Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
What about microparticles? Perspectives and practical aspects

Abstract The first description of microparticles dates back to 1967, when Wolf reported platelet membrane fragments in human plasma and called them “platelet dust”. These vesicles were later called microparticles and the knowledge about their characterization and function has advanced since then. The generation of microparticles represents a mechanism of intercellular communication, playing various roles in both physiological and pathological conditions. Besides other multiple roles in pathology such as inflammation, atherogenesis and cancer spreading, platelet-derived microparticles are involved in thrombogenesis. Tissue factor and phosphatidylserine are both exposed on the outer membrane of platelet-derived microparticles, providing catalytic procoagulant surfaces. The evaluation of microparticles may represent a possible investigation and diagnostic tool. Their enumeration and characterization is challenging and flow cytometry remains the most widely used method for the analysis of microparticles. The aim of the authors is to review the most relevant information on the main properties, mechanisms of generation, and clinical relevance of platelet-derived microparticles, since their evaluation is increasingly considered as a diagnostic biomarker. Rezumat Prima descriere a mieroporticulelor datează din 1967, când Wolf a comunicat prezenţa fragmentelor membranare trombocitare în plasma umană, numindu-le “praf placlietar”. Aceste vezicule au fost ulterior denumite microparticule, iar cunoştinţele despre caracterizarea şi funcţia lor au avansat de atunci. Generarea de microparticule reprezintă un mecanism de comunicare intercelulară, având diferite roluri, atât în statusul fiziologic, cât şi în diverse afecţiuni. în afară de participarea lor în patogenia unor procese precum inflamaţia, aterogeneza sau metastazarea neoplaziilor, microparticulele trombocitare sunt implicate în trombogeneză. Factorul tisular şi fosfatidilserina sunt ambele expuse pe membrana externă a microparticulelor trombocitare, oferind suprafeţe catalitice procoagulante. Evaluarea microparticulelor constituie un potenţial instrument de investigare şi diagnostic. Enumerarea şi caracterizarea lor reprezintă o provocare, iar metoda de analiză cea mai utilizată este citometria în flux. Având în vedere tendinţa actuală de a considera microparticulele ca fiind un adevărat rnarker de diagnostic, autorii îşi propun să prezinte o imagine de ansamblu asupra celor mai relevante informaţii cu privire la proprietăţile principale, mecanismele de producţie şi importanţa clinică a microparticulelor trombocitare
Inconsistent Responses of Transpiration of Different Canopy Layers to Simulated Canopy and Understory N Depositions in a Low‐Subtropical Evergreen Broadleaf Forest

Quantifying transpiration and its response to meteorological factors at a stand scale and different canopy layers of forest is important for understanding the hydrological impact of nitrogen (N) deposition on local water balance. For this purpose, sap flows were measured in three upper (Schima superba, Castanea henryi, and Machilus chinensis) and three lower (Symplocos ramosissima, Ilex ficoidea, and Schefflera octophylla) canopy species based on a manipulative experimental platform with canopy (CN) and understory (UN) N additions in a low‐subtropical evergreen broadleaf forest. Each application included concentrations of 0, 25, and 50 kg·ha−1·a−1 N. Results showed that N addition obviously influenced the sap flux density and such influence varied among different species and between canopy layers. Upper canopy species contributed the most transpiration for the whole forest, and CN25 greatly affected the transpiration in both upper and lower canopy layers. Daily water use (Qd) increased logarithmically with daytime average photosynthetically active radiation and daily average vapor pressure deficit. An appropriate canopy N addition (CN25) promoted the Qd and its sensitivity to micrometeorological factors, whereas UN had a minimal effect. These results suggest a substantial difference in response of transpiration to the N addition ways. CN had more effective influence on the canopy transpiration. Thus, UN could not fully reflect the effects of increased N deposition on the canopy‐associated transpiration, and the response of forest transpiration to N deposition needs to be analyzed beyond species and upscaled to the canopy level in favor of meaningful assessments of N deposition.
Traffic Differentiated Clustering Routing in DSRC and C-V2X Hybrid Vehicular Networks

Vehicles equipped with sensors can participate in mobile crowdsourcing applications. Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks (VANETs) based on Dedicated Short Range Communication (DSRC) are used to carry sensing data. However, multi-hop transmissions for gathering data to Road Side Units (RSUs) in VANETs suffer from low data rate and long end-to-end delay, which can hardly meet the QoS requirements of delay-sensitive services. This triggers the consideration of constituting a DSRC and Cellular-Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) hybrid vehicular network. Nevertheless, using cellular links to carry traffic can cause high cellular bandwidth costs. In this paper, we propose a Traffic Differentiated Clustering Routing (TDCR) mechanism in a Software Defined Network (SDN)-enabled hybrid vehicular network. The proposed mechanism includes a centralized one-hop clustering approach and a data delivery optimization method. Particularly, the optimization is to make a tradeoff between cellular bandwidth cost and end-to-end delay, for Cluster Heads (CHs) delivering their aggregated data either by multi-hop Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) transmissions or by cellular networks. Since the problem is proven to be NP-hard, a two-stage heuristic algorithm is designed. We carry out simulations to evaluate the performance of our data collection scheme and the results show that it performs better than traditional mechanisms.
Stochastic Dispatching of Wind Power Considering Errors of Power Prediction

Aiming at the stochastic dispatch problem brought by wind power, the expected model of wind power considering the errors of power prediction is established according to stochastic programming theory. And the calculation steps based on Monte Carlo stochastic simulation and genetic algorithm are proposed. An IEEE 30-bus example with wind farms is given to verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the method. The result shows that the stochastic dispatch method based expected value model can quantify the uncertainty caused by the prediction error of wind power well and optimize the expected value of wind power accommodation. It plays a positive role in improving dispatching level and promoting wind power accommodation.
Incremental Checkpointing for Fault-Tolerant Stream Processing Systems: A Data Structure Approach

As the demand of high-speed stream processing grows, in-memory databases are widely used to analyze streaming data. It is challenging for in-memory systems to meet the requirements of high throughput and data persistence at the same time since data are not stored in disks. ARIES logging and command logging are two popular logging methods. In current applications, both ARIES logging and command logging are necessary. However, no checkpointing mechanism includes both the functions of ARIES logging method and command logging method. Besides, adopting ARIES logging method in an in-memory database creates high overhead. Command logging records redundant commands and has high storage cost. To address the above issues, we utilize order-irrelevant characteristics of data structure and incremental checkpointing concepts to devise a data structure based incremental checkpointing (DSIC) mechanism. DSIC mechanism is a very low overhead checkpointing approach while retaining the features of ARIES logging and command logging. DSIC mechanism reduces more than 70 percent logging time of the existing logging scheme and saves 40 percent storage costs of the existing logging scheme.
An Improved Rapid-Source Parameter Determination System (AQUA) for Giant Earthquakes

This article describes improvement of the rapid earthquake analysis system, accurate and quick analysis system for source parameters (AQUA), which has automatically determined the location, magnitude, and fault type of M < ∼7 earthquakes with good accuracy by analyzing long-period waveform data, but could not process the 2011 Off Tohoku giant earthquake (M9.0) due to instrumental and program limitations. Here, we address these problems by incorporating strong-motion seismic data and changing processing parameters accordingly, which extends the upper limit of applicable magnitudes to M9. In a simulated process, this earthquake is properly determined as thrust faulting with M8.6 offshore northeast Japan within 431 s of the first phase arrival. We also evaluate its performance. After improvements, four recent large earthquakes (M7.0–7.9) were properly processed in real time. The successful determination ratio is 100% for events with Japanese seismic intensity ≥6 Lower, and 100% for events with M>7 except nearly simultaneous events. Source parameters with and without fixed horizontal locations are provided within 100–250 and 100–600 s of the first P arrival, respectively. This system is valuable for disaster mitigation because it rapidly provides information for use in tsunami warning and early damage assessment.
Wideband (10–67 GHz) Dielectric Properties of Biosourced Cellulose Ester Flexible Films

In this article, the dielectric properties of a biosourced polymer are investigated. To that end, coplanar transmission lines were fabricated on a 600-<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mu \text{m}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> thick cellulose palmitate substrate by using a photolithographic process and a transfer technique. The <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${S}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-parameters of the transmission lines were measured in a broad microwave frequency band spanning from 10 to 67 GHz in order to determine the propagation constant. From these data, the complex dielectric permittivity was extracted by using two analytical methods (RLCG method, based on resistance, inductance, capacitance and conductance of transmission lines and conformal mapping method) and a numerical one [finite element method (FEM)]. The three methods allow distinguishing the dielectric losses from the total measured losses of the transmission lines. Finally, the dielectric constant and the loss tangent of this biopolymer were compared to the data of common and commercially available substrates: polyimide and polyethylene naphthalate.
Blockchain for Digital Twins: Recent Advances and Future Research Challenges

The advent of blockchain technology can refine the concept of DTs by ensuring transparency, decentralized data storage, data immutability, and peer-to-peer communication in industrial sectors. A DT is an integrated multiphysics, multiscale, and probabilistic simulation, representation, and mirroring of a real-world physical component. The DTs help to visualize designs in 3D, perform tests and simulations virtually prior to creation of any physical component, and consequently play a vital role in sustaining and maintaining Industry 4.0. It is anticipated that DTs will become prevalent in the foreseeable future because they can be used for configuration, monitoring, diagnostics, and prognostics. This article envisages how blockchain can reshape and transform DTs to bring about secure manufacturing that guarantees traceability, compliance, authenticity, quality, and safety. We discuss several benefits of employing blockchain in DTs. We taxonomize the DTs literature based on key parameters (e.g., DTs levels, design phases, industrial use cases, key objectives, enabling technologies, and core applications). We provide insights into ongoing progress made towards DTs by presenting recent synergies and case studies. Finally, we discuss open challenges that serve as future research directions.
Review of Thirteen Years of CTS Winery Laboratory Collaborative Data

Data from 13 years (78 wines) of wine industry laboratory proficiency testing were reviewed. After outlier removal, within-laboratory precision (repeatability) and across-laboratory precision (reproducibility) were determined for measurements of alcohol, titratable acidity, volatile acidity, total SO2, free SO2, malic acid, specific gravity, pH, residual sugar, glucose plus fructose, and absorbance at 420 and 520 nm. Reproducibility was 3.6 to 57.8 times higher than repeatability. Reproducibility was evaluated with Horwitz ratios (HorRat); only alcohol, titratable acid, and total SO2 had acceptable values (mean HorRat <2). Measurement z scores demonstrated non-normal distributions, particularly for specific gravity, likely due to confounding with density. Reproducibility did not vary significantly over time, with exceptions: imprecision of ethanol measurements decreased (improved) by 0.0084% v/v per year, while the imprecision of titratable acidity, pH, and malic acid measurements increased by 0.0089 g/L as tartaric, 0.0008 pH units, and 0.13 g malic acid/L per year, respectively. The imprecision of reproducibility and repeatability generally increased with analyte concentration, with notable exceptions for alcohol (both), volatile acidity (reproducibility), and total SO2 (repeatability). The methods or instruments used to determine alcohol, titratable acidity, free and total SO2, and volatile acidity changed significantly over time. Significant differences were observed among techniques for many analytes, which can be rationalized by attribution to well-known matrix effects manageable in a properly run method; e.g., higher apparent concentrations of alcohol by boiling point methods in high-sugar matrices. Evaluation of method accuracy was not possible due to the lack of wine reference materials with known true values. Results demonstrate the need for industry-wide improvement in analytical performance for some assays, and the potential benefit of adopting criteria guidelines for method performance.
The Role of Brand Orientation in Developing a Learning Culture and Achieving Performance Goals in the Third Sector Organizations

ABSTRACT This study is first in nature to find the empirical evidence of relationship between brand orientation (BRO), learning orientation (LO), and its impact on Performance (PERF) of third sector organizations (TSOs) in Pakistan. A structured questionnaire was filled through non-probability snowball sampling method from more than 300 senior managers working in different cities of Pakistan. The structural equation model was used for the mediation by running smart partial least squares software. The results prove that organizations with strong BRO philosophy not only help to develop strong LO culture but also help in achieving organizational performance goals. The study also discussed practical implications, limitations, and areas of future directions.
Effect of Introduced Japanese Weasels (Mustela itatsi) on the Nest Height of Japanese Bush Warblers (Horornis diphone) on Miyake-jima Island, Japan

Abstract Japanese weasels (Mustela itatsi) artificially introduced to Miyake-jima Island, a peripheral island of Japan, in the early 1980s increased predation on bird nests. We investigated the breeding biology of Japanese Bush Warblers (Horornis diphone) before and after the weasel introduction. Nest height was higher after than before the introduction, while clutch size did not differ significantly between the periods. These results suggest that introduced carnivores affect not only nest predation but also the nest site selection of birds.
Unravelling the “Black Box”: Treatment-Staff Perceptions of Hermon Prison’s Drug-Rehabilitation Program

: This current qualitative study analyzed treatment-staff perceptions of the advantages and weaknesses of Israeli’s primary prison-based drug rehabilitation program, as implemented in Hermon Prison in Israel. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 social workers and recovery mentors who worked as therapists in Hermon Prison during the research period. The analysis showed that the main advantages described were that the program was varied (included psychotherapy, education, vocational training, and work) and required a 1-year stay in a therapeutic community setting, with intensive exposure to eclectic psychotherapy methods and was delivered in a prison that is organizationally and architecturally designed to serve treatment goals. The primary weaknesses that the therapists perceived were shortages of treatment staff (staff turnover was high), individual psychological therapy and of follow-up treatment in the community. The research suggests that reducing these deficiencies may improve the program’s effectiveness, and it offers an initial theoretical model for creating an effective drug rehabilitation program.
Partial privatization and subsidization in a time-consistent policy: output versus R&D subsidies

This study revisits welfare comparisons between output and R&D subsidies for a mixed duopoly with partial privatization in a time-consistent policy framework. We show that an output subsidy is welfare-superior to an R&D subsidy policy only when the degree of privatization is high. We also show that the government has a lower incentive to privatize the public firm under the R&D subsidy but full nationalization with an R&D subsidy can decrease the welfare than full privatization with an output subsidy.
Evaluation of Genetic and Epigenetic Modification in Rapeseed (Brassica napus) Induced by Salt Stress

Salinity is an important limiting environmental factor for rapeseed production worldwide. In this study, we assessed the extent and pattern of DNA damages caused by salt stress in rapeseed plants. Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP)analysis revealed dose-related increases in sequence alterations in plantlets exposed to 10-1 000 mmol/L sodium chloride. In addition, individual plantlets exposed to the same salt concentration showed different AFLP and selected region amplified polymorphism banding patterns. These observations suggested that DNA mutation in response to salt stress was random in the genome and the effect was dose-dependant. DNA methylation changes in response to salt stress were also evaluated by methylation sensitive amplified polymorphism (MSAP). Three types of MSAP bands were recovered. Type I bands were observed with both isoschizomers Hpa II and Msp I, while type II and type III bands were observed only with Hpa II and Msp I, respectively. Extensive changes in types of MSAP bands after NaCl treatments were observed, including appearance and disappearance of type I, II and III bands, as well as exchanges between either type I and type II or type I and type III bands. An increase of 0.2-17.6% cytosine methylated CCGG sites were detected in plantlets exposed to 10-200 mmol/L salt compared to the control, and these changes included both de novo methylation and demethylation events. Nine methylation related fragments were also recovered and sequenced, and one sharing a high sequence homology with the ethylene responsive element binding factor was identified. These results demonstrated clear DNA genetic and epigenetic alterations in plantlets as a response to salt stress, and these changes may suggest a mechanism for plants adaptation under salt stress.
Chronicles of Darna pallivitta (Moore 1877) (Lepidoptera: Limacodidae): biology and larval morphology of a new pest in Hawaii

The biology of Darna pallivitta (Moore 1877), an Asian species of nettle caterpillar recently introduced to the island of Hawaii, is described from this island population. The species is highly polyphagous and has stinging caterpillars commonly associated with Limacodidae. Information on mating, oviposition, potential fecundity, duration and number of instars, cocooning, pupation, and total development time are included. The female at eclosion was found to have 573.5 ± 184.1 eggs, of which 201.5 ± 53.5 were mature. Similar to other spiny species of Limacodidae, D. pallivitta was found to not feed until second instar. The duration of immature stages were as follows: egg (7.0 d), larval (53.0 ± 6.9 d), and cocoon (19.1 ± 1.0 d). First and second instars are described for the first time for a Darna species. In a family known for heteromorphic larvae, this is the first known example of a limacodid species with elongate first instar tubercles, which later develop into spiny, urticating scoli rather than becoming smooth bodied or retaining tubercles that become hairy. Caterpillars from 6th instar or later have a delayed phenotypic expression of SD2 verrucae closely associated with spiracles on A2 to A7. Larval stages varied from 8–11 instars with a total larval duration of 45–72 d. Eleven instars equal the maximum reported for Limacodidae. Pupation took place on the fifth day after cocooning, which is a brief period compared to other members of the family. The total time from egg hatch to adult eclosion was 80.0 ± 7.1 d. Adult life span was found to be 11.0 ± 1.3 d in females and 9.7 ± 1.1 d in males.
Systematics of Mabuya frenata cochabambae Dunn, 1935 (Reptilia, Sauria, Scincidae) from Inner-Andean Dry Valleys of Bolivia

A combined analysis of 523 bp and 402 bp sequences of the mitochondrial 16S and 12S rRNA genes, respectively, suggests Mabuya frenata cochabambae being regarded a full species, M. cochabambae Dunn, 1935. It is phylogenetically closely related to M. dorsivittata rather than to M. frenata. Mabuya cochabambae is only known from inner-Andean dry valleys of central Bolivia, Departments Cochabamba and Santa Cruz, at elevations of 1300–3800m above sea level.
Vision and Wi-Fi fusion in probabilistic appearance-based localization

This article introduces an indoor topological localization algorithm that uses vision and Wi-Fi signals. Its main contribution is a novel way of merging data from these sensors. The designed system does not require knowledge of the building plan or the positions of the Wi-Fi access points. By making the Wi-Fi signature suited to the FABMAP algorithm, this work develops an early fusion framework that solves global localization and kidnapped robot problems. The resulting algorithm has been tested and compared with FABMAP visual localization, over data acquired by a Pepper robot in three different environments: an office building, a middle school, and a private apartment. Numerous runs of different robots have been realized over several months for a total covered distance of 6.4 km. Constraints were applied during acquisitions to make the experiments fitted to real use cases of Pepper robots. Without any tuning, our early fusion framework outperforms visual localization in all testing situations and with a significant margin in environments where vision faces problems such as moving objects or perceptual aliasing. In such conditions, 90.6% of estimated localizations are less than 5 m away from ground truth with our early fusion framework compared with 77.6% with visual localization. Furthermore, compared with other classical fusion strategies, the early fusion framework produces the best localization results because in all tested situations, it improves visual localization results without damaging them where Wi-Fi signals carry little information.