Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gender moderation of effects of visual framing of Covid-19 messages on negative emotions

A recent meta-analysis revealed that not only gain-framed persuasion messages induce positive emotions in the audience whereas loss frames induce negative emotions, but also positive emotions enhance the influence of gain frames whereas negative emotions augment the effects of loss frames; emotions appeared to mediate effects of framed messages on the public’s compliance with a recommendation. Since it is known that women experience more negative emotions than men, we evaluated in the present study gender biases in negative emotions induced by images accompanying texts with nutritional advice to prevent severity of COVID-19 symptoms. The texts were non-loss framed. Using photos of a coffin versus a family, we found a robust image x gender interaction amongst hospital personnel in Lima, Peru: whereas the coffin tended to increase the negative emotions of women, those of men presented an opposite tendency. We conclude that the intervention of emotions in the persuasion process implies that different adherences of men and women to the same message are likely and this should be studied. Researchers who ignore gender in visual framing studies may attain distorted conclusions.
Karyotypic analysis of Crucian carp, Carassius carassius (Linnaeus, 1758) from cold waters of Kashmir Himalayas

Carassius carassius (Linnaeus, 1758) is an exotic fish to Kashmir, locally known as “gang gad” and commonly called as “crucian carp”. It belongs to family Cyprinidae. The present study aimed to identify the chromosome number of the Carassius carassius and to optimize the colchicine concentrations (0.01%, 0.025%, and 0.05%) and hypotonic treatment timings (25, 35, and 45 minutes) for the chromosome preparation in Carassius carassius in order to obtain the highest number of clear and identifiable metaphasic chromosomal spreads. Data collected was analyzed and the means of each treatment was compared. The findings of the present study indicated that there was a significant influence of colchicine concentration, hypotonic timings as well as colchicine concentration× hypotonic timings (P<0.01) on the number of metaphase chromosome spreads. Furthermore a significant (P<0.01) strong positive correlation obtained between colchicine concentrations, hypotonic timings and the number of metaphase chromosome spreads. The findings of the present study recommends further research into chromosomal modification techniques such as fish polyploid production, gynogenesis, androgenesis, and inter or intra-species hybridization is needed to generate unique and good inbred lines in aquaculture.
Assessment of Methods for Predicting Eukaryotic Promoter Sequences

Identifying promoters is challenging due to their short sequences, low conservation, and complex regulation. His-torically, this was done through slow and expensive experimental methods. Efficient pattern recognition and statistical approaches have revolutionized this process, offering a faster and more cost-effective solution. Accurate promoter identification is vital for experimental biologists and biotech applications, enabling precise gene expression regulation. This document evaluates tra-ditional machine learning methods (SVM, MLP, LDA, PSFN and denseNet) for promoter recognition, confirming their suitability. Our methodology consisted of using a partition of 80 to 20 percent for data training and analysis, respectively. The former was used to optimize the parameters at a k-fold with k = 10 by cross-validation; after optimization, the parameters were used to analyze the 20 percent of data. The F1 metric score is a positive predictive value that calculates the precision and sensitivity. Therefore, our findings align with [2] as the F1 metric score was above 85 % in SVM and both PSFN methods, affirming them as the most reliable options for promoter prediction. The objective was to find a method that accurately validates the prediction of promoters and non-promoters by a comparison of methods. To achieve this, we incorporated sequences from humans, which are validated with these characteristics, to apply this workflow to sequences from other organisms in the future.
Preliminary studies on natural enemies of hard ticks and methods of their population control in Latvia

Hard ticks Ixodidae (Acari) transmit pathogens causing dangerous diseases such as tick-borne encephalitis and Lyme disease. These tick species in Latvia are dog tick Ixodes ricinus and taiga tick Ixodes persulcatus. The use of acaricides to control tick populations raises concerns over environmental pollution. Environmentally friendly way to control ticks is necessary to develop. Parasitoid tick wasp Ixodiphagus hookeri (Hymenoptera, Encyrtidae) are natural enemies of Ixodidae ticks. The aim of the current research was to study natural enemies of Ixodes spp. and determine causes of tick mortality, and development of methods for tick rearing in laboratory conditions. In order to carry out the artificial feeding of ticks, a prototype of a tick feeding device using skin-imitating membrane was created.
The zinc finger protein 3 of Arabidopsis thaliana regulates vegetative growth and root hair development

Introduction Zinc finger protein 3 (ZFP3) and closely related C2H2 zinc finger proteins have been identified as regulators of abscisic acid signals and photomorphogenic responses during germination. Whether ZFP3 and related ZFP factors regulate plant development is, however, not known. Results ZFP3 overexpression reduced plant growth, limited cell expansion in leaves, and compromised root hair development. The T-DNA insertion zfp3 mutant and transgenic lines with silenced ZFP1, ZFP3, ZFP4, and ZFP7 genes were similar to wild-type plants or had only minor differences in plant growth and morphology, probably due to functional redundancy. RNAseq transcript profiling identified ZFP3-controlled gene sets, including targets of ABA signaling with reduced transcript abundance. The largest gene set that was downregulated by ZFP3 encoded regulatory and structural proteins in cell wall biogenesis, cell differentiation, and root hair formation. Chromatin immunoprecipitation confirmed ZFP3 binding to several target promoters. Discussion Our results suggest that ZFP3 and related ZnF proteins can modulate cellular differentiation and plant vegetative development by regulating the expression of genes implicated in cell wall biogenesis.
Methodology and Development of Open-Source Lecture Nuggets that Create Hands-On Engineering and Discussion Spaces

This discussion focuses on one approach and methodology for developing openly available (e.g. Youtube) short lecture nuggets enabling in-class discussions and handson learning experiences (e.g. experimental measurements). These video nuggets give space for interactive student learning in the available faculty-student classroom time. From developing lecture nuggets and using these nuggets in multiple ECE classes over the last five years, classroom time can transform toward focused on interactive faculty and student conversations as well as creating space for interactive hands-on laboratory experiments and related opportunities. This discussion focuses on this author's experience, strategies, and methodology developing open-source lecture nuggets for a wide range of nominally ECE courses.
Stable boundary‐layer regimes at Dome C, Antarctica: observation and analysis

Investigation of meteorological measurements along a 45 m tower at Dome C on the high East Antarctic Plateau revealed two distinct stable boundary layer (SBL) regimes at this location. The first regime is characterized by strong winds and continuous turbulence. It results in full vertical coupling of temperature, wind magnitude and wind direction in the SBL. The second regime is characterized by weak winds, associated with weak turbulent activity and very strong temperature inversions reaching up to 25 K in the lowest 10 m. Vertical temperature profiles are generally exponentially shaped (convex) in the first regime and ‘convex–concave–convex’ in the second.
FastTextDodger: Decision-Based Adversarial Attack Against Black-Box NLP Models With Extremely High Efficiency

Recently, achieving query-efficient adversarial example attacks targeting black-box natural language models has attracted widespread attention from researchers. This task is considered difficult due to the discrete nature of texts, limited knowledge of the target model, and strict query access limitations in real-world systems. However, existing attacks often require a large number of queries or result in low attack success rates, having not met practical requirements. To address this, we propose FastTextDodger, a simple and compact decision-based black-box textual adversarial attack that generates grammatically correct adversarial texts with high attack success rates and few queries. Experimental results show that FastTextDodger achieves an impressive 97.4% attack success rate on benchmark datasets and models, and only needs about 200 queries. Compared to state-of-the-art attacks, FastTextDodger only requires one-tenth of the number of queries in text classification and entailment tasks while maintaining comparable attack success rates and perturbed word rates.
Genetic Stock Identification and Relative Contribution of Arctic Char ( Salvelinus alpinus ) from the Hornaday and Brock Rivers to Subsistence Fisheries in Darnley Bay, Northwest Territories + Supplementary Appendix Tables S1 to S4 (See Article Tools)

Where anadromous fishes occur in the Canadian Arctic, they provide the mainstay of local subsistence fisheries of varying intensities. Many of these fisheries harvest a mixture of stocks at discrete locations and it is often not known which stocks, specifically, are being harvested and to what extent. In the Darnley Bay area of the Northwest Territories, Arctic char, Salvelinus alpinus , in particular have long provided an important subsistence resource to residents of Paulatuk, and char from two systems (the Hornaday and Brock Rivers) are thought to contribute to the coastal fishery for this species. Genetic mixed-stock analysis (GMA) is routinely applied for resolving stock contributions to such fisheries, yet studies incorporating GMA to understand specifically which stocks are being harvested in the Canadian Arctic, and to what extent, are relatively scarce. In this study, we assayed microsatellite DNA variation among 987 Arctic char from two important coastal subsistence fisheries and several inland sampling locations in the Darnley Bay area to (1) assess the degree of genetic structuring between the Hornaday and Brock Rivers and (2) resolve the proportional contributions of these stocks to coastal mixed-stock fisheries in the region using GMA. Overall, genetic differentiation was relatively high and significant (θ = 0.117; 95% C.I. = 0.097–0.142) among baseline sampling locations. Overall patterns of genetic stock structure also support previous hypotheses that additional life history types (e.g., landlocked or freshwater-resident char, or both) exist in the Hornaday system, as indicated by elevated levels of genetic differentiation between some of our sampling locations. The GMA suggested that, while both river systems contribute to the coastal fishery, catches were dominated by Arctic char from the Hornaday River, which highlights the importance of this system. All told, our results may be relevant to the management of the subsistence fishery in Darnley Bay and for furthering the collective understanding of char biodiversity and life history variation in the Canadian Arctic.
Interface Properties of MoS2 van der Waals Heterojunctions with GaN

The combination of the unique physical properties of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) with those of gallium nitride (GaN) and related group-III nitride semiconductors have recently attracted increasing scientific interest for the realization of innovative electronic and optoelectronic devices. A deep understanding of MoS2/GaN interface properties represents the key to properly tailor the electronic and optical behavior of devices based on this heterostructure. In this study, monolayer (1L) MoS2 was grown on GaN-on-sapphire substrates by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) at 700 °C. The structural, chemical, vibrational, and light emission properties of the MoS2/GaN heterostructure were investigated in detail by the combination of microscopic/spectroscopic techniques and ab initio calculations. XPS analyses on as-grown samples showed the formation of stoichiometric MoS2. According to micro-Raman spectroscopy, monolayer MoS2 domains on GaN exhibit an average n-type doping of (0.11 ± 0.12) × 1013 cm−2 and a small tensile strain (ε ≈ 0.25%), whereas an intense light emission at 1.87 eV was revealed by PL analyses. Furthermore, a gap at the interface was shown by cross-sectional TEM analysis, confirming the van der Waals (vdW) bond between MoS2 and GaN. Finally, density functional theory (DFT) calculations of the heterostructure were carried out, considering three different configurations of the interface, i.e., (i) an ideal Ga-terminated GaN surface, (ii) the passivation of Ga surface by a monolayer of oxygen (O), and (iii) the presence of an ultrathin Ga2O3 layer. This latter model predicts the formation of a vdW interface and a strong n-type doping of MoS2, in closer agreement with the experimental observations.
Adaptive sidelobe reduction in SAR and INSAR COSMO-SkyMed image processing

The main lobe and the side lobes of strong scatterers are sometimes clearly visible in SAR images. Sidelobe reduction is of particular importance when imaging scenes contain objects such as ships and buildings having very large radar cross sections. Amplitude weighting is usually used to suppress sidelobes of the images at the expense of broadening of mainlobe, loss of resolution and degradation of SAR images. The Spatial Variant Apodization (SVA) is an Adaptive SideLobe Reduction (ASLR) technique that provides high effective suppression of sidelobes without broadening mainlobe. In this paper, we apply SVA to process COSMO-SkyMed (CSK) StripMap and Spotlight X-band data and compare the images with the standard products obtained via Hamming window processing. Different test sites have been selected in Italy, Argentina, California and Germany where corner reflectors are installed. Experimental results show clearly the resolution improvement (20%) while sidelobe kept to a low level when SVA processing is applied compared with Hamming windowing one. Then SVA technique is applied to Interferometric SAR image processing (INSAR) using a CSK StripMap interferometric tandem-like data pair acquired on East-California. The interferometric coherence of image pair obtained without sidelobe reduction (SCS_U) and with sidelobe reduction performed via Hamming window and via SVA are compared. High resolution interferometric products have been obtained with small variation of mean coherence when using ASLR products with respect to hamming windowed and no windowed one.
Synergistic Effects of SDS and H2O2 Combinations on Tracheal Scaffold Development: An In Vitro Study Using Goat Trachea

Currently, a tissue-engineered trachea has been popularly used as a biological graft for tracheal replacement in severe respiratory diseases. In the development of tissue-engineered tracheal scaffolds, in vitro studies play a crucial role in allowing researchers to evaluate the efficacy and safety of scaffold designs and fabrication techniques before progressing to in vivo or clinical trials. This research involved the decellularization of goat trachea using SDS, H2O2, and their combinations. Various quantitative and qualitative assessments were performed, including histological analysis, immunohistochemistry, and biomechanical testing. Hematoxylin and eosin staining evaluated the cellular content, while safranin O-fast green and Masson's trichrome staining assessed glycosaminoglycan content and collagen distribution, respectively. The immunohistochemical analysis focused on detecting MHC-1 antigen presence. Tensile strength measurements were conducted to evaluate the biomechanical properties of the decellularized scaffolds. The results demonstrated that the combination of SDS and H2O2 for goat tracheal decellularization yielded scaffolds with minimal cellular remnants, low toxicity, preserved ECM, and high tensile strength and elasticity. This method holds promise for developing functional tracheal scaffolds to address severe respiratory diseases effectively.
Bayesian Methods for Information Borrowing in Basket Trials: An Overview

Simple Summary This paper provides a review of statistical methods for tumor-agnostic clinical trials. In particular, the review focuses on basket trials and provides methodological insights into various Bayesian approaches. The key concept of borrowing information through Bayesian hierarchical models is emphasized, and some novel trial designs are introduced. The review is expected to provide oncology and biostatistics researchers with more exposure to powerful Bayesian methods for the design and analysis of tumor-agnostic clinical trials. Abstract Basket trials allow simultaneous evaluation of a single therapy across multiple cancer types or subtypes of the same cancer. Since the same treatment is tested across all baskets, it may be desirable to borrow information across them to improve the statistical precision and power in estimating and detecting the treatment effects in different baskets. We review recent developments in Bayesian methods for the design and analysis of basket trials, focusing on the mechanism of information borrowing. We explain the common components of these methods, such as a prior model for the treatment effects that embodies an assumption of exchangeability. We also discuss the distinct features of these methods that lead to different degrees of borrowing. Through simulation studies, we demonstrate the impact of information borrowing on the operating characteristics of these methods and discuss its broader implications for drug development. Examples of basket trials are presented in both phase I and phase II settings.
Effects of Temperature on Novel Molecular Perovskite Energetic Material (C6H14N2)[NH4(ClO4)3]: A Molecular Dynamics Simulation

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed on the energetic molecular perovskite (C6H14N2)[NH4(ClO4)3], with excellent detonation properties, thermal stability, and high specific impulse, which is a potential replacement for AP as the next generation propellants. The cohesive energy density, binding energy, pair correlation function, maximum bond length (Lmax) of the N–H trigger bond, and mechanical properties of the (C6H14N2)[NH4(ClO4)3] were reported. The calculated cohesive energy density and binding energy decrease with increasing temperature, indicating a gradual decrease in the thermal stability with temperature. In addition, H···O hydrogen bonding interactions have been found based on the results of pairwise correlation functions. The maximum length (Lmax) of the N–H trigger bond was calculated and used as a criterion to theoretically judge the impact sensitivity. The maximum bond length of the N–H trigger bond grows gradually with temperature; however, it does very slightly yet gradually above 373 K. This suggests that an increase in temperature leads to a higher impact sensitivity and lower thermal stability. However, this effect becomes less pronounced when the temperature surpasses 373 K. Moreover, the calculated mechanical data indicate that as the temperature rises, the material’s stiffness, hardness, yield strength, and fracture strength all decrease. The material’s ductility shows an upward trend with increasing temperature, reaching its peak at 373 K and subsequently declining as the temperature continues to rise.
Enhancing Grid-Forming Converters Control in Hybrid AC/DC Microgrids Using Bidirectional Virtual Inertia Support

This paper presents a new grid-forming strategy for hybrid AC/DC microgrids using bidirectional virtual inertia support designed to address weak grid conditions. The stability of hybrid AC/DC microgrids heavily relies on the AC mains frequency and the DC-link voltage, and deviations in these factors can lead to undesirable outcomes such as load curtailments and power system congestions and blackouts. This paper introduces a unique approach that leverages bidirectional virtual inertia support to enhance the stability and reliability of hybrid AC/DC microgrids under weak grid conditions. The proposed strategy employs virtual inertia as a buffer to mitigate rapid changes in DC-link voltage and AC frequency, thereby enhancing system stability margins. This strategy significantly contributes to a more stable and reliable grid operation by reducing voltage and frequency fluctuations. A standard hybrid AC/DC microgrid configuration is used to implement the bidirectional virtual inertia support, where a bidirectional interlinking converter control is adjusted to deliver inertia support to both the AC and DC subgrids. This converter utilizes the DC grid voltage and AC grid frequency as inputs, effectively managing active power balance and implementing auxiliary functions. Extensive simulations are conducted under weak grid conditions and standalone mode to validate the effectiveness of the proposed strategy. The simulation results demonstrate a remarkable improvement in frequency nadir, rate-of-change-of-frequency (RoCoF), and DC bus voltage deviation in the hybrid AC/DC microgrids. The bidirectional virtual inertia support substantially reduces voltage and frequency fluctuations, enhancing the microgrid stability and resilience. There is an improvement of over 45% and 25% in the frequency deviation and voltage deviation, respectively, achieved through implementing the proposed control strategy.
Saturated hydraulic conductivity variation in a small garden under drip irrigation

Abstract The objective of this study was to identify the effects of the tillage on some soil properties, and the spatial and temporal variability of some soil properties. The research was conducted in a small kiwi fruit garden under drip irrigation with high frequency. The garden is located at the University of Guilan in Rasht in the North of Iran. This study was based on the use of the Beerkan infiltration method to provide soil hydraulic properties using a single ring infiltration test. After that, Ks was calculated with the BEST algorithm. The spatial structure of Ks was identified by the semivariogram using the GS + software. After identifying spatial variation, seven sets of infiltration measurements were taken for temporal variations assessment in three selected points in the garden. The results demonstrated that hydraulic properties changed over time. This change was related to the effects of wetting and drying cycles, soil biological activity and the effects of the root system. Changes in wetting dimensions due to tillage and temporal variations of Ks were studied with Schwartzman and Zur equation. It can be recommended that in order to mitigate agro-environmental risk, the application of fertilizers should be done after the restructuration of tilled soil.