Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In-Situ Biofilm Formation in Hyper Alkaline Environments

Abstract Lime manufacture in the UK has resulted in the generation of a number of alkaline sites (>pH 11.0) with complex indigenous microbial populations. Within the present study, retrievable cotton samples were used to investigate the fate of cellulose, the primary carbon source, within three sites aged from ≈25 to 140 years. Following 3 months incubation in situ, biofilms had formed on all cotton samples in these extreme pH conditions; with matrices comprised of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and eDNA. Biofilms from the older sites contained greater amounts of eDNA, a structural component that aids the production of a denser biofilm. The age of the sites correlated with a shift from polysaccharides composed of β 1,4 and β 1,3 linked sugars to those composed of pyranosyl sugars within the older sites. These changes were reflected in the active biofilm communities which shifted from being Clostridiales dominated in the youngest site to Proteobacteria dominated in the older sites. The study demonstrates that the microbial communities resident in anthropogenic alkaline sites are able to form biofilms at pH values > pH 11.0 and that these biofilms evolve toward Proteobacteria dominated communities employing eDNA and pyranosyl sugar based polysaccharides to build the biofilm matrix.
Revisiting Cloud Migration: Strategies and Methods

Cloud computing attracts users with its advantage of unlimited resource supply where resources can be elastically expanded on demand and balanced-load at the same time. This means that the application in the cloud environment should run in the way of elastic expansion cluster. At present, most of the elastic expansion and load balancing technologies provided by IaaS level are oriented to virtual machines (VM), with little consideration of application level, which does not fundamentally meet the needs of users. Based on this, starting from the motivation of cloud migration, we first analyse the cloud migration technology from three aspects: migration object, migration means and migration objectives, then explore the cloud migration criteria and four cloud migration strategies at the application level in the cloud environment, and point out that cloud migration should be optimized and maintained in terms of elastic expansion, load balancing, security, etc.
Consensus sequence design as a general strategy to create hyperstable, biologically active proteins

Significance A major goal of protein design is to create proteins that have high stability and biological activity. Drawing on evolutionary information encoded within extant protein sequences, consensus sequence design has produced several successes in achieving this goal. Here, we explore the generality with which consensus design can be used to enhance protein stability and maintain biological activity. By designing and characterizing consensus sequences for six unrelated protein families, we find that consensus design shows high success rates in creating well-folded, hyperstable proteins that retain biological activities. Remarkably, many of these consensus proteins show higher stabilities than naturally occurring sequences of their respective protein families. Our study highlights the utility of consensus sequence design and informs the mechanisms by which it works. Consensus sequence design offers a promising strategy for designing proteins of high stability while retaining biological activity since it draws upon an evolutionary history in which residues important for both stability and function are likely to be conserved. Although there have been several reports of successful consensus design of individual targets, it is unclear from these anecdotal studies how often this approach succeeds and how often it fails. Here, we attempt to assess generality by designing consensus sequences for a set of six protein families with a range of chain lengths, structures, and activities. We characterize the resulting consensus proteins for stability, structure, and biological activities in an unbiased way. We find that all six consensus proteins adopt cooperatively folded structures in solution. Strikingly, four of six of these consensus proteins show increased thermodynamic stability over naturally occurring homologs. Each consensus protein tested for function maintained at least partial biological activity. Although peptide binding affinity by a consensus-designed SH3 is rather low, Km values for consensus enzymes are similar to values from extant homologs. Although consensus enzymes are slower than extant homologs at low temperature, they are faster than some thermophilic enzymes at high temperature. An analysis of sequence properties shows consensus proteins to be enriched in charged residues, and rarified in uncharged polar residues. Sequence differences between consensus and extant homologs are predominantly located at weakly conserved surface residues, highlighting the importance of these residues in the success of the consensus strategy.
Blended Learning: A Case Study of Select Secondary Schools at Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh

Online learning has been gaining wide publicity across the globe, helping people gain access to high quality courses in their field of study or work with highly qualified instructors available at a click. People from non-native English countries have managed to improve manifold in language with the help of e-tutors in improving their English. While the world has been updating and educating itself with e- learning programmes, there still exist places where e- learning is still an alien concept. This paper will explore the need of blended learning to teach/learn English language at one of such places, Secondary Schools at Aligarh Muslim University. It will also shed light on the advantages and disadvantages of an effective blended learning. The authors aim to highlight the teaching methodologies used at this level. This study will use the questionnaire- based method with a two- point scale questionnaire, so that the respondents i.e. both teachers and learners at this level can easily answer in ‘Yes’ or ‘No’.
APPROXIMATE SOLUTION OF FRACTIONAL BLACK-SCHOLE’S EUROPEAN OPTION PRICING EQUATION BY USING ETHPM

We proposed a new reliable combination of new Homotopy Perturbation Method (HPM) and Elzaki transform called as Elzaki Transform Homotopy Perturbation Method (ETHPM) is designed to obtain a exact solution to the fractional Black-Scholes equation with boundary condition for a European option pricing problem. The fractional derivative is in Caputo sense and the nonlinear terms in Fractional Black-Scholes Equation can be handled by using HPM. The Black-Scholes formula is used as a model for valuing European or American call and put options on a non-dividend paying stock. The methods give an analytic solution of the fractional Black-Scholes equation in the form of a convergent series. Finally, some examples are included to demonstrate the validity and applicability of the proposed technique.
Validation of Forward Voltage Method to Estimate Cracks of the Solder Joints in High Power LED

The Light Emitting Diode (LED) has many advantages compared to traditional lamps, such as a long lifetime, color rendering and energy saving. It requires good thermal management, since as the temperature increases, the lifetime decreases. Furthermore, the presence of cracks in the Solder Joint of an LED (SJL) compromises the correct dispersion of heat and causes the joint fatigue. This can lead to a decrease in the lifetime of the assembled LED. In this study, we validated that an SJL can be considered faulty if the Forward Voltage (Vf) acquired before and after thermal cycles increases by more than 2%. The voltage measurement method was validated by comparing the results with the techniques commonly used to evaluate the defects of a solder joint as the X-ray analysis and the metallographic section. The failure analysis results present the probability of failure and the lifetime of the SJL achieved by analyzing the data using the Norris–Landberg Model. The lifetime calculated over 1800 SJLs considered in the validation process is greater than 20 years for 95.9% of the tested LEDs.
Audio Morphing Using Matrix Decomposition and Optimal Transport

This paper presents a system for morphing between audio recordings in a continuous parameter space. The proposed approach combines matrix decompositions used for audio source separation with displacement interpolation enabled by 1D optimal transport. By interpolating the spectral components obtained using nonnegative matrix factorization of the source and target signals, the system allows varying the timbre of a sound in real time, while maintaining its temporal structure. Using harmonic / percussive source separation as a pre-processing step, the system affords more detailed control of the interpolation in perceptually meaningful dimensions.
Foods Causing Highest IgG Immune Response in Saudi Arabia

Background: Type III hypersensitivity caused by immunoglobulin G (IgG) to food has elicited plenty of scholarly attention in recent years. Opinions continue to be divided regarding the linkage between IgG reactivity to food and chronic inflammatory diseases. Objective: To identify foods that cause the maximum amount of IgG immune reaction in patients throughout Saudi Arabia from a standardized food panel and to identify any difference caused by age or gender. Methods: We used a pre-existing database for patients who participated in the standardized panel of 268 foods ELISA-based IgG to conduct a food allergy test referred to as ImuProTM Complete. The data in the database was prepared by the database provider through the utilization of established procedures from R-Biopharm AG using standard ELISA plates. Meanwhile, the samples were processed in ELISA Washer and Reader machines. Readings were analyzed using R-Biopharm’s standard ImuProTM software and then fed into the database used by us. Results: A total of1644 patients (913 males and 731 females=55.5% male, 44.5% female) were tested. IgG reactivity was predominant in eight foods (3%) in at least three-quarters of the studied population. These included Oats (82.5%), Barley (79.1%), Rye (76.1%) Cow’s Milk (75%), Wheat (74.9%), Kamut (74.6%), Spelt (74.6%) and Gluten (73.9%). The IgG immune response of males and females to each food type was found to be almost the same. Children have a significantly different IgG food profile in comparison to adults (p-value =0.024). Cow's milk was found to induce Original Research Article Alkhateeb; ARRB, 35(3): 115-127, 2020; Article no.ARRB. 57330 116 the highest IgG immune response among children below five years of age (95.74%), followed by oats (92.2%). Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is one of the largest studies to have been conducted worldwide that involves the IgG immune response of patients to food. The top-most foods were ‘mainstream’ foods consumed almost daily, which include gluten and dairy products. No significant difference was found between males and females. A clear difference can be seen between children and adults when it comes to the IgG immune reaction to different food items. Further investigations are recommended to determine the food characteristics and eating habits that cause these IgG immune responses.
A powerful lidar system capable of one-hour measurements of water vapour in the troposphere and the lower stratosphere as well as the temperature in the upper stratosphere and mesosphere

A high-power Raman lidar system has been installed at the high-altitude research station Schneefernerhaus (Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany) at 2675 ma.s. l. , at the side of an existing wide-range differential absorption lidar (DIAL). An industrial XeCl laser was modified for linearly polarized single-line operation at an average power of about 180 W. This high power and a 1.5 m diameter receiver allow us to extend the operating range for water-vapour sounding to 20 km for a measurement time of just 1 h, at an uncertainty level of the mixing ratio of 1 to 2 ppm. This was achieved for a vertical resolution varied between just 0.2 and 0.6 km in the stratosphere. The lidar was successfully validated with a balloon-borne cryogenic frost-point hygrometer (CFH). In addition, temperature measurements up to altitudes of around 87 km were demonstrated for 1 h of signal averaging. The system has been calibrated with the DIAL, the CFH and radiosondes.
Faculty Members' Background Characteristics in Clinical Tutoring in Nursing Department: a Qualitative Study

Background : Nursing education is part of a higher education system dealing with the lives of human beings, and paying attention to it is of particular importance. This study was conducted to identify the faculty members' background characteristics in clinical tutoring in nursing department. Methods: The study was conducted using qualitative research approach. Data collection was performed using semi-structured interviews, extensive literature review and observation of the existing situation. Then, by specifying the various dimensions and items, the effective fundamental characteristics in clinical teaching of faculty members of the nursing department were determined. Results: The three important and effective fundamental characteristics features or classes relevant to the findings of the data analysis in this study are as follows: 1- Faculty member’s personal characteristics: Adherence to administrative, cultural and Islamic value - adherence to the principles of professional ethics - management ability - positive job and social attitude. 2- Faculty member's nursing professional characteristics: Having theoretical knowledge and practical skills. 3- Faculty member's tutorial characteristics: Observance of educational rules, ability to follow the principles of educational planning, ability to teach, ability to persuade and motivate students, ability to evaluate, research capabilities, teaching experience, professional ability and ability to develop professionally and scientifically. Conclusions: Paying attention to the instructor as the most effective factor in clinical education and recognition of the challenges associated with this factor is very important and effective for improving the quality of clinical education. In this regard, the use of a correct and effective evaluation system is very important. Therefore, determination of the effective fundamental characteristics in clinical teaching of faculty members of the nursing department is necessary to improve the quality of education and ultimately improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the educational system. Keywords: Clinical teaching, Faculty member features, Qualitative study, Clinical training.
Influence of desiccation on the survival of Bulinus globosus under laboratory conditions

Abstract Environmental changes are generally known to influence the distribution and abundance of schistosome intermediate host snails (IHs). However, the influence of hydrologic changes per ser on the length of survival of schistosome IHs is not fully understood. To explore how desiccation may influence the survival of Bulinus globosus, the main IHs of Schistosoma haematobium in southern Africa, we conducted a study under laboratory conditions where snails were subjected to periods of desiccation and their survival evaluated. Desiccation period from 28 to 49 days post-draining of water was associated with an increase in mortality of 33.2 and 42.4% in large (mean shell height 7.81 ± 0.44 mm) and small (mean shell height 5.94 ± 0.68 mm) B. globosus snails, respectively. Although the duration of desiccation had no effect on the depth of burrowing, large size snails burrowed deeper into the soil than small size snails. The LT50 and LT90 of snails designated as large (7.81 ± 0.44 mm) were 73.35 ± 10.32 and 110.61 ± 21.03 days, respectively. On the other hand, LT50 and LT90 for snails designated as small (5.94 ± 0.68 mm) were 59.64 ± 8.56 and 84.19 ± 12.09 days, respectively. The survival of B. globosus during desiccation depended on the size/age of the snail where large size snails aestivate and survive for a longer period by burrowing deeper into the soil. We therefore conclude that adult B. globosus may play a significant role in habitat recolonization after a period of drought which is a common phenomenon in schistosomiasis endemic areas when population crashes.
Influência de práticas culturais na infestação de pragas em tomateiro orgânico.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo determinar a influencia dos sistemas de irrigacao, do tipo de cobertura do solo e do cultivo consorciado na ocorrencia da mosca-branca (Bemisia tabaci) e da geminivirose e dos broqueadores de frutos Tuta absoluta e Spodoptera eridania em tomateiro para mesa conduzido em sistema de orgânico.
Individual differences in the reduction degree of the Korean suffix ‘nɨn’

The present study examines the degree of suffix reduction that occurs when the Korean suffix [-nɨn] was attached to the root in spontaneous Seoul Korean speech. Specifically, it focuses on the degrees of reduction produced by individual speakers. The degree of reduction was assessed as the duration of the suffix [-nɨn] to clarify the continuum between the full and reduced forms. The results revealed that, first, the reduced forms of the suffix [-nɨn] were significantly distinguished from the full forms in the suffixation processes. Second, regarding parts of speech, the differences among individual speakers on the degrees of reduction were clearer when the suffix [-nɨn] was attached to verbs, rather than nouns and pronouns. Finally, the length of a root played a critical role in determining the degree of reduction of the suffix [-nɨn]. The degrees of reduction for individual speakers significantly differed when the suffix [-nɨn] was attached to two-syllable roots than three-and four-syllable roots. In conclusion, individual differences in the degrees of reduction were likely to occur when the roots are verbs and when two-syllable roots.
Metabolic energy sensing by mammalian CLC anion/proton exchangers

Mammalian CLC anion/proton exchangers control the pH and [Cl-] of the endolysosomal system, one of the major cellular nutrient uptake pathways. We explored the regulation of the vesicular transporters ClC-3, ClC-4, and ClC-5 by the adenylic system components ATP, ADP, and AMP. Using heterologous expression and whole-cell electrophysiology, we demonstrated that cytosolic ATP and ADP but not AMP and Mg2+-free ADP enhance CLC ion transport via binding to the protein C-terminal CBS domains. Biophysical investigations revealed that the effects depend on the delivery of intracellular protons into the CLC transport machinery and result from modified voltage-dependence and altered probability that CLC proteins undergo silent non-transporting cycles. Our findings demonstrate that the CLC CBS domains are able to serve as energy sensors by detecting changes in the cytosolic ATP/ADP/AMP equilibrium. The adenine nucleotide regulation of vesicular Cl-/H+ exchange creates a link between the activity of the endolysosomal system and the cellular metabolic state.
Impact of climate change on nutritional quality of maize and groundnut genotypes

An increase in atmospheric CO2 concentration and temperature, together with other climate change factors could greatly affects agricultural productivity as well as quality of produce. Understanding the change in atmospheric CO2 and temperature in conjunction with the ongoing global change is crucial to prepare for mitigation and any adoption for future agricultural production. Our study was mainly concentrated on response of maize and groundnut genotypes to climate change with respect to quality aspects. An experiment was conducted in Open Top Chambers (OTC’s) at the Main Agricultural Research Station, University of Agricultural Science, Raichur. Two maize genotypes i.e. CP-818 and Hema and groundnut genotypes TMV-2 and K-9 were evaluated for two CO2 levels (ambient CO2 and elevated CO2 @ 550 ppm) along with combination of temperature (ambient temperature and elevated temperature @ 2 °C) for kharif and rabi seasons of 2015. Results of the experiments were analysed through two factor-CRD design with 5 replications. Maize quality parameters like oil, protein and starch content were analysed by NIR Transmission at UAS, Raichur. Similarly for groundnut oil, protein content and fatty acid profile were analysed at IIOR, Hyderabad. The results showed that under elevated CO2 @ 550 ppm condition, protein content in maize and groundnut was 8.1 and 19.8 per cent where as under ambient CO2 condition it was 9.8 and 22.6 per cent. Carbon compounds (starch, oil content and fatty acids) increased under elevated CO2 conditions. Oil content under elevated CO2 condition of maize and groundnut was 6.7 and 49.4 per cent, whereas under ambient condition it was 6.6 and 45.5 per cent. The elevated temperature had negative effect on quality aspects (decreased protein, oil and fatty acid composition) of the crops.
Noise and vibration analysis of an inverter-fed three-phase induction motor

This paper presents an experimental study of the vibration and the acoustic noise emitted by inverter-fed induction machines (IMs). The IM fits many applications, due to its cost efficiency and simple construction. Moreover, IMs are characterized by low maintenance, high efficiency, long life, low weight and compactness.However, many applications are also acoustic noise and vibration sensitive. Hence, research is today focusing on the acoustic and vibration performances of induction machines. In the automotive sector, limiting noise and vibration is one of the major factors to improve the driving comfort.In this work, a SVPWM based control techniques has been used to control the phase voltages of one three-phase induction motor, in order to perform vibration and acoustic noise experimental analysis. Experimental results, obtained by performing laboratory tests, have been performed and are discussed.
Manuales y urbanidad: Antecedentes para su historia en Chile

How do you explain the constant need of man to regulate social behavior, in the most diverse periods of history, despite apparently having consolidated the so-called "social pact"? The answer involves several variables, but it shows a permanent challenge that society itself must face. Among them, this paper studies urbanity as a paradigm of self-controlled social behavior and its evolution over time in order to identify its fundamental features. In this context, we will explain how in the 19th century, with the resurgence of classical ideals, the incorporation of urbanity within the curriculum of public and private educational institutions in Chile, as a fundamental element to “civilize and moralize” the young citizens of the new republic . Thus, together with religion and morals, urbanity became one of three fundamental pillars to consolidate the republican order.
Industrial Control Systems (ICS): Cyber-attacks & Security Optimization

Cyber-security of digital industrial control system in reality is complex and challenging research area, due to various interconnections of electro-mechanical related components driving national critical infrastructures. These networked system components performs monitoring and controlling tasks in several industries and organization through the access of Internet connectivity across the world. More recently, there are myriad of security threats and attacks by malicious elements on ICS which now presents a priority to organizations and researchers for optimal security solutions. Development of the Internet and communication systems has also exacerbated such security concerns. Activities of cyber-attacks malicious elements on ICS may result in serious disaster in industrial environments, human casualties and loss. This paper critically looks at the SCADA/industrial control systems, architecture, cyber-attacks. Other aspect of the paper examines current ICS security technologies including a computational secured algorithm for PLC