Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A multigene phylogeny of the eristaline flower flies (Diptera: Syrphidae), with emphasis on the subtribe Criorhinina

We present the first multigene phylogeny focused on Eristalinae (Diptera: Syrphidae) utilizing a dataset containing 120 flower fly species from across all four subfamilies and representing 13 out of 16 tribes. Eight genes were used in the construction of the phylogeny: mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I and the nuclear genes 28S ribosomal DNA, Alanylt RNA Synthetase, the carbamoyl phosphate synthase domain of CAD, Period, RNA-binding Protein 15 (RBP–15, 5’), Casein Kinase 1 and TULP for a total of ~6.7 kB of data. Eristalinae is recovered as paraphyletic with strong support for the elevation of Cerioidini, Merodontini and Volucellini to subfamilial status. Deineches, Flukea and Malometasternum render Criorhinina paraphyletic with respect to the type genus Criorhina. A clade with Criorhina, Matsumyia and Sphecomyia is strongly supported. The generic concept of Criorhina is paraphyletic, while Sphecomyia is monophyletic and Matsumyia is monophyletic but requires expansion. Evidence supports the resurrection of Romaleosyrphus and the creation of new genera. Criorhinina (stat. rev.) is restricted to contain Criorhina, Matsumyia, Romaleosyrphus and Sphecomyia. Thirteen changes to the higher classification of Syrphidae are proposed.
Effect of Catalyst Concentrations on the Growth of Carbon Nanotubes from Waste Engine Oil

Synthesis of carbon nanotubes with different concentrations of ferrocene (C10H10Fe) as catalyst (5.33, 10.66, 13.99- 19.99 wt%) from waste engine oil precursor has been done to study its effects on the growth of carbon nanotubes. Thermal chemical vapor deposition method was used in this study. The synthesis process lasted for 30 minutes under argon gas ambient in constant precursor vaporization and synthesis temperature of 450°C and 750°C respectively. The characterization of prepared samples were done using field emission scanning electron microscopy, micro-Raman spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. High density carbon nanotubes was produced at 17.99 wt% catalyst concentration with purity of 72%. The results show that the structure, diameter size and quality of carbon nanotubes are highly affected by the catalyst concentrations.
Barriers to and Benefits of the Use of Smart Farming Technologies for Small and Medium Winemakers, Specifically Sensors and Weather Stations: A Pilot Study

Digitization is becoming part of agriculture. Winemakers can use monitoring technologies to map land or control the quality of grapes, and telematics, e.g., in tractors, or use entire autonomous machines. The aim of this paper is to find out the barriers to and benefits of the use of smart farming technologies by small and medium winemakers, specifically sensors and weather stations, which allow the collection of site-specific data for subsequent application in viticulture. Therefore, the pilot study analyses how winemakers in traditional industry are able to employ smart farming technologies (SFT) to gain some benefits and also describe possible barriers. The primary method of data collection was through 27 semi-structured interviews with relevant wine industry actors, accessing documents created by SFT providers and an academic literature review. Three groups of actors were researched: 1) 22 winemakers including the Ekovin Association, 2) three SFT providers and, 3) one supplier of hardware for soil and temperature sensors. According to the information of winemakers, it is clear that SFT are used by some of them and they are clearly aware of their benefits, which is also confirmed by SFT providers. The findings revealed that the main STF benefits are adjustment of the product portfolio, savings, consulting and organization of activities. However, respondents also mentioned barriers to SFT implementation, such as low need for information, another source of information, conservative approaches, ignorance of SFT, financial demands, low state support and age of winemakers. The novelty of this paper is in providing an analysis of the issue of SFT, specifically sensors and weather stations, for winemakers from three different perspectives, that of winemakers, suppliers of SFT and HW manufacturer for SFT.
Pressure Relief by Blasting Roof Cutting in Close Seam Group Mining under Thick Sandstone to Enhance Gas Extraction for Mining Safety

Close seam group mining under thin immediate roofs and thick sandstone walls is typically performed with a strong mine pressure and gas concentration, which pose considerable risks to miners. In this study, the mechanism of pressure relief and permeability enhancement to enhance gas extraction for mining safety through blasting roof cutting were investigated through theoretical analyses, numerical simulations, and laboratory tests. The results revealed that, near the blast-hole, which produced numerous cracks, blasting disturbed the integrity of the thick-layer roofs and redistributed the stress near the blast-hole, which prevented violent mine pressure caused by excessive fracture distances on the thick and hard roofs, reduced the additional load on the support, increased vertical gas migration, and ameliorated the effect of gas drainage caused by high-level boreholes. The field applications of forced roof cutting through deep-hole blasting in the II 7224N face of the Renlou coal mine (Huaibei, Anhui, PR China) demonstrated that the occurrence of excessive pressure on the fully mechanized mining hydraulic support was prevented. The gas extraction volume of high-level boreholes was maintained at 6–8 m3/min; the extraction concentration was stable at approximately 35%; and the gas concentration in the upper corner of the coal face was lessened from 7% to <1%, which ensured normal mining in the coal face. The current results can provide data reference and a theoretical basis for roof management and gas control of the same type of coal face.
Measurement of Trace Elements in Marine Environmental Samples using Solution ICPMS. Current and Future Applications

The strengths and weaknesses of using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICPMS) measurements of samples in solution for marine environmental analyses using real world examples is discussed. ICPMS can detect nanogram per litre concentrations of trace elements but suffers from polyatomic interferences generated from the sample matrix. Most of the routine trace elements measured in marine biological tissue and sediment digests, with the notable exceptions of iron, chromium, vanadium, and selenium, are not subject to severe interferences. Low recoveries of trace elements from sediments are due to the inability of extraction acids to remove trace elements such as chromium and nickel from sediment matrices. The use of ICPMS offers the advantage that elements such as phosphorus, which previously required elaborate digestion procedures and a colorimetric determination, can be rapidly determined using nitric acid digestion alone. The use of flow injection coupled with ICPMS allows on-line preconcentration of trace metals and metalloids using chelation by ion-exchange resins or hydride generation and trapping as well as separation from matrix elements. Thus, the routine determination of trace elements and inorganic and methylated arsenic, antimony, mercury, and germanium species in open-ocean waters is possible. The coupling of HPLC and GC to ICPMS allows the measurement of metal and metalloid species in biological and sediment extracts. However, extraction of unaltered species from matrices presents a challenge. Many of the species found in the environmental samples are not known and analytical standards are not available. The concurrent use of HPLC-MS is needed to confirm these species.
Unilateral Ocular Siderosis Bulbi Due to Missed Metallic Intraocular Foreign Body Masquerading as Anisocoria of Neurological Origin: A Case Report

Patient: Male, 38-year-old Final Diagnosis: Intraocular foreign body Symptoms: Visual field defect Medication: — Clinical Procedure: Intraocular foreign body removal Specialty: Ophthalmology Objective: Unusual clinical course Background: Ocular siderosis is an uncommon cause of vision loss due to a retained ferrous intraocular foreign bodies (IOFB) that cause iron deposition in ocular tissues. The most common manifestations are cataract formation, diffuse pigmentary changes of the retinal pigment epithelium, iris heterochromia, dilated pupils, secondary glaucoma, iritis, and cystoid macular edema. Case Report: We report a case of 38-year-old man who presented with a left dilated pupil and visual field defect. Neurological examination results were normal. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed a gross artifact at the site of the left globe. The visual field test showed a peripheral arcuate nasal visual field defect in the left eye. Ophthalmic examination revealed peripheral pigmentary changes and a black elongated and elevated lesion located very anterior and inferior-temporal and attached to the retina with fibrous tissue. A computed tomography scan revealed a 1×1-mm-round hyperdense IOFB in the left vitreous cavity. The diagnosis of siderosis bulbi secondary to a missed IOFB was established. The patient underwent a pars plana vitrectomy for removal of the IOFB. Two weeks later, rhegmatogenous retinal detachment developed, and repair with silicon oil injection was done. One year after the last operation, the best corrected visual acuity in the left eye was 6/120, with normal intraocular pressure and an attached posterior pole. Conclusions: This case highlights the importance of investigating for a retained IOFB in cases of unilateral retinitis pigmentosa changes.
Selection of the best plasma reactor for the diamond chemical vapor deposition operation of waste materials using multi-criteria decision-making models

Wastes emerged as potential alternative energy to flourish in various useful materials and commodities for human demands. In the civilized nation's variety of industrial projects of plasma, reactors underwent the decision-making models, project approval and even exploitation stages from long ago. The current study comprised waste materials utilization in diamond deposition purposes via chemical vapor deposition for constructing future industries firstly. To select the best plasma reactor were employed seven multi-criteria decision-making models in combination with three kinds of weighing systems to select the best plasma reactor empirically. Initial data for assessment possessed from a deep literature review based on probative technologies. It was classified and prioritized the plasma reactors in a coherent connection for direct gasification operation and placed them in a relevant arrangement media for partial gasification assortment. The developed assortment of plasma reactors was generally indicated as alternating current, direct current, glow, microwave, high-Frequency plasma, laser, Plasmatron and flame at direct gasification operation respectively. The high degree of stability among multi-criteria decision-making models and the sensitivity analysis employed for the weights and ranks released for alternatives and criteria had confirmed the precision and validity required. Also, on the global level, the findings of the present study proved the implementation of direct current plasma gasification reactors in large scale industries.
Disassembly of Faceted Macrosteps in the Step Droplet Zone in Non-Equilibrium Steady State

A Wulff figure—the polar graph of the surface tension of a crystal—with a discontinuity was calculated by applying the density matrix renormalization group method to the p-RSOS model, a restricted solid-on-solid model with a point-contact-type step–step attraction. In the step droplet zone in this model, the surface tension is discontinuous around the (111) surface and continuous around the (001) surface. The vicinal surface of 4H-SiC crystal in a Si–Cr–C solution is thought to be in the step droplet zone. The dependence of the vicinal surface growth rate and the macrostep size 〈 n 〉 on the driving force Δ μ for a typical state in the step droplet zone in non-equilibrium steady state was calculated using the Monte Carlo method. In contrast to the known step bunching phenomenon, the size of the macrostep was found to decrease with increasing driving force. The detachment of elementary steps from a macrostep was investigated, and it was found that 〈 n 〉 satisfies a scaling function. Moreover, kinetic roughening was observed for | Δ μ | > Δ μ R , where Δ μ R is the crossover driving force above which the macrostep disappears.
Personal resources conducive to educational success: high achieving students’ perspectives

This study was explorative and aimed at in-depth understanding of personal resources students use to reach success, in the demanding context of honours education. Becoming successful in higher education demands a lot from students. Considering the Job Demands-Resources model it is expected that personal resources help students succeed. We explore which personal resources benefit students’ performance in demanding contexts of honours education. Using a questionnaire and semi-structured interviews, we asked thirteen honours students of three institutions which personal resources had helped them to achieve success. Results suggest that honours students use different personal resources. Most frequently mentioned resources could be grouped around five themes: self-directiveness, inquiry-mindedness, perseverance, social involvement and motivation. Especially resources in the themes self-directiveness, inquiry-mindedness and perseverance were perceived as important facilitators for educational success. The outcomes may inform interventions to help students develop personal resources needed to handle high educational demands. Further research is needed to identify the most effective interventions.
MEASURING THE IMPACTS OF GOODS AND SERVICES TAX (GST) AND SALES AND SERVICES TAX (SST) ON THE COST OF PRODUCTION IN MALAYSIA: AN INPUT-OUTPUT PRICE MODEL ANALYSIS

The Malaysian government has decided to re-introduce the Sales and Services Tax (SST) to replace the Goods and Services Tax (GST). This decision is expected to reduce the rate of inflation, however, it still leaves the members of industries and the public with more questions regarding its impacts on the cost of production. To address this concern, this study is structured to measure the impacts of GST and SST systems on the cost of production in Malaysia. To achieve this objective, an Input-Output price modelling technique is applied. The application of this model takes into consideration the different tax rates under both the GST and SST systems on 124 economic sectors in Malaysia. Results from the analysis suggest that GST has the tendency to reduce the cost of production in the economy while SST drives the cost increment. Meanwhile, these 124 economic sectors are classified into five broad economic sectors and the findings show that manufacturing sectors are mostly affected by these consumption taxes. It is noted that, this finding is derived based on the assumption that only the consumption tax system will affect the cost of production without considering the impacts of other external factors such as subsidy rationalisation, currency depreciation, minimum wage and market structure.
Rapid process synthesis supported by a unified modular software framework

Although known to be very powerful, the widespread application of model‐based techniques is still significantly hampered in the area of bio‐processes. Reasons for this situation can be found along the whole chain to set up and implement such approaches. In a time‐consuming step, models are typically hand‐crafted. Whether alternatives of better models exist to actually fulfill the final goals is undocumented, most often even unknown. In a next step, model‐based process control methods are hand‐coded in an error‐prone procedure. For many of these methods given in the literature, only simulation studies are shown, leaving the interested reader with the unanswered question whether the implementation of a specific method in a real process is viable. As the potentially time‐consuming implementation of such a method presents a risk for a rapid process development, promising candidates may be overlooked. To remediate this unsatisfactory situation, a combination of theoretical methods and information technology is proposed here. By an exemplarily realized software tool, it is shown how such an environment helps to promote model‐based optimization, supervision, and control of bio‐processes and allows for an inexpensive test of new ideas as well in real‐life experiments. The contribution concentrates on an overview of a possible software architecture with respect to necessary methods and a meaningful information strategy, highlighting some of the more crucial building blocks. Experimental results exploiting parts of the proposed methods are given for a yeast strain synthesizing a product of industrial interest.
Rhizobial isolates in active layer samples of permafrost soil of Spitsbergen, Arctic

Twenty-nine strains were isolated from two samples of the permafrost active layer of the Spitsbergen archipelago. The estimated number of bacteria ranged from 4.0⋅104 to 1.7⋅107 CFU∙g–1. As a result of sequencing of the 16S rRNA (rrs) genes, the isolates were assigned to 13 genera belonging to the phyla Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria (classes α, β, and γ), Bacteroidetes, and Firmicutes. Six isolates belonged to the rhizobial genus Mesorhizobium (order Rhizobiales). A plant nodulation assay with seedlings of legume plants Astragalus norvegicus, A. frigidus, A. subpolaris and Oxytropis sordida, originated from Khibiny (Murmansk region, Russia) and inoculated with Mesorhizobium isolates, showed the inability of these strains to form nodules on plant roots. Symbiotic (sym) genes nodC and nodD were not detected in Mesorhizobium strains either.
Viscoelastic properties of poly(methyl methacrylate) with high glass transition temperature by lithium salt addition

The effect of ion-dipole interaction between lithium cations and oxygen atoms in poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), which leads to the great enhancement of glass transition temperature (Tg), on the linear viscoelastic properties is studied using binary blends of PMMA and lithium trifluoromethanesulfonate (LiCF3SO3). The strong interaction at low temperature leads to the high modulus in the glassy region even near Tg. The interaction becomes weak as increasing the temperature. Consequently, the rheological terminal region is clearly detected without a marked enhancement of steady-state compliance, although the zero-shear viscosity increases by the LiCF3SO3 addition. The result indicates that the crosslinking due to the ion-dipole interaction has a lifetime that decides the longest relaxation time. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016, 54, 2388–2394
Finite‐time energy‐to‐peak quantized filtering for Markov jump networked systems under weighted try‐once‐discard protocol

This work addresses the finite‐time energy‐to‐peak filtering issue for networked systems subject to quantization effects and the weighted try‐once‐discard (WTOD) protocol, in which the random changes of coupling connections are governed by a Markov chain. To avoid the conflict in data transmission, the WTOD protocol is introduced to the communication between the sensor node and the filter, which guarantees that just one sensor node has access to send data at each transmission instant. In addition, the quantizer is employed to improve the reliability of data transmission. The objective of this article is to construct a filter such that the filtering error system satisfies the requirements of both the finite‐time boundary and the specified energy‐to‐peak performance. Based on the Kronecker product, the Lyapunov stability theory and an improved matrix decoupling method, some sufficient conditions are established through disposing of convex optimization issues. Ultimately, the availability of the designed filter is illustrated via a numerical example.
Utility of animal models of Alzheimer’s disease in food bioactive research

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by globally impaired cognition. AD research in animals has shown a substantial deficit in translational relevance. The most extensively used transgenic mouse models overexpress human genes associated with rare familial early-onset AD, which results in the formation of amyloid plaques. However, the most common form of AD (late-onset sporadic AD) is a multifactorial disorder involving different cytotoxic factors, including neurofibrillary pathology. Transgenic mice studies have been valuable in elucidating pathogenetic mechanisms that may be relevant to human AD. However, their utility in the development of novel treatment strategies and as preclinical testbeds of new drugs has been unsatisfactory. Animal models have so far failed to demonstrate predictive value in regard to novel therapies of AD, including the use of bioactive food components. While many therapeutic approaches assessed in animals have shown promising results, attempts to translate these findings to people with AD have been disappointing. Food scientists should be aware that the available animal models appear to be unable to predict clinical success in humans. Therefore, food bioactive research should focus on human-centric preventive approaches to AD in clinically meaningful settings rather than on highly questionable preclinical research in animals.
Coupling kinetic models and advection–diffusion equations. 2. Sensitivity analysis of an advection–diffusion–reaction model

The accompanying paper (Uys et al., in silico Plants, 2021: diab013) presented a core model of sucrose accumulation within the advection–diffusion–reaction framework, which is able to capture the spatio-temporal evolution of the system from a set of initial conditions. This paper presents a sensitivity analysis of this model. Because this is a non-steady-state model based on partial differential equations, we performed the sensitivity analysis using two approaches from engineering. The Morris method is based on a one-at-a-time design, perturbing parameters individually and calculating the influence on model output in terms of elementary effects. Fourier amplitude sensitivity test (FAST) is a global sensitivity analysis method, where all parameters are perturbed simultaneously, oscillating at different frequencies, enabling the calculation of the contribution of each parameter through Fourier analysis. Overall, both methods gave similar results. Perturbations in reactions tended to have a large influence on their own rate, as well as on directly connected metabolites. Sensitivities varied both with the time of the simulation and the position along the sugarcane stalk. Our results suggest that vacuolar sucrose concentrations are most sensitive to vacuolar invertase in the centre of the stalk, but that phloem unloading and vacuolar sucrose uptake also contribute, especially towards the stalk edges. Sucrose in the phloem was most sensitive to phloem loading at the nodes, but most sensitive to phloem unloading in the middle of the internodes. Sink concentrations of sucrose in the symplast were most sensitive to phloem unloading in the middle of the internodes, but at the nodes cytosolic invertase had the greatest effect.