Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On the State of Graphene Oxide Nanosheet in a Polyurethane Matrix

Thermally stable films were obtained from a water-based polyurethane (PU) dispersion with small (0.1–1.5 wt.%) additions of graphene oxide (GO). The films were studied through elemental analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, differential thermogravimetry, and Raman spectroscopy. It was found that the introduction of GO into a PU matrix was accompanied by a partial reduction in graphene oxide nanosheet and an increase in the concentration of defects in GO structure. It has been also established that the [C/N]at ratio in the near-surface layer of PU/GO composite films grows with an increase in the content of graphene oxide in the composite films.
The Relationship between Elevated Homocysteine and Metabolic Syndrome in a Community-Dwelling Middle-Aged and Elderly Population in Taiwan

(1) Background: Metabolic syndrome has become a serious health problem in society. Homocysteine is a biomarker for cardiovascular disease. We investigated the relationship between homocysteine levels and metabolic syndrome. (2) Methods: A total of 398 middle-aged and elderly individuals were included in our study. First, we divided the participants into two groups: the metabolic syndrome group and the nonmetabolic syndrome group. Second, according to tertiles of homocysteine levels from low to high, the participants were divided into first, second, and third groups. Pearson’s correlation was then calculated for homocysteine levels and metabolic factors. Scatterplots are presented. Finally, the risk of metabolic syndrome in the second and third groups compared with the first group was assessed by multivariate logistic regression. (3) Results: In our study, the metabolic syndrome group had higher homocysteine levels, and the participants in the third group were more likely to have metabolic syndrome. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that the third group, which had the highest homocysteine level, was associated with metabolic syndrome with an odds ratio of 2.32 compared with the first group after adjusting for risk factors. (4) Conclusions: We concluded that high plasma homocysteine levels were independently associated with MetS in our study population.
Process Operation Performance Assessment Based on Semi-Supervised Fine-Grained Generative Adversarial Network for EFMF

The process operation performance assessment (POPA) of electro-fused magnesium furnace (EFMF) plays an irreplaceable role in improving production efficiency and ensuring product quality. The existing methods of POPA seriously rely on a large number of manually marked label data. However, manual marking of all samples will pay a very high price, which is not applicable in the actual industrial application of EFMF. Therefore, taking advantage of the multisource heterogeneous information of image, sound, and current generated by EFMF, we propose a novel semi-supervised fine-grained generative adversarial network (SSFGGAN) that addresses the issue of POPA of the EFMF smelting process. The SSFGGAN method makes use of the generative adversarial network and semi-supervised strategy and works together with the classifier, which makes the feature distribution of each operation performance grade in source domain (SD) and target domain (TD) consistent through adversarial learning of a fine-grained discriminator. Therefore, the comprehensive features learned in SD remain effective for TD data and can be directly applied to POPA of TD. Finally, the simulation results show that the assessment accuracy has been improved with a small number of labeled data and a large number of unlabeled data. The accuracy of the SSFGGAN method can reach 99.875%, 99.75%, 99.625%, and 99.125%, respectively, when the ratio of labeled data to unlabeled data is 1:2, 1:5, 1:10, and 1:20. In each evaluation index, it is better than the compared methods.
Shorter Cilia Length and Aberrant Ciliated Marker DNAI1 in Allergic Rhinitis

Purpose This study aimed to investigate whether the impaired ciliary length and aberrant ciliary ultrastructure marker, dynein axonemal intermediate chain 1 (DNAI1), are important pathological characteristics in nasal mucosa from patients with allergic rhinitis (AR). Patients and Methods Biopsies were taken from the inferior turbinate (IT) of controls (n = 20) and patients with AR (n = 20). The ciliary length and the DNAI1 location patterns were assessed by using immunofluorescent staining. Three patterns of DNAI1 localization were defined using a semi-quantitative scoring system: normal (N), partial (P) and absence (A). Every individual section was assigned a score between 0 and 2 in each high-power field (5 fields per sample). The score of 0 = pattern N >70%; 1 = patterns N + P >70%; and 2 = pattern A ≥30%. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the predicted value of DNAI1 score for AR. Results The ciliary length was reduced by 33.3% in patients with AR compared with controls (P < 0.0001). The higher DNAI1 score was found in the AR group, with a median (first and third quartile) of 0.9 (0.4 and 1.08), which was 0.1 (0 and 0.76) in the control group (P = 0.0071). The ROC of DNAI1 was calculated based on the area under the curve of 0.74 (P = 0.0094). The cutoff value of ROC was 0.5833, with a sensitivity and specificity of 70%. Conclusion These results suggested that the shorter ciliary length and aberrant localization of DNAI1 are potentially important pathological characteristics of the allergic nasal mucosa. The aberrant localization of DNAI1 may provide a novel candidate target for clinical management of AR.
Interstellar Polarization from CO and XCN Mantled Grains: A Severe Test for Grain Alignment Mechanisms

We present linear spectropolarimetry in the wavelength range 4.5-4.8 μm of the embedded infrared source W33A. Our observations show for the first time the presence of polarization associated with the CO and XCN ice features, demonstrating that the absorbers reside in or on aligned grains. Both narrow and broad components of the solid CO feature near 4.67 μm are polarized. The detection of polarization associated with the narrow CO component is particularly significant, as the ices responsible are thought to exist only in dense, cold regions of molecular clouds, where gas and grain temperatures are expected to be closely coupled and traditional grain alignment mechanisms should become ineffective. We discuss the significance of this result with regard to current grain alignment theories. Mechanisms in which grain rotational energy is enhanced by interaction with cosmic rays merit further investigation.
Nanometer-scale magnetic MnAs particles in GaAs grown by molecular beam epitaxy

Spherical MnAs ferromagnetic particles with controllable diameters (5–30 nm) are embedded in a high quality GaAs matrix. The particles are formed in a two step process consisting of the epitaxy of a homogeneous Ga1−xMnxAs layer at low temperatures using molecular beam epitaxy followed by phase separation upon annealing. During the annealing step, the excess arsenic in the as‐grown film forms magnetic MnAs precipitates with the Mn from the Ga1−xMnxAs lattice. Structural and room‐temperature magnetic properties of the heterogeneous GaAs:MnAs films are described. The magnetic MnAs rich layers can be incorporated into semiconductor heterostructures as demonstrated by growing (GaAs/AlAs) multiple quantum well structures in combination with GaAs:MnAs layers.
Interstellar polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons: from space to the laboratory

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are the most likely carriers proposed to account for the Aromatic Infrared Bands observed in emission between 3.3 and 12.7 μ m, fulfilling both the chemical (presence of CC and CH aromatic bonds) and excitation constraints. We explain here how the emission spectrum of such species in astronomical environments can be modelled, to obtain for each infrared band both its intensity and its detailed profile. The PAH model suffers from the lack of identification of individual species. Two strategies are described here that are currently being used to progress in this identification process. The first idea is that features in the far IR are much more specific to the exact molecular identity. Therefore their search with the coming Herschel Space Observatory will provide an unambiguous way to identify these molecules through their IR emission. Second, a reflection on where interstellar PAHs come from and how they evolve due to environmental conditions (UV irradiation, gas and dust interactions) is also necessary to get more insights into the nature of interstellar PAH candidates. In particular, recent studies have emphasized a chemical link between PAHs and very small grains in photodissociation regions. Finally, we illustrate in this paper how progress in this field can only be attained by a synergy between astronomical observations, fundamental studies, both theoretical and experimental, and models.
Manipulation, Sampling and Inactivation of the SARS-CoV-2 Virus Using Nonuniform Electric Fields on Micro-Fabricated Platforms: A Review

Micro-devices that use electric fields to trap, analyze and inactivate micro-organisms vary in concept, design and application. The application of electric fields to manipulate and inactivate bacteria and single-celled organisms has been described extensively in the literature. By contrast, the effect of such fields on viruses is not well understood. This review explores the possibility of using existing methods for manipulating and inactivating larger viruses and bacteria, for smaller viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2. It also provides an overview of the theoretical background. The findings may be used to implement new ideas and frame experimental parameters that optimize the manipulation, sampling and inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 electrically.
Model reference adaptive control of state delayed system with actuator failures

This paper develops adaptive state feedback control schemes for a class of linear systems with state delay in the presence of unknown actuator failures. The main contributions of this paper are the development of two controller parametrizations which attempt to anticipate the future states, the introduction of an appropriate Lyapunov–Krasovskii type functional to design the new class of adaptation algorithms, and a stability proof.
Explosive Cyclone Development in the Southern Hemisphere and a Comparison with Northern Hemisphere Events

Abstract A compilation of Southern Hemisphere (SH) explosively developing cyclones (or “bombs”) has been assembled based on the National Centers for Environmental Prediction–Department of Energy reanalysis-2 data over the 21-yr period from 1979 to 1999. The identification of these features was undertaken with an objective automated cyclone finding and tracking scheme. The procedure allows for the confounding influence of spatial variations of climatological mean pressure on the pressure deepening of explosive cyclones, a perspective of particular importance in the SH. On average, 26 explosive cyclones occur per year in the SH. They are more prevalent in winter although their seasonality is more modest than that seen in the Northern Hemisphere (NH). The distribution of SH explosive cyclones has a close association with that of strong baroclinicity, although the relationship is not one to one. It is found that many of these cyclones occurring south of 50°S show equatorward movement, in contrast with the pol.
Reachable Set Estimation and Aperiodic Sampled-data Controller Design for Markovian Jump Neural Networks with Time-Varying Delays

In this paper, reachable set estimation (RSE) and aperiodic sampled-data (SD) controller design for time-varying delay Markovian jump neural networks (MJNNs) is studied. Firstly, the two-sided loop-based Lyapunov functional (LBLF) is constructed, and sufficient conditions for all states to be bounded in ellipsoid are derived via using the free-weight matrix method, and ellipsoids of various sizes can be derived by controlling the SD intervals. Secondly, RSE is taken into account in the design of aperiodic SD controller, which seeks to enable the ellipsoid to include the reachable set of the system and render the system stable. Finally, the methodology of this paper is validated by practical cases.
Tau Coupling Investigation Using Positive Wavelet Analysis

The investigation of motion guidance and its subsequent application using tau (τ) theory relies on the accurate calculation of the coupling term between the τ (time to contact) of the motion and the appropriate τ guide. However, the traditional approach for this calculation can be numerically unstable, requires experience and skill to execute in a meaningful manner, is sensitive to the data selected, and has limited application when the motion information is incomplete or deviates from the ideal. To deal with these issues, a new approach, based on positive wavelet analysis, is proposed in this paper. The mother wavelet is constructed using the desired τ-guide shapes, with its scale considered to be defined by the maneuver period. The scale and time information of interest are found by searching for the best local correlation within the whitened original signal. An inverse dewhitening process is then used to reconstruct an approximation to the original motion signal. The adequacy of the positive wavelet me.
Artificial Intelligence for Cancer Detection—A Bibliometric Analysis and Avenues for Future Research

After cardiovascular diseases, cancer is responsible for the most deaths worldwide. Detecting a cancer disease early improves the chances for healing significantly. One group of technologies that is increasingly applied for detecting cancer is artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence has great potential to support clinicians and medical practitioners as it allows for the early detection of carcinomas. During recent years, research on artificial intelligence for cancer detection grew a lot. Within this article, we conducted a bibliometric study of the existing research dealing with the application of artificial intelligence in cancer detection. We analyzed 6450 articles on that topic that were published between 1986 and 2022. By doing so, we were able to give an overview of this research field, including its key topics, relevant outlets, institutions, and articles. Based on our findings, we developed a future research agenda that can help to advance research on artificial intelligence for cancer detection. In summary, our study is intended to serve as a platform and foundation for researchers that are interested in the potential of artificial intelligence for detecting cancer.
1 f γ noise in thick-film resistors as an effect of tunnel and thermally activated emissions, from measures versus frequency and temperature

Measurements of the frequency and temperature dependence of the noise spectrum and of its frequency exponent have been performed on thick-film resistors and, together with the direct plots versus the frequency logarithm of the spectrum-frequency product, they are used to check the island model of the flicker noise. It is shown that the wide dispersion of the island relaxation times, necessary to originate the flicker noise, is due to tunnel emission and/or thermal activation processes of electrons from localized states, and to the exponential dependence of their emission probability on random variable distances and activation energies, whose distribution functions, means, and variances are determined both theoretically and experimentally. I. PREMISE The island model of the low-frequency excess noises' shows that these phenomena, including the flicker noise, are generated by localized states, called islands, that exchange charge carriers with the surrounding conductive medium through tunnel emission and/or thermal activation processes. This latter type of process leads to a strong temperature dependence of the conductance 6 of the islands and of their relaxation times r Further. more, the model predicts that the product fSy(f, T) between the frequency f and the power spectral density Sq of the voltage fluctuations is related to the distribution function D of the logarithm of 6, calculated at — ln(f /f„), by the relationship fSv(f, T)= ((b V)~ ),D( — ln(f/f„) ), where ((AV) ), is the variance of the voltage fluctuations, f„ is a reference frequency, and T is the temperature. Consequently, a careful analysis of measured data of fSv vs ln(f/f„) over wide frequency and temperature ranges should be able to give interesting physical information of the investigated system and, together with a detailed model of the distribution function of the island conductance logarithm, should allow us to check quite easily the validity of the island theory of the flicker noise. In this paper we will show that both these goals have been attained by means of the study of the excess noise in thick-film resistors and of a measuring system that includes a digital signal analyzer that
The growth of supermassive black holes fed by accretion disks

Context. Supermassive black holes are probably present in the centre of the majority of the galaxies. There is consensus that these exotic objects are formed by the growth of seeds either by mass accretion from a circumnuclear disk and/or by coalescences during merger episodes. Aims. The mass fraction of the disk captured by the central object and the related timescale are still open questions, as is how these quantities depend on parameters, such as the initial mass of the disk or the seed, or on the angular momentum transport mechanism. This paper addresses these particular aspects of the accretion disk evolution and the growth of seeds. Methods. The time-dependent hydrodynamic equations were solved numerically for an axisymmetric disk in which the gravitational potential includes contributions from both the central object and the disk itself. The numerical code is based on a Eulerian formalism, using a finite difference method of second-order, according to the Van Leer upwind algorithm on a staggered mesh. Results. The present simulations indicate that seeds capture about a half of the initial disk mass, a result weakly dependent on model parameters. The timescales required for accreting 50% of the disk mass are in the range 130–540 Myr, depending on the adopted parameters. These timescales can explain the presence of bright quasars at z ∼ 6.5. Moreover, at the end of the disk evolution, a “torus-like” geometry develops, offering a natural explanation for the presence of these structures in the central regions of AGNs, representing an additional support to the unified model. Conclusions.
A Longitudinal Study Exploring the Role of Mental Health Symptoms and Social Support Regarding Life Satisfaction 18 Months after Initiation of Gender-Affirming Hormone Treatment

While positive changes in mental health have been found following gender-affirming hormone treatment (GAHT), it is unclear how pre-GAHT mental health and social support can influence treatment outcomes. To address this, a retrospective longitudinal design was used in which 137 participants completed measures of social support, anxiety, and depression prior to GAHT (T0) and a measure of life satisfaction 18 months after GAHT (T1). The data showed no significant differences in life satisfaction at T1 based on T0 caseness of anxiety or depression. It was also found that T1 life satisfaction was not predicted by levels of anxiety, depression, or social support at T0. The lack of significant differences in life satisfaction at 18 months post-GAHT based on pre-GAHT mental health, coupled with no evidence for the predictive role social support suggest that these factors are not central to long-term life satisfaction. For many, lower mental wellbeing may be part of the experience of awaiting GAHT and should not be regarded as indicative of longer-term issues. Instead, facilitation of social support connections and mental health support should be offered both concurrently with, and for those awaiting, GAHT.
Low-Dose Sodium Salicylate Promotes Ovulation by Regulating Steroids via CYP17A1

To meet the current demand of assisted reproduction and animal breeding via superovulation and reduce the impact of hormone drugs, it is necessary to develop new superovulation drugs. This study examined the role of inflammation and steroids in ovulation. Sodium salicylate can regulate inflammation and steroids. However, the effect of sodium salicylate on ovulation has not been studied. In this study, mice were intraperitoneally injected with different concentrations of sodium salicylate for four consecutive days. The effects of sodium salicylate on oocyte quality and on the number of ovulations were examined, and these effects were compared with those of pregnant horse serum gonadotropin (PMSG)/follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) treatment. We found that low-dose sodium salicylate increased the levels of ovulation hormones and inflammation by promoting the expression of CYP17A1. Sodium salicylate had the same effect as the commonly used superovulation drug PMSG/FSH and reduced the histone methylation level. Sodium salicylate can promote ovulation in mice and Awang sheep. It can greatly decrease the use of hormone drugs, reduce breeding costs and physical impacts, and can thus be used for livestock breeding.
Weak Ultrasound Contributes to Neuromodulatory Effects in the Rat Motor Cortex

Transcranial focused ultrasound (tFUS) is a novel neuromodulating technique. It has been demonstrated that the neuromodulatory effects can be induced by weak ultrasound exposure levels (spatial-peak temporal average intensity, ISPTA < 10 mW/cm2) in vitro. However, fewer studies have examined the use of weak tFUS to potentially induce long-lasting neuromodulatory responses in vivo. The purpose of this study was to determine the lower-bound threshold of tFUS stimulation for inducing neuromodulation in the motor cortex of rats. A total of 94 Sprague–Dawley rats were used. The sonication region aimed at the motor cortex under weak tFUS exposure (ISPTA of 0.338–12.15 mW/cm2). The neuromodulatory effects of tFUS on the motor cortex were evaluated by the changes in motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) elicited by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). In addition to histology analysis, the in vitro cell culture was used to confirm the neuromodulatory mechanisms following tFUS stimulation. In the results, the dose-dependent inhibitory effects of tFUS were found, showing increased intensities of tFUS suppressed MEPs and lasted for 30 min. Weak tFUS significantly decreased the expression of excitatory neurons and increased the expression of inhibitory GABAergic neurons. The PIEZO-1 proteins of GABAergic neurons were found to involve in the inhibitory neuromodulation. In conclusion, we show the use of weak ultrasound to induce long-lasting neuromodulatory effects and explore the potential use of weak ultrasound for future clinical neuromodulatory applications.