Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
MICROBIAL COMMUNITY STRUCTURE AND SEASONAL VARIATIONS IN MUDFLAT SEDIMENTS OF SANSHA BAY, CHINA

Illumina high-throughput sequencing was applied to study the microbial community structure and seasonal variations in the mudflat sediments of Sansha Bay, China. Significant seasonal differences of microbial communities were observed, and pH, total P, total N, and organic carbon concentration were important factors affecting the microbial communities. A total of 52 bacterial phyla were detected in the sediments, dominated by γ-Proteobacteria (27.78%), δ-Proteobacteria (20.16%) and Bacteroidetes (10.58%). A total of 717 bacterial genera were detected, and among the top 100 genera with the highest abundances, 48 genera changed significantly (p <0.05) with seasons. The microbial community structure in summer was significantly different from others, and the environmental factors driving the changes were mainly temperature, organic carbon and total N concentration. The bacteria with higher abundances in summer were mainly attached bacteria, thermophilic bacteria, anaerobic bacteria, and those involved in carbon and nitrogen cycling, while in other seasons, those with higher abundances were mainly aerobic bacteria, which could adapt to low temperatures and are involved in the degradation of cellulose and chitosan. However, the physicochemical indexes didn’t change significantly, which indicated that the bacterial communities are more sensitive and can serve as a good sentinel for environmental changes.
Microhabitat segregation among three co-existing species of grasshoppers on a rural meadow near Seoul, South Korea

Microhabitat segregation among grasshopper species in Asia has not been well studied. We determined the differences in the use of substrates by three common North East Asian grasshopper species co-existing on a natural meadow near Seoul, South Korea. While many Oedaleusinfernalis individuals were found on the ground, Acridacinerea and Atractomorphalata were usually observed on plants. Acridacinerea was mostly observed on the grass Zoysiajaponica (Poaceae) and Atractomorphalata was mostly found on plants from the family Asteraceae. This is the first study to provide quantitative information about microhabitat differences among some common grasshoppers in rural habitats of continental North East Asia. Future studies should focus on determining the mechanisms that produce such ecological segregation.
Synthesis, characterization and activity of AL-MCM-41 catalyst for hydroxyalkylation of epoxides

Perfumery chemicals and intermediates are produced on a large scale by Friedel Crafts alkylation or acylation of aromatic compounds in the presence of Lewis acid catalyst. However, problem in the industrial process of perfumery chemical and intermediate manufacture like toxity, corrosivity and production of pollutants, make convenient to change the conventional Lewis acid AlCl3 or FeCl3 catalysts by acid solid catalyst. Thus, Al-MCM-41 catalysts were prepared with various SiO2:Al2O3 ratios via direct and secondary syntheses using sodium aluminate as the aluminium source. Al-MCM-41 was characterized by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Surface Area Analyzer Instrument and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The results indicate that Al-MCM-41 sample with a uniform hexagonal pore structure and high surface area was synthesized. Structural studies by 27Al and 29Si MAS NMR spectroscopy indicated that Al are in the tetrahedral form and located in the framework. The presence of distorted framework aluminium was also observed, more significantly in the secondary aluminated samples. Maximum amount of Al was incorporated by direct synthesis with SiO2:Al2O3 ratio of 10 and a calculated Si/Al ratio of 15.2. Acidity studies using Pyridine Desorption Measurement and Temperature Programmed Desorption of Ammonia (TPD-NH3) show that the acidity of Al-MCM-41 increases with increase in Al incorporation into the MCM-41 framework. The potential of H-Al-MCM-41; as a heterogeneous catalyst was studied in the hydroxyalkylation of benzene with propylene oxide as a model reaction. Favourable reaction conditions such as SiO2:Al2O3 ratios, temperature, time on stream, the reactant mole ratio and solvent have significant influence on the distribution of products. Gas chromatography analysis indicates that H-Al-MCM-41 with SiO2:Al2O3 ratio of 10 demonstrates the highest catalytic activity with a conversion of benzene and selectivity of 92.3% and 87.5% respectively. The formation of 2-phenyl-1-propanol was favourable occurred at a temperature of 393 K after 24 hours with propylene oxide to benzene mole ratio of 0.5 using nitrobenzene as the solvent. The activity enhancement for catalyst is associated with the presence of distorted tricoordinated aluminium as Lewis acid sites. The strength of Lewis acid sites was correlated to appropriate aluminium content, temperature, B/L ratio, crystallinity and surface area of sample which played a role in order to improve catalytic activity of Al-MCM-41. Aprotic dipolar solvent such as nitrobenzene stabilized the unstable intermediate of propoxy cations to prevent propylene oxides oligomerisation. The results indicate that instead of aluminium content, solvent and reactant mole ratio also play a role to give high conversion and selectivity of 2-phenyl-1-propanol.
Genome editing reveals reproductive and developmental dependencies on specific types of vitellogenin in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Oviparous vertebrates produce multiple forms of vitellogenin (Vtg), the major source of yolk nutrients, but little is known about their individual contributions to reproduction and development. This study employed a CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing to assess essentiality and functionality of zebrafish (Danio rerio) type-I and -III Vtgs. The multiple CRISPR approach employed to knock out (KO) all genes encoding type-I vtgs (vtg1, 4, 5, 6, and 7) simultaneously (vtg1-KO), and the type-III vtg (vtg3) individually (vtg3-KO). Results of PCR genotyping and sequencing, qPCR, LC-MS/MS and Western blotting showed that only vtg6 and vtg7 escaped Cas9 editing. In fish whose remaining type-I vtgs were incapacitated (vtg1-KO), and in vtg3-KO fish, significant increases in Vtg7 transcript and protein levels occurred in liver and eggs, a heretofore-unknown mechanism of genetic compensation to regulate Vtg homeostasis. Fecundity was more than doubled in vtg1-KO females, and fertility was ~halved in vtg3-KO females. Substantial mortality was evident in vtg3-KO eggs/embryos after only 8 h of incubation and in vtg1-KO embryos after 5 d. Hatching rate and timing were markedly impaired in vtg mutant embryos and pericardial and yolk sac/abdominal edema and spinal lordosis were evident in the larvae, with feeding and motor activities also being absent in vtg1-KO larvae. By late larval stages, vtg mutations were either completely lethal (vtg1-KO) or nearly so (vtg3-KO). These novel findings offer the first experimental evidence that different types of vertebrate Vtg are essential and have disparate requisite functions at different times during both reproduction and development.
A Medium-Term Disruption Tolerant SDN for Wireless TCP/IP Networks

A novel framework, Medium-Term Disruption Tolerant Software Defined Network (MDT-SDN), is proposed to handle medium-term disruptions of the order 10 seconds to 6 minutes. Such medium-term disruptions are crucial for the next generation wireless networks that use TCP/IP protocol stack, where the existing disruption tolerant approaches may under-perform due to resource constraints. MDT-SDN enables network control with an additional STORE action which exploits the nodes’ memory for buffering packets within the TCP/IP stack during link disruptions and forwards them as the links become alive. First, we model the network with medium-term disruptions using temporal graphs and design an Earliest Arrival Path with Minimal Storage Time (EAPMST) controller algorithm to demonstrate the MDT-SDN framework. The framework is realized in a software defined wireless mesh network testbed, using in-band control, involving mobile nodes with three mobility models: ( ${i}$ ) stationary nodes, (ii) group mobility, and (iii) random mobility. Experimental results with four application protocols justify the efficacy of MDT-SDN in providing storage control and additional performance benefits. MDT-SDN along with EAPMST improves the throughput beyond 25% with random mobility model and is capable of carrying packets and maintaining sessions during medium-term disruptions using the existing TCP/IP stack. The use of EAPMST reduces packets’ buffering time by 24.45% in group mobility while the buffering time increases in random mobility by 5.82%. However, EAPMST significantly reduces the buffer occupancy by 60.28% and 44.49% for group and random mobility, respectively.
Toward an Integrated Multi-Modal sEMG/MMG/NIRS Sensing System for Human–Machine Interface Robust to Muscular Fatigue

The research on muscular activity based human-machine interface (HMI) is of great significance, such as controlling prosthetic hand to improve the life quality of amputee patients. However, the HMI performance is limited by muscular fatigue due to frequent muscle contraction. To overcome the drawback, this paper presents a multi-modal sensing system that can collect surface electromyography (sEMG), near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and mechanomyography (MMG) simultaneously. To evaluate the performance of the multi-modal signal acquisition system, incremental isometric voluntary contractions experiment is carried out. The experimental results show that the proposed system can reliably obtain three kinds of muscle contraction information from the perspective of electrophysiology, oxygen metabolism and low-frequency vibration of myofiber. Furthermore, muscle fatigue induced experiment imitating HMI usage is performed, and it convincingly demonstrates a significantly ( ${p} < 0.01$ ) improved classification accuracy (CA) by using multi-modal features. The CA is compensated by 3.6% ~ 22.9% in the presence of muscular fatigue. These results suggest that multi-modal sensing can improve the HMI performance and robustness. The outcomes of this study have great potential to promote the biomedical and clinical applications of human-machine interaction.
Convert Harm Into Benefit: A Coordination-Learning Based Dynamic Spectrum Anti-Jamming Approach

This paper mainly investigates the multi-user anti-jamming spectrum access problem. Using the idea of “converting harm into benefit,” the malicious jamming signals projected by the enemy are utilized by the users as the coordination signals to guide spectrum coordination. An “internal coordination-external confrontation” multi-user anti-jamming access game model is constructed, and the existence of Nash equilibrium (NE) as well as correlated equilibrium (CE) is demonstrated. A coordination-learning based anti-jamming spectrum access algorithm (CLASA) is designed to achieve the CE of the game. Simulation results show the convergence, and effectiveness of the proposed CLASA algorithm, and indicate that our approach can help users confront the malicious jammer, and coordinate internal spectrum access simultaneously without information exchange. Last but not least, the fairness of the proposed approach under different jamming attack patterns is analyzed, which illustrates that this approach provides fair anti-jamming spectrum access opportunities under complicated jamming pattern.
Two-grid method for semiconductor device problem by mixed finite element method and characteristics finite element method

The mathematical model of a semiconductor device is described by a coupled system of three quasilinear partial differential equations. The mixed finite element method is presented for the approximation of the electrostatic potential equation, and the characteristics finite element method is used for the concentration equations. First, we estimate the mixed finite element and the characteristics finite element method solution in the sense of the \begin{document}$ L^q $\end{document} norm. To linearize the full discrete scheme of the problem, we present an efficient two-grid method based on the idea of Newton iteration. The two-grid algorithm is to solve the nonlinear coupled equations on the coarse grid and then solve the linear equations on the fine grid. Moreover, we obtain the \begin{document}$ L^{q} $\end{document} error estimates for this algorithm. It is shown that a mesh size satisfies \begin{document}$ H = O(h^{1/2}) $\end{document} and the two-grid method still achieves asymptotically optimal approximations. Finally, the numerical experiment is given to illustrate the theoretical results.
Exploration of variable interactions in a cold rubidium Rydberg gas

Title of dissertation: Explorations of Variable Interactions in a Cold Rubidium Rydberg Gas Jennifer E. Robinson, Doctor of Philosophy, 2012 Dissertation directed by: Professor Steven Rolston Department of Physics We explore dipole-dipole interactions between cold Rb Rydberg atoms, their utility for quantum computing, and their potential role in the development of exotic quantum phases in optical lattice systems. Rydberg atoms can have large dipoledipole interactions, due to the fact that they are easily polarized. We propose a new atomic state, created by admixing the Rydberg state with the ground state, in order to create an atom with a long lifetime and an intermediate dipole moment, which would be useful for experiments in optical lattices. These states could be used to probe phases of the extended Bose-Hubbard Hamiltonian, as well as create novel R-dependent interactions that are not realizable in conventional condensed matter systems. In addition to the dressed-Rydberg states, we consider the use of external DC electric fields to produce a variable interaction strength. A Stark map of the specific Rydberg levels shows the energy shift of a Rydberg atom in an electric field, as well as the dipole moment, from the slope of the curve. We study Rydberg excitation in an intermediate density regime under the effects of a variable external static electric field. We use superatom analysis and Monte Carlo simulations of a Rydberg system with dipole blockade to determine that our experimental observations are consistent with an increasing dipole-dipole interaction due to an induced dipole moment, with an enhancement due to black-body-induced transitions to nearby higher-angular-momentum states. We also investigate the Van der Waals interaction by considering the zero-field excitation rate for multiple principle quantum numbers. EXPLORATION OF VARIABLE INTERACTIONS IN A COLD RUBIDIUM RYDBERG GAS by Jennifer E. Robinson Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School of the University of Maryland, College Park in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy 2012 Advisory Committee: Professor Steven Rolston Professor Chris Monroe Dr. Eite Tiesinga Dr. Gretchen Campbell Professor John Fourkas, Dean’s Representative c © Copyright by Jennifer E. Robinson 2012
LOWER LIMB KINEMATICS OF CHILDREN JUMPING ON DOMESTIC TRAMPOLINES

Domestic trampolines are a globally popular recreational activity for children, however this comes with a potentially increased risk of lower limb strains. The aim of this research was to determine if trampolines of differing stiffness influence lower limb kinematics in children. Fourteen participants grouped based on age; 5-7 and 9-11 years old, each performed twenty bounces on three different trampolines of varying stiffness. Lower limb kinematics were analysed across the ten middle bounces for each trampoline. Findings demonstrated no significant interaction effects across any hip, knee, ankle or foot kinematic variables across the trampolines within both age groups. There were also no significant differences in performance variables across the three trampolines. This study suggests that children do not appear to alter lower limb kinematics in adapting to different trampoline stiffnesses.
The implication of lighting programmes in intensive broiler production system

The intensive production system for broiler chicken is characterised by the provision of a suitable micro-climatic condition such as temperature, airflow, relative humidity and light for proper bird's management which always, together with appropriate feeding and nutrition, favours the full growth and production potentials of the birds. Lighting, amongst other factors, is a potent and critical micro-climatic component in broiler houses as it influences many behavioural, physiological and metabolic processes in birds. To optimise the intensive system for broiler production, various lighting programmes (regarding light duration and its distribution, light colour/wavelength and light intensity) have been explored. This review compares the effects of different elements of lighting regimen on the growth performance, health, and welfare and carcass characteristics of broilers. Considering this, various degrees of intermittent photo-period (i.e. mixing photo- and scoto- periods within 24 hours) rather than one continuous photoperiod have been proven to significantly improve broilers' weight gain by 3.4-5.8%, feed to gain ratio up to 7.3%, mobility up to 46.5%, decrease mortality rate ranging between 0.43% and 0.72%, and finally, increase carcass yield. Short wavelength lights and light intensity of ≥5 lux after the initial brooding period are said to stimulate birds' metabolism and growth thereby, enhancing the production system. In conclusion, the lighting programme, apart from improving broiler productivity, could reduce cost expended on energy in an intensive production system.
Neuromodulatory and metaplastic regulation of long-term synaptic plasticity in the primary visual cortex of adult rats.

ii Co-Authorship . iv Acknowledgements . v List of Figures . ix List of Abbreviations . xi Chapter 1 General introduction . 1 1.1 The role of LTP in learning and memory . 1 1.2 The mechanism of LTP . 2 1.3 LTP at sensory cortical synapses including the primary visual cortex . 4 1.4 The functions of LTP in the primary visual cortex . 5 1.5 Neuromodulation and metaplasticity of LTP at the visual cortex . 7 1.6 Objectives . 12 Chapter 2 Age-dependent switch of the role of serotonergic 5-HT1A receptors in gating long-term potentiation in the rat visual cortex in vivo . 14 2.1 Abstract . 14 2.2 Introduction . 15 2.3 Materials and methods . 17 2.3. 1 Subjects . 17 2.3. 2 Surgery . 17 2.3. 3 Electrophysiology . 18 2.3. 4 Pharmacology . 19 2.3. 5 Histology . 21 2.3. 6 Data analysis . 21 2.4 Results . 22 2.4. 1 Characteristics of fPSPs in V1 elicited by LGN stimulation . 22 2.4. 2 Effects of pharmacological treatments on baseline (pre-TBS) fPSP amplitude . 23 2.4. 3 Effect of 5-HT on LTP in adult rats . 24 2.4. 4 Effect of 5-HT receptor antagonists or a 5-HT1A agonist on LTP in adult rats . 25 2.4. 5 Effect of 5-HT1A blockade on LTP in juvenile rats . 30 2.4. 6 Effects of 5-HT and 5-HT antagonists on the ECoG in V1 . 31 2.5 Discussion . 34
DETERMINATION IN THE PHENOLOGICAL DIFFERENCE LEVELS OF SEEDLINGS OF SOME WALNUT GENOTYPES (JUGLANS REGIA L.)

Walnut is a tree adversely affected by late spring and early autumn frosts. Therefore, it is one of the main goals to obtain late leafing and early defoliation genotypes in breeding studies on walnuts. The aim of this research is to determine the levels of phenological differences in walnut genotypes derived from the open-pollinated seeds of Bilecik, Chandler, Franquette, Howard, Kaman 1, Maraş 12, Pedro, Sütyemez 1 and Gimar (Gimnut). In this study, the bud burst, leafing, leaf yellowing and defoliation dates of seventy-five genotypes obtained from nine different walnut cultivars and their parents were determined. Cluster and PCA analyses were performed on a total of 684 genotypes to determine genetic diversity based on phenological markers. As a result of cluster analysis, all genotypes including their parents were clustered in three major groups. PCA analysis also confirmed the presence of genetic diversity-based phenological markers in our walnut seedling collection with PC1 50.226%, PC2 36.635%, PC3 12.413% and PC4 0.726% of the total variation. Pearson Correlation Coefficient among our walnut collection showed that there were very significant associations with budburst and leafing date (r = 0.97). As a result, we determined a wide variation in our walnut seedling collection, and these findings are potentially useful for future breeding studies in terms of late leafing and early defoliation.
The Effect of Perception of Utilization, Perception of Easy of Use and Taxpayer Satisfaction on E-Filing Use by Tax Payer

—This study aims to determine whether or not the influence of perceptions of usefulness, convenience perceptions, and user satisfaction with the use of e-filing. The data of this study were obtained from the questionnaire (Primer) distributed to taxpayers in Batam, especially in the Telecommunications Company with a sample of 50 respondents. The results showed that (1) the perception of usefulness had positive effect on the use of e-filing. This is evidenced by a simple linear regression analysis obtained from the sig value. 0.003 Which can be interpreted that the result value sig. <0,05 which means there is influence between usability perception toward usage of e-filing. (2) The perception of ease of use has a positive effect on the use of e-filing. This is proved by simple linear regression analysis obtained by sig value. 0,023 which can be interpreted that result of sig value. <0.05 which means there is an influence between the perception of ease of use towards the use of e-filing. (3) User satisfaction has no effect on the use of e-filing. This is proved by simple linear regression analysis obtained by sig value. 0,761 which can be interpreted that result of sig value. > 0.05 which means there is no influence between user satisfactions with the use of e-filing. (4) Perceptions of usability, perceptions of ease of use and user satisfaction together influential. This is evidenced by simple linear regression analysis obtained by sig. 0.018. From these results can be concluded that the perception of usability, perceived ease of use affect the use of e-filing while user satisfaction does not affect the use of e-filing. This research still has limitation that sampling only focuses on Telecommunication Company only, it is recommended for further research in order to add variable and sample to be studied.
A Wireless Trajectory Measurement System for Unicondylar Knee Arthroplasty

During unicondylar knee arthroplasty surgery, the tibial prosthesis is fixed and the angle of distal femoral prosthesis relative to the prosthetic gasket is changed to generate the force line trajectory, which is important for doctors to judge the appropriate position of the implants. In this article, we propose a wireless force line trajectory measurement system for unicondylar knee arthroplasty, which includes the pressure sensors array, the control and processing data circuits, the radio frequency transmitter, and the data recorder. Data from 20 sensors are processed and transmitted wirelessly, and the force line trajectory is displayed on the screen in real time. The least squares fitting algorithm is proposed, with which we obtain the pressure distribution, the maximum pressure points, and the force line trajectory. We adopt field programmable gate array to implement the algorithm with lower–upper decomposition to fit the trajectory faster and transmit less data to save power. The average current consumption of the system is 1.37 mA in the operating mode. Dimensions of the data transmission module are length 70 mm, width 35 mm, and height 4 mm. The total uncertainty of the system measurement force line trajectory is 0.92 mm. Experimental results show that the system meets the requirement of real-time measurement of the force line trajectory during the surgery.