Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
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1. Environmental stressors, such as pollutants, can increase disease risk in wildlife. For example, the herbicide atrazine affects host defenses (e.g. resistance and tolerance) of the amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), but the mechanisms for these associations are not always clear. Given that pollutants can alter the gut microbiota of hosts, which in turn can affect their health and immune systems, one potential mechanism by which pollutants could increase infection risk is by influencing host-associated microbiota. 2. Here, we test whether early-life exposure to the estimated environmental concentration (EEC; 200 μg/L) of atrazine affects the gut bacterial composition of Cuban tree frog (Osteopilus septentrionalis) tadpoles and adults and whether any atrazine-induced change in community composition might affect host defenses against Bd. We also determine whether early-life changes in the stress hormone corticosterone affect gut microbiota by experimentally inhibiting corticosterone synthesis with metyrapone. 3. With the exception of changing the relative abundances of two bacterial genera in adulthood, atrazine did not affect gut bacterial diversity or community composition of
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Objective: To identify the risk-predictive baseline profile patterns of demographic, genetic, immunologic, and metabolic markers and synthesize these patterns for risk prediction. ResearchDesignandMethods: RuleFit is used to identify the risk-predictive baseline profile patterns of demographic, immunologic, and metabolic markers, using 356 subjects who were randomized into the control arm of the prospective Diabetes Prevention Trial-Type 1 (DPT-1) study. A novel latent trait model is developed to synthesize these baseline profile patterns for disease risk prediction. The primary outcome was Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) onset. Results: We identified ten baseline profile patterns that were significantly predictive to the disease onset. Using these ten baseline profile patterns, a risk prediction model was built based on the latent trait model, which produced superior prediction performance over existing risk score models for T1D. Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that the underlying disease progression process of T1D can be detected through some risk-predictive patterns of demographic, immunologic, and metabolic markers. A synthesis of these patterns provided accurate prediction of disease onset, leading to more cost-effective design of prevention trials of T1D in the future.
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With the literature calling for comparisons among technology-enhanced or active-learning pedagogies, a blended versus flipped instructional comparison was made for numerical methods coursework using three engineering schools with diverse student demographics. This study contributes to needed comparisons of enhanced instructional approaches in STEM and presents a rigorous and adaptable methodology for doing so. Our flipped classroom consisted mostly of in-class active learning, with micro-lectures as needed, and technology used both in and out of class, including for expected pre-class review of new content. Our blended classroom consisted mostly of lecture with some in-class active learning, and technology utilized both in and out of class. However, students were not expected to review new content before class. We compared blended vs. flipped instruction based upon multiple-choice and free-response questions on the final exam as well as the perceived classroom environment. This was done for students as a whole as well as for under-represented minorities (URMs), females, community college transfers, and Pell Grant recipients. Students provided feedback via focus groups and surveys. Upon combining data from the schools, the blended instruction was associated with slightly greater achievement on the multiple-choice questions across various demographics, but the differences were not statistically significant, and the effects were small. Our free-response final exam and classroom environment data aligned, with blended instruction showing more promise at two schools. The students identified demanding expectations with flipped instruction but pointed to benefits, such as enhanced learning or learning processes, preparation, and engagement. These results aligned with our focus group and instructor interview data. Thus, in general, it may be possible to use either instructional approach with the expectation of similar outcomes in final exam scores or the perceived classroom environment, keeping in mind the students qualitatively identified benefits with flipped instruction. Nonetheless, there were some large differences for the schools individually, suggesting further research with different demographics.
Analysis of heavy precipitation caused by the vortices in the lee of the Tibetan Plateau from TRMM (the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission) observations

By using not only TRMM (the tropical rainfall measuring mission) precipitation radar (TRMM/PR) and microwave imager data, but also NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data, the paper compares and analyzes the two rainstorms caused by the southwest vortex (SWV) and eastward Tibetan Plateau vortex (TPV) in Southwest China, respectively. It shows that the heavy rainfall systems of both two vortex rainstorms are consist of a main rain band and several scattered precipitation clouds, with non-uniform distributed precipitation intensity. The horizontal scale of the main rain band and the intensive precipitation clouds of TPV rainstorm on 21st July, 2008 are larger than those of SWV on 17th July, 2007. The common feature of the two mesoscale precipitation systems detected by precipitation radar (PR) is that most of precipitation are stratiform precipitation which has large scale but weak intensity caused by the two kinds of precipitation. However, the convective precipitation contributes more to the total precipitation, with larger rain rate than the stratiform precipitation. The rainfall intensity spectrum of the convective precipitation is wider than that of the stratiform precipitation, which ranges from 1 to 50 mm/h. It also indicates that the height of the rain top increases along with the surface precipitation intensity in the two rainstorms. The highest height of the rain top reaches 16km. The SWV rainstorm is more intensive than TPV rainstorm, and the microwave brightness temperature varies inversely as the height of the rain top. The release of the precipitation latent heat, the increase of the raindrops and the change of the ice particles mainly occur below 8km. Moreover, mid- and low-level precipitation are the main source of the column precipitation. The convective precipitation and the stratiform precipitation caused by SWV release much more latent heat than those caused by TPV.
ANÁLISE MORFOMÉTRICA E GEOMORFOLÓGICA DA BACIA HIDROGRÁGICA DO CAETÉ, ALFREDO WAGNER/SC Morphometric and geomorphology analysis of the watershed Caeté, Alfredo Wagner / SC

This paper aims to do the morphometric analysis of the watershed Caete, in the city of Alfredo Wagner, mountainous region of Santa Catarina. The method used was based on the identification of morphometric parameters - linear, area and hypsometric - of the drainage network and the hillslope of the watershed. The understanding the dynamics of the hydrogeomorphologics processes, guide actions aimed at the rational management of land use. The methodological procedures were used of the hierarchic of the drainage network based on Strahler (1957), in applying the four laws of Horton (1945) and the estimated rates of the rivers length, area and shape of the watershed, drainage density, river and segments of the watershed, the relationship between the length of the main channel and watershed area, and the development of hypsometric curves. The results for the four laws of Horton (1945) proved to be valid. The channels are rapids, with large gradients, favoring the transport processes of rivers sediments. The high steepness of the hillslopes
Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Colitis-Associated Cancer

M AN US CR IP T AC CE PT ED ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT 2 There is a clinical need for new, more effective tr a ments for chronic and debilitating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. In this study, we characterized a specific population of na nop rticles derived from edible ginger (GDNPs 2) and demonstrated their efficient colon ta rgeting following oral administration. GDNPs 2 had an average size of ~230 nm and exhibite d a negative zeta potential. These nanoparticles contained high levels of lipids, a fe w proteins, ~125 microRNAs (miRNAs), and large amounts of ginger bioactive constituents (6-g ingerol and 6-shogaol). We also demonstrated that GDNPs 2 were mainly taken up by i ntestinal epithelial cells (IECs) and macrophages, and were nontoxic. Using different mou se colitis models, we showed that GDNPs 2 reduced acute colitis, enhanced intestinal repair , nd prevented chronic colitis and colitis-associated cancer (CAC). 2D-DIGE/MS analyse s further identified molecular target candidates of GDNPs 2 involved in these mouse model s. Oral administration of GDNPs 2 increased the survival and proliferation of IECs an d reduced the pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β), and increased the anti-inflammatory cytokines (I L-10 and IL-22) in colitis models, suggesting that GDNPs 2 has the pot ntial to attenuate damaging factors while promoting the healing effect. In conclusion, GDNPs 2, nanoparticles derived from edible ginger, represent a novel, natural delivery mechanism for i mproving IBD prevention and treatment with an added benefit of overcoming limitations such as potential toxicity and limited production scale that are common with synthetic nanoparticles.
Simulation numérique du soudage du TA6V par laser YAG impulsionnel : caractérisation expérimentale et modélisation des aspects thermomécaniques associés à ce procédé

Les procedes de soudage conduisent a des modifications de microstructure et induisent des contraintes et distorsions residuelles jouant un role important sur la tenue mecanique des assemblages. Cette etude a pour objectif la modelisation des phenomenes thermomecaniques lies a l'operation de soudage du TA6V, ce qui implique d'identifier et de modeliser les sollicitations thermiques imposees par le soudage, le comportement metallurgique et thermomecanique du materiau. L'etude thermique et metallurgique a permis de montrer les principales evolutions de phases de l'alliage, durant le soudage laser. Ainsi, en premiere approximation, nous pouvons considerer que 3 phases distinctes sont a prendre en compte dans le calcul thermomecanique (la phase a, la phase s et la phase a'). Afin de caracteriser les phases ou melange de phase en presence, des essais thermomecaniques sont realises pour diverses temperatures et conditions de deformation. Concernant le choix du modele numerique, on adopte pour chacune des phases un modele a variables internes de type Lemaitre et Chaboche avec ecrouissage cinematique non lineaire, un critere de plasticite de type Von Mises et une loi d'ecoulement viscoplastique de type Norton, couple a une loi de transition d'echelle. L'identification de chaque phase se fait par methode inverse, a partir des essais thermomecaniques, grâce au module d'optimisation de ZSeT/ZMaT. La loi de localisation choisie est basee sur un modele polycristallin en s qui permet le passage du comportement microscopique de chaque phase au comportement macroscopique de l'ensemble. La validite de ce modele decrit precedemment passera par la definition d'un essai experimental representatif des differents phenomenes rencontres lors de l'operation de soudage.
Human neutrophil extracellular traps do not impair in vitro Toxoplasma gondii infection

Introduction Toxoplasma gondii, responsible for causing toxoplasmosis, is a prevalent food and waterborne pathogen worldwide. It commonly infects warm-blooded animals and affects more than a third of the global human population. Once ingested, the parasite enters the host’s small intestine and rapidly disseminates throughout the body via the bloodstream, infiltrating various tissues. Leukocyte-driven responses are vital against T. gondii, with neutrophils playing a dual role: swiftly recruited to infection sites, releasing inflammatory mediators, and serving as a replication hub and Trojan horses, aiding parasite spread. Neutrophils from various hosts release extracellular traps (NETs) against the protozoan. However, gaps persist regarding the mechanisms of NETs production to parasite and their significance in infection control. This study investigates the interplay between human neutrophils and T. gondii, exploring dynamics, key molecules, and signaling pathways involved in NETs production upon protozoan challenge. Methods and Results Using confocal and electron microscopy, live cell imaging, pharmacological inhibitors, and DNA quantification assays, we find that human neutrophils promptly release both classical and rapid NETs upon pathogen stimulation. The NETs structure exhibits diverse phenotypes over time and is consistently associated with microorganisms. Mechanisms involve neutrophil elastase and peptidylarginine deiminase, along with intracellular calcium signaling and the PI3K pathway. Unexpectedly, human traps do not diminish viability or infectivity, but potentially aid in capturing parasites for subsequent neutrophil phagocytosis and elimination. Discussion By revealing NETs formation mechanisms and their nuanced impact on T. gondii infection dynamics, our findings contribute to broader insights into host-pathogen relationships.
An ERPNS Technology Based on OFDR for Accurate Arm-Length Difference Measurement of Optical Fiber Interferometer Under Dynamic Environment

Accurate measurement of interferometer arm-length difference is very important in the application fields such as fiber optic hydrophones. However, the interferometer is very sensitive to the environmental vibration and noise, which affects the accuracy of the interferometer measurement. A novel environmental random phase noise separation (ERPNS) technology is proposed to effectively reduce optical frequency domain reflectometer (OFDR)’s sensitivity to environmental vibration for the measurement of the fiber interferometer. A set of optical paths based on dual-laser coherent detection technology and the related ERPNS algorithm was developed to extract the environmental phase noise from the measurement data. The OFDR's sensitivity to vibration is decreased by ∼60 dB in theory and a measurement accuracy better than 0.05 mm for the static arm length difference of 74.51902 m in different dynamic environment is achieved experimentally, with 56 μm of spatial resolution in the maximum detectable distance of about 75 m.
BIOSURFACTANTS: POSSIBLE ROLES IN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT -A REVIEW

Recent years have seen a rise in interest in biosurfactants, which are surface-active compounds produced by microorganisms that affect surfaces, particularly the surface tension of liquid-vapor interfaces. Due to their ability to emulsify and solubilize hydrophobic compounds as result of their amphipathic nature, biosurfactants are useful in degradation of hydrocarbon and are therefore applicable in oil spill management. Because they are biodegradable, have low toxicity, work well at high or low pH levels, and are more environmentally friendly than their chemical equivalents, biosurfactants have merits over their chemical counterparts. Biosurfactants are adaptable materials with a wide range of uses in the biodegradation and bioremediation of environmental contaminants. In addition, they have uses in pharmaceutical, food, and other industries. The continuous interest in biosurfactants results from these benefits and their vast variety of applications. Hydrophobic pollutants such as hydrocarbons and their derivatives are the major environmental issues due to their poor degradation but the use of biosurfactants can enhance their microbial degradation. When microorganisms try to use substrates like hydrocarbon as a source of carbon, they produce a variety of compounds called biosurfactants that help the diffusion into the cell. This review discusses the roles of these microbial products as veritable tools in environmental management with particular emphasis on the roles of biosurfactants in the sanitation of petroleum pollution and bioremediation of soils contaminated by pesticides.
Risk factors for postoperative complications after adrenalectomy for phaeochromocytoma: multicentre cohort study

Abstract Background To determine the incidence and risk factors for postoperative complications and prolonged hospital stay after adrenalectomy for phaeochromocytoma. Methods Demographics, perioperative outcomes and complications were evaluated for consecutive patients who underwent adrenalectomy for phaeochromocytoma from 2012 to 2020 in nine high-volume UK centres. Odds ratios were calculated using multivariable models. The primary outcome was postoperative complications according to the Clavien–Dindo classification and secondary outcome was duration of hospital stay. Results Data were available for 406 patients (female n = 221, 54.4 per cent). Two patients (0.5 per cent) had perioperative death, whilst 148 complications were recorded in 109 (26.8 per cent) patients. On adjusted analysis, the age-adjusted Charlson Co-morbidity Index ≥3 (OR 8.09, 95 per cent c.i. 2.31 to 29.63, P = 0.001), laparoscopic converted to open (OR 10.34, 95 per cent c.i. 3.24 to 36.23, P <0.001), and open surgery (OR 11.69, 95 per cent c.i. 4.52 to 32.55, P <0.001) were independently associated with postoperative complications. Overall, 97 of 430 (22.5 per cent) had a duration of stay ≥5 days and this was associated with an age-adjusted Charlson Co-morbidity Index ≥3 (OR 4.31, 95 per cent c.i. 1.08 to 18.26, P = 0.042), tumour size (OR 1.15, 95 per cent c.i. 1.05 to 1.28, P = 0.006), laparoscopic converted to open (OR 32.11, 95 per cent c.i. 9.2 to 137.77, P <0.001), and open surgery (OR 28.01, 95 per cent c.i. 10.52 to 83.97, P <0.001). Conclusion Adrenalectomy for phaeochromocytoma is associated with a very low mortality rate, whilst postoperative complications are common. Several risk factors, including co-morbidities and operative approach, are independently associated with postoperative complications and/or prolonged hospitalization, and should be considered when counselling patients.
Sedimentology of the Upper Triassic Charlie Lake, Baldonnel and Pardonet Formations from Outcrop Exposures in the Southern Trutch Region, Northeastern British Columbia

Abstract Upper Triassic strata in the Trutch (94 G) NTS map area consist of the Charlie Lake, Baldonnel and Pardonet formations. These units comprise a mixed siliciclastic-carbonate succession, approximately 350 to 400 m thick. Sediments accumulated along a low gradient continental ramp deposited on the northwestern margin of Pangaea. Twenty-two lithofacies, deposited in distal offshore through supratidal settings are documented. Seven recurrent facies associations are identified in these strata; four reflecting deposition in continental to marginal marine settings, and three reflecting shallow to deep water marine deposition. Facies association 1 (FA1) consists of interbedded dolomitic mudstone/siltstone and dolomitic sandstone that was deposited in an intertidal flat depositional setting. Facies association 2 (FA2) consists of normally graded, trough cross-bedded to current ripple-laminated lenticular beds of mudclast-rich fine- to medium-grained sandstone, and was deposited by a series of small tidal channels. Facies association 3 (FA3) consists of well-sorted fine-grained sandstone beds characterized by high-angle tabular to wedge-shaped cross-beds, low-angle planar cross-beds, low-relief, translatent ripples and inversely graded lamina sets. FA3 is interpreted to represent deposition by a series of elongate, shore-parallel aeolian dunes. Facies association 4 (FA4) consists of a heterogeneous succession of solution collapse breccias, rooted, pedogenically-altered mudstone and siltstone, and wave-rippled very fine- to fine-grained sandstone. It is interpreted as ephemeral lacustrine and/or supratidal sabkha. Facies association 5 (FA5) consists of variably bioclastic quartzose sandstone, crinoidal packstone-grainstone and bivalve-dominated packstone beds. It is interpreted as a wave-dominated shoreface to foreshore on a shallow (inner) ramp. Facies association 6 (FA6) is dominated by very fine-grained calcareous sandstone and thin to thick-bedded bivalve-dominated wackestone, packstone and grainstone. It is interpreted as medial ramp (i.e., offshore transition to proximal offshore). Facies association 7 (FA7) consists primarily of organic-rich calcareous siltstone and mudstone (commonly with abundant carbonate concretions) and variably thick tightly packed bivalve packstone/grainstone beds. It is interpreted as outer ramp (proximal to distal offshore). Siliciclastic sediment in the study area was derived from a variety of sources, including fluvial input from the east-northeast, longshore drift from the north, and aeolian input sourced from marginal marine dune fields. Carbonate sediment in the study interval consists primarily of bioclastic detritus, although non-skeletal grains, particularly faecal pellets, and ooids are locally common. Skeletal carbonate material is dominated by disarticulated mollusc valves and crinoid skeletal debris but also includes ammonoids, articulate brachiopods, gastropods. Vertebrates (fish and reptiles) are also common.
Defect segmentation with local embedding in industrial 3D point clouds based on transformer

Three-dimensional (3D) defect detection provides an effective method for improving industrial production efficiency. However, the 3D dataset is scarce, which is valuable for the industrial production field. This study proposes a new approach for detecting defect point clouds, which can provide an end-to-end 3D defect detection model. A self-attention mechanism is used to enrich the semantic relationships between local neighborhood features and global features based on the connection between them. Through adding multi-channel features, the rich structural features of the target point cloud are obtained, and the defect areas are accurately segmented to finally complete the 3D point cloud defect detection task. Furthermore, the multi-feature fusion in the model makes the segmented defect regions closer to the ground truth. Our method outperforms four state-of-the-art point cloud segmentation methods in terms of both segmentation region accuracy and defect detection point cloud accuracy. In the field of 3D defect detection, it provides an effective method to detect 3D information of industrial products.
Plasmonic Nanobiosensor for Detection of in Aqueous Samples

Escherichia coli is a prevalent pathogen for several fatal ailments, including dysentery, typhoid fever, viral and bacterial gastroenteritis, hepatitis A, diarrhea, and others. Diagnosing a pathogen is indeed a global subject targeting safe public health. Various conventional detection techniques, including bacterial culture, polymerase chain reaction, or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, are highly time-consuming and necessitate skilled manpower. This letter demonstrates the development of an efficient plasmonic sensing technique for sensitively detecting Escherichia coli in water. Herein, plasmonic nanostructures—gold nanorods have been immobilized with complementary aptamers for detecting the targeted pathogen up to a limit of detection of 0.91 CFU/mL. The developed platform could be applicable in developing a point-of-detection device for various other pathogen detection.