Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Energy Consumption Prediction for 3-RRR PPM through Combining LSTM Neural Network with Whale Optimization Algorithm

In the process of minimizing the energy consumption of a 3-RRR planar parallel manipulator (3-RRR PPM) and even general parallel kinematic manipulators, obtaining optimal results usually depends on particular functional relation between the instantaneous position of the moving platform and the kinetic time, which is called a displacement model (DM). Nevertheless, it is likely that although the movement time and path of a moving platform are the same, different amounts of energy are consumed for different DMs of the moving platform. To address this, a method of using long short-term memory neural network (LSTM-NN) instead of a complex theoretical model to predict the energy consumption of a 3-RRR PPM was presented. Subsequently, inverse dynamic equations of 3-RRR PPM were established based on the Newton–Euler method and solved using QR decomposition. Meanwhile, energy consumption between any two points in workspace of the 3-RRR PPM was programmed to provide the LSTM-NN with abundant precise training data. In view of time-varying characteristics of energy consumption prediction, the network architecture was developed based on the principle of LSTM-NN, and root-mean-square error (RMSE) was taken as the loss function. After acquiring training data, the RMSE of the LSTM-NN reached 0.00041 using whale optimization algorithm (WOA) with no need for the gradient of the loss function, so the lack of solving precision in training LSTM-NN was effectively improved. Finally, two different DMs of a moving platform with the same path and movement time were chosen to compare the total energy consumption of the 3-RRR PPM from the simulations, predictions, and experiments. The results showed that the relative error between predicted and experimental data was less than 2.50%. Therefore, the energy consumption prediction based on the LSTM-NN will be useful for achieving the intelligent application of 3-RRR PPMs.
Knowledge and preventive practices of malaria among pregnant women in Huye district Southern province, Rwanda

Background: Regardless of the accessibility of effective malaria control interventions, malaria has been reported in first place with a 25% morbidity rate in Rwanda, particularly in pregnancy. This study explored knowledge and preventive practices of malaria among pregnant women in Huye district Southern province, Rwanda.Methods: Study design was cross-sectional descriptive, 384 pregnant women living in Tumba sector were recruited. A semi-structured questionnaire was used for data collection, and data were entered in SPSS version 21 for analysis and the Chi-square test was computed for measuring the associations between variables at 5% level of statistical significance.Results: Of the 384 respondents, 340 (88.5%) were married and the mean age was 29.5±6.8 years with 172 (44.8%) aged between 25 and 29 years. Majority 224 (58.4%) had primary level of education and 147 (27.9%) were agricultures. 96 (25%) of respondents had low knowledge whereas 42 (10.9%) had high knowledge and 246 (64.1%) moderate knowledge. 298 (77.6%) were aware and knew that malaria is transmitted by female anopheles and the majority of respondents 323 (84.1%) were using LLINs. Education level, marital status, occupation were associated with malaria knowledge on preventive practices and LLINs utilization (p=0.001). Conclusions: This study revealed satisfactory knowledge of malaria prevention among pregnant women in southern Rwanda despite the poor implementation of current malaria control strategies. There is a need for sustaining and expanding the current LLINs ownership and utilization level and also improving public health education on malaria knowledge, preventive practices, and high health risks behaviors for malaria control and elimination.
Scattering of phonons by high-concentration isotopic impurities in ultrathin graphite

: As the isotopic concentration of ultrathin graphite is varied from natural abundance to nearly pure 13 C, the thermal conductivity displays a slight dependence on the isotope concentration at temperatures near its maximum, ~150 K. The strength of phonon-isotope scattering in the high isotope impurity concentration regime is found to be well below that given by a commonly-used incoherent and independent isotope impurity scattering model. This finding is in agreement with some recent theoretical predictions that coherent multiple scattering of phonons are important in the measured thermal conductivity of low-dimensional materials in the high isotope impurity concentration regime.
Fire as a Selective Agent for both Serotiny and Nonserotiny Over Space and Time

Abstract Serotiny is the prolonged storage of seeds in closed cones or fruits held within the crown of woody plants. It is widespread throughout fireprone vegetation with a predominantly winter rainfall, especially in Mediterrnanean-type ecosystems (MTEs). Nonstorage is a feature of fireprone vegetation with summer-dominant rainfall or nonfireprone vegetation. Serotiny confers fitness benefits on an individual when fire return intervals fall between age to reproductive maturity and the plant life span. The level of serotiny within and between species varies greatly along a continuum indicating highly plastic responses to different environmental conditions. Here we review how and why the traits that underpin this reproductive syndrome evolved and continue to control the occurrence of species in contemporary landscapes. We documented 1345 serotinous species in fireprone regions of Australia, South Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, North America, and Asia. The length of seed storage varies from a few years (weak serotiny) to >10 years (strong serotiny), with remarkable diversity even within clades. We show how the interplay between postfire and interfire seedling recruitment dictates the expression of serotiny along a strong serotiny/nonserotiny continuum, and that, where strong serotiny is favored, the ‘gene support for serotiny’ builds up over successive generations. Nonserotiny is favored in the absence of fire or occurs at intervals exceeding plant longevity, but also when the fire is so frequent that only resprouters can survive. We identify 23 traits associated with serotiny/nonserotiny syndromes that are subject to both environmental and phylogenetic constraints. While all are coordinated for maximum fitness, some traits, such as protection from granivores, are only indirectly related to the fire regime. Serotiny has a long history extending back to the Triassic. The rate of serotinous-lineage proliferation has fluctuated greatly over time but peaked over the last 5 million years. Nonserotinous species have evolved from serotinous ancestors in response to increased fire frequency, or as plants migrated to fire-free habitats. We note that contemporary shifts in climate, land-use, and exploitation have had a profound, but disproportionate, effect on the conservation status and evolutionary trajectory of serotinous species in MTEs. Escalating anthropogenic impacts increase the need to understand how and why serotiny is such a prominent feature of some fireprone ecosystems. We highlight avenues for future research and argue for the use of temporally based measures of serotiny to facilitate comparisons between studies.
Investigating the behaviour of PGEs during first-stage leaching of a Ni-Fe- Cu-S converter matte

The primary goal of the Western Platinum Ltd base metal refinery (BMR) is to produce a high-grade platinum group element (PGE) concentrate with minimal losses to solution. According to Cole and Ferron (2002) the same processes, as used in the nickel and coppernickel refineries (such as the Stillwater refinery), are being used for the PGE base metal refineries. There are mainly two commercial processes for the high-grade PGE refineries, the Outokumpu process (Hartley Platinum Zimbabwe, now closed) and the Sherritt Gordon process (Lonmin, Anglo Platinum, Impala Platinum, Noril’sk Nickel), each having the same underlying chemistry. A simplified block flow diagram of the Western Platinum Ltd (Lonmin) BMR is shown in Figure 1. The atmospheric first-stage leach takes place in five continuous stirred tank reactors, which are connected in series. The first three reactors are operated under oxidative conditions while the remaining two operate under non-oxidative conditions. In order to recover PGEs that were leached during the pressure leach, conditions that promote PGE precipitation in the first-stage (atmospheric) leach need to be established. The copper concentration is regarded as a leading indicator of PGE behaviour in plant operations, but this relationship has not been conclusively established (van Schalkwyk, Eksteen, and Akdogan, 2013). The results by van Schalkwyk, Eksteen, and Akdogan (2013) showed that the behaviour of copper in oxygenated tests may possibly be used as an indicator of whether PGE precipitation will take place, but during non-oxygenated tests, the copper precipitation was found to be a poor indicator. Batch experiments similar to those by van Schalkwyk, Eksteen, and Akdogan (2013) were performed with the main aim of investigating the link between PGE and copper behaviour (Thompson, 2016). In these experiments, batch oxidative and nonoxidative leaches were performed in order to simplify the process to understand the chemistry separately. The more complex conditions of non-oxidation following oxidation in the same reactor (simulating plant conditions more closely), where the leaching, cementation and precipitation reactions will be intertwined and acid levels, pH, Eh, solid/liquid ratio and individual concentrations are unknown, are currently under investigation.
University of Dundee Living at home after emergency hospital admission

Background: Cognitive spectrum disorders (CSDs) are common in hospitalised older adults and associated with adverse outcomes. Their association with the maintenance of independent living has not been established. The aim was to establish the role of CSDs on the likelihood of living at home 30 days after discharge or being newly admitted to a care home. Methods: A prospective cohort study with routine data linkage was conducted based on admissions data from the acute medical unit of a district general hospital in Scotland. 5570 people aged ≥ 65 years admitted from a private residence who survived to discharge and received the Older Persons Routine Acute Assessment (OPRAA) during an incident emergency medical admission were included. The outcome measures were living at home, defined as a private residential address, 30 days after discharge and new care home admission at hospital discharge. Outcomes were ascertained through linkage to routine data sources. Results: Of the 5570 individuals admitted from a private residence who survived to discharge, those without a CSD were more likely to be living at home at 30 days than those with a CSD (93.4% versus 81.7%; difference 11.7%, 95%CI 9.7–13.8%). New discharge to a care home affected 236 (4.2%) of the cohort, 181 (76.7%) of whom had a CSD. Logistic regression modelling identified that all four CSD categories were associated with a reduced likelihood of living at home and an increased likelihood of discharge to a care home. Those with delirium superimposed on dementia were the least likely to be living at home (OR 0.25), followed by those with dementia (OR 0.43), then unspecified cognitive impairment (OR 0.55) and finally delirium (OR 0.57). Conclusions: Individuals with a CSD are at significantly increased risk of not returning home after hospitalisation, and those with CSDs account for the majority of new admissions to care homes on discharge. Individuals with delirium superimposed on dementia are the most affected. We need to understand how to configure and deliver healthcare services to enable older people to remain as independent as possible for as long as possible and to ensure transitions of care are managed supportively.
Manufacturing of Surface Nanostructured Fibers Featuring an Antibacterial Effect by Magnetic Field Transportation of Magnetite@Silver Core-Shell Nanoparticles

Magnetic core-shell nanoparticles of type Fe3O4@Ag were synthesized in gram scale following a combined co-precipitation phase-transfer method and afterwards, processed to nanoparticle polymer (polypropylene and polyamide) composites. These composites were used as sheath material for the fabrication of core-sheath fibers. During the melt spinning process, a magnetic field was applied around the roving, whereby the particles move in the still liquid sheath polymer towards the surface. The produced fiber materials were investigated by AFM showing a nanostructuring of the surface, which was indirectly confirmed by determination of a slight surface tension lowering. Nanoparticle movement was shown by cross-section SEM and EDX measurements. The antibacterial activity of the spun fibers was proven by contacting them with Escherichia coli. A long-term stability of this effect was observable by carrying out a standard washability test. In contrast to previous works this new approach uses no deposition technique to introduce surface changes. It rather applies a magnetic force to move appropriately equipped nanoparticles from the inside of the fiber to the surface. This leads in only one step to a strong superficial anchoring of the particles resulting in a unique combination of long-term stable antibacterial and improved anti-soiling effects.
High-resolution mass spectrometry for future space missions: Comparative analysis of complex organic matter with LAb-CosmOrbitrap and laser desorption/ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance

HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access archive for the deposit and dissemination of scientific research documents, whether they are published or not. The documents may come from teaching and research institutions in France or abroad, or from public or private research centers. L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires publics ou privés. High-resolution mass spectrometry for future space missions: Comparative analysis of complex organic matter with LAb-CosmOrbitrap and laser desorption/ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance Laura Selliez, Julien Maillard, Barnabe Cherville, Thomas Gautier, Laurent Thirkell, Bertrand Gaubicher, Isabelle Schmitz-Afonso, Carlos Afonso, Christelle Briois, Nathalie Carrasco
Air Microbiome and Pollution: Composition and Potential Effects on Human Health, Including SARS Coronavirus Infection

Polluted air poses a significant threat to human health. Exposure to particulate matter (PM) and harmful gases contributes to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, including allergies and obstructive lung disease. Air pollution may also be linked to cancer and reduced life expectancy. Uptake of PM has been shown to cause pathological changes in the intestinal microbiota in mice and humans. Less is known about the effects of pollution-associated microbiota on human health. Several recent studies described the microbiomes of urban and rural air samples, of the stratosphere and sand particles, which can be transported over long distances, as well as the air of indoor environments. Here, we summarize the current knowledge on airborne bacterial, viral, and fungal communities and discuss their potential consequences on human health. The current data suggest that bacterial pathogens are typically too sparse and short-lived in air to pose a significant risk for infecting healthy people. However, airborne fungal spores may exacerbate allergies and asthma. Little information is available on viruses including phages, and future studies are likely to detect known and novel viruses with a yet unknown impact on human health. Furthermore, varying experimental protocols have been employed in the recent microbiome and virome studies. Therefore, standardized methodologies will be required to allow for better comparisons between studies. Air pollution has been linked to more severe outcomes of SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) coronavirus (SARS-CoV) infections. This may have contributed to severe SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks, especially those in China, Northern Italy, Iran, and New York City.
Components : a new set of web service-based workflow 1 components for ecological niche modelling

11 Ecological Niche Modelling (ENM) Components are a set of reusable workflow components 12 specialized for performing ENM tasks within the Taverna workflow management system. Each 13 component encapsulates specific functionality and can be combined with other components to 14 facilitate the creation of larger and more complex workflows. One key distinguishing feature of 15 ENM Components is that most tasks are performed remotely by calling web services, 16 simplifying software setup and maintenance on the client side and allowing more powerful 17 computing resources to be exploited. This paper presents the current set of ENM Components 18 in the context of the Taverna family of tools for creating, publishing and sharing workflows. An 19 example is included showing how the components can be used in a preliminary investigation of 20 the effects of mixing different spatial resolutions in ENM experiments. 21
Swapping of The N-Terminal Domain of Human Topoisomerase 1B with the Corresponding Plasmodium Falciparum Counterpart Strongly Impairs Enzyme Activity.

Background DNA topoisomerases 1B are a class of ubiquitous enzyme that solves the topological problems associated with biological processes such as replication, transcription and recombination. Numerous sequence alignment of topoisomerase 1B from different species shows that the lengths of different domains as well as their amino acids sequences are quite different. In the present study a hybrid enzyme, generated by swapping the N-terminal of Plasmodium falciparum into the corresponding domain of the human, has been characterized. Methods The chimeric enzyme was generated using different sets of PCR. The in vitro characterization was carried out using different DNA substrate including radio-labelled oligonucleotides. Results The chimeric enzyme displayed slower relaxation activity, cleavage and re-ligation kinetics strongly perturbed when compared to the human enzyme. Conclusion These results indicate that the N-terminal domain has a crucial role in modulating topoisomerase activity in different species.
Ethics and the sceptical challenge: a pragmaticist approach

The aim of the paper is to present the specific reasons why a Peircian or pragmaticist approach is best “equipped” not so much as compared with other pragmatist attempts, but as such, to answer some of the hardest challenges posed by contemporary scepticism, even when it comes to the ethical aspects posed by such a challenge. After sketching the major aspects of the sceptical challenge and the most common contemporary answers it gave rise to, an analysis is made of the reasons why the ethical aspect of the challenge is specifically acute, and why, then, in many ways, a pragmaticist approach is not fundamentally different from other pragmatist approaches (in particular Peirce’s and James’); although finally, some arguments are presented in favour of a more straightforwardly Peircian or pragmaticist attitude as being the most efficient parry to the sceptical challenge, along the following lines: 1) a better account of the distinction to be made between ethical and epistemic justification, 2) a more detailed analysis of the mechanisms of doubt, belief, self-control, reasoning and of the emergence and rationality of norms; 3) a more complete account of the epistemological and metaphysical aspects of the sceptical challenge which, for a pragmatist, should not be disconnected from the ethical aspects. Key-words: Epistemic justification. Ethical justification. James. Normative rationality. Peirce. Pragmaticism. Pragmatism. Putnam. Sceptical challenge. Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho e apresentar as razoes especificas de uma abordagem peirceana ou pragmaticista estar mais bem “equipada” – nao tanto se comparada com outras tentativas pragmatistas, mas como tal – para responder a alguns dos aspectos postos pelo ceticismo contemporâneo, mesmo quando se refere aos aspectos eticos de tal desafio. Apos esbocar os principais aspectos do desafio cetico e as respostas contemporâneas mais comuns que ele provocou, e feita uma analise das razoes pelas quais o aspecto etico do desafio e especificamente agudo, e por que, entao, de muitas maneiras, uma abordagem pragmaticista nao e fundamentalmente diferente de outras abordagens pragmatistas (em especial as de Peirce e de James); embora, por fim, alguns argumentos sejam apresentados a favor de uma atitude mais diretamente peirceana ou pragmaticista como defesa mais eficiente para o desafio cetico, nas seguintes linhas: 1)
Title Clinical Potentials of Cardiomyocytes Derived from Patient-Specific Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

The lack of appropriate human cardiomyocyte-based experimental platform has largely hindered the study of cardiac diseases and the development of therapeutic strategies. To date, somatic cells isolated from human subjects can be reprogramed into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and subsequently differentiated into functional cardiomyocytes. This powerful reprogramming technology provides a novel in vitro human cell-based platform for the study of human hereditary cardiac disorders. The clinical potential of using iPSCs derived from patients with inherited cardiac disorders for therapeutic studies have been increasingly highlighted. In this review, the standard procedures for generating patient-specific iPSCs and the latest commonly used cardiac differentiation protocols will be outlined. Furthermore, the progress and limitations of current applications of iPSCs and iPSCs-derived cardiomyocytes in cell replacement therapy, disease modeling, drug-testing and toxicology studies will be discussed in detail. OPEN ACCESS J. Clin. Med. 2014, 3 1106