Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
1-Bit Transmission-Type Digital Programmable Coding Metasurface with Multi-Functional Beam-Shaping Capability for Ka-Band Applications

Digital programmable coding metasurfaces (DPCMs) have recently attracted enormous attention and have been broadly applied, owing to their ability to manipulate electromagnetic (EM) wave behaviours and programmable multi-functionality. Recent DPCM works are divided into reflection and transmission types (R-DPCM and T-DPCM, respectively); however, there are only a few reported T-DPCM works in the millimetre-wave spectrum, owing to the difficulty of realising the large-phase controllable range while maintaining low transmission losses with electronic control components. Consequently, most millimetre-wave T-DPCMs are demonstrated only with limited functions in a single design. Additionally, all these designs use high-cost substrate materials that constrain practical applicability, owing to cost-ineffectiveness. Herein, we propose a 1-bit T-DPCM that simultaneously performs three dynamic beam-shaping functions with a single structure for millimetre-wave applications. The proposed structure is completely constructed using low-cost FR-4 materials, and operation of each meta-cell is manipulated using PIN-diodes, thus driving the achievement of multiple effective dynamic functionalities including dual-beam scanning, multi-beam shaping, and orbital-angular-momentum-mode generation. It should be noted that there are no reported millimetre-wave T-DPCMs demonstrating multi-function design, thus showing a gap in the recent literature of millimetre-wave T-DPCMs. Moreover, cost-effectiveness can be significantly enhanced, owing to the construction of the proposed T-DPCM using only low-cost material.
Teaching Life Skills in Physical Education within Different Teaching Traditions: A Narrative Review

This narrative review of the latest papers on life skills development in physical education (PE) aims to identify and discuss different types of life skills programmes in PE in relation with four PE teaching traditions (PETTs), their variation across contexts (e.g., primary school, secondary school, teacher education), and the inherent tensions between the teaching and learning of subject knowledge and the development of life skills. We have carried out an identification and selection process close to those used in systematic reviews, resulting in 13 papers meeting all the inclusion criteria. These peer-reviewed articles show that teaching life skills in PE covers a wide range of possible combinations between three types of programmes (isolated, juxtaposed, or integrated) and the respective PETTs in which they are rooted (sport-techniques, health education, values and citizenship and/or physical culture education). These combinations as well as the (groups of) life skills targeted in the 13 programmes we reviewed do not seem to depend on the contexts in which they are implemented. The relationship between subject knowledge, in particular sports/motor skills, and life skills is approached differently depending on the combinations that have been identified.
About Gas Permeability and Diffusion through Concrete "2279

Gas production is expected in radioactive-waste storage structures. This will induce a slow increase in gas pressure, which necessitates the study of gas transfer at a low pressure. In this special case, calculations of the flow through storing materials while solely using permeability and Darcy’s law are likely to be inadequate, as diffusion may play a crucial role in the process. The gas permeability and gas diffusion coefficient of industrial concrete have then been measured on the dry material. Diffusion tests were performed with a new device, specially designed for this study. The diffusion coefficient was directly measured with the use of the first Fick’s law, as the test was analyzed under a steady state. Using some simplified hypotheses, it was then possible to compare the proportion of flow occurring due to diffusion with the one occurring due to permeation. The tendency is very clear and unambiguously shows that diffusion is predominant at a very low injection pressure but becomes negligible as soon as the gas pressure exceeds a moderate value.
The Development of Intuitive and Analytic Thinking in Autism: The Case of Cognitive Reflection

The cognitive reflection test (CRT) is a short measure of a person’s ability to resist intuitive response tendencies, and to produce normatively correct responses that are assumed to be based on effortful, analytic thinking. A remarkable characteristic of the CRT is that although the questions are open-ended, for each item, the vast majority of people either produce a correct, analytic response or a typical incorrect (i.e., intuitive) response. This unique feature of the CRT makes it possible to investigate the question of whether autistic and neurotypical people share the same intuitions. We report a study that included adolescents and young adults. In both age groups, autistic and neurotypical participants were matched on age, gender, cognitive ability, and educational background. In line with previous findings, the results showed an age-related increase in analytic responding on the CRT, and a decrease in intuitive responding. Crucially, the proportion of both intuitive and analytic responses across autistic and neurotypical participants was identical in both age groups. The current results are in contrast with claims that autistic individuals have an increased tendency toward an analytic/rational type of processing, which is commonly attributed to an impairment within their intuitive reasoning mechanisms.
Antioxidant Activities of Photoinduced Phycogenic Silver Nanoparticles and Their Potential Applications

While various methods exist for synthesizing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), green synthesis has emerged as a promising approach due to its affordability, sustainability, and suitability for biomedical purposes. However, green synthesis is time-consuming, necessitating the development of efficient and cost-effective techniques to minimize reaction time. Consequently, researchers have turned their attention to photo-driven processes. In this study, we present the photoinduced bioreduction of silver nitrate (AgNO3) to AgNPs using an aqueous extract of Ulva lactuca, an edible green seaweed. The phytochemicals found in the seaweed functioned as both reducing and capping agents, while light served as a catalyst for biosynthesis. We explored the effects of different light intensities and wavelengths, the initial pH of the reaction mixture, and the exposure time on the biosynthesis of AgNPs. Confirmation of AgNP formation was achieved through the observation of a surface plasmon resonance band at 428 nm using an ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectrophotometer. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed the presence of algae-derived phytochemicals bound to the outer surface of the synthesized AgNPs. Additionally, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) images demonstrated that the NPs possessed a nearly spherical shape, ranging in size from 5 nm to 40 nm. The crystalline nature of the NPs was confirmed by selected area electron diffraction (SAED) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), with Bragg’s diffraction pattern revealing peaks at 2θ = 38°, 44°, 64°, and 77°, corresponding to the planes of silver 111, 200, 220, and 311 in the face-centered cubic crystal lattice of metallic silver. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) results exhibited a prominent peak at 3 keV, indicating an Ag elemental configuration. The highly negative zeta potential values provided further confirmation of the stability of AgNPs. Moreover, the reduction kinetics observed via UV-vis spectrophotometry demonstrated superior photocatalytic activity in the degradation of hazardous pollutant dyes, such as rhodamine B, methylene orange, Congo red, acridine orange, and Coomassie brilliant blue G-250. Consequently, our biosynthesized AgNPs hold great potential for various biomedical redox reaction applications.
RNA Aptamer Targeting of Adam8 in Cancer Growth and Metastasis

Simple Summary An RNA aptamer targeting the extracellular sheddase domain of Adam8 was isolated and characterized both in vitro and in vivo. In co-cultures of human mesenchymal stem cells with human MDA-MB-231 breast cancer or Hep G2 cell liver cancer cells, the aptamer blocked extracellular Adam8 activities with associated reversal of the previously established cancer-derived osteopontin-induced myofibroblast cancer-associated fibroblast phenotype (myCAF). Our results suggest that the signal pathways that initiate the development of the myCAF phenotype may be distinct from those required for maintenance, that extracellular Adam8 sheddase activity is required for maintenance of the myCAF phenotype, and that this aptamer may serve as a vehicle for the further investigation of this new pathway. Abstract Cancer progression depends on an accumulation of metastasis-supporting physiological changes, which are regulated by cell-signaling molecules. In this regard, a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 8 (Adam8) is a transmembrane glycoprotein that is selectively expressed and induced by a variety of inflammatory stimuli. In this study, we identified Adam8 as a sox2-dependent protein expressed in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells when cocultured with mesenchymal-stem-cell-derived myofibroblast-like cancer-associated fibroblasts (myCAF). We have previously found that myCAF-induced cancer stemness is required for the maintenance of the myCAF phenotype, suggesting that the initiation and maintenance of the myCAF phenotype require distinct cell-signaling crosstalk pathways between cancer cells and myCAF. Adam8 was identified as a candidate secreted protein induced by myCAF-mediated cancer stemness. Adam8 has a known sheddase function against which we developed an RNA aptamer, namely, Adam8-Apt1-26nt. The Adam8-Apt1-26nt-mediated blockade of the extracellular soluble Adam8 metalloproteinase domain abolishes the previously initiated myCAF phenotype, or, termed differently, blocks the maintenance of the myCAF phenotype. Consequently, cancer stemness is significantly decreased. Xenograft models show that Adam8-Apt-1-26nt administration is associated with decreased tumor growth and metastasis, while flow cytometric analyses demonstrate a significantly decreased fraction of myCAF after Adam8-Apt-1-26nt treatment. The role of soluble Adam8 in the maintenance of the myCAF phenotype has not been previously characterized. Our study suggests that the signal pathways for the induction or initiation of the myCAF phenotype may be distinct from those involved with the maintenance of the myCAF phenotype.
Method of Monitoring 26S Proteasome in Cells Revealed the Crucial Role of PSMA3 C-Terminus in 26S Integrity

Proteasomes critically regulate proteostasis via protein degradation. Proteasomes are multi-subunit complexes composed of the 20S proteolytic core particle (20S CP) that, in association with one or two 19S regulatory particles (19S RPs), generates the 26S proteasome, which is the major proteasomal complex in cells. Native gel protocols are used to investigate the 26S/20S ratio. However, a simple method for detecting these proteasome complexes in cells is missing. To this end, using CRISPR technology, we YFP-tagged the endogenous PSMB6 (β1) gene, a 20S CP subunit, and co-tagged endogenous PSMD6 (Rpn7), a 19S RP subunit, with the mScarlet fluorescent protein. We observed the colocalization of the YFP and mScarlet fluorescent proteins in the cells, with higher nuclear accumulation. Nuclear proteasomal granules are formed under osmotic stress, and all were positive for YFP and mScarlet. Previously, we have reported that PSMD1 knockdown, one of the 19 RP subunits, gives rise to a high level of “free” 20S CPs. Intriguingly, under this condition, the 20S-YFP remained nuclear, whereas the PSMD6-mScarlet was mostly in cytoplasm, demonstrating the distinct subcellular distribution of uncapped 20S CPs. Lately, we have shown that the PSMA3 (α7) C-terminus, a 20S CP subunit, binds multiple intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs). Remarkably, the truncation of the PSMA3 C-terminus is phenotypically reminiscent of PSMD1 knockdown. These data suggest that the PSMA3 C-terminal region is critical for 26S proteasome integrity.
Development of a Quality Index to Evaluate the Impact of Abiotic Stress in Saline Soils in the Geothermal Zone of Los Negritos, Michoacán, Mexico

In recent years, salinity-induced soil quality impairment and the misuse of management practices have led to the reduced productivity of agroecosystems. This has prompted a search for simple and effective agricultural management strategies that improve the sustainability of agricultural production through soil quality assessments. In this context, the objective of this study was to establish an integrated soil quality index (SQI) by assessing the influence of different types of abiotic stress in two different seasons, using physical, chemical and biological indicators at three sites in the geothermal zone of “Los Negritos”, Michoacán, Mexico. Thirty-nine indicators related to soil fertility attributes and C, N, P, and S cycling—identified as the total dataset (TDS)—were evaluated. Principal component analysis (PCA) and the Spearman correlation matrix (r2 ≥ 0.6) were used to calculate the SQI using an integrated quality index (IQI) equation, with the indicators total nitrogen (TN), cation exchange capacity (CEC), lithium (Li), and zinc (Zn) identified as the minimum dataset (MDS). Significantly higher SQI values related to the better performance of soil functions were detected during the rainy season.
Identification, and Experimental and Bioinformatics Validation of an Immune-Related Prognosis Gene Signature for Low-Grade Glioma Based on mRNAsi

Simple Summary In this study; four immune-related predictive biomarkers for LGG were identified and proven to be IRGs. The development of more efficient immunotherapy techniques was facilitated by the creation of a prognostic signature to evaluate and forecast the prognosis of LGG patients. The immune-related prognostic score was then used to build a nomogram that was subsequently used to more accurately predict the prognosis of LGG patients Abstract Background: Low-grade gliomas (LGGs), which are the second most common intracranial tumor, are diagnosed in seven out of one million people, tending to develop in younger people. Tumor stem cells and immune cells are important in the development of tumorigenesis. However, research on prognostic factors linked to the immune microenvironment and stem cells in LGG patients is limited. We critically need accurate related tools for assessing the risk of LGG patients. Methods: In this study, we aimed to identify immune-related genes (IRGs) in LGG based on the mRNAsi score. We employed differentially expressed gene (DEG) methods and weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA). The risk signature was then further established using a lasso Cox regression analysis and a multivariate Cox analysis. Next, we used immunohistochemical sections (HPA) and a survival analysis to identify the hub genes. A nomogram was built to assess the prognosis of patients based on their clinical information and risk scores and was validated using a DCA curve, among other methods. Results: Four hub genes were obtained: C3AR1 (HR = 0.98, p < 0.001), MSR1 (HR = 1.02, p < 0.001), SLC11A1 (HR = 1.01, p < 0.01), and IL-10 (HR = 1.01, p < 0.001). For LGG patients, we created an immune-related prognostic signature (IPS) based on mRNAsi for estimating risk scores; different risk groups showed significantly different survival rates (p = 3.3 × 10−16). Then, via an evaluation of the IRG-related signature, we created a nomogram for predicting LGG survival probability. Conclusion: The outcome suggests that, when predicting the prognosis of LGG patients, our nomogram was more effective than the IPS. In this study, four immune-related predictive biomarkers for LGG were identified and proven to be IRGs. Therefore, the development of efficient immunotherapy techniques can be facilitated by the creation of the IPS.
The Realms of Abandonment: Measures and Interpretations of Landscape Value/Risk in Northern Sardinia (Italy)

This contribution is part of the context of studies on the prospects of eco-oriented territorial rebalancing involving the settlement networks of inland areas. These are characterised by the contrast between socio-territorial disadvantage issues and opportunities to reuse physical resources within the broader framework of territorial regeneration and the revitalisation of local identities. In Italy, the region of Sardinia represents one of the most suitable operational contexts for the study of this relationship due to the presence of a natural context that dominates the urbanised areas and a deep, and in some ways still intact, cultural identity. Between nature and culture lies the issue of urban settlement structures, which are progressively being emptied due to depopulation and abandonment, and which require responses to revitalise territories integrated with the now inescapable ecological–environmental needs. This study proposes the formation of an initial platform of indicators to describe the effects of land abandonment through a multidimensional approach to highlight the potentials and weaknesses of the natural, urban, and socio-cultural heritage. The scale of observation and comparison concerns urban centres and small towns in the province of Sassari in the Region of Sardinia (Italy). The creation of an integrated set of maps highlighting deficiencies, vocations, and unexpressed potentials are the first results of the observation methodology adopted; these residual potentials can be used to design possible redevelopment and regeneration strategies based on the specific vocations of territories and urban settlements.
Eliminating the dipole phase in attosecond pulse characterization using Rydberg wave packets

We propose a technique to fully characterize the temporal structure of extreme ultraviolet pulses by ionizing a bound coherent electronic wave packet. The influence of the dipole phase, which is the main obstacle for state-of-the-art pulse characterization schemes, can be eliminated by angle integration of the photoelectron spectrum. We show that in particular, atomic Rydberg wave packets are ideal and that wave packets involving multiple electronic states provide redundant information that can be used to cross-check the consistency of the phase reconstruction.
Exploring Deep Learning Models on GPR Data: A Comparative Study of AlexNet and VGG on a Dataset from Archaeological Sites

This comparative study evaluates the performance of three popular deep learning architectures, AlexNet, VGG-16, and VGG-19, on a custom-made dataset of GPR C-scans collected from several archaeological sites. The introduced dataset has 15,000 training images and 3750 test images assigned to three classes: Anomaly, Noise, and Structure. The aim is to assess the performance of the selected architectures applied to the custom dataset and examine the potential gains of using deeper and more complex architectures. Further, this study aims to improve the training dataset using augmentation techniques. For the comparisons, learning curves, confusion matrices, precision, recall, and f1-score metrics are employed. The Grad-CAM technique is also used to gain insights into the models’ learning. The results suggest that using more convolutional layers improves overall performance. Further, augmentation techniques can also be used to increase the dataset volume without causing overfitting. In more detail, the best-obtained model was trained using VGG-19 architecture and the modified dataset, where the training samples were raised to 60,000 images through augmentation techniques. This model reached a classification accuracy of 94.12% on an evaluation set with 170 unseen data.
Mode-Coupling Generation Using ITO Nanodisk Arrays with Au Substrate Enabling Narrow-Band Biosensing

Plasmonic metal nanostructures have promising applications in biosensing due to their ability to facilitate light–matter interaction. However, the damping of noble metal leads to a wide full width at half maximum (FWHM) spectrum which restricts sensing capabilities. Herein, we present a novel non-full-metal nanostructure sensor, namely indium tin oxide (ITO)–Au nanodisk arrays consisting of periodic arrays of ITO nanodisk arrays and a continuous gold substrate. A narrow-band spectral feature under normal incidence emerges in the visible region, corresponding to the mode-coupling of surface plasmon modes, which are excited by lattice resonance at metal interfaces with magnetic resonance mode. The FWHM of our proposed nanostructure is barely 14 nm, which is one fifth of that of full-metal nanodisk arrays, and effectively improves the sensing performance. Furthermore, the thickness variation of nanodisks hardly affects the sensing performance of this ITO-based nanostructure, ensuring excellent tolerance during preparation. We fabricate the sensor ship using template transfer and vacuum deposition techniques to achieve large-area and low-cost nanostructure preparation. The sensing performance is used to detect immunoglobulin G (IgG) protein molecules, promoting the widespread application of plasmonic nanostructures in label-free biomedical studies and point-of-care diagnostics. The introduction of dielectric materials effectively reduces FWHM, but sacrifices sensitivity. Therefore, utilizing structural configurations or introducing other materials to generate mode-coupling and hybridization is an effective way to provide local field enhancement and effective regulation.
The Golden Liposomes: Preparation and Biomedical Applications of Gold-Liposome Nanocomposites

Gold nanoparticles (AuNP) have received a growing attention due to their fascinating physiochemical properties and promising range of biomedical applications including sensing, diagnosis and cancer photothermal ablation. AuNP enjoy brilliant optical properties and ability to convert light into local heat and function as a “nanoheaters” to fight cancer. However, AuNP are poor drug delivery systems as they do not have reservoirs or matrices to achieve an acceptable drug loading efficiency. On the other end, liposome-based nanocarriers do not exhibit such optical properties but are excellent platform for drug loading and they have been proven clinically with a true presence in the market since the FDA approved Doxil® in 1995. Combining the brilliant optical and photothermal properties of AuNP with the excellent drug loading capability of liposome should yield nanocomposites that enjoy the features of both modalities and enable the development of novel and smart drug delivery systems. Therefore, this review discusses the up-to date research on the AuNP-liposome nanocomposites and the current available approaches and protocols for their preparation and characterization. Finally, the biomedical applications of AuNP-liposome nanocomposites and proposed future directions in this field are discussed.