Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A unifying hypothesis for the structure of microbial biofilms based on cellular automaton models

A review of the basic structure of microbial biofilm reveals that at least three conceptual models exist: (i) heterogeneous mosaic biofilm, (ii) penetrated water-channel biofilm and (iii) dense confluent biofilm. When consideration is given to the effects of growth resource, it may be that all three variants are correct but form at widely different substrate concentrations. Experimental research with bacterial colonies and models of the latter using cellular automata have confirmed this view. Use of cellular automata to model biofilm growth give results which strongly suggest that biofilm structure is largely determined by substrate concentration.
Fast cacheline-based data replacement for hybrid DRAM and STT-MRAM main memory

The development of DRAM cannot meet the low power requirement of IoT applications due to the high refresh power. As one of new non-volatile memory, STT-MRAM has extremely low static power, high read performance and high endurance. In this paper, we build a hybrid DRAM and STT-MRAM main memory to reduce energy. Considering STT-MRAM’s high write power and high write latency, we propose a fast cacheline-based data replacement to reduce write operations of STT-MRAM. The results show that the hybrid DRAM and STT-MRAM main memory can provide comparable performance to DRAM, with an average 32% reduction in main memory energy.
Protochlorophyllide Reduction: Mechanisms and Evolution¶

Abstract Protochlorophyllide (Pchlide) reductases are key enzymes in the process of chlorophyll biosynthesis. In this review, current knowledge on the molecular organization, substrate specificity and assembly of the light-dependent reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate:Pchlide oxidoreductases are discussed. Characteristics of light-independent enzymes are also described briefly, and the possible reasons for the selection of light-dependent enzymes during the course of evolution are discussed.
Mate plugging via genital mutilation in nephilid spiders: an evolutionary hypothesis

Nephilid spiders are known for gigantic females and tiny males. Such extreme sexual dimorphism and male-biased sex ratios result in fierce male–male competition for mates. Intense sperm competition may be responsible for behaviors such as mate guarding, mate binding, opportunistic mating, genital mutilation, mating plugs and male castration (eunuchs). We studied the mating biology of two phylogenetically, behaviorally and morphologically distinct south-east Asian nephilid spider species (Herennia multipuncta, Nephila pilipes) in nature and in the laboratory. Specifically, we established the frequencies and effectiveness of plugging (a plug is part of the male copulatory organ), and tested for male and female copulatory organ reuse. Both in nature and in the laboratory, plug frequencies were higher in H. multipuncta (75–80% females plugged) compared with N. pilipes (45–47.4%), but the differences were not significant. Plugs were single and effective (no remating) in H. multipuncta but multiple and ineffective (remating possible) in N. pilipes. In Herennia, the males plugged when the female was aggressive and in Nephila plugging was more likely when mating with previously mated and larger females. Further differences in sexual biology are complete palpal removal and higher sexual aggressiveness in Herennia (sexual cannibalism recorded for the first time), and mate binding in Nephila. Thus, we propose the following evolutionary hypothesis: nephilid plugging was ancestrally successful and enabled males to monopolize females, but plugging became ineffective in the phylogenetically derived Nephila. If the evolution of nephilid sexual mechanisms is driven by sexual conflict, then the male mechanism to monopolize females prevailed in a part of the phylogeny, but the female resistance to evade monopolization ultimately won the arms race.
Fragmentation of polymer nanocomposites: modulation by dry and wet weathering, fractionation, and nanomaterial filler

In recent years, an increasing number of polymeric composites incorporating engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) have reached the market. Such nano-enabled products (NEPs) present enhanced performance through improved mechanical, thermal, UV protection, electrical, and gas barrier properties. However, little is known about how environmental weathering impacts ENM release, especially for high-tonnage NEPs like kaolin products, which have not been extensively examined by the scientific community. Here we study the simulated environmental weathering of different polymeric nanocomposites (epoxy, polyamide, polypropylene) filled with organic (multiwalled carbon nanotube, graphene, carbon black) and inorganic (WS2, SiO2, kaolin, Fe2O3, Cu-phthalocyanines) ENMs. Multiple techniques were employed by researchers at three laboratories to extensively evaluate the effect of weathering: ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), optical microscopy, contact angle measurements, gravimetric analysis, analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Raman spectroscopy. This work aimed to elucidate the extent to which weathering protocol (i.e. wet vs. dry) and diverse filler characteristics modulate fragment release and polymer matrix degradation. In doing so, it expanded the established NanoRelease protocol, previously used for analyzing fragment emission, by evaluating two significant additions: (1) simulated weathering with rain events and (2) fractionation of sample leachate prior to analysis. Comparing different composite materials and protocols demonstrated that the polymer matrix is the most significant factor in NEP aging. Wet weathering is more realistic than dry weathering, but dry weathering seems to provide a more controlled release of material over wet. Wet weathering studies could be complicated by leaching, and the addition of a fractionation step can improve the quality of UV-vis measurements.
Annual growth of male and female individuals of the Common Ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.)

Background: In general, females of woody dioecious plants are expected to grow more slowly than males because of the high cost associated with fruit bearing. Yet wind-pollinated species may invest relatively heavily in male reproduction, and various compensatory mechanisms can offset incurred costs, therefore the apparent growth of genders might be similar over a longer period of time. Any cost-related disparities are expected to be most pronounced in mast flowering years, when female reproductive resource demand is highest. Aims: We aimed to investigate gender-related response in relation to the cost of reproduction, and as a function of climate. Methods: Using dendrochronology techniques and analysing growth parameters at the branch level, we compared long-term and seasonal growth of male and female Fraxinus excelsior trees. Results: There was no observed decline in trunk growth of either of the genders over a 55-year period, but male and female trees had distinguishable annual growth patterns. The tree-ring widths of both genders were smaller in masting years than in other years. The difference between genders could be explained by their response to different climatic variables: females are more sensitive to spring frost and drought in early summer, while male growth depends more on late summer conditions. Conclusions: Vegetative development and flowering create a feedback system that minimises the cost of reproduction and assures that expenses are covered. Hence, growth differences between genders may be related to their phenological and physiological disparities rather than reproductive cost differences per se.
The response of Cenozoic sedimentary evolution coupled with the formation of the South China Sea

We systematically expound the processes of Cenozoic sedimentary evolution in the South China Sea (SCS) regions by synthesizing relevant previous research and our own long‐term sedimentological work. The process of changes in Cenozoic sedimentary environments and palaeogeography can be divided into three stages corresponding to the tectonic evolution of the SCS. Stage I, the formation and development of the Proto‐South China Sea (Proto‐SCS) from the Late Mesozoic to Early Cenozoic; the SCS was a vast erosion zone, and terrestrial lacustrine deposits were only distributed sporadically. Stage II, the subduction of the Proto‐SCS and the opening of the SCS since the Late Eocene. The northern basins of the SCS gradually changed from terrestrial to marine environments. Southern basins were affected by the disappearance of the Proto‐SCS in the early stage. The distribution of marine environments shrank in the Late Eocene–Early Oligocene, but as the SCS expanded, these marine environments gradually recovered. Stage III, the stagnation and atrophy of SCS expansion from the Late Miocene to the present. The sedimentary environment of the SCS is basically stable in this stage. The most prominent feature of sedimentary evolution is the development and destruction of carbonate platforms.
Growth and survival of chicks in relation to nest attendance patterns of little penguins (Eudyptula minor) at Oamaru and Motuara Island, New Zealand

Abstract Little penguins breeding on Motuara Island, New Zealand, went on longer foraging trips during the incubation period compared with those breeding at Oamaru, Otago, resulting in higher rates of egg desertion at Motuara (Numata et al. 2000). In this paper, we report on the differences at these two sites in growth and survival of penguin chicks. During the guard stage at both study areas, parents alternated chick‐brooding duties on average every day, and lost 1–2% of their body mass after every trip. However, the duration of the guard stage was significantly shorter at Motuara (15.1 ± 1.0 days) than at Oamaru (20.0 ±1.0 days). Body condition of parents was poorer at Motuara than at Oamaru. The poorer food supply available to parents during chick rearing probably caused the lower growth rates and higher risks of desertion and starvation of chicks observed at Motuara.
Molecular cloning of the duck MyoG and MRF4 genes coding region sequence and their differential expression patterns in the breast and leg muscle during fetal development

The MyoG and MRF4 genes encode for transcription factors that play key roles in muscle formation during embryonic and fetal development. Due to the unique functions of these two genes, they have a specific expression pattern in the same muscle tissues. In order to investigate the different developmental expression patterns of the two genes, the coding region sequences of duck MyoG and MRF4 were cloned and their mRNA expression patterns in the duck breast and leg muscles were measured using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The duck MyoG and MRF4 both have a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) domain with high homology to several other species. In addition, there is a low homology region at the carboxy-terminus of these two proteins. The mRNA expression of MyoG reaches a peak at embryonic day 14 (E14d) in both the breast muscle and the leg muscle of duck. The peak mRNA expression of MRF4 appears at E14d in the breast muscle and at E18d in the leg muscle. The expression patterns of MyoG and.
Wide-Sense Nonblocking Converting-Space-Converting Switching Node Architecture Under XsVarSWITCH Control Algorithm

In this study, we consider wide-sense nonblocking operation of a converting-space-converting switching fabric. We propose a routing strategy based on the functional decomposition of second-stage switches, called the XsVarSWITCH routing strategy. This routing strategy is suitable for all kinds of three-stage switching fabrics operating in a slotted mode, regardless of frequency, time, or other types. We consider in this study a three-stage switching fabric. The first and third stages comprise switches with converting capability, while the middle stage is composed of space switches. The proposed routing strategy can reduce the number of required center-stage switches by almost 94% in some cases, as compared to the number of middle-stage switches under strict-sense nonblocking conditions.
Preventive Security-Constrained Optimal Power Flow with Probabilistic Guarantees

The traditional security-constrained optimal power flow (SCOPF) model under the classical N-1 criterion is implemented in the power industry to ensure the secure operation of a power system. However, with increasing uncertainties from renewable energy sources (RES) and loads, the existing SCOPF model has difficulty meeting the practical requirements of the industry. This paper proposed a novel chance-constrained preventive SCOPF model that considers the uncertainty of power injections, including RES and load, and contingency probability. The chance constraint is used to constrain the overall line flow within the limits with high probabilistic guarantees and to significantly reduce the constraint scales. The cumulant and Johnson systems were combined to accurately approximate the cumulative distribution functions, which is important in solving chance-constrained optimization problems. The simulation results show that the model proposed in this paper can achieve better performance than traditional SCOPF.
Shell‐shape and morphometric variability in Mytilus galloprovincialis from micro‐tidal environments: responses to different hydrodynamic drivers

Tidal conditions differently influence inter-tidal organisms in terms of general physiological and metabolic responses. In this study we investigated the morphological response in shells of Mytilus galloprovincialis native to different micro-tidal coastal environments in the Northern Adriatic Sea. Our purpose was to highlight the ecophenotypic variability across tidal levels and to elucidate how tidal currents and waves produced by anthropogenic activities may play a part in modulating shell morphology. Three sampling sites were selected: an open-sea area 15 km off-shore and two sites within the lagoon of Venice, the first near one of its three inlets, and the other one in the proximity of Venice city centre. At each sampling site, organisms were seasonally collected at different depths within their vertical zonation, either in the inter-tidal zone – i.e. at both the highest and lowest tide zonation limits, and subtidally. The mussel shells were analysed by investigation of their morphometric relationships (height/length and width/length ratios) and by elliptic Fourier analysis of the shell contours. Shell thickness and condition index were also evaluated for a better comprehension of energy allocation/partitioning. Estimates based on long-term measurements, visual observation, wind statistics and wave growth laws allowed an evaluation of the forces acting on shells. At the open-sea site, the observed phenotypic variability of both shell shape and thickness was clearly related to the tidal vertical zonation. At the two lagoon sites, the currents generated by tidal flow through the inlet and the waves caused by the frequent passage of boats influenced both shell shape and thickness. A trade-off between protection and growth was apparent along the tide gradient, as emphasized by the differences in the partitioning and allocation of energy between shell and flesh production.
Evolutionary and ecological perspectives on carbon acquisition in phytoplankton

Statistically significant differences exist among the major algal and cyanobacterial taxa in the catalytic efficiency of Ribulose‐1,5 bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RubisCO)—the rate limiting carboxylase in C‐fixation. With the notable exception of the red algae, a comparison of the kinetic properties of RubisCO among phytoplankton of different geological ages suggests that the enzyme has evolved towards higher CO2 affinity in response to decreasing atmospheric CO2/O2 ratios over geological time. Taxonomic differences in the kinetic properties of RubisCO influence the mechanisms of C acquisition among phytoplankton groups. A significant negative correlation exists between the CO2 specificity factor of RubisCO and the capacity of cells to concentrate inorganic C through active uptake mechanisms. Differential resource requirements associated with C acquisition could affect the relative fitness of phytoplankton groups and thus their ecological interactions. I argue that inorganic C may play a more important role in phytoplankton productivity and community ecology than has been previously recognized and highlight some outstanding questions for future research.
Fenton’s Reagent treatability study for hydrocarbon-contaminated soils, McMurdo Station, Antarctica

Hydrocarbon-contaminated soil is distributed heterogeneously at McMurdo Station, Antarctica, which has served for over 60 years as the logistics hub for the U.S. Antarctic Program. Here we investigated the treatability of McMurdo Station’s contaminated soil with chemical oxidation. Our study collected five soil samples in 2018 and 2019, of which two contained high levels (>100 mg/kg) of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) suitable for the treatability study. One soil (ITC) was characterized by 1250 mg/kg of predominantly midrange (n-C8 to n-C16) hydrocarbons, and the other (Soil Pile) was characterized by 3500 mg/kg of predominantly heavy molecular weight (>n-C21) hydrocarbons. We investigated the treatability of these soils with both Fenton’s Reagent (pH < 3 with Fe2+) and modified Fenton’s Reagent (chelated Fe2+), each with hydrogen peroxide concentrations of 3% and 10%. Soil slurries were placed on a shaker table at 100 rpm and 4°C for up to 21 days. TPH concentrations were reduced by approximately 50% for ITC; however, the oxidative treatments did not out-perform controls. All treatments and controls yielded no significant reduction in Soil Pile TPH. Poor performance by these chemical oxidation treatments indicates that remediation of hydrocarbons at these sites may require further soil processing in combination with chemical oxidation or alternative treatment technologies. DISCLAIMER: The contents of this report are not to be used for advertising, publication, or promotional purposes. Citation of trade names does not constitute an official endorsement or approval of the use of such commercial products. All product names and trademarks cited are the property of their respective owners. The findings of this report are not to be construed as an official Department of the Army position unless so designated by other authorized documents. DESTROY THIS REPORT WHEN NO LONGER NEEDED. DO NOT RETURN IT TO THE ORIGINATOR. ERDC/CRREL TR-20-5 iii
Novel Angled Spoke-Based Mobile Robot Design for Agile Locomotion With Obstacle-Overcoming Capability

This article introduces a new mobile robot with angled spoke-based wheels (ASWs). An ASW is designed by analyzing the combination of the assembling angle with the spokes and the assembling angle with the wheel shaft. It has a specific trajectory in which the spokes are perpendicular to and parallel to the ground simultaneously. Therefore, this wheel is in contact with the ground similar to a conventional wheel, but the wheel trajectory does not exceed the height of the spoke length. Therefore, the robot offers an advantage in that various devices can be freely installed on its upper part. Owing to the geometrical features of the wheel, the wheel shaft is assembled at an angle of 45° on the chassis, and 90°-bevel gears are used to maximize space efficiency. The robot is 85-mm long and weighs 208 g. Using the proposed spoke wheel, the robot can travel on carpet at a sustained speed of 18 body-lengths per second. With regard to overcoming obstacles, the robot can overcome a height of 0.7 times the spoke length. Moreover, it can climb continuous obstacles having a staircase angle of 37.5° and overcome an irregular shape and an arbitrarily formed height of obstacles like a tangled rope. It was also confirmed that the robot could carry the same weight as its own without any significant drop in speed.
STEP: A New Mobile Platform With 2-DOF Transformable Wheels for Service Robots

This article presents a new mobile platform with two-degree-of-freedom (2-DOF) transformable wheels for service robots, which can overcome steps and stairs of various sizes encountered in indoor environments. The concept of the 2-DOF transformable wheel is introduced and the required transformation ranges are examined. In this article, a five-bar PRRRP mechanism is adopted as the base mechanism for 2-DOF transformation. Also, to separate the wheel rotation from the wheel transformation effectively, a four-bar RRPP mechanism is incorporated into the base mechanism. The design variables for the new wheel are determined not only to satisfy the kinematic constraints but also to provide the torque required for the mobile platform called STEP with the new wheels to overcome steps. The experiments using the STEP are performed for different steps and combined steps to prove the good obstacle-overcoming ability of the STEP with the new transformable wheels.
FLOW AND VISCOELASTIC PROPERTIES OF PRESSURIZED AVOCADO PUREE

The flow and viscoelastic properties of pressurized avocado puree were evaluated. Avocado puree with pH adjusted to 4.1 was treated with ultra high pressure (UHP) at 517, 600 or 676 MPa at 21C. Each pressure was applied in oscillation mode, three pulses of 6 min each. Flow curves were obtained for each treatment, and hysteresis areas were also evaluated. The corrected flow curves were fitted using the Herschel-Bulkley model, and flow index (n), consistency index (k), and yield stress (τ 0 ) were reported. The storage (G') and loss (G) moduli of avocado puree were obtained through oscillatory testing. The results showed that the Herschel-Bulkley model fitted the curves with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.85 to 0.97; however, good correlation was not observed after 20/s of shear rate. Pressurized avocado puree exhibited pseudoplastic characteristics and time dependency. The flow index values were <1 for all pressure treatments. The magnitudes of elastic modulus (G') and complex viscosity increased with increased intensity of UHP treatments.