Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Determining the portion of dewatering-induced settlement in excavation pit projects

Abstract Steady population growth has resulted in increasing the land prices which led to construction of deep excavation pits, necessary for tall buildings and underground spaces. One of the most important issues in the design of deep foundations and underground spaces is how to deal with the groundwater. Considering the difficulty of excavation and construction under wet condition, in most of the projects the groundwater level is preferred to be dropped under the construction level, the operation called ‘dewatering’. However, the dewatering operation has its own issues such as ground settlement and environmental impacts. In this research, the amounts of settlements due to excavation and dewatering were calculated separately using analytical and numerical models for Taklar 2 excavation pit located at the north-eastern part of Tehran city, as a case study. The analytical and numerical data were compared with some settlement data measured directly at the field. The results of this study confirmed that the numerical finite element method is appropriate for simulation of the settlement around excavation pits. The portion of settlement due to dewatering was estimated to be about 30 per cent of the total settlement during excavation operations.
Methyl ketone production by Pseudomonas putida is enhanced by plant-derived amino acids

Plant biomass is an attractive source of renewable carbon for conversion to biofuels and bio-based chemicals. Conversion strategies often use a fraction of the total biomass, focusing on sugars from cellulose and hemicellulose. Strategies that use plant components such as plant-derived aromatics and amino acids have the potential to improve the efficiency of overall biomass conversion. Pseudomonas putida is a promising host for biomass conversion for its ability to metabolize a wide variety of organic compounds, including aromatics derived from lignin. P. putida was engineered to produce medium chain methyl ketones, which are promising diesel blendstocks and potential platform chemicals, from glucose and lignin-related aromatics, 4-hydroxybenzoate (4-HB) and protocatechuate (PCA). Unexpectedly, P. putida methyl ketone production was enhanced 2-to 5-fold compared to sugar controls when Arabidopsis thaliana hydrolysates derived from engineered plants that overproduce 4-HB and PCA, while E. coli production was lowered in these hydrolysates. This enhancement was more pronounced (~7-fold increase) with hydrolysates derived from non-engineered switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) suggesting it did not arise from overproduction of 4-HB and PCA. Global proteomic analysis of the methyl ketone-producing P. putida suggested that plant-derived amino acids may be the source of this enhancement. Mass spectrometry-based measurements of plant-derived amino acids demonstrated a high correlation between methyl ketone production and amino acid concentration in plant hydrolysates. Amendment of glucose-containing minimal media with a defined mixture of amino acids similar to those found in the hydrolysates studied led to a 9-fold increase in methyl ketone titer (1.1 g/L).
Littoral distribution of dinoflagellates in Lake Tovel (Trentino, Italy)

Littoral distribution of dinofl agellates in Lake Tovel (Trentino, Italy) Lake Tovel (Trentino, North Italy) has been focus of scientifi c research for more than one century. However, the majority of phytoplankton investigations regarded a few dinofl agellate species in the main basin of the lake. Because of the importance of the littoral region of lakes and microhabitat diversity in originating the dinofl agellates community, we decided to include this area in our study on phytoplankton dynamics and distribution in Lake Tovel. From July to September 2004 we sampled fortnightly both the littoral and pelagic zone of the lake, aiming at the study of dinofl agellates seasonal development. This study has revealed very scarce nutrient variations during the period investigated. Nonetheless, a clear succession of species has been found, which has been attributed to changes in water temperature and hydrodynamics of the lake. Glenodinium sanguineum sensu Dodge (1987) in early summer and Gymnodinium uberrrimum and Baldinia anauniensis gen. inedit. sp. inedit. Hansen et al. (in prep.) later on dominated the community along the period considered.
Sandpiper Optimization Algorithm With Region Growing Based Robust Retinal Blood Vessel Segmentation Approach

Retinal blood vessel examination is commonly utilized for retinal disease diagnosis by ophthalmologists. The automated retinal vessel segmentation process becomes an essential tool to identify disease. Several retinal vessel segmentation models suffer from a lack of high generalization abilities and low accuracy due to the presence of complex symmetrical and asymmetrical patterns. Robust vessel segmentation of fundus images is needed to improve diagnostic performance including vein occlusion and diabetic retinopathy (DR). In this aspect, this study concentrates on the design of a sandpiper optimization algorithm with region growing based robust retinal blood vessel segmentation (SPORG-RBVS) approach. The proposed SPORG-RBVS technique involves different stages of pre-processing such as grayscale conversion, Z-score-based data normalization, and multi-scale vessel enhancement filtering. The SPO approach addresses the intricate challenges modeled by difficult symmetrical and asymmetrical patterns in retinal vessel segmentation. This method has been specifically designed to improve the generalization capabilities and accuracy of retinal vessel segmentation manners, vital for the precise detection of retinal diseases like vein occlusion and DR. Through phases of preprocessing comprising grayscale conversion, Z-score-based data normalization, and multi-scale vessel enhancement filtering, the SPORG-RBVS model ensures robust segmentation of fundus images. Particularly, the automated segmentation approach employing SPORG incorporates primary seed point generation and threshold determination using the SPO method, contributing to the overall performance of disease detection. A wide-ranging experimental analysis is executed and the outcomes are examined on three benchmark databases such as Digital Retinal Images for Vessel Extraction (DRIVE), Structured Analysis of the Retina (STARE), and CHASE_DB1 (CHASE). The comparative study stated the supremacy of the SPORG-RBVS method over existing techniques with maximum accuracy of 98.68%, 98.14%%, and 98.34% under DRIVE, STARE, and CHASE datasets, respectively.
Leprosy: treatment, prevention, immune response and gene function

Since the leprosy cases have fallen dramatically, the incidence of leprosy has remained stable over the past years, indicating that multidrug therapy seems unable to eradicate leprosy. More seriously, the emergence of rifampicin-resistant strains also affects the effectiveness of treatment. Immunoprophylaxis was mainly carried out through vaccination with the BCG but also included vaccines such as LepVax and MiP. Meanwhile, it is well known that the infection and pathogenesis largely depend on the host’s genetic background and immunity, with the onset of the disease being genetically regulated. The immune process heavily influences the clinical course of the disease. However, the impact of immune processes and genetic regulation of leprosy on pathogenesis and immunological levels is largely unknown. Therefore, we summarize the latest research progress in leprosy treatment, prevention, immunity and gene function. The comprehensive research in these areas will help elucidate the pathogenesis of leprosy and provide a basis for developing leprosy elimination strategies.
Preparation and application of modified activated carbon for effective removal of phosphorus from glyphosate by-product salt

Glyphosate is a non-selective, residue-free insecticidal herbicide, and its byproduct salts obtained through evaporation and concentration have high phosphorus content, thus preventing resource utilization. In this paper, cerium-aluminum-modified activated carbon (Ce/Al-AC) adsorbent was synthesized by loading cerium-aluminum into the interior and surface of activated carbon using the oil bath method with activated carbon as the raw material. Phosphorus removal using activated carbon composite adsorbent and the influences of pH, initial waste salt concentration, modified activated carbon addition, and adsorption time on the phosphorus extraction effectiveness of modified activated carbon were investigated in a controlled variable manner. As part of the characterization of the adsorbent, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy were performed. The experimental results show that under the conditions of 10 g/L glyphosate waste salt solution, the initial phosphorus concentration of 32.67 mg/L, the amount of adsorbent addition of 10 g/L, pH 7, and the adsorption time of 180 min, the phosphorus removal rate of unmodified activated carbon is 36.2%. In contrast, the rate of modified activated carbon can reach more than 99%. With the modified activated carbon adsorbent, a pH range of 3–11 was effective for adsorption, with the best adsorption performance observed at neuter pH. Phosphorus removal followed Langmuir ( R 2 = 0.921) models. The theoretical adsorption capacity reached 8.13 mg/g. The total phosphorus content was decreased to below 0.5 mg/L. This study demonstrates that modified activated carbon has potential value in the treatment of glyphosate byproduct salt and high-salinity wastewater.
Myelin Basic Protein Attenuates Furin-Mediated Bri2 Cleavage and Postpones Its Membrane Trafficking

Myelin basic protein (MBP) is the second most abundant protein in the central nervous system and is responsible for structural maintenance of the myelin sheath covering axons. Previously, we showed that MBP has a more proactive role in the oligodendrocyte homeostasis, interacting with membrane-associated proteins, including integral membrane protein 2B (ITM2B or Bri2) that is associated with familial dementias. Here, we report that the molecular dynamics of the in silico-generated MBP-Bri2 complex revealed that MBP covers a significant portion of the Bri2 ectodomain, assumingly trapping the furin cleavage site, while the surface of the BRICHOS domain, which is responsible for the multimerization and activation of the Bri2 high-molecular-weight oligomer chaperone function, remains unmasked. These observations were supported by the co-expression of MBP with Bri2, its mature form, and disease-associated mutants, which showed that in mammalian cells, MBP indeed modulates the post-translational processing of Bri2 by restriction of the furin-catalyzed release of its C-terminal peptide. Moreover, we showed that the co-expression of MBP and Bri2 also leads to an altered cellular localization of Bri2, restricting its membrane trafficking independently of the MBP-mediated suppression of the Bri2 C-terminal peptide release. Further investigations should elucidate if these observations have physiological meaning in terms of Bri2 as a MBP chaperone activated by the MBP-dependent postponement of Bri2 membrane trafficking.
Nitrogen and Phosphorus Loads to Temperate Seepage Lakes Associated With Allochthonous Dissolved Organic Carbon Loads

Terrestrial loads of dissolved organic matter (DOM) have increased in recent years in many north temperate lakes. While much of the focus on the “browning” phenomena has been on its consequences for carbon cycling, much less is known about how it influences nutrient loading to lakes. We characterize potential loads of nitrogen and phosphorus to seepage lakes in northern Wisconsin, USA, based on a laboratory soil leaching experiment and a model that includes landscape cover and watershed area. In these seepage lakes, nutrient concentrations are positively correlated with dissolved organic carbon concentrations (nitrogen: r = 0.68, phosphorus: r = 0.54). Using long‐term records of browning, we found that dissolved organic matter‐associated nutrient loadings may have resulted in substantial increases in nitrogen and phosphorus in seepage lakes and could account for currently observed nutrient concentrations in the lake. “Silent” nutrient loadings to brown‐water lakes may lead to future water‐quality concerns.
Ecological and Genetic Landscapes of Global H12 Avian Influenza Viruses and Biological Characteristics of an H12N5 Virus Isolated from Wild Ducks in Eastern China

Wild migratory birds are considered the central reservoirs of avian influenza viruses. H12 viruses are one of the 16 hemagglutinin (HA) subtypes of avian influenza viruses and are rarely reported because they are infrequently detected in birds. Consequently, the ecological and genetic profiles of H12 viruses and their adaptation in domestic birds and mammals remain unclear. Here, we found that H12N5 viruses were predominant in the nine identified H12NX subtypes, with the HA (H12) and neuraminidase (NA) (N5) genes showing combination bias in the categorized analysis of subtype combinations (H12 and N1–N9; H1–H12, H14, H15, and N5). These identified H12N5 viruses were primarily detected in birds of Anatidae and Scolopacidae in North America, excluding their possible characterization as chicken or mammalian viruses. The H12N5 viruses were divided into the North American lineage and Eurasian lineage according to their genetic differences, including the HA and NA surface genes and internal genes, although reassortment was observed between the two lineages. We isolated an Eurasian-lineage H12N5 virus from wild ducks in Eastern China, which was one of the 12 identified H12 viruses in China. Infectivity studies indicated that the H12N5 virus is poorly adapted to domestic ducks and chickens, although viral shedding could be detected in both inoculated and contact birds. Additionally, the naturally isolated H12N5 virus did not achieve good replication in mice. These results indicate that the rare subtype of H12 viruses was mainly pooled in wild migratory birds and has an established phylogeography, with low risks of spillover into domestic birds and mammals.
Effect of tuina on sleep quality, psychological state and neurotransmitter level in patients with insomnia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Abnormal psychological state and neurotransmitter levels are important factors affecting sleep quality. Numerous studies have shown that tuina can improve the symptoms of sleep disorders in patients with insomnia while relieving anxiety and depression and regulating neurotransmitter levels. However, there have been no meta-analyses on the effect of tuina on psychological states and neurotransmitter levels. Objectives A meta-analysis was performed to systematically evaluate the effects of massage on sleep quality, psychological state, and neurotransmitter levels in patients with insomnia. Methods A comprehensive literature search was conducted from inception to July 2023 using eight electronic databases to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on tuina therapy for insomnia. Gray literature was also searched. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Cochrane Handbook. Reviewer Manager 5.4 and Stata 16.0 were employed for statistical analysis. Results A total of 23 studies were included, including 1780 patients with insomnia, of whom 892 and 888 were in the experimental and control groups, respectively. Meta-analysis indicated that tuina therapy was superior to other therapies for the treatment of insomnia in increasing the total effective rate [OR = 4.12, 95%CI (2.80, 6.06), p < 0.00001] and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) level [MD = 16.03, 95% CI (13.40, 18.65), p < 0.00001], while reducing the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score [MD = −2.34, 95% CI (−2.94, −1.74), p < 0.00001], Athens Insomnia Scale score [MD = −2.10, 95% CI (−2.67, −1.52), p < 0.00001], self-rating anxiety scale score [MD = −6.77, 95% CI (−8.34, −5.20), p < 0.00001] and self-rating depression scale score [MD = −6.60, 95% CI (−8.82, −4.37), p < 0.00001]. Subgroup analysis showed that tuina alone or in combination with other therapies was superior to drugs or acupuncture alone in improving all outcomes (p < 0.05). Only two studies reported minor adverse events. Conclusion Tuina for insomnia has certain therapeutic advantages and can significantly improve sleep quality, relieve anxiety-depressive states, and increase 5-HT levels with high safety. Due to the limitations of the quality of the included studies, additional high-quality clinical trials are required for further verification. Systematic review registration https://www.crd. york.ac. uk/PROSPERO/display_record. php? RecordID=447839, identifier CRD42023447839.
Collectin-K1 Plays a Role in the Clearance of Streptococcus agalactiae in Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Collectin-K1 (CL-K1) is a multifunctional C-type lectin that has been identified as playing a crucial role in innate immunity. It can bind to carbohydrates on pathogens, leading to direct neutralization, agglutination, and/or opsonization, thereby inhibiting pathogenic infection. In this study, we investigated a homolog of CL-K1 (OnCL-K1) in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and its role in promoting the clearance of the pathogen Streptococcus agalactiae (S. agalactiae) and enhancing the antibacterial ability of the fish. Our analysis of bacterial load displayed that OnCL-K1 substantially reduced the amount of S. agalactiae in tissues of the liver, spleen, anterior kidney, and brain in Nile tilapia. Furthermore, examination of tissue sections revealed that OnCL-K1 effectively alleviated tissue damage and inflammatory response in the liver, anterior kidney, spleen, and brain tissue of tilapia following S. agalactiae infection. Additionally, OnCL-K1 was found to decrease the expression of the pro-inflammatory factor IL-6 and migration inhibitor MIF, while increasing the expression of anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 and chemokine IL-8 in the spleen, anterior kidney, and brain tissues of tilapia. Moreover, statistical analysis of survival rates demonstrated that OnCL-K1 significantly improved the survival rate of tilapia after infection, with a survival rate of 90%. Collectively, our findings suggest that OnCL-K1 plays a vital role in the innate immune defense of resisting bacterial infection in Nile tilapia. It promotes the removal of bacterial pathogens from the host, inhibits pathogen proliferation in vivo, reduces damage to host tissues caused by pathogens, and improves the survival rate of the host.
Cross Subject Myocardial Infarction Detection From Vectorcardiogram Signals Using Binary Harry Hawks Feature Selection and Ensemble Classifiers

Myocardial infarction (MI), widely referred to as a heart attack, is a leading reason for deaths worldwide. It is frequently caused by coronary artery occlusion, resulting in inadequate oxygen and blood supply, which damages the myocardial structure and function. Therefore, innovative diagnostic methods are required for reliable and timely identification of MI. The typical 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) technology causes patient discomfort and makes cardiac monitoring challenging. The frontal, sagittal, and transverse planes (3 orthogonal planes) are where vectorcardiogram (VCG) renders an edge over 12-lead ECG. This study, proposes a method for detecting MI utilising VCG signals of four seconds. Circulant singular spectrum analysis (CSSA) and four stage savitzky-golay (SG) filter were used in the filtering stage for the removal of power-line interference and base-line wander. The signal was time-invariantly decomposed using the CSSA, then features were extracted. The binary harry hawks-based feature selection method is employed on the extracted features to choose the optimal feature subspace which was followed by supervised machine learning based classification. The 10-fold cross validation, an even more practical leave-one-out (LOO) cross validation approach, and inter dataset cross validation (IDCV) were used to evaluate the reliability of the suggested method. Voting-based ensemble classification was used in LOO, IDCV validation, which improves the accuracy of this method. The proposed technique achieved an accuracy of 99.97%, 91.03%, and 99.41% for 10-fold, LOO cross validation, and IDCV, out-performing the state-of-the-art methods in the cross validation scenarios. The proposed technique results in an accurate detection of MI. Successful accomplishment of the LOO cross validation demonstrates the applicability and dependability of the suggested technique in the health care applications.
Automatic Lunar Crater Detection Based on DEM Data Using a Max Curvature Detection Method

Lunar crater is crucial for estimating the age of the Moon and investigating the evolution of both the Moon and the solar system. However, the bottom of the crater is usually uneven, resulting in automatic detection difficult to obtain a complete impact crater. This letter proposes an automated lunar crater detection algorithm (CDA), which is robust to the complicated variations of impact craters, based on digital elevation model (DEM) data. The lowest points on the DEM were extracted as the potential centers of craters. The rim of craters was first detected by a max curvature detection method and then completed by the watershed algorithm. The algorithm was applied to the lunar mare and highland and compared with the crater database obtained by Robbins. The results show that the algorithm could detect numerous small and complicated types of craters. In the lunar highlands, the algorithm detected 74% of documented impact craters, the newly detected impact craters accounted for 82.79%, and the overall reliability exceeded 81%. In the lunar mare, the algorithm identified over 50% of established craters, more than 66% of detected craters were new, and the overall reliability was greater than 56%. The algorithm calculated the structural attributes and obtained the true rim. Only the DEM data are required, and the algorithm is portable to other planets, such as Mars.
Headache Disorders: Differentiating Primary and Secondary Etiologies.

In the initial assessment of a headache patient, several dangerous secondary etiologies must be considered. A thorough history and physical examination, along with a comprehensive differential diagnosis may alert a physician to the diagnosis of a secondary headache particularly when it is accompanied by certain clinical features. Evaluation and workup include a complete neurological examination, consideration of neuroimaging, and serum/spinal fluid analysis if indicated. Careful attention to the patients' history and physical examination will guide the diagnostic work-up and management. In this review, we summarize the diagnostic workup of various primary and secondary headache etiologies. Although most headaches are primary in nature, it is essential to screen for headache "red flags", as they can suggest life threatening secondary etiologies. When secondary causes are suspected, appropriate neuroimaging can further differentiate the underlying cause. The appropriate imaging is dependent on the most likely secondary etiology, which is deduced from history and physical examination. When no red flags are present, primary headaches are more likely. These can be differentiated by frequency, location, duration, triggers, and presence of aura. The different clinical presentations for secondary headaches, as well as the distinguishing features for primary headaches are outlined in this review.