Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tunable Tunneling Magnetoresistance in van der Waals Magnetic Tunnel Junctions with 1T-CrTe2 Electrodes.

Two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures have opened new avenues for spintronic applications with novel properties. Here, by density functional theory calculations, we investigated the spin-dependent transport in vdW magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) composed of 1T-CrTe2 ferromagnetic electrodes. Meanwhile, graphene and h-BN are employed as tunnel barriers. It has been found that the tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) effects of two types of vdW MTJs present analogous trends: thicknesses of barriers have a great influence on the TMR ratios, which reach up to the maximum when barriers increase to five monolayers. However, despite the similarity, the graphene-barrier junction is more promising for optimization. Through observing the energy-resolved transmission spectra of vdW MTJs, we noticed that TMR ratios of graphene-barrier junctions are tunable and could be enhanced through tuning the position of Fermi energy. Therefore, we successfully realized the TMR optimization by substitutional doping. When substituting one carbon atom with one boron atom in the graphene barrier, TMR ratios are drastically improved, and a TMR ratio as high as 6962% could be obtained in the doped seven-monolayer-barrier junction. Our results pave the way for vdW MTJ applications in spintronics.
Preparation and Performance of Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Thickener

The low sand-carrying problem caused by the low viscosity of supercritical carbon dioxide (SC–CO2) limits the development of supercritical CO2 fracturing technology. In this study, a molecular simulation method was used to design a fluorine-free solvent-free SC–CO2 thickener 1,3,5,7-tetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane (HBD). Simulations and experiments mutually confirm that HBD-1 and HBD-2 have excellent solubility in SC–CO2. The apparent viscosity of SC–CO2 after thickening was evaluated with a self-designed and assembled capillary viscometer. The results show that when the concentration of HBD-2 is 5 wt. % (305.15 K, 10 MPa), the viscosity of SC–CO2 increases to 4.48 mPa·s. Combined with the capillary viscometer and core displacement device, the low damage of SC–CO2 fracturing fluid to the formation was studied. This work solves the pollution problems of fluoropolymers and co-solvents to organisms and the environment and provides new ideas for the molecular design and research of SC–CO2 thickeners.
Gas-Phase Halide Affinity of Aliphatic Alcohols Estimated by the Kinetic Method

The chloride affinity of ethanol was determined by the kinetic method by examining the dissociation of the [EtOH—Cl—HOR]− dimers (ROH=methanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol and tert-butanol), generated in the ion source of a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer using chloroform as the chemical ionization reagent. Dimer mass selection and collision-induced dissociation using argon furnished, as products, the two individual alcohol–chloride anionic complexes, i.e. [EtOH+Cl]− and [ROH+Cl]−. The natural logarithm of the ratio of their abundances, i.e. ln ([ROH+Cl]–/[EtOH+Cl]−), correlated linearly with the experimental ROH chloride affinity. Using this linear relationship, the chloride affinity of ethanol is determined to be 43±3 kJ mol−1, which is consistent with the literature value of 43.5±8.4 kJ mol−1. From the slope of the kinetic method plot, an effective temperature of 643 ± 25 K was calculated, suggesting the weakly-bound nature of the cluster ions. The validity of the results was confirmed using the extended version of the kinetic method which showed that there is a negligible difference (–0.06 J mol K−1) in the entropy requirements of the two fragmentation channels. It is also demonstrated that this methodology can be applied to estimate the analogous bromide and fluoride affinities of aliphatic alcohols and to estimate halide affinities not previously known. Thus, these cases constitute additional examples of the advantageous application of the kinetic method in the determination of unknown thermochemical properties. Furthermore, in the dissociation of [EtOH—Cl—HO–CH2–CH2–Y]− cluster ions (Y=F, Cl, OMe and Me), a remarkable linear relationship was observed between the natural logarithm of abundance of product ratios, i.e. ln ([Y–CH2–CH2OH+Cl]−/[EtOH+Cl]−) and the electronegativity of the Y substituent. This is ascribed to the inductive effect in stabilizing the charge on chloride in the cluster ion.
Comparative genomic analysis of human GLI2 locus using slowly evolving fish revealed the ancestral gnathostome set of early developmental enhancers

The zinc finger‐containing transcription factor Gli2, is a key mediator of Hedgehog (Hh) signaling and participates in embryonic patterning of various organs including the central nervous system (CNS) and limbs. Abnormal expression of Gli2 can impede the transcription of Hh target genes through disruption of proper balance between Gli2 and Gli3 functions. Therefore, delineation of enhancers that are required for complementary roles of Glis would allow the interrogation of those pathogenic variants that cause gene dysregulation, and a corresponding abnormal phenotype. Previously, we reported tissue‐specific enhancers for Gli family including Gli2 through direct tetrapod‐teleost comparisons.
Work function dependence on the thickness and substrate of carbon contamination layers by Kelvin probe force microscopy

The contact potential difference (CPD) between carbon contamination (CC) layers and the several substrates on which they were deposited has been measured as a function of the film thickness by means of Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM). The observed CPD trends may be divided into three categories: i. an increase, or decrease, in CPD with thickness up to a saturation value with sign inversion with respect to the substrates (Al and Si); ii. an oscillation with no sign inversion (substrates, gold and platinum); iii. an oscillation through sign inversion (palladium substrate). Effects (ii) and (iii) seem to be typical of CC, since they have not been observed for other materials, including evaporated carbon. Several possible causes of the above two effects are examined, but a satisfactory interpretation has not been found yet. The sensitivity of KPFM is such that CC layers 10 nm thick are easily visible, whereas they are hardly detectable by topography.
In vitro characteristics of a mid-infrared continuous glucose sensor

The continuous monitoring of the concentration of glucose provides an essential tool for the improved glycemic control for people with diabetes. Most of the present approaches of transcutaneous, continuous glucose monitors are based on chemical detection and require the insertion of reagents into the body. In contrast, we aim at the reagent-free monitoring of glucose by means of mid-infrared spectroscopy. A quantum cascade laser provides narrow band radiation at wavelengths around the absorption bands of glucose (≈ 10 μm). At the same time it yields sufficient energy to allow for a good signal-to-noise ratio in transmission measurements despite the strong background absorption of water. We investigated various concepts for the sensor head based on the light-guiding properties and handling of materials such as AgCl/AgBr or silicon. In-vitro experiments were performed using a custom-made, temperaturestabilized measurement flow chamber. In preparation for future in-vivo applications first results of biotoxicity tests of the fiber sensors are given.
Studies estimating the dermal bioavailability of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons from manufactured gas plant tar-contaminated soils

In vitro percutaneous absorption studies were performed with contaminated soils or organic extracts of contaminated soils collected at manufactured gas plant (MGP) sites. The MGP tar contaminated soils were found to contain a group of targeted polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) at levels ranging from 10 to 2400 mg/kg. The soil extracts contained target PAH at levels ranging from 12 000−34 000 mg/kg. Dermal penetration rates of target PAH from the MGP tar-contaminated soils/soil extracts were determined experimentally through human skin using 3H-benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) as a surrogate. Results from three MGP sites showed reductions of 2−3 orders of magnitude in PAH absorption through human skin from the most contaminated soils in comparison to the soil extracts. Reduction in PAH penetration can be attributed to PAH concentration and (soil) matrix properties. PAH dermal flux values are used to determine site-specific dermally absorbed dose (DAD) and chronic daily intake (CDI) which are essential terms requ.
Capillary condensation in deformable mesopores: wetting versus nanomechanics

We employ grand canonical ensemble Monte Carlo simulations to investigate the strain experienced by a nanoscopic slit pore when this pore fills with fluid material. Both solid substrates of our model system consist of a single layer of solid atoms bound to their equilibrium lattice sites by a harmonic potential such that these atoms are thermally coupled to molecules of a fluid phase confined between them. Parameters are tuned such that they represent an experimental situation in which pentane is adsorbed by mesoporous silica. Our focus is on strain isotherms, that is the net deformation of the solid as fluid material is imbibed by the pore. At low pressures prior to pore filling, strain isotherms are dominated by wetting characteristics of the fluid–solid interface whereas nanomechanical properties of the pore may be deduced quantitatively from high-pressure portions of the strain isotherm after the pore is completely filled with fluid. To that end we introduce a thermodynamic analysis of the high-pressure portion of the sorption isotherm that permits us to determine the elasticity of the confining solid material in terms of a so-called pore-load modulus which is also experimentally accessible.
USE OF NANOPARTICLES FOR PREPARATION OF RARE-EARTH DOPED SILICA FIBERS

A new approach to preparation of rare-earth and aluminium doped silica fibers is presented in this paper. Common Modified Chemical Vapor Deposition (MCVD) technique and solution-doping method were employed while nanoparticle dispersions were used instead of solutions for erbium and aluminium co-doping. Prepared preforms were analyzed by refraction index profiler, EPMA and confocal microscopy. Attenuation refractive index profile and emission of erbium fluorescence were measured in fibers prepared from preforms. Resulting fibers show better homogeneity of dopants concentration distributions and significant increase in erbium emission at 1550 nm. (© 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Lysozyme Aggregation and Solution Properties Studied Using PGSE NMR Diffusion Measurements

The solution behavior of lysozyme was studied as a function of protein concentration, NaCl concentration, pH, and temperature using pulsed-gradient spin−echo NMR diffusion measurements. The lysozyme solutions clearly exhibited nonideal behavior which was sensitive to both the salt concentration and pH. Lysozyme has an isoelectric point of pH 11, and it is often overlooked that at normal pH it has a net positive charge. Since lysozyme is a charged species, the changes in the diffusion coefficients were interpreted, considering the competing effects of salt-mediated changes in protein interactions (e.g., electrostatic repulsion) and aggregation. The behavior is in agreement with Derjaguin−Landau−Verwey−Overbeek (DLVO)-type modeling, accounting for the attractive and repulsive forces present. The diffusion data was compared with various self-association models, including corrections for the effects of self-obstruction. The diffusion coefficients of the higher oligomers were calculated, assuming that the mono.
The Challenge of Spectroscopy in the Microanalysis of Biological Surfaces

Abstract Chemical interactions between solids and their environments are initially characterized by the chemical composition of the surfaces. This is especially true for biochemical processes, such as ionic transport through biological membranes, the maintenance of mineral ion homeostasis which is critically dependent on the activity of the “bone membrane,” the biocompatibility of surgical implants which appears to be only a surface problem, etc. This is because biological surfaces have shown an increased interest for different fields of science. However, biological surfaces are heterogeneous and generally more complex than inorganic ones, and biological subsurfaces (internal surfaces) are not usually identical with the external surfaces. Taking into account that much of the functional significance of biological surfaces is related to the internal surfaces and these are normally hidden, we must expose them for analysis without introducing artifacts during the preparative procedures. As a result, the speci.
Entangled Polymeric Liquids: Nonstandard Statistical Thermodynamics of a Subchain between Entanglement Points and a New Calculation of the Strain Measure Tensor

In entangled polymeric liquids, a subchain between two entanglements is an open system, which can exchange Kuhn segments with its neighboring subchains along the given polymer. A subchain is also a small, nonmacroscopic system, in a thermodynamic sense, because the number of segments belonging to it is small. Fluctuations are not negligible, then, and must be properly accounted for. Here, it is demonstrated that the adoption of nonstandard (small system) statistical thermodynamics for the description of the subchain behavior leads to significant corrections to classical Doi−Edwards formulas. The strain measure tensor for step deformations is recalculated in the nonstandard approach and shown to be in excellent agreement with available step shear data.
Analysis of All-Aromatic Polyesters by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry

Vectra, a commercial copolymer of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (HBA) and 6-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid (HNA), is highly intractable, and its analysis has always been problematic. Lower molecular weight polymer and an analogue have been synthesized and analyzed by MALDI−TOF mass spectrometry. Our sample preparation uses pentafluorophenol and hexafluoro-2-propanol as solvents and parafilm on the MALDI plate. In the MALDI−TOF spectra a characteristic difference was found between the copolymers synthesized using HNA with either 3-HBA or 4-HBA: the 3-HBA copolymer resulted in one main series of ions indicating no significant degradation during the polymerization, while the 4-HBA copolymer showed evidence of several depolymerization via a quinomethide mechanism. The MALDI−TOF spectra demonstrated that the distribution of the oxybenzoyl (B) and oxynaphthoyl (N) monomer units was close to the stoichiometric ratio, indicating that the reactivities of these units are very similar.
Constant-time snapshots with applications to concurrent data structures

Given a concurrent data structure, we present an approach for efficiently taking snapshots of its constituent CAS objects. More specifically, we support a constant-time operation that returns a snapshot handle. This snapshot handle can later be used to read the value of any base object at the time the snapshot was taken. Reading an earlier version of a base object is wait-free and takes time proportional to the number of successful writes to the object since the snapshot was taken. Importantly, our approach preserves all the time bounds and parallelism of the original data structure. Our fast, flexible snapshots yield simple, efficient implementations of atomic multi-point queries on a large class of concurrent data structures. For example, in a search tree where child pointers are updated using CAS, once a snapshot is taken, one can atomically search for ranges of keys, find the first key that matches some criteria, or check if a collection of keys are all present, simply by running a standard sequential algorithm on a snapshot of the tree. To evaluate the performance of our approach, we apply it to three search trees, one balanced and two not. Experiments show that the overhead of supporting snapshots is low across a variety of workloads. Moreover, in almost all cases, range queries on the trees built from our snapshots perform as well as or better than state-of-the-art concurrent data structures that support atomic range queries.
Volatile Compounds From Fruits of Talisia esculenta (A. St.-Hil.) Radlk. (Sapindaceae)

Abstract The volatile compounds from fruits of Talisia esculenta harvested in northeastern Brazil, were obtained by hydrodistillation using Clevenger-type apparatus and analyzed by GC-FID and GC/MS. Nineteen compounds were identified and pyrazines were the major compounds (representing 64.8–70.4% of the oil), mainly 2,5-diethylpyrazine (64.2–69.1%). Oxygenated monoterpenes also predominated (6.6–6.8% of the oil) besides high abundance of furfural (18.0–22.8%).
CONSUMER AND TRAINED PANEL EVALUATION OF HIGH PRESSURE THERMALLY TREATED SCRAMBLED EGG PATTIES

Consumer acceptability of three commercial scrambled egg patty formulations were evaluated before and after high pressure high temperature (HPHT) processing at 700 MPa/105C and 700 MPa/121C, and a selected formulation was also in-pouch retort treated to an F 0 of 5.6 min. A 40-member consumer panel and a six-member trained sensory panel (29 attributes judged) evaluated treated and untreated patties. Samples were also stored at 37C for 3 and 6 months for shelf-life testing. Egg patty with added processed cheese was the most accepted formulation after treatment at 700 MPa/105C, maintaining most quality parameters after pressurization. Egg patty formulation with added xanthan gum gave similar acceptability scores at 700 MPa/ 105C and at 700 MPa/121C. After 6-month incubation, HPHT-treated products did not produce gas or decompose, while control patties degraded after 1 week storage at 37C. Thermal pressurization processing proved promising for the development of novel shelf-stable egg-based products.
Characterizing ecosystem functional type patterns based on subtractive fuzzy cluster means using Sentinel-2 time-series data

Abstract. The characteristics of ecosystem functions are of great significance for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services. Ecosystem functional types (EFTs) are land surface areas similar in carbon dynamics that are not defined by the structure and composition of vegetation and represent the spatial heterogeneity of ecosystem functions. However, identification of EFTs based on low-resolution remote sensing data cannot satisfy the needs of fine-scale characterization of regional ecosystem functionality patterns, and a more accurate and optimized method of identifying EFTs also deserves attention. Here, we characterize EFTs at a county scale based on subtractive fuzzy cluster means (SUBFCM) and Sentinel-2 time-series data. The normalized difference vegetation index, the fraction of absorbed photosynthetically active radiation, and canopy water content and their derived variables in the growing season were selected as ecosystem functional indicators to characterize regional EFT diversity patterns. The correspondence analysis method was used to reveal relationships between the EFTs and land cover structure information, and further analysis of EFTs was performed with soil type data. Our results showed that the selected variables indicating carbon and water flux of the regional ecosystems could be adopted in ecosystem functional classification. The SUBFCM algorithm can automatically divide EFTs with faster convergence speed and reduced subjectivity. The obtained EFTs based on Sentinel-2 images reflected the internal structure of carbon balance well and the distribution pattern of ecosystem functional diversity at a fine scale. A reference for further optimization of the EFT identification algorithm and development of the understanding of spatial heterogeneity of temperate terrestrial ecosystem functions was provided.
Joint SVM and KNN module algorithm for 16-QAM signal decision

Abstract. We propose a 16-ary quadrature amplitude modulation (16-QAM) signal decision algorithm termed as the joint support vector machine (SVM) and K-nearest neighbor (KNN) module (JSKM). The M-ary SVM makes the first decision for all the received symbols. Subsequently, the KNN algorithm makes the second decision for the received symbols inside the decision boundary of the SVM. In this manner, the advantages of the SVM can be exploited and the KNN algorithm can help overcome the limitations of the SVM. The proposed algorithm was implemented to perform the simulation of a 112-Gbps 16-QAM coherent optical transmission system. The results demonstrated the superiority of the JSKM algorithm as it could increase the transmission distance by 440 and 227 km compared to those obtained using the KNN and M-ary SVM algorithms, respectively.
Brightness preservation single-image dehazing algorithm based on local visual pattern

Abstract. A brightness preservation dehazing algorithm based on the atmospheric scattering model is proposed. We introduce a novel pixel-patch-wise transmission. It not only can keep the scene radiance depth from becoming underestimated, it also preserves image color and brightness. First, based on the correlation of saturation and brightness in hue, saturation, and intensity color space, a pixel-wise transmission is estimated. To add the local information into the transmission, then a novel patch-wise visual mask by the free-energy principle is presented. With this mask, we can optimize the transmission and atmospheric light. Since the proposed method takes account of pixel, patch, and pattern information, it can restore more natural haze-free scenes. Experimental results demonstrate that our method achieves better restorations compared with some other state-of-the-art approaches.
Video super-resolution network via enhanced deep feature extraction and residual up-down block

Abstract. Video super-resolution (VSR) is an image restoration task, aiming to reconstruct a high-resolution (HR) video from its down-sampled low-resolution (LR) version. Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have been applied to VSR successfully. Explicit motion estimation and motion compensation (ME&MC) module is commonly used in the previous CNNs-based methods to better exploit input frames’ temporal similarity. We proposed a VSR network without an explicit ME&MC module. Our network makes full use of spatiotemporal information and can implicitly capture motion relations between frames. Specifically, we proposed an enhanced deep feature extraction module (EDFEM) to extract deep features from input frames. EDFEM exploits not only intra-frame spatial information but also inter-frame temporal information to enhance feature representation. Furthermore, we proposed a residual up-down block (RUDB) to fuse features. RUDB adopts up- and down-sampling layers as the residual branch. Compared to the common residual block, RUDB addresses mutual dependencies of LR and HR images. Visual and quantitative results show that our method achieves state-of-the-art performance.