Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A closer look at high-energy X-ray-induced bubble formation during soft tissue imaging

Improving the scalability of tissue imaging throughput with bright, coherent X-rays requires identifying and mitigating artifacts resulting from the interactions between X-rays and matter. At synchrotron sources, long-term imaging of soft tissues in solution can result in gas bubble formation or cavitation, which dramatically compromises image quality and integrity of the samples. By combining in-line phase-contrast cineradiography with operando gas chromatography, we were able to track the onset and evolution of high-energy X-ray-induced gas bubbles in ethanol-embedded soft tissue samples for tens of minutes (2 to 3 times the typical scan times). We demonstrate quantitatively that vacuum degassing of the sample during preparation can significantly delay bubble formation, offering up to a twofold improvement in dose tolerance, depending on the tissue type. However, once nucleated, bubble growth is faster in degassed than undegassed samples, indicating their distinct metastable states at bubble onset. Gas chromatography analysis shows increased solvent vaporization concurrent with bubble formation, yet the quantities of dissolved gases remain unchanged. Coupling features extracted from the radiographs with computational analysis of bubble characteristics, we uncover dose-controlled kinetics and nucleation site-specific growth. These hallmark signatures provide quantitative constraints on the driving mechanisms of bubble formation and growth. Overall, the observations highlight bubble formation as a critical, yet often overlooked hurdle in upscaling X-ray imaging for biological tissues and soft materials and we offer an empirical foundation for their understanding and imaging protocol optimization. More importantly, our approaches establish a top-down scheme to decipher the complex, multiscale radiation-matter interactions in these applications. Significance statement Better probing the X-ray radiation dose limit of bubble formation in biological tissue and developing mitigation methods is essential for improving imaging techniques involving X-ray, such as synchrotron X-ray tomography or crystallography. Here, we combined operando gas chromatography with in-line X-ray phase-contrast radiography on human lung and brain tissue to investigate bubble formation under high-energy X-ray irradiation. We demonstrate that vacuum degassing delays bubble nucleation up to a factor two, depending on the tissue type. Gas chromatography analysis showed increased solvent vaporization during bubble formation; however, the quantities of dissolved gases remained unchanged. Moreover, depending on the nucleation site, bubble growth can be geometrically constrained by sample microstructure, which influence its dynamics.
Odor representations from the two nostrils are temporally segregated in human piriform cortex

The human olfactory system has two discrete channels of sensory input, arising from olfactory epithelia housed in the left and right nostrils. Here, we asked whether primary olfactory cortex (piriform cortex, PC) encodes odor information arising from the two nostrils as integrated or distinct stimuli. We recorded intracranial EEG signals directly from PC while human subjects participated in an odor identification task where odors were delivered to the left, right, or both nostrils. We analyzed the time-course of odor-identity coding using machine learning approaches, and found that uni-nostril odor inputs to the ipsilateral nostril are encoded ∼480 ms faster than odor inputs to the contralateral nostril on average. During naturalistic bi-nostril odor sampling, odor information emerged in two temporally segregated epochs with the first epoch corresponding to the ipsilateral and the second epoch corresponding to the contralateral odor representations. These findings reveal that PC maintains distinct representations of odor input from each nostril through temporal segregation, highlighting an olfactory coding scheme at the cortical level that can parse odor information across nostrils within the course of a single inhalation.
Aerobic exercise reverses aging-induced depth-dependent decline in cerebral microcirculation

Aging is a major risk factor for cognitive impairment. Aerobic exercise benefits brain function and may promote cognitive health in older adults. However, underlying biological mechanisms across cerebral gray and white matter are poorly understood. Selective vulnerability of the white matter to small vessel disease and a link between white matter health and cognitive function suggests a potential role for responses in deep cerebral microcirculation. Here, we tested whether aerobic exercise modulates cerebral microcirculatory changes induced by aging. To this end, we carried out a comprehensive quantitative examination of changes in cerebral microvascular physiology in cortical gray and subcortical white matter in mice (3-6 vs. 19-21 months old), and asked whether and how exercise may rescue age-induced deficits. In the sedentary group, aging caused a more severe decline in cerebral microvascular perfusion and oxygenation in deep (infragranular) cortical layers and subcortical white matter compared with superficial (supragranular) cortical layers. Five months of voluntary aerobic exercise partly renormalized microvascular perfusion and oxygenation in aged mice in a depth-dependent manner, and brought these spatial distributions closer to those of young adult sedentary mice. These microcirculatory effects were accompanied by an improvement in cognitive function. Our work demonstrates the selective vulnerability of the deep cortex and subcortical white matter to aging-induced decline in microcirculation, as well as the responsiveness of these regions to aerobic exercise.
A thin line between conflict and reaction time effects on EEG and fMRI brain signals

The last two decades of electrophysiological and neuroimaging research converged that the activity in the medial frontal cortex plays a pivotal role in cognitive control processes. Notably, the midfrontal theta (MFT) oscillatory EEG power, as well as activity in the anterior midcingulate cortex (aMCC) or pre-supplementary motor area (preSMA), were consistently proclaimed as markers of conflict processing. However, these brain signals are strongly correlated with response time (RT) variability in various non-conflict tasks, which overshadows the true nature of their involvement. Our previous study (Beldzik et al., 2022) successfully identified these brain signals during a simultaneous EEG-fMRI experiment implementing Stroop and Simon tasks. Based on the assumption that overcoming the habitual prepotent response during high interference trials require additional neural resources beyond simple decision variable represented in RTs, here we aim to verify if these markers exhibit a congruency effect beyond RT variations. Furthermore, we explored if these brain signals represent either proactive or reactive cognitive control mechanisms by investigating two widely known behavioral phenomena observed in conflict tasks: proportion congruency and congruency sequence effects. The results revealed partially null findings for MFT activity, yet a distinct cognitive control specialization between aMCC and preSMA. Our study provides novel evidence that the former is involved in proactive control mechanisms, possibly contingency learning, whereas the latter reflects reactive control mechanisms by exhibiting a strong congruency effect regardless of RT variation and responding to adaptive behavior.
Computational investigation of arc behavior in an auto-expansion circuit breaker contaminated by ablated nozzle vapor

PC-based arc modeling taking account of the effects of nozzle ablation and the mixing process of PTFE vapor with SF/sub 6/ has been carried out for a full-scale auto-expansion circuit breaker with a moving contact. An equation to calculate the PTFE concentration in the mixture is introduced together with overall mass, momentum, and energy conservation equations for the mixture. The thermodynamic and transport properties of SF/sub 6/-PTFE vapor mixture calculated by the transport theory are given. An empirical relationship between radiation reabsorption factor and the relevant arcing parameters (nozzle size and instantaneous arcing current) has been employed to make predictions. The features of temperature, pressure, PTFE mass concentration, and flow fields during the whole arcing period are discussed. It is shown that the energy brought into the expansion volume by the hot PTFE vapor is mainly responsible for the pressure buildup. The propagation of the pressure wave in the expansion volume is responsible for the pressure peaks in the second loop of arcing. The predicted arc voltage and pressure variation are compared with the test results and with those predicted using the thermodynamic and transport properties of pure SF/sub 6/. Results show that the use of the properties of SF/sub 6/-PTFE vapor mixture substantially improves the agreement between the predicted and measured pressure rise in the expansion volume.
On the solvability of DC equations and the implicit integration formula

The paper contains the following new results concerning the solvability of the DC equations and the implicit integration formula of a broad class of nonlinear networks. (i) A new method of proof is given. (ii) Conditions are given for checking the unique solvability of the DC equation F(x)+Ax = b in case of monotone (not strictly monotone) and ‘steep’ characteristics and in the case when the characteristics have negative slope. Furthermore existence theorems are given under very weak conditions. (iii) In the case of a broad class of nonlinear networks sufficient conditions are presented for the unique solvability of the implicit integration formula when the characteristics are monotone or have negative slope. Some practical consequences of the theorems are also discussed.
Exploring Consumers Risk Mitigation Strategies in E-Commerce: A Qualitative Study of High-Risk Transactions

The recent Covid-19 pandemic has led to a sharp increase in online shopping. While the promises of shopping on e-commerce platforms are vast, there are simultaneously novel and exacerbated risks compared to traditional brick-and-mortar retail purchases. Existing research outlines numerous risk dimensions associated with online shopping. In addition, scholars examine the underlying reasons for consumers' risk perceptions, such as the inability of physical quality checks. However, there is a lack of research investigating how consumers attempt to navigate and mitigate risk perceptions when confronted with a high-risk online transaction. To address this research gap, we conducted 18 semi-structured interviews with consumers who had recently performed an online transaction associated with high-risk perceptions. Our study contributes to the existing literature by identifying an affective and cognitive risk mitigation strategy and respective underlying mechanisms. Notably, we find that online social networks play a central role in shaping consumers' risk perceptions. © 2023 IEEE Computer Society. All rights reserved.
Characteristics of the new YAlO/sub 3/:Ce compared with BGO and GSO

The characteristics of YAlO/sub 3/:Ce (YALO) used as a fast scintillation detector with high density (5.35 gm/cm/sup 3/) and high light yield were investigated and compared with those of other scintillation materials. The decay of the scintillation light could be described by the sum of two exponentials with decay constants of 31 ns and 246 ns and contributing 98% and 2% to the total light yield, respectively. The light yield of 19700 photons/MeV was measured by comparing the number of photoelectrons produced in YAlO in BGO under the same conditions. The energy resolution at a gamma ray energy of 511 keV was 6.7% for a 4.0*8.0*25.0 mm/sup 3/ sample. The FWHM of a timing measurement using two YAlO crystals detecting annihilation quanta (with 200 keV threshold) was 1.1 ns. Monte Carlo simulations showed that the crystal depth for the absorption of 90% of 511 keV gamma quanta is 51.8 mm in YAlO (compared with 25.2 mm in BGO). >
Accurate Josephson voltage-frequency relation in a granular array of mesoscopic SNS weak links

Electron transport in short superconducting weak links is described in terms of multiple Andreev reflections (MAR). According to a recent theory, the current carried by the quasiparticles bound in the N region of a mesoscopic superconductor-normal-superconductor (SNS) weak link consists of dc and cosine components instead of a sinusoidal component. The presence of the dc pair-current component locks the phase relation of the wave function between superconducting grains throughout the series-parallel array of the SNS weak links. We have made a precise measurement of I-V characteristics at 63 K using a constriction in a YBCO polycrystalline film, in which networks of grain boundary Josephson weak links are naturally formed. The measured values of voltage between microwave-induced-current-steps are equal to the theoretical values for a single Josephson element, V/sub n/=n(hf/2e), within an error of 10 ppm. The experimental observation agreed with the theoretical relation to subnanovolt accuracy under irradiation by frequency-modulated millimeter waves. Phase locking of order parameters is thus observed in the array of mesoscopic SNS weak links in the HTS film.
Corticolimbic connectivity mediates the relationship between pubertal timing and mental health problems

Background Undergoing puberty ahead of peers (“earlier pubertal timing”) is an important risk factor for mental health problems during early adolescence. The current study examined pathways between pubertal timing and mental health via connectivity of neural systems implicated in emotional reactivity and regulation (specifically corticolimbic connections) in 9- to 14-year-olds. Method Research questions were examined in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study, a large population representative sample in the United States. Linear mixed models examined associations between pubertal timing and resting-state corticolimbic connectivity. Significant connections were examined as potential mediators of the relationship between pubertal timing and mental health (withdrawn depressed and rule-breaking delinquency) problems. Exploratory analyses interrogated whether the family environment moderated neural risk patterns in those undergoing puberty earlier than their peers. Results Earlier pubertal timing was related to decreased connectivity between limbic structures (bilateral amygdala and right hippocampus) and the cingulo-opercular network (CON), as well as between the left hippocampus and ventral attention network (VAN). Corticolimbic connections also mediated the relationship between earlier pubertal timing and increased withdrawn depressed problems (but not rule-breaking delinquency). Finally, parental acceptance buffered against limbic-CON connectivity patterns that were implicated in withdrawn depressed problems in those undergoing puberty earlier than their peers. Conclusion Findings highlight the role of decreased corticolimbic connectivity in mediating pathways between earlier pubertal timing and withdrawn depressed problems, and we present preliminary evidence that the family environment may buffer against these neural risk patterns during early adolescence.
Anisotropic annular photonic crystal structure for large absolute band gap

A two-dimensional anisotropic annular photonic crystal structure is presented to obtain an absolute photonic band gap. This structure is composed of circular air holes and dielectric rods in a triangular lattice. Uniaxial crystal is introduced to photonic crystal with extraordinary axis parallel to the extension direction of rods. The role of each dielectric and geometric parameter is investigated and a mid-gap ratio above 35% is realized by the parameter optimization. Large gap favors the structure with negative uniaxial veins and positive uniaxial rods. As the air-hole radius scales up, the dielectric-rods radius to sustain the maximum band gap scales down. The positive uniaxial material Tellurium is used to achieve a large polarization-insensitivity gap.
Observations of large scale steady magnetic fields in the dayside Venus ionosphere

Although the dayside ionosphere of Venus is often “field-free” except for fine scale features, large scale, steady ionospheric magnetic fields with magnitudes sometimes exceeding 100 gammas are occasionally observed by the Pioneer Venus Orbiter magnetometer. These fields are mainly horizontal and can assume any angle in the horizontal plane. The orientation of the field may change along the spacecraft trajectory. The field magnitude in the upper ionosphere usually shows a distinct minimum near ∼200 km altitude, but the altitude profile is otherwise arbitrary. With few exceptions, the observations of these large scale fields occur when periapsis is at solar zenith angles <50°. The occurrence of large scale fields is often coincident with the observation of high solar wind dynamic pressures by the Pioneer Venus Orbiter plasma analyzer closely following the ionosphere encounter. However, the detection of this phenomenon even during some orbits for which the dynamic pressure is not extraordinarily high suggests that other factors, such as hysteresis effects, must also play a role in determining the occurrence frequency of large scale magnetic fields in the dayside Venus ionosphere.
DIRECTIONAL DO-NOTHING CONDITION FOR THE NAVIER-STOKES EQUATIONS

The numerical solution of flow problems usually requires bounded domains although the physical problem may take place in an unbounded or substantially larger domain. In this case, artificial boundaries are necessary. A well established artificial boundary condition for the Navier-Stokes equations discretized by finite elements is the "do-nothing" condition. The reason for this is the fact that this condition appears automatically in the variational formulation after partial integration of the viscous term and the pressure gradient. This condition is one of the most established outflow conditions for Navier-Stokes but there are very few analytical insight into this boundary condition. We address the question of existence and stability of weak solutions for the Navier-Stokes equations with a "directional do-nothing" condition. In contrast to the usual "do-nothing" condition this boundary condition has enhanced stability properties. In the case of pure outflow, the condition is equivalent to the original one, whereas in the case of inflow a dissipative effect appears. We show existence of weak solutions and illustrate the effect of this boundary condition by computation of steady and non-steady flows.
Range estimation with a panoramic visual sensor

A method that uses a moving panoramic visual sensor to estimate range is presented. Range estimation is based on the fact that local, motion-induced deformation of the panoramic image is range dependent, regardless of the nature of the deformation. The nature of the deformation depends on azimuthal viewing direction: It is an expansion in the direction of motion, a contraction in the opposite direction, a translation for viewing directions perpendicular to the motion, and a complex deformation along other viewing directions. Range in each direction is estimated by comparing the magnitude of the image deformation measured in that direction with the magnitude of the deformation that would be produced by a surface at a known, standard, minimum range. The local image deformation is measured by using a version of the image interpolation algorithm. The results of this technique are a uniform and efficient treatment of the entire panoramic image and a robust estimation of range in every direction. With this method a single translatory motion provides range information along every azimuthal direction.
The effect of aluminum fins and air blowing on the electrical efficiency of photovoltaic panels; environmental evaluation

Abstract For a long time, electricity is supplied by means of firing the fossil fuels in thermal power plants. Now, it is well-known that the activity has many environmental and health issues, which are sharply menace the future of earth and humanity. Photovoltaic (PV) system is one of the popular renewable types of energy generation, which is available in most parts of the earth. Unfortunately, temperature rise in a PV module, leads to a significant reduction in its electrical efficiency. In this paper, two methods of wind blowing and mounting fins are considered separately and simultaneously, to overcome the mentioned weak-point. The wind velocity is set to 2 km/h. So, four cases are assessed, experimentally. As results, it was revealed that wind blowing of 2 km/h is more effective than fins in cooling PV module, so that, it can create more than 15 °C lower temperature than mounting fins. The mentioned temperature reduction leads to enhance the electrical efficiency and output power by 2.4% and 21.7%, respectively. In order to show the accuracy of results, all experimental outcomes in electrical efficiency were compared with the analytical formula. Moreover, the environmental evaluation of commissioning a 10 kW PV power plant with the proposed cases are reported, too.
Simplified model for inelastic acoustic phonon scattering of holes in Si and Ge

An averaging procedure is applied to inelastic acoustic–phonon scattering which leads to lattice-temperature-dependent constants for the phonon energy and the square of the phonon wave vector. The resulting scattering rate depends on energy only thus facilitating the search of after-scattering states in full-band Monte Carlo simulations. The model still accurately reproduces the velocity–field characteristics over a wide range of lattice temperatures, but in silicon the hot-hole tail of the energy distribution is strongly enhanced compared with the elastic equipartition approximation.
Comparing the antecedents of boycotts and buycotts: mediating role of self-esteem on subjective well-being and the moderating effects of materialism

ABSTRACT Consumers use different strategies to lead companies to behave environmentally. While boycotts are the most common ones, buycotts are relatively novel and more research is needed to understand this new phenomenon. This study aimed to comparatively investigate the antecedents (self-enhancement, moral obligation, expected efficacy) and consequences (self-esteem, subjective well-being) of participation in boycotts and buycotts. Besides, self-esteem is expected to be both a predictor of subjective well-being and also a mediator between participation intention and subjective well-being. The study also investigates the moderating effects of materialism on the impacts of participation motivations. According to the results, all hypotheses related to direct and indirect effects were supported, and the relationships were observed differently for boycotts and buycotts. Also, we found some significant moderator effects of materialism.
An expression for droplet evaporation incorporating thermal effects

We propose a general theoretical expression for sessile droplets' evaporation, incorporating thermal effects related to the thermal resistance of the substrate and liquid properties. We develop an expression which accounts for thermal effects associated with evaporative cooling; the latter leads to a reduction in the rate of evaporation, which is not accounted for in the current theories, i.e. ‘isothermal diffusion theories’. The threshold for transition to a regime in which thermal effects start to be significant is identified through a dimensionless number which includes substrate and liquid properties as well as the kinetics of evaporation. The proposed theory is validated against experimental data in a very wide range of conditions and for a variety of systems. The developed expression extends the domain of use of diffusion-based models for droplet evaporation and accurately describes some aspects of the phenomenon which, to the best of our knowledge, are highlighted for the first time.