Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
New microcogeneration with solar energy: stirling, thermal and photovoltaic systems

This paper analyses the viability of a new microcogeneration system with a Stirling engine-based micro-CHP (combined heat and power) and renewable solar energy: thermal and photovoltaic system in order to supply the energy demand of an isolated home. The right sizing of solar energy systems should allow optimizing both the available solar resources and gas consumption for one specific climatological conditions. The present work shows the first results of the experimental study of a micro-cogeneration system (micro-CHP based on the Stirling motor) supported with renewable energy. The system of self-government covers the theoretical daily consumption of a house. In this results, the different contributions of the subsystems to the daily thermal and electric demand are displayed.
Isolated Boost Type Resonant Converter With Fixed Frequency PWM and Load-Independent Voltage Gain

This article proposes an isolated boost type resonant converter (IBTRC) with fixed frequency pulsewidth modulation (PWM), which has load-independent gain characteristics. Only one magnetic component and two active switches are used in the proposed IBTRC. Therefore, compared with the two-stage converter and the current-fed resonant converter (CFRC), the number of magnetic components and switches of the proposed IBTRC is reduced. Moreover, with the proposed modulation, the converter obtains the benefits of load-independent voltage gain characteristics. Under wide load and voltage range, all switches can realize zero-voltage switching (ZVS) and all diodes can realize zero-current switching (ZCS). The operation mode, characteristics, and parameters design process of the proposed solution are also described in detail. Finally, a 600-W prototype is built to verify the validity and the advantages of the proposed scheme.
Model-Based VF Technique for Parasitic Reflections Reduction of Frequency-Domain Chipless RFID Systems

In a frequency-domain chipless RFID system, the backscattered signal from a tag is directly obtained in the frequency domain over limited bandwidth. However, to reduce the parasitic reflections, it is crucial to obtain the backscattered signal in the time domain. This letter proposes a precise quasi-analytic method, known as the model-based vector fitting (VF) technique, to provide the closed-form equation of the backscattered response in the time domain. The proposed method successfully recovers a tag’s identification (ID) among parasitic reflections using a single tag measurement without requiring prior knowledge about the tag.
Effects of MICU1-Mediated Mitochondrial Calcium Uptake on Energy Metabolism and Quality of Vitrified-Thawed Mouse Metaphase II Oocytes

Background: Oocyte vitrification has been widely used in the treatment of infertility and fertility preservation. However, vitrification-induced mitochondrial damage adversely affects oocyte development. Several studies have reported that mitochondrial calcium uptake protein 1 (MICU1) regulates the uptake of mitochondrial calcium by the mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) and subsequently controls aerobic metabolism and oxidative stress in mitochondria, but research considering oocytes remains unreported. We evaluated whether the addition of MICU1 modulators enhances mitochondrial activity, pyruvate metabolism, and developmental competence after warming of MII oocytes. Methods: Retrieved MII oocytes of mice were classified as vitrified or control groups. After thawing, oocytes of vitrified group were cultured with or without DS16570511 (MICU1 inhibitor) and MCU-i4 (MICU1 activator) for 2 h. Results: Mitochondrial Ca2+ concentration, pyruvate dephosphorylation level, and MICU1 expression of MII oocytes were significantly increased after vitrification. These phenomena were further exacerbated by the addition of MCU-i4 and reversed by the addition of DS16570511 after warming. However, the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in vitrified-warmed MII oocytes drop significantly after vitrification, which was improved after MCU-i4 treatment and decreased significantly after DS16570511 treatment. The vitrification process was able to elicit a development competence reduction. After parthenogenetic activation, incubation of the thawed oocytes with MCU-i4 did not alter the cleavage and blastocyst rates. Moreover, incubation of the thawed oocytes with DS16570511 reduced the cleavage and blastocyst rates. Conclusions: MICU1-mediated increasing mitochondrial calcium uptake after vitrification of the MII oocytes promoted the pyruvate oxidation, and this process may maintain oocyte development competence by compensating for the consumption of ATP under stress state.
In-vitro evaluation of antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of Embelica officinalis extract on different strains on gram positive and negative bacteria

The present study was carried out to evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of Emblica officinalis extract powder. The antimicrobial activity was assessed against gram positive and gram negative bacteria namely E.coli, Pseudomonas fluoresces, Bacillus subtilis, S.aureus, by agar well diffusion method. Quantitative antimicrobial susceptibility testing method, i.e., determination of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) by serial broth dilution was carried out on the different bacterial strains. The diameter of the zone of inhibition (ZOI) for the strains tested against was recorded and compared with the standard (Gentamicin, in case of bacteria). The results of the present study also revealed that Amla extract powder can scavenge free radicals or reactive oxygen species under in vitro conditions. The elimination of hydrogen peroxide by Amla powder may be attributed to phenolic compounds. The total phenolic content in the Emblica officinalis extract powder measured by the Folin Ciocalteau reagent in terms of gallic acid equivalents (GAE) was found to be 390.8mg/g. The possible reason for antibacterial activity of Amla extract powder might be the presence of tannins in the fruits.
Meta-Data Analysis to Explore the Hub of the Hub-Genes That Influence SARS-CoV-2 Infections Highlighting Their Pathogenetic Processes and Drugs Repurposing

The pandemic of SARS-CoV-2 infections is a severe threat to human life and the world economic condition. Although vaccination has reduced the outspread, but still the situation is not under control because of the instability of RNA sequence patterns of SARS-CoV-2, which requires effective drugs. Several studies have suggested that the SARS-CoV-2 infection causing hub differentially expressed genes (Hub-DEGs). However, we observed that there was not any common hub gene (Hub-DEGs) in our analyses. Therefore, it may be difficult to take a common treatment plan against SARS-CoV-2 infections globally. The goal of this study was to examine if more representative Hub-DEGs from published studies by means of hub of Hub-DEGs (hHub-DEGs) and associated potential candidate drugs. In this study, we reviewed 41 articles on transcriptomic data analysis of SARS-CoV-2 and found 370 unique hub genes or studied genes in total. Then, we selected 14 more representative Hub-DEGs (AKT1, APP, CXCL8, EGFR, IL6, INS, JUN, MAPK1, STAT3, TNF, TP53, UBA52, UBC, VEGFA) as hHub-DEGs by their protein-protein interaction analysis. Their associated biological functional processes, transcriptional, and post-transcriptional regulatory factors. Then we detected hHub-DEGs guided top-ranked nine candidate drug agents (Digoxin, Avermectin, Simeprevir, Nelfinavir Mesylate, Proscillaridin, Linifanib, Withaferin, Amuvatinib, Atazanavir) by molecular docking and cross-validation for treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infections. Therefore, the findings of this study could be useful in formulating a common treatment plan against SARS-CoV-2 infections globally.
A Variable Current-Limit Control Scheme for a Bi-directional Converter used in Ultracapacitor Applications

Abstract In ultracapacitor applications, generally, a bi-directional converter is connected to a DC bus and is designed to compensate rapid load variations on the bus. During transient phases, overloaded DC bus can push the converter out of its operating limits. For providing the necessary power, converters should be put in parallel, while each converter is limited into its optimal operating range. In a boost converter, this operating limit can be related to the inductor current and UC voltage. In this study, a variable current-limit is proposed for inductor current which then determines the operating range of the boost converter. This method will provide stability of the converter during overload transients. An experimental setup consisting of a bi-directional converter, a controllable load/source, and an ultracapacitor is presented, to validate the proposed method. Several scenarii are applied to analyze the performance of the system in overloaded phases and theoretical and experimental results are presented.
A cognitive intervention program for reduction of stress in parents of children with intellectual and multiple disabilities: the effect on behavior problems and program adaptation through COVID-19 pandemic

Much evidence suggests that parents of children with special needs have elevated levels of stress when confronting with children’s problems. This article presents a validation of a multimodal cognitive program for reducing parental stress in parents and children behavior problems of children with special needs that can be applied during COVID-19 pandemic. A study including 63 parents of children with special needs shows that the program is effective both in reducing parental stress and children’s behavior problems reported by parents. Recommendations for the online use of the program and adaptations to the COVID-19 pandemic characteristics are made.
Sentinel-1 observation for shoreline delineation applied to Mexico’s Coast

Abstract Coastal mapping with satellite imagery is broadly used to calculate shoreline positions due to its high ecological and socioeconomic value in the context of coastal conservation and management strategies. We show the applicability of the Sentinel-1 to monitor large-scale shoreline at a country level. The present study develops a novel shoreline extraction method based on C band from SAR missions, that improves coastal ocean/land discrimination. The method considers an automated processing chain using the incorporation of GLCM-mean texture information to increase improvements in image binarization by Sauvola thresholding. Results show that the proposed method may be used for shoreline monitoring of different types of geomorphology along the Mexican coastline, thus guaranteeing its applicability in different geographic surroundings. For the six specific areas of validation, the overall agreement between binarization ranges is from 90% to 100% and Sentinel-2 images are used to evaluate the VV and VH shorelines from Sentinel-1.
Influence of Cropping on Ca, K, Mg, and Carbohydrate Status of ‘French’ Prune Trees Grown on Potassium Limited Soils1

‘French’ prune (Prunus domestica L.) leaves on nonbearing trees and large scaffold limbs had greater percent dry matter and specific leaf weight than those from bearing ones early in the season. This difference disappeared as the season progressed. Much of the difference could be attributed to the greater accumulation of starch, which displaced water. The demand for photosynthates by the crop was also reflected by lower starch content in 1-year-old shoot, limb bark, and roots, but no difference in the soluble carbohydrate content nor in the ratio of sorbitol + sucrose/glucose + fructose was observed. Leaf K content was influenced by the crop but not Ca and Mg contents. Unlike K contents, Ca contents in fruiting spurs and 1-year-old shoots tended to be greater than those from nonbearing samples; no differences were noted in root samples. These data and those of other workers indicate that K deficiency in this cultivar stems from its strong K demand by the fruit and from the lack of carbohydrates being translocated to the roots, which in turn, limits growth and nutrient uptake, especially K, which is limiting in these soils.
Physiological and agronomic responses to the application of post-emergence herbicides on sweet potato cultivar selected for its potential as biofuel feedstock

Sweet potato exhibits a prostrate growth habit, which makes weed management to be manually performed or conducted through the application of selective herbicides. Considering the absence of registered herbicides for the selective control of broad leaf weeds on the sweet potato crop, we investigated the physiological and agronomic responses of the sweet potato cultivar Duda, selected for its great potential in biofuel production, to different post-emergence herbicides. Two experiments, one conducted under field conditions and the other under controlled (potted plants) conditions, were performed under a randomized complete block design, with four replicates each. Four different herbicides, atrazine and S-metolachlor (3,5 L.ha-1), carfentrazone-ethyl (0,75 L.ha-1), fomesafen and fluazifop-P-butyl (1,8 L.ha-1) and nicosulfuron (1,25 L.ha-1), were used and the experiments were composed by five treatments with the control (no herbicide application) treatment,. Physiological indicators, including carbon assimilation, stomatal conductance, leaf transpiration rate, internal CO2 concentration, and water-use efficiency were monitored at 24 h, 48 h and 15 d after herbicides application, while agronomic evaluations were performed at 30 and 152 days from herbicide application. Application of atrazine (inhibitor of photosystem II) together with S-metolachlor (inhibitor of cell division/elongation) led to reductions on the physiological indices soon after treatment imposition but it had no effect on dry matter accumulation in the shoot, nor on the roots, not affecting the starch content, storage root productivity, and estimated ethanol production as well. In contrast, application of carfentrazone-ethyl, a protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitor, exerted significant negative physiological and agronomic effects, decreasing root productivity and estimated ethanol yield. We conclude that the use of atrazine in a mixture with S-metolachlor represents a suitable selective approach for the control of broad leaf weeds in sweet potato crops.
Molecular identity of native coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) germplasm from South Kalimantan, Indonesia

Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) is an agricultural commodity that is very prospective to be developed in Indonesia and other tropical countries, but its development is constrained by various factors. This study aimed to determine the genetic identity, as well as diversity and relationships of native coconut germplasm from South Kalimantan, Indonesia, using a cpDNA (matK) marker. The results show that this germplasm has a low-level genetic diversity, π% = 0.0258. However, the phylogenetic analysis revealed that native coconut germplasms from this region have separated into different clades, two for Maximum Likelihood and three for Neighbor-Joining, where Genjah Kuning 3 has closely related to an outgroup. Thus, this information is important as a fundamental reference in developing new high-yielding coconut in the future
Sleep and seizure risk in epilepsy: bed and wake times are more important than sleep duration

Sleep duration, sleep deprivation and the sleep-wake cycle are thought to play an important role in the generation of epileptic activity and may also influence seizure risk. Hence, people diagnosed with epilepsy are commonly asked to maintain consistent sleep routines. However, emerging evidence paints a more nuanced picture of the relationship between seizures and sleep, with bidirectional effects between changes in sleep and seizure risk in addition to modulation by sleep stages and transitions between stages. We conducted a longitudinal study investigating sleep parameters and self-reported seizure occurrence in an ambulatory at-home setting using mobile and wearable monitoring. Forty-four subjects wore a Fitbit smartwatch for at least 28 days while reporting their seizure activity in a mobile app. Multiple sleep features were investigated, including duration, oversleep and undersleep, and sleep onset and offset times. Sleep features in participants with epilepsy were compared to a large (n=37921) representative population of Fitbit users, each with 28 days of data. For participants with at least 10 seizure days (n=29), sleep features were analysed for significant changes prior to seizure days. A total of 3894 reported seizures (M = 88, SD = 130) and 17078 recorded sleep nights (M = 388, SD = 351) were included in the study. Participants with epilepsy slept an average of 2 hours longer than the average sleep duration within the general population. Just 1 of 29 participants showed a significant difference in sleep duration the night before seizure days compared to seizure-free days. However, 11 of 29 subjects showed significant differences between either their sleep onset (bed) or offset (wake) times prior to seizure occurrence. Conversely to existing studies, the current study found oversleeping was associated with a 20% increased seizure risk in the following 48h (p < 0.01), possibly due to nocturnal seizures occurring overnight. Nocturnal seizures were associated with both significantly longer sleep durations and increased risk of a seizure occurring in the following 48h. We also observed that oversleeping only significantly contributed to seizure risk when the participant was in a high-risk state, according to a cycles-based forecasting algorithm. Overall, the presented results demonstrated that day-to-day changes in sleep-duration had a minimal effect on reported seizures, which bed- and wake-times were more important for identifying seizure risk the following day. Oversleeping was also linked to seizure occurrence, most likely due to nocturnal seizures driving oversleep. Wearables can be utilised to identify these sleep-seizure relationships and guide clinical recommendations or improve seizure forecasting algorithms.
Gaussian Decomposition of λ21 cm H i profiles, the Critical Ionization Velocity, and the Interstellar Helium Abundance

Following an established protocol of science—that results must be reproducible—we examine the Gaussian fits to Galactic λ21 cm (H i) emission profiles obtained by two seemingly complementary methods using data from the Leiden–Argentine–Bonn all-sky survey. One is based on the method used by Verschuur, the other by Nidever et al. (2008). The comparisons led to the identification of four problems that might arise when an algorithm is applied to huge databases without close monitoring: (1) different methods of calculating χ˜2 measuring the goodness of fit; (2) an ultra-broad component found to imperfectly bridge the gap between low- and intermediate-velocity gas; (3) the lack of an imposed spatial coherence allowing different components to appear and disappear in profiles separated by a fraction of a beamwidth; and (4) multiple, fundamentally different solutions for profiles at both the north and south Galactic poles. Confirming evidence emerges from this study of an underlying component with a line width of an order 34 km s−1. If this feature is the result of the critical ionization velocity effect acting on interstellar helium, it can be used to calculate its interstellar abundance. Analysis of H i profiles in an area in the southern Galactic hemisphere using multitelescope data gives a helium abundance of 0.094 ± 0.035, in excellent agreement with the accepted cosmic abundance of 0.085.
Wavelengths and Energy Levels of Singly Ionized Nickel (Ni ii) Measured Using Fourier Transform Spectroscopy

High-resolution spectra of singly ionized nickel (Ni ii) have been recorded using Fourier transform spectroscopy in the region 143–5555 nm (1800–70,000 cm−1) with continuous, nickel–helium hollow cathode discharge sources. An extensive analysis of identified Ni ii lines resulted in the confirmation and revision of 283 previously reported energy levels, from the ground state up to the 3d 8( M L)6s subconfigurations. Typical energy-level uncertainties are a few thousandths of a cm−1, representing at least an order-of-magnitude reduction in uncertainty with respect to previous measurements. Twenty-five new energy levels have now been established and are reported here for the first time. Eigenvector compositions of the energy levels have been calculated using the orthogonal operator method. In total, 159 even and 149 odd energy levels and 1424 classified line wavelengths of Ni ii are reported and will enable more accurate and reliable analyses of Ni ii in astrophysical spectra.
The analysis of tumor-infiltrating immune cell and ceRNA networks in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma

Background: Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is one of the most common forms of head and neck cancers. However, few studies have focused on the correlation between competing endogenous RNA (ceRNAs) and immune cells in LSCC. Methods: RNAseq expression of LSCC and adjacent tissues were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas to establish a ceRNA network. The key gene in ceRNA was screened by the cox regression analysis to establish a prognostic risk assessment model. The CIBERSORT algorithm was then used to screen important tumor-infiltrating cells related to LSCC. Finally, co-expression analysis was applied to explore the relationship between key genes in the ceRNA network and tumor-infiltrating cells. The external datasets were used to validate critical biomarkers. Results: We constructed a prognostic risk assessment model of key genes in the ceRNA network. As it turned out, Kaplan–Meier survival analysis showed significant differences in overall survival rates between high-risk and low-risk groups (P < .001). The survival rate of the high-risk group was drastically lower than that of the low-risk group, and the AUC of 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years were all above 0.7. In addition, some immune infiltrating cells were also found to be related to LSCC. In the co-expression analysis, there is a negative correlation between plasma cells and TUBB3 (r = −0.33, P = .0013). External dataset validation also supports this result. Conclusion: In this study, we found that some key genes (SLC35C1, CLDN23, HOXB7, STC2, TMEM158, TNFRSF4, TUBB3) and immune cells (plasma cells) may correspond to the prognosis of LSCC.