Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Molecular Mechanisms Involved in Biosynthesis and Regulation of Carotenoids in Plants

Carotenoids are coloured compounds beneficial to plants and humans. Some of the major health benefits carotenoids provide include Vitamin A precursors and, antioxidants besides being involved in several physiological functions. Even though several carotenoids are synthesised by plants, only a few like beta/ alpha carotenes and cryptoxanthin serve as Vitamin A precursors. The rest are useful as antioxidants. To draw maximum benefits from carotenoids, we need to incorporate these in crop improvement programmes for enhancing available Vitamin A precursor carotenoids. Therefore, it is essential to study biosynthesis of carotenoids, their genetics and their control. In this review, we focus on factors regulating carotenoid biosynthesis, metabolism and storage in plastids. Transcriptional and genetic control of carotenoid production in plants is discussed in the review using several mutants too. Further, environmental regulation of carotenoid biosynthesis is also highlighted. Carotenoid-rich fruits and vegetables have greater economic value owing to their health-promoting effects. Besides,carotenoids have several industrial applications. Therefore, knowledge of regulation mechanism in carotenoid production in plants can help develop crop varieties or technologies, thus generating carotene-rich fruits and vegetables.
Preferences for the use of firewood in a cultural landscape in southern Mexico

Introduction: Firewood is the main source of energy for developing countries. Objective: The relationship between the inhabitants of a cultural landscape and the consumption of firewood, and between the preferences of use and the relative importance of the species were marked. Materials and methods: A total of 132 semi-structured surveys were conducted in the region of Calakmul, Campeche, Mexico, to analyze the consumption of firewood. The importance value index (IVI) of the species harvested in the region was obtained in nine plots of 500 m2, divided into three classes of successional age: 7 to 10 years (class one), 11 to 20 years (class two), and over 20 years old (class three). Results and dicussion: A total of 60 species used as firewood were recorded. There was no correspondence between the preferred species and the first places of the IVI. The species most commonly used as firewood was Haematoxylum campechianum L. The species richness increased (59 to 68) and the number of individuals decreased (2 559 to 921) as the age of the vegetation increased. Firewood collection is a subsistence strategy that focuses on the elderly; traditional practices are at risk in the medium term. Conclusion: The cultural landscape and the preservation of forest resources should be addressed with strategies of promotion and training on the use of firewood as an energy resource.
Heat transport and stagnation‐point flow of magnetized nanoliquid with variable thermal conductivity, Brownian moment, and thermophoresis aspects

The improvement of heat transport is a very important phenomenon in nuclear reactors, solar collectors, heat exchangers, and coolers, which can be achieved by choosing the nanofluid as the functional fluid. Nanofluids improve thermophysical properties; as a result, they have made great progress in engineering, biomedical, and industrial applications. Therefore, a numerical study has been proposed to analyze the flow and heat transport of nanoliquids over an extendable surface near a stagnation point with variable thermal conductivity under the influence of the magnetic field, due to their importance in the engineering field. Nanoliquid attributes explain the Brownian motion and the diffusion of thermophoresis. The effects of the chemical reaction and the uniform internal heat source/heat sink are also considered. The Nachtsheim‐Swigert shooting procedure based on the Runge‐Kutta scheme is used for numerical calculation. The impact of effective parameters on velocity, temperature, and volume fraction of the nanoparticles is shown in the graphs and reported in detail. The surface criteria are also estimated with respect to the shear stress and the rate of heat and mass transfer. The aspects of the Brownian moment and Lorentz force are positively correlated to the thermal field of the nanoliquid. Also, the variable thermal conductivity aspect favors the growth of the thermal boundary layer.
Using prior parameter knowledge in
 model‐based
 design of experiments for pharmaceutical production

Sequential model-based design of experiments (MBDoE) uses information from previous experiments to select new experimental conditions. Computation of MBDoE objective functions can be impossible due to a non-invertible Fisher Information Matrix (FIM). Previously, we evaluated a leaveout (LO) approach that designed experiments by removing problematic model parameters from the design process. Unfortunately, the LO approach can be computationally expensive due to its iterative nature. In this study, we propose a simplified Bayesian approach that makes the FIM invertible by accounting for prior parameter information. We compare the proposed simplified Bayesian approach to the LO approach for sequential A-optimal design. Results from a pharmaceutical case study show that the proposed * Corresponding Author: kim.mcauley@queensu.ca This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. approach is superior, on average, for design of experiments. We suggest that simplified Bayesian MBDoE should be combined with a subset-selection-based approach for parameter estimation. This combined methodology gave the best results on average for the case study.
CERTIFICATION OF EGNOS SAFETY-OF-LIFE SERVICE FOR ERTMS ACCORDING TO IEC 61508 AND EN 50129

A number of research projects are currently focused on the replacement of track balises (used for safe train position determination) with Virtual Balises (VBs) detected by GNSS to increase the efficiency of the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS). The exploitation of the EGNOS Safetyof-Life (SoL) service, which is the European GNSS wide-area augmentation developed for aviation, for Virtual Balise Reader (VBR), should further strengthen the interoperability of ERTMS. In order to meet the high Safety Integrity Level required for VB detection (SIL 4), EGNOS-based train position determination in combination with other on-board sensors must be used. The adoption of EGNOS, which was not designed according to CENELEC railway safety standards, shall pass through a railway certification process to demonstrate that all demands on safety, dependability and interoperability have been met. This article proposes certification of the EGNOS SoL service for ERTMS via a so-called “pre-existing” item in the sense of the IEC 61508 and EN 50129 standards. The pre-existing item means an item that already exists and that was not specifically developed for the current project. The proposed solution starts with the use of Common Safety Method for Risk evaluation and Assessment (CSM-RA) that must be applied according to the EU Regulation No. 402/2013, because the safety change in ERTMS is significant. Since EGNOS alone is not able to meet the safety integrity requirement for VB detection, then EGNOS shall be correctly integrated within the VBR constituent. This article suggests that all essential information on EGNOS required for its integration into the VBR subsystem would be contained in the EGNOS Safety Manual. The Safety Manual, together with its assessment report, would be then referred in the section entitled “Related Safety Cases” of the overall Safety Case according to EN 50129.The presented results contribute to the introduction of EGNOS into ERTMS.
Geostatistics or machine learning for mapping soil attributes and agricultural practices

Applying the upcoming technologies in agriculture has been a major economic, environmental and social challenge for scientists and farmers. In order to overcome such challenge, this study evaluated the advantages and limitations of using geostatistics and machine learning for soil mapping in agricultural practices and soil surveys. The study occurred in Tocantins State, Brazil, and consisted into seven areas with a total extension of 17.24 km 2 , 222 meters regular gridded resulting in one-point sampling per 0.0493 km 2 of five randomly sampled cores within a 1 m circle radius. It was collected 332 georeferenced soil samples at 0-20 cm depth using an auger and then, soil laboratory analyses performed. Afterward, liming rate maps were originated from the predicted soil attributes clay, cation exchange capacity and base saturation comparing four methods: ordinary kriging, random forest, cubist, support vector machine and the best model results of each soil attribute. Evaluating the methods, the Pearson’s index presented strong results for soil attributes predicted by random forest and ordinary kriging. Machine learning methods can be successfully applied for soil mapping in agricultural practices and soil surveys using less soil samples rather than geostatistical framework.
On COVID-19 outbreaks predictions: Issues on stability, parameter sensitivity, and precision

Abstract We formulate ill-posedness of inverse problems of estimation and prediction of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreaks from statistical and mathematical perspectives. This is by nature a stochastic problem, since e.g., random perturbation in parameters can cause instability of estimation and prediction. This leaves us with a plenty of possible statistical regularizations, thus generating a plethora of sub-problems. We can mention as examples stability and sensitivity of peak estimation, starting point of exponential growth curve, or estimation of parameters of SIR (Susceptible-Infected-Removed) model. Moreover, each parameter has its specific sensitivity, and naturally, the most sensitive parameter deserves a special attention. E.g., in SIR model, parameter β is more sensitive than parameter γ. In a simple exponential epidemic growth model, parameter b is more sensitive than the parameter a. We also discuss on statistical quality of COVID-19 incidence prediction, where we justify an exponential curve considering the microbial growth in ideal conditions for epidemic. The empirical data from Iowa State, USA, Hubei Province in China, New York State, USA, and Chile justifies an exponential growth curve for initiation of epidemics outbreaks.
Analisis Kompetensi TPACK pada Media Pembelajaran Guru Biologi SMA

Abstrak. Tecnnology pedagogycal and content knowledge (TPACK) merupakan kompetensi abad 21 yang harus dikuasai oleh guru. Telah banyak penelitian yang dilakukan tentang TPACK namun menghubungkan TPACK dengan media pembelajaran masih terbatas. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis kompetensi TPACK pada media pembelajaran guru Biologi SMA. Penelitian dilaksanakan pada seluruh SMA negeri yang ada di Kota Tanjungpinang sebanyak 7 SMA Negeri dengan sampel sejumlah 22 guru biologi. Prosedur penelitian diawali koordinasi awal dengan pihak sekolah dan kesepakatan jadwal penelitian, dilanjutkan dengan penyusunan instrumen dan pelaksanaan penelitian. Teknik pengumpulan data dengan menggunakan angket terbuka yang berisi sesuai dengan aspek TPACK terdiri atas Tecnologycal Knowledge dan Pedagogycal Content Knowledge . Hasil dari penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa guru biologi sebagian besar telah memanfaatkan media dalam pembelajarannya dan juga memiliki kemampuan yang sederhana dalam mendesain media pembelajaran. Media pembelajaran yang dimanfaatkan dan didesain sebagian besar baru berupa powerpoint. Kompetensi TPACK untuk aspek TK berada pada kategori sangat baik, begitu juga untuk aspek PCK guru biologi SMA kota Tanjungpinang berada pada kategori sangat baik. Kompetensi TPACK pada media pembelajaran guru biologi SMA kota Tanjungpinang baru sebatas memanfaatkan media pembelajaran berbasis teknologi yang sederhana dan mudah untuk digunakan serta mudah dalam pengembangan dan mendesain. Kata kunci : guru biologi SMA, media pembelajaran, TK, PCK, kompetensi TPACK Abstrack. Pedagogycal technology and content knowledge (TPACK) is a 21st century competence that must be mastered by the teacher. There have many studies conducted on TPACK but connecting TPACK with learning media is still limited. This study aims to analyze TPACK competence at learning media Biology high school teachers in Tanjung Pinang City . It was conducted in 7 senior high schools in Tanjungpinang City with 22 biology teachers as a samples. Procedure started by coordination with the school and an agreement of tstudy schedule, followed by preparation of instrument and implementation of the study. This study used open questionnaires in accordance with aspects of TPACK such as Tecnologycal Knowledge and Pedagogycal Content Knowledge. The results of this study indicate that most biology teachers have used the media in their learning and also have a simple ability to design instructional media. The learning media that are utilized and designed are mostly new in the form of powerpoints. TPACK of biology teachers is in the excellent category for TK, as well as for PCK category Tanjungpinang city high school biology teacher is in the very good category. TPACK competence in the learning media of biology teachers in Tanjung Pinang City is only limited for utilizing simple technology-based learning media easy to use ,easy to develop and design. Keywords : High school biology teacher; Learning media; TK; PCK; TPACK competency
RESISTANCE STATUS OF SHEEP BREEDS TO HAEMONCHUS CONTORTUS REARED IN KASHMIR VALLEY INDIA

The present study was to evaluate the resistance status of, Corriediale, and cross breed sheep against Haemonchus contortus by natural pasture challenge infection. Following deworming, 500 animals were subjected to selected contaminated pastures in a vicinity of the livestock farms of SKUAST-K. Breed variation was assessed on the basis of parasitological, haematological, biochemical and cellular parameters. Overall sheep from Bakerwal breed followed by Corriediale breed performed relatively better in the trial; however difference between breeds remained low. Both significant ( P< 0.05) and non-significant differences with respect to resistance against haemonchosis were noted at different intervals in all the parameters. The report did not provide the major difference. Molecular profiling of this series may well prove to be an economically efficient route to assess genetic resistance to several diseases and incorporation in breeding programs for the improvement of flocks concerning resilience and resistance against nematodes that could lessen dependence upon chemical anthelmintics.
Shift of microbial community structure by substrate level in dynamic membrane bioreactor for biohydrogen production

The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of biological hydrogen production (BHP) in a dynamic membrane bioreactor. Hydraulic retention time (HRT) was varied from 1 to 12 hours, and the microbial communities were analyzed. The major hydrogen‐producing bacterium was Clostridium chromiireducens, which was enriched up to 82% of the total bacteria with a 2 hour HRT, while Enterobacter cloacae was also observed in the range of 0.2% to 34.4% of total bacteria. When the level of the substrate in the reactor was low (<0.5 g/L), BHP dropped dramatically, and Sporolactobacillus putidus increased to 8.8% of the total bacteria. Differences in substrate affinity between S. putidus and C. chromiireducens likely promoted the dominance of S. putidus, which is more favorable for growth and metabolism at low substrate concentrations, and caused changes in the microbial community.
Efficient Near-Field Beamforming Using Two-Layer Planar Loop Array for Magnetic Resonance Wireless Power Transfer

This letter presents efficient near-field beamforming using two-layer planar loop array resonator for magnetic resonance wireless power transfer (MR WPT). This two-layer structure provides enhanced power transfer efficiency (PTE) of two important functions by adjusting the lumped capacitance of each loop: beamforming and ability of spatial position freedom and spatial alignment freedom with the receiver. The optimal capacitance of each loop can be found using a genetic algorithm (GA). The three types of two-layer loop arrays such as <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$1 \times 1$ </tex-math></inline-formula> and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$4 \times 4$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$2 \times 2$ </tex-math></inline-formula> and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$4 \times 4$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$4 \times 4$ </tex-math></inline-formula> and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$4 \times 4$ </tex-math></inline-formula> are designed at an operating frequency of 6.78 MHz. Overall, these two-layer loop arrays improve the overall simulated PTE compared with that of the <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$4 \times 4$ </tex-math></inline-formula> single-layer loop array. Especially, the two-layer loop array of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$2 \times 2$ </tex-math></inline-formula> and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$4 \times 4$ </tex-math></inline-formula> provides the most improved beamforming performance and spatial freedom among them. The measured PTE also increases by about 10% compared with that of the <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$4 \times 4$ </tex-math></inline-formula> single-layer loop array.
Block-span method of roofing structures assembling

The currently used block-conveyor assembling method requires costs for creating an area for blocks conveyed assembly and applying special assembly-and-lifting equipment and tooling; the erection of reinforced-concrete structures by large-sized prefabricated blocks is not possible without a special cross frame and guide casing, imitating a truss structure. The purpose of the research is designing a block-span method of assembling reinforced-concrete roof structures for one-storey industrial buildings, which would allow increasing the labor productivity, ruling out the usage of cranes with increased lift capacity for lifting blocks, reducing the scope of work at heights and increasing the building safety. The developed block-span method of mounting reinforced-concrete roofing structures with secondary trusses implies the assembling of an enlarged roofing block at ground level in the span between previously erected columns, through the full length and width of the span. The block includes secondary trusses, trussed rafters and roof slabs. The block is assembled on the backing 0.5 m high and 0.4…0.5 m off the center line and the width axis of the building. A block is a geometrically stable structure; all joints are connected by welding embedded items. A block is lifted by simultaneous activating of electric hoists. The block is lifted higher than the columns, moved to permanent position and put on top of columns by means of electric hoists. So, the developed method of roofing assembling allows reducing labor intensity by 1.6 times and duration by 1.4 times.
Optically transparent silk fibroin/silver nanowire composites for piezoresistive sensing and object recognitions

This work focuses on the development of a novel generation of bio-based advanced multifunctional materials, able to replace the synthetic ones and thus contributing to sustainability. Silk Fibroin (SF), a protein obtained from Bombyx mori cocoons, has been selected due to its natural accessibility, physico-chemical properties and facile processability. In order to extend its functionality, SF was combined with silver nanowires (SNW) to develop SF/SNW nanocomposites. The effect of the filler aspect ratio and concentration on the SF microstructure, and thermal and dielectric properties has been addressed. It is shown that the inclusion of the conductive fillers allows tailoring of the SF/SNW nanocomposites’ electrical properties, while maintaining SF intrinsic flexibility and thermal stability. Optical transparency is maintained for the lower filler concentrations. Furthermore, the SF/SNW nanocomposites show piezoresistive characteristics suitable for the development of force and deformation sensors. Furthermore, the ability of the samples to generate electricity (electric potential difference between 30 to 124 mV, which increases with SNW content) was used for the design of an object recognition device. Overall, the work demonstrates the multifunctional properties of SF/SNW nanocomposites for a variety of applications and, therefore, their suitability as advanced sustainable materials for a new generation of devices.
The use of digital technology at home during the COVID-19 outbreak:Views of social work students in Greece

ABSTRACT This study aims to explore Greek social work students’ views on the use of digital technology during their stay at home due to the coronavirus lockdown. To do this, an online questionnaire was voluntarily completed by 550 students (89.64% female and 9.82% male) from different university departments of social work across the country. The study was carried out by the researchers from 21 April 2020 to 1 May 2020. The results presented here describe aspects of using digital technology and its connections to learning interactions, communication with others, self-fulfilment and well-being. Also, they describe aspects of support either providing or receiving assistance as forms of solidarity and voluntarism during the COVID-19 confinement period. Overall, the results highlight the critical role digital technology played in numerous aspects of the daily lives of students, helping them to discover new ways to navigate the unprecedented new reality formed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Stomata and Xylem Vessels Traits Improved by Melatonin Application Contribute to Enhancing Salt Tolerance and Fatty Acid Composition of Brassica napus L. Plants

Salinity stress is a limiting factor for the growth and yield quality of rapeseed. The potentiality of melatonin (MT; 0, 25, 50, and 100 µM) application as a seed priming agent in mediating K+/Na+ homeostasis and preventing the salinity stress mediated oxidative damage and photosynthetic inhibition was studied in two rapeseed cultivars. We found that 50 µM MT treatment imparted a very prominent impact on growth, metabolism of antioxidants, photosynthesis, osmolytes, secondary metabolites, yield, and fatty acids composition. Days required for appearance of first flower and 50% flowering were decreased by MT application. Exogenous MT treatment effectively decreased the oxidative damage by significantly declining the generation of superoxide and hydrogen peroxide under saline and non-saline conditions, as reflected in lowered lipid peroxidation, heightened membrane stability, and up-regulation of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, and ascorbate peroxidase). Furthermore, MT application enhanced the chlorophyll content, photosynthetic rate, relative water content, K+/Na+ homeostasis, soluble sugars, and proline content. Moreover, MT application obviously improved the oil quality of rapeseed cultivars by reducing glucosinolates, saturated fatty acids (palmitic and arachidic acids), and enhancing unsaturated fatty acids (linolenic and oleic acids except erucic acid were reduced). Yield related-traits such as silique traits, seed yield per plant, 1000 seeds weight, seed oil content, and yield biomass traits were enhanced by MT application. The anatomical analysis of leaf and stem showed that stomatal and xylem vessels traits are associated with sodium chloride tolerance, yield, and seed fatty acid composition. These results suggest the supportive role of MT on the quality and quantity of rapeseed oil yield.