Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sulfur Sources for Hydrogen Sulfide Production in Biofilms from Sewer Systems

The relative significance of different inorganic and organic sulfur compounds on the sulfide production in anaerobic biofilms grown on domestic wastewater was investigated. The objective was to improve the understanding of microbial processes in dynamic systems and to evaluate the equations used to predict sulfide formation in pressure mains. Biofilms originally grown on domestic wastewater with sulfate as the only electron acceptor were also able to reduce sulfite and thiosulfate. The bacteria preferred thiosulfate to sulfate if both were present and the sulfide production rates increased with a factor of 1.5. Disproportionation of thiosulfate to equal amounts of sulfide and sulfate was demonstrated to take place in the biofilms but only at low concentrations of organic substrates. Some sulfide production from the organic sulfur compounds cysteine and methionine was observed. The rates were, however, insignificant compared to sulfide production from sulfate reduction in wastewater. Biofilm activity measured as the zero order volume constant (kof) was around 0.18 mg SO4-S cm−3 h−1 at 20 °C. If the biofilms were grown on domestic wastewater enriched with sulfite or thiosulfate, kof increased around two times. The sulfide production rate from both sulfite and thiosulfate was found to be considerably higher than the rate from sulfate in these biofilms. The results were modeled using biofilm kinetics which showed that the presence of sulfite or thiosulfate in the wastewater strongly affected the potential sulfide production and could in some cases be a limiting compound besides organic matter. Knowledge about the presence of sulfur compounds other than sulfate in wastewater, e.g. from industrial sources, may therefore be very important to forecast sulfide buildup in sewer systems.
Conceptualising five dimensions of relational trust: implications for middle leadership

ABSTRACT Research to date is rich in its claim that practice development in schools, and the leadership and professional learning that it demands, requires relational trust. However, reasonings for, and understandings about, relational trust are described mainly in general terms, leaving its complexity and multidimensionality implicit. Much trust research in schools has focused on principals, neglecting fulsome characterisations of relational trust as it is engendered in practices by middle leaders often responsible for leading school-based professional learning. This article addresses an empirical void in expositions outlining the intricacies of relational trust. Results advance previous ethnographic research conducted in primary schools delineating five interconnected dimensions of relational trust: interpersonal, interactional, intersubjective, intellectual and pragmatic. Findings from a two-year replication study conducted in secondary schools are presented. Deductive thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with educators from three Australian secondary schools adds analytic depth to previous research. Revealed is a doubleness in how relational trust, in five dimensions, was found to not only form conditions for middle leaders to consciously build and cohere, protect and preserve communicative spaces for developing trust; but that this trust reciprocally generated conditions for realising the transformational goals of school-based professional learning.
Home Learning Environments for Young Children in the U.S. During COVID-19

ABSTRACT Research Findings: During COVID-19 many countries, including the U.S., implemented stay-at-home policies that closed most schools and childcare centers. This research focuses on the home learning environment reported by parents for U.S. children ages two through nine during the COVID-19 crisis. Parents in the U.S. (N = 162) completed an online survey of multiple choice and short-answer questions about the home literacy and digital environment. All data in this convenience sample were collected during the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis (May 2020). Despite the limited, nonrepresentative sample, these findings provide an initial, mainly descriptive report about the home learning environment during COVID-19. Key findings are related to home literacy and digital activities during COVID-19. Children, regardless of age, engaged in more at-home digital activities during COVID-19 than before. Children in first grade and older increased digital use significantly more than younger ones. There was a significant correlation between frequency of digital usage and home literacy activities. Practice or Policy: Virtual learning opportunities are becoming a reality for even the youngest children in the U.S. This has increased with in-school closures during COVID-19 and may continue as some children return to school. Using digital devices for participating in literacy activities may be an effective means of promoting children’s literacy development.
Psychometric Properties of the Italian Version of the Assessment of Identity Development in Adolescence (AIDA)

ABSTRACT Identity diffusion is a core element of the borderline personality organization. A valid and reliable assessment tool is needed to identify at-risk adolescents in the Italian context. In this study, we investigated the psychometric properties of the Assessment of Identity Development in Adolescence (AIDA), a self-report questionnaire designed to assess identity diffusion vs. identity integration, in an Italian sample (N = 1,102) of clinical and nonclinical adolescents. Explorative structural equation modeling supported the expected bi-factor structure with one general factor and six descriptive factors. Scale reliability was good, with Cronbach’s α = . 94 for the AIDA total scale. The results supported convergent validity with measures of borderline personality features as well as discriminant validity with identity dimensions in ideological and interpersonal domains. The AIDA total score identity diffusion differed highly significantly and with a large effect size between the general population sample and patients diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (n= 55). The Italian version of the AIDA proved to be a valid and reliable measure to assess adolescents’ identity pathology within the Italian context.
Virtual Kindergarten Readiness Programming for Preschool-Aged Children: Feasibility, Social Validity, and Preliminary Impacts

ABSTRACT Research Findings: The global COVID-19 pandemic prevented the implementation of in-person summer learning programs designed to improve school readiness for entering kindergartners. Thus, we conducted the current study examining the feasibility, social validity, and preliminary impacts of a virtual summer learning program. Ninety-one preschoolers and their caregivers participated in a 4-week program involving one weekly teacher-caregiver meeting, two weekly Watch Together home learning activities, two weekly Play Together home learning activities, one or two weekly Read Together home learning activities, and one or two weekly teacher-child video chat lessons. Recruitment and participation indicated high levels of interest. Caregivers reported high levels of satisfaction with the program and teachers reported moderate to high levels of child engagement during video chat lessons. Children showed significant gains on emotion knowledge, patterning, and alphabet knowledge. Practice or Policy: This study demonstrates the promise of a virtual kindergarten readiness program and suggests that the combination of educational media and video chat instruction may be effective for promoting children’s skills. A virtual intervention could be beneficial in other contexts, such as in rural areas where it would be challenging for families to participate in an in-person program or for immunocompromised or seriously ill children who are unable to attend in person.
State of the psychoanalytic nation: Switzerland

Psychoanalytic psychotherapy holds a prominent place in the Swiss health care system. In addition to the rich history of psychoanalysis in Switzerland, the dual qualification in psychiatry and psychotherapy for medical specialists and the recent federal recognition of the title of psychologist-psychotherapist support the continuation of rigorous psychotherapy training in mental health institutions with the patients suffering the most. In Switzerland, there is a lively discussion on the treatment modalities in different forms of talking psychotherapy, in a perspective of integration with other dimensions of psychiatric care. New models of care have emerged, inspired by psychoanalytical psychotherapy, bringing hope to the discipline because they are adapted to the difficulties of our patients and to the demands of the contemporary world. In parallel, exacting training in classical psychoanalytical models continues to be practiced and fostered.
Acute and delayed biochemical, hematological, and neuromuscular responses to the Rest-pause resistance training method

ABSTRACT Objective This investigation aimed to compare acute and delayed biochemical, hematological, and neuromuscular responses to the Rest-pause (RP) method and traditional resistance training (TRT) through 48 h. Methods This crossover design study, in which the training sessions were separated by a 7-days washout interval. Twelve recreationally trained males (age: 22.4 ± 1.8 years) realized the RP protocol, consisting of two sets of 6-3-3 repetitions at 90% of 6-repetition maximum (6RM) and 20 s of rest between repetitions and 2:30 min between sets and TRT protocol, consistent of 3 sets of 8 repetitions at 85% of 6RM with 2 min between sets. Blood analyses and neuromuscular performance were measured before (PRE), immediately after (POST) and 24 (24H) and, 48 h (48H) after protocols. Results Regarding between-moments comparisons, biochemical and hematological responses increased after protocols (p < 0.05) and returned the baseline values after 24H (p > 0.05). Only creatine kinase, aspartate aminotransferase, neutrophiles, and white blood cells increased after protocols (p < 0.05) and returned to baseline values after 48H (p > 0.05). No significant difference between moments was found for neuromuscular performance (p > 0.05). Regarding difference between groups, red blood cells and hemoglobin showed lower values for the RP in comparison to the TRT after 24H (p = 0.03). Conclusion The sets configurations seem to be insufficient to induce an additional effect in muscle damage markers, immune responses, and neuromuscular performance. Finally, it seems that advanced techniques with lower volume don’t affect the immune system for long time periods.
Integrated numerical modelling and deep learning for multi-layer cube deposition planning in laser aided additive manufacturing

ABSTRACT Heat accumulation is a critical problem in continuous multi-layer laser aided additive manufacturing (LAAM) process, resulting in inhomogeneous mechanical properties and non-uniformity in the deposited height which can deteriorate the deposition process. This work presents a new integrated finite element (FE) simulation and machine learning approach to select a multi-layer laser infill toolpath planning strategy for fabricating quadrilateral parts to minimise localised heat accumulation during the deposition process. After one layer deposition simulation, the approach employs a Temperature-Pattern Recurrent Neural Networks (TP-RNN) model to predict the temperature field after the next layer deposition for each of the candidate infill toolpaths, and a process parameters inspired thermal field evaluation method to select the best candidate toolpath. The approach would significantly improve the computational efficiency of the laser infill toolpath planning, which was validated by improving the flatness of the 20-layer cube deposition samples with two dimensions (20 mm × 20 mm and 30 mm × 30 mm).
High-Frequency Photographic Imaging Provides Novel Insights into Nesting Bald Eagle Diet and Opportunities for Public Engagement

Abstract. Bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) were formerly endangered in the contiguous United States, but have since recolonized much of their past range. Maintaining bald eagle populations following recovery requires knowledge of factors that influence nesting success, including food habits during the brood-rearing period. We examined over 26,000 images from a high-resolution, above-nest digital camera to document the diet of a nesting bald eagle pair in north-central Indiana, U.S.A. , during the 2018 brood-rearing period. After the hatch of two eaglets in April 2018, the camera was programmed to take still photos of the nest every 20 min, in addition to live-streaming video to YouTube for public audiences. Still images were used to quantify and identify all prey deliveries to the lowest taxonomic level possible, typically species. A total of 135 prey items and at least 26 prey taxa were recorded during the 75 d of the study, although daily prey count became uncertain in the final 20 d as fledglings began to move out of camera view. The majority of recorded prey items (73%) were fish, with redhorse suckers (Moxostoma spp.) representing the most numerous of the 13 fish taxa observed. Smaller numbers of birds (13%), mammals (10%), and reptiles (4%) were also observed. Although our results represent one nest across a single brood-rearing season, we gained novel insights through the analysis of high-frequency, high-definition images that provided increased temporal and taxonomic resolution of prey deliveries. The use of a camera not only avoided historical biases in bald eagle diet analysis, but also provided a valuable tool to engage public audiences.
Epidermal Growth Factor Based Targeted Toxin for the Treatment of Bladder Cancer

Background/Aim: Reports on over-expression of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in bladder cancer and its function in tumorigenesis have suggested to target this antigen. Materials and Methods: We generated the targeted toxin EGF-PE40 consisting of the human epidermal growth factor (EGF) as the binding domain and PE40, a truncated version of Pseudomonas Exotoxin A, as the toxin domain. EGF-PE40 was tested on EGFR-expressing bladder cancer cells in view of binding via flow cytometry, and cytotoxicity via WST viability assay. Induction of apoptosis was examined by western blot. Results: The targeted toxin specifically triggered cytotoxicity in the bladder cancer cells with 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) values in the low nanomolar or picomolar range, and was about 1,250- to 1,500-fold more cytotoxic than the EGFR inhibitor erlotinib. Cytotoxicity of EGF-PE40 was based on the induction of apoptosis. Conclusion: EGF-PE40 represents a promising candidate for the future treatment of bladder cancer.
Thin films for advanced batteries

The main goal of the ORNL work is to find ways to develop microbatteries for microelectronics. The development of thin-films lithium batteries offers the means to scale down the sizes of batteries to more closely match the sizes of microelectronic components. This may result in the first practical rechargeable microbattery.
Dip Degreasing Stage Improvement in Car Body Pretreatment Process by Six Sigma

An automobile company in this research faced the consistency problem from the chemical concentration in degreasing bath which was one of the stages in the pretreatment process. The problem came from the proportion of total alkaline (T.Al) lower than the lower control limit (LCL) which was set at 18.2 points during February – May 2020. This resulted in the low values of Cp and Cpk, i.e. 0.83 and 0.51, respectively. To remedy the problem, Six Sigma (DMAIC) was applied to improve the process stability. The cause and effect matrix was used to analyse the potential causes of problems and prioritise the causes to solve. It was found that four (causes) factors were solved by auto titration and feeding controller installation to reduce variance and increase stability. Another one factor, quality of water, was improved by adding a check item to monitor and collect data during the initial implementation stage. The result after improvement showed that Cp and Cpk were increased to 1.82 and 1.52 in August 2020, respectively.
Particle Design of Tolbutamide by the Spherical Crystallization Technique. V. Improvement of Dissolution and Bioavailability of Direct Compressed Tablets Prepared Using Tolbutamide Agglomerated Crystals

Tolbutamide (TBM) agglomerated crystals were prepared by three spherical crystallization techniques, the solvent change (SC) method, neutralization (NT) method and quasi-emulsion solvent diffusion (QESD) method (SC-A, SC-B, NT and QESD) agglomerated crystals), followed by mixture with a disintegrating agent and a lubricant (physical mixtures), and then tableting by the direct compression method. Unagglomerated TBM original crystals (bulk) were treated in the same manner. The dissolution rate and bioavailability of TBM from the physical mixtures and tablets were evaluated to look for a correlation between the in vitro dissolution profile and in vivo bioavailability.The TBM dissolution rate from the physical mixtures and tablets increased in the order of bulk≤QESD<SC-A<SC-B<NT in direct proportion to an increase in the specific surface area of the agglomerated crystals and bulk. A linear relationship could be established between the specific surface area and 75% dissolution time (T75). In in vivo studies in beagle dogs, the physical mixtures and tablets of the agglomerated crystals showed significantly higher values than those of the bulk in the area under the curve of plasma concentration (AUC0-8h), maximum concentration in plasma (Cmax) and absorption rate constant (ka), especially high values were obtained with the NT physical mixtures and tablets. A linear correlation could be established between 1/T75 and ka. The in vivo absorption process and bioavailability of TBM could be estimated from the in vitro dissolution profile.
Climate‐induced range shifts shaped the present and threaten the future genetic variability of a marine brown alga in the Northwest Pacific

Glaciation‐induced environmental changes during the last glacial maximum (LGM) have strongly influenced species' distributions and genetic diversity patterns in the northern high latitudes. However, these effects have seldom been assessed on sessile species in the Northwest Pacific. Herein, we chose the brown alga Sargassum thunbergii to test this hypothesis, by comparing present population genetic variability with inferred geographical range shifts from the LGM to the present, estimated with species distribution modelling (SDM). Projections for contrasting scenarios of future climate change were also developed to anticipate genetic diversity losses at regional scales. Results showed that S. thunbergii harbours strikingly rich genetic diversity and multiple divergent lineages in the centre‐northern range of its distribution, in contrast with a poorer genetically distinct lineage in the southern range. SDM hindcasted refugial persistence in the southern range during the LGM as well as post‐LGM expansion of 18 degrees of latitude northward. Approximate Bayesian computation (ABC) analysis further suggested that the multiple divergent lineages in the centre‐northern range limit stem from post‐LGM colonization from the southern survived lineage. This suggests divergence due to demographic bottlenecks during range expansion and massive genetic diversity loss during post‐LGM contraction in the south. The projected future range of S. thunbergii highlights the threat to unique gene pools that might be lost under global changes.
Path replay backpropagation

Differentiable physically-based rendering has become an indispensable tool for solving inverse problems involving light. Most applications in this area jointly optimize a large set of scene parameters to minimize an objective function, in which case reverse-mode differentiation is the method of choice for obtaining parameter gradients. However, existing techniques that perform the necessary differentiation step suffer from either statistical bias or a prohibitive cost in terms of memory and computation time. For example, standard techniques for automatic differentiation based on program transformation or Wengert tapes lead to impracticably large memory usage when applied to physically-based rendering algorithms. A recently proposed adjoint method by Nimier-David et al. [2020] reduces this to a constant memory footprint, but the computation time for unbiased gradient estimates then becomes quadratic in the number of scattering events along a light path. This is problematic when the scene contains highly scattering materials like participating media. In this paper, we propose a new unbiased backpropagation algorithm for rendering that only requires constant memory, and whose computation time is linear in the number of scattering events (i.e., just like path tracing). Our approach builds on the invertibility of the local Jacobian at scattering interactions to recover the various quantities needed for reverse-mode differentiation. Our method also extends to specular materials such as smooth dielectrics and conductors that cannot be handled by prior work.
Heterogeneity in the transcriptional response of the human pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus to the antifungal agent caspofungin

Aspergillus fumigatus is the main causative agent of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA), a severe disease that affects immunosuppressed patients worldwide. The fungistatic drug caspofungin is the second line therapy against IPA but has increasingly been used against clinical strains that are resistant to azoles, the first line antifungal therapy. In high concentrations, caspofungin induces a tolerance phenotype with partial reestablishment of fungal growth called caspofungin paradoxical effect (CPE), resulting from a change in the composition of the cell wall. An increasing number of studies has shown that different isolates of A. fumigatus exhibit phenotypic heterogeneity, including heterogeneity in their CPE response. To gain insights into the underlying molecular mechanisms of CPE response heterogeneity, we analyzed the transcriptomes of two A. fumigatus reference strains, Af293 and CEA17, exposed to low and high caspofungin concentrations. We found that there is a core transcriptional response that involves genes related to cell wall remodeling processes, mitochondrial function, transmembrane transport, and amino acid and ergosterol metabolism, and a variable response related to secondary metabolite (SM) biosynthesis and iron homeostasis. Specifically, we show here that the overexpression of a SM pathway that works as an iron chelator extinguishes the CPE in both backgrounds, whereas iron depletion is detrimental for the CPE in Af293 but not in CEA17. We next investigated the function of the transcription factor CrzA, whose deletion was previously shown to result in heterogeneity in the CPE response of the Af293 and CEA17 strains. We found that CrzA constitutively binds to and modulates the expression of several genes related to processes involved in caspofungin tolerance, and that crzA deletion differentially impacts the SM production and growth of Af293 and CEA17. As opposed to the ΔcrzACEA17 mutant, the ΔcrzAAf293 mutant fails to activate cell wall remodeling genes upon caspofungin exposure, which most likely severely affects its macrostructure and extinguishes its CPE. This work describes how heterogeneity in the response to an antifungal agent between A. fumigatus strains stems from heterogeneity in the function of a transcription factor and its downstream target genes.