Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identification of novel genes for triple-negative breast cancer with semiparametric gene-based analysis

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is generally considered an aggressive breast cancer subtype associated with poor prognostic outcomes. Up to now, the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying TNBC pathology have not been fully understood. In this manuscript, we propose a novel semiparametric model with kernel for gene-based analysis with a breast cancer GWAS data. The software of SPMGBA (semiparametric method for gene-based analysis) in MATLAB is available at GitHub (https://github.com/zliu3/SPMGBA). Genetic signatures associated with breast cancer are discovered. We further validate the prognostic power of the identified genes with a large cohort of expression data from the European Genome-Phenome Archive, and discover that SEL1L is associated with the overall survival of TNBC with the p-value of . 0002. We conclude that gene SEL1L is down-regulated in TNBC and the expression of SEL1L is positively associated with patient survival.
Halophyte root powder: an alternative biofertilizer and carrier for saline land

ABSTRACT The present investigation was based on the hypothesis that the endophytes residing in the roots of halophytes have better adaptation to saline conditions. Six halophytic herbs were collected from Khewra salt range (EC = 4.7 dS m−1 and SAR = 25.7). From these herbs, root pieces of Cenchrus ciliaris were shade dried; finely ground to powder and three plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonad moraviensis, and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, were isolated. Root powder in sterilized and unsterilized forms was added in the saline-sodic field on wheat and mixed with soil in pot experiment with induced NaCl (150 mM). Sterilized root powder increased organic matter NO3-N and P contents of soil and leaves, fresh weight, sugar content, and yield attributes. The root powder application in unsterilized form significantly decreased EC, SAR, and Na content of field soil with concomitant increase in soil and leaves K, P, and NO3-N. The farmer’s benefit was increased by 33% at yield. Root powder-induced salt tolerance was mediated by the PGPR (residing inside the root) through increased growth and better physiological adaptations. It is inferred that root powder harboring the PGPR may be an alternative to biofertilizer with longer shelf life and may also serve as carrier for the preparation of effective biofertilizer for saline land using other PGPR bio-inoculants.
Effects of Rapid Infrared Heating and Cryogenic Cooling on the Tensile Properties and Fracture Behavior of Al-Cu-Mg

The objective of this work was to investigate the effect of rapid heating and cryogenic cooling on the fracture and tensile properties of Al-Cu-Mg samples. The specimens were subjected to three different heat treatment cycles in which the Infrared heating (IR) were used as the heating medium at the ageing stage, and the liquid nitrogen and water were used as the quenching mediums. The ageing temperature and time were 1900C and from 2 to 10h respectively. The results indicated that by using IR at the ageing stage, the hardening rate enhanced because the rapid heating via this method led to faster diffusion of the alloying elements. Moreover, the high density of nanosized precipitates formed during ageing was another reason for higher strength and ductility. Cryogenic treatment had a negligible effect on both the microstructure and tensile properties. However there was an improvemnet in the ductility to some extent. Overall, the combination of a high heating rate and cryogenic treatment led to the highest mechanical properties. SEM micrographs of the fracture surface demonstrated that in Cryogenic treatment plus Artificial Ageing (CAA) condition, the surface was fully covered by deep dimples in contrast to the Cryogenic treatment plus Infrared Heating (CIR) and Water-Quench plus Infrared Heating (QIR) conditions which contained shallwer dimples. Some facets were also observed in the latter samples.
Immersion Freezing Ability of Freshly Emitted Soot with Various Physico-Chemical Characteristics

The immersion freezing ability of soot particles has in previous studies been reported in the range of low/insignificant to very high. The aims of this study were to: (i) perform detailed physico-chemical characterisation of freshly produced soot particles with very different properties, (ii) investigate the immersion freezing ability of the same particles, and (iii) investigate the potential links between physico-chemical particle properties and ice-activity. A miniCAST soot generator was used to produce eight different soot samples representing a wide range of physico-chemical properties. A continuous flow diffusion chamber was used to study each sample online in immersion mode over the temperature (T) range from −41 to −32 °C, at a supersaturation of about 10% with respect to liquid water. All samples exhibited low to no heterogeneous immersion freezing. The most active sample reached ice-activated fractions (AF) of 10−3 and 10−4 at temperatures of 1.7 and 1.9 K , respectively, above the homogeneous freezing temperature. The samples were characterized online with respect to a wide range of physico-chemical properties including effective particle density, optical properties, particle surface oxidation and soot maturity. We did observe indications of increasing immersion freezing ice-activity with increasing effective particle density and increasing particulate PAH fraction. Hence, those properties, or other properties co-varying with those, could potentially enhance the immersion freezing ice-activity of the studied soot particle types. However, we found no significant correlation between the physico-chemical properties and the observed ice-nucleating ability when the particle ensemble was extended to include previously published results including more ice-active biomass combustion soot particles. We conclude that it does not appear possible in general and in any straightforward way to link observed soot particle physico-chemical properties to the ice-nucleating ability using the online instrumentation included in this study. Furthermore, our observations support that freshly produced soot particles with a wide range of physico-chemical properties have low to insignificant immersion freezing ice-nucleating ability.
Effects of seagrass overgrazing on sediment erosion and carbon sink capacity: Current understanding and future priorities

We searched the literature for experimental and observational studies assessing the effects of seagrass overgrazing on erosion of sediment and sedimentary organic carbon (SOC) and found that most studies reported a significant impact, likely caused by a cascading effect (i.e., seagrass shoot loss → belowground biomass degradation → sediment destabilization or SOC erosion). However, there appears to be a clear lack of knowledge on the extent and mechanisms behind SOC erosion in seagrass meadows and we highlight the need for research to (1) define spatial and temporal scales of occurrence; (2) assess the influence of belowground biomass degradation, sediment characteristics, and hydrodynamic exposure on sediment stabilization; and (3) estimate the greenhouse gas emission after a disturbance. Such information would help coastal resource managers to address the causes and effects of SOC loss and sediment erosion when evaluating impacts of global change on coastal ecosystems.
Fabrication Process for On-Board Geometries Using a Polymer Composite-Based Selective Metallization for Next-Generation Electronics Packaging

Advancements in production techniques in PCB manufacturing industries are still required as compared to silicon-ICs fabrications. One of the concerned areas in PCBs fabrication is the use of conventional methodologies for metallization. Most of the manufacturers are still using the traditional Copper (Cu) laminates on the base substrate and patterning the structures using lithography processes. As a result, significant amounts of metallic parts are etched away during any mass production process, causing unnecessary disposables leading to pollution. In this work, a new approach for Cu metallization is demonstrated with considerable step-reducing pattern-transfer mechanism. In the fabrication steps, a seed layer of covalent bonded metallization (CBM) chemistry on top of a dielectric epoxy resin is polymerized using actinic radiation intensity of a 375 nm UV laser source. The proposed method is capable of patterning any desirable geometries using the above-mentioned surface modification followed by metallization. To metallize the patterns, a proprietary electroless bath has been used. The metallic layer grows only on the selective polymer-activated locations and thus is called selective metallization. The highlight of this production technique is its occurrence at a low temperature (20–45 °C). In this paper, FR-4 as a base substrate and polyurethane (PU) as epoxy resin were used to achieve various geometries, useful in electronics packaging. In addition, analysis of the process parameters and some challenges witnessed during the process development are also outlined. As a use case, a planar inductor is fabricated to demonstrate the application of the proposed technique.
Development of Compute-in-Memory Memristive Crossbar Architecture with Composite Memory Cells

In this chapter, we discuss the compute-in-memory memristive architectures and develop a 2M1M crossbar array which can be applied for both memory and logic applications. In the first section of this chapter, we briefly discuss compute-in-memory memristive architectural concepts and specifically investigate the current state off the art composite memristor-based switch cells. Also, we define their applications e.g. digital/analog logic, memory, etc. along with their drawbacks and implementation limitations. These composite cells can be designed to be adapted into different design needs can enhance the performance of the memristor crossbar array while preserving their advantages in terms of area and/or energy efficiency. In the second section of the chapter, we discuss a 2M1M memristor switch and its functionality which can be applied into memory crossbars and enables both memory and logic functions. In the next section of the chapter, we define logic implementation by using 2M1M cells and describe variety of in-memory digital logic 2M1M gates. In the next section of the chapter, 2M1M crossbar array performance to be utilized as memory platform is described and we conceived pure memristive 2M1M crossbar array maintains high density, energy efficiency and low read and write time in comparison with other state of art memory architectures. This chapter concluded that utilizing a composite memory cell based on non-volatile memristor devices allow a more efficient combination of processing and storage architectures (compute-in-memory) to overcome the memory wall problem and enhance the computational efficiency for beyond Von-Neumann computing platforms.
Utilisation et vulnérabilité des espèces végétales et stratégies d'adaptation des populations riveraines de la Forêt Classée du Kou (Burkina Faso)

La problématique de la déforestation est importante dans les régions arides et semi-arides de l’Afrique. Les politiques de gestion des forêts excluant les besoins réels des populations font qu’elle persiste. Cette étude vise à améliorer la gestion participative et durable des forêts classées au Burkina Faso. Une enquête ethnobotanique impliquant 60 ménages des villages riverains de la Forêt Classée du Kou et un inventaire floristique sur 36 placettes ont été réalisés. L’indice de vulnérabilité des espèces a été calculé et des analyses statistiques multidimensionnelles ont été effectuées. Les résultats montrent que la forêt comporte 206 espèces dont 80 utilisées pour l’alimentation (100%), la médecine (96,7%), l’artisanat (88,71%), la construction (88,7%), la bioénergie (75,81%) et le fourrage (64,52%). Les produits recherchés sont : fruits (100%), feuilles (95,16%) et bois (93,55%). Le V-test et l’ACM révèlent une utilisation influencée par la profession, le sexe et le niveau académique. Des espèces utilisées, 68,75% sont vulnérables et 53,75% sont sur la liste rouge de l’UICN. Comme stratégies d’adaptation, 58,82% des enquêtés proposent l’agroforesterie et 41,18% proposent la substitution des espèces menacées. Il est indéniable que cette forêt classée couvre les besoins essentiels des populations riveraines qui doivent s’imposer une exploitation rationnelle de ses ressources. English title: Use and vulnerability of plant species and adaptation strategies of the riparian populations of the Kou Classified Forest (Burkina Faso) The problem of deforestation is important in the arid and semi-arid regions of Africa. Forest management policies that exclude the real needs of the population justify the persistence of deforestation. This study aims to improve the participatory and sustainable management of classified forests in Burkina Faso. An ethnobotanical survey involving 60 households in the villages bordering the Kou Classified Forest and a floristic inventory on 36 plots were carried out. The species vulnerability index was calculated and multivariate statistical analyses were performed. The results show that the forest contains 206 species, 80 of which are used for food (100%), medicine (96.7%), handicrafts (88.71%), construction (88.7%), fuelwood (75.81%) and fodder (64.52%). The products sought are: fruits (100%), leaves (95.16%) and wood (93.55%). The V-test and the MCA reveal a use influenced by profession, gender and academic level. Of the species used, 68.75% are vulnerable and 53.75% are on the IUCN Red List. As adaptation strategies, 58.82% of the respondents propose agroforestry and 41.18% propose the substitution of threatened species by those available. It is undeniable that this classified forest covers the essential needs of the riparian populations who must impose themselves a rational exploitation of its resources.
Theorising Social Work Sense-Making: Developing a Model of Peer-Aided Judgement and Decision Making

This article addresses the challenges of sense making in social work practice and presents a descriptive model of peer-aided judgement to facilitate critical debate and knowledge creation. The model is founded in Hammond's Cognitive Continuum Theory and developed in direct application to social work practice. It seeks to expand currently available models of social work judgement and decision making to include processes and outcomes related to informal peer interaction. Building on empirical studies and multiple contemporary literatures, a model of peer-aided judgement is hypothesised, comprising four distinct and interacting elements. By modelling these fundamental aspects of the processes and outcomes of peer-aided judgement, this article provides a tool for illuminating the everyday unseen value of peer interaction in practice and a framework for critical debate of dilemmas and propositions for professional judgement in social work practice. This article concludes by examining some of the implications of the model and its potential use in the further development of theory, methodology and practice.
The Role of Biomass Gasification in the Future Flexible Power System – BECCS or CCU?

In this work we study if biomass gasification for production of advanced biofuels also can play a role in managing variability in the electricity system. The idea is a CCU/power-to-gas concept to enhance methane production from biomass gasification. The suggested process is flexible in that CO2 not used for methane production can be stored through a BECCS concept that implies negative GHG emissions. For this purpose, rigorous models of three different gasification process configurations were simplified through surrogate modeling and integrated into a dynamic optimization model of regional electricity systems. The results show the diverse advantages of flexible operation between CCU and BECCS and that it is economically beneficial for the system to invest in gasification at the investigated levels of CO2 charge. The gasification option also provides value for low-priced electricity and thus stimulate increased investments in renewable electricity generation, which indicates the importance of considering geographical diversities in the assessment and highlights the importance of studying this type of concept with a time-resolved model. It is clear that the BECCS option is the most used, however, the limited quantities of CO2 used for the CCU option has a large impact on the investments made in the electricity system.
Probing and Imaging Photonic Spin‐Orbit Interactions in Nanostructures

Photonic spin‐orbit interactions (PSOIs) in nanostructures have attracted much interest in nanophotonics, which provide a new paradigm to enhance light‐matter interactions and engineer the wavefronts of light on demand at the nanoscale. Many striking phenomena and functionalities, such as the photonic (quantum) spin‐Hall effect and the spin‐vortex conversion, have been demonstrated. Besides their underlying physics and manifestations, the experimental probing and imaging of PSOIs are also of great importance and highly demanded in not only the fundamental research but also the development of emerging PSOI technologies. Hence, in this review, the state‐of‐the‐art studies on the experimental observations and detections of PSOIs are systematically reviewed, including both the far‐field and near‐field methods. The respective advantages and difficulties of each method are stated and analyzed. The perspectives in probing PSOIs are also discussed.
Rethinking literature, knowledge and justice: selecting ‘difficult’ stories for study in school english

ABSTRACT English remains the only subject mandated throughout the years of schooling in Australia. The compulsory nature of this subject reflects its responsibility for the personal, and literate, development of students. Literature has often been charged with the social and moral dimensions of English. Increasingly, in Australia and elsewhere, literature that disrupts colonial, patriarchal and heteronormative canonical narratives, that presents what might be understood as ‘difficult’ knowledge, is being selected for study. Drawing on two case stories from current research, this paper explores how text selection and pedagogical practices mediate diverse students’ engagements with difficult knowledge in subject English. It explores the challenges teachers face when attempting to disrupt dominant textual meaning-making practices and the decisions they make regarding the kinds of knowledge students encounter in English. We suggest an alternative paradigm– relational literacy– to assist English teachers to reconceptualise students’ textual experiences and knowledges in secondary school English.
Effect of Acacia mangium Canopy on Physicochemical Characteristics and Nutrient Concentrations of the Soil at Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve, Malaysia

The establishment of an Acacia mangium plantation often alters physicochemical characteristics and nutrient concentrations of soils. We aimed to evaluate the invasive potential of A. mangium forest on the soil in Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve, Peninsular, Malaysia. To achieve the mentioned target, four different regions, namely, the open ground region (OG), Acacia mangium region (AM), transition region (TZ), and native forest region (NF), were selected and each of the regions was divided into six plots. Composite samples were randomly taken from subplots at 0–15 cm depth (topsoil) and 15–30 cm depth (subsoil). Some physicochemical properties such as soil moisture and texture, textural classification, bulk density and particle density, pH, electric conductivity (EC), exchangeable bases (EB) (Ca, Mg and K), cation exchange capacity (CEC), organic matter (OM), total nitrogen (TN), and available phosphorous (Av. P) were analyzed. The results of our study showed that the soil of the AM region, which was clay loam, contained clay (51%), silt (32%), and sand (16%). The chemical analysis of topsoil showed significant differences in terms of OM%, exchangeable- Ca, Mg, K (molc kg−1), N (%), gravitational water content (GWC), and Avail. P between all four regions. Additionally, the highest pH and OM of topsoil were seen in the AM region with 4.5% and 4.33%, respectively. In the subsoil, there were significant differences (p ≤ 0.01) in terms of EC (ds/m), OM (%), Exchangeable- Ca, Mg and K (cmolc kg−1), GWC, available phosphorus, and N (%) between all four regions. The highest GWC, N (%), and Ca (cmolc kg−1) were observed in the AM region with 16.00, 0.14%, and 0.64 cmolc kg−1, respectively. These results showed that A. mangium changed some soil characteristics due to its invasion potential. In summary, A. mangium showed high adaptability on degraded forest land and high ability to accumulate the soil physicochemical properties to enhance its growth.
INVESTIGATING THE IMPACT OF PEER FFEDBACK AND TEACHER FEEDBACK USING GOOGLE DOCS ON EFL STUDENTS’ WRITING PERFORMANCE

Online written corrective feedback via Google Docs, in recent years, has been used and brought about positive outcomes in different teaching contexts. In this light, this study was conducted to examine the different effects between teacher feedback using Google Docs and the combined peer feedback and teacher feedback using Google Docs on EFL high school students’ performance in writing paragraphs. The study also attempted to gain insights into students’ attitudes towards the effect of peer feedback and teacher feedback using Google Docs on their paragraph writing. In this study, a mixed research method was employed; both quantitative and qualitative data were collected. Twenty two grade 11 students in a high school in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam were selected as participants. They were assigned to two groups of treatment: the experimental group, receiving both peer feedback and teacher feedback using Google Docs and the control group who only received teacher feedback using Google Docs. Participants completed two writing tasks; each of them included first draft, second draft and final draft. Prior to the study, students from the experimental group received a face-to-face training on giving peer feedback. Data were collected from six drafts of two writing tasks, three drafts for one task, and interviews at the end of the study. Results indicated that participants who received teacher feedback in the control group performed their paragraph writing better than those receiving both peer feedback and teacher feedback using Google Docs in the experimental group after the study. Also, participants in both groups improved their writing performance in their revised drafts. From the interviews, results showed participants’ positive attitudes towards the impact of peer feedback and teacher feedback using Google Docs on their paragraph writing. Article visualizations: