Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Particulate Pollution in Korhogo and Abidjan (Cote d’Ivoire) during the Dry Season

ABSTRACT Particulate pollution in West African cities seriously impacts public human health. Assessing the levels of pollution to which populations are exposed is problematic, as to date very few countries in Africa have an air quality monitoring network in place. However, given the specific anthropogenic sources present in West African countries and the increase in their projected emissions in the coming years if no regulations are put in place, solutions must be found. This study evaluates with a simple existing methodology particulate air pollution in two West African cities (Korhogo and Abidjan in Cote d'Ivoire) which have different population practices and local meteorology. From two measurement campaigns at about ten sites during the dry season and using the inverse distance-weighted interpolation method, maps of spatial variation in PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations are obtained at the scale of each of these cities, which provide a snapshot of the concentration levels to which populations are actually exposed. The results of this study showed that populations in low- and middle-income areas are exposed to higher concentrations than those in high-income areas. The analysis of the relative contribution of fine particles to coarse particles shows that PM2.5 contributes to PM10 at less than 40% in Korhogo but more than 50% in Abidjan. Daily average concentrations of PM2.5 are all above WHO standards, and are 2 to 8 times higher in Korhogo, while in Abidjan they are up to 4 times higher. The daily profiles of the mean hourly concentrations of the sites are similar across all sites in Korhogo, while in Abidjan, that of some sites show some differences. This study, by the methodology used, offers an opportunity for different research teams to assess at lower cost the population's exposure levels to urban particulate pollution.
Contribution à la théorie du transport quantique : isolants topologiques à base de graphène et phénomènes à fréquence finie

Les evolutions rapides du marche des composants electroniques font apparaitre de nombreux challenges pour la conception et la fabrication de ces derniers. Lorsque ces elements deviennent plus petits, leur comportement se complexifie a mesure que de nouveaux phenomenes, lies aux effets d'interference, entrent en jeu. Comprendre ces derniers necessite le developpement d'outils theoriques avances. Dans ce contexte cette these est consacree au transport electronique quantique dans des systemes multi-terminaux. Dans la premiere partie on developpe un formalisme general, utilisant les fonctions de Green de Keldysh, pour le transport electronique quantique dans des systemes multi-terminaux en presence de perturbations oscillantes. Nous sommes capable d'exprimer toute obervable AC en termes de fonctions de Green a l'equilibre et des self-energies des contacts. Ceci fait de notre formalisme un outil pratique pour toute une variete de perturbations a frequence finie. Dans la seconde partie on presente l'idee d'induction d'un fort couplage spin-orbite dans le graphene en deposant a sa surface un certain type d'atomes lourds. Le graphene devient alors un isolant topologique. Nous avons ensuite etudie l'evolution de la phase topologique avec un champ magnetique externe. Une transition entre la phase de Hall quantique et la phase de Hall quantique de spin a ete identifiee dans le meme systeme en variant seulement la position du niveau de Fermi. Nous avons montre qu'une heterojonction entre ces deux phases donnait lieu a un nouveau type d'etat chiral a l'interface.
Structured Inhibitory Activity Dynamics During Learning

Hippocampal network activity is tightly regulated by local inhibitory interneurons. Suppression of inhibition has been proposed to accelerate learning by enhancing network activity and plasticity; however, the activity dynamics of hippocampal interneurons during learning remain poorly understood. Furthermore, it is unknown if individual interneurons are stochastically suppressed across different learning episodes, mirroring the random remapping of place cells, or if instead they exhibit consistent patterns of activity suppression. These critical properties define how inhibition shapes and controls learning at a network level. To uncover the functional circuit dynamics of inhibition during novelty-induced learning, we recorded calcium activity from hippocampal CA1 interneurons using two-photon imaging as mice learned a virtual reality (VR) goal-directed spatial navigation task in new visual contexts. Here we focused on dendrite-targeting somatostatin-expressing interneurons (SOM-ints), which powerfully control burst firing and synaptic plasticity in excitatory neurons. We found robust activity suppression in SOM-ints upon exposure to novel virtual environments; activity then recovered over repeated exposures to the novel environment as the animal learned goal locations. At a population level, we found a continuum of activity suppression, from interneurons strongly suppressed to moderately activated during learning. Surprisingly, each interneuron exhibited a stable level of activity modulation: when animals were switched into a second novel environment, the magnitude of activity suppression was strongly correlated across remapping sessions. This work reveals dynamic inhibition suppression triggered by novel environments and the gradual return of inhibition with learning. Furthermore, unlike the stochastic remapping of place cells, inhibitory networks display a stable activity structure across learning episodes. This functional inhibitory circuit architecture suggests that individual interneurons play specialized and stereotyped roles during learning, perhaps by differentially regulating pyramidal subnetworks specialized for plasticity and stability.
High-Resolution Delay-Doppler Estimation Using Received Communication Signals for OFDM Radar-Communication System

High-resolution delay-Doppler estimation is an important requirement for automotive radar systems, especially in multi-target scenarios that require better target separation performance. Orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) is a promising candidate waveform for future intelligent transport networks, since it enables the integration of both radar and communication functionalities. Exploring the dual functionality enabled by OFDM, this paper presents a new cooperative method for high-resolution delay-Doppler estimation. The proposed subspace-based method exploits the combination of both the radar and received communication signals to estimate target parameters. The procedure achieves high-resolution delay-Doppler estimation for both uncorrelated, partially correlated and coherent signals, and enables a significant reduction in the required bandwidth when compared to previous approaches which do not exploit the knowledge of the communication signals. Laboratory measurements at 24 GHz and simulation results demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed method for the estimation of multiple targets.
Survey of derivative-free optimization

In this survey paper we present an overview of derivative-free optimization, including basic concepts, theories, derivative-free methods and some applications. To date, there are mainly three classes of derivative-free methods and we concentrate on two of them, they are direct search methods and model-based methods. In this paper, we first focus on unconstrained optimization problems and review some classical direct search methods and model-based methods in turn for these problems. Then, we survey a number of derivative-free approaches for problems with constraints, including an algorithm we proposed for spherical optimization recently.
Life history of the common blacktip shark, Carcharhinus limbatus, from central eastern Australia and comparative demography of a cryptic shark complex

Common and Australian blacktip sharks (Carcharhinus limbatus and Carcharhinus tilstoni) occur sympatrically in Australia, where they are reported as a complex because of their morphological similarities. This study provides the first description of the life history of C. limbatus using samples from central eastern Australia, where C. tilstoni is rare. Females (68–267cm total length (TL); n=183) and males (65–255cm TL; n=292) both matured at 8.3 years and 200cm TL, which exceeds the maximum length of C. tilstoni. Vertebral ageing revealed that female and male C. limbatus lived to 22 and 24 years respectively, exceeding known longevity in C. tilstoni. The mean (±s.d.) intrinsic rate of population increase calculated using a Euler–Lotka demographic method was 0.11±0.02year–1 for C. limbatus, compared with 0.17±0.02 and 0.20±0.03year–1 for two C. tilstoni stocks. Despite their similar appearance, these species differed in both their biological productivity and susceptibility to fishing activities. Monitoring of relative abundance should be a priority given they are likely to have divergent responses to fishing.
Species delimitation in Neotropical fishes of the genus Characidium (Teleostei, Characiformes)

Neotropical darters of the genus Characidium have a complex systematic history with several examples of sympatry throughout their distribution range in Neotropical freshwaters. Although various species within the genus have been used as models to investigate chromosomal evolution and biogeography, species boundaries and relationships still remain uncertain. Here, we use mitochondrial DNA sequences to perform species delimitation analyses within Characidium and test previous hypotheses of species richness within the Characidium zebra complex and among sympatric morphotypes of C. alipioi. Results indicate high genetic distances within tested species complexes and revealed the presence of strongly supported lineages such as the large C. lauroi group from southeastern Brazil. This suggests that the evolutionary history of these groups may be correlated with biogeographic history. Analyses also reveal that three geographically isolated populations of C. zebra represent a single species, leading us to reject prior hypothesis of multiple species. Species delimitation using mitochondrial data strongly supports the presence of two sympatric species within C. alipioi in southeastern Brazil despite limited morphological variation and conserved chromosomal patterns. These results provide a framework to further the study of systematics and evolution within Characidium.
Applicability of GRACE and GRACE-FO for monitoring water mass changes of the Aral Sea and the Caspian Sea

The GRACE gravity satellite mission has provided monthly gravity field solutions for about 15 years enabling a unique opportunity to monitor large scale mass variation processes. By the end of the GRACE, the GRACE-FO mission was launched in order to continue the time series of monthly gravity fields. The two missions are similar in most aspects apart from the improved intersatellite range rate measurements, which is performed with lasers in addition to microwaves. An obvious demand for the geoscientific applications of the monthly gravity field models is to understand the consistency of the models provided by the two missions. This study provides a case-study related consistency investigation of GRACE and GRACE-FO monthly solutions for the Aral Sea region. As the closeness of the Caspian Sea may influence the monthly mass variations of the Aral Sea, it has also been involved in the investigations. According to the results, GRACE-FO models seem to continue the mass variations of the GRACE period properly, therefore their use jointly with GRACE is suggested. Based on the justified characteristics of the gravity anomaly by water volume variations in the case of the Aral Sea, GRACE models for the period March−June 2017 are suggested to be neglected. Though the correlation between water volume and monthly gravity field variations is convincing in the case of the Aral Sea, no such a correlation for the Caspian Sea could have been detected, which suggests to be the consequence of other mass varying processes, may be related to the seismicity of the Caspian Sea area.
Single-Phase Hybrid Boost AC–DC Converters With Switched-Capacitor Cells and Reduced Switch Count

This article proposes new configurations of hybrid boost rectifier topologies with switched-capacitor cells to reduce the number of switches. The proposed converters use switched-capacitor voltage multipliers to increase the voltage gain of the conventional boost rectifier and reduce the voltage stress across the switches. The new topologies are able to achieve output voltage regulation and a near unity input power factor. The proposed integration of the boost switching cell and the ladder cell reduces the number of semiconductor devices of the conventional hybrid boost rectifier. A generalized topology is presented and two variations of the topology are studied within greater depth. The theoretical analysis of these topologies is performed and evaluated experimentally through a 1-kW prototype with 220 V ac input and 800 V dc output voltages. The converter presented a maximum efficiency of around 97.9% and input power factor above 0.99.
Integrating past, present and future wheat research with Pretzel

Motivation Major advances have been made in the assembly of complex genomes such as wheat. Remaining challenges include linking these new resources to legacy research, as well as lowering the bar to entry for members of the research community who may lack specific bioinformatics skills. Results Pretzel aims to solve these problems by providing an interactive, online environment for data visualisation and analysis which, when loaded with appropriately curated data, can enable researchers with no bioinformatics training to exploit the latest genomic resources. We demonstrate that Pretzel can be used to answer common questions asked by researchers as well as for advanced curation of pseudomolecule structure. Availability Pretzel is implemented in JavaScript and is freely available under a GPLv3 license online at: https://github.com/plantinformatics/pretzel. Contact gabriel.keeble-gagnere@ecodev.vic. gov.au
Developing Extended Reality Projects in Support of Design, Fabrication and Procedure

Nomenclature MSFC = Marshall Space Flight Center XRSpace = Extended Reality Lab XR = Extended Reality VR = Virtual Reality AR = Augmented Reality ECLSS = Environmental Control and Life Support Systems 4BCO2 = Four Bed Carbon Dioxide Scrubber PPSA = Purge Pump and Separator Assembly EO23 = Crew Systems Engineering Branch AMO = Autonomous Mission Operations JSC = Johnson Space Center KSC = Kennedy Space Center LaRC = Langley Research Center JPL = Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Rival at the gate: first record of the Asian clam Corbicula fluminea Müller, 1774 (Bivalvia: Corbiculidae) in Greece

This contribution presents the first record of the Asian clam Corbicula fluminea Müller, 1774 in Greece. The species was collected in Erythropotamos River (Reka Luda Луда река), one of the main tributaries of Evros River (classical name of the Maritsa river), thus being the southernmost record of this invasive bivalve in the Balkan Peninsula. The most likely entry source of C. fluminea in Greece is through active or passive downstream drift through the Bulgarian part of Erythropotamos River, which is shared between Bulgaria and Greece. Special attention is now required to assess the invasion extent of the Asian clam in the entire Evros basin and adjacent river basins of Bulgaria and the Aegean basins of Greece and Turkey.
Detection of base analogs incorporated during DNA replication by nanopore sequencing

DNA synthesis is a fundamental requirement for cell proliferation and DNA repair, but no tools exist to identify the location, direction and speed of replication forks with base pair resolution. Mammalian cells have the ability to incorporate thymidine analogs along with the natural A, T, G and C bases during DNA synthesis, which allows for labelling of replicating or repaired DNA. The Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) MinION infers nucleotide identity from changes in the ionic current as DNA strands are pulled through nanopores and can differentiate noncanonical nucleotides from natural ones. Here, we demonstrate the use of the ONT MinION to detect 11 different thymidine analogs including CldU, BrdU, IdU, as well as, EdU alone or coupled to Biotin and other bulky adducts in synthetic DNA templates. We also show detection of IdU label, incorporated during DNA replication in the genome of mouse pluripotent stem cells. We find that different modifications generate variable shifts in signals, providing a method of using analog combinations to identify the location and direction of DNA synthesis and repair at high resolution. We conclude that this novel method has the potential for single-base, genome-wide examination of DNA replication in stem cell differentiation or cell transformation.
Finite-Time Fuzzy Adaptive Consensus for Heterogeneous Nonlinear Multi-Agent Systems

This paper deals with the finite-time consensus control problem for a class of nonlinear strict-feedback multi-agent systems with heterogeneous dynamics. Due to the existence of unknown nonlinear dynamics of the system, this paper adopts the excellent approximation ability of fuzzy logic systems to design the consensus control protocol. Moreover, fuzzy logic systems and adaptive method are used to approximate the unknown system dynamics in the design of virtual controllers for different orders of the subsystems. The proposed direct adaptive fuzzy tracking controller for every agent is constructed via a backstepping design process. The proposed adaptive fuzzy controller can ensure that the outputs of all agents can track a common desired trajectory in finite time. Finally, the performance of the proposed fuzzy adaptive consensus control algorithm is demonstrated by two numerical studies of MASs including both homogeneous and heterogeneous dynamics of the interacting agents.
Developing Cellular & Molecular Biomarkers For Anti-inflammatory Activities of Probiotic Bacteria in Fermented Foods

We present below a mechanistic cellular and molecular approaches for the development of Anti-Inflammatory biomarkers of Probiotic Bacteria in Fermented Foods. Probiotics are live microorganisms that promote human health by counteracting the noxious toxic gut microflora in human intestine, by modulating of the tight junctions, and by increasing mucin production, enforcing intestinal epithelial cell barrier function, modifying microbial community within the gut intestinal disorders, and improving immune responses associated with chronic inflammation in experimental animal models, collectively enhancing human health. Cytokine secretion by intestinal epithelial cells and macrophages are regulated by probiotics through key signaling pathways such as nuclear factor-κB and mitogen-activated kinases, resulting in alleviation of several disorders such as allergies, diabetes, obesity, heart diseases and cancer. MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNA molecules involved in transcriptional and post-translational regulation of gene expression by inhibiting gene translation. Using in vitro and in vivo approaches in cell lines and mice models to study effects of probiotic conditional media and heat-killed bacterial strains with anti-inflammatory effect to elucidate the mechanisms by which probiotics affect signaling pathways, and by using global cytokine and microRNA gene expression analyses approaches to develop biomarkers for studying different proand anti-inflammatory activities, and using statistical approaches to analyse the data, we show that cytokines and miRNAs have an essential role in regulation of cancerous and inflammatory pathways. This mechanistic approach will result in developing specific disease biomarkers for the early diagnosis of certain pathogenic states, as well as evaluating the effect of different dietary components on developed biomarkers in health states that will promote and enhance human health. Comparing the concordance of the in vitro to the in vivo research findings will confirm the correspondence of both approaches to each other. Moreover, this study will have a major public health relevance in elucidating the role of miRNAs and their targets in inflammation, paving the way to diagnosing and treating of pathogenic human disease stages. DOI: 10.14302/issn.2379-7835.ijn-19-2578 Correspondig author: Farid E. Ahmed, GEM Tox Labs, Institute for Research in Biotechnology, 2905 South Memorial Dr, Greenville, NC 27834, USA, Tel. 252-689-5681, Email: gemtoxconsultants@yahoo.com
High-Dimensional Time Series Feature Extraction for Low-Cost Machine Olfaction

The complexity of airborne odors offers interesting challenges and opportunities for chemical detection and identification. Biological olfactory systems have evolved to extract information from spatiotemporally complex odor plumes, but many engineered electronic noses use only coarse time features while neglecting valuable transient fluctuations. In this paper, we use the TruffleBot, our low-cost e-nose platform, to dynamically ‘sniff’ odors while collecting multidimensional chemical, pressure and temperature time series. By extracting high-dimensional time series features (TSF) from a diverse set of relatively low-bandwidth sensor signals, we can identify subtle differences in odor concentration and composition. We use this approach to perform a variety of classification experiments, including the discrimination of three similar beers at >98% accuracy. Additionally, we demonstrate that time series features can be aggregated and applied to improve concentration estimation of ethanol by a factor of three, to the limit of our experimental calibration error.
ILL-CONDITIONING IN LINEAR REGRESSION MODELS AND ITS DIAGNOSTICS

Multicollinearity is a common problem in linear regression models when two or more regressors are highly correlated, which yields some serious problems for the ordinary least square estimates of the parameters as well as model validation and interpretation. In this paper, first the problem of multicollinearity and its subsequent effects on the linear regression along with some important measures for detecting multicollinearity is reviewed, then the role of eigenvalues and eigenvectors in detecting multicollinearity are bolded. At the end a real data set is evaluated for which the fitted linear regression models is investigated for multicollinearity diagnostics.
Functionalization of carbon nanotubes

Functionalization of Carbon Nanotubes Guzeliya (Gulya) Korneva Advisors: Yury Gogotsi, PhD; Reinhard Schweitzer-Stenner, PhD Carbon nanotubes have unique properties that make them attractive for different engineering applications. However, because of their chemical inertness, carbon nanotubes have to be functionalized in order to acquire additional physico-chemical properties. Large multiwalled carbon nanotubes are different from fullerenes and singlewalled nanotubes because the stresses in their walls are almost relaxed while most chemical methods for fullerene functionalization exploit this effect of stressed bonds. The objective of this work is to develop new methods for functionalization of multiwalled carbon nanotubes. This work is dedicated to study two functionalization methods. The first deals with physico-chemical functionalization by filling the nanotube interior with colloidal suspensions. Irreversible adsorption of functional nanoparticles on the nanotube wall leads to the nanotube functionalization. The second method is purely chemical functionalization, which uses the reaction of cyclopropanation to break π -bonds in the benzene rings of the nanotubes with formation of new σ-bonds with deprotonated malonate. This so-called Bingel reaction has been used in fullerene chemistry and in this work was applied for the first time to functionalize multiwalled carbon nanotubes. While capillary filling of carbon nanotubes was known long ago, the research community was skeptical about possibility of engulfing nanoparticles into nanotubes by