Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Coxiella burnetii and Co-Infections with Other Major Pathogens Causing Abortion in Small Ruminant Flocks in the Iberian Peninsula

Simple Summary Abortions have a large economic impact in small ruminant flocks. Some abortions may be induced by non-infectious causes but most of them are due to a broad spectrum of abortifacient infectious agents. In this study, abortion cases from sheep (n: 1242) and goat (n: 371) flocks in the Iberian Peninsula were analyzed for the presence of Coxiella burnetii and other major abortifacients using molecular methods. C. burnetii and Chlamydia abortus were by far the most common pathogens circulating in sheep and goat flocks, since approximately 75% of cases from both hosts tested positive. C. burnetii infection was more prevalent in goats than sheep and was detected in almost half of caprine abortions. A significant proportion of C. burnetii PCR-positive cases were positive only for this bacterium in both ovine (33.1%) and caprine (63.2%) abortions, with the remaining cases harboring mixed infections. Toxoplasma gondii was the third most prevalent pathogen in both caprine (4.6%) and ovine (10.1%) abortions, followed by Campylobacter sp. , Salmonella enterica, border disease virus and Neospora caninum. To the best of our knowledge, this is one of the most thorough studies reported in the literature regarding the presence of infectious agents in ovine and caprine abortions. Abstract Coxiella burnetii is an intracellular bacterium causing human Q fever and reproductive disorders in domestic ruminants. We analyzed the occurrence of C. burnetii and co-infections with six other major pathogens causing abortion in sheep (1242 cases) and goat (371 cases) flocks from Spain and Portugal. After real-time PCR detection, co-infections were established by principal component and cluster analysis that grouped cases based on the joint presence/absence of several microorganisms. C. burnetii and Chlamydia abortus were the most common abortifacient agents with approximately 75% of cases from both hosts testing positive, followed by Toxoplasma gondii, Campylobacter sp. , Salmonella enterica, border disease virus and Neospora caninum. C. burnetii was significantly more common than C. abortus in goat abortions (p < 0.001). Co-infections with at least two pathogens were found in more than 66% cases of ovine abortions and 36% cases of caprine abortions testing positive for C. burnetii, mostly including mixed infections with only C. abortus. These findings indicate that both pathogens are the most significant ones to be readily prevented by vaccination in this geographical area. Biosecurity and biocontainment measures are also steadfastly recommended to prevent both the economic losses and public health risks associated with most of these abortifacient agents.
Verbal deception in picture naming

Telling a lie requires several cognitive processes. We investigated three cognitive processes involved in verbal deception: the decision to deceive, the suppression of the true statement, and the construction of the false statement. In a standard picture-naming task, participants were instructed to commit true and false naming statements. Critically, participants could freely decide to name the picture (i.e., true naming events) or to commit a verbal deception and use a different name (i.e., false naming events). Different types of analysis were performed with the aim of exploring the influence of semantic, lexical, and phonological information of the target picture in the decision, suppression, and construction processes. The first type of analysis revealed that participants decided to lie more often when the target picture was less typical or less familiar. The second and third types of analysis focused on the false naming events. False naming latencies turned out to be faster when the name of the target picture was a highly frequent or an earlier-acquired name, suggesting an influence of lexical variables in the suppression of the true statement. The third analysis type explored the phonological relationship between the word that participants uttered in the false statements and the target picture name. No phonological influences emerged in this last analysis. These findings demonstrate that verbal deception is tied to semantic and lexical variables corresponding to true statements.
ACC Deaminase Produced by PGPR Mitigates the Adverse Effect of Osmotic and Salinity Stresses in Pisum sativum through Modulating the Antioxidants Activities

Salinity-induced ethylene production and reactive oxygen species (ROS) inhibit agricultural productivity. The plant synthesizes ethylene directly from aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC). By using ACC as a nitrogen source, bacteria with ACC deaminase (ACCD) inhibit the overproduction of ethylene, thereby maintaining the ROS. The present study investigated the ACCD activity of previously identified rhizobacterial strains in Dworkin and Foster (DF) minimal salt media supplemented with 5 mM ACC (as N-source). Bacterial isolates GKP KS2_7 (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and MBD 133 (Bacillus subtilis) could degrade ACC into α-ketobutyrate, exhibiting ACCD activity producing more than ~257 nmol of α-ketobutyrate mg protein−1 h−1, and were evaluated for other plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits including indole acetic acid production (>63 µg/mL), phosphate solubilization (>86 µg mL−1), siderophore (>20%) ammonia and exopolysaccharide production. Furthermore, Fourier Transform Infrared analysis also demonstrated α-ketobutyrate liberation from ACC deamination in DF minimal salt media, thereby confirming the ACCD activity. These isolates also showed enhanced tolerance to salinity stress of 3% w/v NaCl in vitro, in addition to facilitating multifarious PGP activities. Seed bacterization by these ACCD-producing bacterial isolates (GKP KS2_7 and MBD 133) revealed a significant decline in stress-stimulated ethylene levels and its associated growth inhibition during seedling germination. They also mitigated the negative effects of salt stress and increased the root-shoot length, fresh and dry weight of root and shoot, root-shoot biomass, total sugar, protein, reducing sugar, chlorophyll content, and antioxidants enzymes in Pisum sativum. As a result, these strains (GKP KS2_7 and MBD 133) might be applied as biofertilizers to counteract the negative effects of soil salinity.
Hand Gesture Recognition Using EMG-IMU Signals and Deep Q-Networks

Hand gesture recognition systems (HGR) based on electromyography signals (EMGs) and inertial measurement unit signals (IMUs) have been studied for different applications in recent years. Most commonly, cutting-edge HGR methods are based on supervised machine learning methods. However, the potential benefits of reinforcement learning (RL) techniques have shown that these techniques could be a viable option for classifying EMGs. Methods based on RL have several advantages such as promising classification performance and online learning from experience. In this work, we developed an HGR system made up of the following stages: pre-processing, feature extraction, classification, and post-processing. For the classification stage, we built an RL-based agent capable of learning to classify and recognize eleven hand gestures—five static and six dynamic—using a deep Q-network (DQN) algorithm based on EMG and IMU information. The proposed system uses a feed-forward artificial neural network (ANN) for the representation of the agent policy. We carried out the same experiments with two different types of sensors to compare their performance, which are the Myo armband sensor and the G-force sensor. We performed experiments using training, validation, and test set distributions, and the results were evaluated for user-specific HGR models. The final accuracy results demonstrated that the best model was able to reach up to 97.50%±1.13% and 88.15%±2.84% for the classification and recognition, respectively, with regard to static gestures, and 98.95%±0.62% and 90.47%±4.57% for the classification and recognition, respectively, with regard to dynamic gestures with the Myo armband sensor. The results obtained in this work demonstrated that RL methods such as the DQN are capable of learning a policy from online experience to classify and recognize static and dynamic gestures using EMG and IMU signals.
BK channels in microglia

Large-conductance calcium- and voltage-dependent potassium (BK) channels are ubiquitously expressed in mammalian cells and participate in various physiological and pathological processes such as neurotransmission and cerebral ischemia. BK channels comprise up to four pore-forming α subunits and zero to four accessory subunits. Although microglial BK currents were initially recorded 27 years ago, their roles have long been elusive. Studies have demonstrated that BK channels modulate the activation, phagocytosis, and probably migration of microglia and have associated microglial BK channels with many neurological diseases, including neuropathic pain and stroke. This review summarizes the available information regarding the biophysical, functional, and pathological aspects of microglial BK channels and discusses future directions of research into these channels.
Effective mass in picosecond laser-produced high-density plasma in silicon

Picosecond laser-produced plasmas in silicon attain carrier densities of about 1021/cm3and temperatures of up to the melting point of about 1700 K. The optical data indicate only a slight increase of about 20 percent in the optical effective mass from the value at low density and room temperature. A simple model calculation is presented which confirms this behavior.
Leveraging Journaling File System for Prompt Secure Deletion on Interlaced Recording Drives

With the growing awareness of secure computation, more and more users want to make their digital footprints securely deleted and irrecoverable after updating or removing files on storage devices. To achieve the effect of secure deletion, overwritten-based secure deletion techniques have been proposed to overwrite invalidated storage space with scrambled data content. Nevertheless, overwritten-based secure deletion requires explicit write requests for rewriting invalidated storage space with random data, thus incurring additional internal write traffic on storage devices. Recently, this inefficient aspect of secure deletion is exacerbated by the emergence of high-density interlaced magnetic recording (IMR) technology. IMR technology enhances the storage density of hard disk drives by interlacing narrower top tracks on wider bottom tracks. Owing to the interlaced track layout, securely erasing invalidated data on bottom tracks interferes with adjacent top tracks and track rewrites are required to preserve valid data on top tracks; thus, overwritten-based secure deletion on IMR drives significantly enlarges the internal write traffic and impairs the secure deletion efficiency. In this paper, instead of directly alleviating the constraint induced by the interlaced track layout, we propose leveraging the interlaced track layout of IMR drives in combination with the journaling data stream of journaling file systems to enable prompt secure data deletion while minimizing the write traffic of secure deletion operations. Experimental results suggest that the performance improvement achieve by the proposed prompt secure deletion (P-SD) strategy is 51.84% on average, when compared with the previous TrackLace approach on IMR drives.
Charge Distribution in Layered Lanthanide-Doped CuCr0.99Ln0.01S2 (Ln = Pr–Tb) Thermoelectric Materials

The charge distribution study of metal atoms in CuCr0.99Ln0. 01S2 (Ln = Pr–Tb) solid solutions was carried out using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The analysis of the binding energy of S2p, Cu2p, Cr2p, Ln3d and Ln4d levels allows one to determine the oxidation state of atoms. Copper atoms were found to be monovalent. Chromium and lanthanide atoms were found to be in the trivalent state. Sulfur atoms were found to be in the divalent state. Cationic substitution was found to occur via an isovalent mechanism of Cr3+ to Ln3+. The obtained results were used for the interpretation of the Seebeck coefficient increase for CuCr0.99Ln0. 01S2 solid solutions in contrast to the initial CuCrS2 matrix. The largest Seebeck coefficient values of 142 and 148 µV/K were observed at 500 K for CuCr0.99Sm0. 01S2 and CuCr0.99Pr0. 01S2, respectively. The obtained values are 1.4 times greater in comparison with those for the initial matrix (105 µV/K).
Gauge invariant derivation of the AC Stark shift

The time-dependent AC Stark shift for an atom in a classical electromagnetic field is derived in a manifestly gauge invariant way. In the electric dipole approximation (EDA) the time-dependent AC Stark shift is obtained in second order both from the gauge invariant formula and from the conventional approach. The conventional approach uses the unperturbed Hamiltonian H0 with an interaction A.p plus A2 (constants omitted). In the EDA the gauge invariant approach simplifies in a gauge in which the energy operator reduces to H0 and the interaction is proportional to E.r. The time-dependent AC Stark shifts calculated by the two methods are different. In the static limit the gauge invariant energy gives the correct shift, while the energy calculated from the conventional interaction does not. When the energies are averaged over all times the same average AC Stark shifts are obtained.
Influence of Stirring Speed on Glucose and Ethanol Production in Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation Process

Lignocellulosic biomass has a potential to be coverted to bioethanol which can be a new alternative for fossil fuel. Empty fruit bunches (EFB) is one of the most abundant lignocellulosic biomass in Malaysia, which has high content of cellulose and posses favorable physiochemical characteristics for bioethanol production via a process called simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF). In SSF process, the reaction is initiated by diffusion and consolidation of the enzyme and its substrate. Thus, optimum stirring speed is crucial, as diffusion rate of substrates is influenced by the agitation of reaction mixture. The influence of stirring speed on the glucose and ethanol concentration in SSF process was investigated in the current study. Initially, 5 % (g/ml) of pretreated EFB in 1.5 liter of 0.05 M buffer citrate pH 4.8 were sterilized in autoclave at 121°C for 20 minutes. Then, enzyme Cellic Ctec-2 solution with concentration (1%) were added together with 1.5% (g/ml) Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast in the bioreactor. The process was conducted in the bioreactor under temperature of 37°C with stirring speed of 100 rpm for 72 hours. SSF process experiments were repeated with the same setup except by varying the stirring speed (150 and 200 rpm) independently. From the results, the glucose concentration and ethanol yield of 200 rpm indicated less concentration in every 24 hours compared to 150 rpm and 100 rpm. The stirring speed of 150 rpm shows the highest glucose concentration (1.914 mg/ml) and ethanol yield (16%) obtained after 72 hours and determined as the best stirring speed for this experiment.
Escoamentos de fluidos magnéticos em uma cavidade

Resumo . Neste trabalho, estudamos escoamentos de fluidos magnéticos em uma cavidade com parede superior móvel. Propomos uma formulação vorticidade-função de corrente para resolver o escoamento e a equação de evolução da magnetização. As equações que regem o escoamento foram discretizadas utilizando o método de diferenças finitas. Identificamos os principais parâmetros físicos adimensionais do problema como o número de Reynolds, coeficiente de pressão magnética, tempo de relaxação magnética, magnetização de saturação e a intensidade adimensional do campo aplicado. O campo magnético é gerado por um fio condutor pelo qual passa uma corrente elétrica permanente. Nesta geometria bem conhecida, estudamos os efeitos do campo magnético no escoamento. Palavras-chave . cavidade com parede móvel, fluido magnético, magnetização, diferenças finitas, formulação vorticidade-função de corrente, equações de Shliomis.
The Edmonton tornado and hailstorm: A decade of research by R. B. Charlton, B. M. Kachman and L. Wojtiw. *

that Ekman pumping affects the mean wind at any level and gustsllulls are just superimposed turbulence, although their effect can give the impression of wind shifts due to sail aerodynamics and keel reaction. However, the author does conclude that the “gust and veer, lull and back” relationship is unreliable. Overall, I felt the real application of the book would be more one of trying to explain the success (or failure) of one day’s racing in order to improve on it the next. As such, the book generally succeeds in setting out and explaining the many finely balanced forces which interact to make the local wind and how the sailor can make the best use of it. It is a good background read for racing sailors, although I believe rather theoretical in many areas, but could contribute much to discussion in sailing clubs. Whereas Weather at sea is a suitable meteorological appetiser for all sailors, Wind strategy is perhaps more ‘apres sail’ for the experienced racer.
Analysis of the Effect of Employee Engagement Mediated Human Resources on Developer Companies in Batam City

Employee involvement usually affects human resources at company developers in Batam City. The study's primary objective was to identify the factors that most affected employee performance via the medium of employee engagement. The variables of training & development, compensation & benefits, leadership, recruitment & selection, and awards & recognition. The sample of this research are employees of a developer company in Batam City, where the sample acquisition is 384 data. In addition, the SmartPLS 3.2. 9 program will be used to analyze the data samples. The test data obtained in this study, namely the direct test, showed that employee engagement was positively and significantly influenced by employee performance, and training & development, while compensation & benefits, leadership, recruitment & selection and reward & recognition were not. The direct test also shows that employee engagement is positively and significantly affected by employee performance, while the independent variable is not. The indirect test results through independent variables did not succeed in mediating employee engagement on employee performance.
PENGARUH CAPITAL ADEQUACY RATIO, NON PERFORMING FINANCING, FINANCING TO DEPOSIT RATIO, OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY RATIO, DAN PROFIT SHARING RATIO TERHADAP KINERJA KEUANGAN BANK UMUM SYARIAH

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR), Non Performing Financing (NPF), Financing to Deposit Ratio (FDR), Operational Efficiency Ratio (OER), and Profit Sharing Ratio (PSR) on Financial Performance in Islamic Commercial Bank. The sample used in this study was nine banks, with the sampling technique using purposive sampling. The analytical methode used is multiple linear regressien with Eviews application tools. The result shows that CAR has no effect on ROA, NPF has a significant negative effect on ROA, FDR has no effcet on ROA, OER has a significant negative effect on ROA, and PSR has no effect on ROA. Simultaneously CAR, NPF, FDR, OER, and PSR affect ROA
A Cross-Sectional Study on Physical Activity and Psychological Distress in Adults with Asthma

Physical Activity (PA) could contribute to decreasing psychological distress and improving Self-Perceived Health (SPH) in adults with Asthma. The main objective of this study was to analyse the associations between the Physical Activity Level (PAL) Perceived Social Support (PSS) and Mental Health, using the Goldberg General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), and SPH in the adult population with Asthma. This descriptive cross-sectional study is based on data from the 2017 Spanish National Health Survey, including 1040 participants with Asthma in the study. The Kruskal–Wallis test was performed to study the hypothetical differences between the PAL and the different variables derived from the GHQ-12. In addition, correlations between the variables generated and the items of the GHQ-12, together with the PAL and the Duke-UNC-11, were analysed using Spearman’s rho correlation coefficients. Inverse correlations were found between Mental Health and PSS (rho: −0.351) and between Mental Health and PAL (rho: −0.209), as well as in the rest of the GHQ-12 items: successful coping (rho: −0.197), self-esteem (rho: −0.193) and stress (rho: −0.145). The more active subjects had better SPH. Therefore, the research showed how higher PAL and positive SPH are related to lower psychological distress in adults with Asthma.
Illuminator of Opportunity Localization for Digital Broadcast-Based Passive Radar in Moving Platforms

This article addresses the problem of illuminator of opportunity (IO) localization for digital broadcast-based passive radar (PR) on moving platforms. Due to the orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) modulation, digital broadcast [DTMB, digital video broadcasting terrestrial (DVB-T), and digital audio broadcasting (DAB), etc.] signals have a periodic structure. Using the periodic structure of the signal, we propose a digital broadcast IO localization method by a single PR on a moving platform, including a fine time of arrival (TOA) estimation and a closed-form IO localization solution. Taking the DTMB signal as an example, a fine TOA estimation method is proposed using the time-domain pseudorandom noise sequence. Simulation analyzes show that the fine TOA estimation method can obtain an accuracy close to that of Cramér–Rao lower bound (CRLB), and it is robust to multipath environments and Doppler. The closed-form IO localization solutions for the linear track case and nonlinear track case are derived using the two-step weighted least squares method. Field testing campaigns of TOA estimation on the stationary platform are carried out, and the TOA estimation accuracy can reach 0.1 m in practical environments. A digital broadcast IO localization experiment is carried out in Northwest China, and the effectiveness of the location method is demonstrated.
Structural hybrids of sulfonamide and thiazole moieties: Synthesis and evaluation of antimicrobial activity

Abstract For the discovery of new antimicrobial drugs, new derivatives of sulfonamide having thiazole ring were synthesized. The new series of sulfonamide derivatives were synthesized starting from 4-(arylsulfonamido)-acetophenone thiosemicarbazones 2a–f. Cyclization of thiosemicarbazone derivatives 2a–f by using ethyl chloroacetate and chloroacetone gave the thiazolidin-4-ones 3a–f and 4-methylthiazoles 4a–e, respectively. The antimicrobial properties of the synthesized compounds were investigated. The major thiosemicarbazone and thiazole derivatives gave no effect on most of the tested microorganisms. Incorporation phenyl group at both of the N-4 of thiosemicarbazones and the sulfonamide as in compound 2f gave moderate effects against most of the screened Gram-positive bacteria. Graphical Abstract