Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Surface Acoustic Wave Viscosity Sensor with Integrated Microfluidics on a PCB Platform

This paper illustrates the extension of Rayleigh wave-based surface acoustic wave (SAW) viscosity and density sensor previously developed by the authors for integration with microfluidics and printed circuit board (PCB)-based electronics. The SAW device is first modeled with a microchannel and analyzed using finite-element method (FEM) software. Precise fabrication, alignment, and bonding of polydimethylsiloxane microchannels on diced <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$Y$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$Z$ </tex-math></inline-formula> lithium niobate substrates are accomplished. A high-frequency PCB is built to obtain a better performance for SAW device testing. Low glycerin concentrations in deionized (DI) water are analyzed. The FEM simulation results and vector network analyzer measurements of the devices with the microchannel and PCB integration are presented. For low-frequency SAW sensor, a sensitivity of 171.9 Hz/(% glycerin) or 5.57 kHz/(kg/<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{m}^{2}\surd \text{s}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) in frequency shifts, 0.09°/(% glycerin) or 2.92°/(kg/<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{m}^{2}\surd \text{s}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) in phase difference, and minimum signal-to-noise ratio of 13.9 dB are achieved at peak frequency of 29.7 MHz. On the other hand, high-frequency (86.1 MHz) SAW sensor provides a sensitivity of 937.5 Hz/(% glycerin) or 37.15 kHz/(kg/<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{m}^{\mathbf {2}}\surd \text{s}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) in absolute frequency shifts, 0.37°/(% glycerin) or 14.7°/(kg/<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{m}^{\mathbf {2}}\surd \text{s}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) in phase difference, and minimum signal-to-noise ratio of 20.5 dB.
Cardiorespiratory fitness is associated with enhanced hippocampal functional connectivity in healthy young adults

Consistent associations have been found between higher cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and indices of enhanced brain health and function, including behavioral measures of cognition as well as neuroimaging indicators such as regional brain volume. Several studies have reported that higher CRF levels are associated with a larger hippocampus, yet associations between volume and memory or functional connectivity metrics remain poorly understood. Using a multi‐modal framework, we hierarchically examine the association between CRF and hippocampal volume and resting state functional connectivity (rsFC) in younger adults, as well as their relationship between with memory function. We conducted theoretically‐driven analyses with seeds in the anterior and posterior hippocampus, as well as control seeds in the caudate nucleus. We tested whether (1) hippocampal connectivity with prefrontal cortical regions was associated with CRF in an adult sample much younger than traditionally tested, (2) associations between CRF and rsFC remain significant after adjusting for volume, and (3) volume and rsFC are related to memory. We found that higher CRF levels were associated with larger anterior hippocampal volume and more positive rsFC of the anterior hippocampus to several regions including the prefrontal cortex. rsFC also accounted for significant variance in CRF, above and beyond volume. CRF can thus be independently linked to increased anterior hippocampal volume, as well as stronger hippocampal rsFC in a population much younger than those typically tested, suggesitng it is critical to maintainig multiple aspects of brain health.
Paleomycology of the Princeton Chert I. Fossil hyphomycetes associated with the early Eocene aquatic angiosperm, Eorhiza arnoldii

The Eocene (~ 48.7 Ma, Ypresian–Lutetian) Princeton Chert of British Columbia, Canada, has long been recognized as a significant paleobotanical locality, and a diverse assemblage of anatomically preserved fossil plants has been extensively documented. Co-occurring fossil fungi also have been observed, but the full scope of their diversity has yet to be comprehensively assessed. Here, we present the first of a series of investigations of fossilized fungi associated with the silicified plants of the Princeton Chert. This report focuses on saprotrophic, facultative-aquatic hyphomycetes observed in cortical aerenchyma tissue of an enigmatic angiosperm, Eorhiza arnoldii. Our use of paleontological thin sections provides the opportunity to observe and infer developmental features, making it possible to more accurately attribute two hyphomycetes that were observed in previous studies. These comprise multiseptate, holothallic, chlamydospore-like phragmoconidia most similar to extant Xylomyces giganteus and basipetal phragmospore-like chains of amerospores like those of extant Thielaviopsis basicola. We also describe a third hyphomycete that previously has not been recognized from this locality; biseptate, chlamydosporic phragmoconidia are distinguished by darkly melanized, inflated apical cells and are morphologically similar to Brachysporiella rhizoidea or Culcitalna achraspora.
Analysis of Machinability During Hard Turning of Cold Work Tool Steel (Type: AISI D2)

Hard turning is an attractive replacement for grinding operations due to numerous advantages such as low capital investment, shorter setup time, higher material removal rate, better surface integrity, and elimination of cutting fluids. As a potential alternative process, there is a need to assess the machinability in high-precision and high-hardened components. The current study establishes the relationships between the cutting conditions (cutting speed, feed rate, and machining time) on machinability aspects (machining force, power, specific cutting force, surface roughness, and tool wear). The response surface methodology-based mathematical models are proposed for modeling and analyzing the effects of process parameters on machinability during turning of high chromium AISI D2 cold work tool steel using CC650WG wiper ceramic inserts. The experiments have been planned as per full factorial design. From the parametric analysis, it is revealed that the power increases with increase in feed rate, while the specific cutting force decreases, whereas the requirement of machining force is low at low values of feed rate and machining time. The response surface analysis also indicates that the surface roughness can be reduced at lower values of feed rate and machining time with higher values of cutting speed, while the maximum tool wear occurs at a cutting speed of 150 m/min for all values of feed rate.
Carving fiber-top cantilevers with femtosecond laser micromachining

We present a new fabrication method to carve fiber-top cantilevers from single-mode optical fibers. The procedure, which is entirely based on a two-step femtosecond laser micromachining technique, is faster and more convenient with respect to what has been reported so far in the literature, and should be well adaptable to automatization and, thus, to series production.
Differential Association of Psychosocial Comorbidities With Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events and subclinical atherosclerosis, but the reasons for the excess risk are unclear. We explored whether psychosocial comorbidities, which may be associated with CVD in the general population, are differentially associated with subclinical atherosclerosis in RA compared to controls.
Spectrophotometric Determination of Trace Elements in various Honey Samples, Collected from different Environments

Honey is an important food ingredient due to its nutritive and medicinal values. In this project, varieties of honey samples were collected from different environmental sites in District Bannu. Several spectroscopic techniques were used to determine the composition of a series of trace elements within these samples. Cu, Zn, Al, Fe and Mg composition was determined using flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (FAAS), meanwhile Pb, Ni, Cd and Cr composition was determined by electro-thermal atomic absorption spectroscopy (ETAAS) and graphite atomic absorption spectroscopy (GAAS). Lastly, As, Hg, and Se composition was determined by Hydride generation atomic absorption spectroscopy (HGAAS). The trace elements Al, Zn, Mg, Fe, Cu, Cr, Pb, Cd and Ni were found in considerable abundances. However the amounts of As, Hg and Se were below the detection limits of the instrument ( ≥ 0.1 ppm, ≥ 0.1 ppm and ≥ 0.2 ppm for each element respectively).
Organizing Corporate Social Responsibility in Small and Large Firms: Size Matters

Based on the findings of a qualitative empirical study of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in Swiss MNCs and SMEs, we suggest that smaller firms are not necessarily less advanced in organizing CSR than large firms. Results according to theoretically derived assessment frameworks illustrate the actual implementation status of CSR in organizational practices. We propose that small firms possess several organizational characteristics that are favorable for promoting the internal implementation of CSR-related practices in core business functions, but constrain external communication and reporting about CSR. In contrast, large firms possess several characteristics that are favorable for promoting external communication and reporting about CSR, but at the same time constrain internal implementation. We sketch a theoretical explanation of these differences in organizing CSR in MNCs and SMEs based on the relationship between firm size and relative organizational costs.
Structural analysis of neutral glycosphingolipids from the silkworm Bombyx mori and the difference in ceramide composition between larvae and pupae

Glycosphingolipids (GSLs) from the silkworm Bombyx mori were identified and GSL expression patterns between larvae and pupae were compared. The structural analysis of neutral GSLs from dried pupae revealed the following predominant species: Glcβ1Cer, Manβ4Glcβ1Cer, GlcNAcβ3Manβ4Glcβ1Cer, Galβ3Manβ4Glcβ1Cer, GalNAcα4Galβ3Manβ4Glcβ1Cer, GlcNAcβ3Galβ3Manβ4Glcβ1Cer, Galα4Galβ3Manβ4Glcβ1Cer and (GalNAcα4)1-4 GalNAcα4Galβ3Manβ4Glcβ1Cer. Lin-ear elongation of α4-GalNAc was observed at the non-reducing end of Galβ3Manβ4Glcβ1Cer with up to five GalNAc repeats. The arthro-series GSL GlcNAcβ3Manβ4Glcβ1Cer, a characteristic GSL-glycan sequence of other Arthropoda, was detected in silkworms. The main ceramide species in each purified GSL fraction were h20:0-d14:1 and h22:0-d14:1. GSL expression patterns in larvae and pupae were compared using thin-layer chromatography, which demonstrated differences among acidic, polar and neutral GSL fractions, while the zwitterionic fraction showed no difference. Neutral GSLs such as ceramides di-, tri- and tetrasaccharides in larvae showed less abundant than those in pupae. MALDI-TOF MS analysis revealed that larval GSLs contained four types of ceramide species, whereas pupal GSLs contained only two types. The structural analysis of neutral GSLs from silkworms revealed a novel series of GSLs. The comparison of GSL expression patterns between larvae and pupae demonstrated differences in several fractions. Alterations in GSL ceramide composition between larvae and pupae were observed by MALDI-TOF MS analysis.
Spectral pre-adaptation for two-step arbitrary-shape-support image restoration

In recent years, boundary problems associated to image restoration have attracted the attention of imaging scientists. We explore here the case of arbitrary boundary shapes (like blurred-background images), starting from a general discussion and advancing towards realist conditions, with simulations and real photographic images. We describe our Spectral-Pre-Adaptation (SPA) method, and compare it to the successful unconstrained boundary conditions Alternating Direction Method of Multipliers (UBC ADMM) method. Preliminary results indicate that SPA, combined with efficient restoration algorithms, such as Constrained Dynamic L2-relaxed L0, may set the new state-of-the-art, in performance and computational terms, for this kind of problems.
Physical Insights on Negative Capacitance Transistors in Nonhysteresis and Hysteresis Regimes: MFMIS Versus MFIS Structures

We present a comprehensive comparison of the two different types of ferroelectric negative capacitance FET (NCFET) structures: metal-ferroelectric-metal-insulator-semiconductor (MFMIS) and metal-ferroelectric-insulator-semiconductor (MFIS). A new segmentation approach is proposed to simulate MFIS NCFET, which correctly takes care of the nonuniformity in potential and horizontal electric field at the ferroelectric–oxide interface. We show that MFMIS NCFET provides a higher ON-current than MFIS NCFET except for the ferroelectrics with very low remnant polarization (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${P}_{r}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) in the high operating voltage regime. We find that this behavior is caused by a reduction or enhancement of the longitudinal electric field in the channel of MFIS structure depending upon <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${P}_{r}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> of the ferroelectric and the operating voltage. Moreover, there exists an optimum <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${P}_{r}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> which provides maximum ON-current for both the devices. We also find that MFIS NCFET is more prone to hysteresis and starts showing a hysteretic behavior at a lower ferroelectric thickness compared with MFMIS NCFET.
Crystallization, phase evolution and ferroelectric properties of sol–gel-synthesized Ba(Ti0.8Zr0.2)O3–x(Ba0.7Ca0.3)TiO3 thin films

A lead-free piezoelectric material with ultra-high properties, Ba(Ti0.8Zr0.2)O3–x(Ba0.7Ca0.3)TiO3(BZT–xBCT) nanocrystals was synthesized via a sol–gel method, and the corresponding thin films were also deposited on Pt/Ti/SiO2/Si substrates by a spin-coating approach. The BZT–xBCT thin film exhibited a high remnant polarization of 22.15 μC cm−2 with a large coercive field of 68.06 kV cm−1. The resultant gel is calcined at various elevated temperatures and studied with FTIR/XRD/Raman/DSC-TGA/AFM/SEM techniques for gel composition, crystallization, phase transition, thermochemistry and the morphology of the film. Although the room temperature crystal structure of the BZT–xBCT nanocrystals appears to be a standard perovskite structure by conventional X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy demonstrates the presence of non-centrosymmetric regions arising from the off-centering of the titanium (zirconium) atoms. The Raman spectra findings demonstrate the degree by which the tetragonal phase grows with the increase of calcining temperature in BZT–0.5BCT, and the characteristic ferroelectric–ferroelectric phase transition in BZT–xBCT while going through the MPB process. The structural and constituent evolution for the conversion process from gel to ceramic, as well as the formation mechanism of the BZT–0.5BCT crystallite, were also elucidated.
Mutations of the Twik-Related Acid-Sensitive K+ Channel 2 Promoter in Human Primary Aldosteronism

Because blunted expression of the twik-related acid-sensitive K+ channel 2 (TASK-2) is a common feature of aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) causing primary aldosteronism (PA), we sequenced the promoter region of the TASK-2 gene (KCNK5) in APAs (n = 76), primary hypertensive patients (n = 98), and 20-year-old healthy volunteers (n = 71), searching for variants that could affect expression of this channel. We found TASK-2 promoter mutations in 25% of the APAs: C999T in 6.6%, G595A in 5.3%, G36A in 5.3%, and C562T, Gins468, G265C, C1247T, G1140T, and C1399T in 1.3% each. The C999T mutation was found in only one of the 98 primary hypertensive patients, but mutations were detected also in 12% of volunteers: 4 carried the C999T, 3 G1288C, 1 the G1140T mutation, and 1 the 468ins mutation. After a 16-year follow-up, none of these patients developed hypertension or PA. The effect of C999T mutation was investigated in H295R cells using reporter vectors with the mutated or the wild-type (WT) TASK-2 promoters. TASK-2 gene expression was decreased by 31% ± 18% (P = 0.01) in mutated compared with WT APA. Likewise, in transfected H295R cells, the C999T mutation decreased TASK-2 transcriptional activity by 35% (normalized luciferase signal fold change: 0.65 ± 0.25, P < 0.001). Thus, mutations in the promoter region of the TASK-2 gene can account for the low expression in ∼25% of APAs. As they did not result in hypertension or PA during long-term follow-up in healthy participants, these mutations do not seem to be a factor in causing PA by themselves.
Automatic Extraction of Central Tendon of Rectus Femoris (CT-RF) in Ultrasound Images Using a New Intensity-Compensated Free-Form Deformation-Based Tracking Algorithm With Local Shape Refinement

Ultrasonography is an important diagnostic imaging technique for visualization of tendons, which provides useful health diagnostic and fundamental information in neuromuscular studies of human motion systems. Conventional ultrasonic-based tendon studies, however, are highly dependent on subjective experience of operators due to various impairments of ultrasound images. Dynamic changes of muscle and tendon deformation in a sequence can hardly be manually processed. Consequently, there is an urgent need for automatic analysis of tendon behavior. This paper proposes an automatic ultrasonic tendon tracking algorithm to extract the shape deformation of central tendon of rectus femoris (CT-RF) from ultrasonic image sequences. The tracking problem is complicated by the highly deformable tendon, time-varying brightness, and the inconspicuousness of the target. To address this difficult tracking problem, we proposed a new intensity-compensated free-form deformation (IC-FFD)-based tracking algorithm with local shape refinement (LSR). Experimental results and comparison show that the proposed IC-FFD-LSR algorithm outperforms IC-FFD and conventional methods such as MI-FFD in CT-RF tracking.
Synechococcus sp. Strain PCC 7002 Transcriptome: Acclimation to Temperature, Salinity, Oxidative Stress, and Mixotrophic Growth Conditions

Synechococcus sp. strain PCC 7002 is a unicellular, euryhaline cyanobacterium. It is a model organism for studies of cyanobacterial metabolism and has great potential for biotechnological applications. It exhibits an exceptional tolerance of high-light irradiation and shows very rapid growth. The habitats from which this and closely related strains were isolated are subject to changes in several environmental factors, including light, nutrient supply, temperature, and salinity. In this study global transcriptome profiling via RNAseq has been used to perform a comparative and integrated study of global changes in cells grown at different temperatures, at different salinities, and under mixotrophic conditions, when a metabolizable organic carbon source was present. Furthermore, the transcriptomes were investigated for cells that were subjected to a heat shock and that were exposed to oxidative stress. Lower growth temperatures caused relatively minor changes of the transcriptome; the most prominent changes affected fatty acid desaturases. A heat shock caused severe changes of the transcriptome pattern; transcripts for genes associated with major metabolic pathways declined and those for different chaperones increased dramatically. Oxidative stress, however, left the transcript pattern almost unaffected. When grown at high salinity, Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 had increased expression of genes involved in compatible solute biosynthesis and showed increased mRNA levels for several genes involved in electron transport. Transcripts of two adjacent genes dramatically increased upon growth at high salinity; the respective proteins are putatively involved in coping with oxidative stress and in triggering ion channels. Only minor changes were observed when cells were grown at low salinity or when the growth medium was supplemented with glycerol. However, the transcriptome data suggest that cells must acclimate to excess reducing equivalents when a reduced C-source is present.
The Effects of Anterolateral Tenodesis on Tibiofemoral Contact Pressures and Kinematics

Background: Anterolateral tenodeses are increasingly popular in combination with intra-articular anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions. Despite the perception of risk of overconstraint and lateral osteoarthritis, evidence is lacking regarding the effect of graft tensioning on knee kinematics and intra-articular compartmental joint pressures. Purpose: To investigate tibiofemoral joint contact pressures and kinematics related to an anterolateral lesion and the effectiveness of a MacIntosh tenodesis in restoring these when varying (1) graft tension and (2) tibial rotation during graft fixation. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Eight fresh-frozen cadaveric knees were tested in a customized rig with femur fixed and tibia free to move from 0° to 90° of flexion. The quadriceps and iliotibial band were loaded by means of a weighted pulley system. At 30° intervals of knee flexion, tibiofemoral contact pressures were measured with a Tekscan sensor and tibiofemoral kinematics were recorded by use of an optical tracking system. The knee was tested intact and then with an anterolateral soft tissue transection. MacIntosh tenodeses were then tested in a randomized order with 20 N or 80 N of graft tension, each with the tibia held in neutral intact alignment or free to rotate. Results: Tibial anterior translation and internal rotation were significantly increased and lateral contact pressures significantly reduced compared with the intact knee following anterolateral soft tissue cutting (P < .05). Contact pressures were restored with fixed neutral tibial rotation combined with 20 N or 80 N of graft tension or by a free-hanging tibia with 20 N of graft tension (all P values > .5). Grafts tensioned with 80 N caused significant overconstraint both when the tibia was fixed and free hanging (all P values < .05). Increases in the lateral tibiofemoral contact pressures were also seen when the tibia was free hanging and 80 N was used for graft tension (P < .05). Conclusion: Anterolateral soft tissue injury caused reduced lateral tibiofemoral contact pressures and altered tibiofemoral kinematics; these were restored with a MacIntosh procedure performed with 20 N of graft tension. If 80 N of graft tension was used, increased lateral contact pressures and overconstraint in internal rotation were seen. With the tibia free hanging, intact contact biomechanics were restored when 20 N of graft tension was applied, but 80 N of graft tension significantly increased lateral tibiofemoral pressures and overconstrained internal rotation. The kinematic and contact pressure effects were significantly correlated: Changes in tibial rotation caused by increased graft tension correlated with elevated lateral articular contact pressure. Clinical Relevance: Controlling tibial position appears important when tensioning anterolateral tenodeses. However, the identified changes were subtle and may not be clinically significant in a fully loaded knee.