Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Enhanced stab resistance of armor composites with functionalized silica nanoparticles

Traditionally shear thickening fluid (STF) reinforced with Kevlar has been used to develop flexible armor. At the core of the STF-Kevlar composites is a mixture of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and silica particles. This mixture is often known as STF and is consisted of approximately 45 wt % PEG and 55 wt % silica. During rheological tests, STF shows instantaneous spike in viscosity above a critical shear rate. Fabrication of STF-Kevlar composites requires preparation of STF, dilution with ethanol, and then impregnation with Kevlar. In the current approach, nanoscale silica particles were dispersed directly into a mixture of PEG and ethanol through a sonic cavitation process. Two types of silica nanoparticles were used in the investigation: 30 nm crystalline silica and 7 nm amorphous silica. The admixture was then reinforced with Kevlar fabric to produce flexible armor composites. In the next step, silica particles are functionalized with a silane coupling agent to enhance bonding between silica and PEG. The .
Effects of External Employment Opportunities, Nursing Professionalism, and Nursing Work Environments on Korean Hospital Nurses’ Intent to Stay or Leave

This study aims to explore Korean Hospital nurses’ intent to stay or leave their working environment, and to identify the difference between the intent to stay and the intent to leave by identifying the relationship between external employment opportunities, professionalism, and work environment. Data were collected via an online survey and analyzed using stepwise multiple regression analysis. As a result of the analysis, the intent to stay among Korean hospital nurses was influenced by the work environment, external employment opportunities, education level, and marital status, whereas the intent to leave was influenced by the nursing work environment, marital status, and total clinical experience. As a result, the reflected variables differed. Thus, it can be concluded that hospital nurses’ intent to either stay or leave are not concepts that simply contradict each other in the same context but are, in fact, influenced differently by various factors. Nevertheless, it can also be concluded that nursing managers should make efforts to improve the nursing work environment to lower nurses’ intent to leave and increase their intent to stay by improving only the nursing work environment.
Quality assessment for color reproduction using a blind metric

This paper deals with image quality assessment. This field plays nowadays an important role in various image processing applications. Number of objective image quality metrics, that correlate or not, with the subjective quality have been developed during the last decade. Two categories of metrics can be distinguished, the first with full-reference and the second with no-reference. Full-reference metric tries to evaluate the distortion introduced to an image with regards to the reference. No-reference approach attempts to model the judgment of image quality in a blind way. Unfortunately, the universal image quality model is not on the horizon and empirical models established on psychophysical experimentation are generally used. In this paper, we focus only on the second category to evaluate the quality of color reproduction where a blind metric, based on human visual system modeling is introduced. The objective results are validated by single-media and cross-media subjective tests.
New measurement of deep-inelastic e-p asymmetries

Spin-dependent asymmetries have been measured in inclusive deep-inelastic scattering of longitudinally polarized electrons by longitudinally polarized protons. Data were obtained at a scattering angle of 10/sup 0/ and for incident energies of 16.2 and 22.7 GeV, which cover the kinematic range 0.18
Estimating Simultaneous Confidence Intervals for Multiple Contrasts of Proportions by the Method of Variance Estimates Recovery

Many questions in biomedical research can be addressed effectively with simultaneous confidence intervals for multiple contrasts. While procedures for normal outcome data are readily available, there is still a need for developing practical methods for binary outcomes. In this article, we construct simultaneous confidence intervals for multiple contrasts of binomial proportions using the two-step method of variance estimates recovery (Zou and Donner 2008; Zou 2008; Zou et al. 2009a). First, we obtain confidence limits about single proportions using critical values from the multivariate normal distribution that account for correlations among contrasts. Second, we set confidence limits for these contrasts using variance estimates recovered from the limits. Simulation results show this approach performs well in small to moderate sample sizes when either the Wilson or Jeffreys method is used for constructing confidence limits about a single proportion. We illustrate the procedure with examples.
An examination of causal associations and shared risk factors for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases in the East Asian population: A Mendelian randomization study

Background One of the major contributors to disability and mortality among diabetics is cardiovascular disease (CVD), with coronary artery disease (CAD) as the most prevalent type. However, previous studies have provided controversial evidence linking diabetes to other types of CVDs, such as atrial fibrillation (AF). In addition, the risk factors that predispose people to the risk of diabetes and its complications differ across ethnicities, but the disease risk profiles in the East Asian population have been less investigated. Methods The causal association between type 2 diabetes (T2D) and two types of CVDs (i.e., AF and CAD) in the East Asian population was first studied using Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses. Next, we examined the causal effect of 49 traits on T2D and CAD to identify their separate and shared risk factors in East Asians. A causal mediation analysis was performed to examine the role of T2D in mediating the relationship between the identified shared risk factors and CAD. Results T2D was causally associated with CAD, but not AF, in East Asians. A screening of the risk factors indicated that six and 11 traits were causally associated with T2D and CAD, respectively, with suggestive levels of evidence. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was the only trait associated with both T2D and CAD, as revealed by the univariable MR analyses. Moreover, the causal association between ALP and CAD no longer existed after adjusting T2D as a covariable in the causal mediation study. Conclusion Our study highlights the risk profiles in the East Asian population, which is important in formulating targeted therapies for T2D and CVDs in East Asians.
Rapid Optical Variability of Gamma-Ray-loud Blazars

We present the optical (B, V, and R) photometry for nine GeV and/or TeV γ-ray blazars, which were observed from 2000 through 2001 with the 1 m telescope at Yunnan Astronomical Observatory. The GeV γ-ray–loud source PKS 1510-089 was very active during our observation period, showing an apparent variation of 2.0 mag within 41 minutes in the R band. This is the most violently rapid variability in our optical monitoring program since 1982. Some physics parameters are calculated for this source, namely, the emission size, Doppler factor δ, the efficiency (η) for conversion of accreted matter into energy, and luminosity. An η = 62.2 was obtained, strongly implying that relativistic beaming is responsible for the rapid variability of the γ-ray–loud source. The influence of variable seeing conditions on the observations was investigated. There is a weak correlation between the observed variability and the local seeing conditions for the object 1ES 2344+51.4.
Stellar spectral classification using principal component analysis and artificial neural networks

A fast and robust method of classifying a library of optical stellar spectra for O to M type stars is presented. The method employs, as tools: (1) principal component analysis (PCA) for reducing the dimensionality of the data and (2) multilayer back propagation network (MBPN) based artificial neural network (ANN) scheme to automate the process of classification. We are able to reduce the dimensionality of the original spectral data to very few components by using PCA and are able to successfully reconstruct the original spectra. A number of NN architectures are used to classify the library of test spectra. Performance of ANN with this reduced dimension shows that the library can be classified to accuracies similar to those achieved by Gulati et al. but with less computational load. Furthermore, the data compression is so efficient that the NN scheme successfully classifies to the desired accuracy for a wide range of architectures. The procedure will greatly improve our capabilities in handling and analysing large spectral data bases of the future.
ASTROMETRY, RADIAL VELOCITY, AND PHOTOMETRY: THE HD 128311 SYSTEM REMIXED WITH DATA FROM HST, HET, AND APT

We have used high-cadence radial velocity measurements from the Hobby–Eberly Telescope with published velocities from the Lick 3 m Shane Telescope, combined with astrometric data from the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Fine Guidance Sensors to refine the orbital parameters of the HD 128311 system, and determine an inclination of 55. °95 ± 14. °55 and true mass of 3.789 MJUP for HD 128311 c. The combined radial velocity data also reveal a short period signal which could indicate a third planet in the system with an Msin i of 0.133 ± 0.005 MJUP or stellar phenomena. Photometry from the T12 0.8 m automatic photometric telescope at the Fairborn Observatory and HST are used to determine a photometric period close to, but not within the errors of the radial velocity signal. We performed a cross-correlation bisector analysis of the radial velocity data to look for correlations with the photometric period and found none. Dynamical integrations of the proposed system show long-term stability with the new orbital parameters of over 10 million years. Our new orbital elements do not support the claims of HD 128311 b and c being in mean motion resonance.
Discovery of an H2CO 6 Centimeter Maser in IRAS 18566+0408

We report VLA observations toward IRAS 18566+0408 conducted to determine the nature of the H2CO 6 cm emission line recently detected by Araya and coworkers. Our observations clearly show that the H2CO source is due to maser emission, making IRAS 18566+0408 only the fourth Galactic H2CO 6 cm maser source, out of five known H2CO emitters. We also report detection of a weak 2 cm continuum source that is coincident with the H2CO maser. Given the current observational constraints, the maser could be due to the radiative pumping mechanism proposed by Boland & de Jong; however, the coincidence of the new H2CO maser with 22 GHz H2O masers suggests that shocked molecular gas could also play a role in its excitation.
Performance Effects of Internal Market Orientation and Pricing Capability: The Moderating Role of Firm Innovativeness

This research intends to develop a conceptual framework for examining the distinct effects of internal market orientation and pricing capability on three categories of performance outcomes: customer performance, market performance, and financial performance. This study also explores the moderating influence of firm innovativeness on the relationship between internal market orientation and pricing capability. The partial least square structural equation modeling technique was applied to a cross-industry sample of 194 small and medium-sized enterprises in India. The findings indicate that internal market orientation contributes significantly to the development of pricing capability, which has positive effects on customer performance, market performance, and financial performance. Similarly, firm innovativeness positively moderates the relationship between internal market orientation and pricing capability. More interestingly, internal market orientation and pricing capability have substantial and differential effects on customer performance, market performance, and financial performance. Overall, these findings have substantial implications for theory and practice.
Bacterial Co-Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance in Patients Hospitalized with Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19 Pneumonia in Kazakhstan

Our study was carried out to characterize respiratory tract microbiota in patients with “COVID-like pneumonia” in Kazakhstan and analyze differences between COVID-19 positive and negative groups. Sputum samples were collected from hospitalized patients, ≥18 years old, in the three cities in Kazakhstan with the highest COVID-19 burden in July 2020. Isolates were identified by MALDI-TOF MS. Susceptibility testing was performed by disk diffusion. We used SPSS 26 and MedCalc 19 for statistical analysis. Among 209 patients with pneumonia, the median age was 62 years and 55% were male. RT-PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 cases were found in 40% of patients, and 46% had a bacterial co-infection. Co-infection was not associated with SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR test results, but antibiotic use was. The most frequent bacteria were Klebsiella pneumoniae (23%), Escherichia coli (12%), and Acinetobacter baumannii (11%). Notably, 68% of Klebsiella pneumoniae had phenotypic evidence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases in disk diffusion assays, 87% of Acinetobacter baumannii exhibited resistance to beta-lactams, and >50% of E. coli strains had evidence of ESBL production and 64% were resistant to fluoroquinolones. Patients with a bacterial co-infection had a higher proportion of severe disease than those without a co-infection. The results reinforce the importance of using appropriate targeted antibiotics and effective infection control practices to prevent the spread of resistant nosocomial infections.
Effects of annealing on local composition and electrical transport correlations in MgO-based magnetic tunnel junctions

The effects of annealing on the electrical transport behavior of CoFe/MgO/CoFe magnetic tunnel junctions have been studied using a combination of site-specific in situ transmission electron microscopy and three-dimensional atom-probe tomography. Annealing leads to an increase in the resistance of the junctions. A shift in the conductance curve (dI/dV) minimum from 0 V for the as-grown specimen correlates with a sharply defined layer of CoFe oxide at the lower ferromagnetic interface. Annealing decreases the asymmetry in the conductance by making the interfaces more diffuse and the tunnel barrier more chemically homogeneous.
Characterization of Oxide Traps in 28 nm n-Type Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistors with Different Uniaxial Tensile Stresses Utilizing Random Telegraph Noise

In this study, the effect of uniaxial tensile on the SiO2/Si interface of the 28 nm n-type metal–oxide–semiconductor field-effect transistors (nMOSFETs) has been investigated. nMOSFETs were fabricated with different thicknesses of the stress-memorization technique (SMT) films to further increase channel stress because the SMT films can provide a higher uniaxial tensile to the channel. Trap behaviors such as activation energy and depth were characterized on the basis of drain current random telegraph noise (RTN). By RTN analyses, we found that the trap energy level is closer to the channel conduction band as the tensile strain in the channel increases higher, resulting in the trap being located close to the SiO2/Si interface.
Fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio percentage: An independent predictor of disease severity and prognosis in anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis

Purpose This retrospective study aimed to investigate the relationship between fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio percentage (FARP) and disease severity and prognosis in patients with anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (anti-NMDAR) encephalitis. Methods Medical records and clinical characteristics from 181 patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis were included. The modified Rankin Scale (mRS) was used to analyze disease severity and prognosis at admission and discharge, and correlations between FARP, disease severity, and prognosis were analyzed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to evaluate the efficiency of FARP in assessing disease severity and prognosis. Results Compared to the control group, patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis had higher fibrinogen (Fib) levels (P < 0.001), neutrophil counts (P < 0.001), and FARP levels (P < 0.001) but had lower albumin levels (P = 0.003). The enrolled patients were divided into mild-to-moderate and severe groups according to their mRS scores both at admission and discharge. FARP levels were significantly elevated in the severe group compared to the mild-to-moderate group among patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis both at admission and discharge (admission 6.0 vs. 7.40, P < 0.001; discharge 6.43 vs. 8.18, P<0.001). Indeed, the mRS scores at admission (56 vs. 26%, P < 0.001) and discharge (26 vs. 11%, P = 0.006) in the high FARP group were significantly higher than those in the low FARP group. Furthermore, FARP was positively correlated with the mRS scores at admission (r = 0.383, P < 0.001) and discharge (r =0.312, P < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, FARP was significantly associated with disease severity (odds ratio [OR] = 1.416, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.117-1.795, P = 0.004) and prognosis (OR = 1.252, 95% CI = 1.010-1.552, P = 0.040). FARP-based ROC curves predicted disease severity, with a sensitivity of 0.756, a specificity of 0.626, and an area under the ROC curve of 0.722 (95% CI = 0.648–0.796, P < 0.001*). The ROC curve predicted the disease prognosis with a sensitivity of 0.703, a specificity of 0.667, and an area under the ROC curve of 0.723 (95% CI = 0.629–0.817, P < 0.001*). Conclusion Our results indicate that FARP is a novel predictive marker for disease severity and prognosis of anti-NMDAR encephalitis.
Experimental phase diagram for random laser spectra

We systematically study the presence of narrow spectral features in a wide variety of random laser samples. Less gain or stronger scattering are shown to lead to a crossover from spiky to smooth spectra. A decomposition of random laser spectra into a set of Lorentzians provides unprecedented detail in the analysis of random laser spectra. We suggest an interpretation in terms of mode competition that enables an understanding of the observed experimental trends. In this interpretation, smooth random laser spectra are a consequence of competing modes for which the loss and gain are proportional. Spectral spikes are associated with modes that are uncoupled from the mode competition in the bulk of the sample.
Comparative analysis of optimization methods for magnetostatics

A comparative analysis of the zeroth, first, and (pseudo) second-order optimization methods for n-parametric optimization of magnet systems is reported. The following families of optimization methods are compared: Monte-Carlo iteration, steepest descent, conjugate gradient, and quasi-Newton (DFP, BFGS). These methods were tested for a large class of magnetostatic optimization problems (global, nonlinear, nonconvex, constrained, discontinuous), associated, e.g. with the coil magnet design for NMR imaging and NMR spectroscopy. >
Mixing efficiency in high-aspect-ratio Rayleigh-Taylor experiments

High-Reynolds-number turbulence generated by Rayleigh–Taylor instability is known to be much more efficient at mixing density-stratified fluids than mixing driven by most other mechanisms. We demonstrate here that the final state of the instability in a high-aspect-ratio environment is uniform, corresponding to the maximum mixing efficiency possible. The efficiency of the mixing appears to be constant throughout the evolution of the flow, despite the flow changing from being inertially dominated with a high-Reynolds-number initial growth of the mixing zone, to a viscously dominated late-time decay. The initial growth, in which vertical transport takes the form of a turbulent diffusion, is characterized by a t2/5 power law, indicating that the diffusivity is not constant but rather decreases as the strength of the unstable density gradient driving the flow decreases. As the unstable stratification is reduced, inertia begins to play a lesser role with molecular viscosity taking over the controlling dynamics, but with vertical transport still dominated by parcels of fluid needing to pass around many vortexlike structures during the exponential decay toward the well-mixed final state.
The Herpetology of the Suez Canal Zone, Egypt

The banks of the Suez Canal were surveyed for herpetofauna between 1999 and 2012. A total of 33 species from the west bank, 22 from the east and a sea turtle from the Suez Canal were recorded, with five and 18 new records from the west and east sides respectively. Natrix tessellata, inhabiting freshwater canals east of Bitter Lakes, is the first record for the Sinai Peninsula. The new records of amphibians and reptiles of the Suez Canal area are, in fact, a result of recent main changes to habitat. These new environmental changes have resulted in some cases, in more invasive herpetofaunal taxa expanding their ranges into new territories over the past three decades. The number of species occurring on the west bank was greater than on the east bank; this is presumably due to greater variety of habitat, increased urbanization, and a huge web of irrigation canals which have allowed several species to move from River Nile to the Canal zone. This study suggests the Suez Canal acts as passage for herpetofauna from west to east. Individuals of Trapelus savignyi on the west bank were patternless and juveniles had smooth ventrals. This phenotype was not previously known for the species.