Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fluorescent Nanosensor Based on Molecularly Imprinted Polymers Coated on Graphene Quantum Dots for Fast Detection of Antibiotics

In this work, we developed a novel fluorescent sensor by combining molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) with graphene quantum dots (GQDs) for the determination of tetracycline (TC) in aqueous samples. Firstly, we developed a one-pot green method to synthesize GQDs as the fluorescent probes. GQDs with carboxyl groups or amino groups were fabricated. It was found that carboxyl groups played an important role in the fluorescence quenching. Based on these findings, the GQDs-MIPs microspheres were prepared using a sol-gel process. GQDs-MIPs showed strong fluorescent emission at 410 nm when excited at 360 nm, and the fluorescence was quenched in the presence of TC. Under optimum conditions, the fluorescence intensity of GQDs-MIPs decreased in response to the increase of TC concentration. The linear rage was from 1.0 to 104 µg·L−1, and the limit of detection was determined to be 1 µg·L−1. The GQDs-MIPs also demonstrated high selectivity towards TC. The fluorescent sensor was successfully applied for the detection of TC in real spiked milk samples.
Expression Profile of Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase A (ACACA) Gene in Layer Chicken during Juvenile Stage

Acetyl-CoA carboxylase A (ACACA) is a rate limiting enzyme and plays a crucial role in the production of precursors of fatty acid biosynthesis. The objective of this study was to analyse the expression levels of ACACA at different ages of juvenile stage in one control layer (CL) chicken strain. As the birds are slow growing, the expression of the gene exhibited an increasing trend. A negative correlation has been found between body weight and mRNA expression of the gene at 6 weeks of age indicating complete utilization of energy for growth. When compared to day 1 expression, gene expression was up-regulated by 1.5, 10.5 and 10.8 folds at day 14, 28 and 42 of the birds, respectively. It is concluded that the expression of ACACA gene was increased gradually as age progressed during juvenile stage in layer chicken.
Hypolipemiant Treatment: Making the Right Choice for Osteoporotic Patients

Abstract Introduction: It has been shown that dyslipidemia is related to bone mineral density and fragility. Hypolipemiant drugs as statins or fibrates seem to increase the bone mineral density and probably to protect against fractures. The question that arises in this context is whether statins or fibrates have a positive effect on bone fracture repair process and which is their behaviour in an osteoporotic context. Our objective was to study the incidence of osteoporosis, dyslipidemia and of the association of these diseases, and to compare the effect of statins and fibrates on fracture repair in experimental conditions. Material and method: We studied the incidence of dyslipidemia and osteoporosis in the activity of a private family medicine cabinet. In the experimental part we observed from a radiographic point of view the fracture repair process of rats’ femurs. We analyzed 6 subgroups of 12 rats each: (1) ovariectomized control, (2) ovariectomized treated with statins, (3) ovariectomized treated with fibrates, (4) nonovariectomized control, (5) ) nonovariectomized treated with statins, (6) ) nonovariectomized treated with fibrates. The radiographic aspect has been objectified with a score at 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks. Results: From the total of 646 patients included in the study, 193 (29.87%) had dyslipidemia while osteoporosis was diagnosed at 152 (23.53%) patients. 301 (46.6%) patients presented the association of these diseases. Comparing the subgroups of the OVX group, we had the following results: subgroup 1 - 5.5 points, group 2 - 11 points and group 3 - 4.5 points. In the case of the NOVX subgroups, the scores were: subgroup 4 - 7.5 points, subgroup 5 - 10 points and subgroup 6 - 6.5 points. Conclusions: The fact that the incidence of dyslipidemia is higher than that of osteoporosis is an argument for the necessity of choosing a hypolipemiant treatment that has, at the same time, a protective effect on bone. Hypolipemiant treatment influences the fracture repair process. The positive effect of statins on this process is more important on the ovariectomized group, in contrast with fibrates which have an accentuated effect on the nonovariectomized group and this suggests an interference between hypolipemiant treatment and estrogens level. However, the treatment with fibrates delays the fracture repair, groups (3) and (6) scores being inferior to those of the control group. We sustain the helping effect of statins treatment on fracture repair process.
Isolation and Biological Activity of the Triterpene Β-Amyrin from the AerialPlant Parts of Maesobotrya Barteri (Baill)

Maesobotrya barteri (Baill), belonging to the family EUPHORBIACEAE, is a medicinal plant growing widely in tropical Africa. The Aerial plant parts of Maesobotrya barteri (Bail) were collected fresh from Orokam, Ogbadibo local Government of Benue State, Nigeria in July, 2013. Taxonomical identification was done by Mallam Musa Abdullahi at the Herbarium unit of Biological sciences Department, ABU, Zaria, Nigeria. Pulverized aerial parts of Maesobotrya barteri (960g) was exhaustively extracted successively using petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol and concentrated in the rotary evaporator at 40°C. The ethyl acetate fraction having the highest activity against test microbes from preliminary crude microbial screenings was subjected to phytochemical studies, antimicrobial analysis and column chromatography (CC). The column chromatography yielded fraction EN, which was further purified using preparative thin layer chromatography to give EN1. The structure of the isolated compound was established using 1-D NMR and 2-D NMR spectroscopic analysis and by direct comparism with data reported in literature was confirmed to be β-amyrin. The bioactivity of this compound was carried out using some clinical pathogens and the activity compared with standard drugs and this was found to be comparable with the standard drug.
Sensorless IPMSM Control Based on an Extended Nonlinear Observer with Rotational Inertia Adjustment and Equivalent Flux Error Compensation

Mechanical and electrical parameter uncertainties cause dynamic and static estimation errors of the rotor speed and position, resulting in performance deterioration of sensorless control systems. This paper applies an extended nonlinear observer to interior permanent magnet synchronous motors (IPMSM) for the simultaneous estimation of the rotor speed and position. Two compensation methods are proposed to improve the observer performance against parameter uncertainties: an on-line rotational inertia adjustment approach that employs the gradient descent algorithm to suppress dynamic estimation errors, and an equivalent flux error compensation approach to eliminate static estimation errors caused by inaccurate electrical parameters. The effectiveness of the proposed control strategy is demonstrated by experimental tests.
Side-Channel Attacks using Convolutional Neural Networks

Side-Channel Attacks, are a prominent type of attacks, used to break cryptographic implementations on a computing system. They are based on information "leaked" by the hardware of a computing system, rather than the encryption algorithm itself. Recent studies showed that Side-Channel Attacks can be performed using Deep Learning models. In this study, we examine the performance of Convolutional Neural Networks, on four different datasets of sidechannel data and we compare our models with conventional Machine Learning algorithms and a CNN model from literature. We found that CNNs have the potential to achieve high accuracy performance (99.3%), although their capacity is heavily influenced by the use case. We also found that certain Machine Learning algorithms can outperform CNNs in certain cases, leaving an open debate on the performance gains of the latter.
Seismic source mechanism imaging

Wavefield-based solutions are robust and facilitate straightforward seismic source parameter estimation. The potential to access multicomponent stress and particle displacement data through new technology such as distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) allows us to formulate the source mechanism imaging problem using full anisotropic elastic wavefields. We propose a method that enables us to obtain the source location and mechanism simultaneously, without the need for lengthy iterative inversion. Our technique requires knowledge of the medium model parameters (also a requirement for any other wavefield-based method) for reverse-time wavefield extrapolation, and the source wavelet (which can be reasonably well estimated) for the imaging condition. The source location and mechanism are inherently embedded in our imaging process. For high-resolution imaging, least-squares solutions diminish artifacts due to limited receiver coverage and illumination. We test our approach on multiple 3D numerical experiments using various combinations of source mechanisms, in order to demonstrate its capability to recover the source parameters.
Monitoring Population Size of Red Deer Cervus Elaphus: An Evaluation of Two Types of Census Data from Norway

Abstract Proper management of wildlife relies on metrics of population development. Typically, the best estimation techniques are too expensive for coarse-scale management. In marine fisheries, catch-per-unit effort is commonly used, but problems may arise due to changes in spatial harvest effort or in habitat use as density changes. Managers in Norway are in the early phases of implementing ′seen deer′ during harvesting and ′spring counts′ on farmland as a means of monitoring red deer Cervus elaphus populations. We provide a first evaluation of how suitable these methods are by comparing the results with population estimates obtained using cohort analysis, and by analysing the within-season variation in number of seen deer. ′Seen deer′ predicted annual increases in populations fairly well. Adjusting for harvesting effort provided less good estimates, due to a proportionally larger increase in effort relative to deer population size as population size increased. The number of seen deer per day decreased rapidly at the beginning of the season, and then levelled off or increased slightly during the rut, especially on farmland. The number of seen deer increased both with the number of harvesters and hours harvested, but at a diminishing rate. The current practice of ′spring counts′ was not successful in predicting population changes, probably due to a lack of replication. Indeed, date strongly affected the number of deer seen during spring counts. While ′seen deer′ seems to be a very promising tool for monitoring population size of red deer, there are some limitations to the practice as implemented for moose Alces alces in Scandinavia due to a more complex relationship with harvesting effort. Our study highlights that the large number of hours harvesters observe wildlife can provide a useful tool for population monitoring. However, the use of such indices may vary between species and according to harvest techniques and should thus be assessed with care before implementation.
A Known in Advance, What Ontologies to Integrate? For Effective Ontology Merging Using K-means Clustering

A significant aspect of any system is how we present the knowledge. Ontology is one of the methods to present shared knowledge of the particular domain. Ontology can be designed and developed on specific domain or subdomain by many groups and researchers, which will create heterogeneity. To solve this problem ontology integration is necessary. To integrate shared knowledge, we require calculating the similarity between two ontologies, selected from a corpus using ontology matching techniques. Here we define a procedure to create a group of ontologies. Ontology comparison can be made using tools to find similar classes. As a similarity measure, Jaccard Similarity Index (JSI) is used create a group of ontology by an algorithm named k means. For each cluster, we generate buckets of ontologies, and from the bucket, all ontologies are grouped in one ontology reducing the attempt of exploring in enquiring understanding in multiple ontologies. Here we have check performance of ontology matching; clustering and merging algorithms script using standard benchmarking techniques of agriculture domain and conference track. Also, compare response time performance of SPARQL (SPARQL Protocol and RDF Query Language) query on merged ontology using this method. For experimentation, we have selected ontology corpus from agriculture domain and conference tack domain of OAEI (Ontology Alignment Evaluation Initiative). At the end of experimentation through our proposed approach we could achieve improvement in average loading and match time in ontology matching process compare to an existing tool. Also, we could achieve significance result in ontology merging process though benchmark parameter of coverage, compactness, and average merge time of two ontologies. Finally, in SPARQL query experimentation, we got success in improvement in reducing search space and response time of the query.
A refined TALDICE-1a age scale from 55 to 112 ka before present for the Talos Dome ice core based on high-resolution methane measurements

Abstract. A precise synchronization of different climate records is indispensable for a correct dynamical interpretation of paleoclimatic data. A chronology for the TALDICE ice core from the Ross Sea sector of East Antarctica has recently been presented based on methane synchronization with Greenland and the EDC ice cores and δ18Oice synchronization with EDC in the bottom part (TALDICE-1). Using new high-resolution methane data obtained with a continuous flow analysis technique, we present a refined age scale for the age interval from 55–112 thousand years (ka) before present, where TALDICE is synchronized with EDC. New and more precise tie points reduce the uncertainties of the age scale from up to 1900 yr in TALDICE-1 to below 1100 yr over most of the refined interval and shift the Talos Dome dating to significantly younger ages during the onset of Marine Isotope Stage 3. Thus, discussions of climate dynamics at sub-millennial time scales are now possible back to 110 ka, in particular during the inception of the last ice age. Calcium data of EDC and TALDICE are compared to show the impact of the refinement to the synchronization of the two ice cores not only for the gas but also for the ice age scale.
Lipid Distribution Variations in Different Stages of Cyclic Corpus Luteum of Indian Buffalo

The present study was conducted on corpus luteum of healthy buffaloes ovaries (n = 24) collected from local slaughter house and were categorized into early (stage I, 1 to 5 days, n=6), mid (stage II, 6 to 11 days, n = 6), late luteal phase (stage III, 12 to 16 days, n = 6) and regressing phase (stage IV, 17 to 20 days, n=6). In the earliest phase i.e., corpus haemorrhagicum, the distribution of total lipids was moderate. However, in the early luteal phase, most of the luteal cells had intense staining for presence of total lipids by Sudan Black B and Oil Red O and phospholipids by Acid Hematin. By the mid luteal phase, fewer luteal cells at this stage showed positive staining for presence of lipids. During the mid luteal phase, the less frequent presence of lipid droplets in luteal cells indicated that cholesterol and its esters present at this stage might have been utilized for active synthesis of progesterone. In late luteal phase, the distribution of lipids increased to depict very intense staining. Moreover, in the regressing phase i.e., corpus albicans, the distribution of lipids increased further and was observed to be both intracellular and extracellular depicting the higher accumulation of lipids in the regressing corpus luteum. The increase in the lipid droplets in luteal cells at this stage indicated the poor mobilization of lipids and thus decline in the progesterone synthesis.
Demystifying China's economic growth: Retrospect and propect

This chapter provides both a retrospective and prospective view of China’s economic growth since 1978. It starts with a review of China’s economic spurt from the reforms of the late 1970s, before investigating how this success has been driven by the demographic dividend, high savings rate, outwardoriented development strategy, as well as rising total factor productivity. The chapter then studies the challenges arising from a diminishing demographic dividend, growing structural imbalance, as well as macro instability and financial risk, which threaten the sustainability of China’s economic growth. Finally, the chapter suggests some pillars to maintain sustainable economic growth and avoid the middle-income trap, including deepening reforms in the financial, household registration and education systems; accelerating structural rebalancing; and replacing massive stimulus with mini-stimulus.
An ns-3 distribution supporting MPTCP and MPEG-DASH obtained by merging community models

MPEG-DASH and MPTCP are two technologies growing in interest and put together they promise greater quality of experience for video consumers and better network resource usage. However, while independent MPEG-DASH and MPTCP implementations exist for ns-3, they are not directly usable together as they suffer from incompatibilities. In this work, we introduce a new ns-3 distribution that packages the AMuSt Framework DASH implementation and the ns-3 MPTCP implementation from University of Sussex such that they can be used together to nourish the flourishing research on Internet video streaming.
Performance, Intestinal Morphology and Microbiology of Broiler Chickens Fed Egg Powder in the Starter Diet

The effect of egg powder inclusion in the pre-starter diet (1-7 days of age) on the performance, and intestinal morphology and microbiology of male broiler chickens was evaluated in a completely randomized design. Starter diets with equal metabolizable energy and crude protein levels were formulated to contain 0, 20, 40, or 60 g egg powder/kg diet. Results showed that body weight, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and European efficiency index were positively affected (p≤0.05) by egg powder inclusion in the starter diet. Inclusion of 40 g egg powder/kg diet in the starter diet promoted the best performance results. Jejunal villus height and villus to crypt ratio increased (p≤0.05) and intestinal length decreased (p≤0.05) as a result of egg powder inclusion in the starter diet. Egg powder inclusion in the starter diet reduced (p≤0.05E. coli counts, but increased (p≤0.05) lactic acid bacteria counts in the small intestine. The results obtained in the present study indicate that the inclusion of 40 60 g egg powder/kg of starter diet g improved the performance and intestinal health of broilers.
Further physicochemical characterization of Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) Benth fruit pulp as a mineral supplement

Fresh Parkia biglobosa fruit pulp was evaluated in terms of its water absorption, foam and emulsion capacities, gelatinization temperature, moisture content, microbial count, swelling and solubility profiles. The Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) were carried out for morphological and thermal analysis. The release of its vitamin C in water at room temperature and that of commercial vitamin C supplements were monitored as a function of time. The pulp had the following properties: water absorption capacity of 466 mL/ 100 g pulp, foam capacity of 7.7%, emulsion capacity of 71.5%, gelatinization temperature of 63°C, and moisture content of 8.3%. The solubility and swelling profiles increased with increase in temperature. The SEM and DSC revealed the presence of an entirely amorphous substance. About 80% of the pulp’s vitamin C was released in water within 20 min which is comparable to that of commercial vitamin C tablet (Mason natural vitamin C supplement). The above results show that the pulp can be granulated and utilized as a mineral supplement.
Antifungal activity and synergistic effect of cinnamaldehyde combined with antioxidants against wood decay fungi

The objective of this study was to investigate the antifungal activity and synergistic effect of cinnamaldehyde combined with antioxidants against wood decay fungi. Five antioxidants, propyl gallate, octyl gallate, quercetin, eugenol and catechin were tested against various wood decay fungi. Octyl gallate and eugenol were found to be the only two antioxidants processed antifungal activities. IC50 values of octyl gallate were 0.47 and 0.04 mM against L. betulina and L. sulphureus, respectively. The IC50 values of eugenol were 0.37 and 0.25 mM against L. betulina and L. sulphureus, respectively. The synergistic effects were also found on the combinations of octyl gallate-cinnamaldehyde and eugenol-cinnamaldehyde. The combination of either using octyl gallate with cinnamaldehyde or eugenol with cinnamaldehyde greatly reduced the concentrations to achieve the inhibitory effect that a higher concentration was needed by octyl gallate, eugenol or cinnamaldehyde alone. The antifungal action of octyl gallate could be attributed to its pyrogallol group functioning as an attached moiety to the hydrophilic portion of the membrane surface and the octyl moiety interfering with the hydrophobic interior surfaces of the membrane. Meanwhile, the synergism of cinnamaldehyde with octyl gallate or eugenol could be due to the interference of fungal cell wall synthesis and destruction on cell wall and membrane plus the additional radical scavenging effect. Results also suggested that antioxidant with fungicidal effect might be a better candidate than pure antioxidant for the system of fungicide/antioxidant.
Designing gradient plotted scaffolds as a tool for improving osteochondral regeneration

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