Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Crustal Deformations of the Central North China Craton Constrained by Radial Anisotropy

Situated in a transition zone between the western and eastern North China Craton (NCC), the central NCC exhibits complex dynamics features. Significant lithosphere thinning is observed beneath the eastern NCC and the northern segment of the central NCC. To study how the crust responses to the distinct lateral variations of the lithospheric mantle, we develop a method for joint inversion of Rayleigh and Love dispersion curves based on a transverse‐isotropic (or radial anisotropy) medium and obtain a 3‐D crustal radial anisotropy model. The results reveal significant heterogeneities along the Cenozoic Fenhe‐Weihe Rift (FWR). In the northern FWR, the discretely distributed lower crust positive anisotropy and upper crust negative anisotropy suggest the rifting is mainly dominated by the active mantle upwelling resulting in the Datong volcanoes. Similarly, the northern segment of the Taihang Mountain is also strongly affected by the magmatic activities and exhibits different anisotropy properties compared to its central‐to‐southern counterpart. Based on the negative anisotropy observed in the middle‐to‐lower crust beneath most parts of the Taihang Mountain, we speculate that a lower‐crust compression model can be applied to the Taihang Mountain, which is totally different to that of the adjacent Bohai Bay Basin. Possibly, the root of the Taihang Mountain is pushed by the westward moving lower crust coupled with the lateral escaping mantle flow beneath the Bohai Bay Basin. The Taihang Mountain and the Bohai Bay Basin are formed in similar tectonic environments, but are deformed in different ways.
Fertilization Fitness and Relation to Chromosome Number in Interspecific Progeny between Brassica napus and B. rapa: A Comparative Study using Natural and Resynthesized B. napus

The variation of the chromosome number in interspecific progeny is difficult to predict. We defined the terms fertilization fitness and relative fitness as the parameters of competitive ability of the gametes and attempted to use them in a study on the variation of the chromosome number in the progeny between Brassica napus and B. rapa. Fertilization fitness was defined as the ratio of the actual frequency of the gametes with a specific chromosome number to the theoretical frequency based on binomial distribution. Relative fitness was defined as the ratio of fertilization fitness of the gametes with a specific chromosome number to fertilization fitness of the gametes with n = 10. A resynthesized accession and a natural accession of B. napus were used in this experiment to produce sesquidiploids AAC-S and AAC-N, respectively. A comparative study on these two sesquidiploid populations was carried out to reveal differences in the pattern of variation in the chromosome number. Fitness analysis showed that gamete competition was conspicuous and closely related to the chromosome number. Gamete competition occurred predominantly during the embryo developmental stage. In both sesquidiploid populations, fertilization fitness decreased abruptly when the chromosome number varied in the range from n = 10 to n = 12 or in the range from n = 19 to n = 17. However, in the range from n = 13 to n = 16, the effect of the chromosome number on fertilization fitness was more pronounced in the AAC-N population than in the AAC-S one. The AAC-N population showed stronger tendency in keeping its gametes toward euploid number. Fertilization fitness and relative fitness was found to be efficient parameters for the study of variation of the chromosome number in interspecific hybridization. The use of the Relative fitness parameter may enable to predict the frequency of a specific chromosome number in interspecific progenies.
Bacterial and mold resistance of selected tropical wood species

The biological resistance of 21 tropical wood species against bacteria and molds was studied. The gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus and the gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli had none or negligible activity on surfaces of zebrano and macaranduba (up to 1 ×106 CFU/mL), and they had negligible or medium activity on surfaces of macassar ebony, ovengol, santos rosewood, and iroko (from 1 ×106 up to 1 ×107 CFU/mL). These bacteria had high activity on surfaces of okoume, tineo, doussie, makore, and both reference woods, beech and Scots pine (usually over 1 ×107 CFU/mL). The mold growth activity (MGA) of Aspergillus niger and Penicillium brevicompactum was minimal on surfaces of ipe, yellow balau, macassar ebony, doussie, bubinga, and merbau, but it was strong on surfaces of okoume, cerejeira, ovengol, wenge, sapelli, and both reference woods. When comparing individual biological tests of (a) bacterial and mold but also (b) bacterial, mold and rot with decaying fungi C. puteana and T. versicolor, no significant relationships were found. These results confirm that the bio-durability of woods is influenced not only by their molecular structure, but also by the attacking biological pest group.
How does scavenger receptor B1 polymorphism (rs4238001) affect the progression of Hepatitis C patients with persistent viral responses?

Aim: Scavenger receptor B1 (SR-B1) is an important glycoprotein that plays an important role in the entry of hepatitis C virus (HCV) to hepatocyte. SR-B1 also acts as a modulator in many situations, such as both the natural and adaptive immune system. The effects of HCV on entry to hepatocyte and response to treatment in SR-B1 mutations were investigated in many studies performed before. We aimed to investigate the effects of SR-B1 polymorphism on liver in patients with noncirrhotic HCV who received pegylatedinterferon + ribavirin treatment and had persistent viral response (SVR). Material and Methods: We included naive, non-cirrhosis patients diagnosed with HCV in our clinic between 2008 and 2009. We monitored approximately 53 patients form whom we obtained SVR after treatment and followed up regularly for at least twice a year for ten years. We evaluated ultrasonography, laboratory parameters and calculated non-invasive fibrosis scores (APRI and FIB-4). Results: A total of 91% of patients were genotype 1b and 9% were genotype 1a. 2 patients developed cirrhosis in 4th and 6th year of their follow-up. One of these patients had Wild type SR-B1 rs4238001 (Gly2Ser) (GG) genotype and the other had heterozygous SR-B1 (GA) genotype. We detected no cirrhosis in none of the other 51 patients. We found improvement in APRI and FIB4 scores during follow-up in patients with both wild type and heterozygous SR-B1 genotype. It was more pronounced in the heterozygous SRB1 group (pretreatment and 10th year values, respectively 0.82±0.65, 0.38±0.24 for APRI, 1.79±1.12, 1.31±0.65 for FIB-4) (p< 0.05). Conclusion: The improvement of noninvasive fibrosis scores of SR-B1 mutations in non-cirrhotic HCV patients with SVR was more prominent in the group with heterozygous mutations. Although no difference was detected between SR-B1 mutations in terms of risk of cirrhosis progression and HCC development, larger studies are needed in this direction.
An Experimental Trial to Prepared γ1 34.5 Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Immunogene by cloning Technique

The herpes simplex virus (HSV) family offers particular advantages for use as a viral oncolytic. The engineered vectors that make up oncolytic HSVs (oHSVs) have demonstrated remarkable safety in clinical trials, with some evidence of efficacy. The past decade has seen a focus on increasing the efficacy of oncolytic vectors by adding exogenous transgenes to enhance tumor destruction. This study aimed to prepared the Recombinant γ1 34.5 - Infected Cell Protein (ICP34.5) Herpes Simplex Virus-1 Immunogenic by cloning technique from the wild type hsv-1, through the following steps; firstly propagation the virus on Vero cell line o estimate the cytopathic effect; after then it was diagnosed by immunofluorescent microscope in cell culture supernatant; followed by evaluation the titration of hsv-1 by plaque assay. Secondly, used specific set of primers for (γ1 34.5 gene) sequence, then cleaved this sequence by restriction enzyme; followed it cloned this sequence by appropriate vector (PSL1180), then was mixed with another vector contain green fluorescent protein to ensure was gained these sequence. Thirdly, transport this sequence to vero cell line by specific transporter for development and produce there gene expression (ICP34.5) immunogenic.
Use of species-specific satellite DNA from Bursaphelenchus xylophilus as a diagnostic probe

We describe the development of a species-specific DNA probe with the satellite DNA (satDNA) isolated from the Japanese J10 isolate of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus. We show that this MspI satDNA probe is effective directly on a single squashed nematode spotted onto a filter. Therefore, in the pinewood nematode species complex, the identification of the plant pathogenic species B. xylophilus may be accomplished both rapidly and reliably. We also show that the MspI satellite sequence is polymorphic within B. xylophilus species. Hybridization patterns of B. xylophilus isolates with the MspI satellite probe result in very different profiles, with polymorphisms characterizing each of the tested strains [. ]
The Contribution of Private Sector in the provision of Higher Education in Tanzania: Growth and Challenges

This study sought to capture the involvement of the private sector in the provision of higher education: Growth and administrative challenges facing private universities in Tanzania. Data was gleaned through the employment of a questionnaire, an in-depth interview guide, and a document analysis guide; five universities were included in the study. A sample size of 150 participants were involved in the study, including 100 Lecturers, 40 university students and 10 private university managers in the country. The research utilized mixed methods, convergent parallel research methods designs, which involved quantitative and qualitative paradigms. The instruments for data collection were a questionnaire, an interview, and observation. Validity and reliability were checked, the result of Cronbach's alpha was 0.861 indicating that the instruments were valid and reliable. Data was collected, coded using expressive statistics with the support package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 21. Qualitative information was coded by the naming of conceptual categories and main themes to obtain numerous realities. The current study established that private universities are contributing greatly to the provision of quality education in Tanzania. These include the fact that private universities outnumber public universities hence they enroll more students, they also employ more lecturers and their students perform better than those in public universities. Nevertheless, they encounter challenges such as lack of funds, research and publication, quality assurance specifically TCU issues which hinders the growth of private universities and loss of qualified experienced academic staff. This study recommends that private universities should endlessly focus at future staffing levels and guarantee strategies are revised so as to involve more students, managers in private universities need to expand, diversify and remodel their way of operations as well as putting in place the necessary support systems and resources as intervention measures to strengthen the provision of higher education to the students enrolled in the universities. There is also a need for universities to conduct more research for social transformation. Universities should partner with industry in the improvement of technology and the generation of market- driven programs.
Analysis of Semi-supervised Text Clustering Algorithm on Marine Data

: Semi-supervised clustering improves learning performance as long as it uses a small number of labeled samples to assist un-tagged samples for learning. This paper implements and compares unsupervised and semi-supervised clustering analysis of BOA-Argo ocean text data. Unsupervised K-Means and Affinity Propagation (AP) are two classical clustering algorithms. The Election-AP algorithm is proposed to handle the final cluster number in AP clustering as it has proved to be difficult to control in a suitable range. Semi-supervised samples thermocline data in the BOA-Argo dataset according to the thermocline standard definition, and use this data for semi-supervised cluster analysis. Several semi-supervised clustering algorithms were chosen for comparison of learning performance: Constrained-K-Means, Seeded-K-Means, SAP (Semi-supervised Affinity Propagation), LSAP (Loose Seed AP) and CSAP (Compact Seed AP). In order to adapt the single label, this paper improves the above algorithms to SCKM (improved Constrained-K-Means), SSKM (improved Seeded-K-Means), and SSAP (improved Semi-supervised Affinity Propagationg) to perform semi-supervised clustering analysis on the data. A DSAP (Double Seed AP) semi-supervised clustering algorithm based on compact seeds is proposed as the experimental data shows that DSAP has a better clustering effect. The unsupervised and semi-supervised clustering results are used to analyze the potential patterns of marine data.
INVERSE METABOLIC ENGINEERING BY INTEGRATION OF MULTIPLE OMICS ANALYSES

Abstract An inverse metabolic engineering method with “multiple omics analyses” was applied to creation of a stress tolerant strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. DNA microarray data of laboratory and brewing strains under high ethanol concentration condition (transcriptomics data) were compared and analyzed by a clustering method. Sensitivity analysis of gene knockout mutant library was further performed (phenomics data). The selection of candidate genes for conferring stress tolerance was successfully performed.
Frequency scanning Fabry–Pérot cavity antenna with single 2D‐varying partial reflecting surface

This study presents a frequency scanning Fabry–Perot cavity antenna with a single 2D varying partially reflecting surface (PRS) operating from 9.4 to 10.6 GHz. A probe-fed stacked rectangular patch antenna is applied as the primary source. A PRS consisting of 9 × 9 cells, whose sizes vary with azimuth, is mounted upon the source to modulate the phase efficiently. Due to the opposite correlations between scan angle and frequency in the forward and backward regions, phase distributions in the forward region are dominant in frequency scanning. The scan angle increases with frequency, as the negative correlation between the reflection phase of PRS and frequency. It is demonstrated that the beam angle is scanned from 11° to 35° with over 10 dBi gain and over 88% radiation efficiency within the band. The results in simulations and measurements validate the frequency scanning performance. It also provides the possibility that phase distributions in the forward region and the backward region could have the same weights in frequency scanning for better performances. Besides, without electronic/mechanical tuning, or PRS size varying, the proposed antenna is simple for design and operation.
The aspartate-257 of presenilin 1 is indispensable for mouse development and production of β-amyloid peptides through β-catenin-independent mechanisms

To differentiate multiple activities of presenilin 1 (PS1), we generated transgenic mice expressing two human PS1 alleles: one with the aspartate to alanine mutation at residue 257 (hPS1D257A) that impairs the proteolytic activity of PS1, and the other deleting amino acids 340–371 of the hydrophilic loop sequence (hPS1Δcat) essential for β-catenin interaction. We show here that although hPS1Δcat is fully competent in rescuing the PS1-null lethal phenotype, hPS1D257A does not exhibit developmental activity. hPS1D257A also leads to the concurrent loss of the proteolytic processing of Notch and β-amyloid precursor protein (APP) and the generation of β-amyloid peptides (Aβ). Further, by measuring the levels of endogenous AβX-40 and AβX-42 in primary neuronal cultures, we confirmed the concept that PS1 is indispensable for the production of secreted Aβ.
Pseudophilautus dilmah, a new species of shrub frog (Amphibia: Anura: Rhacophoridae) from a threatened habitat Loolkandura in Sri Lanka

A new species of shrub frog Pseudophilautus dilmah is described from the Central Hills of Sri Lanka. This unique species is distinguished from all the other congeners from a combination of characters; snout rounded in lateral aspect, bluntly pointed in dorsal and ventral aspect, canthus rostralis rounded, vomerine teeth, lingual papilla and nuptial pads absent, dermal fringe distinct on inside of fingers III and IV, small blunt tubercles on metacarpal and ulnar folds, toes basally webbed, interorbital area smooth, upper eyelid prominent tubercles present, anterior and posterior dorsum without horny spinules but tubercles present, upper part of flank weakly granular, supratympanic fold distinct, prominent small calcar present at the distal end of the tibia, throat granular, chest and belly coarsely granular. Based on comparison of 16s rRNA gene we also show that the species is genetically distinct from other members of Pseudophilautus for which gene sequences are available. The high rate of deforestation and anthropogenic activities threaten this population in its natural habitat.
The Analysis of the Effect of a Chayotte Extract on the Radiolabeling of Blood Elements in Diabetic Rats

The use of natural products occurs around the world. The labeling of blood constituents with technetium-99m (99m Tc) has been influenced by natural extracts and oxidative stress. Some studies suggested that maternal diabetes can affect the embryology environmental and this fact could help to elucidate that the oxidative stress may be related to the disturb of the gene expression which is essential in the control of the ontogenetic processes. We evaluated the influence of a chayotte(Sechium edule) extract on the labeling of blood elements with 99m Tc in diabetic female rats. The animals were treated with chayotte during 7 days and samples of blood were withdrawn. The samples were incubated with stannous chloride and with 99mTc. Plasma(P) and blood cells (BC) were isolated, also precipitated with trichloroacetic acid and soluble (SF) and insoluble fractions (IF) separated. The radioactivity (ATI%) was rated in RBC, IF-P and IF-C in a well counter. In the diabetic group it was observed an increase in the radioactivity in BC (from 43.65 ± 1.83 to 59.47 ± 1.83 and in the IF-BC (from 26.22 ± 23.58 to 73.28 ± 23.58). It was noticed that the referred extract has normalizing the efficiency of radiolabeling in the diabetic animals which have received the referred extract. The effect of chayotte extract probably, could be explained by the metabolization of the chayotte that would be capable of inducing the generation of active metabolites with oxidant properties probably altering the activity of cell membrane.
Aerial foggy image rejection using single neuron

Aerial images taken during terrain mapping can be affected with a foggy weather. In this paper we proposed new fog detection method and image rejection using single neuron. Fog detection is based on statistical data collected by converting color image to grayscale image and then applying gamma correction factor. With this statistical data, training dataset is created for single neuron. Neuron is simple two input neuron with sigmoid activation function. We establish connection with single neuron and statistical data so it can recognize is there presence of fog in aerial image.
Thermal properties of sonicated graphene in coconut oil as a phase change material for energy storage in building applications1

This study aims to investigate the thermal properties of a phase change material (PCM) based on coconut oil for building energy storage applications. Coconut oil is classified as an organic PCM composed of fatty acids made from renewable feedstock. However, low thermal conductivity is one of the major drawbacks of organic PCMs that must be improved. Graphene could be an effective material to enhance the thermal performance of organic PCMs. In this study, coconut oil with a latent heat capacity of 114.6 J/g and a melting point of 17.38°C was used. PCMs were prepared by sonicating graphene into coconut oil, as a supporting material. The mass fractions of the prepared PCMs were 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5. Thermal conductivity tests were performed using a KD2 thermal property analyser under different ambient temperatures of 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25°C simulated with a circulating thermostatic bath. The latent heat, melting point and freezing point were determined through differential scanning calorimetry, the thermal stability was determined using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and the morphology and chemical structure were examined using transmission electron microscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, respectively. The results of this study showed that graphene addition to coconut oil improved the thermal performance, with the highest improvement seen in a 0.3 wt% sample at 20°C. The latent heat decreased by 11% owing to molecular movements within the PCM. However, TGA revealed that the composite PCMs showed good thermal stability in ambient building temperature ranges.
DETERMINANTS OF THE SYNCHRONY OF REPRODUCTION IN TOWNSEND VOLES, MICROTUS-TOWNSENDII

To determine whether synchronization of birth by female Townsend's voles occurs in natural populations as a result of environmental or social factors, the temporal pattern of reproduction was monitored in two populations of known relatedness. reproduction was most intense from April to July and less intense during the infestation by botflies in August and September. Synchronization of births was not related to the distance between females's nests or activity centers. This suggests that habitat characteristics of home-ranges do not cause the synchronization of parturitions. There was no correlation between the degree of relatedness of females and the synchronization of the birth of their litters. Among nearest neighbours, pairs of sisters and mothers and their daughters reproducing in the year of their birth had their litters significantly more synchronized than other females. Thus neighbouring relatives reproduce more synchronously than unrelated neighbours. Because related females often breed in communal home-ranges they could benefit from synchrony through a reduction of the risk of their pups being killed by close-relatives. Voles are thought to be unable to recognize their relative's offspring and it is possible that, like female wild mice, female Townsend's voles are infanticidal during pregnancy and non-infanticidal during lactation. The degree of synchrony of the spring onset of reproduction changed between years and was not higher among females of high average relatedness. Thus the synchrony of the onset of reproduction in spring is more a consequence of differences in the condition of individual females than determined by the extent of female territoriality.