Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Respirometric technique for determination of extant kinetic parameters describing biodegradation

A batch respirometric test was developed to measure the response of activated sludge communities degrading low concentrations of organic chemicals. The low substrate concentrations used in the assay ensure that minimal changes occur in the physiological state of the degrading community. The estimated kinetic parameters are, therefore, extant, that is, representative of the existing condition of the biomass in the continuous bioreactor. Monte Carlo and sensitivity analyses were performed to verify the robustness of the technique for determining unique and accurate estimates of the parameters describing Monod and Andrews kinetics. Application of the technique to a laboratory-scale activated sludge system showed that kinetic parameter estimates were reproducible and independent of the substrate concentration within the range tested (0.2-4.0 mg/L as chemical oxygen demand [COD]). Low K s values (<0.1 mg/L as COD) were measured by the assay for the biodegradation of phenol and 4-chlorophenol, both of which exhibited an inhibitory response (Andrews kinetics). The biodegradation of ethylene glycol, acrylamide, and acetate exhibited Monod kinetics. Water Environ. Res., 68, 917 (1996).
Determination of Lead in Drinking and Wastewater by Hydride Generation Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

ABSTRACT This work describes the optimization of hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry for the determination of lead at trace concentrations. The parameters affecting the production, transport, and atomization of plumbane in a closed vessel were optimized. The concentrations of reagents affecting the generation of the lead hydride were also optimized to obtain high hydride generation efficiency. The atomization temperature, reaction period, pump speed, pump period, and flow rates of reducing agent and carrier gas were varied to maximize the sensitivity for lead. The accuracy of the method was evaluated by the analysis of certified reference materials. The method provided a linear dynamic range for lead from 2.0 to 40 µg/L with a limit of detection of 0.56 µg/L.
Volatile aromatic hydrocarbons (VAHs) in edible vegetable oils with particular reference to virgin olive oil

87 samples of domestic and foreign extra virgin olive oil, undoubtedly genuine, have been examined by the Purge and Trap technique followed by GC-MS to detect and determine their level of volatile aromatic hydrocarbons (VAHs). This study concerns the crop 1993-1994; it shows a VAH mean content (545 ppb), for oils which are undergone up to three phytochemical treatments, lower than the mean level (681 ppb) found in untreated oils. Moreover the VAH content has no relationship with the ripening and collection period of the olive fruits
Photoassisted Desulfurization Induced by Visible-Light Irradiation for the Production of Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel Using Nanoparticles of CdO

The heterogeneous photocatalytic desulfurization processes have been paid wide attention due to their effectiveness in removing the condensed organo-sulfur compounds. Such methods may gain greater consideration via utilizing the visible light in general and sun spectrum in particular. This research work aims to produce low sulfur diesel fuel through a catalyzed photochemical route using nanoparticles of CdO under the visible-light irradiation. Two various structures of CdO were prepared in this study by both the chemical precipitation and autoignition techniques. The structural and morphological characteristics of the obtained cadmium oxides were determined via different tools of analyzes. The production of a low sulfur diesel fuel was then investigated under various operating parameters, such as type of light source, catalyst-to-feed dosage, and reaction time. The effect of adding oxidizing agents at different concentrations on the desulfurization process was also studied. After the maximum sulfur remova.
Trench angle: a key design factor for a deep trench superjunction MOSFET

Why is the development of a deep trench superjunction (SJ) MOSFET above 600 V and under 8.0 mohm · cm2 difficult? A deep trench SJ MOSFET is expected to have a low turn-on resistance because the post thermal process after the epitaxial process, which is normally used in a multi-step epitaxy structure, is unnecessary. When designing a deep trench SJ MOSFET, the trench angle is the most important factor because this determines the breakdown voltage (BV) and BV variations. In this paper, we investigated how the trench angle affects the BV and BV window as a condition of the possible thermal process. By employing a physical concept, ΔCharge, we explained why the maximum BV is decreased and the BV window is increased as the trench angle decreases. Also, we systematically scrutinized the transition of the vertical electric field by varying the trench angle. Furthermore, in a real case, the principle of the trench angle which contributes to the deviation of the charge imbalance and specific resistance of SJ is described. Finally, we discuss the challenge of SJ MOSFET development in the industry.
Reductive fractionation of woody biomass into lignin monomers and cellulose by tandem metal triflate and Pd/C catalysis

A catalytic process for the upgrading of woody biomass into mono-aromatics, hemi-cellulose sugars and a solid cellulose-rich carbohydrate residue is presented. Lignin fragments are extracted from the lignocellulosic matrix by cleavage of ester and ether linkages between lignin and carbohydrates by the catalytic action of homogeneous Lewis acid metal triflates in methanol. The released lignin fragments are converted into lignin monomers by the combined catalytic action of Pd/C and metal triflates in hydrogen. The mechanism of ether bond cleavage is investigated by lignin dimer models (benzyl phenyl ether, guaiacylglycerol-β-guaiacyl ether, 2-phenylethyl phenyl ether and 2-phenoxy-1-phenylethanol). Metal triflates are involved in cleaving not only ester and ether linkages between lignin and the carbohydrates but also β-O-4 ether linkages within the aromatic lignin structure. Metal triflates are more active for β-O-4 ether bond cleavage than Pd/C. On the other hand, Pd/C is required for cleaving α-O-4, 4-O-5 and β–β linkages. Insight into the synergy between Pd/C and metal triflates allowed optimizing the reductive fractionation process. Under optimized conditions, 55 wt% mono-aromatics – mainly alkylmethoxyphenols – can be obtained from the lignin fraction (23.8 wt%) of birch wood in a reaction system comprising birch wood, methanol and small amounts of Pd/C and Al(III)-triflate as catalysts. The promise of scale-up of this process is demonstrated.
Using risk models for control of leaf blotch diseases in barley minimises fungicide use – experiences from the Nordic and Baltic countries

ABSTRACT The disease pressure from Pyrenophora teres, Rhynchosporium graminicola, and Ramularia collo–cygni varies widely between years and locations, which highlights the need for using risk models to avoid unnecessary use of fungicides. Three disease risk models were tested in thirty–three ﬁeld trials during two seasons in ﬁve countries in order to validate and identify situations favourable for barley leaf blotch diseases in the Nordic–Baltic region. The tested models were: The Crop Protection Online (CPO), which uses number of days with precipitation (>1 mm), cultivar resistance and disease data as basis for risk assessments; the humidity model (HM) which signals a risk warning after 20 continuous hours with high humidity, and the Finnish net blotch model (WisuEnnuste), which calculates a risk based on previous crop, tillage method, cultivar resistance and weather parameters. The risk models mostly gave acceptable control of diseases and yield responses compared with untreated and reference treatments. In the dry season of 2018, the models recommended 88–96% fewer applications than the reference treatments, while in 2019, the number of applications was reduced by 0–76% compared to reference treatments. Based on yield increases, the recommendations were correct in 50–69% of the trials compared to one–treatment references and 69–80% of the trials when references used mainly two treatments.
Using Scouting Reports Text To Predict NCAA → NBA Performance

ABSTRACT Draft decisions by National Basketball Association (NBA) teams are notoriously poor. Analytics can help but are often dismissed for being too overfit, complex, risky, and incomplete. To address these concerns, we train separate leave-one-out random forests machine learning models for each collegiate NBA prospect from 2006 through 2019 with a conservative utility function on a novel comprehensive dataset including the raw text of scouting reports, combine measurements, on-court stats, mock draft placements, and more. Despite being unable to draft high school or international players, the resulting model outperforms the actual decisions of all but one NBA team, with an average gain of $100 million. Target shuffling shows that the model does not overfit and feature shuffling shows that handedness and ESPN mock draft rating, but not other mock drafts, are most important. NBA teams may be missing value by not following a disciplined, model-driven, prescriptive analytics approach to decision making.
Subclinical vestibular dysfunction in type 1 diabetes mellitus

Abstract Objective Metabolic changes that occur in diabetes mellitus (DM) can interfere with the energy supply for the metabolic active inner ear, resulting in vestibular impairments. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of type 1 DM on the vestibular system using a vestibular test battery. Methods Vestibular function of fifteen asymptomatic type 1 DM patients with a mean age of 28 years (SD= 5.80) and 16 healthy controls with a mean age of 26 years (SD = 2.86), respectively, was assessed using video-head impulse test (vHIT), ocular and cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential (o/cVEMP), and subjective visual vertical and horizontal (SVV/SVH). Results vHIT response was pathological, in approximately 6.66% of canals. The peak-to-peak p1-n1 amplitude in cVEMP and p1 latency of oVEMP were significantly smaller in the left ear (p = .018) and lengthened in both ears (p = .004) of DM participants compared to the healthy group, respectively. The mean deviation of dynamic SVV (Opto +40/s) was significantly increased (p = .022). Conclusion Asymptomatic DM can influence the vestibular system, especially the otolith organs, indicating the presence of subclinical vestibular dysfunction (VD) prior to the onset of vestibular manifestations, which can be detected using appropriate vestibular tests. Furthermore, DM might have selective or chronological order effects on the human vestibular system, with the otolith system damage preceded the semicircular canals. Thus, early and periodic vestibular assessment of DM patients for detecting possible latent VD and preventing further problems is advisable. However, further clinical studies are required.
A homogenized constrained mixture model of restenosis and vascular remodelling after balloon angioplasty

Restenosis is one of the main adverse effects of the treatment of atherosclerosis through balloon angioplasty or stenting. During the intervention, the arterial wall is overstretched, causing a cascade of cellular events and subsequent neointima formation. This mechanical stimulus and its mechanobiological effects can be reproduced in biomechanical simulations. The aim of these models is to predict the long-term outcome of these procedures, to help increase the understanding of restenosis formation and to allow for in silico optimization of the treatment. We propose a predictive finite-element model of restenosis, using the homogenized constrained mixture modelling framework designed to model growth and remodelling in soft tissues. We compare the results with clinical observations in human coronary arteries and experimental findings in non-human primate models. We also explore the model’s clinical relevance by testing its response to different balloon loads and to the use of drug-eluting balloons. The comparison of the results with experimental data shows the relevance of the model. We show its ability to predict both inward and outward remodelling as observed in vivo and we show the importance of an improved understanding of restenosis formation from a biomechanical point of view.
Effects of changes in temperature on Zika dynamics and control

When a rare pathogen emerges to cause a pandemic, it is critical to understand its dynamics and the impact of mitigation measures. We use experimental data to parametrize a temperature-dependent model of Zika virus (ZIKV) transmission dynamics and analyse the effects of temperature variability and control-related parameters on the basic reproduction number (R0) and the final epidemic size of ZIKV. Sensitivity analyses show that these two metrics are largely driven by different parameters, with the exception of temperature, which is the dominant driver of epidemic dynamics in the models. Our R0 estimate has a single optimum temperature (≈30°C), comparable to other published results (≈29°C). However, the final epidemic size is maximized across a wider temperature range, from 24 to 36°C. The models indicate that ZIKV is highly sensitive to seasonal temperature variation. For example, although the model predicts that ZIKV transmission cannot occur at a constant temperature below 23°C (≈ average annual temperature of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), the model predicts substantial epidemics for areas with a mean temperature of 20°C if there is seasonal variation of 10°C (≈ average annual temperature of Tampa, Florida). This suggests that the geographical range of ZIKV is wider than indicated from static R0 models, underscoring the importance of climate dynamics and variation in the context of broader climate change on emerging infectious diseases.
Human Effects on Habitat Use of Japanese Macaques (Macaca fuscata): Importance of Forest Edges

Abstract. Habitats of the Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata) have been modified by human activities such as deforestation, conifer plantation, agriculturalization, and forest fragmentation. Such modifications likely affect habitat use of the macaques. We examined the habitat use of two macaque troops: a “forest troop” and a “cropland troop”. We focused on forest edges, which have not been previously categorized as a habitat type. Both troops frequently used deciduous broad-leaved forest in autumn and forest edges in summer. The forest troop frequently used forest-grassland edges, whereas the cropland troop frequently used forest-cropland edges. The selection index for the deciduous broad-leaved forest of the cropland troop exhibited significantly higher values than those of the forest troop in summer, autumn, and winter. Since the Japanese macaque is a forest-dweller and tends to avoid open areas, both troops may have used forests more frequently. Meanwhile, a decline in food resources in the forest due to the establishment of conifer plantations and an increase in food resources due to agriculturalization may have led to more frequent use of forest edges by the macaques. Forest edges should be treated as an independent habitat for accurate assessment of macaque habitat use.
Desiccation and temperature resistance of the larger grain borer, Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae): pedestals for invasion success?

The larger grain borer, Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) is an invasive insect pest species of global economic concern. It however remains unknown how P. truncatus succeeds under increasing temperatures and desiccation effects associated with projected climate change. Here, we investigated the effects of desiccation and high‐temperature stress on physiological fitness of P. truncatus larvae and adults. Specifically, we measured critical thermal maxima, heat knockdown time and water loss rates following heat and desiccation acclimation. Results showed beneficial heat acclimation effects on heat tolerance (critical thermal maxima and heat knockdown time). Similarly, desiccation acclimation significantly improved both heat tolerance traits, indicating cross‐tolerance effects, not for heat knockdown time in larvae. In all cases, adults exhibited more improved heat tolerance than larvae. Conversely, heat acclimation increased water loss rates, and more so in larvae than adults. Improved heat tolerance plus abiotic stress cross‐tolerance of P. truncatus may explain its enhanced physiological and ecological fitness in dry tropical and changing climate environments. These results are important in explaining the role of physiology in insect invasions and may inform pest management and forecasting.
Role of ants as dispersers of native and exotic seeds in an understudied dryland

1. Seed dispersal by ants, i.e. myrmecochory, is important in drylands because ants may contribute to overcoming the typical resource limitation imposed on plants in these environments. Dispersal distance and directed dispersal of seeds to nutrient‐enriched ant nests benefit plants by reducing parent or sibling competition and improving growth, survival, and reproduction.
Robust monitoring for medical cyber-physical systems

Some medical implants act autonomously: they assess the current health status of a patient and administer treatment when appropriate. An improper treatment, however, can cause serious harm. Here, the decision logic leading to the treatment relies on data obtained from sensors --- an inherently imperfect medium. Coping with these inaccuracies requires the logic to be robust in the sense that slight perturbations in the measurements do not significantly alter the decision. Determining the extent to which an algorithm is robust automatically does not scale well for complex and opaque components. This is particularly problematic when machine learning is involved. Yet, the analysis is feasible for simpler safety-related components such as a runtime monitor, which observes the system and intervenes in a treatment when necessary. Its significantly lower complexity generally allows for providing static guarantees on the runtime behavior of the monitor. Complementing these guarantees with a robustness analysis constitutes a major step toward certifiable medical cyber-physical systems controlled by opaque, machine-learned components. Hence, this paper reports on ongoing research in the direction of a robustness analysis for the runtime monitoring framework RTLola.
N-Terminus of GRXCR2 Interacts With CLIC5 and Is Essential for Auditory Perception

Stereocilia of cochlear hair cells are specialized mechanosensing organelles that convert sound-induced vibration to electrical signals. Glutaredoxin domain-containing cysteine-rich protein 2 (GRXCR2) is localized at the base of stereocilia and is necessary for stereocilia morphogenesis and auditory perception. However, the detailed functions of GRXCR2 in hair cells are still largely unknown. Here, we report that GRXCR2 interacts with chloride intracellular channel protein 5 (CLIC5) which is also localized at the base of stereocilia and required for normal hearing in human and mouse. Immunolocalization analyses suggest that GRXCR2 is not required for the localization of CLIC5 to the stereociliary base during development, or vice versa. Using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 system, we deleted 60 amino acids near the N-terminus of GRXCR2 essential for its interaction with CLIC5. Interestingly, mice harboring this in-frame deletion in Grxcr2 exhibit moderate hearing loss at lower frequencies and severe hearing loss at higher frequencies although the morphogenesis of stereocilia is minimally affected. Thus, our findings reveal that the interaction between GRXCR2 and CLIC5 is crucial for normal hearing.
The Effect of Low-Dose Atropine on Alpha Ganglion Cell Signaling in the Mouse Retina

Low-dose atropine helps to control myopia progression with few side effects. However, the impact of atropine, a non-selective muscarinic Acetylcholine (ACh) receptor antagonist, on retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) remains unclear. After immersing the cornea and adjacent conjunctiva of enucleated eyes in 0.05% (approximately 800 μM) atropine solution for 30 min, the atropine concentration reached in the retina was below 2 μM. After direct superfusion of the retina with 1 μM atropine (considering that the clinical application of 0.05% atropine eye drops will be diluted over time due to tear flow for 30 min), no noticeable changes in the morphology of ON and OFF alpha RGCs (αRGCs) were observed. Atropine affected the light-evoked responses of ON and OFF αRGCs in a dose- and time-dependent fashion. Direct application of less than 100 μM atropine on the retina did not affect light-evoked responses. The time latency of light-induced responses of ON or OFF αRGCs did not change after the application of 0.05–100 μM atropine for 5 min. However, 50 μM atropine extended the threshold of joint inter-spike interval (ISI) distribution of the RGCs. These results indicated that low-dose atropine (<0.5 μM; equal to 1% atropine topical application) did not interfere with spike frequency, the pattern of synchronized firing between OFF αRGCs, or the threshold of joint ISI distribution of αRGCs. The application of atropine unmasked inhibition to induce ON responses from certain OFF RGCs, possibly via the GABAergic pathway, potentially affecting visual information processing.
The Fractalkine Receptor CX3CR1 Links Lymphocyte Kinetics in CMV-Seropositive Patients and Acute Myocardial Infarction With Adverse Left Ventricular Remodeling

Aims Latent cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Virus-specific CX3CR1+ effector memory T-cells may be instrumental in this process due to their pro-inflammatory properties. We investigated the role of CX3CR1 (fractalkine receptor) in CMV-related lymphocyte kinetics and cardiac remodeling in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI). Methods and Results We retrospectively analysed lymphocyte count, troponin, and survival in 4874 STEMI/pPCI patients, evaluated lymphocyte kinetics during reperfusion in a prospective cohort, and obtained sequential cardiac MRI (cMRI) to assess remodeling. Pre-reperfusion lymphopenia independently predicted mortality at 7.5 years. Prior to reperfusion, CCR7+ T-lymphocytes appeared to be depleted. After reperfusion, T-lymphocytes expressing CX3CR1 were depleted predominantly in CMV-seropositive patients. During ischaemia/reperfusion, a drop in CX3CR1+ T-lymphocytes was significantly linked with microvascular obstruction in CMV+ patients, suggesting increased fractalkine-receptor interaction. At 12 weeks, CMV+ patients displayed adverse LV remodeling. At 12 weeks, CMV+ patients displayed adverse LV remodeling. Conclusion We show that lymphopenia occurs before and after reperfusion in STEMI by different mechanisms and predicts long-term outcome. In CMV+ patients, increased fractalkine induction and sequestration of CX3CR1+ T-cells may contribute to adverse remodeling, suggesting a pro-inflammatory pathomechanism which presents a novel therapeutic target.