Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Invasive round goby shows higher sensitivity to salinization than native European perch

Salinity is an influential abiotic environmental factor in aquatic species, specifically in freshwater, where salinization causes ecosystem degradation. Secondary salinization, that is increases in salinity due to anthropogenic activities, can affect both osmoregulation and behaviour in freshwater fishes. It is generally believed that invasive species handle climatic change and environmental degradation better than native species, which is one reason for their invasion success. However, how invasive and native species cope with salinity changes remains little understood. Therefore, we investigated how low (500 µS/cm) and high salinity (2000 µS/cm) conditions affected oxygen consumption and behaviour in the invasive round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) and the native European perch (Perca fluviatilis). Our results showed that in round goby oxygen consumption increased and swimming and non-swimming movements changed in response to salinity increments, whereas European perch was not affected by salinity. Thus, it seems as if the invasive round goby is more sensitive to changes in salinity than the native European perch. Our results fit with the minority of studies indicating invasive species being less tolerant than some native species to environmental changes. This finding could be explained by the adaptation of round goby to low salinity due to its long establishment in River Rhine. Further, our results are also confirming that the effect of salinity is species-specific. In addition, European perch and round goby show diametrically different behavioural response to disturbance which could be an effect of holding different ecological niches as well as their anatomical differences.
On the determinants and interrelationship of components of government spending

The paper examines the determinants and interrelationship of components of government spending using data for up to 142 countries over the period 1990 – 2017. We make use of two-way fixed effect estimator with Driscoll-Kraay standard errors, which accounts for cross-sectional dependence and a system generalized method of moments estimator to examine the determinants of components of spending. We then adopt the seemingly unrelated regression estimation technique to examine the interrelationship between government spending types. From our results, there is little evidence of Wagner's Law as the coefficient of income is negative and statistically significant for most measures of spending. Further, we find that a reduction in overall government spending tends to reduce the share of almost all components of government spending except spending on economic services, non-productive spending, and spending on transfers. In examining the interrelationship between government spending types, we find that government spending types under the Classification of Functions of Government (COFOG) classification, which may be described as “ pure public goods ” and “ merit public good provision, ” have complementary
Turbulent transport of heat and momentum in a boundary layer subject to deceleration, suction and variable wall temperature

The relationship between the turbulent transport of heat and momentum in an adverse pressure gradient boundary layer was studied. An experimental study was conducted of turbulent boundary layers subject to strong adverse pressure gradients with suction. Near-equilibrium flows were attained, evidenced by outer-region similarity in terms of defect temperature and defect velocity profiles. The relationship between Stanton number and enthalpy thickness was shown to be the same as for a flat plate flow both for constant wall temperature boundary conditions and for steps in wall temperature. The superposition principle used with the step-wall-temperature experimental result was shown to accurately predict the Stanton number variation for two cases of arbitrarily varying wall temperature. The Reynolds stress tensor components were measured for strong adverse pressure gradient conditions and different suction rates. Two peaks of turbulence intensity were found: one in the inner and one in the outer regions. The outer peak is shown to be displaced outward by an adverse pressure gradient and suppressed by suction.
Hesperidin Protects SH−SY5Y Neuronal Cells against High Glucose−Induced Apoptosis via Regulation of MAPK Signaling

Neurodegenerative diseases are associated with neuronal cell death through apoptosis. Apoptosis is tightly associated with the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and high glucose levels contribute to higher oxidative stress in diabetic patients. Hesperidin, a natural active compound, has been reported to scavenge free radicals. Only a few studies have explored the protective effects of hesperidin against high glucose−induced apoptosis in SH−SY5Y neuronal cells. Glucose stimulated neuronal cells to generate excessive ROS and caused DNA damage. In addition, glucose triggered endoplasmic reticulum stress and upregulated cytoplasmic as well as mitochondrial calcium levels. Hesperidin inhibited glucose−induced ROS production and mitigated the associated DNA damage and endoplasmic reticulum stress. The downregulation of antiapoptotic protein Bcl−2 following glucose treatment was reversed by a hesperidin treatment. Furthermore, hesperidin repressed the glucose−induced Bcl−2−associated X protein, cleaved caspase−9, and cleaved caspase−3. Hesperidin also suppressed the glucose−induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal−regulated kinase and c−Jun N−terminal kinase. The current results confirmed that hesperidin could protect neuronal cells against glucose−induced ROS. Mechanistically, hesperidin was shown to promote cell viability via attenuation of the mitogen−activated protein kinase signaling pathway.
Identification of Equine Arteritis Virus Immunodominant Epitopes Using a Peptide Microarray

Using the commercially available PEPperCHIP® microarray platform, a peptide microarray was developed to identify immunodominant epitopes for the detection of antibodies against Equine arteritis virus (EAV). For this purpose, the whole EAV Bucyrus sequence was used to design a total of 1250 peptides that were synthesized and spotted onto a microarray slide. A panel of 28 serum samples representing a selection of EAV strains was tested using the microarray. Of the 1250 peptides, 97 peptides (7.76%) showed reactivity with the EAV-positive samples. No single peptide was detected by all the positive serum samples. Seven peptides repeatedly showed reactivity above the cut-off and were considered to have diagnostic potential. Five of these peptides were within the immunodominant GP5 protein and two were within the replicase polyprotein regions NSP2 and NSP10, located in ORF1. The diagnostic sensitivity of the seven peptides selected was low, ranging from 5% to 55%; however, the combined diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the seven peptides was 90% and 100%, respectively. This data demonstrate that multiple peptide sequences would be required to design a comprehensive serological test to cover the diversity of the EAV strains and the individual immune responses of horses.
Interpolation‐based nonlinear parametric MOR for gas pipelines

This work deals with the model order reduction (MOR) of nonlinear, parametric systems of partial differential equations as they arise in gas pipeline modeling. We present an approach that is based on a linearization around parametric working points, linear modal reduction and interpolation. The choice of the working points as well as the interpolation strategy crucially determine the approximation quality. (© 2014 Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Novel robust control design for unstable systems with dual pole and dual zero

In this note, a novel robust control design for a class of unstable systems with dual pole and dual zero is addressed. In the algorithm, �feedback node was moved from the interior of the controlled plant to its right-hand side. Then, the closed-loop gain shaping algorithm was used to design the feedback transfer function. Consequently, controller and the controlled plant have clear physical meaning and are easily tuned. Simulation results show that the control effects are better than for the previous modification, the system can have rapid settling time with no overshoot, zero steady- state error and satisfactory robust stability to model perturbation and disturbance. The method has the advantages of simple and efficient design, and it was also successfully applied to control static unstable missile.
Review of Industrial Robot Stiffness Identification and Modelling

Due to their high flexibility, large workspace, and high repeatability, industrial robots are widely used in roughing and semifinishing fields. However, their low machining accuracy and low stability limit further development of industrial robots in the machining field, with low stiffness being the most significant factor. The stiffness of industrial robots is affected by the joint deformation, transmission mechanism, friction, environment, and coupling of these factors. Moreover, the stiffness of a robot has a nonlinear distribution throughout the workspace, and external forces during processing cause irregular deviations of the robot, thereby affecting the machining accuracy and surface quality of the workpiece. Many scholars have researched identifying the stiffness of industrial robots and have proposed methods for improving the performance of industrial robots, mainly by optimizing the body structure of the robot and compensating for deformation errors with stiffness models. This paper reviews recent research on the stiffness modelling of industrial robots, which can be broadly classified as finite element analysis (FEA), matrix structure analysis (MSA), and virtual joint modelling (VJM) methods. Each method is studied from three aspects: algorithms, implementation, and limitations. In addition, common measurement techniques have been introduced for measuring deformation. Further research directions are also discussed.
Be Binaries with Warm Dust and Exotic High-Luminosity A-F Emission-Line Stars

We present the results of photometric and high resolution spectroscopic studies of a group of B[e] stars (Be stars with warm dust or B[e]Ds) and of two cooler objects with extremely high luminosities (HDE 331319 and IRC+10420). The BeDs is a growing group of objects with very strong emission-line spectra, some of which show direct evidence of the presence of a hot and cool star in the system. Their basic properties and connection to other groups of binaries are discussed, and new list of members is presented. Fundamental parameters and chemical composition of an unusual F-supergiant HDE 331319 and recent results on a fast evolving object IRC+10420 are also reported.
Factors Influencing Treatment Adherence Among Drug-Sensitive Tuberculosis (DS-TB) Patients in Armenia: A Qualitative Study

Purpose Despite the availability of effective treatment, tuberculosis (TB) is still one of the leading causes of mortality around the globe. Poor adherence to treatment challenges TB management both globally and locally. Proper adherence to treatment contributes to successful outcomes and prevents the development of drug-resistant forms of TB. Patients and Methods We conducted a qualitative study to identify and describe the factors that facilitated treatment adherence among drug-sensitive TB (DS-TB) patients in Armenia. Sixteen in-depth interviews (IDIs) with former DS-TB patients, two IDIs with family members of former DS-TB patients, and a focus group discussion with healthcare providers who manage DS-TB patients were conducted. The educational and ecological assessment component of the PRECEDE-PROCEED model was applied as a conceptual framework to guide the interview content and data analysis. Results Former patients’ awareness of TB and its treatment, beliefs about TB, trust in TB healthcare providers, and a sense of responsibility were the most common factors that predisposed them to complete the treatment. Support received from providers, family, and friends, a desire to avoid TB-associated stigma, and good tolerance of TB medications were the main reinforcing factors. Enabling factors included a relatively simple regimen of TB treatment and accessibility and affordability of TB services. Conclusion The findings of the study provide new perspectives on factors that facilitate adherence to long-term therapies, such as TB. Interventions that aim to invoke a patient’s sense of responsibility and positive beliefs about TB as well as engage families might promote the successful completion of treatment.
Body Mass Index Enhances the Associations Between Plasma Glucose and Mortality in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome

Background It is uncertain whether the effect of hyperglycemia on mortality among patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) could be adjusted by other modifiable risk factors. Greater body mass index (BMI) might enhance the effect of fasting blood glucose (FPG) on cardiovascular mortality in patients with ACS. Methods We retrospectively enrolled patients admitted for ACS from 2008 to 2017 in Beijing and divided them into three BMI groups (normal weight ≤ 25 kg/m2, overweight 25–29.9 kg/m2, obese ≥ 30 kg/m2). The relationships between the blood glucose levels and all-cause or cardiovascular mortalities and their heterogeneities across the groups were analyzed using Cox regression models. Results A total of 8,086 patients were enrolled, with 746 all-cause and 496 cardiovascular mortalities recorded during the follow-up period. Each 1 mmol/L increase in FPG was associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality across all groups (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.06, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02–1.09 for normal weight patients; adjusted HR: 1.09, 95% CI: 1.05–1.13 for overweight patients; adjusted HR: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.03–1.22 for obese patients), and was associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality among overweight (adjusted HR: 1.10, 95% CI: 1.05–1.14) and obese patients (adjusted HR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.04–1.26), which was greater (p for heterogeneity = 0.006) than the association in the normal weight group (adjusted HR: 1.03, 95% CI: 0.99–1.08). Similar results were found among 2,537 patients with ACS diagnosed with diabetes. Conclusion Greater BMI enhances the effect of FPG on cardiovascular mortality among patients with ACS.
Towards an Understanding of Ethics as a Legitimizing Structure in the Context of Transhumanism

In every historical period man has been guided by ethical and/or moral imperatives. According to them, his behavior must not harm other individuals. If the man of Modernity was under the empire of the Kantian categorical imperative, the postmodern individual is looking for an ethics of our times. Along with postmodernity, the technique and technology that change in the state of being of the individual is developing more and more. All this has contributed to the emergence of new problems that ethics tries to offer solutions to.
CREATIVE DESIGN ACTIVITIES TO SUPPORT THE COMPLEX LEARNING ENVIROMENT OF THE CLASSROOM FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER (ASD)

Creating inclusive and effective learning environments for all children can be extremely challenging. How do teachers recognize the needs of their different children, the dynamics between them and adapt in response? This paper presents work from a doctoral study and aims to investigate the integration of multidisciplinary fields (design, art therapy, and education) to create a design thinking-based framework and toolkit, which can be applied in the classroom setting to enhance teaching and learning experiences for autistic children (children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)). This paper reports on initial fieldwork (case study) that investigates the design thinking of teachers applying arts practices to support the learning of autistic children, aged 5-6 years old. The case study has been carried out at Marine Park Primary School in the Northeast of England. This paper presents an initial cycle of the case study, which is researcher-driven. Further in the doctoral study ownership transitions from the researcher to the teacher and autistic children. This initial cycle resulted in the development of an arts therapy informed toolkit applied to create immersive learning experiences to address inattention and engagement with instructions and story-based tasks. The toolkit breaks down the lesson plans into more readily comprehensible components and translates tasks and worksheets into an immersive 3D learning experience. Reflections from teacher-research dialogues are presented that indicate an initial framework for day-to-day design thinking for more inclusive learning.
Timing the Parkes Multibeam Pulsars

Measurement of accurate positions, pulse periods and period derivatives is an essential follow-up to any pulsar survey. The procedures being used to obtain timing parameters for the pulsars discovered in the Parkes multibeam pulsar survey are described. Completed solutions have been obtained so far for about 80 pulsars. They show that the survey is preferentially finding pulsars with higher than average surface dipole magnetic fields. Eight pulsars have been shown to be members of binary systems and some of the more interesting results relating to these are presented.
Selection and Characterization of Single-Stranded DNA Aptamers of Diagnostic Potential against the Whole Zika Virus

Zika virus became a major public health problem in early 2015, when cases of Guillain–Barré syndrome and microcephaly were associated with viral infection. Currently, ZIKV is endemic in all tropical areas of the world, and the chance for future Zika epidemics remains very real and accurate diagnosis is crucial. The aim of this work was to select specific ssDNA aptamers that bind to the entire Zika virus and can be used to compose specific diagnostics, without cross-reactivity with other flaviviruses. Zika virus was cultivated in Vero cells and used as a target for aptamer selection. Aptamers specific for the ZIKV were selected using whole-virus SELEX, with counterselection for other flavivirus. Secondary and tertiary structures were evaluated and the molecular anchoring between the aptamers and target were simulated by the HDOCK server. Aptamer interaction was evaluated by ELISA/ELASA and the dissociation constant (Kd) was calculated by thermophoresis. Four ZIKV-specific aptamers were selected. The best two were further characterized and proved to be specific for ZIKV. Aptamers are capable of binding specifically to the ZIKV and differentiate from Dengue virus. The aptamers selected in this work can be used as capture agents in the composition of diagnostic tests to specifically detect ZIKV infection.
Production of Mycoblock from the Mycelium of the Fungus Pleurotus ostreatus for Use as Sustainable Construction Materials

As the global population rises, resource depletion and environmental pollution also aggravate. To meet the needs of the population, different products have been manufactured. However, most industrially manufactured products are not eco-friendly, costly, and locally unavailable. To solve these problems, using and enhancing locally available biomaterials are the key option. Three substrates sawdust, bagasse, and coffee husk and the fungus Pleurotus ostreatus were used. Mycelium was fully colonized by 9, 14, and 27 days on potato dextrose agar (PDA), sorghum grain, and substrate, respectively. The mycelium growth on coffee husk showed the fastest growth rate whereas that of the sawdust was slowest. The fully colonized substrates were molded for 7, 14, and 21 days by plastic mold to maintain their regular 3D structure. The result shows that the block made with sawdust at 21 molding period has higher compressive strength and density of 750 kPa and 343.44 Kg/m3, respectively, followed by bagasse and coffee husk. These variations were due to the mycelium density difference between the substrates. Physicochemical and mechanical characteristics such as mycelium morphology, bimolecular and elemental analysis of substrates, density, water absorption, and compressive strength of the block were analyzed. This technology has the potential to replace conventional construction and packaging materials used for indoor applications such as insulation, partition walls, and other design and architectural applications. It also benefits in terms of its low cost, green synthesis approach, nontoxicity, low environmental emission, recyclability, and local availability.
Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome: A Literature Review

Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) is a premature aging condition that involves genetic mutations, resulting in debilitating phenotypic features. The present state of knowledge on the molecular pathways that contribute to the pathophysiology of HGPS and the techniques being tested in vitro and in vivo to combat progerin toxicity have been discussed here. Nuclear morphological abnormalities, dysregulated gene expression, DNA repair deficiencies, telomere shortening, and genomic instability are all caused by progerin accumulation, all of which impair cellular proliferative capability. In addition, HGPS cells and preclinical animal models have revealed new information about the disease's molecular and cellular pathways and putative mechanisms involved in normal aging. This article has discussed the understanding of the molecular pathways by which progerin expression leads to HGPS and how the advanced therapy options for HGPS patients can help us understand and treat the condition.
Adsorption of Indigo Carmine onto Chemically Activated Carbons Derived from the Cameroonian Agricultural Waste Garcinia cola Nut Shells and Desorption Studies

In the quest for a sustainable environment and clean water resources, the efficacy of activated carbons synthesized from Garcinia cola nut shells impregnated with KOH (CBK1/1) and ZnCl2 (CBZ1/1) for the adsorption of indigo carmine (IC) dye was studied using the batch technique. The prepared activated carbons were characterized using iodine number, elemental analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), FTIR spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), TGA/DTA, Boehm titration, and pH at point of zero charge. The elemental analysis showed a high percentage of carbon in both activated carbons (ACs). FTIR and Boehm titration analysis indicated the presence of several functional groups on the surfaces of both ACs which could influence the adsorption of IC. The primary adsorption mechanisms involved electrostatic interaction, hydrogen bonds formation, and π−π interactions. Maximum adsorption capacity values obtained using the Fritz–Schlunder III three-parameter model were 19.019 mg·g−1 and 18.299 mg·g−1 for CBK1/1 and CBZ1/1, respectively. The Fritz–Schlunder model exponent mFS of value less than 1 showed that the adsorption of IC by the ACs occurred on heterogeneous surfaces. Positive values of ∆Q obtained by the linear and nonlinear forms of the Temkin model indicate the exothermic character of the adsorption process.