Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Microphysical processes producing high ice water contents (HIWCs) in tropical convective clouds during the HAIC-HIWC field campaign: dominant role of secondary ice production

Abstract. High ice water content (HIWC) regions in tropical deep convective clouds, composed of high concentrations of small ice crystals, were not reproduced by Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model simulations at 1-km horizontal grid spacing using four different bulk microphysics schemes (i.e., the WRF single‐moment 6‐class microphysics scheme (WSM6), the Morrison scheme and the Predicted Particle Properties (P3) scheme with one- and two-ice options) for conditions encountered during the High Altitude Ice Crystals (HAIC)-HIWC experiment. Instead, overestimates of radar reflectivity and underestimates of ice number concentrations were realized. To explore formation mechanisms for large numbers of small ice crystals in tropical convection, a series of quasi-idealized WRF simulations varying the model resolution, aerosol profile, and representation of secondary ice production (SIP) processes are conducted based on an observed radiosonde released at Cayenne during the HAIC-HIWC field campaign. The P3 two-ice scheme, which has two “free” ice categories to represent all ice-phase hydrometeors, is used. Regardless of the horizontal grid spacing or aerosol profile used, without including SIP processes the model produces total ice number concentrations about two orders of magnitude less than observed at −10 °C and about an order of magnitude less than observed at −30 °C, but slightly overestimates the total ice number concentrations at −45 °C. Three simulations including one of three SIP mechanisms separately (i.e., the Hallett-Mossop mechanism, fragmentation during ice–ice collisions, and shattering of freezing droplets) also do not replicate observed HIWCs, with the results of the simulation including shattering of freezing droplets most closely resembling the observations. The simulation including all three SIP processes successfully produces HIWC regions at all temperature levels remarkably consistent with the observations in terms of ice number concentrations and radar reflectivity, which is not replicated using the original P3 two-ice scheme. This simulation shows that primary ice production plays a key role in generating HIWC regions at t < 30 min at temperatures < −40 °C, shattering of freezing droplets dominates ice particle production in HIWC regions at temperatures > − 15 °C during the early stage of convection, and fragmentation during ice–ice collisions dominates at temperatures > −15 °C during the later stage of convection and at temperatures < −20 °C over the whole convection period. This study confirms the dominant role of SIP processes in the formation of numerous small crystals in HIWC regions.
Animal Models of Coenzyme Q Deficiency: Mechanistic and Translational Learnings

Coenzyme Q (CoQ) is a vital lipophilic molecule that is endogenously synthesized in the mitochondria of each cell. The CoQ biosynthetic pathway is complex and not completely characterized, and it involves at least thirteen catalytic and regulatory proteins. Once it is synthesized, CoQ exerts a wide variety of mitochondrial and extramitochondrial functions thank to its redox capacity and its lipophilicity. Thus, low levels of CoQ cause diseases with heterogeneous clinical symptoms, which are not always understood. The decreased levels of CoQ may be primary caused by defects in the CoQ biosynthetic pathway or secondarily associated with other diseases. In both cases, the pathomechanisms are related to the CoQ functions, although further experimental evidence is required to establish this association. The conventional treatment for CoQ deficiencies is the high doses of oral CoQ10 supplementation, but this therapy is not effective for some specific clinical presentations, especially in those involving the nervous system. To better understand the CoQ biosynthetic pathway, the biological functions linked to CoQ and the pathomechanisms of CoQ deficiencies, and to improve the therapeutic outcomes of this syndrome, a variety of animal models have been generated and characterized in the last decade. In this review, we show all the animal models available, remarking on the most important outcomes that each model has provided. Finally, we also comment some gaps and future research directions related to CoQ metabolism and how the current and novel animal models may help in the development of future research studies.
Cluster-Assembled Semiconductor CdO Polymorph with Good Ductility, High Carrier Mobility, and Promising Optical Properties

Recently, the magic cluster Cd12O12 with cagelike structure has been experimentally synthesized, which is expected to serve as building blocks of desirable new materials. On the basis of the cluster-assembled bottom-up approach, herein, we construct four kinds of stable low-density CdO polymorphs (i.e., SOD, LTA, FAU, and EMT), which are energetically more stable than the high-pressure B2-CdO phase. In the framework, the cage structure of the building block Cd12O12 is well preserved for all of these new phases. Our calculations show that the SOD phase with the lowest energy is mechanically, dynamically, and thermally stable (at least to 500 K). Remarkably, the SOD is a very ductile (77 GPa bulk modulus) semiconductor with a direct band gap of 1.57 eV. This optimal gap makes the SOD a promising photovoltaic material, which would have a large absorption in the visible light region. Furthermore, the calculations of transport properties from the deform potential approximation reveal that the SOD phase has not.
Enterococcus spp.: Is It a Bad Choice for a Good Use—A Conundrum to Solve?

Since antiquity, the ubiquitous lactic acid bacteria (LAB) Enterococci, which are just as predominant in both human and animal intestinal commensal flora, have been used (and still are) as probiotics in food and feed production. Their qualities encounter several hurdles, particularly in terms of the array of virulence determinants, reflecting a notorious reputation that nearly prevents their use as probiotics. Additionally, representatives of the Enterococcus spp. genus showed intrinsic resistance to several antimicrobial agents, and flexibility to acquire resistance determinants encoded on a broad array of conjugative plasmids, transposons, and bacteriophages. The presence of such pathogenic aspects among some species represents a critical barrier compromising their use as probiotics in food. Thus, the genus neither has Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status nor has it been included in the Qualified Presumption of Safety (QPS) list implying drastic legislation towards these microorganisms. To date, the knowledge of the virulence factors and the genetic structure of foodborne enterococcal strains is rather limited. Although enterococcal infections originating from food have never been reported, the consumption of food carrying virulence enterococci seems to be a risky path of transfer, and hence, it renders them poor choices as probiotics. Auspiciously, enterococcal virulence factors seem to be strain specific suggesting that clinical isolates carry much more determinants that food isolates. The latter remain widely susceptible to clinically relevant antibiotics and subsequently, have a lower potential for pathogenicity. In terms of the ideal enterococcal candidate, selected strains deemed for use in foods should not possess any virulence genes and should be susceptible to clinically relevant antibiotics. Overall, implementation of an appropriate risk/benefit analysis, in addition to the case-by-case assessment, the establishment of a strain’s innocuity, and consideration for relevant guidelines, legislation, and regulatory aspects surrounding functional food development seem to be the crucial elements for industries, health-staff and consumers to accept enterococci, like other LAB, as important candidates for useful and beneficial applications in food industry and food biotechnology. The present review aims at shedding light on the world of hurdles and limitations that hampers the Enterococcus spp. genus and its representatives from being used or proposed for use as probiotics. The future of enterococci use as probiotics and legislation in this field are also discussed.
The impact of human resource management (hrm) practices on employee satisfaction level and performance

Human Resource Management is a significant function in a company designed to improve human resource performance in provision of their management strategic objectives. Human resource is primarily concerned with how workforces are maintained with in companies’ concentrating on plans, procedures and systems. This study focuses on Information Technology sector in India.This study analyzes the Human Resource Management (HRM) practices that increase employee satisfaction towards the company to enhance employee performance in the organization. Effective Human Resource practices can reduce employee turnover and increase retention rate within an organization. These practices are health and safety measures, Working environment, Welfare programmes, Training and Development, Compensation management, Reward management, Industrial relations, Work life balance, and Fringe benefits. The analysis identified the significance of employee retention practices to improve retention rate of IT organizations. The study targeted a sample of 615 respondents. A questionnaire was developed in this analysis with the help of previous studies or literature to measure the identified HR practices and related with employee retention. Samples were collected using questionnaire from 102 employees in order to test the hypothesis. ANOVA test was done using SPSS_v20 to find out the impact of Human resource practices variables on employee satisfaction level and performance. It was found that there was a significant relationship and identified major impact of reward management and compensation plans on employee performance whereas welfare programmes had less impact on employee performance.
Sensitivity calibration of a three-axis accelerometer under different temperature conditions using the hybrid GA–PSO–BPNN algorithm

Purpose Three-axis accelerometers play a vital role in monitoring the vibrations in aircraft machinery, especially in variable flight temperature environments. The sensitivity of a three-axis accelerometer under different temperature conditions needs to be calibrated before the flight test. Hence, the authors investigated the efficiency and sensitivity calibration of three-axis accelerometers under different conditions. This paper aims to propose the novel calibration algorithm for the three-axis accelerometers or the similar accelerometers. Design/methodology/approach The authors propose a hybrid genetic algorithm–particle swarm optimisation–back-propagation neural network (GA–PSO–BPNN) algorithm. This method has high global search ability, fast convergence speed and strong non-linear fitting capability; it follows the rules of natural selection and survival of the fittest. The authors describe the experimental setup for the calibration of the three-axis accelerometer using a three-comprehensive electrodynamic vibration test box, which provides different temperatures. Furthermore, to evaluate the performance of the hybrid GA–PSO–BPNN algorithm for sensitivity calibration, the authors performed a detailed comparative experimental analysis of the BPNN, GA–BPNN, PSO–BPNN and GA–PSO–BPNN algorithms under different temperatures (−55, 0 , 25 and 70 °C). Findings It has been showed that the prediction error of three-axis accelerometer under the hybrid GA–PSO–BPNN algorithm is the least (approximately ±0.1), which proved that the proposed GA–PSO–BPNN algorithm performed well on the sensitivity calibration of the three-axis accelerometer under different temperatures conditions. Originality/value The designed GA–PSO–BPNN algorithm with high global search ability, fast convergence speed and strong non-linear fitting capability has been proposed to decrease the sensitivity calibration error of three-axis accelerometer, and the hybrid algorithm could reach the global optimal solution rapidly and accurately.
Perspective on computational simulations of glycosaminoglycans

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) represent a formidable frontier for chemists, biochemists, biologists, medicinal chemists, and drug delivery specialists because of massive structural complexity. GAGs are arguably the most complex, natural linear biopolymers with theoretical diversity orders of magnitude higher than proteins and nucleic acids. Yet, this diversity remains generally untapped. Computational approaches offer major routes to understand GAG structure and dynamics so as to enable novel applications of these biopolymers. In fact, computational algorithms, softwares, online tools, and techniques have reached a level of sophistication that help understand atomistic details of conformational variation and protein recognition of individual GAG sequences. This review describes current approaches and challenges in computational study of GAGs. It presents a history of major findings since the earliest mention of GAGs (the 1960s), the development of parameters and force fields specific for GAGs, and the application of these tools in understanding GAG structure–function relationship. This review also presents a section on how to perform simulation of GAGs, which is directed toward researchers interested in entering this promising field with potential to impact therapy.
Measuring Vapor and Liquid Concentrations for Binary and Ternary Systems in a Microbubble Distillation Unit via Gas Sensors

A cost effective, fast, and accurate technique was needed to measure the vapor composition of a binary system (ethanol-water) and also that of a liquid composition in a ternary system (acetic acid-acetol–water) in a microbubble distillation unit. Cheap TGS-series gas sensors were used for this purpose with both calibrations and measurements carried out in a specially designed chamber. A single parameter polynomial regression was fitted to the binary system, and a two parameter polynomial with an interaction term was fitted to the ternary system. The correlation coefficient, R-squared, was found to be greater than 0.99 for both systems, thus validating the implementation of this novel sensor.
A Multi-Load Capacitive Power Relay System With Load-Independent Constant Current Outputs

This article proposes a power relay system to wirelessly power multiple loads via capacitive coupling. The intermediate capacitive relay unit is designed to power the load as well as enhance the power transfer capability, which contains two receiving plates and two transmitting plates. It is proven in this article that the capacitive coupling between the receiving and transmitting plates in the same relay unit can be eliminated by being placed perpendicularly with the help of the proposed split-inductor-based compensation network. A general mathematical model of the multiload capacitive power relay system is established. The L compensation circuits are employed to compensate the first and the last relays, while the LCL compensation circuits are designed to compensate the intermediate relays. Thus, the constant current output can be obtained for each load without affecting each other when neglecting the parasitic resistances. Additionally, the load current and efficiency variations versus the load resistance, coupling coefficient, and quality factor are thoroughly analyzed. Finally, a three-load experimental prototype is constructed to verify the feasibility of the proposed multiload capacitive power transfer relay system. The maximum efficiency can reach 86.1% at a power level of 37 W.
Spontaneous Direct Band Gap, High Hole Mobility, and Huge Exciton Energy in Atomic-Thin TiO2 Nanosheet

The quasi-particle band structure, carrier mobility, and optical response of atomic-thin TiO2 nanosheets were accurately predicted with the many-body perturbation theory of G0W0+BSE calculations. The lepidocrocite-type TiO2 exhibits an unexpected direct band gap of 5.3 eV, different from the retaining indirect band gap character in anatase-type TiO2 nanosheet. Because of the dispersive valence band maxima from the strong overlap between O-2p orbitals, an extremely high hole mobility of 1069 cm2 V–1 s–1 was proposed for the lepidocrocite-type TiO2 nanosheet. Including the electron–hole exchange of excitonic effect, our simulations well reproduce the experimental absorption spectra implying a huge exciton binding energy. The strong anisotropic exciton originates from the crystal dependent effective mass in the lepidocrocite-type TiO2 nanosheet due to the asymmetric orbital overlaps. The strongly bound exciton still renders a sufficiently high potential for hydrogen production from aqueous solution, although.
Apoptotic Effect of Brassinin via Inhibition of CNOT2 and Activation of p53 and Its Combination Effect with Doxorubicin

Brassinin derived from Chinese cabbage has been reported to act as an anti-cancer agent on prostate, liver, and colon cancer cells. However, its mechanism and impact are largely unknown in colon cancer cells. Here, we first published a report that Brassinin induces apoptosis and inhibits the survival of colon cancer cells by activating p53. We found that Brassinin induces p53 and p21 dose- and time-dependent manner in wild type of p53 colon cancer cells. Interestingly, Brassinin induces apoptosis in wild-type of p53 cancer cells, but not in null-type of p53 cancer cells dose dependently. Additionally, Brassinin induces apoptosis through L5. Furthermore, Brassinin enhanced the apoptotic effect with doxorubicin by activating p53. Altogether, our findings suggest that Brassinin is a new p53 regulator via induce apoptosis and inhibit the proliferation in colon cancer cells.
Magnetophoretic Equilibrium of a Polydisperse Ferrofluid

The equilibrium concentration distribution of magnetic nanoparticles in a nonuniform magnetic field is studied theoretically. A linear current-carrying wire is used as a source of a nonuniform field. An exact solution for the concentration profile of a dilute monodisperse suspension is obtained within the framework of the continuous mass transfer theory. The applicability of this solution in a broad range of amperage values is tested using Langevin dynamics simulations. Obtained solution is also generalized for polydisperse suspensions. It is demonstrated that the particle size distribution in a polydisperse system strongly depends on the distance from the wire and in general does not coincide with the original distribution of a uniform suspension.
Engineered hyporheic zones: design and applications in stream health restoration- a review

Anthropogenic deterioration of streams and rivers have affected their surface-subsurface linkages. This has led to the degradation of hyporheic zones, a sensitive interface between stream channel and its surrounding sediments, responsible for transforming pollutants, natural solutes and supporting benthic communities. Several authors have reported the influence of stream restoration measures on hyporheic exchanges and have called for the inclusion of hyporheic zone restorations in stream management. Engineered Hyporheic Zones (EHZ) is the creation of artificial transition area due to induced hyporheic flows, brought about by some feature modifications done to the stream channel or its subsurface. These feature modifications and its implications have been investigated through lab experiments, outdoor flumes, modelling and field studies for several years. This paper attempts to summarize the endeavours made in the study of EHZ and its applications in water quality improvement and habitat restoration. A comprehensive review of upto date literature with specific focus on the influence of engineered structures on hyporheic exchanges is presented, followed by the comparison of preferences opted for different studies and their limitations. The paper ends with suggestive future scope in EHZ studies and its potential as a low cost alternative treatment technology for river restoration.
On-Demand Container Resizing

Containers are lightweight virtualization and isolation environments for running applications. Typically, the resource allocation of containers, in terms of CPU, memory, network bandwidth, is set before deployment. However, the actual application resource usage changes dynamically while the resource allocated to containers are kept constant. This may contribute to applications termination or throttling owing to insufficient resource or resource under-utilization due to improper sizing. To solve this problem, the concept of on-demand container resizing was proposed, which indicates the resource allocations are able to change with changes in actual resource usage automatically. In this thesis, we focus on vertical pod autoscaling, as named by the Kubernetes community. We observe that the autoscaling mechanism in the current vertical pod autoscaler may perform poorly in fine-grained time intervals, where the CPU usage is highly variable per minute, or even per second. Thus, in this thesis, we propose a finer-grained vertical pod autoscaling mechanism for Kubernetes and integrate it into the vertical pod autoscaler component to make it plug and play. We compare our autoscaling strategy with the default autoscaling strategy in the current vertical pod autoscaler component, showing that our strategy performs closer recommendation values to the actual container CPU usage without trend delay. Then, we compare our autoscaling mechanism with another autoscaling mechanism based on Holt-Winters exponential smoothing and Long Short-term Memory. Our autoscaling mechanism shows a lower average slack in YCSB workloads. Moreover, our autoscaling mechanism presents higher usability than HW-based and LSTM-based autoscaling mechanisms at least in short-term workloads due to our algorithms inexpensive computational complexity.
Novel Two-Dimensional Semiconductor SnP3 with High Carrier Mobility, Good Light Absorption, and Strong Interlayer Quantum Confinement

We propose a novel two-dimensional (2D) SnP3 crystal that possesses low indirect band gaps of 0.67 eV (monolayer) and 1.03 eV (bilayer) and high kinetic and thermal stability until 500 K. The 2D SnP3 shows strong interlayer quantum confinement effects, resulting in a band gap increase from mono- to bilayer, and then a band gap decrease from bi- to triple layer leading to a semiconductor–metal transition. Monolayer SnP3 has large hole mobility (992 cm2 V–1 s–1), whereas bilayer SnP3 has high electron mobility (8002 cm2 V–1 s–1) which is comparable to that of phosphorene. The static dielectric constants of mono- and bilayer SnP3 are 3.21 and 5.24, respectively. Both monolayer and bilayer SnP3 show strong light absorption in the visible and ultraviolet regions. The indirect band gap of monolayer SnP3 decreases under biaxial compressive strain and increases under biaxial tensile strain. Especially, when the biaxial compressive strain reaches to 6%, monolayer SnP3 has a transition from semiconductor to metal.