Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quantification of online removal of refractory black carbon using laser-induced incandescence in the single particle soot photometer

ABSTRACT Refractory black carbon (rBC) is an aerosol that has important impacts on climate and human health. rBC is often mixed with other species, making it difficult to isolate and quantify its important effects on physical and optical properties of ambient aerosol. To solve this measurement challenge, a new method to remove rBC was developed using laser-induced incandescence (LII) by Levin et al. in 2014. Application of the method with the Single Particle Soot Photometer (SP2) is used to determine the effects of rBC on ice nucleating particles (INP). Here, we quantify the efficacy of the method in the laboratory using the rBC surrogate Aquadag. Polydisperse and mobility-selected samples (100–500 nm diameter, 0.44–36.05 fg), are quantified by a second SP2. Removal rates are reported by mass and number. For the mobility-selected samples, the average percentages removed by mass and number of the original size are 88.9 ± 18.6% and 87.3 ± 21.9%, respectively. Removal of Aquadag is efficient for particles >100 nm mass-equivalent diameter (dme), enabling application for microphysical studies. However, the removal of particles ≤100 nm dme is less efficient. Absorption and scattering measurements are reported to assess its use to isolate brown carbon (BrC) absorption. Scattering removal rates for the mobility-selected samples are >90% on average, yet absorption rates are 53% on average across all wavelengths. Therefore, application to isolate effects of microphysical properties determined by larger sizes is promising, but will be challenging for optical properties. The results reported also have implications for other instruments employing internal LII, e.g., the Soot Particle Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (SP-AMS). © 2016 American Association for Aerosol Research
Characterization of Mariner transposons in Rhus gall aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae: Eriosomatinae)

Background: Transposable elements (TEs), also known as jumping genes, are widely spread in the genomes of insects and play a considerable role in genomic evolution. Mariner family belongs to class II transposable elements, were searched in the genomes of seven species of Rhus gall aphids belonging to six genera. Mariner-like elements were characterized for the first time in Rhus gall aphids and classified in to respective subfamilies.Results: In total, one hundred twenty-one MLEs were detected in the genomes of the seven investigated species of Rhus gall aphids, which showed a wide distribution of MLEs in both close and distant related species. The sequences of MLEs ranged from 1kb to 1.4kb in length and the structural analysis of the MLEs showed that only five copies were potentially active with intact open reading frame (ORF) while the remaining were classified as inactive MLEs according to absence of single intact ORF or terminal inverted repeats (TIRs). Based on the MLEs in Rhus gall aphids as well as the well characterized MLEs in other organisms from GenBank, the phylogenetic analysis showed that all the one hundred twenty-one MLE sequences belonged to four subfamilies, i.e., thirty from Maurutiana subfamily, twenty-six from Drosophila subfamily, thirty-three from Vertumana subfamily and thirty-two from Irritans subfamily, among which Drosophila and Vertumana subfamilies were reported in aphids for the first time. Moreover, the phylogenetic relationship suggested possible horizontal transfer events of MLEs between aphids and other insects.Conclusion: Our present report revealed the diversity and distribution of MLEs in Rhus gall aphid genomes sequenced by shotgun genome skimming method. This study further expanded our understandings on the characterization of transposable elements in aphid genomes, which might be useful as genetic markers and tools and would play an important role in genomic evolution and adaptation of aphids.
The Effect of Group Art Therapy on Loneliness and Hopelessness Levels of Older Adults Living Alone: A Randomized Controlled Study

Aim This study was aimed to test group art therapy using clay as a medium as a method to cope with feelings of loneliness and hopelessness in older adults. Method This study was a randomized controlled study. A total of 60 older adults who lived alone were enrolled in the study. Thirty subjects were randomly assigned to six 1.5-hour weekly sessions of group art therapy using clay, and interviewed face-to-face twice (intervention group (IG)), and 30 subjects were randomly assigned to be interviewed face-to-face twice (control group (CG)). The effects of interventions were measured using the UCLA Loneliness Scale (UCLA-LS) and the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS). Loneliness and hopelessness levels in the IG and CG were measured at the beginning (pre-test) and the end (post-test) of the study. This study was conducted using the CONSORT statement. The group art therapy trial is registered at the US National Institutes of Health (ClinicalTrials.gov) #NCT04295083. Results A statistically significant difference was found between the pre-test and post-test scores of the IG and CG, with respect to the loneliness and hopelessness levels among older adults living alone. Conclusion Clay-based group art therapy can contribute toward decreasing the sense of loneliness and hopelessness in older adults. Nurses using group art therapy for older adults will realize the psychological healing aspects and effectiveness of this intervention and recognize it as an effective method for the psychological growth of older adults and the reduction in their levels of loneliness and hopelessness.
A Power Efficient Time-to-Current Stimulator for Vagal-Cardiac Connection after Heart Transplantation

This paper presents a stimulator for a cardiac neuroprosthesis aiming to restore the parasympathetic control after heart transplantation. The stimulator is based on time-to- current conversion, instead of the conventional current mode digital-to-analog converter (DAC) that drives the output current mirrors. It uses a DAC based on capacitor charging to drive a power efficient voltage-to-current converter for output. The stimulator uses 1.8 V for system operation and 10 V for stimulation. The total power consumption is Istlm x 10 V + 18.4 μW during the biphasic current output, with a maximum Istim of 512 μΑ The stimulator was designed in CMOS 0.18 μm technology and post-layout simulations are presented.
A CFD-Based Parametric Thermal Performance Analysis of Supply Air Ventilated Windows

Ventilated windows have the potential to contribute to both indoor air quality and energy efficiency in cold climates. A typical ventilated window functions as a solar collector under inward air flow direction and incident solar radiation. The ventilated window is a modification of the multiple pane windows in which air is drawn in from outside and is heated through conduction, convection, and radiation in the cavity. In this study, a detailed parametric analysis was conducted to investigate the thermal performance of ventilated windows and their capacity to preheat ventilation air. High-resolution 3D steady RANS computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations were performed for six ventilated window geometries. Model results were compared with measurements. The following geometric characteristics were evaluated in detail: (i) The height of the window, (ii) the width of the cavity, (iii) the location of double-layered glazing, and (iv) the width of the supply air opening. The results suggested that taller cavities and a smaller cavity depth can provide higher incoming air temperature. Windows with inner double-layered glazing and a smaller width of supply air opening displayed a better thermal performance.
Open reduction of pediatric lateral condyle fractures: a systematic review

Introduction Lateral condyle fractures are the second most common pediatric elbow fracture. There exist multiple options for internal fixation including buried K-wires, unburied K-wires, and screw fixation. Our study aims to review the current literature and determine if fixation strategy affects outcomes to include fracture union, postoperative range of motion, and need subsequent surgery. Methods A systematic review of Pubmed, MEDLINE, and EMBASE databases was performed. Included articles involve pediatric patients with displaced lateral condyle fractures treated with internal fixation that reported outcomes to include union rates and complications. Results Thirteen studies met inclusion criteria for a total of 1299 patients (472 buried K-wires, 717 unburied K-wires, and 110 screws). The patients’ average age was 5.8 ± 0.6 years, male (64%), and had 16.3 months of follow-up. No differences in union and infection rates were found. Unburied K-wires had the shortest time to union and the greatest elbow range of motion postoperatively. Conclusions Our systematic review demonstrates similar outcomes with union and infection rates between all fixation techniques. Unburied K-wires demonstrated a shorter time to union and the greatest postoperative range of motion. Additionally, unburied K-wires may be removed in clinic, decreasing the cost on the healthcare system. Evidence Level 3.
Anesthesia Management in VP Shunt Surgery in Neonates with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) and Dandy Walker Syndrome

Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) is defined as the incomplete development of the left heart structures, including the mitral valve, left ventricle, aortic valve, and aortic arch. Delays in diagnosis and delay in intervention will increase the morbidity of neonates with HLHS. To understand the mechanism of HLHS along with the principles of anesthesia in neuroanesthetics procedures in pediatrics in order to obtain a good outcome. A 9day old baby girl, weight 2522 grams with HLHS (aortic atresia) with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), type II atrial septal defect (ASD) with a left to right shunt, and dandy walker syndrome. The patient's head was enlarged from birth, no heart sounds were found, regular I-II heart sounds. The anesthetic approach in HLHS is to maintain preoperative hemodynamic stability by maintaining heart rate, preload, and PGE1, balancing systemic vascular resistance and pulmonary vascular resistance, preventing too high PaO2, and administering inotropic agents to increase cardiac output and keep the patent ductus arteriosus open. The balance of systemic and pulmonary blood flow is a key principle in the management of HLHS anesthesia. The main goal of HLHS anesthesia is to minimize hemodynamic changes to prevent compromised hemodynamics in both circulations and maintaining stability is essential in preventing morbidity, complications, and increasing good outcomes in surgery.
Study on the extraction and stability of carotenoid in pomelo peel

It was investigated that different extraction solvent,solid-liquid ratio time and temperature impact on the extraction yield of carotenoid with abandoned pomelo peel as materials,also researched that light, temperature,pH,metal ions,oxidizing agents,reducing agents and common food additives affect on stability. Results showed that the optimum extraction conditions were:extraction solvent was acetone,solid-liquid ratio was 1∶30g/mL,extraction time was 60min,and extraction temperature was 20℃. The carotenoids in the pomelo peel had the highest rate of 305.98mg/kg. The carotenoid with poor stability could be accelerated the degradation in bright light. The higher the temperature,the faster the decomposition,the stability had been damaged by oxidants and little effect on the reductant stability,stabilization under acidic conditions,but unstabilization under alkaline. These metal ions with Cu2+,Fe2+and Fe3+had damaged the decomposition,sour agents could promote the degradation,preservatives and sweeteners had little effect on carotenoid.
Genetic Analysis and Gene Mapping of Two Whitebacked Planthopper Resistance Genes From Rice Varieties

Background The whitebacked planthopper (WBPH) has become a significant threat to rice production. Identification of WBPH-resistant germplasm and genes can drive efforts to develop resistance varieties and effectively limit pest damage.Methods Fourteen varieties of rice were surveyed for insect resistance using tests that assessed bulk seedling growth rates, insect feeding activity (via measurements of honeydew excretion weight), and insect development (by counting the number of hatched nymphs). Two resistance varieties N22 and OB677 were crossed with susceptible line 9311 to develop mapping populations, which were applied to map the resistance genes/QTLs.Results The rice variety PTB33 showed high resistance to both brown planthopper (BPH) and WBPH, and varieties N22, RBPH327, and OB677 showed moderate resistance to WBPH. Host choice test and seedling survival rates further verified the WBPH resistance of PTB33, N22, and OB677. By using two F2 mapping populations, two major resistance genes were detected in N22 and OB677. Wbph1 was mapped on chromosome 2 of N22 in a region that harbored the markers RM13650 and RM13478. Its largest logarithm of the odds (LOD) score was 3.94, which explained a 16.6% phenotypic variation. Wbph9 was mapped on chromosome 3 of OB677, where it was flanked by markers RM3513 and RM3525. It had a LOD score of 3.4, explaining a 17.2% phenotypic variation.Conclusions Four varieties PTB33, N22, RBPH327, and OB677 showed resistance to WBPH, of which OB677 was a novel resistance germplasm; and a novel resistance gene Wbph9 was mapped on chromosome 3.
Modeling and Performance Enhancement of Hybrid Fiber Network-PON/DPPM-DWDM-FSO Communications under Atmospheric Turbulence Conditions

A Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) access network using high-speed free-space optical (FSO) communication based on the passive optical networks (PONs) for the distribution link is proposed. In such network architecture, the FSO link can extend the system to areas where an optical fiber link is not feasible, and or provide limited mobility for indoor coverage. The performance of Hybrid Fiber/FSO (HFFSO) network based on digital pulse position modulation (DPPM), for both the indoor and outdoor environments of the optical access network, are compared with the performance of such a network that is based on conventional On-Off Keying Non-Return-to-Zero (OOK-NRZ) modulation using results obtained through computational and analytical modeling. The WDM channels suffer from inter-channel crosstalk, while the HFFSO communication performance in a clear atmosphere is limited by atmospherically induced scintillation. The impairments, plus the amplified spontaneous emission noise from optical amplification, combining in a potentially problematic way, particularly in the upstream direction, which is investigated here. The results obtained indicate that in a clear atmosphere with a sufficiently high signal to crosstalk ratio the proposed system can achieve a human-safe and high-capacity access network. Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) has dramatically increased the capacity of optical transmission systems. Its inherent advantages have made it the current favorite multiplexing technology for an optical network, also used on fiber optic backbones and long-distance transmission. The crosstalk due to inter-band crosstalk for Ultra-Dense WDM systems causes higher noise and degrades the network performance and analyzed the performance of DWDM-PON link that is corrupted crosstalk for Optical Cross-Connect (OXC). Then the analysis of BER with crosstalk was done. Using the equation for crosstalk number of channels was plotted using Matlab. An analysis is carried out to find the amount of crosstalk considering a WDM-FSO over OOK-NRZ and DPPM based OXC. The bit error rate performance degradation due to crosstalk is evaluated for the OXC parameter and number of wavelength per fiber.
Time–frequency analysis of the interaction mechanism between European carbon and crude oil markets

The joint behavior of internal and external system brings out a high complexity of the carbon and oil price interactions, such as non-linearity and multi-frequency. This paper innovatively proposed a time-frequency mechanism between carbon and oil markets from the two aspects of internal system and external factors, and introduced a novelty partial wavelet analytics to explore their dynamic multi-scale interactions. We selected the European carbon and Brent oil futures prices data from March 2009 to December 2020, with the consideration of several necessary control variables from the external surroundings. Our findings point to a stable and strong in-phase relationship between the two markets, with oil leading at medium and lower frequencies. However, the mutual leading relationships are especially sensitive during abnormal political events and periods of financial recession and global emergency, which are observed at different periods for intermediate horizons. What is more, the interactions are more diversified and feebler at short-timescale. Under the vision of carbon neutrality, these evidences provide invaluable guidance for regulators to structure a more flexible adjusting mechanism for the risk control of carbon markets, and also help investors to hedge risk aimed at different time horizons.
Data Journalism in favela: Made by, for, and about Forgotten and Marginalized Communities

ABSTRACT In Brazil, inequalities are visually represented in its favelas. These neighborhoods are usually comprised of low-income informal settlements neglected by governments and often forgotten by mainstream media. The pervasive nature of information and communications technology (ICT) has brought new ways to produce news content in the media industry, giving voice to these communities. Thus, small, alternative, community, or non-mainstream media became a vital terrain of opposition activism. Drawing on user participation, collaboration, and data journalism theories, this article analyzes three alternative media organizations (Agência Mural, data_labe, and Favela em Pauta), which proposed producing data-driven content by, for, and about favelas through a mixed-method research design. Results show that four contributing factors tend to help these organizations to produce data stories despite these challenges: citizen participation, activism, collaboration, and humanizing data. The article concludes by demonstrating how elements developed in these initiatives and presents an agenda for future research.
COMPONENT ANALYSIS AT FORT KEDUNG COWEK BUILDINGS IN SURABAYA, EAST JAVA: OBSERVATION ON PANOPTICON CONCEPT

The fortress in the 20th century has certain characteristics to match the war strategy that is applied at this time. In 1900 the Kustbatterij Kedoeng-Tjowek project or Kedung Cowek fortress was built as a coastal defense for the city of Surabaya by the Dutch colonial. This study aims to identify the function of each building contained in the Kedung Cowek fort military area using a component review by their availability and categorization. Based on the analysis results it is known that each building has a specific function related to the concept of panopticon to apply the value of surveillance in its defense system.
Gabapentin for acute pain in sickle cell disease: A randomized double‐blinded placebo‐controlled phase II clinical trial

Pain in sickle cell disease (SCD) can have a neuropathic component. This randomized phase II double‐blinded placebo‐controlled study evaluated the efficacy of gabapentin in reducing pain and opioid consumption (morphine‐equivalent dose [MED]) during acute vaso‐occlusive crisis (VOC). Of 90 patients aged 1–18 years with VOC pain, 45 were randomized to a single gabapentin dose (15 mg/kg) and 45 to placebo, in addition to standard treatment; 42 and 44 patients were evaluable in the gabapentin and placebo arms, respectively. A decrease in pain of ≥33% was reported in 68% of patients in the gabapentin arm and 60% of those in the placebo arm (one‐sided p = 0.23). The median MED (mg/kg) in the gabapentin (0.12) and placebo arms (0.13) was similar (p = 0.9). However, in the subset of patients with the HbSS genotype (n = 45), the mean (SD) absolute pain score decrease by the time of discharge was significantly greater in the gabapentin arm (5.9 [3.5]) than in the placebo arm (3.6 [3.3]) (p = 0.032). Pain scores in the overall study population were not significantly reduced when gabapentin was added to standard treatment; however, gabapentin benefited individuals with the more severe genotype, HbSS, during acute VOC. Larger, prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Business cycles of casino cities: Theoretical model, empirical evidence and policy implications

ABSTRACT Applying a Markov switching model (MSM) to Las Vegas and Macao, this paper decomposes their business cycles of the casino hospitality industry into high and low growth states (HGS, LGS). Compared with Las Vegas, casino gaming in Macao is more volatile due to larger ups and downs in tourism flows, with HGS being far higher and LGS being much lower. Gaming hospitality in both travel destinations has a strong tendency to stay in HGS, but a low chance of recovering from LGS. While the two cities’ hospitality cycles are desirably asymmetric, Las Vegas’s cycle seems more favorable than Macao’s. Furthermore, in this paper, MSM is incorporated into a structural regression to identify determinants of hospitality cycles and generate policy implications useful for decision-making. It is observed that local hospitality cycles are affected by external business cycles and other demand- or supply-side factors. It is necessary for Las Vegas to strengthen promotional marketing and for Macao to pursue industrial diversification.
Microstoma longipilum sp. nov. (Sarcoscyphaceae, Pezizales) from Japan

Microstoma longipilum sp. nov. collected from two localities in Japan is described. It is characterized by long apothecial hairs and salmon pink discs. Molecular phylogenetic analyses supported the novelty of the fungus. We additionally reported the overlooked morphology of hyphal mats, conidiogenous cells produced directly from ascospores, and conidia. With the addition of M. longipilum, now six species of Microstoma are documented in Japan.
Dynamic Computation Offloading in Ultra-Dense Networks Based on Mean Field Games

In ultra-dense networks, the increasing popularity of computation intensive applications imposes challenges to the resource-constrained smart mobile devices (SMDs), which may be solved by offloading these computation tasks to the nearby mobile edge computing centers. However, when massive SMDs offload computation tasks in a dynamic wireless environment simultaneously, the joint optimization of their offloading decisions becomes prohibitively complex. In this paper, we firstly model the joint optimization problem as a multi-user non-cooperative dynamic stochastic game, then propose a mean field game based algorithm to solve it with a drastically reduced complexity. We derive the two partial differential equations ruling the optimal strategies of the mean field game, namely the Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman and Fokker-Planck-Kolmogorov equations, which are solved in an iterative manner in our proposed algorithm. Numerical results demonstrate that the proposed mean field game-based offloading algorithm requires a lower cumulated cost than the conventional strategies under the latency constraints of computation tasks, with perfect prediction of future channel states. It also appears that the performance of the mean field game-based offloading strategy depends on the accuracy of the future channel knowledge provided to the system, as the uncertainty may compromise its cumulated cost performance.