Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Coherence and Phase in an Electronic Mach-Zehnder Interferometer: An Unexpected Behavior of Interfering Electrons

We report the observation of an unpredicted behavior of interfering 2D electrons in the integer quantum Hall effect (IQHE) regime via a utilization of an electronic analog of the well-known Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI). The beauty of this experiment lies in the simplicity of two path interference. Electrons that travel the two paths via edge channels, feel only the edge potential and the strong magnetic field; both typical in the IQHE regime. Yet, the interference of these electrons via the Aharonov-Bohm (AB) effect, behaves surprisingly in a most uncommon way. We found, at filling factors 1 and 2, high visibility interference oscillations, which were strongly modulated by a lobe-type structure as we increased the electron injection voltage. The visibility went through a few maxima and zeros in between, with the phase of the AB oscillations staying constant throughout each lobe and slipping abruptly by at each zero. The lobe pattern and the 'stick-slip' behavior of the phase were insensitive to details of the interferometer structure; but highly sensitive to magnetic field. The observed periodicity defines a 'new energy scale' with an unclear origin. The phase rigidity, on the other hand, is surprising since Onsager relations are not relevant here.
Functional Capabilities of Spiders in Support of Sustainable Agriculture

Modern agricultural techniques have a detrimental effect on ecosystems, and hence ecofriendly agriculture is required for sustainable agriculture with biodiversity conservation. Spiders play a vital role in keeping pest populations under control as an alternative to chemical pesticides. This study assessed the functional diversity of spiders to control pest populations by estimating their diversity in diurnal and seasonal appearance, preferred microhabitats, and hunting strategies. From August 2020 to November 2021, random quadrate sampling was undertaken in cultivated and wild plant communities. A metaanalysis of the ecology and diversity found that spiders have the capability to provide biological pest control against a wide variety of pests in Odisha’s coastal environment.
Marketing Strategies with Government Support Affecting the Marketing Success of Small and Medium Enterprises in Thailand

Small and medium-sized businesses play an important role in the economic development of countries around the world, including Thailand. This research aimed to study the direct effects of offline and online marketing strategies on the marketing success of Thai enterprises. It also examined the moderating effect of government support on the relationship between offline and online marketing strategies and Thai enterprises’ marketing success. A quality-validated questionnaire was used as the study tool, and data was obtained using a stratified random sampling method. The PLS-SEM method was used to statistically analyze the data of 236 Thai entrepreneurs. The findings revealed that offline and online marketing strategies had a significant positive impact on the marketing success of Thai enterprises. The study, however, revealed no evidence of a moderating effect of government support on the relationship between offline and online marketing strategies and Thai enterprises’ marketing success. The study recommends that Thai small and medium enterprises should concentrate on both offline and online marketing techniques, since this has a significant impact on their marketing success, and this concentration will eventually contribute to the enterprise's success.
Susceptibility to Postoperative Changes in Music Appreciation in Elderly Cochlear Implant Recipients

With the rise in life expectancy and the consequent increase in the elderly population, the use of cochlear implants (CI) in elderly patients with hearing loss is also increasing. The aim of this study was to investigate whether music appreciation in elderly CI users differs from that of non-elderly users. Forty-nine adult CI recipients participated in the study, and the Korean version of the Music Background Questionnaire was utilized preoperatively and postoperatively to evaluate music appreciation. The changes between the preoperative and postoperative values were compared after categorizing the participants into a non-elderly group (<65 years; n = 31) and an elderly group (≥65 years; n = 18). When compared to the non-elderly group, the elderly individuals exhibited a significant decrease in music listening times, without a significant change in the genre of music listened to following CI surgery. Moreover, the elderly group demonstrated significant decreases in music appreciation scores in terms of music quality and music elements, perceiving music as less natural, less clear, and more complex. They also exhibited significant changes in scores with respect to perception of rhythm, melody, timbre, and lyrics. This susceptibility to postoperative changes in music appreciation among elderly CI users should be considered in surgical counseling and music training programs.
An Automated Framework for Variability Analysis for Integrated Circuits Using Metaheuristics

This work aims to analyze the variability of integrated circuits and systems. An automated framework is presented for variability analysis that exploits the metaheuristic optimization techniques. The efficacy of the proposed approach is demonstrated by two case studies—one is the estimation of variability in phase noise in RF CMOS LC tank oscillators (frequency domain analysis) and the other is the estimation of variability in the differential output signal of a current mode driver (time-domain analysis). The proposed approach is investigated and validated by comparing the results from the traditional Monte Carlo simulations and the ordinary least-squares-based polynomial chaos expansion. A significant gain in the computational time is reported while maintaining accuracy in the results. The proposed methodology is not just limited to variability analysis applications but also can be used to solve the circuit optimization problems.
Genetics behind Cerebral Disease with Ocular Comorbidity: Finding Parallels between the Brain and Eye Molecular Pathology

Cerebral visual impairments (CVIs) is an umbrella term that categorizes miscellaneous visual defects with parallel genetic brain disorders. While the manifestations of CVIs are diverse and ambiguous, molecular diagnostics stand out as a powerful approach for understanding pathomechanisms in CVIs. Nevertheless, the characterization of CVI disease cohorts has been fragmented and lacks integration. By revisiting the genome-wide and phenome-wide association studies (GWAS and PheWAS), we clustered a handful of renowned CVIs into five ontology groups, namely ciliopathies (Joubert syndrome, Bardet–Biedl syndrome, Alstrom syndrome), demyelination diseases (multiple sclerosis, Alexander disease, Pelizaeus–Merzbacher disease), transcriptional deregulation diseases (Mowat–Wilson disease, Pitt–Hopkins disease, Rett syndrome, Cockayne syndrome, X-linked alpha-thalassaemia mental retardation), compromised peroxisome disorders (Zellweger spectrum disorder, Refsum disease), and channelopathies (neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder), and reviewed several mutation hotspots currently found to be associated with the CVIs. Moreover, we discussed the common manifestations in the brain and the eye, and collated animal study findings to discuss plausible gene editing strategies for future CVI correction.
Chromosome-Level Genome Assembly of a Fragrant Japonica Rice Cultivar ‘Changxianggeng 1813’ Provides Insights into Genomic Variations between Fragrant and Non-Fragrant Japonica Rice

East Asia has an abundant resource of fragrant japonica rice that is gaining increasing interest among both consumers and producers. However, genomic resources and in particular complete genome sequences currently available for the breeding of fragrant japonica rice are still scarce. Here, integrating Nanopore long-read sequencing, Illumina short-read sequencing, and Hi-C methods, we presented a high-quality chromosome-level genome assembly (~378.78 Mb) for a new fragrant japonica cultivar ‘Changxianggeng 1813’, with 31,671 predicated protein-coding genes. Based on the annotated genome sequence, we demonstrated that it was the badh2-E2 type of deletion (a 7-bp deletion in the second exon) that caused fragrance in ‘Changxianggeng 1813’. Comparative genomic analyses revealed that multiple gene families involved in the abiotic stress response were expanded in the ‘Changxianggeng 1813’ genome, which further supported the previous finding that no generalized loss of abiotic stress tolerance associated with the fragrance phenotype. Although the ‘Changxianggeng 1813’ genome showed high genomic synteny with the genome of the non-fragrant japonica rice cultivar Nipponbare, a total of 289,970 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), 96,093 small insertion-deletion polymorphisms (InDels), and 8690 large structure variants (SVs, >1000 bp) were identified between them. Together, these genomic resources will be valuable for elucidating the mechanisms underlying economically important traits and have wide-ranging implications for genomics-assisted breeding in fragrant japonica rice.
Perceptions on the function of puberty suppression of transgender adolescents who continued or discontinued treatment, their parents, and clinicians

Abstract Purpose: Treatment of transgender adolescents with puberty suppression (PS) was developed to provide time for exploration before pursuing gender affirming medical treatment (GAMT) with irreversible effects. It may also result in a more satisfactory physical outcome for those who continue with GAMT. Despite being the current first choice treatment, little research has examined the function of PS from the perspectives of transgender adolescents, their parents, and clinicians. Insight into the perceived functions of PS will help to adequately support adolescents in their decision-making process and give them the care they need. Methods: Qualitative study using interviews with eight transgender adolescents who proceeded with GAMT after PS (“continuers”), six adolescents who discontinued PS (“discontinuers”) and 12 parents, and focus groups with ten clinicians. Results: All informants considered inhibition of development of secondary sex characteristics an important function of PS. Most continuers saw PS as the first step of GAMT. Nevertheless, some were glad that the effects were reversible even if they didn’t expect to change their minds. Some discontinuers did experience PS as an expanded diagnostic phase. One continuer used the time on PS to get used to living in the affirmed gender role, and several parents found the time helpful to adapt to their child’s new gender role. PS provided clinicians more time for diagnostic assessment. Conclusions: Adolescents, parents and clinicians do not all report the same functions of PS. Although international guidelines emphasize providing time for exploration of gender identity as an important reason for PS, many adolescents nowadays seem to have clear ideas about their gender identity and treatment wishes, and experience PS as the first step of GAMT. For some discontinuers however, PS offered a valued period of exploration. Guidelines could be modified to provide more customized care, taking adolescents’ and parents’ ideas about the functions of PS into account.
Distribution of Pathogens and Predictive Values of Biomarkers of Inflammatory Response at ICU Admission on Outcomes of Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients with Bacterial Superinfections—Observations from National COVID-19 Hospital in Croatia

Background: Superinfections contribute to mortality and length of stay in critically ill COVID-19 patients. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and pathogen distribution of bacterial and fungal superinfections of the lower respiratory tract (LRTI), urinary tract (UTI) and bloodstream (BSI) and to determine the predictive value of biomarkers of inflammatory response on their ICU survival rates. Methods: A retrospective observational study that included critically ill COVID-19 patients treated during an 11-month period in a Croatian national COVID-19 hospital was performed. Clinical and diagnostic data were analyzed according to the origin of superinfection, and multivariate regression analysis was performed to determine the predictive values of biomarkers of inflammation on their survival rates. Results: 55.3% critically ill COVID-19 patients developed bacterial or fungal superinfections, and LRTI were most common, followed by BSI and UTI. Multidrug-resistant pathogens were the most common causes of LRTI and BSI, while Enterococcus faecalis was the most common pathogen causing UTI. Serum ferritin and neutrophil count were associated with decreased chances of survival in patients with LRTI, and patients with multidrug-resistant isolates had significantly higher mortality rates, coupled with longer ICU stays. Conclusion: The incidence of superinfections in critically ill COVID-19 patients was 55.3%, and multidrug-resistant pathogens were dominant. Elevated ferritin levels and neutrophilia at ICU admission were associated with increased ICU mortality in patients with positive LRTI.
The RALE Score Versus the CT Severity Score in Invasively Ventilated COVID-19 Patients—A Retrospective Study Comparing Their Prognostic Capacities

Background: Quantitative radiological scores for the extent and severity of pulmonary infiltrates based on chest radiography (CXR) and computed tomography (CT) scan are increasingly used in critically ill invasively ventilated patients. This study aimed to determine and compare the prognostic capacity of the Radiographic Assessment of Lung Edema (RALE) score and the chest CT Severity Score (CTSS) in a cohort of invasively ventilated patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) due to COVID-19. Methods: Two-center retrospective observational study, including consecutive invasively ventilated COVID-19 patients. Trained scorers calculated the RALE score of first available CXR and the CTSS of the first available CT scan. The primary outcome was ICU mortality; secondary outcomes were duration of ventilation in survivors, length of stay in ICU, and hospital-, 28-, and 90-day mortality. Prognostic accuracy for ICU death was expressed using odds ratios and Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic curves (AUROC). Results: A total of 82 patients were enrolled. The median RALE score (22 [15–37] vs. 26 [20–39]; p = 0.34) and the median CTSS (18 [16–21] vs. 21 [18–23]; p = 0.022) were both lower in ICU survivors compared to ICU non-survivors, although only the difference in CTSS reached statistical significance. While no association was observed between ICU mortality and RALE score (OR 1.35 [95%CI 0.64–2.84]; p = 0.417; AUC 0.50 [0.44–0.56], this was noticed with the CTSS (OR, 2.31 [1.22–4.38]; p = 0.010) although with poor prognostic capacity (AUC 0.64 [0.57–0.69]). The correlation between the RALE score and CTSS was weak (r2 = 0.075; p = 0.012). Conclusions: Despite poor prognostic capacity, only CTSS was associated with ICU mortality in our cohort of COVID-19 patients.
A MILLISECOND INTERFEROMETRIC SEARCH FOR FAST RADIO BURSTS WITH THE VERY LARGE ARRAY

We report on the first millisecond timescale radio interferometric search for the new class of transient known as fast radio bursts (FRBs). We used the Very Large Array (VLA) for a 166 hr, millisecond imaging campaign to detect and precisely localize an FRB. We observed at 1.4 GHz and produced visibilities with 5 ms time resolution over 256 MHz of bandwidth. Dedispersed images were searched for transients with dispersion measures from 0 to 3000 pc cm−3. No transients were detected in observations of high Galactic latitude fields taken from 2013 September though 2014 October. Observations of a known pulsar show that images typically had a thermal-noise limited sensitivity of 120 mJy beam−1 ( 8 &sgr; ? > ; Stokes I) in 5 ms and could detect and localize transients over a wide field of view. Our nondetection limits the FRB rate to less than 7 × 10 4 ? > sky−1 day−1 (95% confidence) above a fluence limit of 1.5 Jy ms. The VLA rate limit is consistent with past estimates when published flux limits are recalculated with a homogeneous definition that includes effects of primary beam attenuation, dispersion, pulse width, and sky brightness. This calculation revises the FRB rate downward by a factor of 2, giving the VLA observations a roughly 50% chance of detecting a typical FRB, assuming a pulse width of 3 ms. A 95% confidence constraint would require 600 hr of similar VLA observing. Our survey also limits the repetition rate of an FRB to 2 times less than any known repeating millisecond radio transient.
Reversibly tuning the surface state of Ag via the assistance of photocatalysis in Ag/BiOCl

Silver (Ag) nanoparticles can be spontaneously oxidized and present in different oxidized surface phases. The impact of oxidation induced photo absorption property and related photocatalytic activity are still unclear in Ag-decorated semiconductor photocatalysts. Herein, Ag-decorated BiOCl with the metallic Ag0 to oxidized Ag+ were employed to investigate the effect of surface state of Ag on relative photocatalyst properties. A redshift of localized surface plasmon resonance was observed as the Ag0 oxidized to Ag+ and a reversible manipulation was realized in UV light-driven photocatalysis. It is found that the Ag0/BiOCl presents higher photocatalytic activity than Ag+/BiOCl, but this difference is gradually decreasing under UV light irradiation compared with visible light irradiation. A controlled experiment suggests that the reduction of Ag+ under UV light reduced the difference between Ag0/BiOCl and Ag+/BiOCl. The possible mechanism for electron transport and the conversion between Ag+ and Ag0 via the assistance of the photoelectric effect from BiOCl has been elucidated. This photocatalytic reaction assisted reversible tuning the surface state of Ag/BiOCl will open up the possibility of rationally designing Ag-decorated semiconductors for light harvesting.
Electron traps in polyethylene due to water

Electron traps in polyethylene (PE) origin from water has been calculated using density functional theory. Atomistic structure has been simulated using molecular dynamics (MD) and used to calculate the electronic structure. Densities comparable with experimentally determined values are obtained. Both single water molecules and cluster of water molecules are considered. For a single water molecule both electron and hole states are within the bands from PE. The electron state is close to the conduction band minima (CBM) and may coincide with the CBM depending on the local atomic density. The absence of electron traps due to water is contradictory to previous simulation results but can be explained by atomic density and relaxation of conduction states of PE. Systems with 10 water molecules relaxed to two pentamers in the MD simulations. Calculation of trap levels of the pentamers result in trap levels in the order of 0.1-0.3 eV.
Dominant Energy Carrier Transitions and Thermal Anisotropy in Epitaxial Iridium Thin Films

High aspect ratio metal nanostructures are commonly found in a broad range of applications such as electronic compute structures and sensing. The self‐heating and elevated temperatures in these structures, however, pose a significant bottleneck to both the reliability and clock frequencies of modern electronic devices. Any notable progress in energy efficiency and speed requires fundamental and tunable thermal transport mechanisms in nanostructured metals. In this work, time‐domain thermoreflectance is used to expose cross‐plane quasi‐ballistic transport in epitaxially grown metallic Ir(001) interposed between Al and MgO(001). Thermal conductivities ranges from roughly 65 (96 in‐plane) to 119 (122 in‐plane) W m−1 K−1 for 25.5–133.0 nm films, respectively. Further, low defects afforded by epitaxial growth are suspected to allow the observation of electron–phonon coupling effects in sub‐20 nm metals with traditionally electron‐mediated thermal transport. Via combined electro‐thermal measurements and phenomenological modeling, the transition is revealed between three modes of cross‐plane heat conduction across different thicknesses and an interplay among them: electron dominant, phonon dominant, and electron–phonon energy conversion dominant. The results substantiate unexplored modes of heat transport in nanostructured metals, the insights of which can be used to develop electro‐thermal solutions for a host of modern microelectronic devices and sensing structures.
Investigating “Gene Ontology”- based semantic similarity in the context of functional genomics

Gene functional annotations are an essential part of knowledge discovery in the analysis of large datasets, with the Gene Ontology [Ashburner et al., 2000] as the de facto standard for such annotations. A considerable number of approaches for quantifying functional similarity between gene products based on the semantic similarity between their annotations have been developed, but little guidance exists as to which of these measures are the most appropriate for different purposes. This was addressed here by comparing the performances of a number of similarity measures and associated parameters. This comparison provided some interesting new insights as well as confirming emerging trends from the literature. There is also a pressing need for novel ways of applying these measures to facilitate the functional analysis of lists of gene products. We developed a novel algorithm, FuSiGroups, to group GO terms based on their semantic similarity and genes based on their functional similarity. This two-fold grouping results in groups of not only functionally similar genes but also an associated set of related GO terms that characterise a single functional aspect relating the genes in the group, which facilitates analysis by creating more coherent groups. Each gene can belong to multiple groups, so the groups more accurately reflect the complexity of biological reality than clusters generated using traditional approaches. FuSiGroups was tested on a number of scenarios and in each case, successfully generated biologically relevant groups, identifying the key functional aspects of the dataset. The algorithm also managed to eliminate genes that were functionally unrelated to the bulk of the dataset and distinguish between different biological pathways. Although dataset size is currently a limiting factor, with smaller datasets performing the best, FuSiGroups has been demonstrated as a promising approach for the functional analysis of gene products.