Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Seismo-acoustic wave propagation in the Rade of Hyères (France) generated by counter-mining of explosive devices : risk assessment from the comparison between numerical simulations and real experiments

Explosive devices from World War II are discovered almost every week on the French coasts and they must be destroyed by the French Navy Mine Warfare Office. The consequences of the counter-mining on the marine environment are complex to evaluate. Depending on the environment geology, the explosive charges and their localization, the seismo-acoustic waves generated by the explosion may cause damage to infrastructures located on the coast, and under specific conditions small submarine landslides. The ANR ASTRID POSA project proposed to address the risk assessment issue on the Mediterranean coast. The main originality of this project lied in the approach used that combines geological measurements, acoustic data recorded within the sea coastal zone and seismic data recorded on the coast, together with numerical simulations of seismo-acoustic wave propagation. We propose here to present the results of such a methodology applied to the counter-mining campaign that occurred in the Rade of Hyeres (France) in December 2018. We focus more specifically on the numerical simulations of seismo-acoustic wave propagation from the location of the device explosion to several seismometers deployed on the coast of Hyeres. From topographical and sedimentary measurements performed in the Rade of Hyeres, physical and geometrical characteristics of the marine seabed have been carefully selected as input data for numerical simulations. In addition, a particular attention has been paid to the measured characteristics of the device explosion (source). The numerical simulations have then been conducted using a spectral-element method. The impact of the explosive device charge and its location (on the seabed or in the water column), together with the impact of the marine environment properties, on the simulated signals have been studied. Finally, the numerical results have been compared with the real signals recorded by the seismometers. The risks of land degradation have been evaluated afterwards.
Time Behaviour of Helium Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Jet Electrical and Optical Parameters

Low temperature plasma jets gained increased interest in the last years as a potential device in many life science applications, including here human or veterinary medicine. Standardisation of plasma sources and biological protocols are necessary for quality assurance reasons, due to the fact that this type of atmospheric pressure plasma source is available in multiple configurations and their operational parameters span also on a broad range of items, such as all characteristics of high voltage pulses used for gas breakdown, geometrical characteristics, gas feed composition and conductive or biological target characteristics. In this paper we present results related to electrical, optical and molecular beam mass spectrometry diagnosis of a helium plasma jet, emphasising the influence of various operational parameters of the high voltage pulses on plasma jet properties. Discussion on physical parameters that influence the biological response is included, together with important results on plasma sources statistical behaviour until reaching a quasi-stationary working regime. The warm-up period of the plasma jet, specific to many other plasma sources, must be precisely known and specified whenever the plasma jets are used as a tool for life science applications.
Clinically significant shared and distinct genomic alterations in Chinese and Western patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

BackgroundThe goal of this study is to disclose the clinically significant genomic alterations in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma of the Chinese and Western populations.MethodsA total of 86 Chinese patients were enrolled in this study. Samples from those patients were sequenced for a panel of pan-cancer genes. Results were compared to a public dataset from a cohort of Western patients. The comparison between the two populations was conducted in the driver genes, actionability, and tumor mutational burden.ResultsThe Chinese and Western cohorts had 36 and 12 driver genes, respectively. Seven driver genes ( IDH1 , KRAS , TP53 , BAP1 , PBRM1 , ARID1A, and NRAS ) were shared by the two cohorts. For both cohorts, half of the patients had actionable mutations. The two cohorts shared most of the actionable genes but differed much in the frequency. Though KRAS mutations were at the first and second actionable rank respectively for Chinese and Western populations, they were still at a relatively low level of actionable evidence. Four driver genes ( SPTA1 , ARID2 , TP53 , and GATA1 ) were found significantly correlated with the tumor mutational burden.ConclusionsThe revealed genomic alterations with clinical significance could help to improve the treatment of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.
Monolithic aerogel photocatalysts: a review

Photocatalysis has been considered as one of the most promising technologies for solving environmental pollution and energy crisis. However, photocatalysts in the powder form usually suffer from the strong tendency to agglomerate and intricate operation for recycling, which significantly limit their practical application. In comparison, monolithic aerogel photocatalysts with their highly macroscopic operability and recoverability as well as impressive specific surface area have attracted tremendous attention in recent years. With the development of synthesis technology, the types of aerogel photocatalysts have broadened from traditional oxide and chalcogenide aerogels to the current composite aerogels. Meanwhile, their application has also spread from primary physical adsorption to the present photochemical reactions including environmental remediation and clean energy production. In this review, the different synthesis strategies and photocatalytic applications of aerogel photocatalysts have been discussed. We summarize the currently available synthesis methods and widespread applications of aerogel photocatalysts. In particular, we highlight recent developments for the assembling of aerogel photocatalysts by direct synthesis and grafting photocatalysts to aerogel supports, as well as updated applications on the removal of aqueous pollutants, water splitting and gas phase photocatalysis. Finally, we outline the challenges and potential advances associated with the aerogel photocatalysts for future scientific research and commercial applications.
Contrasting roles of the innate receptors TREM2 versus Mincle in the recognition and response of macrophages to mycolic acid-containing lipids in mycobacterial cell walls

Mycobacterial cell-wall glycolipids elicit an anti-mycobacterial immune response via FcRγ-associated C-type lectin receptors, including Mincle, and caspase-recruitment domain family member 9 (CARD9). Additionally, mycobacteria harbor immuno-evasive cell-wall lipids associated with virulence and latency; however, their mechanism of action remains unclear. Here, we show that the DAP12-associated triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) recognizes mycobacterial cell-wall mycolic acid (MA)-containing lipids and suggest a mechanism by which mycobacteria control host immunity via TREM2. Macrophages responded to glycosylated MA-containing lipids in a Mincle/FcRγ/CARD9-dependent manner to produce inflammatory cytokines and recruit inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)-positive mycobactericidal macrophages. Conversely, macrophages responded to non-glycosylated MAs in a TREM2/DAP12-dependent but CARD9-independent manner to recruit iNOS-negative mycobacterium-permissive macrophages. Furthermore, TREM2 deletion enhanced Mincle-induced macrophage activation in vitro and inflammation in vivo and accelerated the elimination of mycobacterial infection, suggesting that TREM2-DAP12 signaling counteracts Mincle-FcRγ-CARD9-mediated anti-mycobacterial immunity. Mycobacteria, therefore, harness TREM2 for immune evasion.
Blockchain Leveraged Cyberbullying Preventing framework

The popularity of social media has exploded worldwide over the last few decades and becomes the most preferred mode of social interaction. The internet also provides a new platform through which adolescents are being bullied. Appropriate means of cyberbullying detection is still partial and in some cases very limited. Moreover, research on cyberbullying detection extensively focuses on surveys and its psychological impacts on victims. However, prevention has not been widely addressed. To bridge the gap, this paper aims to detect cyberbullying efficiently. This paper employs a standard machine learning method and natural language processing technique as a part of the detection process in decentralized Blockchain leveraged architecture. We provide a fog based architecture for cyberbullying detection, aiming at relieving the server's load by placing the detection and the prevention of cyberbullying processes at the fog layer. The proposal might offer a probable solution to save users, particularly adolescents from severe consequences of cyberbullying.
Effect of Ni doping in NixMn1−xTi10 (x = 0.1–0.5) on activity and SO2 resistance for NH3-SCR of NO studied with in situ DRIFTS

In this work, a series of NixMn1−xTi10 (x = 0.0–0.5) catalysts were synthesized using a one-pot sol–gel method for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO with NH3. The effects of Ni doping on the catalytic activity and SO2 resistance were investigated by XRD, TEM-EDS, XPS, NH3-TPD, H2-TPR, SO2-TPD and in situ DRIFTS. It is found that the higher the amounts of surface Mn4+ and Oα species existing on the catalyst surface, the greater the oxidation ability that they present for NO and NH3, which results in better activity at low temperature and worse selectivity to N2 at high temperature due to the overoxidation of NH3. Among NixMn1−xTi10 (x = 0.0–0.5), the Ni0.4Mn0. 6Ti10 catalyst exhibited excellent NH3-SCR activity, a wide temperature window (190–360 °C) and good H2O and SO2 durability even in the presence of 100 ppm SO2 and 15% H2O under a GHSV of 40 000 h−1, which is very competitive for the practical application in controlling the NOx emission from stationary sources. It is concluded that more surface Lewis acid sites and the appropriate contents of surface active Mn4+ and surface oxygen species on the surface of Ni0.4Mn0. 6Ti10 play key roles in the special SCR performance due to the interactions among Mn, Ni and Ti oxides. The SO2-TPD and in situ DRIFTS results confirm the reason for the good SO2 resistance of the Ni0.4Mn0. 6Ti10 catalyst. Moreover, in situ DRIFTS results reveal that the NH3-SCR reaction over Ni0.4Mn0. 6Ti10 mainly follows the Eley–Rideal (E–R)-type mechanism.
Lipid Profiles in Different ABO Blood Groups in Owerri Metropolis, South East Nigeria: A Preliminary Study

Objective: The study was set out to investigate the possibility of using blood groups as predictive indices for diseases associated with lipid metabolism. Methods: Lipid profiles were examined in 100 apparently healthy male (40) and female (60) subjects of different ABO blood groups aged between 18-30 years from Imo State University. Of these, 20 were blood group A, 30 were B blood type, 4 were AB blood type, and 46 were blood group O. Lipid profile parameters were determined according to enzymatic assay using a commercial kit from Randox Laboratories, United Kingdom and calculation using Friedewald’s equation. Blood group was determined by monoclonal ABO blood grouping reagent. Results: Total Cholesterol (140.62 ± 21.66 mg/dl) and High-Density Lipoprotein (96.20 ± 40.32 mg/dl) were highest in blood group B. Blood group A had the highest level of Triglyceride (80.84 ± 18.60 mg/dl) and Very Low-Density Liporprotein (15.21 ± 6.24 mg/dl). Blood group O showed TC level of 130.60 ± 34.76 mg/dl with the highest level of LDL (70.74 ± 20.15 mg/dl) and the lowest level of HDL (51.68 ± 20.50 mg/dl) compared to non- O blood types (P<0.05). Conclusion: The study revealed that blood group O may have a higher propensity for dyslipidemia, suggesting increased risk for disease associated with lipid metabolism.
Comparison of liquid chromatography instruments with single quadrupole and tandem mass spectrometry for trace level analysis: Aflatoxin m1 (afm1) in white cheese

ABSTRACT Although the mycological content of white cheese has been extensively studied, little data is available concerning the existence of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in Egyptian white cheese. Egyptian legislation does not allow for AFM1 in milk or milk products. In this study, trace amounts of AFM1 contamination were detected in laboratory manufactured Egyptian white cheese using either single or triple quadrupole techniques after artificial exposure of AFM1 to raw milk used for the cheese making. Validation data proved that the triple quadrupole method was more sensitive and selective than the single quadrupole method for AFM1 analysis. The limit of detection (LOD) and the limit of quantification (LOQ) were 0.0625 ppb and 0.125 ppb for the triple quadrupole method and 0.125 ppb and 0.250 ppb for the single quadrupole method. Recovery of AFM1 ranged from 87% to 92% for single quadrupole and 89% to 99% for triple quadrupole using mass spectrometer techniques. Linear regression produced linear standard curves with coefficients of determination of regression of 0.9981 and 1.000 for the single and triple quadruples, respectively. Although both methods were able to measure AFM1, the tandem mass spectrometer produced results that were more reliable.
A pectic polysaccharide in seed gum of Lepidium campestre

Lepidium campestre (field cress) is an oilseed species with a great potential of becoming a new commercial crop in Sweden. As the oil is being extracted from the crop, the residual from the extraction is left in form of a seed cake. As this seed cake is soaked in water a gel is formed around the seeds. The purpose of this paper was to study the chemical composition of the seed gum extracted from L. campestre and to examine if a possible field of use exist for this substance. The seed gums function is tested, but no real rheological study is executed and no study is done on the seed itself. In this study, there is only one kind of seeds from one harvest analysed and different kinds of varieties within the species L. campestre are not studied. The seed gum was separated from the seeds and freeze-dried before analysed. The determined molecular weight was 50-100 kDa, measured with Multi-Angel Light Scattering. The measured absorbance in light absorbance spectrum resulted in a detected substance at a wavelength of 280 nm, indicating aromatic amino acids in protein. This however was in a very small concentration. Determination of soluble dietary fibre was preformed according to The Uppsala Method, determination of neutral sugar residues by gas chromatography and for uronic acid by spectrophotometry. To further understand the structure of the seed gum, 1H NMR spectroscopy was performed. The seed gum was consisting of up to 80 % dietary fibre and with a total yield of 7 % from weight seeds. The results showed that the seed gum consist of a high proportion of uronic acid, galactose and rhamnose - a rhamnogalactouronic pectic substance. The pectin contributes to a very stable and reliable seed gum that could be widely used in the food industry. Possible fields of applications are e. g. as dietary fibre-enrichment in food products or production of gluten-free bread which is tested in this study. In this thesis, it is proven that it is a very easily extractable and easily isolated substance that does not have any smell and most likely no taste. From L. campestre, it is possible to get a substance made of a up to 80 % pure pectic substance, and all that is required is water and a mixer.
Creep compliance and micromechanics of multi-walled carbon nanotubes based hybrid composites

This article investigates the properties of nanocomposites (NCs) and carbon fiber reinforced hybrid materials from experimental and numerical studies under different thermal conditions. The multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are reinforced in the epoxy for the preparation of NCs with the help of ultrasonic probe sonicator. Hand layup technique is used for the preparation of NCs and NCs based carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) with pre-cured epoxy. To study the dispersion and agglomerations of the reinforcement in matrix phase, the images are captured at high magnification for the MWCNTs, NCs and NCs based CFRP based hybrid material system with the help of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM). At different temperatures, the short term creep and frequency scan tests are performed on the dynamic mechanical analyzer-8000 (DMA-8000) for MWCNTs based NCs, and NCs based CFRP material system respectively. The creep compliance is obtained from DMA-8000. The frequency and temperature dependent material properties of NCs based material system have obtained from the numerical analysis. The Saravanos-Chamis micromechanics (SCM) and strength of material (SOM) methods are implemented to determine the material properties of NCs based CFRP material system. Storage modulus and loss factor are determined in order to study the effect of different MWCNT percentage on the NCs based CFRP material systems. Experimental validation has been done for the suggested NCs based CFRP material system. Responses suggest the damping property is improved by the inclusion of MWCNTs in the matrix phase for CFRP material system. It is further observed that the higher MWCNTs percentage in the matrix phase leads to higher stiffness and damping.
Effect of Cs on the Stability and Photovoltaic Performance of 2D/3D Perovskite-Based Solar Cells

One of the attractive features of hybrid perovskite is the possibility to reduce its dimensionality, which enhances the perovskite’s resistivity to moisture. In this work, we used 2D/3D perovskites to study different organic molecular spacers (aromatic ring vs cyclic ring); Cs was introduced as an additional small cation to methylammonium. It was found that Cs improves the photovoltaic performance; however, it reduces the cells’ stability because two cations having a different ionic radius are mixed, which creates strains in the perovskite structure. The aromatic ring spacers display better stability in complete cells than does the cyclo spacer. Importantly, Cs has a greater effect on the stability than does the nature of the spacer molecule. The difference in the size of the organic cations as well as the inorganic cations plays a major role in the perovskite’s stability in a film and in a complete solar cell.
The Effect of Organizational Commitment and Internal Communication on Job Satisfaction and Performance of Informal Education Institution Employee

Employee performance at informal educational institutions has an important role in supporting the achievement of organizational goals. However, the identification of the determining factors and their impact on employee performance at the institution is often done partially. This study focuses on three factors, namely organizational commitment factors, internal communication, and job satisfaction. Specifically, the aim of this study was to examine the effect of organizational commitment and internal communication on job satisfaction and employee performance at informal educational institutions in Kampung Inggris, Pare Indonesia. In this study, organizational commitment and internal communication act as independent variables, employee performance acts as the dependent variable, and job satisfaction acts as a mediator variable. This study uses a questionnaire to collect data. The sample obtained and valid for use was 116. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data. The results of the analysis indicate that organizational commitment and internal communication factors have a positive and significant effect on job satisfaction and employee performance in informal educational institutions in Kampung Inggris, Pare region, Indonesia. This finding implies that these institutions need to find and implement ways to build a system of internal communication and organizational commitment and direct it to increase job satisfaction in order to improve the performance of their employees. Keywords: organizational commitment, internal communication, job satisfaction, employee performance DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/13-3-09 Publication date: January 31 st 2021
Computed Tomography Radiomics for the Preoperative Prediction of Cervical Lymph Node Metastasis in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: Development and External Validation

Background Cervical lymph node (LN) status is a critical factor related to the treatment and prognosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). The aim of this study was to investigate the preoperative predictions of cervical LN metastasis in PTC using computed tomography (CT) radiomics.Methods A total of 134 PTC patients who underwent CT examinations were enrolled in the study at two institutes between January 2018 and January 2020. Of these patients, 289 cervical LNs (institute 1: 206 LNs from 88 patients; institute 2: 83 LNs from 46 patents) were selected. All the cases had been confirmed by surgery and pathology. Each LN was segmented and 1408 radiomic features were calculated radiomic features in noncontrast and contrast-enhanced CT images. Features were selected using the Boruta algorithm followed by an iterative culling-out algorithm. We compared four machine learning classifiers, including random forest (RF), support vector machine (SVM), neural network (NN), and naïve bayes (NB) for the classification of LN metastasis. The models were first trained and validated by 10-fold cross-validation using data from institute 1 and then tested using independent data from institute 2. The performance of the models was compared using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC). Results Seven radiomic features were selected for building the models − 3 histogram statistical textures, 1 gray level co-occurrence matrix texture, and 3 gray level zone size matrix textures. The AUCs of the radiomic models with 10-fold cross-validation were 0.941 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.93–0.95), 0.943 (95% CI: 0.93–0.95), 0.914 (95% CI: 0.90–0.95), and 0.905 (95% CI: 0.88–0.91) for RF, SVM, NN, and NB, respectively. The AUCs for the testing data were 0.926 (95% CI: 0.86–0.98), 0.932 (95% CI: 0.88–0.98), 0.925 (95% CI: 0.86–0.97), and 0.912 (95% CI: 0.83–0.98) for RF, SVM, NN, and NB, respectively.Conclusions CT radiomic model demonstrated robustness in preoperative classification of LN metastases for patients with PTC, which may provide significant support for clinical decision making and prognosis evaluation.