Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Direct Radiative Forcing Induced by Light‐Absorbing Aerosols in Different Climate Regions Over East Asia

Light‐absorbing aerosols (LAAs), mainly composed of black carbon (BC) and dust aerosols, are responsible for significant climate forcing through their strong absorption of solar radiation. A fully coupled meteorology‐chemistry model (WRF‐Chem) associated with satellite retrievals and in situ measurements is used to investigate the direct radiative forcing (DRF) induced by LAAs in different climate regions over East Asia. Results show that the annual all‐sky dust and BC DRF are −0.84 and 1.06 W m−2 at the top of atmosphere (TOA), −1.23 and −1.55 W m−2 at the surface (SUR), and 0.39 and 2.61 W m−2 within the atmosphere (ATM) over East Asia. Large LAAs DRF can be found in hyper‐arid, subhumid, and humid regions at the SUR and ATM where dust DRF dominates the surface cooling effect, while BC DRF is predominant in the eminent warming effect on ATM in most climate regions. The meteorological conditions in hyper‐arid region are associated with enhanced surface wind and weakened atmospheric wind, which is in favor of the emission and accumulation of dust supporting the positive LAAs DRF anomalies higher than 10 W m−2 in hyper‐arid region. The positive geopotential height anomalies over Northeast China weaken the westerly winds, which is beneficial to the accumulation of LAAs, and results in the positive LAAs DRF anomalies of 3 W m−2 in semiarid regions. The large LAAs mass loading, strong aerosol absorptive ability, and decreased cloudiness caused by northerly anomalies are responsible for the high LAAs DRF in humid region.
Analysis of genetic diversity in four Sudanese provenances of Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del. based on random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) marker

Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del. (Heglig) is a multipurpose tree with considerable potential. The wide range of environments under which it is growing suggests high pattern of variation among and within locations. The scrutiny was undertaken to assess genetic diversity among and within four geographical genotypes of Heglig growing naturally in four different regions of Sudan based on their seed performance using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. The DNA was extracted from dried leaf materials and subjected to PCR using ten primers. A total of 57 bands were scored and 42 were polymorphic with polymorphism level ranging from 50 to 87.5% and a mean of 71.7%. Cluster analysis using NTSYS-PC software, showed three main clusters. The dissimilarity values ranged between 77 and 93%. Effective gene flow among the three populations of Obied, Damazin and Gedaref and limited gene flow with Genaina was observed. Populations of B. aegyptiaca from different provenances were confirmed to have significant genetic diversity. Results indicate that RAPD could be efficiently used for studying genetic variation of B. aegyptiaca. The study recommends that local provenances of B. aegyptiaca should be properly conserved and immediate efforts to be made to widen the genetic base through research and collection from other regions. Key words: Balanites aegyptiaca, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), marker, genetic variation, DNA, Sudan.
Diurnal variations in serum metabolites of wintering redheaded buntings

Daily behavioural and physiological changes in bird may reflect in biofluid metabolite composition. Locomotor activity, food intake and body temperature of group (n=7) of male migratory redheaded buntings held under short days (8L:16D, SD) were monitored besides blood sampling at midday (ZT4: 4 hours zeitgeber time starting ZT0 as lights ‘on’) and midnight (ZT16). The birds exhibited higher activity and increased feeding during daytime with negligible activity and feeding at night. Gas chromatography mass spectrometry and chemo-metric analyses of bird serum revealed higher levels of lipid (palmitic, oleic and linoleic acids) and protein (uric acid and proline) catabolites in daytime serum samples as compared to night samples. Higher night-time levels of short chain fatty acids indicated utilization of glucose and lipolysis in night fasted birds. High night-time levels of taurine, a sulphur amino acid has adaptive advantage to night migratory song birds. The diurnal differences in metabolite patterns suggests differential energy expenditure during day and renders survival benefit to buntings as night migrants. We propose a GCMS method that could be useful to unravel different annual life-history stages including migration.
Regular Moderate Alcohol Consumption Reduces the Incidence of Cardiovascular Diseases: Review of Evidences and Plausible Mechanisms

Background: Inappropriate consumption of alcohol contributes to the occurrence of chronic diseases, social and economic burdens though moderate consumption is proven to be beneficial. Moderate alcohol consumption is generally considered to be in the range of 1-3 drinks/day. Objective: The present narrative review was aimed to disclose the putative mechanisms of cardioprotective role of moderate alcohol consumption. Design: Narrative review of published studies. Evidence acquisition: This review was conducted by collecting clinical, epidemiological and translational research evidences from PubMed, Google scholar and Cochrane databases. Results: Several clinical and epidemiological studies outlined that drinking regularly of moderate amount of alcohol might decrease the incidence of debilitating cardiovascular diseases. Moderate Alcohol consumption increases high-density lipoproteins and reduces the oxidation of low density lipoprotein. It has also a capacity to induce the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and synthesis of nitric oxide. In addition, moderate alcohol consumption induces the expression of putative cardio-protective proteins in the heart during ischemic conditions. Furthermore, it reduces unnecessary platelet aggregation and blood coagulation, facilitates smooth muscle cell proliferation during vascular insult, enhances insulin sensitivity and probably plays its cardioprotective role by reducing acute and chronic psychosocial stress which exerts allostatic load not only on cardiovascular system but also on the body. Conclusion: Cardiovascular diseases, Ethanol, Moderate ethanol consumption.
The role of the carrier in treatment failures after antibiotic for group A streptococci in the upper respiratory tract.

: During a prospective study of endemic group A streptococcal upper respiratory tract infection and the streptococcal carrier state, we investigated persistence of group A streptococci after treatment with recommended doses of antibiotics. We evaluated clinical findings, culture results, and streptococcal antibody responses at the acute-stage clinic visit and at convalescent-stage visits 3 and 8 weeks later. Data from 280 children ill with pharyngitis and their family contacts were analyzed (mean age 13.3 years); 129 individuals (46%) had group A beta-hemolytic streptococci isolated at the initial visit. Despite antibiotic treatment, group A streptococci were not eradicated from the upper respiratory tract of 34 (26%) of the 129 culture-positive individuals. Thirteen of the 34 (38%) required a second course of antibiotic therapy before the infecting serotype was eradicated, but a majority, the remaining 21 (62%) patients, were not bacteriologically cured despite repeated courses of antibiotics. Streptococcal antibody data suggested that the majority of the treatment failures were streptococcal carriers. Only 5% of asymptomatic individuals with a positive culture for group A streptococci demonstrated an antibody rise. These bacteriologic and serologic data document that it usually is unnecessary to retreat asymptomatic convalescent individuals having throat cultures persistently positive for group A streptococci, since these individuals seldom represent true streptococcal infection.
O ensino de pensamento computacional através de um jogo de tabuleiro em ambiente desplugado: relato de experiência de formação docente

Este artigo tem o objetivo de apresentar o processo de elaboracao, aplicacao e avaliacao de um jogo de tabuleiro denominado Planetar, o qual tem por finalidade explorar de forma pratica os quatro pilares do pensamento computacional (PC). Como metodologia, utilizou-se a pesquisa bibliografica, a revisao sistematica sobre PC e um estudo de caso. Para o desenvolvimento do jogo foi adotado o processo de desenvolvimento de jogos educacionais chamado ENgAGED. O principal resultado identificado com a avaliacao do jogo foi o aumento do interesse por parte dos participantes em ensinar PC na educacao basica. Alem disso, a execucao do jogo tambem revelou que atividades ludicas podem ser empregadas no engajamento de professores.
Upcycling of polyethylene terephthalate plastic waste to microporous carbon structure for energy storage

Plastic pollution and its harmful effects on the earth ecosystem, which inevitably affect quality of life, have brought attention to the frontiers of research society. Among plastics, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is used on a massive scale in various sectors of industry, including the automobile, textile, and packaging. Utilizing an electrospinning fiber production technique, we have successfully upcycled PET waste bottle into electrochemical active carbon material that functions as a double‐layer supercapacitor substance. Our detailed electrochemical and analytical characterization revealed that the generated carbon substance is a mixture of amorphous carbon and reduced graphene oxide with relatively high surface area. The electrochemical characterization of the as‐prepared material consisting of cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic cycling with potential limitations, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analyses revealed that the generated medium has combined characteristics of both double‐layer and redox reaction pseudo‐capacitance with self‐strengthening effect along cycling. We believe that the proposed process is scalable with environmental and economic advantages and this study could present opportunities for future research and development.
Evidence for an Active, Transcrustal Magma System in the Last 60 ka and Eruptive Degassing Budget (H2O, CO2, S, F, Cl, Br): The Case of Dominica

The Morne Trois Pitons‐Micotrin volcanic complex on the island of Dominica (Lesser Antilles) emitted a series of plinian eruptions between 18 and 9 ka BP. We studied it to constrain magma storage conditions and volatile degassing balances, by comparison with the three previous ignimbrites (~60–24 ka BP). Volatile concentrations in glass inclusions and mineral‐melt thermobarometry indicate storage at ≤200 MPa (~6–8 km) and 860–880°C. The magmas feeding these plinian eruptions were stored at a shallower depth than those that older ignimbrites from the same volcanic complex and stored at ~16 km. Close magma composition and similar halogen ratios, however, suggest a common source for the magmas feeding both the plinian eruptions and the ignimbrites. The large eruptive fluxes of F, Cl, and Br to the atmosphere (up to 1.4–2.8 × 10−1 Mt/km3, 1.5–4.0 Mt/km3, and 2–4 × 10−2 Mt/km3, respectively), estimated by the petrological method, support the potentially important role of volcanic halogens in modifying the chemistry of the atmosphere, though Cl is underestimated here because of buffering in a fluid phase. The behavior of S, potentially partitioned in the same fluid phase, prevents here the calculation of an eruptive outgassing budget.
Transformation Digitale de L’Administration Publique au Maroc : Revue de la littérature et état des lieux

La transformation digitale aura certes le meme impact proeminent en termes d’apport technologique que ce soit dans le secteur public ou prive, mais se met en avant de facon differente dans les deux (02) secteurs. Dans le secteur public, aucune administration publique ne cherche a s’accaparer l’avantage competitif par rapport a l’autre du fait du monopole detenu par l’etat, cependant, les organisations etatiques cherchent a prodiguer un meilleur service aux citoyens/usagers en mettant l’accent sur leur efficacite perenne advienne que pourra le cout engage. Ce papier vise a etablir une synthese de la revue de la litterature et de dresser un etat des lieux sur la problematique de la transformation digitale de l’administration publique au Maroc. Digital transformation will certainly have the same prominent impact in terms of technological contribution, whether in the public or private sector, but highlighted in different ways in both sectors. As regarding the public sector, no public administration seeks to capture the competitive advantage over others because of the monopoly held by the state. However, state organizations seek to provide a better service to citizens/users by focusing on their long-term efficiency whatever the cost incurred. This paper aims to establish a synthesis of the literature review and to draw up an inventory or status report on the problem of the digital transformation of public administration in Morocco.
Protein Structural Classes Prediction via Residues Environment Profile

We investigate how residue structural and physicochemical environment information, such as the protein secondary structure and residue solvent accessibility could be used for protein structural classes (all-alpha, all-beta, alpha/beta and alpha+beta) prediction. The residue environment information is described by the residue environment profiles which are derived from a relative small set of 500 protein sequences having a sequence identity less than 25%. It was demonstrated that this method is able to obtain an accuracy of 49.2% for a 4-type class prediction of monomeric and non-disulphide-bonded proteins, given the fact that none of the nonclassified protein sequences has a sequence identity higher than 25%. This result is comparable to the amino acid composition method which obtains an accuracy of 48% for a set of sequences having sequence similarity of less than 30%. The current approach has several advantages: (1) it is a physical approach, (2) there is no adjustable parameter, and (3) it is simple and efficient.
Whisking Asymmetry Signals Motor Preparation and the Behavioral State of Mice

A central function of the brain is to plan, predict, and imagine the effect of movement in a dynamically changing environment. Here we show that in mice head-fixed in a plus-maze, floating on air, and trained to pick lanes based on visual stimuli, the asymmetric movement, and position of whiskers on the two sides of the face signals whether the animal is moving, turning, expecting reward, or licking. A central function of the brain is to plan, predict, and imagine the effect of movement in a dynamically changing environment. Here we show that in mice head-fixed in a plus-maze, floating on air, and trained to pick lanes based on visual stimuli, the asymmetric movement, and position of whiskers on the two sides of the face signals whether the animal is moving, turning, expecting reward, or licking. We show that (1) whisking asymmetry is coordinated with behavioral state, and that behavioral state can be decoded and predicted based on asymmetry, (2) even in the absence of tactile input, whisker positioning and asymmetry nevertheless relate to behavioral state, and (3) movement of the nose correlates with asymmetry, indicating that facial expression of the mouse is itself correlated with behavioral state. These results indicate that the movement of whiskers, a behavior that is not instructed or necessary in the task, can inform an observer about what a mouse is doing in the maze. Thus, the position of these mobile tactile sensors reflects a behavioral and movement-preparation state of the mouse. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Behavior is a sequence of movements, where each movement can be related to or can trigger a set of other actions. Here we show that, in mice, the movement of whiskers (tactile sensors used to extract information about texture and location of objects) is coordinated with and predicts the behavioral state of mice: that is, what mice are doing, where they are in space, and where they are in the sequence of behaviors.
Kombinasi Metode ISOMAP Dan KNN Pada Image Processing Untuk Pengenalan Wajah

Wajah manusia memiliki ciri khusus yang dapat membedakan dengan orang lainnya sehingga pengenalan wajah sangat penting dilakukan untuk mengenali seseorang. Ciri khusus pada wajah ini disebut juga dengan fitur. Pada penelitian ini, untuk mendapatkan fitur dilakukan pengenalan pola citra wajah dengan menggunakan metode isomap. Metode isomap merupakan salah satu metode dari manifold learning yang menghasilkan fitur-fitur dengan cara mereduksi dimensi. Citra wajah yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini terdiri dari 6 orang dengan tiap orang memiliki 4 citra wajah dengan ekspresi yang berbeda-beda. Data citra ini dibagi menjadi dua bagian yaitu data latih dan data uji. Selanjutnya data citra tersebut diubah menjadi vektor. Metode isomap digunakan untuk mentransformasikan vektor tersebut menjadi vektor yang mengandung fitur wajah. Setelah fitur wajah diperoleh, selanjutnya dilakukan pengujian pada data uji dengan menggunakan algoritma K Nearest Neighbor (KNN). Algoritma K Nearest Neighbor digunakan untuk pengklasifikasian dengan cara mencari K data latih yang terdekat dengan data uji. Dari hasil klasifikasi diperoleh bahwa tingkat akurasi sebesar 83,33%.
The Necessity to Assess the Electromagnetic Environment Near 5-G Radio-Emitting Objects with Instrumental Procedure

The features of the new 5G standard if compared to the currently used 4G lie within a significant frequency range expansion, and the implementation of the Internet of things. They made it impossible to expand the existing safety standard of broadband cellular network construction in large cities to the new standard. Differences between the Western and Russian approaches to the maximum permissible power level assessment and the lack of publications on the subject prompt measurement experiments in order to obtain an approximate electromagnetic environment assess near radio-emitting objects. At the preliminary stage of the measurements, it is necessary to choose the right measuring instruments and procedures, since the choice determines the price-quality relationship of the experiment. In the paper the results of the analysis for the known measuring instruments are given with an account to the special requirements formulated according to 5G standard features. The conclusion on the availability of the measuring instruments with the required characteristics is made. It is shown that the experiment efficiency depends on the measurement area dimensions and the measurement points spacing. In case of reflector antenna of 0.9 m diameter operating at 6 GHz the number of measurement points can be reduced without a loss of accuracy if the measured antenna passport data as well as the recommendations given in the paper are taken into an account.
Terapias hormonais aplicadas à reprodução de Astyanax altiparanae (Characiformes: Characidae) em cativeiro, fora da estação reprodutiva

The lambari-do-rabo-amarelo (Astyanax altiparanae) in the wild reproduce during spring and summer, but females remain vitellogenic throughout the year, including the winter period, when spawning does not occur. The present study investigated the influence of temperature modulation on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonad axis of the lambari in non-breeding season, as well as the effects of different therapies with gonadotropin releasing hormone analog (GnRHa). Two experiments were conducted, one with multiple injections of GnRHa and the other with GnRHa implants, in two doses and two water temperatures, one corresponding to winter and another of summer. At the end of the experimental period, females from different experimental conditions were induced to spawn using human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG). The analysis of the two experiments shows that regardless of the administration form, the supplementation of GnRHa in A. altiparanae females, in non-breeding period, triggers alterations in the pituitary-gonadal axis, depending on the exposure temperature, increasing the viability in the production of larvae of this species. Repeated injections elicited a more evident response in the pituitary gland at low temperatures. The performance data on induced reproduction showed that the administration of GnRHa in the form of injections was more efficient in larvae production, when kept at higher temperatures, while GnRHa implants resulted in higher estimated larval production at lower temperatures.
Hide and Protect: A Role of Global Financial Secrecy in Shaping Domestic Institutions

This paper reviews the literature that explores the drivers and effects of financial secrecy on emerging economies. It shows that most of the research on financial secrecy has been focused on issues of tax avoidance, neglecting the problems of institutional arbitrage that go beyond taxation issues. The paper discusses the limits of the institutionalist paradigm that treats businesses solely as rule-takers and calls for more attention to business agency and responsibility. Discussions about corporate social responsibility in emerging economies should incorporate thinking about the potential role that businesses, and especially big corporations, could play in promoting more effective institutions at home. Further research is needed to understand the political and institutional effects of global financial secrecy at the domestic level. The paper suggests some promising avenues for future research as well as new items to be included on the policy-making agenda in relation to financial secrecy.
Toward High‐Performance Triboelectric Nanogenerators by Engineering Interfaces at the Nanoscale: Looking into the Future Research Roadmap

To meet the future need for clean and sustainable energies, there has been considerable interest in the development of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) that scavenge waste mechanical energies. The performance of a TENG at the macroscale is determined by the multifaceted role of surface and interface properties at the nanoscale, whose understanding is critical for the future development of TENGs. Therefore, various protocols from the atomic to the macrolevel for fabrication and tuning of surfaces and interfaces are required to obtain the desired TENG performance. These protocols branch out into three categories: chemical engineering, physical engineering, and structural engineering. Chemical engineering is an affordable and optimal strategy for introducing more surface polarities and higher work functions for the improvement of charge transfer. Physical engineering includes the utilization of surface morphology control, and interlayer interactions, which can enhance the active interfacial area and electron transfer capacity. Structural engineering at the macroscale, which includes device and electrode design/modifications has a considerable effect on the performance of TENGs. Future challenges and promising research directions related to the construction of next‐generation TENG devices, taking into consideration “interfaces” are also presented.
Improvement Quality and Content of Pepper and Chilli Nitrates Influenced by the Effective Microorganisms

EM microorganisms are able to increase the soil microfauna, leading to an improvement in field production. Photosynthetic bacteria, contained in Em microorganisms, can in fact, in synergy with other microorganisms, improve the absorption of nutrients from the soil and reduce the incidence of disease. The objective of this trial was to evaluate the influence of EM microorganisms on growth and nitrate content on pepper and chilli plants. The treatments carried out were: 1) use of EM microbial selection; 2) plants irrigated with water. In all the experiments carried out, the pepper and chilli plants treated with EM were significantly higher and had larger stems than those treated with water. The use of EM micro-organisms can therefore lead to an increase in production quality and a reduction in nitrate content on pepper and chilli plants.