysis reveals important drought responsive proteins in the leaves of a potato variety tolerant to drought stress

Drought stress inhibits the growth and productivity of potato. The mechanism of drought tolerance in potato remains largely unclear. Potato Dongnong 308, tolerant to drought stress, was selected to perform an identification of different abundance proteins using 2D-PAGE and LC-MS/MS accompanying with a physiological and ultrastructural observation to uncover its drought tolerant mechanism in potato leaves. Potato plants can adapt morphologically and physiologically to reduce the damage of drought stress to the plant cell. Under drought condition, the water content in potato leaves had a weak reduction and resulted in a significantly decreased root activity. The SOD activity and MDA content showed a significant increase, suggested that physiological changes occurred in potato leaves under drought stress. After inducing water deficitstress, some chloroplasts separated from cell wall and moved to cell center and grana lamella become netty with increased space between lamellas. In addition, a few chloroplasts became swelled, suggesting its function become weak. With the decreasing supply of energy from chloroplast, other energy supply metabolic pathways were active. Sixteen proteins were accumulated differentially and were involved in chloroplast structure and function, secondary metabolism activation, protein folding/processing and synthesis, glycolysis regulation, and stimulation of ATP synthesis. Their functions in potato leaves were mainly related to activate the process of metabolism adjustment and to mobilize the defense system under drought stress. The abundance of heat shock proteins (HSP) correlated with alleviating the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) against abiotic stresses, which should facilitate the increase of drought tolerance in potato. The identified physiological parameters and proteins provide new insight of the molecular mechanism to drought tolerance in potato.
Measurement Matrix Optimization via Mutual Coherence Minimization for Compressively Sensed Signals Reconstruction

For signals reconstruction based on compressive sensing, to reconstruct signals of higher accuracy with lower compression rates, it is required that there is a smaller mutual coherence between the measurement matrix and the sparsifying matrix. Mutual coherence between the measurement matrix and sparsifying matrix can be expressed indirectly by the property of the Gram matrix. On the basis of the Gram matrix, a new optimization algorithm of acquiring a measurement matrix has been proposed in this paper. Firstly, a new mathematical model is designed and a new method of initializing measurement matrix is adopted to optimize the measurement matrix. Then, the loss function of the new algorithm model is solved by the gradient projection-based method of Gram matrix approximating an identity matrix. Finally, the optimized measurement matrix is generated by minimizing mutual coherence between measurement matrix and sparsifying matrix. Compared with the conventional measurement matrices and the traditional optimization methods, the proposed new algorithm effectively improves the performance of optimized measurement matrices in reconstructing one-dimensional sparse signals and two-dimensional image signals that are not sparse. The superior performance of the proposed method in this paper has been fully tested and verified by a large number of experiments.
Evolution of UhpC‐type hexose‐phosphate transporters in dinoflagellates

Primary plastids of the group Archaeplastida are descendants of a single cyanobacterial endosymbiont, while many other algal groups have obtained complex plastids, the so‐called secondary plastids, via several parallel endosymbiotic uptakes of primary plastid‐bearing algae. Integration of the endosymbiont into its host during primary and secondary endosymbiosis necessitated the establishment of transport mechanisms for metabolites, inorganic ions, and proteins across plastid envelope membranes. As a potential protein for exporting photosynthates out of primary plastids, homologs of bacterial UhpC‐type hexose‐phosphate transporters were found in algal members of the Archaeplastida. It has been proposed that plastidic UhpC‐type transporters have been acquired in the common ancestor of Archaeplastida by the lateral gene transfer from a bacterial lineage closely related to Chlamydiae. However, it remains unknown whether secondary plastid‐bearing organisms possess UhpC‐type transporters. In the present study, we investigated homologous genes of UhpC in diverse algae using available genome and transcriptome data. Our homology survey and phylogenetic analyses revealed that only dinoflagellates possess UhpC‐type transporters derived from an archaeplastidal lineage, whereas many other secondary plastid‐bearing organisms lack them. It is possible that UhpC‐type transporters are not essential in many secondary plastids because of the existence of other families of sugar phosphate transporters.
Two-Dimensional Nanomaterials and its Application as a Reverse Osmosis Membrane: An Overview

With increased rate of global population and energy needs the clean water crisis aggravating all over the world continuously. Membranes based Reverse osmosis (RO) desalination technology is a promising solution to the shortage of safe drinking water as it has a high water recovery with low energy consumption compared to other separation techniques at minimum cost. Two dimensional (2D) nanoscale materials such as graphene with sub-nanopores have potential to excel as a RO membrane. Recent developments in 2D nanomaterials addressed the capability of RO membrane in terms of both mechanical strength and desalination performance. Developing the 2D materials with controlled pore (vacancy defect) sizes, pore chemistry and applied pressure is attracted vast interest in synthesizing such type of materials as a RO membrane. In this article, authors reviewed various 2D nanomaterials and its performance as a membrane in RO process.
Modelling the behaviour of fishers and fishes

I describe my personal evolution as a modeller of behaviour, both human and (non-human) animal behaviour, using dynamic state-variable models. At first I worked in renewable resource Economics, especially the economics of marine fisheries where I collaborated extensively with Gordon R. Munro. Subsequently, in collaboration with Marc Mangel (and many field biologists) I worked in Behavioural Ecology. Mathematical models have played a major role in both of these subjects, but until recently mostly static models were used, on the grounds that dynamic (not to mention stochastic) models were too difficult to work with. I express the hope that our use of relatively simple (but not too simple) dynamic models has established the fact that such models can be extremely helpful, perhaps essential, in understanding many aspects of behaviour.
Pectoral muscle transcriptome analyses reveal high-altitude adaptations in Tibetan chickens

The largest muscles in fowl are the pectorals, which provide the power required for birds to fly. Tibetan chickens show specific adaptations to high-altitude conditions, but changes in the muscle transcriptome associated with these adaptations have not been characterized yet. Therefore, in this study, we used next-generation sequencing technologies to generate eight libraries of mRNA sequences for four Tibetan chickens and four Beijing fatty chickens. A comprehensive transcriptome analysis was performed. In the eight samples, 12 333 annotated protein-coding genes were expressed. Among these, 48 differentially expressed genes were found; all of which were upregulated in Tibetan chickens. These differentially expressed genes were mainly involved in kidney morphogenesis, which indicates that hypoxia has an important effect on renal tubule development. Only nine genes were involved in Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways, such as the endocytosis pathway, the MAPK signaling pathway, the calcium signaling pathway and the TGF-beta signaling pathway. The differentially expressed genes identified in this study will be used to facilitate future research into the Tibetan chicken.
DNA barcoding unravels three new species and a subspecies of Olepa Watson, 1980 (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Arctiinae) from India, with morphotypes

The genus Olepa is distributed in Palearctic and Oriental regions with more species in India and Sri Lanka. In the recent studies, morphological variations within the group were well established, with couple of first set of mt COI DNA barcodes for at least three species. In the present account, three new species and a new subspecies are described from the northern Western Ghats region of Maharashtra based on mt COI DNA barcode studies. Due to high morphological divergence and complete genetic homogeneity on the mt COI DNA, four morphotypes under two species are reported. Morphological and genital characters of male and female are provided along with their respective species morphotypes for the first time under this genus from India. The genitalia and the habitus of male and female are illustrated. Preliminary phylogenetic tree based on the mt COI DNA sequences available in the GenBank for the genus with the sequences for the new species also provided and discussed. Key words: new taxa, morphotype, Maharashtra, DNA barcoding, mt COI gene