Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dielectric Breakdown Strength of PDMS Elastomers after Mechanical Cycling

PDMS-based composites such as silicone elastomers are commonly found in high-voltage engineering, especially in outdoor insulation as coatings or structural elements or at interfaces between network elements, such as cable sealing ends (CSE). They are also promising prospects for dielectric elastomer generators (DEG), which are retrieving electrostatic energy from large strain amplitudes. The upper limit of energy conversion from these transducers is determined by the dielectric breakdown strength (DBS). Therefore, developing reliable systems that operate under high electric fields and variable repeated strains requires a thorough understanding of the mechanisms behind electrical breakdown and its coupling to mechanical cycling. In this study, the effect of Mullins damage and mechanical fatigue on silicone elastomers has been investigated. An electro-mechanical instability model that considers cyclic softening allows for predicting the evolution of the breakdown strength depending on the loading history. The results highlight the importance of the “first cycle,” where up to a 30% reduction in the mean DBS was measured. However, subsequent mechanical fatigue only marginally contributes to the degradation, which is a promising perspective for the long-term performance of any silicone elastomer as long as the precise impact of the first cycle is known.
Projection of future sea level and its variability in a high‐resolution climate model: Ocean processes and Greenland and Antarctic ice‐melt contributions

Using a high‐resolution climate model, we projected future sea level and its variability based on two scenarios for 21st century greenhouse gas emission. The globally averaged sea level rise attributable to the steric contribution was 23 and 30 cm for the two scenarios. The results of the high‐resolution model and a medium‐resolution version of the same model for global and local sea level change agreed well. However, the high‐resolution model represented more detailed ocean structure changes under global warming. The changes affected not only the spatial distribution of sea level rise, but also the changes in local sea level variability associated with ocean eddies. The enhanced eddy activity was responsible for extreme sea level events.
Trace Element Chemistry, Heavy Minerals, and Sediment Statistics Of Weddell Sea Sediments

Chemically, the sediments from the Weddell Sea differ from the sediments of the Amundsen, Bellingshausen, and Ross Seas. As a group, they have a similar concentration of Cr, Ni, Al, and Co, but the Weddell Sea sediments are considerably lower in Mn, Fe, Ti, V, and Cu. When compared to crustal abundance figures, they are lower in Mg, Ni, Mn, Fe, Al, and Ti; higher in Zr, B, V, and Cu; and similar in content in Cr and Co. The Mn/Fe, Mn/Ti, Mn/Al, Ni/Al, and Fe/Al ratios show great differences between glacial marine and "normal" deep sea sediments. Somewhat less but still useful differences exist between V/Al and Co/Al ratios. Ternary diagram plots of V, Cu, and Co+Ni content delineate distinct fields for glacial marine, pelagic, and shallow water sediments. For pelagic vs. glacial marine sediments a ternary plot of Al, Fe, and Mn+Ti shows a restriction of glacial marine sediments to a narrow field along the Al-Fe join. As is well known, the type of sediment surrounding Antarctica and which is found in the Weddell Sea area is distinctive among marine sediments. These deposits have the mechanical characteristics of tills. The poor sorting is unusual for marine deposits. Marine currents have had little or no sorting effort on these sediments. Major characteristics of these sediments are the freshness and angularity of the detrital material. The heavy minerals indicate that the Weddell Sea sediments are derived predominately from an area of metamorphic rocks and transported and(or) rafted across the area of the Filchner Ice Shelf by floating ice. This mode of transport is indicated by the polymodal size distribution of the sediments.
Studies on Biochemical Changes in Fusarium Wilt Resistant and Susceptible Genotypes during Fusarium udum and Heterodera cajani interaction in Pigeonpea

Biochemical changes were studied in Fusarium wilt resistant and susceptible genotypes during Fusarium udum and Heterodera cajani interaction. Fusarium wilt resistant genotypes, viz . WRP-1 and ICP-8863 recorded increased activities of peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, phenylalanine lyase and total phenols than Fusarium wilt susceptible genotype, GS-1. A decrease in total sugars was observed in all the three genotypes. Maximum decrease in total sugars was recorded in the Fusarium wilt susceptible genotype, GS-1 followed by ICP-8863 and WRP-1.
Nature of Science: A Comparative Analysis of the High School Physics Textbooks in Indonesia and Korea

Over the past two decades, the goal of supporting students and teachers in developing views on the Nature of Science (NoS) has been increasingly central to the vision and discourse goals for global physics education reform. Understanding the Nos is a critical and essential component of scientific literacy. The main objective of this study is to present a comprehensive picture of the NoS in physics textbooks in Indonesia and South Korea. This research is a descriptive study, and the data source consisted of 10 high school physics textbooks (five textbooks from each country). The textbooks were chosen based on the results of a Google Forms survey about the most common use of physics textbooks in schools. The results show that the total number of NoS elements presented in Indonesian physics textbooks is 71, of which 47 are on the cognitive-epistemic aspect, and 24 relate to the social-institutional aspect. In contrast, the number of NoS items presented in Korean physics textbooks is 84, with 54 on the cognitive-epistemic aspect and 30 on the social-institutional aspect. This study also revealed that 59% of the NoS in Indonesian physics textbooks were located in the main text, 35% were found in secondary texts, while 6% were presented in both. Similarly, 48% of NoS items in Korean physics textbooks were located in the main text, 44% in secondary texts, and 8% were presented together. Therefore, this study concludes that Korean high school physics textbooks contain more NoS than Indonesian high school physics textbooks.
Leader-member exchange and organizational citizenship behaviour: The moderator effects of subordinates’ horizontal collectivism orientation and team-member exchange

Past research has not clearly explained why the quality of leader-member exchange (LMX) is weakly related to organizational citizenship behaviour (OCB) in non-Western cultures. Hence, this study explores subordinates’ cultural value orientation and team member exchange (TMX) as boundary conditions of the effects of LMX on citizenship behaviour directed at individual organizational members (OCBI) and citizenship behaviour directed at the organization as a whole (OCBO). The research hypotheses were tested using a sample of 392 supervisor-subordinate dyads from organizations across different sectors in Ghana. The results support our theorizing that horizontal collectivism and TMX strengthen the relationship between LMX and OCBI such that the relationship is stronger for horizontal collectivists and under a high TMX context. However, the results did not support the hypothesized moderator effects of horizontal collectivism and TMX on the LMX-OCBO relationship. The theoretical contributions, managerial implications and avenues for further research are discussed.
Stratigraphy of the Port Nolloth Group of Namibia and South Africa and implications for the age of Neoproterozoic iron formations

Uncertainties in the number and age of glacial deposits within the Port Nolloth Group have hindered both structural and stratigraphic studies in the Neoproterozoic Gariep Belt of Namibia and South Africa. These uncertainties are compounded by major lateral facies changes that complicate correlations locally. Herein, we report the results of integrated geological mapping, chemo- and litho-stratigraphic, and sedimentological studies that shed light on the age and stratigraphic architecture of the Port Nolloth Group. Particularly, we have distinguished an additional glacial deposit, herein referred to as the Namaskluft diamictite, which is succeeded by a ca. 635 Ma basal Ediacaran cap carbonate. This interpretation indicates that the stratigraphically lower, iron-bearing Numees diamictite is not Marinoan or Gaskiers in age, as previously suggested, but is instead a ca. 716.5 Ma Sturtian glacial deposit. A Sturtian age for the Numees Formation is further supported by the discovery of microbial roll-up structures in the dark limestone of the Bloeddrif Member that caps the diamictite. A re-evaluation of the age constraints indicates that all Neoproterozoic iron formations may be of Sturtian age, and thus indicative of secular evolution of the redox state of the ocean.
Kornai's “main line of causality”: The case of socialist Albania and SFR Yugoslavia, with a special focus on their banking sectors' ownership structure

Based on the structure of János Kornai's ‘main line of causality’, two unique country cases are compared within the former European socialist bloc: Albania and the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The research provides a comparative analysis with an overview of the two countries' development between World War II and the fall of the socialist regimes. Special attention is paid to the period following the 1970s as the underlying reforms had been implemented in Yugoslavia by then, leading to fundamentally different socialist prototypes. Regarding the differences, the analysis also gives an insight into the structure of the two respective banking systems. Kornai's ‘main line of causality’ provides the framework for the current research, supplemented by the respective literature. The analysis concludes that despite the fact that all blocks of the causality line differed in the two systems, similar challenges had to be addressed during the transition period. Furthermore, Albania and the successor states of Yugoslavia reflected a range of common characteristics, which implies the relevance of path dependence.
Microbial-Related Metabolites May Be Involved in Eight Major Biological Processes and Represent Potential Diagnostic Markers in Gastric Cancer

Simple Summary This article integrated analyses of the microbial and metabolic characteristics of gastric cancer (GC), as well as their coexistence relationship, and determined the microbial-related metabolites diagnostic markers. Our study provides a direction for finding microbial-related metabolic diagnostic markers of GC and may provide a basis for further understanding and exploring the coexistence and interaction mechanisms of microbe and metabolites in GC. Abstract Metabolites associated with microbes regulate human immunity, inhibit bacterial colonization, and promote pathogenicity. Integrating microbe and metabolome research in GC provides a direction for understanding the microbe-associated pathophysiological process of metabolic changes and disease occurrence. The present study included 30 GC patients with 30 cancerous tissues and paired non-cancerous tissues (NCs) as controls. LC-MS/MS metabolomics and 16S rRNA sequencing were performed to obtain the metabolic and microbial characteristics. Integrated analysis of the microbes and metabolomes was conducted to explore the coexistence relationship between the microbial and metabolic characteristics of GC and to identify microbial-related metabolite diagnostic markers. The metabolic analysis showed that the overall metabolite distribution differed between the GC tissues and the NC tissues: 25 metabolites were enriched in the NC tissues and 42 metabolites were enriched in the GC tissues. The α and β microbial diversities were higher in the GC tissues than in the NC tissues, with 11 differential phyla and 52 differential genera. In the correlation and coexistence integrated analysis, 66 differential metabolites were correlated and coexisted, with specific differential microbes. The microbes in the GC tissue likely regulated eight metabolic pathways. In the efficacy evaluation of the microbial-related differential metabolites in the diagnosis of GC, 12 differential metabolites (area under the curve [AUC] >0.9) exerted relatively high diagnostic efficiency, and the combined diagnostic efficacy of 5 to 6 microbial-related differential metabolites was higher than the diagnostic efficacy of a single feature. Therefore, microbial diversity and metabolite distribution differed between the GC tissues and the NC tissues. Microbial-related metabolites may be involved in eight major metabolism-based biological processes in GC and represent potential diagnostic markers.
Impact craters and Venus resurfacing history

Venusian impact crater size-frequency distributions, locations, and preservation states were analyzed to reconstruct the history of resurfacing by tectonism and volcanism. An atmospheric transit model for meteoroids demonstrates that for craters larger than about 30 km, the size-frequency distribution is close to the atmosphere-free case. With this result, and assuming that the surface records a crater production population (a catastrophic resurfacing model, CRM), an age of cessation of rapid resurfacing of ∼ 500 Ma is obtained. Crater locations are widely dispersed across Venus and the hypothesis that they are completely spatially random (CSR) cannot be rejected. However, craters that show embayment by plains materials or modification by throughgoing faults (i.e., tectonized) are preferentially found in areas with relatively few craters overall. The primary region where these modified craters are found is the Aphrodite volcanotectonic zone, extending from Ovda Regio on the west to the region east of Atla Regio. These results, together with the appearance of plains material on most crater floors and evidence for complex volcanic stratigraphy, imply that a range of surface ages are recorded by the impact crater population; e.g., the Aphrodite zone is relatively young. An end-member model (equilibrium resurfacing model, ERM) was developed to quantify resurfacing scenarios. In the ERM, Venus has been resurfacing at an average rate of approximately 1 km2 yr−1. However, the CRM and ERM are idealized end-member representations of possible resurfacing histories. For both models, the resurfacing rate can be expressed as the product of resurfacing patch area a (normalized by planetary surface area) and the frequency ω of resurfacing events. Numerical simulations of resurfacing showed that there are two solution branches that satisfy the CSR constraint: a 0.1 (74° diameter circle). The former range corresponds to resurfacing diameters smaller than the average intercrater distance, whereas the latter is associated with large, infrequent events, resurfacing 10% of the planet every 50 Ma to 100% every 500 Ma. The observed fraction of embayed and tectonized craters further constrains values of a and only values near 0.0003 are admissible. The resurfacing model that best fits all of the statistical and geological constraints has resurfacing with small patches that occurs, in any given geological episode, in only a limited number of regions on the planet.
High maternal-fetal HLA eplet compatibility is associated with severe manifestation of preeclampsia

Introduction Preeclampsia is responsible for more than 70 000 and 500 000 maternal and fetal deaths, respectively each year. Incomplete remodelling of the spiral arteries in placenta is the most accepted theory of preeclampsia pathogenesis. However, the process is complexed with immunological background, as pregnancy resembles allograft transplantation. Fetus expresses human leukocyte antigens (HLA) inherited from both parents, thus is semiallogeneic to the maternal immune system. Therefore, induction of fetal tolerance is crucial for physiological outcome of pregnancy. Noteworthy, the immunogenicity of discordant HLA antigens is determined by functional epitopes called eplets, which are continuous and discontinuous short sequences of amino acids. This way various HLA molecules may express the same eplet and some HLA incompatibilities can be more immunogenic due to different eplet combination. Therefore, we hypothesized that maternal- fetal HLA incompatibility may be involved in the pathogenesis of gestational hypertension and its progression to preeclampsia. We also aimed to test if particular maternal-fetal eplet mismatches are more prone for induction of anti- fetal HLA antibodies in gestational hypertension and preeclampsia. Methods High resolution next-generation sequencing of HLA-A, -B, -C, -DQB1 and -DRB1 antigens was performed in mothers and children from physiological pregnancies (12 pairs) and from pregnancies complicated with gestational hypertension (22 pairs) and preeclampsia (27 pairs). In the next step HLA eplet identification and analysis of HLA eplet incompatibilities was performed with in silico approach HLAMatchmaker algorithm. Simultaneously maternal sera were screened for anti-fetal HLA class I, class II and anti-MICA antibodies with Luminex, and data were analyzed with HLA-Fusion software. Results We observed that high HLA-C, -B, and DQB1 maternal-fetal eplet compatibility was associated with severe preeclampsia (PE) manifestation. Both quantity and quality of HLA epletmismatches affected the severity of PE. Mismatches in HLA-B eplets: 65QIA+76ESN, 70IAO, 180E, HLA-C eplets: 193PL3, 267QE, and HLA-DRB1 eplet: 16Y were associated with a mild outcome of preeclampsia if the complication occurred. Conclusions High HLA-C, HLA-DQB1 and HLA-B eplet compatibility between mother and child is associated with severe manifestation of preeclampsia. Both quantity and quality of maternal-fetal HLA eplet mismatches affects severity of preeclampsia.
The Physicochemical Quality of Groundwater in Relation to Surface Water Pollution in Majidun Area of Ikorodu, Lagos State, Nigeria

The piece of investigation was carried out to study the ground water as well as surface water quality, nutrient status and physico-chemical characteristic of Majidun-Ilaje Area of Ikorodu, Nigeria. The study area is situated between 327’E - 328’E longitude and 637’E latitude and covers about 1.71km2 area of land. The present work has been conducted by monitoring two types of groundwater i.e. hand dug well water and borehole water of the community as well as the surface water i.e. river of the community. Attempts were made to study and analyze the physico-chemical characteristics of the water. Various parameters like Temperature, pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Total Hardness, Alkalinity, True and Apparent Color, Turbidity, Electrical Conductivity, Chemical Oxygen Demand, Total Organic Carbon, Total Organic Matter, Nitrate, Chloride, Phosphate, Sulphate, Sodium, Potassium, Calcium and Magnesium give a picture of quality parameter in both hand dug well and borehole water as well as river water of the community. By observing the result it can be concluded that the parameters which were taken for study of the water quality are below the pollution level for only borehole type of ground water which satisfy the requirement for the use of various purposes like domestic, agricultural, industrial etc. The quality of the hand dug wells and a closer borehole to the river is relatively above the permissible limit varying with depth and distance from the river. But in case of surface water, the water quality of the river is above the WHO and Federal EPA permissible limits.
Distribution of mercury and methylmercury in the sediments of a lowland river system

Concentrations of total mercury (T-Hg) and methylmercury (MeHg) were determined in surficial sediments from the River Yare, Norfolk, UK over the period 1986–1998, to assess the temporal and spatial trends of contamination arising from a historical point source discharge. The results demonstrate that the spatial distribution pattern follows that of a distinct pollution plume in the sediments with an initial increase 2–3 km downstream from the point source discharge at Whitlingham sewage treatment works (STW) outfall. Temporally, this pollution plume remains evident, although there has been an overall decline in the mean T-Hg concentrations from 5.4 in 1986 to 1.8 mg kg−1 in 1998. The major factor for this improvement has been the reduction in discharge of metals from the STW, together with burial by a fresh overlay of uncontaminated sediments. MeHg concentrations also exhibited a dispersed pollution plume. Mean concentrations of MeHg fluctuated during the study period between 3.3 and 8.5 μg kg−1. There has been no concomitant decline in MeHg concentrations over this period. MeHg was found to constitute less than 1% of T-Hg concentrations in the sediments. The weak correlations observed between T-Hg and MeHg concentrations indicate external environmental factors have a significant influence on determining MeHg concentrations in the sedimentary compartment.
Activity of Pegagan Embun (Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides Lam.) Extracts in Capsule Dosage Form to IgM and IgG Levels in Humans

Objective: Traditionally, Pegagan embun ( Hydrocotyle sibthorpiodes Lam.) has been used to enhance the immune system. Previous studies confirmed that Hydrocotyle sibthorpiodes Lam. enhanced antibody titers and was practically non-toxic by animal tests. This study aimed to determine the effect of Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides Lam. extract on IgM and IgG levels in humans. Methods: The participants involved 20 healthy volunteers aged 20-25 years were divided into two groups with a placebo as a comparison. The capsules containing Hydrocotyle sibthorpiodes Lam extract were in the treatment group at a dose of 67 mg and the placebo group was given capsules containing lactose orally for three days. IgM and IgG levels were measured before and after consuming the capsules. The ELISA method tested IgM and IgG levels and detected them using specific antibodies that form complexes with enzymes and substrates. Results: The results showed the average baseline IgM level of 1.480 mg/mL and after consumption of 1.405 mg/mL for placebo. For Hydrocotyle sibthorpiodes Lam. extract capsules, the baseline was 1.492 mg/mL and 1.854 mg/mL after consumption. For IgG, before given 8.941 mg/mL and after given 8.710 mg/mL for placebo, while before given Hydrocotyle sibthorpiodes Lam. extract capsules 8.946 mg/mL and after given Hydrocotyle sibthorpiodes Lam. extract capsules was 10.234 mg/mL. Statistical results showed a significant increase in IgM and IgG levels after consuming Hydrocotyle sibthorpiodes Lam. extract capsules for three days (p<0.05). Conclusion: It can be concluded that 67 mg of Hydrocotyle sibthorpiodes Lam. extract capsules can increase IgM and IgG levels in humans.
Building soil carbon content of Texas Vertisols.

Soils in central Texas, USA (Udic and Entic Pellusterts) have been degraded by intensive agricultural practices. This was typified by loss of soil organic carbon from about 1880 to 1949 from a concentration of about 6.5% in the surface to about 1%. Agriculture practices since 1949 are slowly rebuilding the soil carbon content. Recent research has shown that modern conventional practices have increased soil organic carbon sequestration at a rate of 0.15 Mg C/ha/yr. Intensive management practices such as no-tillage increase this rate an additional 0.3 Mg C/ha/yr. Conversion from row cropping to perennial grass production increases sequestration to 0.45 Mg C/ha/yr. Several management options are available to sequester carbon in central Texas soils.