Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Glyphosate on Chloroplast Ultrastructure of Quackgrass Mesophyll Cells

Phytotoxicity of glyphosate (N-(phosphonomethyl) glycine), applied at 0, 0.56, 1.12, 1.68, 2.24 and 4.49 kg ai/ha to uniform, naturally growing quackgrass, [Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv. ] plants, was studied with the electron microscope. Visible damage (yellowing of the leaves) to the plants was observed at the 2.24 and 4.49 kg ai/ha dosage rates within 72 hr. Similar damage became evident 120 hr after treatment at the 0.56 to 1.68 dosages. Leaf discs (1 mm in diameter) were harvested at 24, 48, 96, and 192 hr and prepared for electron microscopy by standard techniques. Cellular damage could be detected at all dosage rates as early as 24 hr after treatment. The type of damage observed was partial to complete disruption of the chloroplast envelope, and swelling of the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) with a subsequent formation of vesicles. With loss of integrity of the envelope, the chloroplast became completely disrupted with increased time. Other organelles within the cell were also destroyed.
Prophet Inequalities for I.I.D. Random Variables from an Unknown Distribution

A central object in optimal stopping theory is the single-choice prophet inequality for independent, identically distributed random variables: given a sequence of random variables X1, . , Xn drawn independently from a distribution F, the goal is to choose a stopping time τ so as to maximize α such that for all distributions F we have E[Xτ]≥α•E[maxt Xt]. What makes this problem challenging is that the decision whether τ=t may only depend on the values of the random variables X1, . , Xt and on the distribution F. For a long time the best known bound for the problem had been α≥1-1/e≅0.632, but quite recently a tight bound of α≅0.745 was obtained. The case where F is unknown, such that the decision whether τ=t may depend only on the values of the random variables X1, . , Xt, is equally well motivated but has received much less attention. A straightforward guarantee for this case of α≥1-1/e≅0.368 can be derived from the solution to the secretary problem, where an arbitrary set of values arrive in random order and the goal is to maximize the probability of selecting the largest value. We show that this bound is in fact tight. We then investigate the case where the stopping time may additionally depend on a limited number of samples from~F, and show that even with o(n) samples α≥1/e. On the other hand, n samples allow for a significant improvement, while O(n2) samples are equivalent to knowledge of the distribution: specifically, with n samples α≥1-1/e≅0.632 and α≥ln(2)≅0.693, and with O(n2) samples α≥0.745-ε for any ε>0.
Activators of biological transformation and their effect on pig manure quality and barn condition aggregate

In order to reduce the consumption of industrial fertilizers used in agriculture, production of higher quality pig manure acting as their partial substitution should be enhanced. The production involves utilization of the agents on the basis of organic matter biological transformation activators. The objective of this paper is to verify the efficiency of such an agent, i.e. Z`fix, from the viewpoint of the barn condition parameters, of the pig manure quality and manure nutrient content, and mainly from the viewpoint of ammonia emissions. From January 2018 to January 2019, 80 samples of pig manure were collected in a farm with the total of 84 livestock units (LU), where 1 LU = 500 kg live weight (L.W.). On the farm, the pigs were stabled in 2 barns with straw bedding, and with 2 pens each. In the first barn, the agent Z`fix was applied, the second one represented a control. In each barn, fattening pigs were divided in 2 pens (40-70 ± 5 kg and 70-110 ± 5 kg L.W.). The frequency of pig manure removal varied from 150 to 180 days. An accredited laboratory examined the manure chemical parameters. Ammonia emissions were evaluated every two weeks (Data Logger NH3 apparatus measuring 25 cm above the bedding surface during 48 hours). With regard to the pig manure production, the results confirmed (P < 0.05) that the treatment of the straw bedding by the Z`fix agent had a positive influence on the pig manure quality, the course of the fermentation process, and on the microclimate in the barn. Compared to the control (without Z’fix application), higher contents of the following compounds were found: NNH4 + (by 54 %); N (by 37 %); K2O (by 10 %); P2O5 (by 46 %). Furthermore, maximum humidity decreased by 10 % and the pH value increased from 8.7 to 9.1. Finally, maximum levels of the mean ammonia emissions in the barn decreased by 38 %. In agreement with the requirements posed by the Gothenburg Protocol, the agent’s utilization is desirable considering its contribution to ammonia emission reduction and pig manure production quality enhancement.
Radiometric Characterization of a Water-Based Conical Blackbody Calibration Target for Millimeter-Wave Remote Sensing

In this paper, we present the design and radiometric characterization of a water-based conical blackbody calibration target to be applied as a precise reference source in laboratories and for the accurate calibration of ground-based microwave instruments. The concept of aqueous blackbody targets circumvents the conflict between the electromagnetic and thermal properties of traditional calibration target designs. The temperature controllable target consists of a conical low loss plastic shell, which has been manufactured using a stereolithography three-dimensional printer to define the water–air interface. An advanced exponential profile of the shell is used to compensate the comparatively high refractive index of water and to obtain a high emissivity. Simulations and active measurements of the coherent backscattering S11 have been performed verifying its excellent electromagnetic properties. Furthermore, radiometric measurements at 110 GHz demonstrate the outstanding thermal performance at various target temperatures between 10 and 60 °C. The differences between the brightness temperature and the water temperature are measured to be less than 40 mK and therefore significantly smaller in comparison to traditional calibration targets. In addition, the measured baseline ripples in the spectra caused by the water-based calibration target are small compared to established blackbody concepts.
Study on the Dynamic Task Assignment of Multi-UCAV under Dynamic Uncertain Environment

Analyzing the uncertain information of the actual battlefield,the problem of multi-combat aerial vehicle(UAV) task allocation in uncertain environment is presented.The model of multi-UAV task allocation is established in interval information environment based on the target value gains,target damage indicators and voyage costs indicators.The multi-UAV dynamic task allocation method is obtained under uncertain environment by SMAA.A new idea to solve the problem of multi-UCAV task allocation is provided.Finally,the feasibility and effectiveness of the method is verified by simulation.
Cloning and Expression of Recombinant Human Insulin Gene in Pichia pastoris

The main goal of the current study was cloning and expression of the human insulin gene in Pichia pastoris expression system, using genetic engineering techniques and its treatment application. Total RNA was purified from fresh normal human pancreatic tissue. RNA of good quality was chosen to obtain a first single strand cDNA. Human preproinsulin gene was amplified from cDNA strand, by using two sets of specific primers contain EcoR1 and Notl restriction sites. The amplified preproinsulin gene fragment was double digested with EcoRI and Not 1 restriction enzymes, then inserted into pPIC9K expression vector. The new pPIC9K-hpi constructive expression vector was transformed by the heat-shock method into the E.coli DH5α competent cells. pPic9k –hpi, which was propagated in the positive transformant E. coli cells, was isolated from cells and then linearised by restriction enzyme SalI, then transformed into Pichia pastoris GS115 using electroporation method. Genomic DNA of His+ transformants cell was extracted and used as a template for PCR analysis. The results showed, that the pPic9k – hpi was successfully integrated into the P. pastoris genome, for selected His+ transformants clones on the anticipated band at 330 bp, which is corresponded to the theoretical molecular size of the human insulin gene. To follow the insulin expression in transformans, Tricine–SDS gel electrophoresis and Western blot analysis were conducted. The results showed a successful expression of recombinant protein was detected by the presence of a single major band with about (5.8 KDa) on the gel. These bands correspond well with the size of human insulin with the theoretical molecular weight (5.8 KDa).
Undergraduate Grade-point Average as a Selection Criterion for a Postgraduate Entry-level Physiotherapy Program

Aim: Undergraduate GPA (UGPA) is commonly used to select students into postgraduate physiotherapy programs. The aim of this study was to explore the relationships between UGPA and the academic and clinical performance of postgraduate entry-level physiotherapy students. Method: A retrospective cohort study of students from four cohorts (2010-2013) of a postgraduate entry-level physiotherapy program. UGPA, average pre-clinical coursework marks and clinical performance scores were investigated. Clinical performance was measured by the Assessment of Physiotherapy Practice. Normality tests, descriptive analysis and correlations between variables were calculated. Participants were then grouped according to UGPA and a one-way ANOVA was performed to determine differences in clinical or coursework performance between groups. Results: Data from 121 students were analysed. There were no significant relationships identified between UGPA and pre-clinical coursework or clinical performance scores. There were no significant differences in academic or clinical performance between groups when students were classified by UGPA. Conclusion: These findings indicate a need to reconsider the use of UGPA as a sole selection criterion and supports the inclusion of other criteria to select students into competitive programs. Minimum UGPA entry requirements for postgraduate physiotherapy programs should be reviewed to ensure all suitable applicants are eligible for admission. 2 Australian Journal of Clinical Education, Vol. 3 [2018], Art. 3 https://epublications.bond. edu.au/ajce/vol3/iss1/3
Microwave techniques in the study of semiconductors

Application of microwave techniques to the study of semiconductors is steadily gaining importance for various reasons. This paper describes some microwave methods for the measurement of semiconductor parameters developed at the Institute of Radio Physics and Electronics, University of Calcutta, India. The theory of conduction in semiconductors at microwave frequencies is first reviewed briefly. A SWR method is then outlined and its application to the study of temperature variation of conductivity and dielectric constant is discussed. An experimental arrangement for the measurement of surface conductance utilizing the above method is also described. A technique for the measurement of infrared absorption coefficient of a semiconductor is then presented and the experimental results obtained with a p-type silicon sample are given. The paper concludes with a description of two different methods developed for measuring the minority carrier lifetime. The possibility of utilizing one of these methods for obtaining the diffusion length, diffusion constant and surface recombination velocity in addition to lifetime, is also indicated.
Inertial Navigation Employing Common Frame Error Representations

This paper explores a new paradigm for inertial navigation systems. Errors in filter applications using inertial navigation system equations have been previously defined from an abstract vector point-of-view. For example, the error in velocity has always been expressed using a straight difference of the truth minus the estimate without regard to each of the vector’s frame representations. In this paper an alternative vector state-error is defined using common coordinates over all vector error realizations, thereby providing a true-tolife representation of the actual errors. A modified extended Kalman filter is derived that employs the alternative vector state error representation. Simulation results are shown to assess the performance of the new filter design compared with the standard inertial navigation filter.
Genomic potential for photoferrotrophy in a seasonally anoxic Boreal Shield lake

Photoferrotrophy, the direct photosynthetic oxidation of ferrous iron, is thought to have contributed to primary production within Earth’s early anoxic oceans yet is presumed to be of little modern environmental relevance. Here we use genome-resolved metagenomics and enrichment cultivation to provide first functional gene evidence that photoferrotrophic bacteria are important photoautotrophs in the anoxic water columns of globally abundant Boreal Shield lakes. We recovered six high-completeness, low-contamination draft genome bins belonging to the Chlorobia class. Half of these genome bins contained the cyc2 candidate gene marker for iron oxidation, and one containing cyc2 lacked the sulfur oxidation gene pathway altogether. Using a custom profile Hidden Markov Model, we recovered distinct cyc2 homologues from our metagenome data and doubled the known diversity of Chlorobia-associated cyc2 genes. Metagenome data also showed that potential photoferrotrophs co-occurred with sulfide-oxidizing populations of Chlorobia in one lake but that only sulfide-oxidizing populations were present in a neighboring lake, implying that strong ecological controls govern the favourability of photoferrotrophy in ferruginous lakes. Our results greatly expand knowledge of photoferrotroph ecology in natural aquatic systems, demonstrating modern environmental relevance for this iron-oxidizing photosynthetic mode and supporting future investigations into early Earth microbial communities.
Reduction crystallization of heavy metals from acid treated phosphogypsum effluent utilizing hydrazine as a reducing reagent

Phosphogypsum is a by-product generated from phosphoric acid production processes. Due to the negative impact posed to the environment by the material, a chemical treatment process was developed to reduce the hazardous constituents in the material and render the final product useful for other applications. The treatment of phosphogypsum produced an effluent laden with contaminants such as copper, iron, manganese and thallium. This study was conducted to investigate the use of hydrazine as a reducing agent to remove and reduce Cu, Fe, Mn and TI from effluent, applying a reduction crystallization process. Nickel powder a base substrate was utilised as a seeding material. A feasibility study was carried out to test the efficiency and find the optimum operating conditions for the process. The predominant detected components in the feedstock were 71% Fe, 14% Tl, 5.1% Mn, 4.12% Cu and 2.4% Zn. The results obtained indicate that hydrazine can effectively remove up to 99.8% of metals from the effluent at the optimum pH of 10.5. Growth of the nickel powder particles was evident indicating a reduction and adsorption of contaminants on the surface of the powder. The treated solution was within South African acceptable limits for effluent discharge, which stipulates a concentration of 20 mg/l of copper, iron, manganese and thulium.
Conceptualisation multimodale de l’engagement professionnel et associations avec le bien-être chez des enseignants du primaire

Le present article vise a etudier les liens entre l’engagement professionnel, le surengagement, le sousrengagement et le bien-etre personnel aupres d’un echantillon de 223 enseignants quebecois. Les participants ont rempli une serie de questionnaires autoadministres incluant le Questionnaire multimodal d’engagement professionnel et plusieurs echelles mesurant le bien-etre. De facon generale, les regressions standard et hierarchiques ont demontre que l’engagement optimal et ses composantes sont lies positivement au bien-etre, alors que le surengagement et le sousrengagement ainsi que leurs composantes sont lies negativement au bien-etre. Les limites et les pistes de recherches futures sont discutees.
Control Strategy for Active Hierarchical Equalization Circuits of Series Battery Packs

Most series battery active equalization circuits implement the equalization first within the series and then between the series, which restricts the equilibrium speed. A hierarchical equalization circuit topology based on the Buck-Boost module is applied in this paper. The equalization is divided into two different equalization processes according to the equilibrium energy flow. The two equalization processes can be performed simultaneously, and the currents in the different hierarchical circuits do not affect each other, thus achieving simultaneous equalizations within the series and between the series. An equalization condition of the terminal voltage is applied and simulations and experiments on charge, discharge, and static equalizations in the four series-connected ternary lithium-ion batteries are performed.
THE ROLE OF NRF2 SIGNALLING IN CELL PROLIFERATION AND TUMORIGENESIS OF CHROMIUM TRANSFORMED HUMAN BRONCHIAL EPITHELIAL CELLS

OF DISSERTATION THE ROLE OF NRF2 SIGNALLING IN CELL PROLIFERATION AND TUMORIGENESIS OF CHROMIUM TRANSFORMED HUMAN BRONCHIAL EPITHELIAL CELLS Hexavalent Chromium (Cr(VI) induces malignant cell transformation in normal bronchial epithelial (BEAS-2B) cells. Cr(VI)-transformed cells exhibit increased level of antioxidants, are resistant to apoptosis, and are tumorigenic. RNAseq analysis in Cr(VI)-transformed cells showed that expression of transcripts associated with mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation is reduced, and the expression of transcripts associated with pentose phosphate pathway, glycolysis, and glutaminolysis are increased. Sirtuin-3 (SIRT3) regulates mitochondrial adaptive response to stress, such as metabolic reprogramming and antioxidant defense mechanisms. SIRT3 was upregulated and it positively regulated mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation in Cr(VI)-transformed cells. Our results suggests that SIRT3 plays an important role in mitophagy deficiency of Cr(VI)-transformed cells. Furthermore, SIRT3 knockdown suppressed cell proliferation and tumorigenesis of Cr(VI)-transformed cells. Nrf2 is a transcription factor that regulates oxidative stress response. This study investigated the role of Nrf2 in regulating metabolic reprogramming in Cr(VI)-transformed cells. We observed that in Cr(VI)-transformed cells p-AMPK was increased, when compared to normal BEAS-2B cells. Additionally, Nrf2 knockdown reduced pAMPK. Our results suggest that Nrf2 regulated glycolytic shift via AMPK regulation of PFK1/PFK2 pathway. Furthermore, our results showed that Nrf2 constitutive activation in Cr(VI-transformed cells increased cell proliferation and tumorigenesis. Overall this dissertation demonstrated that Cr(VI)-transformed cells undergo metabolic reprogramming. We demonstrated that Nrf2 constitutive activation plays decisive role on metabolic reprogramming induction, and SIRT3 activation contributing to increased cancer cell proliferation and tumorigenesis.
Ends and Means: The Future Roles of Social Housing in England

In addition to our discussion paper series (CASEpapers), we produce occasional summaries of our research in CASEbriefs, and reports from various conferences and activities in CASEreports. All these publications are available to download free from our website. Limited printed copies are available on request. Housing is vital to us all – to our economy; our environment; to every individual and family for whom a home represents so much more than just a place to live. This Government's longstanding ambition is a decent home for all, at a price within their means. For over a century, social housing has offered families and individuals the home they need. In the past ten years we have done much to raise the quality of existing stock, and we're committed to building more. Today, social housing remains vital to four million households. But in the twenty-first century we face a range of new challenges. Social housing itself has changed. Tenants' expectations have changed. The world around us has changed dramatically. It is important to take a step back and consider the role social housing should play now and in the future. How can it help people get on in life? How can it underpin social cohesion, and opportunity for all? How can it contribute to the kind of communities we want to live in? Last year I commissioned John Hills to undertake a wide-ranging review. He has approached the task with his distinctive rigour and clarity of vision. This report makes clear that any reform cannot be for the sake of reform. It must be about making real, tangible improvements in tenants' lives. And John's analysis highlights the scale of some of the challenges. This report is not the last word. It sets out the progress so far; the challenges ahead; and the options for tackling them. Its role is not to close discussion down, but to open it up. I welcome this report – and look forward to the important debate that it starts. Ends and means: the future roles of social housing in England 4 Summary 5
The changing pattern of the clinical characteristics of self-harm across the life-span : how do hospital services respond?

Introduction Self-harm is a substantial problem in the UK with significant human and economic costs. It is one of the most common reasons for acute admission to hospital in the UK and is an important risk factor for suicide. Psychological theory and empirical studies indicate that the characteristics of self-harm may differ in people of different ages, and that these characteristics may influence the care that people receive when they attend hospital after selfharm. Method The study data were collected as part of a UK multi-centre self-harm monitoring project. The data cover 11,243 consecutive attendances at hospital emergency departments in Leeds made by 6292 individuals between 1 October 2004 and 30 September 2007. The data were analysed across the age range using comparison of odds ratios, linear chi squared tests for trend and survival analysis. Results Characteristics of self-harm and hospital management differ for people of different ages. Severity of self-harm increases with increasing age, but service provision is not closely linked to severity. The youngest and oldest age groups receive the best service and the working age adults, who conduct medically serious self-harm and are at high risk of repeating self-harm, receive the worst service. The oldest age group appear to be substantially different from the younger groups in terms of their history. Discussion The differences in the characteristics of self-harm across the age range are compatible with psychological theory relating to the reasons people may conduct self-harm at different ages. Adult mental health services could learn from the high standards of care provided to the youngest and oldest people who self-harm. Further research to explore self-harm in different age groups is recommended.