Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Topologic mixing on a microfluidic chip

Mixing two liquids on a microfluidic chip is notoriously hard because the small dimensions and velocities on the chip effectively prevent turbulence. We present a topological mixing scheme that exploits the laminarity of the flow to repeatedly fold the flow and exponentially increase the concentration gradients to obtain fast and efficient mixing by diffusion. It is based on helical flow channels with opposite chiralities that split, rotate, and recombine the fluid stream in a topology reminiscent of a series of Mobius bands. This geometry is realized in a simple six-stage, two-layer elastomer structure with a footprint of 400 μm×300 μm per stage that mixes two solutions efficiently at Reynolds numbers between 0.1 and 2. This represents more than an order of magnitude reduction in the size of microfluidic mixers that can be manufactured in standard multilayer soft lithography techniques.
Highly-charged particle impact ionization of He

Absolute experimental measurements have been reported for the fully differential cross section (FDCS) for single ionization of helium by 3.6 MeV/u AuQ+ (Q = 24, 53) ions. These absolute measurements are not in very good agreement with CDW-EIS (continuum distorted wave-eikonal initial state) calculations which are normally in excellent agreement with doubly differential cross-section measurements. We have recently introduced the 3DW-EIS approach which is a fully quantum mechanical approach. In addition, we have used a Hartree–Fock distorted wave for the outgoing electron instead of approximating the ejected electron as a Coulomb wave with an effective charge. For the case of low-energy C6+ ionization of helium, the 3DW-EIS model was in better agreement with absolute experimental data than the CDW-EIS approximation. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the validity of the 3DW-EIS model for more highly charged ions. Our theoretical results for the single ionization of helium by highly charged gold particles are in poor agreement with experimental results. The experiment displays unique forward peak structures in the FDCS that were not seen in the theoretical approach. We consider possible mechanisms to account for this forward peak structure.
Towards Personalized Management of Ovarian Cancer

Abstract Despite advances in surgery and chemotherapy, the overall outcomes for patients with advanced ovarian cancer remain poor. Although initial response rates to platinum-based chemotherapy is about 60–80%, most patients will have recurrence and succumb to the disease. However, a DNA repair–directed precision medicine strategy has recently generated real hope in improving survival. The clinical development of PARP inhibitors has transformed lives for many patients with BRCA germline-deficient and/or platinum-sensitive epithelial ovarian cancers. Antiangiogenic agents and intraperitoneal chemotherapy approaches may also improve outcomes in patients. Moreover, evolving immunotherapeutic opportunities could also positively impact patient outcomes. Here we review the current clinical state of PARP inhibitors and other clinically viable targeted approaches in ovarian cancer.
Smoothing metallic glasses without introducing crystallization by gas cluster ion beam

We show that 30 keV Ar cluster ion bombardment of Ni52.5Nb10Zr15Ti15Pt7. 5 metallic glass (MG) can remove surface mountain-like features and reduce the root mean square surface roughness from 12 nm to 0.7 nm. X-ray diffraction analysis reveals no crystallization after cluster ion irradiation. Molecular dynamics simulations show that, although damage cascades lead to local melting, the subsequent quenching rate is a few orders of magnitude higher than the critical cooling rate for MG formation, thus the melted zone retains its amorphous nature down to room temperature. These findings can be applied to obtain ultra-smooth MGs without introducing crystallization.
Saddle-point Methods for the Multinomial Distribution

Many problems in the theory of probability and statistics can be solved by evaluating coefficients in generating function, or, for continuous differentiable distributions, by an analogous process with Laplace or Fourier transforms. As pointed out for example by H. E. Daniels [2], these problems can often be solved by asymptotic series derived by the saddle-point method from integrals containing a large parameter. Daniels gave a form of saddle-point theorem that is convenient for applications to probability and statistics. In the present paper we extend the theorem in various directions and give some applications to distributions connected with the multinomial distribution, especially to the distribution of $\chi^2$ and to the distribution of the maximum entry in a multinomial distribution.
A Possible Explanation for the Low Penetrance of Pathogenic KCNE1 Variants in Long QT Syndrome Type 5

Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is an inherited cardiac rhythm disorder associated with increased incidence of cardiac arrhythmias and sudden death. LQTS type 5 (LQT5) is caused by dominant mutant variants of KCNE1, a regulatory subunit of the voltage-gated ion channels generating the cardiac potassium current IKs. While mutant LQT5 KCNE1 variants are known to inhibit IKs amplitudes in heterologous expression systems, cardiomyocytes from a transgenic rabbit LQT5 model displayed unchanged IKs amplitudes, pointing towards the critical role of additional factors in the development of the LQT5 phenotype in vivo. In this study, we demonstrate that KCNE3, a candidate regulatory subunit of IKs channels minimizes the inhibitory effects of LQT5 KCNE1 variants on IKs amplitudes, while current deactivation is accelerated. Such changes recapitulate IKs properties observed in LQT5 transgenic rabbits. We show that KCNE3 accomplishes this by displacing the KCNE1 subunit within the IKs ion channel complex, as evidenced by a dedicated biophysical assay. These findings depict KCNE3 as an integral part of the IKs channel complex that regulates IKs function in cardiomyocytes and modifies the development of the LQT5 phenotype.
The Gut Microbiome of Children during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The gut microbiome has been shown to play a critical role in maintaining a healthy state. Dysbiosis of the gut microbiome is involved in modulating disease severity and potentially contributes to long-term outcomes in adults with COVID-19. Due to children having a significantly lower risk of severe illness and limited sample availability, much less is known about the role of the gut microbiome in children with COVID-19. It is well recognized that the developing gut microbiome of children differs from that of adults, but it is unclear if this difference contributes to the different clinical presentations and complications. In this review, we discuss the current knowledge of the gut microbiome in children with COVID-19, with gut microbiome dysbiosis being found in pediatric COVID-19 but specific taxa change often differing from those described in adults. Additionally, we discuss possible mechanisms of how the gut microbiome may mediate the presentation and complications of COVID-19 in children and the potential role for microbial therapeutics.
Polyphenol Release from Wheat Bran Using Ethanol-Based Organosolv Treatment and Acid/Alkaline Catalysis: Process Modeling Based on Severity and Response Surface Optimization

Wheat bran (WB) is globally a major food industry waste, with a high prospect as a bioresource in the production of precious polyphenolic phytochemicals. In this framework, the current investigation had as objectives (i) to use ethanol organosolv treatment and study the effect of acid and alkali catalysts on releasing bound polyphenols, (ii) establish linear and quadratic models of polyphenol recovery based on severity and response surface, and (iii) examine the polyphenolic composition of the extracts generated. Using sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide as the acid and the alkali catalyst, respectively, it was found that the correlation of combined severity factor with total polyphenol yield was significant in the acid catalysis, but a highly significant correlation in the alkali-catalyzed process was established with modified severity factor, which takes into consideration catalyst concentration, instead of pH. Optimization of the process with response surface confirmed that polyphenol release from WB was linked to treatment time, but also catalyst concentration. Under optimized conditions, the acid- and alkali-catalyzed processes afforded total polyphenol yields of 10.93 ± 0.62 and 19.76 ± 0.76 mg ferulic acid equivalents g−1 dry mass, respectively. Examination of the polyphenolic composition revealed that the alkali-catalyzed process had a striking effect on releasing ferulic acid, but the acid catalysis was insufficient in this regard. The outcome concerning the antioxidant properties was contradictory with respect to the antiradical activity and ferric-reducing power of the extracts, a fact most probably attributed to extract constituents other than ferulic acid. The process modeling proposed herein may be valuable in assessing both process effectiveness and severity, with a perspective of establishing WB treatments that would provide maximum polyphenol recovery with minimum harshness and cost.
Mask-wearing and facial emotion recognition: a preliminary analysis of the relevance of depressive symptoms

Depression is a psychiatric condition that impairs the life of millions of people around the globe. Previous research has shown that depressed individuals tend to present deficits in facial emotion perception. For instance, perception accuracy may be reduced and biases in perceived intensity may be enhanced. Mask-wearing practices initiated in response to the COVID-19 pandemic have become a new social norm often enforced by local mandates. Preliminary studies have shown that mask-wearing may impair facial emotion recognition. In this study, we aimed at understanding how facial emotion recognition impairment interacts with depressive symptoms in a sample of German adolescents and adults (N = 91, 56% female, mean age of 32.7 years) by utilizing a mixed-effects linear regression analysis. We found evidence that mask-wearing may be a limiting factor for facial emotion recognition, as well as for emotion intensity ratings. However, a significant association of depressive symptoms with these outcome variables was not detected. Still, larger sample sizes may have the potential to substantiate a trend toward an interaction of depressive symptoms and mask-wearing for the rating of happy faces. Future research should be committed to psychophysiological processes and to improving the quality of the stimulus material.
Stopping of energetic light ions in elemental matter

The formalism for calculating the stopping of energetic light ions (H, He, and Li) at energies above 1 MeV/u, has advanced to the point that stopping powers may now be calculated with an accuracy of a few percent for all elemental materials. Although the subject has been of interest for a century, only recently have the final required corrections been understood and evaluated. The theory of energetic ion stopping is reviewed with emphasis on those aspects that pertain to the calculation of accurate stopping powers.
Upregulation of Nrf2 Signalling and the Inhibition of Erastin-Induced Ferroptosis by Ferulic Acid in MIN6 Cells

Ferroptosis is a regulated cell death process characterised by the iron-dependent accumulation of oxidised polyunsaturated fatty acid-containing phospholipids. Its initiation is complicated and involves reactive oxygen species (ROS) and a loss of the activity of the lipid repair enzyme glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4). These play critical roles in the development of ferroptotic cell damage by lipid peroxidation. Antioxidant therapy is a promising therapeutic strategy to prevent or even reverse the progression of ferroptosis. This study was designed to demonstrate the protective effect of ferulic acid (FA) against oxidative stress and erastin-mediated ferroptosis in murine MIN6 cells. Cells were treated with FA or its metabolite ferulic acid 4-O-sulfate disodium salt (FAS) and 20 μM of erastin. Cell viability was determined by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, iron levels were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), ROS levels were determined by a dihydrodichlorofluorescein (H2DCF) cell-permeant probe, and glutathione and lipid peroxidation were assayed with commercially available kits. The phenolic acids enhanced cell viability in erastin-treated MIN6 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, MIN6 cells exposed to erastin alone showed elevated levels of iron and ROS, glutathione (GSH) depletion, and lipid peroxidation (p < 0.05) compared to cells that were protected by co-treatment with FA or FAS. The treatment of MIN6 cells with FA or FAS following exposure to erastin increased the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) protein levels. Consequently, levels of its downstream antioxidant proteins, HO-1, NQO1, GCLC, and GPX4, increased. FA and FAS greatly decreased erastin-induced ferroptosis in the presence of the Nrf2 inhibitor, ML385, through the regulation of Nrf2 response genes. In conclusion, these results show that FA and FAS protect MIN6 cells from erastin-induced ferroptosis by the Nrf2 antioxidant protective mechanism.
Simulations of Three-Dimensional Reconnection in the Solar Corona

Using ideal and resistive MHD, we investigate the stability and dynamic evolution of three-dimensional magnetic field configurations, representing stretched arcade structures above a dipolar "photospheric" magnetic field. Two types of configurations are studied that differ by the amount of divergence ("fanning") of the initial field lines as viewed in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the photospheric magnetic neutral line and, correspondingly, by the radial decrease of magnetic field strength and current density. The two sets of configurations are found to differ in their stability behavior. The strongly fanning fields, associated with a rapid radial decrease of the field strength, current density, and plasma pressure, are more stable. A stability difference is found also when the configurations are first subjected to a converging motion of photospheric footpoints toward the neutral line, which leads to the buildup of thin current sheets in the region above. This current sheet formation is more pronounced for the weakly fanning fields. For similar current density enhancements, the occurrence of anomalous dissipation (resistivity) initiates magnetic reconnection in either configuration. However, the effects are much more drastic in magnitude and spread in the weakly diverging field structure. In the unstable cases, a strongly localized electric field parallel to the magnetic field develops, which results in integrated voltages with maximum values of the order of a few hundred MeV, both on open and closed field lines. For comparison, we studied both low-beta, force-free, and high-beta initial states. The weakly fanning high-beta configurations tend to show more drastic instability effects than the corresponding low-beta fields, but the stabilization of the strongly fanning fields pertains to both low-beta and high-beta fields. The three-dimensional reconnection in the unstable cases generates a region of intertwined magnetic flux tubes with different topologies that lie below a region of closed flux ropes not affected by reconnection. The topological changes could be the source of open flux tubes that are occasionally observed within coronal mass ejections, as recently discussed by Gosling et al. The fast outward flow generated in these simulations affects only the regions of changing topology but does not cause the above-lying closed flux ropes to move (within the times considered). This may be seen as an indication that reconnection may be associated with the onset of a flare, initiated after the eruption of a coronal mass ejection, but is not the driver of the coronal mass ejection itself.
Degradation and Mechanism of D-Mode AlGaN/GaN MIS-HEMTs Under the Combination Action of Hydrogen and HTGB Stress

In this article, the effects of hydrogen treatment (HT) and high-temperature gate bias (HTGB) stress on the degradation of AlGaN/GaN metal–insulator–semiconductor (MIS) high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) were investigated. The dc characteristics show that the device after HT exhibits a negative drift of threshold voltage (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${V}_{\text {th}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>), an ON-resistance (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${R}_{ \mathrm{ON}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) decrease, a subthreshold swing (SS) decrease, and a significant increase of drain–source current (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${I}_{\text {ds}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) with respect to the fresh one, while the drain–source resistance and gate leakage current hardly change; the <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${C}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>–<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${V}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> curve slightly negative drifted and the saturation capacitance significantly reduced. Furthermore, for both the fresh and HT devices, negative shifts of the transfer curves and increases of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${I}_{\text {ds}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> are observed under a gate bias stress of −10 V, while a gate bias stress of +10 V results in an opposite phenomenon. Similarly, neither drain–source resistance nor gate leakage current exhibits a pronounced change. After HTGB stress, the saturation capacitance of the HT devices increased significantly. The degradation behavior and mechanism of GaN MIS-HEMTs under HT and HTGB stress are analyzed, respectively. The experimental results can provide a useful reference for the design and space application of AlGaN/GaN MIS-HEMTs.
Anti-Bacterial Effect of Cannabidiol against the Cariogenic Streptococcus mutans Bacterium: An In Vitro Study

Dental caries is caused by biofilm-forming acidogenic bacteria, especially Streptococcus mutans, and is still one of the most prevalent human bacterial diseases. The potential use of cannabidiol (CBD) in anti-bacterial therapies has recently emerged. Here we have studied the anti-bacterial and anti-biofilm activity of CBD against S. mutans. We measured minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration (MBIC). The bacterial growth and changes in pH values were measured in a kinetic study. The biofilm biomass was assessed by Crystal Violet staining and 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) metabolic assay. Spinning Disk Confocal Microscopy (SDCM) was used to assess biofilm structure, bacterial viability and extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) production. CBD inhibited S. mutans planktonic growth and biofilm formation in a dose-dependent manner, with similar MIC and MBIC values (5 µg/mL). CBD prevented the bacteria-mediated reduction in pH values that correlated with bacterial growth inhibition. SDCM showed a decrease of 50-fold in live bacteria and EPS production. CBD significantly reduced the viability of preformed biofilms at 7.5 µg/mL with an 80 ± 3.1% reduction of metabolic activity. At concentrations above 20 µg/mL, there was almost no bacterial recovery in the CBD-treated preformed biofilms even 48 h after drug withdrawal. Notably, precoating of the culture plate surfaces with CBD prior to incubation with bacteria inhibited biofilm development. Additionally, CBD was found to induce membrane hyperpolarization in S. mutans. Thus, CBD affects multiple processes in S. mutans including its cariogenic properties. In conclusion, we show that CBD has a strong inhibitory effect against cariogenic bacteria, suggesting that it is a potential drug adjuvant for reducing oral pathogenic bacterial load as well as protecting against dental caries.
Elastic moduli: a tool for understanding chemical bonding and thermal transport in thermoelectric materials.

The elastic behavior of a material can be a powerful tool to decipher thermal transport. In thermoelectrics, measuring the elastic moduli - directly tied to sound velocity - is critical to understand trends in lattice thermal conductivity, as well as study bond anharmonicity and phase transitions, given the sensitivity of elastic moduli to the chemical bonding. In this review, we introduce the basics of elasticity and explain the origin of high-temperature lattice softening from a bonding perspective. We then review elasticity data throughout classes of thermoelectrics, and explore trends in sound velocity, anharmonicity, and thermal conductivity. We reveal how experimental sound velocities can improve the accuracy of common thermal conductivity models and present a critical discussion of Grüneisen parameter estimates from elastic moduli. Readers will be equipped with tools to leverage elasticity measurements or calculations to accurately interpret thermal transport trends.
GABA Release from Astrocytes in Health and Disease

Astrocytes are the most abundant glial cells in the central nervous system (CNS) mediating a variety of homeostatic functions, such as spatial K+ buffering or neurotransmitter reuptake. In addition, astrocytes are capable of releasing several biologically active substances, including glutamate and GABA. Astrocyte-mediated GABA release has been a matter of debate because the expression level of the main GABA synthesizing enzyme glutamate decarboxylase is quite low in astrocytes, suggesting that low intracellular GABA concentration ([GABA]i) might be insufficient to support a non-vesicular GABA release. However, recent studies demonstrated that, at least in some regions of the CNS, [GABA]i in astrocytes might reach several millimoles both under physiological and especially pathophysiological conditions, thereby enabling GABA release from astrocytes via GABA-permeable anion channels and/or via GABA transporters operating in reverse mode. In this review, we summarize experimental data supporting both forms of GABA release from astrocytes in health and disease, paying special attention to possible feedback mechanisms that might govern the fine-tuning of astrocytic GABA release and, in turn, the tonic GABAA receptor-mediated inhibition in the CNS.
The intrinsic nuclear spectrum of NGC 1068

We have inferred the intrinsic optical, UV and X-ray continuum of the obscured Seyfert nucleus of NGC 1068, using small aperture and polarized flux data to separate host galaxy contamination from reflected nuclear light. In support of popular unification models, we find it to be similar to typical type 1 Seyfert galaxy and quasar continua. The bolometric luminosity of the active nucleus is 2.2 x 10(exp 11) (f(sub refl)/0.01)(exp -1)(D/22Mpc)(exp 2) L(sub sun), where f(sub refl) is the fraction of nuclear flux reflected into our line of sight and D is the distance to NGC 1068.
Verifying stabilizing controllers for performance improvement using closed‐loop data

In iterative identification and control, one needs to determine the closed‐loop performance of a new controller designed with the current model so that a decision can be made on whether a new iteration of plant identification and controller design is necessary. In multiple model adaptive control, at times, a decision to connect a different controller is made. It is desirable to check the closed‐loop performance with a new controller before it is switched in. Consider a feedback interconnection of an unknown linear plant and a known linear stabilizing controller, and assume that some knowledge of the closed‐loop system is available. We aim to develop theory and tools for experimentally verifying the closed‐loop performance with a prospective stabilizing controller in advance. The simulation results demonstrate efficacy and versatility of our results.Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.