Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE OF THE RAZOR CLAM SOLEN MARGINATUS (PULTENEY 1799) IN SPAIN: A COMPARATIVE STUDY IN THREE DIFFERENT LOCATIONS

Abstract The reproductive cycle of the razor clam Solen marginatus (Pulteney 1799) was studied in three different locations of Spain. Sampling was performed in the natural beds of: Eo Estuary (NW Spain) in 1994 to 1995, Santander Bay (N Spain) in 1998 to 1999 and Terrón Estuary (SW Spain) in 1999. In Eo, Santander and Terrón, respectively: phase 0 (resting stage) occurred in July to August, September to October and August to September, phase I (proliferation of gonias) happened in: August to October, October to December and September to November, phase II (gametogenesis) was developed in November to April, January to May and December to April and phase III (reproduction) took place in: May to June, June to August and May to July. Two new approaches oriented to the fast monitoring of the gametogenic cycle of the species based on sequential mean drained soft parts weights obtained by simulation and on the macroscopic observation of the gonad are presented.
Plural Forms of Governance: Evidence from a Poultry Cooperative in Southern Brazil

The existence of plural forms of governance in the same production chain poses challenges to theories on vertical boundaries of companies. The goal of this article is to analyse the plural forms of governance in an agro-industrial cooperative located in southern Brazil. This is a case study with a descriptive, qualitative approach for assessment of the governance structure in the six main links of the poultry production chain, namely: matrix, hatchery, feeding, poultry farmers, slaughterhouses and distributors. Data collection was performed through interviews with managers involved in the production chain. Plural and singular forms of governance can coexist, tending towards a vertical integration. In the distribution process, the plural form tends to remain stable as the different governance structures used to coordinate the same activity also serve different markets. In addition, the need to control and reduce the production costs is pointed out as the main reason for establishing a hierarchical structure for governance. This study sought to contribute to the theoretical analysis of plural and single forms of governance by demonstrating that both can coexist within a company.
A strategy of non-linear elastic wavefield inversion of marine seismic streamer data in lower seabed shear-wave velocity structure

Non-linear elastic wavefield inversion is a powerful method to estimate elastic parameters that determine subsurface rock and composite properties. I had proposed a scheme of inversion with two elements, “simultaneous mode” that determines all elastic parameters at each inversion step and “frequency-cascade” scheme in that source frequencies are changed from lower to higher bands coping with local minima. Near-seabed S-wave velocity controls PS converted waves at seabed and then PS or SP mode conversion of deeply reflected S-waves. Lower near-seabed S-wave velocity makes the conversion less efficient. S-wave velocity could be estimated by such converted wave and P-wave reflection. I examined the possible inversion approach under the simultaneous mode with frequency-cascade scheme for pressure sensor data. It turned out that wide range of models could be inverted in reasonably good accuracy by the originally proposed scheme. For extreme Vs model cases, it could be properly incorporated with Vs mode using reverted initial Vs model prior to inversion and estimated Vp model in the first stage if the originally proposed scheme done in the first stage verified the accuracy of estimated Vp for Vs mode inversion of the second stage.
Climate Forcings and Climate Sensitivities Diagnosed from Coupled Climate Model Integrations

A simple technique is proposed for calculating global mean climate forcing from transient integrations of coupled atmosphere–ocean general circulation models (AOGCMs). This “climate forcing” differs from the conventionally defined radiative forcing as it includes semidirect effects that account for certain short time scale responses in the troposphere. First, a climate feedback term is calculated from reported values of 2 CO2 radiative forcing and surface temperature time series from 70-yr simulations by 20 AOGCMs. In these simulations carbon dioxide is increased by 1% yr 1 . The derived climate feedback agrees well with values that are diagnosed from equilibrium climate change experiments of slab-ocean versions of the same models. These climate feedback terms are associated with the fast, quasi-linear response of lapse rate, clouds, water vapor, and albedo to global surface temperature changes. The importance of the feedbacks is gauged by their impact on the radiative fluxes at the top of the atmosphere. Partial compensation is found between longwave and shortwave feedback terms that lessens the intermodel differences in the equilibrium climate sensitivity. There is also some indication that the AOGCMs overestimate the strength of the positive longwave feedback. These feedback terms are then used to infer the shortwave and longwave time series of climate forcing in twentieth- and twenty-first-century simulations in the AOGCMs. The technique is validated using conventionally calculated forcing time series from four AOGCMs. In these AOGCMs the shortwave and longwave climate forcings that are diagnosed agree with the conventional forcing time series within 10%. The shortwave forcing time series exhibit order of magnitude variations between the AOGCMs, differences likely related to how both natural forcings and/or anthropogenic aerosol effects are included. There are also factor of 2 differences in the longwave climate forcing time series, which may indicate problems with the modeling of well-mixed greenhouse gas changes. The simple diagnoses presented provides an important and useful first step for understanding differences in AOGCM integrations, indicating that some of the differences in model projections can be attributed to different prescribed climate forcing, even for so-called standard climate change scenarios.
The structure of the wall of the test in the Foraminifera; its value in classification

The terms so widely used in the classification of the Foraminifera, “perforate” and “hyaline”, “imperforate” and “porcellaneous”, are shown to be based on characters of entirely different significance. Perforation or non-perforation of the test-wall may occur in any group, while the hyaline or porcellaneous appearance, fundamentally depending on the microstructure of the wall, is much more reliable. The structure of the test-wall as observed in polarized light is described for all the main groups of Foraminifera, and the conclusion is reached that the microstructure is a character whose importance differs somewhat in different groups. In part this may be ascribed to the actual time of appearance of the particular structure, and the degree of differentiation that has since occurred. There is little doubt, however, that the microstructure of the test is a character of taxonomic importance.
How Does International Education Exchange Affect China’s Exports? Evidence 54 Countries along the “Belt and Road” in 2007–2018

Abstract International educational exchanges have brought favorable conditions for bilateral economic and trade cooperation. Taking 54 countries along the “Belt and Road” as a sample, the article links the “Belt and Road” education exchange with China’s export and analyzes the internal logic mechanism of education exchange affecting China’s export. The study found that studying in China and opening Confucius Institutes significantly promoted China’s export to countries along the line. Among them, Confucius Institutes promote China’s export less than overseas education, and the trade creation effect of overseas education in China is significantly different in different types, regions, and economic development levels. Further research shows that education exchanges can promote China’s export by promoting human capital accumulation in trade partners and establishing internationally friendly relations. Because of this, the international community should actively carry out educational exchanges, enrich exchange forms, improve the level and quality of educational exchanges, and provide international talent support for trade cooperation while promoting the construction of friendly economic and trade relations.
Psyllium husk gel used as an alternative and more sustainable scalding technology for wheat bread quality improvement and acrylamide reduction

This study aimed at evaluating the influence of different amounts (5, 10, 15, 20, and 25%) of psyllium husk gel (PHG) on wheat bread (WB) characteristics – chiefly, overall acceptability (OA), porosity, specific volume (v), mass loss after baking (ML), shape retention coefficient, crust and crumb color coordinates, bread crumb hardness during storage, saccharides content, and acrylamide (AA) concentration. PHG was prepared by mixing 100 g of psyllium husk powder with 800 mL of warm water. It was established that the amount of psyllium husk gel is a significant factor in dough redness (a*) (p < 0.001). A moderate positive correlation (r) was found between acrylamide content in wheat bread and maltose concentration in dough (r = 0.567). The psyllium husk gel increased the overall acceptability and specific volume of wheat bread. Wheat bread porosity showed a moderate positive correlation with mass loss after baking (r = 0.567) and a strong positive correlation with texture hardness (r = 0.664). Lower acrylamide content was obtained in wheat bread prepared with 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25% of psyllium husk gel (1.53, 2.34, 3.80, 2.69, and 3.62 times lower than the control wheat bread, respectively). Acrylamide content showed a strong positive correlation with the porosity of wheat bread (r = 0.672), with crust brightness (L*), and yellowness/blueness (b*) coordinates, as well as with crumb brightness, redness, and yellowness coordinates. Overall, psyllium husk gel hydrocolloids reduced acrylamide formation in wheat bread and can be recommended for the quality improvement of wheat bread.
Built-In Piezoelectric Nanogenerators Promote Sustainable and Flexible Supercapacitors: A Review

Energy storage devices such as supercapacitors (SCs), if equipped with built-in energy harvesters such as piezoelectric nanogenerators, will continuously power wearable electronics and become important enablers of the future Internet of Things. As wearable gadgets become flexible, energy items that can be fabricated with greater compliance will be crucial, and designing them with sustainable and flexible strategies for future use will be important. In this review, flexible supercapacitors designed with built-in nanogenerators, mainly piezoelectric nanogenerators, are discussed in terms of their operational principles, device configuration, and material selection, with a focus on their application in flexible wearable electronics. While the structural design and materials selection are highlighted, the current shortcomings and challenges in the emerging field of nanogenerators that can be integrated into flexible supercapacitors are also discussed to make wearable devices more comfortable and sustainable. We hope this work may provide references, future directions, and new perspectives for the development of electrochemical power sources that can charge themselves by harvesting mechanical energy from the ambient environment.
Dielectric resonator antenna excited using T-strip feed line for wideband applications

In this paper, dielectric resonator antenna excited by using T-shaped microstrip feed line for wideband applications is presented. This feeding method improves the impedance bandwidth of DRA. The proposed antenna structure is designed on substrate Rogers RT/Duroid 5880 with relative permittivity of (εr = 2.2) and thickness of 0.254mm. The antenna has been simulated and optimized by full wave EM tool CST Microwave studio. The proposed antenna achieved a wide impedance bandwidth of 1.5 GHz, covers frequency range of 27.5 GHz to 29 GHz with a high radiation efficiency of 89% and peak gain of 6.6 dBi.
KAIZENA: A TOOL FOR INDIVIDUALIZED AUDIO FEEDBACK ON ACADEMIC WRITING

Providing effective feedback through audio technology to promote academic writing has yet to be fully explored in higher education institutions today. This paper reports on an investigation of how the final level foundation students have perceived the impact of Kaizena as a digital audio feedback tool in the context of a higher education institution in Oman named the Middle East College (MEC). The Kaizena platform was more specifically evaluated in terms of its effectiveness as to foundation students’ provision of personalized audio feedback concerning their academic writing. The paper adopted an interpretive epistemological stance with quantitative and qualitative inquiries to seek EFL students’ perceptions. A set of questionnaires was distributed to 60 students at English foundation levels to collect their satisfaction on the tool in question while a focus group of 6 EFL students taking up an academic writing course were interviewed to elicit their deep analytical responses towards the investigated modality of feedback. Overall, the data-driven results revealed positive responses from the participants, assuring that Kaizena is an effective tool to be used to ultimately enhance their academic writing skills. Implications on the usefulness of the Kaizena and its potential applicability and dissemination in a wider context of HEIs worldwide are discussed.
lesions on MR images in multiple sclerosis. schemes for estimating volume of brain Intraobserver and interobserver variability in

PURPOSE: Our goal was to evaluate the intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility of measurements of brain lesion load in multiple sclerosis (MS) by using two proposed acquisition schemes. METHODS: Three-millimeter-thick conventional spin-echo (CSE) and fast fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery (FLAIR) sequences were obtained and the lesions segmented using a semi-automated technique based on local thresholding to calculate intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility. These were compared with images obtained from two separate MR units in which 5-mm CSE sequences were obtained and segmented by using the local thresholding technique and also by manual outlining. RESULTS: The intraobserver coefficient of variation was 4.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.0% to 4.5%) for the 5-mm CSE sequence measured with manual outlining, 3.1% (95% CI, 2.5% to 3.2%) and 5.1% (95% CI, 4.1% to 5.6%) for the two sets of 5-mm CSE sequences measured using the local thresholding technique, 5.7% (95% CI, 3.9% to 6.6%) for the 3-mm CSE sequence, and 2.6% (95% CI, 2.1% to 2.7%) for the fast FLAIR sequence. The interobserver coefficient of variation was 7.1% (95% CI, 4.9% to 8.7%) and 8.3% (95% CI, 6.4% to 9.6%) for the two sets of 5-mm CSE sequences, 7.3% (95% CI, 4.7% to 9.1%) for the 3-mm CSE sequence, and 2.9% (95% CI, 2.3% to 3.3%) for the
Proteomic quantification of native and ECM-enriched mouse ovaries reveals an age-dependent fibro-inflammatory signature

The ovarian microenvironment becomes fibrotic and stiff with age, in part due to increased collagen and decreased hyaluronan. However, the extracellular matrix (ECM) is a complex network of hundreds of proteins, glycoproteins, and glycans which are highly tissue specific and undergo pronounced changes with age. To obtain an unbiased and comprehensive profile of age-associated alterations to the murine ovarian proteome and ECM, we used a label-free quantitative proteomic methodology. We validated conditions to enrich for the ECM prior to proteomic analysis. Following analysis by data-independent acquisition (DIA) and quantitative data processing, we observed that both native and ECM-enriched ovaries clustered separately based on age, indicating distinct age-dependent proteomic signatures. We identified a total of 4,721 proteins from both native and ECM-enriched ovaries, of which 383 proteins were significantly altered with advanced age, including 58 ECM proteins. Several ECM proteins upregulated with age have been associated with fibrosis in other organs, but to date their roles in ovarian fibrosis are unknown. Pathways regulating DNA metabolism and translation were downregulated with age, whereas pathways involved in ECM remodeling and immune response were upregulated. Interestingly, immune-related pathways were upregulated with age even in ECM-enriched ovaries, suggesting a novel interplay between the ECM and the immune system. Moreover, we identified putative markers of unique immune cell populations present in the ovary with age. These findings provide evidence from a proteomic perspective that the aging ovary provides a fibroinflammatory milieu, and our study suggests target proteins which may drive these age-associated phenotypes for future investigation.
Mathematic morphology-based building edge detection under Matlab platform

For better using of the LIDAR data,this article studies the method of edge detection.It introduces the LIDAR system,and LIDAR data processing flowchart.The depth image is generated with LIDAR data.Mathematic morphology-based building edge detection under Matlab platform is performed.Comparing with Log operator and Candy operator methods,it concludes that morphology method has better results.The edges have less breakpoints,and are more continuous,so is more conducive to use.
Design and Implementation of Low-power Nanoscale Cryptosystem for Group-centric secure information sharing

Advancement in technology, creates a dire need of secure data transmission for information exchange.The Data Encryption Standard (DES), Triple Data Encryption Standard (TDES) and AdvancedEncryption standard (AES) algorithms are a few of the widely used encryption algorithmsfor secure data exchange process.In this paper, the integration of different security algorithms via;AES, DES and triple DES in g-SIS on a Single Silicon Die is designed and implemented. The areaand power consumption of different algorithms are taken as the evaluation parameters for analysisof the system. The total design is coded using Xilinx ISE and Icarus Verilog, it is synthesized usinga cadence RTL compiler and finally the GDS2 layout of the design is implemented using cadenceEncounter.
Bidirectional Six-Pack SiC Boost–Buck Converter Using Droop Control in DC Nano-Grid

This paper proposes a bidirectional boost–buck converter employing a six-pack SiC intelligent power module using droop control in DC nano-grids. The topology is constructed as a cascaded structure of an interleaved boost converter and buck converter. A six-pack SiC intelligent power module (IPM), which is suitable for the proposed cascaded structure, is adopted for high efficiency and compactness. A hybrid control scheme, in which holding a particular switch always results in a turn-off or turn-on state according to the boost mode and the buck mode, is employed to reduce the switching losses. By applying the hybrid control scheme, the number of switching operations of the switches can be minimized. Since switchover of the current controller is not required, smooth transition is enabled not only from the buck mode to the boost mode but also vice versa. As a parallel control, a secondary control is employed with DC droop control, which has a trade-off relationship between voltage sag and current sharing. It is possible to enhance the accuracy of current sharing while effectively regulating the DC link voltage without voltage sag. This is verified experimentally using two modules as laboratory prototypes, of which the power rating is 20 kW each.
Clostridium difﬁcile-associated diarrhea in dialysis patients $

Background: Dialysis patients have impaired host defense mechanisms and frequently require antibiotics for various infective complications. In this study, we investigated whether dialysis patients have greater risk for Clostridium difﬁcile-associated diarrhea (CDAD). Methods: During the 4-year study period (2004–2008), 85 patients with CDAD were identiﬁed based on a retrospective review of C difﬁcile toxin assay or histology records. Nosocomial diarrheal patients without CDAD were considered as controls ( n ¼ 403). We assessed the association between renal function and the prevalence and clinical outcomes of CDAD. Results: There was a signiﬁcant difference in the prevalence rate of chronic kidney disease (CKD) between CDAD and non-CDAD patients ( P o 0.001). Sixteen patients (18.8%) of the CDAD group were treated with dialysis, whereas 21 patients (5.2%) of the non-CDAD group were treated with dialysis. There was a signiﬁcant association between renal function and CDAD in patients on dialysis [odds ratio (OR) ¼ 4.44, 95% conﬁdence interval (CI) 2.19–8.99, P o 0.001], but not in patients with CKD stage 3–5 (OR ¼ 1.10, 95% CI 0.63–1.92, P ¼ 0.73). In multivariate analysis, CKD stage 5D was an independent risk factor for the development of CDAD (OR ¼ 13.36, 95% CI 2.94–60.67, P ¼ 0.001). Conclusion: Our data indicate that dialysis patients might be at a greater risk of developing CDAD, which suggests that particular attention should be provided to CDAD when antibiotic treatment is administered to dialysis patients.
Millimeter-wave Channel Modelling and Ray-tracing Method Validation

Millimeter-wave bands have been adopted for the fifth generation of mobile communication (5G) mainly due to large available bandwidths. However, the electromagnetic wave propagation characteristics in the millimeter-wave bands differ from those of conventional sub-6 GHz wireless communication bands, for example in their higher transmission and penetration losses, lower contributions from reflection and diffraction waves. Although the research on millimeter-wave channels has been conducted for years, some results show large differences in millimeter-wave path loss. These results indicate that the millimeter-wave channels may be site-specific. A model based on measurement results in one environment cannot always be used in other environments. Therefore, the ray-tracing method is an appropriate alternative for millimeter-wave channel estimation, a major reason for this being that the real environment model is involved in the simulation, which reflects the actual channel characteristics of the environment. In this study, a time-domain automatic channel measurement system, which comprised a millimeter-wave radio channel sounding system and an automatic antenna mechanical scanning system, was constructed for millimeter-wave channel measurements. The automatic channel measurement system greatly reduce the time and manpower involved in measurement and improve channel measurement accuracy. This study performed numerous millimeter-wave indoor channel measurements. The results were used to develop or validate millimeter-wave channel models such as path loss models, diffraction effect models, and human-body blockage models, etc. Measurement results from an indoor environment were compared with the results simulated using the ray-tracing method. The results of the comparison demonstrate that the ray-tracing method can effectively simulate the arrival times of major transmission rays but cannot accurately estimate the strength of the rays.