Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Carbon loss in tile drainage and surface runoff from a clay loam soil after a half century of continuous and rotational cropping

Abstract Tile drainage and surface runoff are major pathways for pollution of water resources by agricultural nutrients and chemicals. Little is known, however, of the pathways and amounts of carbon entry into water resources from agricultural land. This paper evaluates dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) losses in tile drainage and surface runoff from a Brookston clay loam after more than a half century of monoculture maize (Zea mays L.), continuous bluegrass sod (Poa Pratensis L.), and maize-oat (Avena sativa L.)–alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)–alfalfa rotation. Water loss in tile drainage and surface runoff accounted for 27%, 32%, and 18% of annual precipitation (876 mm) for rotation, monoculture maize, and continuous sod, respectively. Tile drainage comprised 66%–89% of water loss from rotation and continuous sod, but only 15% from monoculture maize, with the remaining 85% of water loss from monoculture maize due to surface runoff. On an annualized basis, the measured dissolved C loss was 79 and 83 kg C ha–1 yr–1) from rotation and continuous sod, respectively, while 49 kg C ha–1 yr–1 was lost from monoculture maize. As up to 9% off-gassing loss of CO2 from water samples was measured, total dissolved carbon losses in tile drainage and runoff water were likely greater. For Brookston clay loam soil, leaching into tile drains was the dominant mechanism for dissolved carbon loss from long-term continuous sod and crop rotation, while surface runoff was the dominant mechanism for dissolved carbon loss from long-term monoculture maize.
Nanoparticles Carrying NF-κB p65-Specific siRNA Alleviate Colitis in Mice by Attenuating NF-κB-Related Protein Expression and Pro-Inflammatory Cellular Mediator Secretion

Ulcerative colitis is a disease that causes inflammation and ulcers in the colon and which is typically recurrent, and NF-κB proteins are important players during disease progression. Here, we assess the impact of silica-coated calcium phosphate nanoparticles carrying encapsulated siRNA against NF-κB p65 on a murine model of colitis. To this end, nanoparticles were injected intravenously (2.0 mg siRNA/kg body weight) into mice after colitis induction with dextran sulfate sodium or healthy ones. The disease activity index, the histopathological impact on the colon, the protein expression of several NF-κB-associated players, and the mediator secretion (colon tissue, blood) were analyzed. We found that the nanoparticles effectively alleviated the clinical and histopathological features of colitis. They further suppressed the expression of NF-κB proteins (e.g., p65, p50, p52, p100, etc.) in the colon. They finally attenuated the local (colon) or systemic (blood) pro-inflammatory mediator secretion (e.g., TNF-α, IFN-β, MCP-1, interleukins, etc.) as well as the leucocyte load of the spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes. The nanoparticle biodistribution in diseased animals was seen to pinpoint organs containing lymphoid entities (appendix, intestine, lung, etc.). Taken together, the nanoparticle-related silencing of p65 NF-κB protein expression could well be used for the treatment of ulcerative colitis in the future.
Brain-Inspired Computing for Circuit Reliability Characterization

Transistor scaling steadily approaches fundamental limits. Sustaining circuit reliability becomes an overwhelming challenge for foundries and their manufacturing processes. Therefore, early and rapid characterization of degradation effects impacting the circuits’ transistors becomes essential. Such degradation effects are caused by design-time variation due to manufacturing variability and/or run-time variation due to transistor aging. In this work, we are the first to employ brain-inspired HDC for circuit reliability. HDC is quickly emerging as an attractive light-weight machine-learning solution. Nowadays, it is mainly applied to bio-signal processing or language recognition. We bring the research of HDC to the next level by demonstrating how it can be applied to address the challenges in circuit reliability. This has far-reaching consequences due to the large savings achieved by 1) reducing the amount of training data and hence the development cycle, 2) removing the need to send the data to the cloud for model training, and 3) speeding up significantly the characterization and classification tasks due to the fast edge-inference. We demonstrate the viability of HDC using SRAM and other circuits as examples. HDC outperforms traditional machine learning methods, such as support vector machine or random forest, in accuracy and requires up to 20x fewer training samples. For a given budget of samples, HDC achieves a 4x smaller error. Our implementation and analysis are based on industrial <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$14 \;\mathrm{n}\mathrm{m}$</tex-math><alternatives><mml:math><mml:mrow><mml:mn>14</mml:mn><mml:mspace width="0.166667em"/><mml:mi mathvariant="normal">n</mml:mi><mml:mi mathvariant="normal">m</mml:mi></mml:mrow></mml:math><inline-graphic xlink:href="genssler-ieq1-3151857.gif"/></alternatives></inline-formula> FinFET fully calibrated with Intel measurements with respect to both transistor electrical characteristics as well as manufacturing variability. <italic>Open Source:</italic> Our framework including the algorithm implementation is available for the community to explore other algorithms and circuits at <uri>https://github.com/ML-CAD/HDC-Circuit-Reliability</uri>.
A Breathtaking Hernia: A Giant Hiatal Hernia Masquerading as Poorly Controlled Asthma

A 93-year-old female presented with persistent shortness of breath and wheezing since the consumption of a meal. Her past medical history is significant for a clinical diagnosis of asthma at the age of 88 years, without pulmonary function testing, complicated by several prior visits to the emergency department (ED) for recurrent exacerbations. Multiple bronchodilators in the ED provided only minimal improvement in her symptoms. Chest imaging eventually revealed a giant, fluid-filled hiatal hernia exhibiting a compressive effect on the posterior aspect of the left atrium. The etiology of the patient's airway bronchoconstriction was likely multifactorial. We hypothesize that the extrinsic, dynamic compression of the bronchial tree by the peristaltic motion of the hiatal hernia, microaspiration from gastroesophageal reflux, and peribronchial edema from left atrial compression accounted for our patient's unique presentation. An outpatient methacholine challenge test eventually excluded bronchial asthma. Although she was considered a poor surgical candidate, she has had no further recurrences of her symptoms with counseling on conservative lifestyle changes. This case serves to highlight the heterogeneity in presentations of hiatal hernias, particularly in elderly females. Furthermore, it remains prudent to maintain a broad differential for wheezing, as evidenced by our patient who was previously managed for a number of years as poorly controlled asthma.
Analysis of the physical processes that limit the reliability of GaN-based optoelectronic devices

This thesis reports the results of an extensive analysis of the reliability of GaN-based Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) and Laser Diodes (LDs). The analysis has been carried out in close cooperation with the manufacturers of the devices: for this reason, we have worked on state-of-the-art LEDs, lasers and R&D samples, providing a feedback to the manufacturer on the weaknesses of adopted technology. By means of specific experiments on suitable test structures, we have been able to separately analyze (i) the degradation of the LEDs active region, (ii) the role of passivation layer in limiting LEDs reliability, (iii) the degradation of the ohmic contacts of the devices, (iv) the degradation of the properties of LEDs package and resins and (v) the degradation of violet laser diodes and its dependence on driving conditions.
Retinitis Pigmentosa: A Case Report

Background : Retinitis pigmentosa is an inherited heterogeneous group of retinal disorders represented by rod photoreceptors progressive dysfunction with subsequent cone photoreceptors degeneration and the retinal pigment epithelium. The typical manifestations are progressive loss of visual field and night blindness. Purpose : The purpose of this study was to examine with the Amsler Grid on the right and left eyes, no scotomas and metamorphopsia were found. Method : The type of research is quantitative with an explanatory research approach, the sampling technique is saturated sampling with the number of subjects 76 employees and the data analysis technique uses PLS. Results : Best corrected visual acuity was 6/9 in the right eye and 6/18 in the left eye. There was arteriolar attenuation, waxy disc pallor, bone-spicule pigmentation and pigment deposits on both eyes in funduscopy exaination. The patient was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa. The management given was vitamin A 15.000 IU/day, DHA 1.200mg/day, and counselling about retinitis pigmentosa, progressivity, and prognosis. Conclusion : Retinitis pigmentosa caused irrreversible visual and visual field impairment. Low vision management for retinitis pigmentosa was to optimize the visual function and optimized quality of life. Genetic counselling might provide the patient and her family information of the inheritance and genetic disorders implications that could help the patient to obtain medical information regarding the disease.
A sharp skirt notch filter based feedforward 3rd harmonic cancellation scheme for ultra‐high frequency wireless communication system in 834–879 MHz

This article presents a feedforward 3rd harmonic cancellation scheme for ultra‐high frequency (UHF) wireless communication system in 834–879 MHz. The major features are highlighted: a special notch filter with sharp skirt performance (e.g., both lower and higher band edge from 834 to 879 MHz yield lower than −40 dB cutoff), and micro‐controller based amplitude/phase control on feedforward path signal generation for fine harmonic cancellation. A prototype was implemented; it works out 47.36 dB Hz−1 cut‐off and 60 dBc ACLR. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:1006–1010, 2016
A Noncentral t Regression Model for Meta-Analysis

In this article, three multilevel models for meta-analysis are examined. Hedges and Olkin suggested that effect sizes follow a noncentral t distribution and proposed several approximate methods. Raudenbush and Bryk further refined this model; however, this procedure is based on a normal approximation. In the current research literature, this approximate procedure has not been compared to one based directly on the noncentral t distribution, which is the approach taken in this article. A multilevel model is presented, and estimation is carried out on a real data set using the Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) procedure. A simulation study is then conducted to examine the properties of the noncentral t approach in more depth. Finally, an example of code written in WinBUGS is given, which may be useful to researchers across a broad range of disciplines.
ampicillin on pathogenic bacteria

This research aimed to study the potential synergistic effect of Hydnophytum formicarum tuber and Vatica diospyroides Symington cotyledon extracts combined with ampicillin on Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Escherichia coli ATTC 25922. The antibacterial efficacy was assessed using agar well diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI), and a flow cytometry assay. The results indicate synergy in antibacterial activity of combined V. diospyroides cotyledon extract with ampicillin, which was more effective than H. formicarum tuber extract against both bacterial species (clear zone sizes 49.33 ± 0.58 and 30.67 ± 1.15 mm for S. aureus and E. coli, respectively). The MIC values for the combination against these bacteria were 1,000:3.125 and 500:3.125 μg/ml, respectively. The FICI values of the combination were 1.06 and 0.375, demonstrating independent and synergistic effects, respectively. The results of flow cytometry indicated that the combined extract-antibiotic inhibited bacteria by acting on cell membrane and by granularity disruptions, with the cell membrane representing the primary target followed by lost granularity. Vatica diospyroides cotyledon extract may increase the efficacy of ampicillin and reduce 8-fold the required antibiotic concentration. These results support a drug discovery program assessing V. diospyroides combined with antibiotics as therapy against resistant bacteria.
Drivers of youth participation in maize value addition in Gulu district, Uganda

This study focused on drivers of youth participation in maize value addition in Gulu district. The study identified the socioeconomic characteristics of the participating and non-participating youth and further ascertained the drivers of youth participation in maize value addition. A cross sectional household survey was conducted in Gulu district in two selected sub-counties and two divisions. Data were collected from a randomly selected sample of 168 participating and non-participating youth in maize value addition using structured questionnaires. SPSS and StataSE13 software were used for data analysis. Independent t- and chi-square tests were used to ascertain if significant differences existed between the participating and non-participating youth in maize value addition. A probit model was used to estimate the determinants of youth participation in maize value addition. Our results revealed that participating youth differed from their non-participating counterparts by age, education, experience in maize value addition, access to market, and location. Factors which significantly influenced youth participation included age, education, land size for maize production, location, access to market, training and extension. The study recommends that targeted training be organized for youth in areas of value addition technologies and strategic business location to enhance successful participation in agri-value chains.
Design and study of variable-structure excitation controller for multi-machine power systems

Based on multi-machine nonlinear models, using state-feedback accurate linearization method and variable-structure control theory, this paper develops a new variable-structure excitation controller for multi-machine power system. In this design, the referenced machine is cancelled, and the multi-machine disperse control is realized. The simulation result of three-machine system shows that this variable-structure excitation control can effectively improve power system transient stability under big disturbance.
Woody cover change in relation to fire history and land-use in the savanna-woodlands of north-east Namibia (1996–2019)

Vegetation cover estimates for trees, shrub-grass mosaics, and grassland and bare ground, were quantified in the savanna-woodland of Bwabwata National Park, north-east Namibia. Changes in woody cover were analysed using repeat photographs in combination with aerial photographs and recent satellite imagery taken between 1996 and 2019. Cover estimates for each vegetation type were obtained using object-based classification techniques and a non-parametric random forest classifier algorithm in eCognition Trimble software. Results show that over the two decades under investigation (1996–2019), trees declined (−10.6%), and the shrub-grass mosaic vegetation type increased (8.1%) across the park. The largest decline in trees occurred in the western land use areas (−36%), which also experienced the greatest increase in the shrub-grass mosaic (17%), when compared with areas in the east (11%). Variation of woody cover estimates is attributed to different seasonal fire management practices in the east versus the west of the park. The fire history (2000–2018) revealed that late dry season fires were frequent in the west, whereas in the east, early dry season fires were frequent. The stages of encroachment recorded in this study have consequences for biodiversity, people’s livelihoods, and tourism.
Tetrandrine Ameliorates Rheumatoid Arthritis in Mice by Alleviating Neutrophil Activities

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common autoimmune disease worldwide. Neutrophils play critical roles in the onset and development of RA and are the promising target for RA treatment. Tetrandrine is a bis-benzyl isoquinoline alkaloid derived from the traditional Chinese herbal Stephania tetrandra S. Moore. Tetrandrine is effective in alleviating RA by inhibiting macrophage inflammatory response, fibroblast overproliferation, and pannus formation. However, whether tetrandrine regulates the activities of neutrophils in RA is largely unknown. In this study, we adopted adjuvant-induced arthritis (AA) murine model to explore the effect of tetrandrine on RA and neutrophils. Twenty-eight mice were divided into four groups. The control group was injected with PBS in the limbs and treated with PBS by intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) from Day 10 to Day 37. The arthritis murine model was induced by injecting FCA into the ankle joints of hind limbs. The AA group, the AA + TET group, and the AA + DEX group mice were treated with PBS, tetrandrine (6 mg/kg), or dexamethasone (1 mg/kg) i.p. daily, respectively. Arthritic scores were evaluated, and the joint diameter was measured every three days. A cytometric bead assay was performed to measure the concentrations of IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-6 in the serum. H&E staining and Safranin O-fast staining were adopted to monitor the tissue changes in the joint. Immunohistochemistry assays were applied to detect the MPO, NE, CitH3, and PAD4 expression levels. To assess the effect of tetrandrine on neutrophil activities in vitro, CCK8 tests were applied to determine cell viability. The qPCR and ELISA were performed to determine IL-1β and IL-6 expression levels. Immunofluorescence assays were performed to measure the formation of NETs. The results indicated that tetrandrine significantly alleviated the symptoms of RA in terms of the ankle diameter (from 4.629 ± 2.729 to 3.957 ± 0.257; P < 0.01) and ankle score (from 4.000 ± 0.000 to 3.286 ± 0.756; P < 0.05). Tetrandrine treatment significantly increased the cartilage areas and decreased serum IL-6 significantly (from 5.954 ± 2.127 to 2.882 ± 2.013; P < 0.01). The immunohistochemistry assays also showed decreased expression levels of NE, MPO, PAD4, and CitH3 induced by tetrandrine in comparison with the AA group (P < 0.01). The qPCR assays and ELISAs showed that tetrandrine had an anti-inflammatory effect in vitro by significantly inhibiting IL-6 (P < 0.01). The immunofluorescence assays showed that NET formation induced by PMA could be reduced by tetrandrine (P < 0.01). In conclusion, tetrandrine has good efficacy in treating RA by regulating neutrophil-involved inflammation and NET formation.
The rebels' credibility dilemma: A new approach to the search for credibility towards the international community and the population

By being part into the theory of the rebels' credibility dilemma, this research takes its framework in a historical analysis of relations between rebel groups and governments, in order to better understand the mechanisms of demands and negotiations between these two actors. In this paper, we propose to test the validity of the theory of the rebels' credibility dilemma in Latin America, and to provide specific precision to this geographical area. For that, our approach proposes an historical and political study on data going from 1945 to 2019. The study is characterized by the creation of specific classifications and a relative power indicator of the rebel groups, making it possible to highlight new specificities of the rebels' credibility dilemma. The results show that globally the theory seems valid on the studied area, but that new parameters can be implemented to the initial theory, namely the search for popular and international credibility, through a general model of the rebels’ credibility dilemma.
Quantifying the Contribution of Internal Atmospheric Drivers to Near-term Projection Uncertainty in September Arctic Sea Ice

The Arctic sea ice has undergone rapid loss in all months of the year in recent decades, especially in September. The September sea ice extent (SSIE) in the multi-model ensemble mean of climate models shows a large divergence from observations since the 2000s, which indicates the potential influence of internal variability on SSIE decadal variations. Reasons previously identified for the accelerated decrease in SSIE are largely related to the tendency toward a barotropic geopotential height rise in summer over the Arctic. We used a 40-member ensemble of simulation by the Community Earth System Model Version 1 (CESM1) and a 100-member ensemble simulation by the Max Planck Institute Earth System Model (MPI-ESM) to reveal that the internal variability of the local atmosphere circulation change can contribute 12%-17% to the uncertainties in the projected SSIE changes during 2016-2045 in both CESM-LE and MPI-ESM. The tropical Pacific Ocean may act as a remote driver for the sea ice melting but the coupling between them is more intense on decadal timescales than that on year-to-year scales. Our quantitative estimation of the contribution of the internal atmospheric circulation to SSIE during the next three decades may be underestimated due to models’ inability to capture the observed Rossby wave train originating from the tropical Pacific Ocean propagating into the Arctic. Further efforts toward investigating causes of the model limitations and quantifying the contribution of local and remote component to Arctic sea ice on different timescales may help to improve the future sea ice prediction.
Decreasing potential suitable habitat of bumble bees in the Great Himalayan National Park Conservation area

ABSTRACT Bumble bees, along other managed honeybee species, provide vital pollination services to a wide range of agricultural and wild plants over the Himalayan range. As a result, it is regarded as one of the most important pollinator species in the Himalayan area. For the first time in our knowledge, we report an assessment of existing and projected habitat suitability distribution of bumble bees in the Great Himalayan National Park Conservation area. Between May 2018 and October 2019, nine species were reported in the region. A maximum entropy (MaxEnt) species distribution model was used to make future forecasts for the year 2050 utilising bioclimatic and biophysical data. The Jackknife test was performed to assess the variables’ contribution to predictive modelling. In the year 2050, Bombus tunicatus, Bombus haemorrhoidalis, Bombus festivus and Bombus asiaticus will be in more danger, representing the least suitable territory, according to a comparison of the nine species of bumble bees. This loss in species distribution area may result in the extinction of vital wildflower pollinators in the near future.