Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Speciation of bioaccumulated uranium(VI) by Euglena mutabilis cells obtained by laser fluorescence spectroscopy

Abstract The ability of Euglena mutabilis cells – a unicellular protozoan with a flexible pellicle, which is typically found in acid mine drainage (AMD) environments – to bioaccumulate uranium under acid conditions was studied in batch sorption experiments at pH 3 and 4 using Na2SO4 and NaClO4 as background media. It was found that axenic cultures of Euglena mutabilis Schmitz were able to bioaccumulate in 5 days 94.9 to 99.2% of uranium from a 1 · 10–5 mol/L uranium solution in perchlorate medium and 95.1 to 95.9% in sodium sulfate medium, respectively. The speciation of uranium in solution and uranium bioaccumulated by Euglena mutabilis cells, were studied by laser induced fluorescence spectroscopy (LIFS). The LIFS investigations showed that the uranium speciation in the NaClO4 systems was dominated by free uranyl(VI) species and that the UO2SO4 species was dominating in the Na2SO4 medium. Fluorescence spectra of the bioaccumulated uranium revealed that aqueous uranium binds to carboxylic and/or (organo)phosphate groups located on the euglenid pellicle or inside the Euglena mutabilis cells. Reduced uranium immobilization rates of 0.93 – 1.43 mg uranium per g Euglena mutabilis biomass were observed in similar experiments, using sterile filtrated AMD waters containing, 4.4 · 10–5 mol/L uranium. These lower rates were attributed to competition with other cations for available sorption sites. Additional LIFS measurements, however, showed that the speciation of the bioaccumulated uranium by the Euglena mutabilis cells was found to be identical with the uranium speciation found in the bioaccumulation experiments carried out in Na2SO4 and NaClO4 media. The results indicate that Euglena mutabilis has the potential to immobilize aqueous uranium under acid condition and thus may be used in future as promising agent for immobilizing uranium in low pH waste water environments.
Fabrication and processing of aluminum alloy metal matrix composites

ABSTRACT The present article demonstrates the procedure for fabrication of aluminum alloy 2014 based metal matrix composites having particulates of silicon carbide as reinforcement. Using the stir casting route, three different compositions of aluminum alloy metal matrix composites were fabricated. Microstructure of as-cast composites revealed a homogeneous distribution of silicon carbide particles along with few agglomeration and casting defects. Friction stir processing was performed to avoid such agglomeration and casting defects present in as-cast composites. The influence of friction stir processing parameters, that is, rotational speed and transverse speed on metallurgical properties, was investigated. Two combinations of rotational speed and transverse speed were considered: (i) 270 rpm and 78 mm/min and (ii) 190 rpm and 50 mm/min, respectively. As a result of friction stir processing, the microstructure of processed composites revealed the presence of fine silicon carbide particles along with the magnificent reduction in grain size. Composites processed with a rotational speed of 270 rpm and transverse speed of 78 mm/min were found to have higher grain refinement and as a result of this, the enhancement in microhardness was also observed. Except for a few cases, the average microhardness of all processed composites under both processed conditions was still lower than that of as–cast composites.
Tree growth in Switzerland is increasingly constrained by rising evaporative demand

The response of trees to intra‐annual environmental constraints varies temporally throughout a growing season and spatially across landscapes. A better understanding of these dynamics will help us anticipate the impacts of short‐term climate variability and medium‐term climate change on forests. Using the process‐based 3‐PG forest ecosystem model, we assessed the spatial manifestation and seasonal variation in environmental constraints [vapour pressure deficit (VPD), air temperature and soil water availability] on tree growth for the potential distribution range of seven widespread Central European tree species. We focused our analyses on Switzerland, where large climatic gradients occur within a comparatively small geographic area. On average, over the last 60 years, simulated forest growth during the May–August growing season was limited by high VPD (67% of the forested area), low air temperature (29%) or low soil water availability (4%). But this response varied among species and across elevations. When comparing the period 1961–1990 with 1991–2018, we observed major shifts from former temperature limitation to recent VPD limitation across 12% of the area (3%–25%, depending on species), mainly at mid‐elevations (700–1,200 m a.s.l.). At the same time, forest growth at lower elevations (i.e. below 700 m a.s.l.) became more limited by available soil water at the end of the growing season. Synthesis. Our results highlight how the relative impact of environmental growth constraints has shifted in the last three decades, and show that the importance of VPD as a dominant environmental growth constraint has increased for tree species in Swiss and Central European forests. Understanding the spatial and temporal variability in environmental growth constraints will help to generate accurate species‐specific risk maps for forest managers to identify areas with elevated drought and heat stress in the near future.
Accelerated numerical modeling of RF circuits using network characteristic mode analysis

A fast numerical modeling approach based on network characteristic mode analysis (CMA) is presented and investigated for analyzing electrical layouts in miniature RF filters, such as surface acoustic wave filters. In this approach, a generalized eigenvalue decomposition is performed on the Z‐parameters of an electrical layout at one or two sampling frequencies that can be computed and extracted with any numerical full‐wave method. The obtained eigenvalues are used to extract modal resistance, inductance, and capacitance matrices for each eigenmode. The frequency dependence of the modal resistance matrix can be assumed a priori or determined automatically, and the modal inductance and capacitance matrices are assumed frequency independent. These modal matrices are then used to approximate the Z‐parameters at any other frequencies to provide the response of the electrical layout, which can then be combined with the frequency responses of other components, such as resonators, to yield the electrical response of an entire RF filter. Compared with the previously developed analytic extension of eigenvalues, this fast CMA‐based method is less affected by the frequency variation of eigenmodes since the frequency dependences of the eigenmodes are implicitly canceled out in its formulation. The accuracy of this approach is evaluated by comparing with results from full‐wave analyses. For RF circuits whose electrical sizes are small and whose frequency range of interest is relatively small, the proposed CMA‐based fast frequency sweep approach is found to be sufficiently accurate and highly practical for engineering applications.
Trends in Outbreaks of Defoliating Insects Highlight Growing Threats for Central European Forests and Implications for Eastern Baltic Region

To identify general patterns in the effect of climate-driven changes in the outbreak frequency of forest defoliating species, we examined 60 years of records (1950–2010) of outbreaks of five defoliating species. Data on Lymantria dispar, Lymantria monacha, Bupalus piniarius, Panolis flammea, and Operophtera brumata from five Central European countries (Slovakia, Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary, and Germany), where the current climate is comparable with the projections of climate for the Eastern Baltic region by the end of the 21st century, were analyzed. Time series approach was applied to estimate the linkage between outbreaks and climate warming. Mean annual, summer, and winter deviations for the period of 1850 to 1900 were assessed as proxies of warming. To estimate the legacy effect, warming proxies were lagged by one year. Among those tested, warming proxies showed a linkage with outbreaks. Three significant outbreaks occurred in the analyzed period (at the beginning and end of the period). During the middle part of the analyzed period, the frequency and magnitude of outbreaks were low, implicating a higher insect outbreak risk with warming in Central Europe. In the latter part of the analyzed period, more frequent yet smaller outbreaks occurred, which supports the outbreak linkage with one-year lag, summer, and annual temperatures.
Composite kernel learning network for hyperspectral image classification

ABSTRACT The small sample problem has always been a serious challenge in hyperspectral image (HSI) classification. In order to obtain satisfactory results when the training samples are insufficient, the information around the training samples should be fully utilized. In this paper, we focus on small sample learning and propose a novel composite kernel learning network (CKLNet) for HSI classification. First, principal component analysis and extended morphological analysis are utilized to extract features. Then, we introduce generalized kernel method into deep learning technology. The spatial-spectral composite kernel learning (SSCKL) module is developed to construct discriminative and robust spatial-spectral generalized kernel features. In the process of constructing kernel features, the deep correlation information between samples is extracted simultaneously. The kernel hyperparameters in SSCKL are automatically learnt through backpropagation, thus avoiding the need to spend a lot of time on cross-validation. Finally, inspired by U-Net, a global-local feature extraction (GLFE) module is designed to extract spatial features of different scales. A set of classification probability maps can be obtained by the 1 1 convolutional layer in the GLFE module. Experimental results on three widely used datasets demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed CKLNet.
Solubility of CO2 in Aqueous Solutions of CaCl2 or MgCl2 and in a Synthetic Formation Brine at Temperatures up to 423 K and Pressures up to 40 MPa

We report the solubility of carbon dioxide in CaCl2(aq) and MgCl2(aq) at molalities of (1, 3, and 5) mol·kg–1, temperatures of (308 to 424) K and pressures up to 40 MPa. We also report the solubility of CO2 in a synthetic formation brine containing 0.910 mol·kg–1 NaCl and 0.143 mol·kg–1 KCl over the same ranges of temperature and pressure. The expanded uncertainties at 95 % confidence are 0.03 K in temperature, between (0.08 and 0.15) MPa in bubble pressure and 0.00015 in the mole fraction of CO2 in the solution at its bubble point. The results show a strong salting-out effect, whereby the solubility declines with increasing molality of salt, which is some (20 to 30) % greater in CaCl2(aq) or MgCl2(aq) than in the synthetic formation brine at the same molality.
Disclosing the Complex Structure of UiO-66 Metal Organic Framework: A Synergic Combination of Experiment and Theory

Through a combined use of experimental and theoretical approaches such as XRPD, EXAFS, IR, and UV−vis spectroscopies and ab initio periodic DFT calculations, we report a detailed characterization of structural, vibrational, and electronic properties of UiO-66 (Zr-BDC MOF) in its hydroxylated and dehydroxylated forms. The stability of the materials with respect to the most common solvents, acids, and bases is determined by combining XRPD and TGA/MS techniques. The structures of the two forms of UiO-66 are refined through an interactive XRPD/EXAFS approach and validated by ab initio calculations. Experimental and calculated IR spectra are reported and compared to enlighten the nature of vibrational modes upon dehydroxylation and to show the complete reversibility of the dehydration/hydration phenomenon. Experimental and calculated band gaps are also reported and compared. In this work, we show the necessity to combine, in a synergic way, different experimental techniques and periodic ab initio approaches to.
METTL3 Facilitates Colorectal Carcinoma Progression via Regulating m6A-CRB3-Hippo Axis

Background Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is the third most common cancer and the second most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide. RNA N6-methyladnosine (m6A) and methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) play an important role in cancer. However, the roles of m6A and METTL3 in CRC progression are still elusive. Methods Adenoma and CRC samples were applied to detect m6A and METTL3 levels, and tissue microarrays were performed to evaluate their associations with survival of CRC patients. The biological functions of METTL3 were investigated by CCK8, wound healing and transwell assays. M6A epitranscriptomic microarray, RNA stability and luciferase reporter assays were performed to explore the mechanism of METTL3 in CRC. Results m6A and METTL3 levels were significantly upregulated in both adenoma and CRC tissues, and the CRC patients with high m6A or METTL3 level had both shorter overall survival. METTL3 knockdown markedly inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of CRC cells. M6A epitranscriptomic microarray revealed that the cell polarity regulator Crumbs3 (CRB3) was the downstream target of METTL3. METTL3 knockdown markedly inhibited the degradation of CRB3 mRNA to increase the CRB3 expression. In addition, CRB3 level was also markedly reduced in both adenoma and CRC tissues, and the CRC patients with high CRB3 level had higher overall survival and disease free survival. CRB3 knockdown significantly promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion of CRC cells. Finally, CRB3 knockdown inhibited Hippo pathway, and increased nuclear localization of YAP. Conclusions The m6A and METTL3 levels were significantly increased in both adenoma and CRC tissues. The CRC patients with high m6A or METTL3 levels had shorter overall survival. Mechanistically, METTL3 regulated the initiation and progression of CRC via regulating m6A-CRB3-Hippo pathway.
How does curve sprint evolve across different age categories in soccer players?

Research has shown that soccer players regularly execute curved sprints during matches. The purpose of this study was to determine the age-related effects on curve sprint (CS) performance to both sides, asymmetry, and association with linear sprint (LS). Eighty-four soccer players (aged 16.1 ± 1.6 categorized in U15, U17, and U20) were recruited, who performed CS and LS tests. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and effect size (ES) were used to compare CS performance between age categories, and relationships between physical performance measures were calculated using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. The main findings of this study were that: 1) there were significant differences in the “good” side CS among age groups (p < 0.001; ES from moderate to large), but not in the “weak” side CS, 2) curve asymmetry was significantly higher in U20 than U15 (p < 0.05; ES large) and U17 players (p < 0.05; ES moderate), and 3) relationships between CS and LS times decreased with age (from significant and very large [p < 0.001] to non-significant and smallmoderate [p > 0.05]). This study highlights the importance of assessing and training CS in different age categories, an action that becomes less correlated with LS as age increases, with the aim of mitigating the increase in asymmetries as a result of the specialization process, focusing interventions mainly on improving the CS “weak” side.
Fluorine-Centered Halogen Bonding: A Factor in Recognition Phenomena and Reactivity

Because of the anisotropies of their electronic charge distributions, many covalently bound halogen atoms have regions of positive electrostatic potential (positive σ-holes) on their outer portions. Through these, the halogens can interact attractively with negative sites. It has sometimes been questioned whether fluorine, the least polarizable halogen, can form halogen bonds, especially in solids. Here we present computational and crystallographic evidence demonstrating that it can indeed do so, in both the gaseous and the solid phases. We show computationally, through a series of examples, that fluorine can have positive σ-holes when linked to strongly electron-withdrawing residues and that it can interact with Lewis bases to form gas phase halogen-bonded complexes. Through statistical analyses of data from the Cambridge Structural Database, we demonstrate that such fluorines do also halogen bond in the solid state, and we show several specific cases of this.
Concentrations, Sources, and Associated Risks of Polychlorinated Biphenyls Measured in Soil Profiles from Selected Telecom-masts in the Niger Delta, Nigeria

ABSTRACT This study determined the concentrations, origin, and associated ecological and human health risks of Ʃ28PCBs in soil profiles from selected telecom-masts in the Niger Delta, Nigeria. A total of 18 soil samples were quantified for Ʃ28PCBs with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry after soxhlet extraction with n-hexane/dichloromethane and purified with florisil and silica gel column. The occurrence of the ∑28PCBs varied widely, and ranged from 88.0 to 293 mg kg-1, with pollution load in the order of subsoil > topsoil, and SS 3 > SS 2 > SS 1 > SS 6 > SS 7 > SS 9 > SS 4 > SS 8 > SS 5. The compositional pattern of the ∑28PCBs were in the order of deca-PCB > tetra-PCBs > di-PCBs > penta-PCBs > hexa-PCBs > hepta-PCBs > tri-PCBs > octa-PCBs > nona-PCBs. Also, the LC-PCBs are the dominant PCBs with a composition of 50 to 91.8%, while the HC-PCBs accounted for 34.8 to 78.8%. The levels of the ∑28PCBs from the telecom-masts were significantly higher than the recommended standards for urban and agricultural soils. The ecological risk index, toxic equivalence, hazard index, and total cancer risk suggest ecological risk to soil-dwelling organisms and on-site human occupational risk to soils around the telecom-masts. The source identification depicts that PCBs originated from the use of Aroclor1254 mixtures, cable and wire insulators, lubricants, paints, transformer oils, pesticides, and power capacitors in the telecom masts. Standard guidelines for the operations of telecom-masts should be carried out to mitigate the potential ecological and on-site human occupational risks in soil profiles around the telecom-masts, and similar land use somewhere else around the world.
One way or another? An international comparison of expatriate performance management in multinational companies

Due to the high costs and strategic importance of expatriate assignments, expatriate performance management (EPM) plays an increasingly important role for multinational enterprises (MNEs). However, research on EPM is still in its infancy. Drawing from the convergence/divergence debate in international human resource management, this study investigates and compares EPM strategies and practices across MNEs from three different country clusters to better understand whether EPM practices tend to converge, diverge, or crossverge (i.e., show aspects of both). Results from surveying 132 Anglo-Saxon, Germanic, and Japanese MNEs reveal prominent differences (divergence) at the EPM strategic level such that Japanese MNEs tend to pursue more ethnocentric staffing strategies and design EPM systems specifically tailored to expatriates. On the practice level, we found both commonalities and differences between Japanese and Anglo-Saxon and Germanic MNEs, pointing toward crossvergence. Theoretical and practical implications of our results are discussed.
Attitude of General and Specialist Dental practitioners towards Radiation Safety Principles

Introduction: The objective of this study was to determine the attitude of dental practitioners towards radiation protection principles and radiographic techniques. We aimed to assess whether dentists’ specialty and university membership impacted the conducts of radiologic practice. Methods: A total of 232 dental offices with intraoral radiographic devices in Mashhad, Iran were randomly selected. Demographic characteristics of dentists as well as radiographic equipment and techniques were recorded. Participants were grouped according to specialty and faculty membership. Chi-square tests were used for statistical analysis and comparison of groups by Statistical Package SPSS v.23. Results: 190 dentists (81.9%) were in general dental practice (GDP) and the remaining 42 (18.1%) worked as specialists in different fields. A significant difference was noted regarding the use of digital sensors between general and specialist dentists (16.8% vs. 35.7%, respectively). Paralleling technique using film holders was employed by 28.6% of specialists and 10% of the general dentists (p<0.05). Half of the specialists used routine thyroid shielding; however, only 28.4% of the GDPs followed this practice (p<0.05). Among the specialists, 19 (45.2%) had faculty membership. Use of a rectangular collimation, long cone, and thyroid shield, except variable exposure time were more common in non-faculty members, although not significantly different. Conclusion: Although most dentists did not follow the standard radiological guidelines, it was noticeable that specialist dentists used more appropriate radiographic techniques. Attention should be focused on under- and postgraduate education and employing strict policies for dental radiologic safety measures.
Circular digital devices: lessons about the social and planetary boundaries

The digital world can be part of the solution to the coexistence of people and the planet, with large efficiencies gained through digital solutions, but it is part of the problem too, as it requires vast natural resources for digital devices in terms of participation. The challenge lies in satisfying the demand for digital devices for everyone, particularly for those with scarce resources, while preserving planetary limits. We have implemented and optimised a circular economy ecosystem that —through donation, refurbishment and traceability— delivers locally reused digital devices at a fair economic and environmental cost to citizens in need, providing satisfactory computing services and reducing the demand to manufacture new devices, which insteadmust be more durable. Following the sourcing of 10,000 computers, 1,000 have been successfully refurbished by local social enterprises and used by citizens in the city of Barcelona as a common good, herein we present an analysis of the achievements, limitations, and conditions of this model, which has already been replicated in other areas. It is feasible, and we also explore its scalability and sustainability in economic, social, and environmental contexts. We identify critical success factors, such as the roles of local public or private donors, social-support organisations, and ecosystem facilitators, in mediating among all actors involved.