Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Development of a Self-Viscosity and Temperature-Compensated Technique for Highly Stable and Highly Sensitive Bead-Based Diffusometry

Brownian motion, which is a natural phenomenon, has attracted numerous researchers and received extensive studies over the past decades. The effort contributes to the discovery of optical diffusometry, which is commonly used for micro/nano particle sizing. However, the analysis uncertainty caused by the coupling relationship among particle diameter, temperature, and fluid viscosity usually poses a barrier to precise measurement. Preventing random background noise becomes the key to achieving a high level of accuracy in diffusometry detection. Recently, Janus particles have become known as an ideal tool for resolving the rotational Brownian motion. Followed by our previous study, the rotational Brownian motion and the translational Brownian motion can be separately measured using the Janus particles. Accordingly, a simple self-viscosity and temperature-compensated technique based on the delicate removal of temperature and fluid viscosity variations through particle tracking was first proposed in this study. Consequently, the translational Brownian motion was expressed in terms of particle trajectory, whereas the rotational Brownian motion was expressed in terms of the blinking signal from the Janus particles. The algorithm was verified simulatively and experimentally in temperature (10 °C to 40 °C) and viscosity-controlled (1 mPa·s to 5 mPa·s) fields. In an evaluation of biosensing for a target protein, IFN-γ, the limit of detection of the proposed self-compensated diffusometry reached 0.45 pg/mL, whereas its uncertainties of viscosity and temperature were 96 and 15-fold lower than the pure the rotational Brownian motion counterpart, respectively. The results indicated the low-uncertainty and high-accuracy biosensing capability resulting from the self-viscosity and temperature-compensated technique. This research will provide a potential alternative to future similar bead-based immunosensing, which requires ultra-high stability and sensitivity.
Fabrication of Bipolar Plates from Thermoplastic Elastomer Composites for Vanadium Redox Flow Battery

A vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) is a promising large-scale energy storage device, due to its safety, durability, and scalability. The utilization of bipolar plates (BPs), made of thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs), synthetic graphite, woven-carbon-fiber fabric (WCFF), and a very thin pyrolytic graphite sheet (GS), is investigated in this study. To boost volumetric electrical conductivity, WCFF was introduced into the TPV composite, and the plate was covered with GS to increase surface electrical conductivity. Created composite BPs acquire the desired electrical conductivity, mechanical strength, and deformation characteristics. Those properties were assessed by a series of characterization experiments, and the morphology was examined using an optical microscope, a scanning electron microscope, and atomic force microscopy. Electrochemical testing was used to confirm the possibility of using the suggested BP in a working VRFB. The laminated BP was utilized in a flow cell to electrolytically convert V(IV) to V(V) and V(II), which achieved comparable results to a commercial graphite bipolar plate. Following these experiments, the laminated bipolar plates’ surfaces were examined using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and no evidence of corrosion was found, indicating good durability in the hostile acidic environment.
A DFT Investigation of the Molecular Structure and UV Absorption Spectra of 2-Ethylhexyl 2-Hydroxybenzoate (Octisalate) and Meta-Substituted 2-Ethylhexyl 2-Hydroxybenzoate: Sunscreen Applications

2-ethylhexyl 2-hydroxybenzoate (octisalate) is one of organic compounds containing in sunscreen products to absorb ultraviolet radiation. Density Functional Theory (DFT) was used to investigate the molecular structure and the ultraviolet (UV) absorption spectrum of 2-ethylhexyl 2-hydroxybenzoate and meta-substituted 2-ethylhexyl 2-hydroxybenzoate to model the novel sunscreen compounds. The geometry optimizations and frequency calculations were done at B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level of theory. The 10 vertical excitation calculations were performed by Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory (TD-DFT) at B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level. The solvent effects were taken into account by using the Polarizable Continuum Model (CPCM). It was found that the intramolecular hydrogen bond occurred in the 2-ethylhexyl 2-hydroxybenzoate structure. The UV absorption spectrum in the UVA and UVB regions are π→π* transitions (HOMO→LUMO transitions). The calculated UV absorption spectrum of the 2-ethylhexyl 2-hydroxybenzoate and its derivatives are significantly affected by the substitution groups.
Preparation of Novel Pyrazolo[4,3-e]tetrazolo[1,5-b][1,2,4]triazine Sulfonamides and Their Experimental and Computational Biological Studies

Pyrazolo[4,3-e]tetrazolo[1,5-b][1,2,4]triazine sulfonamides constitute a novel class of heterocyclic compounds with broad biological activity, including anticancer properties. Investigated in this study, MM-compounds (MM134, MM136, MM137, and MM139) exhibited cytotoxic and proapoptotic activity against cancer cell lines (BxPC-3, PC-3, and HCT-116) in nanomolar concentrations without causing cytotoxicity in normal cells (L929 and WI38). In silico predictions indicate that tested compounds exhibit favorable pharmacokinetic profiles and may exert anticancer activity through the inhibition of BTK kinase, the AKT-mTOR pathway and PD1-PD-L1 interaction. Our findings point out that these sulfonamide derivatives may constitute a source of new anticancer drugs after optimization.
Review of Active Extracorporeal Medical Devices to Counteract Freezing of Gait in Patients with Parkinson Disease

Parkinson Disease (PD) primarily affects older adults. It is the second-most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s disease. Currently, more than 10 million people suffer from PD, and this number is expected to grow, considering the increasing global longevity. Freezing of Gait (FoG) is a symptom present in approximately 80% of advanced-stage PD’s patients. FoG episodes alter the continuity of gait, and may be the cause of falls that can lead to injuries and even death. The recent advances in the development of hardware and software systems for the monitoring, stimulus, or rehabilitation of patients with FoG has been of great interest to researchers because detection and minimization of the duration of FoG events is an important factor in improving the quality of life. This article presents a review of the research on non-invasive medical devices for FoG, focusing on the acquisition, processing, and stimulation approaches used.
New lathyrane diterpenoid hybrids have anti-inflammatory activity through the NF-κB signaling pathway and autophagy

In our ongoing work on the identification of potent anti-inflammatory agents, we designed and synthesized three series of lathyrane diterpenoid hybrids in which the lathyrane diterpenoid skeleton was hybridized with other anti-inflammatory pharmacophores. Unexpectedly, lathyrane diterpenoid/3-hydroxyflavone hybrids showed more potent anti-inflammatory activity in RAW264.7 cells than did the corresponding parent compounds. Compound 8d1 exhibited potent anti-inflammatory activity with low cytotoxicity (IC50 = 1.55 ± 0.68 μM), and downregulated LPS-induced expression of iNOS and COX-2, as well as IκBα phosphorylation. This compound also inhibited the expression and nuclear translocation of NF-κB, and stimulated autophagy induction. Thus, 8d1’s anti-inflammatory mechanism is associated with inhibition of the NF-κB signaling pathway and increasing autophagy. This compound may serve as a promising anti-inflammatory agent.
Benefits and drawbacks of communication visibility: from vicarious learning and supplemental work to knowledge reuse and overload

Purpose This study aims to examine some of the benefits and drawbacks of communication visibility. Specifically, building on communication visibility theory, the authors study how and why message transparency and network translucence may increase knowledge reuse and perceived overload through behavioral responses of vicarious learning and technology-assisted supplemental work. Design/methodology/approach Drawing on survey data obtained from 1,127 employees of a global company operating in the industrial machinery sector, the authors used structural equation modeling to test the hypothesized model. Findings The results demonstrate that the two aspects of communication visibility yield somewhat differential benefits and drawbacks in terms of knowledge reuse and communication overload, through vicarious learning and supplemental work practices. Research limitations/implications The results demonstrate the relationship between different aspects of communication visibility and knowledge reuse, specifically through vicarious learning. Furthermore, the findings highlight a potential drawback of visibility – communication overload – specifically through technology-assisted supplemental work. Overall, network translucence seems more beneficial compared to message transparency in terms of knowledge reuse and communication overload. Originality/value The study connects with recent work on communication visibility by distinguishing differential direct and indirect effects of message transparency and network translucence. It also extends this work by testing relationships between communication visibility and a potential drawback of visibility – communication overload – specifically through technology-assisted supplemental work.
Dispositional Mindfulness Mediates the Relationship between Emotion Regulation and Creativity

ABSTRACT Previous research has demonstrated positive associations between emotion regulation and creativity, between mindfulness and creativity, and between emotion regulation and mindfulness. The extent to which individual differences on emotion regulation, dispositional mindfulness, self-esteem, and flow state could predict self-reported creativity was explored in 147 British participants (mean age: 36.38, SD = 14.18) who completed the self-report study online. Emotion regulation, mindfulness, and self-esteem significantly predicted self-reported creativity, adjusted R 2 = . 33, F(3,138) = 23.44, p < . 001. Moreover, mindfulness significantly mediated the relationship between emotion regulation and self-reported creativity, with an indirect effect of −0.05, 95% CI[−0.106, −0.004]. Additionally, flow state correlated significantly with self-reported creativity, Pearson’s r = . 30, p < . 01. Implications for well-being and clinical practice are discussed.
Biological and Pharmacological Properties of Carbon Monoxide: A General Overview

Carbon monoxide (CO) is one of the most common causes of inhalation poisoning worldwide. However, it is also well known that CO is produced endogenously in the heme degradation reaction catalyzed by heme oxygenase (HO) enzymes. HO catalyzes the degradation of heme to equimolar quantities of CO, iron ions (Fe2+), and biliverdin. Three oxygen molecules (O2) and the electrons provided by NADPH-dependent cytochrome P450 reductase are used in the reaction. HO enzymes comprise three distinct isozymes: the inducible form, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1); the constitutively expressed isozyme, heme oxygenase-2 (HO-2); and heme oxygenase-3 (HO-3), which is ubiquitously expressed but possesses low catalytic activity. According to some authors, HO-3 is rather a pseudogene originating from the HO-2 transcript, and it has only been identified in rats. Therefore, cellular HO activity is provided by two major isoforms—the inducible HO-1 and the constitutively expressed HO-2. For many years, endogenously generated CO was treated as a by-product of metabolism without any serious physiological or biochemical significance, while exogenous CO was considered only as an extremely toxic gas with lethal effects. Research in recent years has proven that endogenous and exogenous CO (which may be surprising, given public perceptions) acts not only as an agent that affects many intracellular pathways, but also as a therapeutic molecule. Hence, the modulation of the HO/CO system may be one option for a potential therapeutic strategy. Another option is the administration of CO by exogenous inhalation. As alternatives to gas administration, compounds known as CO-releasing molecules (CORMs) can be administered, since they can safely release CO in the body. The aim of this article is to provide a brief overview of the physiological and biochemical properties of CO and its therapeutic potential.
Determination Of Pressure Transducer Sensitivity To High Frequency Vibration

This paper reports on an investigation into the sensitivity of one type of piezoelectric pressure transducer to the acceleration of its support mount, when located in the end wall of a shock tube and subjected to a very fast pressure step. Support mounts of different materials are used, together with laser vibrometry measurements of the back face of the mount, in an attempt to separate the part of the signal due to the acceleration from that due to the pressure step.
Earth System Model Aerosol–Cloud Diagnostics (ESMAC Diags) package, version 1: assessing E3SM aerosol predictions using aircraft, ship, and surface measurements

Abstract. An Earth system model (ESM) aerosol–cloud diagnostics package is developed to facilitate the routine evaluation of aerosols, clouds, and aerosol–cloud interactions simulated by the Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SM) from the US Department of Energy (DOE). The first version focuses on comparing simulated aerosol properties with aircraft, ship, and surface measurements, which are mostly measured in situ. The diagnostics currently cover six field campaigns in four geographical regions: eastern North Atlantic (ENA), central US (CUS), northeastern Pacific (NEP), and Southern Ocean (SO). These regions produce frequent liquid- or mixed-phase clouds, with extensive measurements available from the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) program and other agencies. Various types of diagnostics and metrics are performed for aerosol number, size distribution, chemical composition, cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) concentration, and various meteorological quantities to assess how well E3SM represents observed aerosol properties across spatial scales. Overall, E3SM qualitatively reproduces the observed aerosol number concentration, size distribution, and chemical composition reasonably well, but it overestimates Aitken-mode aerosols and underestimates accumulation-mode aerosols over the CUS and ENA regions, suggesting that processes related to particle growth or coagulation might be too weak in the model. The current version of E3SM struggles to reproduce the new particle formation events frequently observed over both the CUS and ENA regions, indicating missing processes in current parameterizations. The diagnostics package is coded and organized in a way that can be extended to other field campaign datasets and adapted to higher-resolution model simulations.
Dlx5/6 Expression Levels in Mouse GABAergic Neurons Regulate Adult Parvalbumin Neuronal Density and Anxiety/Compulsive Behaviours

Neuronal circuits integrating Parvalbumin-positive GABAergic inhibitory interneurons (PV) are essential for normal brain function and are often altered in psychiatric conditions. During development, Dlx5 and Dlx6 (Dlx5/6) genes are involved in the differentiation of PV-interneurons. In the adult, Dlx5/6 continue to be expressed at low levels in most telencephalic GABAergic neurons, but their importance in determining the number and distribution of adult PV-interneurons is unknown. Previously, we have shown that targeted deletion of Dlx5/6 in mouse GABAergic neurons (Dlx5/6VgatCre mice) results in altered behavioural and metabolic profiles. Here we evaluate the consequences of targeted Dlx5/6 gene dosage alterations in adult GABAergic neurons. We compare the effects on normal brain of homozygous and heterozygous (Dlx5/6VgatCre and Dlx5/6VgatCre/+ mice) Dlx5/6 deletions to those of Dlx5 targeted overexpression (GABAergicDlx5/+ mice). We find a linear correlation between Dlx5/6 allelic dosage and the density of PV-positive neurons in the adult prelimbic cortex and in the hippocampus. In parallel, we observe that Dlx5/6 expression levels in GABAergic neurons are also linearly associated with the intensity of anxiety and compulsivity-like behaviours. Our findings reinforce the notion that regulation of Dlx5/6 expression is involved in individual cognitive variability and, possibly, in the genesis of certain neuropsychiatric conditions.
Analysis of Power Transmission Line Uncertainties: Status Review

Uncertainties of environmental and physical parameters of outdoor power transmission lines are rarely known, though they are very critical in planning, operation and line uncertainty modeling for power utilities. Several approaches have been previously used to predict such parameters in wide transmission corridors. Transmission line uncertainty modeling can be challenging since it is based on the assumption of the unknown limits. This paper characterizes and evaluates these approaches. After comparative study, the interval mathematical approach is shown to be more versatile than the rest of the techniques because of the ability to stretch the unknown variable while bounded.
Preoperative Rehabilitation Is Feasible in the Weeks Prior to Surgery and Significantly Improves Functional Performance

Frailty is a multidimensional state of increased vulnerability. Frail patients are at increased risk for poor surgical outcomes. Prior research demonstrates that rehabilitation strategies deployed after surgery improve outcomes by building strength. Examine the feasibility and impact of a novel, multi-faceted prehabilitation intervention for frail patients before surgery. Single arm clinical trial. Veterans Affairs hospital. Patients preparing for major abdominal, urological, thoracic, or cardiac surgery with frailty identified as a Risk Analysis Index≥30. Prehabilitation started in a supervised setting to establish safety and then transitioned to home-based exercise with weekly telephone coaching by exercise physiologists. Prehabilitation included (a)strength and coordination training; (b)respiratory muscle training (IMT); (c)aerobic conditioning; and (d)nutritional coaching and supplementation. Prehabilitation length was tailored to the 4–6 week time lag typically preceding each participant’s normally scheduled surgery. Functional performance and patient surveys were assessed at baseline, every other week during prehabilitation, and then 30 and 90 days after surgery. Within-person changes were estimated using linear mixed models. 43 patients completed baseline assessments; 36(84%) completed a median 5(range 3–10) weeks of prehabilitation before surgery; 32(74%) were retained through 90-day follow-up. Baseline function was relatively low. Exercise logs show participants completed 94% of supervised exercise, 78% of prescribed IMT and 74% of home-based exercise. Between baseline and day of surgery, timed-up-and-go decreased 2.3 seconds, gait speed increased 0.1 meters/second, six-minute walk test increased 41.7 meters, and the time to complete 5 chair rises decreased 1.6 seconds(all P≤0.007). Maximum and mean inspiratory and expiratory pressures increased 4.5, 7.3, 14.1 and 13.5 centimeters of water, respectively(all P≤0.041). Prehabilitation is feasible before major surgery and achieves clinically meaningful improvements in functional performance that may impact postoperative outcomes and recovery. These data support rationale for a larger trial powered to detect differences in postoperative outcomes.
Assessing the Impact of Wildlife on Vegetation Cover Change, Northeast Namibia, Based on MODIS Satellite Imagery (2002–2021)

Human–wildlife conflict in the Zambezi region of northeast Namibia is well documented, but the impact of wildlife (e.g., elephants) on vegetation cover change has not been adequately addressed. Here, we assessed human–wildlife interaction and impact on vegetation cover change. We analyzed the 250 m MODIS and ERA5 0.25° × 0.25° drone and GPS-collar datasets. We used Time Series Segmented Residual Trends (TSS-RESTREND), Mann–Kendall Test Statistics, Sen’s Slope, ensemble, Kernel Density Estimation (KDE), and Pearson correlation methods. Our results revealed (i) widespread vegetation browning along elephant migration routes and within National Parks, (ii) Pearson correlation (p-value = 5.5 × 10−8) showed that vegetation browning areas do not sustain high population densities of elephants. Currently, the Zambezi has about 12,008 elephants while these numbers were 1468, 7950, and 5242 in 1989, 1994, and 2005, respectively, (iii) settlements and artificial barriers have a negative impact on wildlife movement, driving vegetation browning, and (iv) vegetation greening was found mostly within communal areas where intensive farming and cattle grazing is a common practice. The findings of this study will serve as a reference for policy and decision makers. Future studies should consider integrating higher resolution multi-platform datasets for detailed micro analysis and mapping of vegetation cover change.
Unconventional Method of Train Detection Using Fibre Optic Sensors

Conceptual feasibility of using FBG sensors for train detection function has been established through research and field trials conducted by the Hong Kong Polytechnic University in collaboration with the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation. A stringent development process is required to commercialise the product which would have many advantages over conventional means of train detection. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University together with the two railway corporations have started on the development process and exploration of further applications of FBG sensors in the railway.
A Leading Role for Design as an Economic Development Enabler

Economic development agencies at national and regional levels have recognised the importance of design and creativity as a driver toward growth, wealth creation and potentially company and job creation. Many regions employ a strategy of promoting the crucial nature of design and then proceed onto promoting a number of design companies either locally or internationally, this activity although important is only part of the answer. There are a number of projects that have actively developed a strategy of firstly supporting design activity, the outcomes of which can then be promoted to wider audience. The project developed in Glasgow, United Kingdom (UK), as an experimental project for a celebratory motive has successfully supported the development of new products, facilitated new company start-ups and created wealth. The project has also been agile enough to be transported to other locations in the UK and internationally resulting in the same high level of success. This has lead to the project strategies and management now being utilised as a economic development tool closely related to design and creativity.