Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
High-quality 1.3 μm-wavelength GaInAsN/GaAs quantum wells grown by metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy on vicinal substrates

We investigated the composition and optical properties of GaInAsN/GaAs single quantum wells (QWs) grown on vicinal-(001) GaAs substrates using metallorganic vapor phase epitaxy with modulated nitrogen-precursor flux. A significant enhancement in N incorporation and photoluminescence efficiency is achieved with such optimized QW structures. Possible mechanisms of the observed increase in N uptake and reduction in defect density, related to the substrate vicinality, are discussed.
The Implications of Connexin 43 Deficiency during the Early Stages of Chemically Induced Mouse Colon Carcinogenesis

Colorectal cancer (CRC), associated with an increased intake of processed red meats, saturated fats, and simple carbohydrates accompanied by low dietary fiber, fruits, and vegetables consumption, presents a high epidemiological burden. Connexin43 (Cx43) protein, which forms gap junctions or hemichannels, has tumor suppressor or oncogenic activities in a cancer type- and stage-dependent manner. Cx43 expression varies during colon carcinogenesis, and its functional role is not fully understood. Thus, we evaluated the implications of Cx43 heterologous deletion (Cx43+/−) during the early stages of a chemically induced model of colon carcinogenesis. Female C57BL/6J mice (wild-type or Cx43+/−) were submitted to a colon carcinogenesis model induced by 1,2 dimethylhydrazine (DMH). Mice were euthanized eight hours (week 7) or 30 weeks (week 37) after the last DMH administration to evaluate subacute colon toxicity outcomes or the burden of (pre)neoplastic lesions, respectively. At week 7, Cx43 deficiency inferred no alterations in the DMH-induced increase in systemic (peripheral blood), in situ (colonocytes) DNA damage, and apoptosis in the colonocytes. At week 30, Cx43+/− mice presented an increase in preneoplastic aberrant crypt foci (ACF) multiplicity, while no alterations were observed in colorectal adenoma (CRA) occurrence, multiplicity, volume, proliferation, growth, and β-catenin immunoexpression. Similarly, an in silico analysis of human CRA showed decreased mRNA expression of Cx43 with no correlation with proliferation, apoptosis, and β-catenin markers. These findings indicate the discrete role of Cx43 in the early stages of chemically induced mouse colon carcinogenesis.
Quality-Aware Joint Caching, Computing and Communication Optimization for Video Delivery in Vehicular Networks

As being clear that the joint optimization of caching, computing, and communication (3C) can significantly improve vehicular network performance, this paper investigates the quality-aware 3C optimization for video delivery in vehicular networks. By incorporating the quality-awareness into 3C models, we formulate both the quality-aware joint 3C optimization problem and the quality-aware joint computing and communication (2C) optimization problem with predetermined caching. By observing that the proposed 2C and 3C problems can be interpreted as submodular maximization problems with constraints, we propose a solution methodology using the submodularity and knapsack interpretation. Based on the proposed methodology, we then propose efficient solution approaches assuming batch input and streaming input, respectively. Complexity of the proposed solution approaches is analyzed. In addition, extensive simulations are conducted to evaluate the proposed solution approaches. Results show that our proposed approaches can outperform the reference schemes and improve the video delivery of vehicular networks.
New Perspectives on the Sustainable Employment of Chestnut Shells as Active Ingredient against Oral Mucositis: A First Screening

Oral mucositis (OM), a common side effect of oncological treatment, is an oral mucosal disorder characterized by painful ulcerations and increased risk of infection. The use of natural antioxidants to suppress the redox imbalance responsible for the OM condition has emerged as an interesting approach to prevent/treat OM. This study aims to explore the chestnut (Castana sativa) shells as potential active ingredient against OM. Therefore, chestnut shells were extracted at different temperatures (110–180 °C) by Subcritical Water Extraction (SWE), aiming to recover antioxidants. The extracts were also evaluated against microorganisms present in the oral cavity as well as on human oral cell lines (TR146 and HSC3). The highest phenolic content was obtained with the extraction temperature of 110 °C, exhibiting the best antioxidant/antiradical activities and scavenging efficiencies against HOCl (IC50 = 4.47 μg/mL) and ROO• (0.73 μmol TE/mg DW). High concentrations of phenolic acids (e.g., gallic and protocatechuic acids) and flavanoids (catechin, epicatechin and rutin) characterized the phenolic profile. The antimicrobial activity against several oral microorganisms present in the oral cavity during OM, such as Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Enterococcus, and Escherichia, was demonstrated. Finally, the effects on HSC3 and TR146 cell lines revealed that the extract prepared at 110 °C had the lowest IC50 (1325.03 and 468.15 µg/mL, respectively). This study highlights the potential effects of chestnut shells on OM.
Pavement Distress Estimation via Signal on Graph Processing

A comprehensive representation of the road pavement state of health is of great interest. In recent years, automated data collection and processing technology has been used for pavement inspection. In this paper, a new signal on graph (SoG) model of road pavement distresses is presented with the aim of improving automatic pavement distress detection systems. A novel nonlinear Bayesian estimator in recovering distress metrics is also derived. The performance of the methodology was evaluated on a large dataset of pavement distress values collected in field tests conducted in Kazakhstan. The application of the proposed methodology is effective in recovering acquisition errors, improving road failure detection. Moreover, the output of the Bayesian estimator can be used to identify sections where the measurement acquired by the 3D laser technology is unreliable. Therefore, the presented model could be used to schedule road section maintenance in a better way.
XMM-Newton Observations of a Possible Light Echo in the Seyfert 1 Nucleus of NGC 4051

We discuss a 1.5 day long observation of the bright variable Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 4051 that was obtained with the X-ray and ultraviolet telescopes on XMM-Newton and extended in the X-ray band using the Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer. The ultraviolet (2900 Å) and X-ray (2-10 keV) light curves varied with peak-to-peak amplitudes of 5% and a factor of ~4, respectively. A simple interband cross-correlation function shows three broad features: a positive correlation with coefficient rM = +0.63 at a lag (Topt - TX-ray) τ ~ +0.2 days, an anticorrelation with rM = -0.65 at τ ~ +0.7 days, and a broad but slightly weaker feature with rM ≥ 0.53 over τ = 1.2-1.4 days. Because of the asymmetric sampling of the optical and X-ray data, only positive lags could be probed. Monte Carlo simulations based on synthetic uncorrelated light curves derived from the power spectrum of the real data give an ~85% confidence in features at this level. If the X-ray and UV light curves are indeed correlated, the lag is highly significant (i.e., not consistent with zero), which is suggestive of a scenario in which X-rays are being reprocessed into UV light at a distance from the X-ray source. A simple model in which the reprocessor is an inclined optically thick ring at a radius of 0.14 lt-days from the X-ray source reproduces the UV data well. A comparison of the modulated fractions in the ultraviolet and X-ray bands suggests that 5% of the 2900 Å flux is produced in this way. The reprocessing site is close enough to the X-ray emitter for X-ray heating from a source with the luminosity of NGC 4051 to produce a brightening in the UV band, and the amount of UV flux emitted suggests that the covering fraction of the reprocessor is about 6%. We briefly discuss the possible physical nature of the reprocessing ring structure.
The Molecular Medium of H1413+117: BIMA CO (3-2) and HCO+ (4-3) Observations

We report observations of the CO (3-2) and HCO+ (4-3) lines toward H1413+117, the z = 2.56 “cloverleaf” quasar, obtained simultaneously with the BIMA. These observations, with beam size 2. ″8 × 2. ″4, confirm the CO (3-2) emission redshifted to 3 mm wavelength observed at lower resolution by Barvainis and coworkers. We find an upper limit to the HCO+ (4-3)/CO (3-2) intensity ratio of 0.33. This suggests that the mean density of the molecular gas, averaged over the beam, is lower than the 107 cm-3 “critical density” of the HCO+ (4-3) line for collisional excitation. The implications of this limit depend primarily on the size scale probed by the observations. The physical conditions appear generally consistent with an average over molecular complexes in the central kiloparsecs of nearby starburst galaxies but may differ from those in the inner 300 pc of NGC 1068, the active nucleus with the best studied molecular medium. The technique of simultaneous line observation at millimeter wavelengths, which minimizes relative calibration uncertainties, is especially valuable for the broad, weak lines from high-redshift objects for which accurate absolute calibration is troublesome. We note several diagnostic molecular line pairs, redshifted into the 3 mm band, accessible to simultaneous measurement with the present generation of millimeter interferometers.
Mechanism of [CO2] Enrichment Alleviated Drought Stress in the Roots of Cucumber Seedlings Revealed via Proteomic and Biochemical Analysis

Cucumber is one of the most widely cultivated greenhouse vegetables, and its quality and yield are threatened by drought stress. Studies have shown that carbon dioxide concentration ([CO2]) enrichment can alleviate drought stress in cucumber seedlings; however the mechanism of this [CO2] enrichment effect on root drought stress is not clear. In this study, the effects of different drought stresses (simulated with 0, 5% and 10% PEG 6000, i.e., no, moderate, and severe drought stress) and [CO2] (400 μmol·mol−1 and 800 ± 40 μmol·mol−1) on the cucumber seedling root proteome were analyzed using the tandem mass tag (TMT) quantitative proteomics method. The results showed that after [CO2] enrichment, 346 differentially accumulating proteins (DAPs) were found only under moderate drought stress, 27 DAPs only under severe drought stress, and 34 DAPs under both moderate and severe drought stress. [CO2] enrichment promoted energy metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and secondary metabolism, induced the expression of proteins related to root cell wall and cytoskeleton metabolism, effectively maintained the balance of protein processing and degradation, and enhanced the cell wall regulation ability. However, the extent to which [CO2] enrichment alleviated drought stress in cucumber seedling roots was limited under severe drought stress, which may be due to excessive damage to the seedlings.
Development and Examination of a Trainee-Led ECHO Autism Network for Rural Healthcare Providers

ABSTRACT Rural healthcare providers face numerous challenges in caring for autistic individuals. Some of the most common obstacles to optimal services include lack of specialized training and expertise, resources, and collaborators, as well as large physical distances between providers and those they serve, region-specific cultural factors, and others. Recent methodologies, such as Extensions for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO), use videoconferencing technology to connect subject-matter experts with community providers to remediate disparities in 1) provider access to knowledge and consultation relevant to evidence-based practices (EBP) and, thereby, 2) patient access to quality care. Despite such advances, few projects have targeted rural communities in the same geographic area as network personnel. Additionally, to date, ECHO networks have been staffed with senior personnel, who have provided their experience and expertise to attendees. We, a multidisciplinary group of trainees and faculty, developed and piloted an ECHO Autism network for healthcare providers across the rural Western United States. In preparation for the launch of this network, trainees polled prospective participants regarding their disciplines and interests. Then, ECHO sessions were developed and implemented over several months. Finally, attendees provided feedback about their experiences. We report information regarding each of these phases and initial results of the post-session feedback to assist those who desire to develop a similar network in their area, and to provide preliminary examination (i.e., formative evaluation) of its benefit in view of the needs of rural providers caring for autistic individuals. We posit that our trainee-led model has unique value for cost-effectiveness and sustainability of implementation.
Initiation of Low Carbon Economic Stimulus Policy on MSME Waster Management Post Covid-19 in Indonesia

The problem of waste management has become a concern for almost all countries, including Indonesia. In addition, on the other hand, Indonesia also still needs strengthening in the direction of the MSME sector. Therefore, the Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas, through the Directorate of SME and Cooperative Development took the initiative to establish a low-carbon economic stimulus program aimed at the MSME sector to improve waste management and restore environmental damage in Indonesia as well as improve the welfare of MSME. This study aims to formulate an ideal model in providing low-carbon economic stimulus to MSME to create sustainable economic development using a secondary data approach. This study found that the low-carbon economic stimulus can be a concrete and solution step from the government as a credit risk management program in providing financing in creating MSME management based on sustainable development in waste management provided that stakeholders can maintain coordination and seriousness carrying out their roles and responsibilities.
Selective Photocatalytic Transformation of Lignin to Aromatic Chemicals by Crystalline Carbon Nitride in Water–Acetonitrile Solutions

The photocatalytic conversion of lignin to aromatic compounds in aqueous solutions is a promising approach. We herein report a crystalline carbon nitride prepared by high-temperature thermal polymerization and alkali-metal molten salt treatment, which was then applied in the selective conversion of lignin to aromatic compounds. The results showed that the tri-s-tri-C3N4 presented a relatively high activity and selectivity for the conversion of lignin in aqueous solutions. In a 95% water–acetonitrile solution, it achieved a relatively high conversation rate of lignin, reaching 62.00%, and the selectivity of the C-C bond cleavage was high, at 86.8%. The characterization results obtained by TEM, UV-vis/DRS, PL, and transient photocurrent response showed that the ultra-high activity of tri-s-tri-C3N4 was mainly due to the improvements in crystallinity and light absorption. Mechanism studies showed that the dispersion of the catalyst and the combination of lignin and catalyst in aqueous solvents with different acetonitrile ratios were the main factors affecting lignin conversion. As the water content in the solutions increased, the primary active sites were converted from h+ to ·O2−. This study revealed the interactions between lignin, photocatalysts, and reaction solutions, providing a theoretical basis for the photocatalytic conversion of lignin in aqueous solutions.
Semi-Extractive Text Summarization Approach to Extract Research Objective of Academic Literature

: The task of literature review is an important for all research areas. The volume of academic literature published in the scientific journals, books and conference proceedings is increasing rapidly. It has become very di ffi cult for researchers to analyze huge amount of published research papers and draw conclusions. Therefore, an automatic system able to extract the research objectives that recap the meaning and the definition of research from the article published is needed. The main challenge is to deal with the highly multiplicity of authors’ writing style used in forming the objective sentences. A semi-extractive approach for precisely extracting research objective from the research abstract is proposed. The extraction process is performed in two tasks, search for pre-collected Key Expressions and verify the findings using pre-built General Key Phrases. An extensive evaluation has been conducted to find out how well it is performing using special dataset that includes diversified writing styles. The results showed that the method is a promising and able to extract objective sentence accurately.
S-shaped software reliability growth models derived from stochastic differential equations

This paper presents a software reliability growth model based on Itô type Stochastic Differential Equations (SDE). As the size of a software system becomes larger, the number of faults remaining in the system during the testing phase can be considered to be a continuous stochastic process. In practice, if the per-fault detection rate is subject to certain random effects, we may consider the use of a SDE to describe the average behavior of the software fault detection process during the testing phase. As a result, we derive several software reliability measures by utilizing the mean value function which is the expected value of the SDE. We also derive the maximum likelihood estimators of the unknown parameters for the model. Futhermore, we compare our model with other software reliability growth models in terms of several reliability measures and goodness-of-fit for the same data set.
The impact of initialization procedures on unsupervised unmixing of hyperspectral imagery using the constrained positive matrix factorization

The authors proposed in previous papers the use of the constrained Positive Matrix Factorization (cPMF) to perform unsupervised unmixing of hyperspectral imagery. Two iterative algorithms were proposed to compute the cPMF based on the Gauss-Seidel and penalty approaches to solve optimization problems. Results presented in previous papers have shown the potential of the proposed method to perform unsupervised unmixing in HYPERION and AVIRIS imagery. The performance of iterative methods is highly dependent on the initialization scheme. Good initialization schemes can improve convergence speed, whether or not a global minimum is found, and whether or not spectra with physical relevance are retrieved as endmembers. In this paper, different initializations using random selection, longest norm pixels, and standard endmembers selection routines are studied and compared using simulated and real data.
WagerWin: An Efficient Reinforcement Learning Framework for Gambling Games

Although reinforcement learning (RL) has achieved great success in diverse scenarios, complex gambling games still pose great challenges for RL. Common deep RL methods have difficulties maintaining stability and efficiency in such games. By theoretical analysis, we find that the return distribution of a gambling game is an intrinsic factor of this problem. Such return distribution of gambling games is partitioned into two parts, depending on the win/lose outcome. These two parts represent the gain and loss. They repel each other because the player keeps “raising,” i.e., making a wager. However, common deep RL methods directly approximate the expectation of the return, without considering the particularity of the distribution. This way causes a redundant loss term in the objective function and a subsequent high variance. In this work, we propose WagerWin, a new framework for gambling games. WagerWin introduces probability and value factorization to construct a more effective value function. Our framework removes the redundant loss term of the objective function in training. In addition, WagerWin supports customized policy adaptation, which can tune the pretrained policy for different inclinations. We conduct extensive experiments on DouDizhu and SmallDou, a reduced version of DouDizhu. The results demonstrate that WagerWin outperforms the original state-of-the-art RL model in both training efficiency and stability.
Wavelet analysis of subclustering : an illustration, Abell 754

A new multiscale technique, the wavelet transform, is applied to the study of subclustering in clusters of galaxies dealing with two-dimensional or three-dimensional data. The performance of the method is shown on a set of toy models and the statistical validity of the results is discussed for both two-dimensional and three-dimensional cases. Application to the cluster A754 confirms the presence of subclustering in this system
Exposure of Egyptian Rousette Bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus) and a Little Free-Tailed Bat (Chaerephon pumilus) to Alphaviruses in Uganda

The reservoir for zoonotic o’nyong-nyong virus (ONNV) has remained unknown since this virus was first recognized in Uganda in 1959. Building on existing evidence for mosquito blood-feeding on various frugivorous bat species in Uganda, and seroprevalence for arboviruses among bats in Uganda, we sought to assess if serum samples collected from bats in Uganda demonstrated evidence of exposure to ONNV or the closely related zoonotic chikungunya virus (CHIKV). In total, 652 serum samples collected from six bat species were tested by plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT) for neutralizing antibodies against ONNV and CHIKV. Forty out of 303 (13.2%) Egyptian rousettes from Maramagambo Forest and 1/13 (8%) little free-tailed bats from Banga Nakiwogo, Entebbe contained neutralizing antibodies against ONNV. In addition, 2/303 (0.7%) of these Egyptian rousettes contained neutralizing antibodies to CHIKV, and 8/303 (2.6%) contained neutralizing antibodies that were nonspecifically reactive to alphaviruses. These data support the interepidemic circulation of ONNV and CHIKV in Uganda, although Egyptian rousette bats are unlikely to serve as reservoirs for these viruses given the inconsistent occurrence of antibody-positive bats.