Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Enhanced current path by circularly and periodically-aligned semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes for logic circuit device

Improving the performance of solution-processed single-walled carbon nanotube thin film transistors (SWCNT TFTs) is essential to their wide usage in next generation large-area electronic devices. However, uncontrollable tube-tube junction and random network formation from conventional solution processes of SWCNTs has limited mobility and on-current level of SWCNT TFTs. Herein, we demonstrate a facile method by switching idea of reducing coffee-ring of the conventionally solution-processed or inkjet-printed thin films. Spontaneous coffee-ring formation of the inkjet-printed droplets is found to enhance directional alignment of SWCNTs in the outer rim of the coffee-rings. The evaporation-driven capillary flow toward the rim inside induces migration of SWCNT and thus forms densely aligned SWCNT rings. Periodic connection of such rings can provide high-current path at a given voltage. Therefore, by additionally forming the periodically connected rings on a pre-established random network of SWCNT in channel area of TFTs, we significantly improved the mobility and I on/I off ratio of SWCNT TFTs without degradations in other electrical parameters such as threshold voltage and subthreshold swing. We also demonstrated all-solution-processed inverters with higher voltage-gain in comparison with conventional ones.
Egr1/HSP70 Promoter-Driven Activation of Gene Expression for Synergistic Anti-Hepatoma Using PEI-MZF Nanoparticles and Radiation

Introduction Spatially restricted gene expression circumvents the gene expression and gene vector problem by enabling localized amplification. The objective of this study is to construct a spatially restricted gene expression for liver cancer therapy based upon the MFH-absorbing properties of PEI- Mn0.5zn0. 5Fe2o4, gene therapy and radiation. Methods Mn0.5zn0. 5Fe2O4 (MZF) magnetic nanoparticles were prepared by an improved chemical co-precipitation method, modified by polyethylene imine (PEI), and then the structure, modification characters, biocompatibility, temperature rise and control ability and binding efficiency of the plasmid were characterized. Then, the dual-promoter plasmid PCDNA3.1-EGR1-HSP70-HSVTK was constructed. The recombinant vectors were identified by enzyme digestion analysis and DNA sequencing. The TK gene expression level was detected by realtime-PCR assay in HEK293 cells. Also, the HSV-TK gene expression was detected in SMMC7721 cells with the help of PEI-Mn0.5Zn0. 5Fe2O4. In vitro anti-tumor experiment, MTT assay and flow cytometry were used to evaluate the therapeutic effects of the cultured SMMC7721 cells treated by different ways. In vivo anti-tumor experiment, the xenografted mice were treated by different ways for three times to detect the antitumor effect. Results The Mn0.5Zn0. 5Fe2O4 magnetic nanoparticles could be successfully prepared through improved co-precipitation process and showed good biocompatibility. And PEI had been coated on MZF complex. The modified PEI-MZF presented favorable dispensability, responsibility to magnetism, good loading capability and transfect capability. Also, pCDNA3.1-Egr1-Hsp70-HSVTK plasmid had been constructed successfully and could be induced by heat and irradiation. It would be used for further target gene therapy research. The antitumor results in vitro showed: The therapeutic effects of nanosized PEI-MZF-HSV-TK complex could significantly inhibit the proliferation of cultured liver cancer cells (SMC7721), induce cell apoptosis and had a prominent cell cycle disturbance in the S phase in vitro. The results in vivo showed: The combined therapy induced by PEI-MZF-HSV-TK could inhabit the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma xenografts by killing and inhabiting the proliferation of the tumor cells. Conclusion The novel site-directed heat/radiation-inducible expression system based upon the hyperthermia (by MFH) and radiation possessed superior antitumor effect in vivo and in vitro.
Combined Inhibitory Effect of Fir (Abies alba Mill.) Honeydew Honey and Probiotic Bacteria Lactiplantibacillus plantarum on the Growth of Salmonella enterica Serotype Typhimurium

Honey is a natural food consisting mainly of sugars, enzymes, amino acids, organic acids, vitamins, minerals and aromatic substances. In addition to specific organoleptic properties, honey also has other components that contribute to its nutritional and health value. Proteins, vitamins, minerals, organic acids and phenolic compounds, the most variable components of honey, are predominantly responsible for its strong bioactive effect. Honeydew honey is a less known type of honey with outstanding antimicrobial and antioxidant properties that also demonstrates prebiotic effects and can promote the growth of probiotic bacteria. Foodborne illnesses can be prevented by using probiotic strains in combination with prebiotics. The aim of this study was for the first time to determine potential synergistic antimicrobial effect of fir (Abies alba Mill.) honeydew honey (HS) and probiotic bacteria Lactiplantibacillus plantarum on Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium, a primary cause of foodborne illnesses. The effect of three different samples of fir honeydew honey on the growth of L. plantarum in de Man, Rogosa and Sharpe (MRS) medium and the potential synergistic effect of HSs and L. plantarum on the growth of S. Typhimurium in the Brain Heart Infusion (BHI) medium were examined. The results indicate that concentrations of 1 and 5% of all three HS samples stimulate the growth and metabolic activity of L. plantarum, while a concentration of 10% inhibits the growth of L. plantarum. The concentration of 5% of all three HS and L. plantarum combined inhibits the growth of S. Typhimurium in BHI broth. Fir honeydew honey showed potential prebiotic properties and antimicrobial activity, both of which can synergistically enhance the probiotic efficacy of L. plantarum against S. Typhimurium To conclude, the combination of fir honeydew honey and L. plantarum represents a successful combination against S. Typhimurium and additional experiments are necessary regarding the mechanisms of their combined effect.
Line Tension and Drop Size Dependence of Contact Angle at the Nanoscale

Despite considerable research efforts, the influence of contact line tension during wetting at the nanoscale and its experimental determination remain challenging tasks. So far, molecular dynamics simulations and atomic force microscope measurements have contributed to the understanding of these phenomena. However, a direct measurement of the size dependence of the contact angle and the magnitude of the apparent line tension has not been realized so far. Here, we show that the contact angle is indeed dependent on the drop size for small drop diameters and determine the magnitude of the apparent line tension via liquid-metal based measurements of advancing and receding contact angle inside a scanning electron microscope. For this purpose, a robotic setup inside an electron microscope chamber and oxide-free Galinstan droplets—produced via an electromigration-based and focused ion beam irradiation-assisted process—are employed. Using the first-order correction of Young’s equation, we find an apparent line tension value of 4.02 × 10−7 J/m for Galinstan© on stainless steel.
A Study on White Dwarf Masses in Cataclysmic Variables Based on XMM-Newton and Suzaku Observations

The distribution of the mass of white dwarfs (WDs) is one of the fundamental questions in the field of cataclysmic variables (CVs). In this work, we make a systematical investigation on the WD masses in two subclass of CVs: intermediate polars (IPs) and non-magnetic CVs in the solar vicinity based on the flux ratios of Fe xxvi–Lyα to Fe xxv–Heα emission lines (I 7.0/I 6.7) from archival XMM-Newton and Suzaku observations. We first verify the (semi-empirical) relations between I 7.0/I 6.7, the maximum emission temperature (T max) and the WD mass (M WD) with the mkcflow model based on the apec description and the latest AtomDB. We then introduce a new spectral model to measure M WD directly based on the above relations. A comparison shows that the derived M WD is consistent with dynamically measured ones. Finally, we obtain the average WD masses of 58 CVs (including 36 IPs and 22 non-magnetic CVs), which is the largest X-ray selected sample. The average WD masses are 〈M WD,IP〉 = 0.81 ± 0.21 M ⊙ and 〈MWD,DN〉=0.81±0.21M⊙ for IPs and non-magnetic CVs, respectively. These results are consistent with previous works.
Self-adaptive And Sustainable Buildings

Buildings of the 21 century will be able to adapt themselves to exterior or interior changes such as environmental conditions, functional needs, or availability and cost-effectiveness of different energy sources. Those buildings will be designed and operated in such a way so as to continuously optimize the life-cycle energy performance, while minimizing the environmental impacts. The research projects presented in this paper are inspired by the parallels between nature and building design and operation, and can be grouped under the following titles: continuous commissioning, dynamic thermal envelope, and design mimicking evolution.
Proxemic maps for immersive visualization

ABSTRACT In human computer interaction, proxemics describes the ways that people use space to interact with other people or objects. We focus on proxemic maps, which are virtual maps in immersive environments that react to proxemic interaction. Proxemic maps take advantage of new opportunities brought about by immersive visualization, where virtual maps can be freely positioned in virtual or physical space and adapt themselves relative to the spatial position of the viewer. We discuss proxemic interactions that alter the content and type of maps, including changing scale, symbolization, type of visualization and geometry. We propose a novel transformation that changes the geometry of maps based on their proximity to users. Users move the map back and forth and the map transitions between ring, horizontal, vertical and cylindrical geometries. The ring geometry surrounds the user and aligns features on the map with features in the real world. We implemented the map transformation in virtual reality and conducted a user study to evaluate it. The results of the user study indicate that participants preferred the ring and horizontal geometries. The ring geometry is useful because it simplifies connecting virtual features on the map with real features in the landscape, while the horizontal geometry provides an overall view of the landscape. We further found that combination of different geometries helped the study participants to overcome the limitations of each geometry.
The longitudinal interplay of personality and school experiences in adolescence

The school environment is one key developmental context that is assumed to shape individual characteristics during adolescence. However, little is known about which school experiences are central to personality change or whether school experiences and personality co-shape each other over time. We address this gap by examining the longitudinal interplay between seven school experiences in the three domains of achievement, social relationships, and well-being, and the Big Five personality traits at four measurement points from fifth to eighth grade. By using data from the German TRAIN study (N = 3,473, MageT1 = 11.1 years, 45% female), we estimated bivariate latent growth curve models and cross-lagged panel models to illustrate this longitudinal interplay. Results demonstrated correlated change between school experiences and personality with differentiated patterns for achievement variables and a general longitudinal interplay with the social relationship and well-being variables. Furthermore, we found cross-lagged effects in both directions, although there were more effects of personality on school experiences. The most consistent predictor of school experiences was conscientiousness, whereas well-being in school in particular was related to personality change 1 year later. We integrate our findings into the current picture of personality development in adolescence and the role of school-related environmental factors.
Concurrent Infection With the Filarial Helminth Litomosoides sigmodontis Attenuates or Worsens Influenza A Virus Pathogenesis in a Stage-Dependent Manner

Filarial helminths infect approximately 120 million people worldwide initiating a type 2 immune response in the host. Influenza A viruses stimulate a virulent type 1 pro-inflammatory immune response that in some individuals can cause uncontrolled immunopathology and fatality. Although coinfection with filariasis and influenza is a common occurrence, the impact of filarial infection on respiratory viral infection is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of pre-existing filarial infection on concurrent infection with influenza A virus. A murine model of co-infection was established using the filarial helminth Litomosoides sigmodontis and the H1N1 (A/WSN/33) influenza A virus (IAV). Co-infection was performed at 3 different stages of L. sigmodontis infection (larval, juvenile adult, and patency), and the impact of co-infection was determined by IAV induced weight loss and clinical signs, quantification of viral titres, and helminth counts. Significant alterations of IAV pathogenesis, dependent upon stage of infection, was observed on co-infection with L. sigmodontis. Larval stage L. sigmodontis infection alleviated clinical signs of IAV co-infection, whilst more established juvenile adult infection also significantly delayed weight loss. Viral titres remained unaltered at either infection stage. In contrast, patent L. sigmdodontis infection led to a reversal of age-related resistance to IAV infection, significantly increasing weight loss and clinical signs of infection as well as increasing IAV titre. These data demonstrate that the progression of influenza infection can be ameliorated or worsened by pre-existing filarial infection, with the outcome dependent upon the stage of filarial infection.
Impact of CDKN2A/B Homozygous Deletion on the Prognosis and Biology of IDH-Mutant Glioma

Although hotspot mutations in isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) genes are associated with favorable clinical outcomes in glioma, CDKN2A/B homozygous deletion has been identified as an independent predicator of poor prognosis. Accordingly, the 2021 edition of the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of tumors of the central nervous system (CNS) has adopted this molecular feature by upgrading IDH-mutant astrocytoma to CNS WHO grade IV, even in the absence of glioblastoma-specific histological features—necrosis and microvascular proliferation. This new entity of IDH-mutant astrocytoma not only signifies an exception to the generally favorable outcome of IDH-mutant glioma, but also brings into question whether, and, if so, how, CDKN2A/B homozygous deletion overrides the anti-tumor activity of IDH mutation by promoting the proliferation of stem/neural progenitor-like cells. Understanding the mechanism by which IDH mutation requires intact tumor-suppressor genes for conferring favorable outcome may improve therapeutics.
Rectified Meta-learning from Noisy Labels for Robust Image-based Plant Disease Classification

Plant diseases serve as one of main threats to food security and crop production. It is thus valuable to exploit recent advances of artificial intelligence to assist plant disease diagnosis. One popular approach is to transform this problem as a leaf image classification task, which can be then addressed by the powerful convolutional neural networks (CNNs). However, the performance of CNN-based classification approach depends on a large amount of high-quality manually labeled training data, which inevitably introduce noise on labels in practice, leading to model overfitting and performance degradation. To overcome this problem, we propose a novel framework that incorporates rectified meta-learning module into common CNN paradigm to train a noise-robust deep network without using extra supervision information. The proposed method enjoys the following merits: (i) A rectified meta-learning is designed to pay more attention to unbiased samples, leading to accelerated convergence and improved classification accuracy. (ii) Our method is free on assumption of label noise distribution, which works well on various kinds of noise. (iii) Our method serves as a plug-and-play module, which can be embedded into any deep models optimized by gradient descent-based method. Extensive experiments are conducted to demonstrate the superior performance of our algorithm over the state-of-the-arts.
An essay on agile project management practices

The main goals for the current dissertation is to research on how practices and concepts from Agile Project Management can be applied in a non-IT context and to discover which aspects should be considered when deciding if whether an Agile approach should be implemented or not. Previous studies reflect on the adoption for the identified context. However, the recognition of these practices and concepts by the Project Management field of studies still remains unresolved. The adoption of Agile Project Management emerges as a manifestation against traditional approaches, mainly due to their inability of accepting requirements’ changes. Therefore, these practices and concepts can be considered in order to reduce the risks concerning the increase of competition and innovation – which does not apply to the IT sector solely. The current study reviews the literature on Agile Project Management and its adoption across different sectors in order to assess which practices and concepts can be applied on a non-IT context. Nine different methods are reviewed, where two of these show a higher relevance – Scrum and Extreme Programming. The identified practices and concepts can be separated into four different groups: Cultural and Organizational Structures, Process, Practices, and Artefacts. A framework based on the work by Boehm & Turner in 2004 is developed in order to support the decision of adopting agile methods. A survey intended for project managers was carried in order to assess the implementation of the identified practices and concepts and to evaluate which variables have the highest importance on the developed decision support framework. It is concluded that New Product Development is the project type with the highest potential to implement an agile approach and that the Project Final Product’s Innovativeness, Competitiveness, and the Project Member’s Experience and Autonomy are the most important aspects to consider an implementation of an Agile approach.
Nonmedical prescription drug use among female adolescents: the relative influence of maternal factors, social norms, and perceptions of risk and availability

Abstract Increasing understanding of the risk and protective factors for adolescent nonmedical use of prescription drugs (NMUPD) could inform prevention efforts. Several correlates have been identified, including parental factors, perceptions about use and accessibility, social norms, and age. However, these constructs have rarely been simultaneously examined using paired data from parents and adolescents. We aimed to examine the relative influence of these correlates among dyads (N = 349) of mothers and adolescent daughters. Using multiple logistic regression, daughters’ past NMUPD and inclination for future NMUPD were regressed onto descriptive norms for friend use, perceived drug accessibility and risk of harm from use, daughter age, mothers’ disapproval about use, mothers’ past NMUPD and inclination for future NMUPD, and the mother-daughter relationship quality. Akaike weights and lasso regressions were also estimated to evaluate the relative importance of each correlate. Higher descriptive norms for friend use, older age, and mothers’ inclination for NMUPD were risk factors for daughters’ NMUPD, while a closer mother-daughter relationship and mothers’ disapproving attitudes towards NMUPD were protective factors. The three analysis approaches were corroborative. Results suggest friend descriptive norms, mother-daughter relationship quality, and mothers’ attitudes about NMUPD are important prevention targets.
Mechanisms Involved in Ceramide-Induced Autophagy in Osteoblasts

This study aimed to investigate the role of ceramide in inducing autophagy in osteoblasts, then further investigate the involved downstream signaling cascades. The effect of exogenous ceramide on inducing autophagy in MC3T3-E1 and Primary murine osteoblasts (POB) were assessed by (a) Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Western Blot (WB) analysis, (c) Immunofluorescence microscopy, and (d) Propidium Iodide (PI)-uptake/flow cytometry analysis. C2-ceramide induced the formation of cytoplasmic vacuoles and elevated the expression of the autophagy proteins Atg5, beclin1, and LC3 II. Silencing Atg5 or beclin1 with siRNAs partially rescued the C2-ceramide-induced cell death in osteoblasts yet this silencing did not rescue the C2-ceramide-induced autophagy as assessed by TEM. Hence, these results suggest that C2-ceramide induces Atg5 and beclin1-independent autophagic cell death in osteoblasts. This work highlighted a novel role for ceramide in inducing autophagy in osteoblasts. The use of ceramide or inhibitors of its synthesis could be utilized as a therapeutic tool for modulating osteoblast survival in different metabolic bone diseases.
Design and Research on Braced Frames Steel Structure

Since lack of design code for braced frame steel structure, one research Project named “Research and Application for Seismic Design of Steel Structure of Main Building in Thermal Power Plant” had been carried out. Systemic experiments and theoretic research for braced frame steel structure had been completed, and some theories about steel structure arrangement, connection and seismic design etc. had been gained. Some construction design for main power buildings of thermal power plants had been completed according to the achievement. Accumulating some experience in design and application. The achievement will conduce to promote the application of braced frames steel structure.
The Driving Waveform Design Method of Power-Law Fluid Piezoelectric Printing Based on Iterative Learning Control

In some applications of piezoelectric three-dimensional inkjet printing, the materials used are power-law fluids as they are shear thinning. Their time-varying viscosities affect the droplet formation, which is determined by the volume flow rate at the nozzle outlet. To obtain a fine printing effect, it is necessary to present a driving waveform design method that considers the shear-thinning viscosities of materials to control the volume flow rate at the nozzle outlet, which lays the foundation for the single and stable droplet generation during the printing process. In this research, we established the relationship between the driving waveform and the volume flow rate at the nozzle outlet by modifying a model that describes the inkjet mechanism of power-law fluid. The modified model was used to present a driving waveform design method based on iterative learning control. The iterative learning law of the method was designed based on the gradient descent algorithm and demonstrated its convergence. The driving waveform design method was verified to be practical and feasible by implementing drop generation experiments.