Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Etchant on via Hole Taper Angle and Selectivity in Selective Laser Etching

This research focuses on the manufacturing of a glass interposer that has gone through glass via (TGV) connection holes. Glass has unique properties that make it suitable for 3D integrated circuit (IC) interposers, which include low permittivity, high transparency, and adjustable thermal expansion coefficient. To date, various studies have suggested numerous techniques to generate holes in glass. In this study, we adopt the selective laser etching (SLE) technique. SLE consists of two processes: local modification via an ultrashort pulsed laser and chemical etching. In our previous study, we found that the process speed can be enhanced by changing the local modification method. For further enhancement in the process speed, in this study, we focus on the chemical etching process. In particular, we try to find a proper etchant for TGV formation. Here, four different etchants (HF, KOH, NaOH, and NH4F) are compared in order to improve the etching speed. For a quantitative comparison, we adopt the concept of selectivity. The results show that NH4F has the highest selectivity; therefore, we can tentatively claim that it is a promising candidate etchant for generating TGV. In addition, we also observe a taper angle variation according to the etchant used. The results show that the taper angle of the hole is dependent on the concentration of the etchant as well as the etchant itself. These results may be applicable to various industrial fields that aim to adjust the taper angle of holes.
Jerusalemite Students: Challenges in Israeli-Occupied Higher Education Institutions

An educational system has the potential to uplift occupied societies, yet it can also serve as a “soft” weapon prolonging ignorance, particularly when under the control of an occupying force catering to a minority, as seen in Jerusalem. This study aimed to explore the challenges and discriminatory practices encountered by Palestinian students from Jerusalem as a minority within Israeli-occupied higher education institutions. Utilising a descriptive design, qualitative data were obtained by surveying the experiences of 23 Jerusalemite students studying in Israeli colleges through online open-ended questions. The gathered data underwent content analysis, revealing themes that were grouped into challenges and types of apartheid acts faced by the participating students. The findings exposed numerous challenges, including cultural, academic, political, and financial hurdles, along with issues related to enrolment policies, acceptance examinations, the preparatory year, and facility provisions. Additionally, the study revealed various discriminatory acts experienced by Palestinian Jerusalemite students within Israeli higher education.
Adreno-Muscarinic Synergy of Contractile Responses From Human Hyperplastic Prostate

Purpose Adreno-muscarinic synergy, a supra-additional contractile response to simultaneous application of α-adrenoreceptor and muscarinic receptor agonists, is a feature of several lower urinary tract regions that have dual sympathetic and parasympathetic innervation. We tested the hypothesis that synergy is also a feature of prostate tissue obtained from men with benign prostatic enlargement. Methods Isolated tissue strips were dissected from prostate ‘chips’, collected after transurethral prostate resection procedures for in vitro experiments, to measure isometric tension at 36°C. Results Added separately to the superfusate, phenylephrine and carbachol generated contractions with mean pEC50 (-log10EC50) values of 5.36 and 5.58, respectively, although phenylephrine maximal responses were about six-fold greater. In the presence of carbachol, the mean phenylephrine pEC50 was significantly increased to 5.84 and maximal response increased by 28%; overall, a significant synergistic response was demonstrated. The synergistic response was reduced by muscarinic receptor antagonists, most potently by the M3-selective agent 4-DAMP (1,1-dimethyl-4-diphenylacetoxypiperidinium iodide), and less so by M2 and M1-selective inhibitors gallamine and pirenzepine, but with an overall profile indicating M3/M2 mediation of the synergistic response. The magnitude of the synergistic response was variable between prostate chips that provided isolated preparations suggesting regional heterogenicity, although their zonal origin could not be determined. Conclusions These experiments show that adreno-muscarinic contractile synergy is a feature of human hyperplastic prostate tissue. This has implications for the use of a combination therapy of α-blockers and anti-muscarinic agent to relieve secondary symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia, at least in men who can tolerate antimuscarinics without a risk of retention.
The Influence of Profitability and Solvency on Stock Prices with Dividend Policy as a Moderating Variable in Food and Beverage Sector Companies on the Indonesian Stock Exchange 2020-2022

This research aims to analyze the influence of profitability and solvency on share prices with the dividend policy variable as a moderating variable in Food and Beverage sector companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange during the 2020-2022 period. Currently, unstable economic conditions have changed the behavior of investors, who have become more careful in allocating their capital. Share prices are considered a reflection of company value and are a major concern for investors. The food and beverage sector in Indonesia offers attractive investment potential due to increasing demand and products that compete in the global market. Data analysis in this research involves food and beverage companies listed on the IDX during the 2020-2022 period. PLS analysis technique- Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with the help of the SmartPLS 3 application. Research findings show that profitability, as measured by Return on Assets (ROA), and solvency, as measured by the Debt to Equity Ratio (DER), do not have a significant influence on price changes share. Apart from that, dividend policy also does not have a significant impact on share prices. Furthermore, it was found that dividend policy did not significantly influence the relationship between ROA and share prices, but there was limited moderation in the relationship between DER and share prices.
The Effects of Environmental Noise on Annoyance, Stress, and Urine Cortisol Levels Among Residents Living Near Industrial Sites in Bangkok, Thailand

People are exposed to environmental noise each day. It may be annoying, cause stress, induce hormonal changes, and negatively affect long-term health. This study aimed to determine the effects of environmental noise on annoyance, perceived stress, stress symptoms, and urine cortisol in people living in a selected area. This cross-sectional study was conducted from April to October 2022 on 142 participants. Urine samples were collected to determine cortisol levels, and perceived stress, stress symptoms, and environmental noise annoyance were evaluated using questionnaires. Stress symptoms correlated with traffic, industrial, and community noise, but not aircraft noise. Community noise correlated most strongly with all stress symptoms. Only community noise exposure was correlated with perceived stress. People reported that industrial and community noise affected their health and daily activities. Cortisol correlated with only traffic noise annoyance. Environmental noise was associated with stress symptoms and stress hormones. In brief, sound level is not the onlyindicator of stress or health impacts, but annoyance and concern over the effects of noise may negatively affect stress and health.
Noise Characteristics of High‐Rate Multi‐GNSS for Subdaily Crustal Deformation Monitoring

High‐rate GPS (Global Positioning System) has the potential to record crustal motions on a wide subdaily timescale from seconds to hours but usually fails to capture subtle deformations which are often overwhelmed by the centimeter noise of epoch‐wise GPS displacements. We hence investigated high‐rate multi‐GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) by processing 1 Hz GPS/GLONASS/BeiDou data at 15 static stations over 24 days and also those from the 8 August 2017 Jiuzhaigou Mw 6.5 earthquake. In contrast to high‐rate GPS, its further integration with GLONASS/BeiDou reduces near uniformly the power spectral densities (PSDs) of 1 Hz displacement noise by 4–6 dB over the periods from a few seconds to half of a day, and orbital repeat time (ORT) filtering on all GNSS further again leads to a 2 more decibel decline of the PSDs over the periods of a few tens of seconds to minutes. BeiDou ORT filtering, however, takes effect mainly on the periods of over 2,000 s due to the high altitudes of Inclined Geosynchronous Satellite Orbiters/Geosynchronous Earth Orbiters. Multi‐GNSS integration is on average as effective as GPS ORT filtering in reducing PSDs for the periods of a few tens of seconds to minutes while desirably can further decrease the PSDs on almost all other periods by 3–4 dB thanks to the enhanced satellite geometry. We conclude that the introduction of more GNSS into high‐rate solutions and its augmentation by ORT filtering benefit the discrimination of slight deformations over a broad subdaily frequency band.
Structural changes in the retina as a potential biomarker in Parkinson's disease: an approach from optical coherence tomography

Introduction Parkinson's disease (PD) presents challenges in early diagnosis and follow-up due to the lack of characteristic findings. Recent studies suggest retinal changes in PD are possibly indicative of neurodegeneration. We explored these changes using optical coherence tomography (OCT) to assess retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and ganglion cell complex (GCC) thickness. Methods Thirty PD and non-PD patients were matched according to demographic characteristics and OCT and clinical evaluations to rule out other neurodegenerative and visual diseases. Results We observed a significant thinning of the RNFL in patients diagnosed with PD compared to non-PD patients (p = 0.015). Additionally, this reduction in RNFL thickness was found to correlate with the severity of the disease (p = 0.04). Conclusion The OCT serves as a tool for quantifying neurodegeneration in PD, showing a significant correlation with disease severity. These findings suggest that OCT could play a crucial role as a potential biomarker in the diagnosis and monitoring of PD.
Current data on the reproduction of Four-horned Antelope Tetracerus quadricornis in zoological parks

The Four-horned Antelope Tetracerus quadricornis is currently facing numerous dangers throughout its natural range. The major threats include human overpopulation, deforestation, and degradation of its habitat. It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Now, this species is rare or even absent in most zoos. Given the threats encountered by this species in the wild, its reproduction was analyzed from animal data obtained in European and Indian zoological parks during 39 consecutive years from 1977 to 2016. There was an average of 1.42 new-borns per litter. Twins were more numerous than singletons. Sexual maturity in females did not occur before 18–36 months of age. Most females, however, reproduced for the first time much later, on average at 6–7 years of age and more than half of females produced only one litter. In females that raised their young, new fertilization generally took place 101 days after the preceding birthing. In Indian zoos, where temperatures vary little between seasons, births were numerous in September–February, especially in September–November when rainfall decreases, contrary to deaths that occurred predominantly in June–August during peak rainfall. In European zoos, most litters occurred in December–February. Thus, Four-horned Antelopes maintain part of the birth season of their native countries, despite unfavourable local climate conditions. Deaths of individuals also occurred mainly in December–February in European parks, i.e., during the coldest season. Globally, more males than females died during the first month of life as in other species, but not so after that age. On the whole, there is a low reproductive success in populations of the Four-horned Antelope under managed care compared to other ruminant species. This could partly be due to husbandry and management procedures of individuals in these parks. This raises the question of the possibility of reintroducing individuals into the wild from ex situ livestock.
Transcriptomic Analysis of Postnatal Rat Carotid Body Development

The carotid body (CB), located bilaterally at the carotid artery bifurcations, is the primary sensory organ for monitoring arterial blood O2 levels. Carotid bodies are immature at birth, exhibiting low sensitivity to hypoxia, and become more sensitive with maturation during the first few weeks of neonatal life. To understand the molecular basis for the postnatal developmental hypoxic responses of CB, we isolated CBs from 5-day and 21-day-old Sprague–Dawley rats and performed RNA sequencing, which allows comprehensive analysis of gene expression. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were generated using Edge R, while functional enrichment analysis was performed using gene-set enrichment analysis (GSEA). Analysis of RNA-Seq data showed 2604 DEGs of the total 12,696 genes shared between neonates and adults. Of the 2604 DEGs, 924 genes were upregulated, and 1680 genes were downregulated. Further analysis showed that genes related to oxidative phosphorylation (Ox/phos) and hypoxia-signaling pathways were significantly upregulated in neonatal CBs compared to adult CBs, suggesting a possible link to differential developmental hypoxic responses seen in CB. Genes related to cytokine signaling (INFγ and TNFα) and transcription factors (CREB and NFΚB) mediated pathways were enriched in adult CBs, suggesting that expression of these pathways may be linked to developmental regulation. The RNA-Seq results were verified by analyzing mRNA changes in selected genes by qRT-PCR. Our results of enrichment analysis of biological pathways offer valuable insight into CB hypoxic sensing responses related to the development process.
Analysis on the Determinants of Republic of Indonesia Sovereign Sukuk Liquidity in Secondary Market

This study investigates the determinants of liquidity in Sharia Securities (SBSN) by analyzing the impact of bond-specific and macroeconomic factors on the bid-ask spread as a proxy for liquidity. Using panel data regression analysis, the study examines 62 tradable series of SBSN from 2013 to 2022, considering factors such as outstanding amount, time to maturity, yield to maturity, Rupiah exchange rate, inflation rate, reference interest rate, Indonesia Stock Exchange Composite Index (IHSG), and Indonesia Credit Default Swap (CDS). Results indicate that time to maturity, yield to maturity, central bank reference interest rate (BIRate), IHSG, and CDS significantly influence the bid-ask spread of SBSN, while outstanding amount, Rupiah exchange rate, and inflation rate do not. Additionally, analysis reveals that a strengthening IHSG and higher CDS widen the bid-ask spread, indicating reduced liquidity. These findings provide insights for stakeholders including issuers, investors, and regulators in managing SBSN liquidity in the Indonesian market.
Genetic Diversity of the Human Adenovirus C Isolated from Hospitalized Children in Russia (2019–2022)

The human adenovirus (HAdV) is a common pathogen in children that can cause acute respiratory virus infection (ARVI). However, the molecular epidemiological and clinical information relating to HAdV among hospitalized children with ARVI is rarely reported in Russia. A 4-year longitudinal (2019–2022) study among hospitalized children (0–17 years old) with ARVI in Novosibirsk, Russia, was conducted to evaluate the epidemiological and molecular characteristics of HAdV. Statistically significant differences in the detection rates of epidemiological and virological data of all positive viral detections of HAdV were analyzed using a two-tailed Chi-square test. The incidence of HAdV and other respiratory viruses such as human influenza A and B viruses, respiratory syncytial virus, coronavirus, parainfluenza virus, metapneumovirus, rhinovirus, bocavirus, and SARS-CoV-2 was investigated among 3190 hospitalized children using real-time polymerase chain reaction. At least one of these respiratory viruses was detected in 74.4% of hospitalized cases, among which HAdV accounted for 4%. A total of 1.3% co-infections with HAdV were also registered. We obtained full-genome sequences of 12 HAdVs, which were isolated in cell cultures. Genetic analysis revealed the circulation of adenovirus of genotypes C1, C2, C5, C89, and 108 among hospitalized children in the period from 2019–2022.
Intravoxel Incoherent Motion Diffusion-Weighted MRI, Fat Quantification, and Electromyography: Correlation in Polymyositis and Dermatomyositis

(1) Background: The intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) model can provide information about both molecular diffusion and blood flow for the evaluation of skeletal muscle inflammation. MRI-based fat quantification is advantageous for assessing fat infiltration in skeletal muscle. (2) Purpose: We aimed to quantitatively measure various parameters associated with IVIM diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and fat quantification in the muscles of patients with polymyositis and dermatomyositis using magnetic resonance imaging and to investigate the relationship between these parameters and electromyography (EMG) findings. (3) Material and methods: Data were retrospectively evaluated for 12 patients with polymyositis and dermatomyositis who underwent thigh MRI, including IVIM-DWI and fat quantification. The IVIM-derived parameters included the pure diffusion coefficient (D), pseudodiffusion coefficient (D*), and perfusion fraction (f). Fat fraction values were assessed using the six-point Dixon technique. Needle EMG was performed within 9 days of the MRI. (4) Results: The f values (19.02 ± 4.87%) in muscles with pathological spontaneous activity on EMG were significantly higher than those (14.60 ± 5.31) in muscles without pathological spontaneous activity (p < 0.027). There were no significant differences in D, D*, ADC, or fat fraction between muscles with and without pathologic spontaneous activity. Significant negative correlations were observed between fat fraction and amplitude (r = −0.402, p < 0.015) and between fat fraction and duration (r = −0.360, p < 0.031). (5) Conclusion: The current study demonstrates that IVIM-DWI and fat quantification using 3.0 T MRI may aid in predicting EMG findings in patients with polymyositis and dermatomyositis and promote the pathophysiological study of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies.
Frequency-Resolved High-Frequency Broadband Measurement of Acoustic Longitudinal Waves by Laser-Based Excitation and Detection

Optoacoustics is a metrology widely used for material characterisation. In this study, a measurement setup for the selective determination of the frequency-resolved phase velocities and attenuations of longitudinal waves over a wide frequency range (3–55 MHz) is presented. The ultrasonic waves in this setup were excited by a pulsed laser within an absorption layer in the thermoelastic regime and directed through a layer of water onto a sample. The acoustic waves were detected using a self-built adaptive interferometer with a photorefractive crystal. The instrument transmits compression waves only, is low-contact, non-destructive, and has a sample-independent excitation. The limitations of the approach were studied both by simulation and experiments to determine how the frequency range and precision can be improved. It was shown that measurements are possible for all investigated materials (silicon, silicone, aluminium, and water) and that the relative error for the phase velocity is less than 0.2%.
Beneficial Effects of Spirulina Supplementation in the Management of Cardiovascular Diseases

In recent decades, as a result of rising mortality rates due to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), there has been a growing urgency to find alternative approaches to conventional pharmaceutical treatment to prevent the onset of chronic diseases. Arthrospira platensis, commonly known as Spirulina, is a blue-green cyanobacterium, classified as a “superfood”, used worldwide as a nutraceutical food supplement due to its remarkable nutritional value, lack of toxicity, and therapeutic effects. Several scientific studies have evaluated the cardioprotective role of Spirulina. This article presents a comprehensive review of the therapeutic benefits of Spirulina in improving cardio- and cerebrovascular health. It focuses on the latest experimental and clinical findings to evaluate its antihypertensive, antidiabetic, and antihyperlipidemic properties. The objective is to highlight its potential in preventing and managing risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD).
Discussion on ‘Orbital calibration of the late Campanian carbon isotope event in the North Sea’, Journal of the Geological Society, London 173, 504–517

Perdiou et al. (2016) analysed two data-series from a 60 m Campanian chalk interval in the Adda-3 well offshore Denmark with the objective of identifying orbitally forced cycle periods and thus time-calibrating this part of the Campanian. The data are (1) a series of 457 gamma-ray (GR) log values (vertical spacing 0.1524 m), and (2) a series of 844 X-ray fluorescence measurements of Fe concentration from core at an average resolution of 0.07 m (but with several gaps in the data). Perdiou et al. used Thomson's multi-taper method (MTM) to generate their periodograms. They then used the Matlab function Redconf (Husson et al. 2014) to model the background (random) noise and thus to estimate confidence levels (CLs) for discriminating candidate cycles from the noise model. The approach to the estimation of CLs used in Redconf is widely used in cyclostratigraphy, but Vaughan et al. (2011) showed that it generates false positive results; it identifies cycles that are not present in the data. By (1) reassessing one of Perdiou et al. ’s datasets, and (2) using a synthetic random dataset, we show here that the same criticism applies to their spectral analyses, implying that their proposed Campanian time-calibration is not reliable.
Prognostic Significance of Uric Acid Levels in Intracerebral Hemorrhage Patients

Background and Purpose The role of serum uric acid (UA) level in patients suffering from stroke remains controversial. Our aim was to investigate the effect of UA level on clinical outcomes in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Methods In the retrospective cohort study, we analyzed data from 250 patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (85 women and 165 men) to investigate the difference in UA levels between patients with a good prognosis and those with a poor prognosis. Additionally, we analyzed the impact of UA levels on the risk of short-time prognosis of ICH patients. Results Patients with a good prognosis presented with significantly lower levels of UA (348.71 ± 84.97 μmol/L) than those with poor prognosis (393.06 ± 148.46 μmol/L). Furthermore, multivariate logistic regression model demonstrated that a high UA level was a likely risk factor for worse prognosis among patients suffering in ICH (odds ratio [95% confidence interval], 1.006 [1.0012, 1.0108]; P = 0.015). Additionally, UA has a threshold effect value of 363.9 μmol/L and was presented in levels that were in a nonlinear relationship with incidence rate of short-time prognosis outcome of ICH patients. Conclusion Our findings indicate that higher UA levels can increase the risk of poor clinical prognosis in patients with ICH and high UA levels are not conductive to the clinical prognosis of patients with ICH. These findings provide a new perspective on the treatment and prevention of ICH.