Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nornidulin, A New Inhibitor of Plasmodium falciparum Malate: Quinone Oxidoreductase (PfMQO) from Indonesian Aspergillus sp. BioMCC f.T.8501

This study aimed to obtain a microbial active compound as a novel antimalarial drug from Indonesian isolates. Target-based assays were used to screen for antimalarial activity against the parasite mitochondrial, Plasmodium falciparum malate:quinone oxidoreductase (PfMQO) enzyme. In total, 1600 crude extracts, composed from 800 fungi and 800 actinomycetes extracts, were screened against PfMQO, yielding six active extracts as primary hits. After several stages of stability tests, one extract produced by Aspergillus sp. BioMCC f.T. 8501 demonstrated stable PfMQO inhibitory activity. Several purification stages, including OCC, TLC, and HPLC, were performed to obtain bioactive compounds from this active extract. All purification steps were followed by an assay against PfMQO. We identified the active compound as nornidulin based on its LC-MS and UV spectrum data. Nornidulin inhibited PfMQO activity at IC50 of 51 µM and P. falciparum 3D7 proliferation in vitro at IC50 of 44.6 µM, however, it had no effect on the growth of several mammalian cells. In conclusion, we isolated nornidulin from Indonesian Aspergillus sp. BioMCC f.T. 8501 as a novel inhibitor of PfMQO, which showed inhibitory activity against the proliferation of P. falciparum 3D7 in vitro.
Residual Iterative Method for Solving Absolute Value Equations

We suggest and analyze a residual iterative method for solving absolute value equations 𝐴𝑥−|𝑥|=𝑏 where 𝐴∈𝑅𝑛×𝑛, 𝑏∈𝑅𝑛 are given and 𝑥∈𝑅𝑛 is unknown, using the projection technique. We also discuss the convergence of the proposed method. Several examples are given to illustrate the implementation and efficiency of the method. Comparison with other methods is also given. Results proved in this paper may stimulate further research in this fascinating field.
Non-Conjugated Copoly(Arylene Ether Ketone) for the Current-Collecting System of a Solar Cell with Indium Tin Oxide Electrode

The mechanism of charge carrier transport in the indium tin oxide (ITO)/polymer/Cu structure is studied, where thin films of copoly(arylene ether ketone) with cardo fluorene moieties are used. This copoly(arylene ether ketone) is non-conjugated polymer which has the properties of electronic switching from the insulating to the highly conductive state. The dependence on the polymer film thickness of such parameters as the potential barrier at the ITO/polymer interface, the concentration of charge carriers, and their mobility in the polymer is studied for the first time. The study of this system is of interest due to the proven potential of using the synthesized polymer in the contact system of a silicon solar cell with an ITO top layer. The parameters of charge carriers and ITO/polymer barrier are evaluated based on the analysis of current–voltage characteristics of ITO/polymer/Cu structure within the injection current models and the Schottky model. The thickness of the polymer layer varies from 50 nm to 2.1 µm. The concentration of intrinsic charge carriers increases when decreasing the polymer film thickness. The charge carrier mobility depends irregularly on the thickness, showing a maximum of 9.3 × 10−4 cm2/V s at 210 nm and a minimum of 4.7 × 10−11 cm2/V s at 50 nm. The conductivity of polymer films first increases with a decrease in thickness from 2.1 µm to 210 nm, but then begins to decrease upon transition to the globular structure of the films at smaller thicknesses. The dependence of the barrier height on polymer thickness has a minimum of 0.28 eV for films 100–210 nm thick. The influence of the supramolecular structure and surface charge field of thin polymer films on the transport of charge carriers is discussed.
Bacterial chemotaxis shape optimization of electromagnetic devices

In this paper, a bacterial chemotaxis shape optimization algorithm is presented for the optimal design of electromagnetic devices. The bacterial chemotaxis algorithm exploits the conceptual analogy between bacteria and mesh nodes, improving the devices performance by moving the specific mesh nodes/bacteria defining the shape in the same way the bacteria move toward regions presenting better life conditions. Validation tests are also presented in order to show the performance of the developed shape optimizer.
Subsoiling reduces CO2 concentrations in soil profile of winter wheat – summer maize rotation ecosystem in the North China Plain: a strategy to achieve carbon neutrality in farmland

ABSTRACT Reducing CO2 emissions from agricultural soils is a key component of the overall carbon reduction strategy. The closed chamber method was used to continuously monitor CO2 concentration in soil profiles of winter wheat-summer maize rotation fields in the North China Plain (NCP) during 2015–2017. Additionally, we evaluated the contribution of different tillage methods (Rotary tillage (RT), Subsoiling (SS), No- tillage (ZT), and conventional tillage (CT) in combination with Straw return (s) and straw removal (0)) to reducing soil CO2 emission. The results showed that the concentration of CO2 increased with the soil depth and peaked at the 150 cm layer. The trend of CO2 concentration in soil profiles under different tillage treatments was CTS > RTS > ZTS > SSS, and the average concentration in maize season was higher than that in wheat season. In addition, soil moisture and temperature in the 0–10 cm soil layer were significantly correlated with soil CO2 concentrations. Thus, our results highlight that the SSs plays a critical role in moderating soil CO2 emissions. This process merits further study to effectively regulate soil CO2 release and achieve carbon neutrality with less carbon emissions in farmland ecosystems.
Two stage sampling design for estimation of total fertility rate: with an illustration for slum dweller married women

Two Stage Sampling procedure has been found to be much more acceptable for demographic surveys owing to the lower cost involved and also due to the fact that it gives rise to a good representative sample. As such, it has been found to be much acceptable for estimating total fertility rate (TFR), an important measure of fertility. The objective of this paper is to estimate the TFR in the slum pockets of Guwahati city in Assam under two stage sampling technique and to bring out a comparative analysis of the TFR calculated under the proposed sampling design and under the Simple Random Sampling (SRS) method.The study reveals that the overall fertility scenario in the slum areas of Guwahati, as far as TFR is concerned, when calculated under two stage sampling technique is above the replacement level. However, the TFR calculated by SRS method is found to be almost equal to the replacement level, implying under estimation of TFR when calculated by this method. Moreover, it has been seen that the adjusted TFRs derived after adjusting the biases marginally increases in case of SRS technique and decreases in case of two stage sampling technique. The MSE s are found to be higher in case of conventional technique, implying that the sampling error involved in the conventional method is more as compared to two stage sampling technique. We may thus consider two stage sampling method as a better technique for estimating TFR.
Covert Channel Communication as an Emerging Security Threat in 2.5D/3D Integrated Systems

In this paper, first, a broad overview of existing covert channel communication-based security attacks is provided. Such covert channels establish a communication link between two entities that are not authorized to share data. The secret data is encoded into different forms of signals, such as delay, temperature, or hard drive location. These signals and information are then decoded by the receiver to retrieve the secret data, thereby mitigating some of the existing security measures. The important steps of covert channel attacks are described, such as data encoding, communication protocol, data decoding, and models to estimate communication bandwidth and bit error rate. Countermeasures against covert channels and existing covert channel detection techniques are also summarized. In the second part of the paper, the implications of such attacks for emerging packaging technologies, such as 2.5D/3D integration are discussed. Several covert channel threat models for 2.5D/3D ICs are also proposed.
The Dynamical Morphologies of Flares Associated with the Two Types of Solar Coronal Mass Ejections

In this paper we study the high-cadence TRACE observations of a sample of 28 X- and M-class flares, with particular focus on the relation between flare morphology and the two types (fast and slow) of solar coronal mass ejections (CMEs). Among the 28 flares studied, 10 are associated with fast CMEs, 10 are associated with slow CMEs, and 8 are loosely associated with a CME. We find that flares associated with fast and slow CMEs show different morphologies as groups. While all flares associated with fast CMEs show clear footpoint-separating, two-ribbon brightenings during the flare, this feature is less often seen in flares associated with slow CMEs or flares without CMEs. Meanwhile, while flares associated with slow CMEs sometimes show tubular emission structures during the flare, this feature is not found in our sample of flares associated with fast CMEs. This observational result suggests that the morphologies of flares, and hence possibly the magnetic field topologies, are different for events associated with fast and with slow CMEs.
Upper Bounds on the True Coverage of Bootstrap Percentile Type Confidence Intervals

Abstract Since its inception, a major use of the bootstrap methodology has been in the construction of approximate nonparametric confidence intervals. As evidenced by many spirited discussions over the past few years, the best way of constructing these intervals has not been resolved. In particular, empirical studies have shown that many of these intervals have disappointing finite sample coverage probabilities. The purpose of this article is to show that intervals based on percentiles of the bootstrap distribution have bounds on their finite sample coverage probabilities. Depending on the functional of interest and the distribution of the data, these bounds can be quite low. We argue that these bounds are valid even for methods that are asymptotically second-order accurate. These results are useful to researchers who are contemplating using this type of confidence interval when the sample size is small. These bounds are computed for several examples including the moments and quantiles of several distribu.
Test–Retest and Between–Device Reliability of Vmaxpro IMU at Hip and Ankle for Vertical Jump Measurement

The ability to generate force in the lower body can be considered a performance factor in sports. This study aims to analyze the test–retest and between-device reliability related to the location on the body of the inertial measurement unit Vmaxpro for the estimation of vertical jump. Eleven highly trained female athletes performed 220 countermovement jumps (CMJ). Data were simultaneously captured by two Vmaxpro units located between L4 and L5 vertebrae (hip method) and on top of the tibial malleolus (ankle method). Intrasession reliability was higher for ankle (ICC = 0.96; CCC = 0.93; SEM = 1.0 cm; CV = 4.64%) than hip (ICC = 0.91; CCC = 0.92; SEM = 3.4 cm; CV = 5.13%). In addition, sensitivity was higher for ankle (SWC = 0.28) than for the hip method (SWC = 0.40). The noise of the measurement (SEM) was higher than the worthwhile change (SWC), indicating lack of ability to detect meaningful changes. The agreement between methods was moderate (rs = 0.84; ICC = 0.77; CCC = 0.25; SEM = 1.47 cm). Significant differences were detected between methods (−8.5 cm, p < 0.05, ES = 2.2). In conclusion, the location of the device affects the measurement by underestimating CMJ on ankle. Despite the acceptable consistency of the instrument, the results of the reliability analysis reveal a significant magnitude of both random and systematic error. As such, the Vmaxpro should not be considered a reliable instrument for measuring CMJ.
Investigations of above-threshold ionization using subpicosecond laser pulses

At very high light intensities, the electron energy spectrum in multiphoton ionization (MPI) spectroscopy of even the simplest atoms changes from a single, well defined threshold peak into multiple peaks, separated from one another by the photon energy. This phenomenon is generally referred to as 'above-threshold ionization' (ATI). The original experiments investigating ATI used relatively long laser pulses, with the result that amplitudes, energy widths and angular distributions of the individual photoelectron peaks depended on the laser intensity. In addition, the widths of the peaks, as well as their absolute energy positions, changed according to the temporal width of the laser pulse. These dependencies were not intrinsic to the ionization process, but rather were all eventually ascribed to ponderomotive forces exerted on free photoelectrons by the laser focus. The ponderomotive effects frustrated comparisons between theoretical calculations and experimental data.
Universal scaling characteristics of stress overshoot in startup shear of entangled polymer solutions

We have carried out conventional rheological measurements to explore the well-known stress overshoot behavior in startup shear of eight entangled polybutadiene solutions. In the elastic deformation regime with γτR>1, we have identified universal scaling features associated with the stress maximum σmax for samples of different levels of entanglements per chain ranging from 27, 40 to 64. Specifically, at the moment tmax of the peak stress σmax where the applied strain is γmax=γtmax: (a) σmax varies linearly with γmax, (b) σmax scales with tmax as σmax∼(tmax)−1∕2. The combination of (a) and (b) yields a striking “prediction” that γmax∼γ1∕3. Remarkably, these scaling laws form master curves when the peak stress, strain rate, and peak time are all normalized with the crossover modulus Gc, reciprocal Rouse time, and Rouse time τR, respectively. The dependence of σmax on tmax and γ on γ is weaker in the crossover regime with γτR<1. Equally noteworthy is the emergence of a super-master curve for the normaliz.
Knowledge of, Attitudes towards, and Practices of Intranasal Corticosteroids Usage among the Allergic Rhinitis Patients of Northern Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Intranasal corticosteroids (INCS) are generally safe and effective treatments for allergic rhinitis (AR). The improper use of INCS may not alleviate AR symptoms, and it could lead to complications and an impaired quality of life. We evaluated the knowledge of, attitudes towards, and practices of INCS usage and associated factors among AR patients using a pretested Arabic questionnaire. Of the 400 participating AR patients, 39.3%, 29.0%, and 36.5% had poor scores for knowledge, attitude, and practice, respectively. We found a significant association between knowledge and education (p < 0.001) and follow-up facilities (p = 0.036). The attitude category was significantly associated with age (p = 0.003), marital status (p = 0.004), and type of allergic patients (p < 0.001), and the practice category was significantly associated with education (p = 0.027), type of allergic patients (p = 0.008), and follow-up facilities (p = 0.030). Smoking status was significantly associated with all three categories. Furthermore, we found a positive correlation between knowledge and practice scores (Spearman’s rho of 0.451, p < 0.001). We recommend improving AR patients’ knowledge of the proper practices of INCS through health education programs. Furthermore, we recommend an exploratory mixed-method survey on the INCS usage among AR patients that involves other provinces in the KSA.
An analytic approach to cyber adversarial dynamics

To date, cyber security investment by both the government and commercial sectors has been largely driven by the myopic best response of players to the actions of their adversaries and their perception of the adversarial environment. However, current work in applying traditional game theory to cyber operations typically assumes that games exist with prescribed moves, strategies, and payos. This paper presents an analytic approach to characterizing the more realistic cyber adversarial metagame that we believe is being played. Examples show that understanding the dynamic metagame provides opportunities to exploit an adversary's anticipated attack strategy. A dynamic version of a graph-based attack-defend game is introduced, and a simulation shows how an optimal strategy can be selected for success in the dynamic environment.
The Identification and Characteristics of miRNAs Related to Cashmere Fiber Traits in Skin Tissue of Cashmere Goats

microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in the regulation of biological phenomena by down-regulating the expression of mRNAs. In this study, Liaoning cashmere (LC) goats (n = 6) and Ziwuling black (ZB) goats (n = 6) with different cashmere fiber production performances were selected. We supposed that miRNAs are responsible for the cashmere fiber trait differences. To test the hypothesis, the expression profiles of miRNAs from the skin tissue of the two caprine breeds were compared using small RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). A total of 1293 miRNAs were expressed in the caprine skin samples, including 399 known caprine miRNAs, 691 known species-conserved miRNAs, and 203 novel miRNAs. Compared with ZB goats, 112 up-regulated miRNAs, and 32 down-regulated miRNAs were found in LC goats. The target genes of the differentially expressed miRNAs were remarkably concentrated on some terms and pathways associated with cashmere fiber performance, including binding, cell, cellular protein modification process, and Wnt, Notch, and MAPK signaling pathways. The miRNA-mRNA interaction network found that 14 miRNAs selected may contribute to cashmere fiber traits regulation by targeting functional genes associated with hair follicle activities. The results have reinforced others leading to a solid foundation for further investigation of the influences of individual miRNAs on cashmere fiber traits in cashmere goats.
Bridging the Finger-Action Gap between Hand Patients and Healthy People in Daily Life with a Biomimetic System

The hand is involved very deeply in our lives in daily activities. When a person loses some hand function, their life can be greatly affected. The use of robotic rehabilitation to assist patients in performing daily actions might help alleviate this problem. However, how to meet individual needs is a major problem in the application of robotic rehabilitation. A biomimetic system (artificial neuromolecular system, ANM) implemented on a digital machine is proposed to deal with the above problems. Two important biological features (structure–function relationship and evolutionary friendliness) are incorporated into this system. With these two important features, the ANM system can be shaped to meet the specific needs of each individual. In this study, the ANM system is used to help patients with different needs perform 8 actions similar to those that people use in everyday life. The data source of this study is our previous research results (data of 30 healthy people and 4 hand patients performing 8 activities of daily life). The results show that while each patient’s hand problem is different, the ANM can successfully translate each patient’s hand posture into normal human motion. In addition, the system can respond to this difference smoothly rather than dramatically when the patient’s hand motions vary both temporally (finger motion sequence) and spatially (finger curvature).
Maternal and fetal outcomes of pregnant women with bacterial vaginosis

Background Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common infection in women of reproductive age group because of vaginal dysbiosis. The impact of BV during pregnancy is still not well defined. The objective of this study is to assess the maternal-fetal outcome in women with BV. Materials and Methods A prospective cohort study over one-year duration was conducted from December, 2014 until December, 2015, involving 237 women who presented with abnormal vaginal discharge, preterm labour or preterm prelabour rupture of membrane between 22- and 34-weeks period of gestation. Vaginal swabs were sent for culture and sensitivity, BV® Blue testing and PCR for Gardnerella vaginalis (GV). Results BV was diagnosed in 24/237 (10.1%) cases. The median gestational age was 31.6 weeks. GV was isolated from 16 out of 24 (66.7%) in the BV positive group. There was a significantly higher preterm birth rate, below 34 weeks (22.7% vs. 6.2%, p = 0.019) in women with BV. There was no statistically significant difference in maternal outcome such as clinical chorioamnionitis or endometritis. However, placental pathology revealed more than half (55.6%) of women with BV had histologic chorioamnionitis. Neonatal morbidity was significantly higher with exposure to BV, with a lower median birth weight, higher rate of neonatal intensive care unit admission (41.7% vs. 19.0%, p = 0.010), increased intubation for respiratory support (29.2% vs. 7.6%, p = 0.004) and respiratory distress syndrome (33.3% vs. 9.0%, p = 0.002). Conclusion More research is needed to formulate guidelines for prevention, early detection and treatment of BV during pregnancy to reduce intrauterine inflammation and the associated adverse fetal outcomes.
Cropping systems with perennial vegetation and livestock integration promote soil health

Soil health can differ across cropping systems because of variation in edaphic and management factors. We evaluated how biological indicators of soil health (soil organic matter [SOM], permanganate oxidizable carbon [POXC], mineralizable carbon [MinC], autoclaved‐citrate‐extractable [ACE] protein, and potentially mineralizable nitrogen [PMN]) compared across four common Wisconsin cropping systems: grazed cool‐season pastures, forage‐based rotations that included perennial legumes or grasses, annual rotations receiving manure, and annual rotations receiving synthetic fertilizers. Biological indicators of soil health were up to 195% greater in pastures than other cropping systems. MinC, POXC and PMN were 10%–90% greater in forage‐based rotations than annual cropping systems, but only MinC and POXC were greater in annual systems with manure compared to those without manure by 35% and 7%, respectively. Perennial vegetation and livestock integration offer the greatest potential to increase biological indicators of soil health in agricultural lands.