Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lygus hesperus and L. lineolaris (Hemiptera: Miridae), phytophages, zoophages, or omnivores: evidence of feeding adaptations suggested by the salivary and midgut digestive enzymes.

Although Lygus hesperus Knight and L. lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois) (Hemiptera: Miridae) are extremely destructive pests of a large variety of crops, the exact nature of their feeding adaptations remains unresolved. We studied the digestive enzymes in the salivary gland complex and guts of L. hesperus and L. lineolaris to elucidate the feeding mechanism and to determine the relative zoophagous and phytophagous potential of each species. Most of the digestive enzyme activity in both species originated in the salivary gland complex rather than the gut. We found general protease activity in the salivary gland complexes and guts of both species, with the predominant activity in the salivary gland complexes. Trypsin-like enzyme activity was the predominant alkaline protease in both species, but L. hesperus had significantly more activity than did L. lineolaris. In both species trypsin-like activity was greater in the salivary gland complex than in the gut. Some elastase-like activity occurred in both body r.
Approach of Mental State Analysis using EEG

Electroencephalogram (EEG) signals from human brain have ground-breaking impact in the field of health care industry. EEG is one of the most actively used bio signal as measurement tool in Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) to implement “thoughts or intention” based human and machine interaction. In the medical field, EEG based interaction is also used for computer aided diagnosis for the patients and also to help in detecting emotions and body movements. In this paper, the beneficial aspect of EEG is demonstrated which can be the great help for paralysed patients. The study of characteristics of the signals while the person is moving and when the person is intending to move to be diagnosed through BCI can be controlled for humanoid movement through EEG.
Effect of parasitic plant Cuscuta australis R. Br. on growth of three invasive plants.

Effects of parasitic plant Cuscuta australis on the growth of three invasive plants,including Erigeron annuus,Chenopodium ambrosioides and Bidens pilosa,were investigated in a common garden experiment.The parasitic C.australis decreased significantly the root length of invasive E.annuus,but had no significant effect on that of invasive C.ambrosioides and B.pilosa. The parasitic C.australis decreased significantly the stem length and total length of three invasive plant species,in which the stem length and total length of E.annuus reduced up to 67.4% and 63.4%,respectively.The parasitic C.australis decreased significantly the root,leaf,stem,above-ground and total biomass of three invasive plants,in which the root,stem and leaf biomass of E.annuus reduced up to 46.8%,81.7% and 65.2% respectively.The parasitic C.australis increased significantly the root / shoot ratio of three invasive plants.
Active balancing method for series battery pack based on flyback converter

Lithium battery has become the main power source of new energy vehicles due to its high energy density and low self-discharge rate. In the actual use of the series battery pack, due to the internal resistance and self-discharge rate of batteries and other factors, inconsistencies between the individual cells are unavoidable. Such inconsistencies will reduce the energy utilisation rate and service life of the battery pack, and even endanger the safety of the battery systems. To improve the consistency of the series battery pack, a novel balancing method based on the flyback converter is proposed in this study. The flyback converter with a simple and reliable structure is used to realise the energy transfer between the whole battery pack and any single cell. Compared with the traditional balancing topology, the topology proposed in this study reduces the number of components and the volume of the balancing system, and only needs one set of control signals on the converter primary side, thus reducing the control difficulty. The experimental results show the effectiveness of the novel balancing method.
In-vitro anticandidial efficacy of tick egg wax from Hyalomma marginatum, Rhipicephalus bursa and Dermacentor marginatus

Objective: In the previous studies, the antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral efficacy of the tick egg wax-coating of certain tick species were examined and some significant results were obtained. However, related researches and studied tick species are limited. There are hundreds of tick species, and it is well known that the antimicrobial efficacy of the wax is closely related to the species. The aim of this study was to investigate the in-vitro anticandidial efficacy of the egg waxes belonging to three tick species, which have not been studied before and have quite different biological and ecological differences. Methods: In the study, the egg waxes of the tick species, Hyalomma marginatum, Rhipicephalus bursa, and Dermacentor marginatus, were used on Candida albicans ATCC10231, Candida parapsilosis ATCC 22019, and Candida tropicalis ATCC 750. Antimycotic susceptibility test was carried out in accordance with the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) recommendations using the M27-A3 microdilution method. Results: It was determined that the wax of Rhipicephalus bursa has inhibitory effect on Candida tropicalis ATCC 750 in a particular concentration, and no significant effects were observed in other trials. Conclusion: Anticandidial effect obtained from the egg wax of R. bursa can be associated with some distinctive biological characteristics, and it was concluded that the detailed studies with different tick species might yield significant results for the discovery of new generation antifungals.
Agency Design and State Administrators: Political Insulation and Managers’ Views of Their Workplace

ABSTRACT This paper examines the impact of agency design upon the perceived workplace conditions within state agencies. The research examines whether insulating features of agency structure such as independent commission status, removal of officers only for cause, and fixed terms for agency leaders are associated with perceptions by state agency managers that their work processes and environments are free of micromanagement and interference from political actors. Data are drawn from the National Administrative Studies Project III, with additional information collected from state agency web sites and statutes. We largely find that administrators working within agencies headed by officials with fixed terms of service believe that top management trusts employees much more than do employees in other agencies. They also have much more pride in the agencies in which they work. We also find that agencies having a commission structure have managers that are perceived to be willing to take risks.
Optimization of Base Catalyzed Ethanolysis of Vegetable Oils in Microreactors Using Design of Experiments

The base-catalyzed ethanolysis of soybean oil and waste cooking oil (WCO) was investigated in two types of continuous reactors (microreactor and T-mixer) and in a batch reactor. Flow rate, ethanol/oil ratio and concentration of catalyst were varied according to the design of experiments in continuous reaction systems. Regression analysis was carried out concerning the obtained product yields. Based on this analysis optimal conditions in different reactors types with soybean oil, fresh and WCO were determined. While the increased flow rate was unfavorable in the MX-mixer, it contributed to a great positive impact in the T-mixer system at flow rates higher than 2.2 mL/min. The soybean oil provides a slightly lower yield maximum (96.7%) than the fresh cooking oil (97.9%) and the waste cooking oil (97.5%). Therefore, the mix of vegetable oils in the cooking oil is more suitable for ethanolysis reaction than the soybean oil.
A comparison study of two modified analytical approach for the solution of nonlinear fractional shallow water equations in fluid flow

In this study, a comparison between the modified homotopy analysis transform method (MHATM) and residual power series method (RPSM) have been given for solving time-fractional coupled shallow water equations (SWEs). The time-fractional coupled SWEs are a system of PDEs that describe the flow below a pressure surface in a fluid is considered. Rigorous convergence analysis and error estimated have been exhibited for both the featured methods. The results obtained by MHATM and RPSM are then compared with well-known exact solutions. To show the effectiveness and advantage of the featured techniques the numerical simulation of coupled SWEs has been represented graphically with tabulated data. However, the results indicate that MHATM provides more accurate value than RPSM for solving fractional coupled SWEs.
Earth Girl Volcano: characterizing and conveying volcanic hazard complexity in an interactive casual game of disaster preparedness and response

Abstract. This paper focuses on the process of developing the Earth Girl Volcano game, and presents some of our best professional practices and lessons learned. The paper shares our experience of weaving storytelling in the not-so-straightforward process of interdisciplinary collaboration between artists and scientists. Our practice-based research approach to games is centered around a diligent and rigorous game development method that is story-centric and that uses storytelling to communicate scientific concepts. Our development methodology is presented in detail without the usual focus on quantitative evaluations: games are not scientific projects but audiovisual interactive catalysts of engagement. The survival of many communities during volcanic emergencies is tied to their knowledge of volcanic preparedness. Unfortunately, there is a gap between scientific terminology and the non-technical language used by the general population. For this reason it is necessary to develop and implement engaging outreach strategies that familiarize communities at risk with volcanic hazards, that show how a volcanic event unfolds, and what to do in case of an emergency. Interactive games provide a perfect alternative to engage communities and to impact their resilience. The Earth Girl Volcano game is about making strategic decisions that minimize risk in communities exposed to volcanic hazards. Conveying the complexities of volcano disaster preparedness to a general audience is a communication challenge in itself because of the multi-layered, interrelated, and technical nature of the information. We use interactive dramatizations of hazard scenarios with people for players to identify with the characters in the game and to empathize with communities impacted by volcanic hazards. We present our approach for characterizing multiple hazard scenarios and dynamics in precise but nimble ways and for designing engaging gameplay within the context of a casual strategy game. We seek to engage mainstream audiences and familiarize them with volcanic evacuations and disaster risk management by providing a high degree of playability, using storytelling to create empathy, making creative use of staging and visuals, and using plain language. We believe that the combination of all these techniques yields a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts, a perfect storm that is able to create an emotional connection between players and the hazard scenarios presented in the game.
Two Things about COVID-19 Might Need Attention

The spread of 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) throughout the world has been a severe challenge for public health. The human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) has a remarkably high affinity binding to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). By the search for network database and re-analysis of pubic data, we found the level of ACE2 expression in adipose tissue was higher than that in lung tissue, which indicated the adipose tissue might be vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 as well; the levels of ACE2 expressed by adipocytes and adipose progenitor cells were similar between non-obese individuals and obese individuals, but obese individuals have more adiposes so as to increase the number of ACE2-expressing cells; the expression of ACE2 in tumor tissues posed by five different types of cancers increased significantly compared with that in adjacent tissues. Thus, we suggest that more attentions might be given to obese individuals and the five types of cancer patients during the outbreak of COVID-19.
Challenges in determining atmospheric organic aerosol volatility distributions using thermal evaporation techniques

Abstract Volatility is one of the most important physical properties of organic aerosol (OA), as it determines the partitioning of its components between the vapor and particulate phases. Despite their atmospheric importance, multicomponent OA volatility estimates remain quite uncertain. This study combined thermodenuder (TD) and isothermal dilution measurements to characterize secondary OA (SOA) generated from the ozonolysis of α-pinene and cyclohexene. The SOA from both precursors evaporated similarly in the TD, but behaved quite differently when isothermally diluted by similar amounts. The α-pinene ozonolysis SOA evaporated by only 20% after 2 h of dilution by a factor of around 20, while 65% of the cyclohexene ozonolysis SOA evaporated at the same conditions. The volatility distributions were first estimated by fitting only the evaporation in the TD. This approach resulted in similar volatility distributions for the two systems. Then, the model was used to fit both the evaporation in the TD and the dilution chamber. This technique estimated drastically different volatility distributions with the α-pinene ozonolysis SOA consisting of mostly low-volatility compounds and the cyclohexene ozonolysis SOA consisting of mostly semi-volatile compounds. In the next stage of analysis, the model was updated to account for vapor-phase wall-losses occurring in the dilution chamber. This approach resulted in slightly less volatile SOA and provided some information about the losses of vapors to the walls, but the results were fairly uncertain. These results show the necessity of combining thermal measurements with other techniques to accurately estimate OA volatility. Copyright © 2020 American Association for Aerosol Research
Genetic Deletion of Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3β Abrogates Activation of IκBα Kinase, JNK, Akt, and p44/p42 MAPK but Potentiates Apoptosis Induced by Tumor Necrosis Factor*

Glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3β is a constitutively active, proline-directed serine/threonine kinase that controls growth modulation and tumorigenesis through multiple intracellular signaling pathways. How GSK-3β regulates signaling pathways induced by cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is poorly understood. In this study, we used fibroblasts derived from GSK-3β gene-deleted mice to understand the role of this kinase in TNF signaling. TNF induced NF-κB activation as measured by DNA binding in wild-type mouse embryonic fibroblasts, but deletion of GSK-3β abolished this activation. This inhibition was due to suppression of IκBα kinase activation and IκBα phosphorylation, ubiquitination, and degradation. TNF-induced NF-κB reporter gene transcription was also suppressed in GSK-3β gene-deleted cells. NF-κB activation induced by lipopolysaccharide, interleukin-1β, or cigarette smoke condensate was completely suppressed in GSK-3β–/– cells. Deletion of GSK-3β also abolished TNF-induced c-Jun N-terminal kinase and p44/p42 mitogen-activated kinase activation. Most surprisingly, TNF-induced Akt activation also required the presence of GSK-3β. TNF induced expression of the NF-κB-regulated gene products cyclin D1, COX-2, MMP-9, survivin, IAP 1, IAP 2, Bcl-xL, Bfl-1/A1, TRAF1, and FLIP in wild-type mouse embryonic fibroblasts but not in GSK-3β–/– cells, and this correlated with potentiation of TNF-induced apoptosis as indicated by cell viability, annexin V staining, and caspase activation. Overall, our results indicate that GSK-3β plays a critical role in TNF signaling and in the signaling of other inflammatory stimuli and that its suppression can be exploited as a potential target to inhibit angiogenesis, proliferation, and survival of tumor cells.
Negotiation Assistant Bot of Pricing Prediction Based on Machine Learning

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been used to develop and advance numerous fields and industries, including finance, healthcare, education, transportation and more. However, in the business negotiation field, such as bargain, the AI has not yet exerted its power. In order to explore the application of AI into business negotiation, we have built an intelligent robot that can help customers that lack negotiation skills when bargaining in their shopping sceneries. This bot can make decision by itself via price prediction function implemented by machine learning algorithms and the tool of decision tree. As a result, our bot has got a positive performance during a used car trade. Although the algorithm of the project is relatively simple, its main contribution is to show the potential application of AI in the business negotiation. We believe that it can provide ideas and directions for the future development of business negotiation robot.
Asymmetric Price Volatility Transmission in the Spanish Fresh Wild Fish Supply Chain

This article analyzes price volatility transmission over time along the fresh wild hake supply chain in Spain using weekly prices at three levels of the fresh hake supply chain (auction, wholesale, and retail). The approach taken involves both an asymmetric multivariate Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity model (GARCH) and a Vector Autoregressive Model (VAR) to explore the relationships of price volatility between chain levels. The findings reveal the dynamic structure of price linkages and confirm the presence of overall spillovers, as well as asymmetric volatility spillovers across certain chain levels. Retail prices are found to be the least volatile of the three, implying the volatility at auction and wholesale levels is not passed on to consumers.
Irrational beliefs and choking under pressure: A preliminary investigation

Abstract Researchers who examine existing models of choking under pressure are beginning to explore the antecedents that predispose individuals to increased anxiety. Irrational beliefs (IBs) may be one such antecedent to “choking”, given that irrational beliefs are closely associated with anxiety intensity. This study aimed to investigate whether IBs influenced anxiety and performance under pressure. Experienced Australian football players (N = 35) completed an IBs questionnaire prior to an Australian football set shot experiment with low- and high-pressure. During both pressure conditions, participants completed a state anxiety questionnaire prior to completing 15 set shots on goal. Results indicated that cognitive and somatic anxiety increased from low- to high-pressure. For somatic anxiety, an IBs main effect approached significance, indicating higher somatic anxiety with increases in IBs. A marginally significant Condition main effect was found for performance, which decreased from low- to high-pressure, with no other effects for performance evident. Follow-up correlation analysis of seven athletes who likely experienced choking (i.e., greater than 15-point performance decrease) indicated a strong negative correlation between IBs and change in performance from low- to high-pressure. Further analyses for “chokers” indicated a significant IBs × Condition interaction, with performance tending to increase with increasing IBs under low-pressure and decrease with increasing IBs under high-pressure. This study provides initial, tentative support that IBs associated with performance trends of “chokers” under different pressure conditions may be dissimilar to those of “underperformers” or “clutch” performers. Applied implications for sport psychologists working with athletes are discussed. Lay summary: This paper investigated whether inflexible thoughts (i.e., irrational beliefs- IBs) led to increased anxiety and “choking”. Athletes completed an IBs questionnaire, then an anxiety survey during a football kicking task under low- and high-pressure. Results indicated IBs may affect “chokers” response to pressure differently to other groups.
La Convergencia en la Evaluación Socioacadémica por parte de Docentes y Estudiantes durante la Implementación de un Programa Psicoeducativo para la Prevención del Trabajo Infantil

espanolLa confluencia en las expectativas de los padres y los docentes incide en el desarrollo socioacademico de los menores. Por otro lado, las evaluaciones de los profesores influyen en la autoevaluacion y el rendimiento de los estudiantes. Durante la implementacion de un programa psicoeducativo para la prevencion del trabajo infantil, comparamos la evaluacion de las habilidades sociales por parte de los docentes con la autoevaluacion de los menores y la valoracion subjetiva del rendimiento academico por parte de los docentes con las calificaciones academicas obtenidas por los menores en el curso anterior. Tambien exploramos la valoracion cualitativa del trabajo infantil por parte de los docentes y de los padres. Los resultados pusieron de manifiesto una elevada consistencia interjueces en la evaluacion de las habilidades sociales y una coincidencia moderada en la valoracion del rendimiento academico. La evaluacion de los profesores reflejo una vision mas integrada de los aspectos sociales y academicos, en comparacion con los menores. Combinando el analisis de correlaciones parciales con la visualizacion de redes, el factor de agresividad se revelo como el indicador con mayor centralidad en la evaluacion socioacademica de los menores, tanto para los docentes como para los estudiantes. Finalmente, los profesores mostraron mayor sensibilidad que los padres sobre las consecuencias negativas del trabajo infantil. EnglishThe confluence in the expectations of parents and teachers affects children’s socio-academic development. Teacher evaluations also influence student self-assessment and performance. During the implementation of a psychoeducational program for the prevention of child labor, two aspects of children development were compared: the evaluation of social skills by teachers with self-assessment of minors and subjective assessment of academic performance by teachers with academic qualifications obtained by minors in the previous course. We also explored the qualitative assessment of child labor by teachers and parents. The results showed a high inter-judge consistency in the evaluation of social skills and a moderate coincidence in the assessment of academic performance. The evaluation of teachers reflected a more integrated view of social and academic aspects, compared to minors. Combining the analysis of partial correlations with visualization of networks, the aggressiveness factor was revealed as the indicator with the greatest centrality in children’s socio-academic evaluation, both for teachers and students. Finally, teachers showed greater sensitivity than parents towards negative consequences of child labor.