Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Radiation-Induced Oxidation Reactions of 2-Selenouracil in Aqueous Solutions: Comparison with Sulfur Analog of Uracil

One-electron oxidation of 2-selenouracil (2-SeU) by hydroxyl (●OH) and azide (●N3) radicals leads to various primary reactive intermediates. Their optical absorption spectra and kinetic characteristics were studied by pulse radiolysis with UV-vis spectrophotometric and conductivity detection and by the density functional theory (DFT) method. The transient absorption spectra recorded in the reactions of ●OH with 2-SeU are dominated by an absorption band with an λmax = 440 nm, the intensity of which depends on the concentration of 2-SeU and pH. Based on the combination of conductometric and DFT studies, the transient absorption band observed both at low and high concentrations of 2-SeU was assigned to the dimeric 2c-3e Se-Se-bonded radical in neutral form (2●). The dimeric radical (2●) is formed in the reaction of a selenyl-type radical (6●) with 2-SeU, and both radicals are in equilibrium with Keq = 1.3 × 104 M−1 at pH 4 (below the pKa of 2-SeU). Similar equilibrium with Keq = 4.4 × 103 M−1 was determined for pH 10 (above the pKa of 2-SeU), which admittedly involves the same radical (6●) but with a dimeric 2c-3e Se-Se bonded radical in anionic form (2●−). In turn, at the lowest concentration of 2-SeU (0.05 mM) and pH 10, the transient absorption spectrum is dominated by an absorption band with an λmax = 390 nm, which was assigned to the ●OH adduct to the double bond at C5 carbon atom (3●) based on DFT calculations. Similar spectral and kinetic features were also observed during the ●N3-induced oxidation of 2-SeU. In principle, our results mostly revealed similarities in one-electron oxidation pathways of 2-SeU and 2-thiouracil (2-TU). The major difference concerns the stability of dimeric radicals with a 2c-3e chalcogen-chalcogen bond in favor of 2-SeU.
Real-Time Kinematic Surveying using Tightly-Coupled GPS and Ultra-Wideband Ranging

Ultra-wideband (UWB) ranging radios, an emerging technology that offers precise, short distance, range measurements are investigated as a method to augment carrierphase GPS positioning. This thesis begins with a discussion of radio-frequency based methods of augmenting high precision GPS and proposes to utilize UWB ranging technology in a tightly-coupled GPS and UWB position estimation filter. This thesis then provides an overview of UWB in the context of ranging applications and assesses the precision and accuracy of UWB ranging from both a theoretical perspective and a practical perspective using real data. Two types of commercially available UWB ranging radios are introduced which are used in testing. Actual ranging accuracy is assessed from line-of-sight testing in benign signal conditions and in outdoor testing with line-of-sight obstructions and strong reflection sources. A tightly-coupled GPS and UWB real-time kinematic (RTK) estimation method is developed and the performance of the system is evaluated in static and kinematic testing. The results of static testing show that the integrated solution provides better accuracy, better ability to resolve integer ambiguities and enhanced fixed ambiguity solution availability compared with GPS alone. The results of kinematic testing demonstrate that UWB errors can be successfully estimated in a real-time filter. In static and kinematic testing in a degraded GPS environment created by artificially inducing a 40 satellite elevation mask, subdecimetre accuracy was maintained. The tightly-coupled system is also tested to survey several external corner points of an eight story building. The tightly-coupled solution is compared to GPS-only, UWB-only, and loosely-coupled solutions. Sub-metre level solutions are maintained using tight-coupling in conditions where the solutions from the other three approaches are either unavailable or unreliable. The thesis also provides a novel and efficient method for deploying UWB reference stations and performing
FDTD simulation of microwave sintering of ceramics in multimode cavities

Microwave sintering of ceramics in multimode cavities, particularly the use of picket-fence arrangements, has recently received considerable attention. Various types of ceramics have been successfully sintered and, in some cases, a desirable and unique "microwave effect" has been observed. At present, various aspects of the sintering profess such as preparation of sample sizes and shapes, types of insulations, and the desirability of including a process stimulus such as SiC rods are considered forms of art and highly dependent on human expertise. The simulation of realistic sintering experiments in a multimode cavity may provide an improved understanding of critical parameters involved and allow for the development of guidelines towards the optimization of the sintering process. In this paper, we utilize the FDTD technique to model various geometrical arrangements and material compatibility aspects in multimode microwave cavities and to simulate realistic sintering experiments. The FDTD procedure starts with the simulation of a field distribution in multimode microwave cavities that resembles a set of measured data using liquid crystal sheets. Also included in the simulation is the waveguide feed as well as a ceramic loading plate placed at the base of the cavity. >
The bioactive compound carvacrol as a potential acaricide: An assessment of its effects on the integument of female Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato ticks

Studies seeking control methods for infestation of Riphicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (s.l.) ticks (dog ticks) have been carried out in order to minimize damage to both the tick's hosts and the environment, the latter due to the misuse of acaricide products. In this regard, carvacrol has been used as a natural alternative against ticks as it displays several properties including acaricidal. In this context, the present study aimed to evaluate the ultramorphology and morphohistochemistry of the integument of semi‐engorged R. sanguineus s.l. females exposed to different carvacrol concentrations. The findings indicate that the integument surface of females exposed to the highest carvacrol concentration (25 μl/ml) became wrinkled, suggesting dehydration or the result of integument cuticular and epithelial layer disorganization in response to the toxic product. Morphohistochemical integument layer alterations were more significant and intense in females exposed to the highest carvacrol concentration (25 μl/ml), confirming dose‐dependent carvacrol action. Among other cell and tissue alterations, changes in epithelial cell shape, size, and arrangement (epidermal layer) were noted, alongside altered and pyknotic‐shaped nuclei, suggesting a death process for these cells. This epithelium changed from simple cubic to stratified, also in response to the presence of the evaluated bioactive compound. Thus, the findings reported herein demonstrate that carvacrol may be an alternative for an efficient and more sustainable tick control in the near future.
Optimization of Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Bars for Reinforced Concrete Column Using Nonlinear Finite Element Algorithms

The ductility and strength of reinforced concrete (RC) columns could be noticeably improved by replacing steel bars with polymeric bars. Despite the previous research on RC columns, most of those studies focused only on the lateral load capacity of this structural member and were mainly costly experimental studies. However, this paper is concentrated on the previously occurred damages to the reinforced columns in the previous earthquakes. Subsequently, finite element analysis has been performed to examine 24 models including the various shapes of RC columns. In employing the plastic behavior of steel, carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP), and glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars, the bilinear hardening has been considered. To capture both compressive and tensile behavior of the concrete, the concrete damage plasticity model has been implemented. Furthermore, the optimization technique is used for CFRP models to compare with other models. In this paper, the parameters of energy, seismic factor, stiffness, and ductility have been computed using the method proposed by the authors. This suggested method is considered to compare the results from each parameter. Finite element results of steel bars are compared with carbon and glass models. The results show the stiffness of models is improved by CFRP bars, while the energy absorption and ductility factor are enhanced with steel bars. Moreover, GFRP bars can enhance the seismic factor. The reduction of column stiffness to almost half would occur in some rectangular cross-section columns.
Dendropanoxide, a Triterpenoid from Dendropanax morbifera, Ameliorates Hepatic Fibrosis by Inhibiting Activation of Hepatic Stellate Cells through Autophagy Inhibition

Hepatic fibrosis results from chronic liver damage and is characterized by excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM). In this study, we showed that dendropanoxide (DPX), isolated from Dendropanax morbifera, had anti-fibrotic effects on hepatic fibrosis by inhibiting hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation. DPX suppressed mRNA and protein expression of α-SMA, fibronectin, and collagen in activated HSCs. Moreover, DPX (40 mg/kg) treatment significantly lowered levels of liver injury markers (aspartate aminotransferase and alanine transaminase), expression of fibrotic markers, and deposition of ECM in a carbon tetrachloride-induced mouse model. Anti-fibrotic effects of DPX were comparable to those of silymarin in a hepatic fibrosis mouse model. As a possible mechanism of anti-fibrotic effects, we showed that DPX inhibited autophagosome formation (LC3B-II) and degradation of p62, which have important roles in HSC activation. These findings suggest that DPX inhibits HSC activation by inhibiting autophagy and can be utilized in hepatic fibrosis therapy.
Is social functioning in older age patients with bipolar disorder associated with affective and/or non‐affective cognition?

Previous research showed impairments in non‐affective cognition, affective cognition, and social functioning in adult patients with bipolar disorder (BD). Only 37% of adult BD patients recovers in social functioning, and both aspects of cognition are important constructs of influence. The role of affective cognition in older age bipolar disorder (OABD) patients is still unclear. Therefore, the aim of our study was to examine the separate and combined effects of affective cognition and non‐affective cognition on social functioning.
Increased Channel Mobility in 4H-SiC UMOSFETs Using On-Axis Substrates

The achievement of high channel mobility in UMOSFETs by utilizing on-axis substrates is reported. UMOSFETs were fabricated on commercially available C-face 4H-SiC on-axis substrates. The MOS channels were formed on the single side of the trench sidewalls to be (1120), (1120), (1100), and (1100). By using on-axis substrates, channel mobility on (1120) was greatly improved to 66cm 2 /Vs, which is similar value (71cm 2 /Vs) on (1120). These values are the highest inversion channel mobility in 4H-SiC UMOSFETs ever reported. These results suggest that the channel plane should be close to the crystallographically accurate {1120} to increase channel mobility.
Shrinkage-Induced Response of Composite Steel–Concrete Slabs: A State-of-the-Art Review

Composite steel–concrete slab is a floor typology widely used for building applications. Their design is usually governed by serviceability limit state requirements associated with the time-dependent response of the concrete. In this context, this paper presents a state-of-the-art review of research carried out to date on the long-term behavior of composite steel–concrete slabs. The particularity of this time-dependent response relies on the fact that the concrete cannot dry from the underside of the slab due to the presence of the profiled sheeting while it can dry from its upper surface. In the first part of the paper, a review of the work carried out on the identification of the time-dependent response of the concrete is presented by considering the peculiarities that occur due to the non-symmetric drying condition related to composite slabs. Particular attention is given to shrinkage effects and to the occurrence and influence of the non-uniform shrinkage gradient that develops in this form of construction over time. This is followed by the description and discussion of the experimental work performed on both simply-supported and continuous static configurations of composite slabs. In particular, the work published to date is summarized while highlighting the key parameters of the test samples and of the testing protocols adopted in the experiments. In the last part of the paper, available theoretical and design models proposed for the predictions of the shrinkage-induced behavior of composite slabs are presented and discussed.
Impact of thermal recovery and hydrogen production of fuel cell power plants on distribution feeder reconfiguration

In this study, the operating benefits of considering thermal recovery and hydrogen production in the economic model of a grid-parallel proton exchange membrane fuel cell power plant (PEM-FCPP) are investigated. Also the study considers the simultaneous effect of distribution feeder reconfiguration (DFR) on the operating management of PEM-FCPPs in a stochastic environment. In this regard, a new method based on a probabilistic approach called point estimate method (PEM) is proposed to consider the uncertainty associated with the load demand prediction error as well as the variation of (i) price of natural gas for PEM-FCPPs, (ii) tariff for buying electricity from PEM-FCPPs and the grid, (iii) tariff for selling electrical energy, (iv) operation and maintenance cost, (v) hydrogen selling price and (vi) fuel cost for supplying residual loads (thermal energy). The objective functions to be optimised are the total active power losses, the total emission produced and the total cost related to the grid and PEM-FCPPs. As a result of conflicting behaviours of the investigated objective functions, an interactive fuzzy approach is utilised to let the decision maker to apply his/her preferences to the system. The feasibility and efficiency of the proposed method is shown through the use of Tai-power distribution test system.
Auditory performance and speech intelligibility among children with cochlear implant under a state-sponsored insurance scheme: a cross-sectional study

Background: Cochlear implant is the intervention for improving the auditory performance and speech ability for children between 6-12 years with congenital deafness under the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme, a state-sponsored insurance scheme in Tamil Nadu. Until 2020, 4107 children had been provided with a cochlear implant under the scheme. However, the outcome of this intervention was not studied so far. Hence, as a program evaluation auditory performance and speech intelligibility among patients who received cochlear implant under the scheme is studied.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 203 patients who had received a cochlear implant at least 1 year ago. Children were evaluated for auditory performance and speech intelligibility using revised Categories of Auditory Performance (CAP) and Speech Intelligibility Rating (SIR) scores by trained speech therapists in Government Medical College hospitals. The proportion of good scorers in CAP (level ≥7) and SIR (category ≥ 3) was computed. The difference in proportion between different demographics was tested using the Chi-square test and Fischer exact test.Results: The median CAP and SIR scores of the children were 8 (Interquartile Range – 4) and 3 (IQR – 2) respectively. Almost 2/3rd of the children had good auditory performance and speech intelligibility. Factors that were associated with good auditory performance and speech intelligibility were being a girl child, getting the implant before 3 years of age, and getting it in a private institution.Conclusions: Gender and age at implant influences auditory performance and speech intelligibility after cochlear implant. Hence, early screening for deafness should be made a routine to enable early detection and management, thereby preventing permanent disability.
Placement of Roadside Equipment in Connected Vehicle Environment for Travel Time Estimation

Vehicle-to-infrastructure (VTI) communication technology offers great potential to improve safety and mobility in transportation systems. One application of VTI communication to mobility is the measurement of travel time in an urban road network. The presence of traffic control at intersections in an urban network makes it challenging for traditional traffic-monitoring methods to provide accurate travel times. The use of several new technologies (e.g., Bluetooth) has been proposed to alleviate this problem. One of the features of the VTI communication technology is probe vehicle data collection, in which vehicles collect information on, for example, their location and speed. The speed information can be used for travel time estimation. This paper proposes a methodology for determining the optimal placement of roadside equipment (RSE) for travel time estimation in a VTI communication environment. A connected vehicle simulation test bed of Boise, Idaho, was developed in VISSIM traffic simulation software according to the SAE J2735 standard. A hybrid performance measure, the network coverage index, which combines travel time error and the number of links for which travel times are available, is proposed. A genetic algorithm-based solution method was implemented in conjunction with the simulation test bed to determine the optimal placement of different RSE deployments. The results indicate that the proposed methodology is capable of optimization of RSE locations in a VTI communication environment. Sensitivity analysis was also conducted by the use of various market penetration rates and travel time estimation intervals. The results indicate that higher penetration rates and larger estimation intervals produce better coverage index values.
Analysis of a coaxial probe‐fed circular waveguide

This article presents the investigation on the applicability of variational technique for the estimation of input impedance of a coaxial line fed probe in a circular cylindrical waveguide based on thin current approximation. In this work, the lower limit of diameter of the probe for which thin current approximation is valid has been established. The variation of input impedance has been studied as a function of probe height, short length from the probe as well as diameter of the probe. The convergence of the solution based on variational technique is checked in terms of the number of higher order modes of circular cylindrical waveguide excited at the asymmetrical junction of probe. The limitation of the existing technique has been ascertained using the finite element method based simulator high frequency structure synthesizer (HFSS) and experimental validation. The simulated result based on HFSS is in excellent agreement with the experimental results. Bandwidth performance with variation in diameter has also been studied using HFSS simulator with varying probe diameter. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 55:2652–2656, 2013
Analysis on the influence of retailer's introduction of store brand under manufacturer's product line strategy

As the introduction of store brand (SB) by retailers becomes more common, national brand manufacturers (NBM) in the market often respond with a product line strategy. Then how should retailers decide their product lines under the situation that NBM adopt product line strategy? Under the manufacturer's product line strategy, this paper compares and analyzes three competitive strategies for retailers to introduce high-end SB, low-end SB and SB product line. The results show that: First, no matter what kind of competition strategy the retailer adopts, (1) the introduction of SB occupies the market share of NB; (2) the retailer gains the highest unit income from the high-end products of NB manufacturers. Second, the relationship between production cost and encroachment effects directly affects the retailer's choice of optimal competitive strategy and the manufacturer's preference for its competitive strategy choice. Finally, from the perspective of profit maximization, the optimal choice for retailers is the product line competition strategy, but this strategy is not obvious compared with the high-end competition strategy. Therefore, when retailers introduce product lines, if they are effectively threatened by national brand manufacturers (for example, NBM refuses to provide national brands to retailers), retailers may choose the suboptimal strategy, that is, to introduce store brand high-end products. When the high-end products of store brands are better than the low-end products of national brands and the production cost of products is relatively high, this strategy just meets the expectations of national brand manufacturers for retailers to introduce strategies.
Cannabinoids in Breast Cancer: Differential Susceptibility According to Subtype

Although cannabinoids have been used for centuries for diverse pathological conditions, recently, their clinical interest and application have emerged due to their diverse pharmacological properties. Indeed, it is well established that cannabinoids exert important actions on multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and pain relief. Regarding cancer, cannabinoids were first introduced to manage chemotherapy-related side effects, though several studies demonstrated that they could modulate the proliferation and death of different cancer cells, as well as angiogenesis, making them attractive agents for cancer treatment. In relation to breast cancer, it has been suggested that estrogen receptor-negative (ER−) cells are more sensitive to cannabinoids than estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) cells. In fact, most of the studies regarding their effects on breast tumors have been conducted on triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Nonetheless, the number of studies on human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+) and ER+ breast tumors has been rising in recent years. However, besides the optimistic results obtained thus far, there is still a long way to go to fully understand the role of these molecules. This review intends to help clarify the clinical potential of cannabinoids for each breast cancer subtype.
Metastatic EMT Phenotype Is Governed by MicroRNA-200-Mediated Competing Endogenous RNA Networks

Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a fundamental physiologically relevant process that occurs during morphogenesis and organ development. In a pathological setting, the transition from epithelial toward mesenchymal cell phenotype is hijacked by cancer cells, allowing uncontrolled metastatic dissemination. The competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) hypothesis proposes a competitive environment resembling a large-scale regulatory network of gene expression circuits where alterations in the expression of both protein-coding and non-coding genes can make relevant contributions to EMT progression in cancer. The complex regulatory diversity is exerted through an array of diverse epigenetic factors, reaching beyond the transcriptional control that was previously thought to single-handedly govern metastatic dissemination. The present review aims to unravel the competitive relationships between naturally occurring ceRNA transcripts for the shared pool of the miRNA-200 family, which play a pivotal role in EMT related to cancer dissemination. Upon acquiring more knowledge and clinical evidence on non-genetic factors affecting neoplasia, modulation of the expression levels of diverse ceRNAs may allow for the development of novel prognostic/diagnostic markers and reveal potential targets for the disruption of cancer-related EMT.