Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Single-nanocrystal photon correlation : a versatile tool for elucidating basic physics and characterizing applications-relevant properties

Single-molecule spectroscopy has been a critical tool for the development and understanding of semiconductor nanocrystals because of their inherent heterogeneity size-dependent properties. In the past two decades, researchers have developed a diverse toolbox of single-nanocrystal techniques and analyses that is capable of elucidating the complex physics of nanocrystal fluorescence and characterizing many of the subtle but important optical properties of nanocrystal samples. This effort has been enabled by the flexible and modular structure of the single-molecule microscope, which offers a multitude of opportunities for shaping the information gained from single-nanocrystal experiments and provides a convenient and powerful framework for creativity in experimental design. In this thesis, we present two investigations that illustrate the full range and versatility of single-nanocrystal spectroscopy and, in particular, of photon correlation analysis. In Part I, we use single-nanocrystal spectroscopy as a tool for elucidating basic physics by investigating the rapid spectral diffusion of individual nanocrystals at low temperature. We develop a technique capable of measuring spectral dynamics over eight orders of magnitude in time ranging form microseconds to hundreds of seconds, and show that we can extract previously unavailable information about the spectral diffusion mechanism. In Part II, we use single-nanocrystal spectroscopy as a tool for characterizing optical properties by devising an experiment to measure the average biexciton quantum yield of nanocrystal samples. This experiment allows us to measure the biexcitonic properties of underdeveloped materials and can serve as a quick and reliable characterization technique to aid in synthetic optimization. Finally, in Part III, we look to the future by highlighting several modifications of existing experiments that could reveal new and exciting insight into nanocrystals. Thesis Supervisor: Moungi G. Bawendi Title: Lester Wolfe Professor of Chemistry
TIGD1 Function as a Potential Cuproptosis Regulator Following a Novel Cuproptosis-Related Gene Risk Signature in Colorectal Cancer

Simple Summary This study investigates the role of cuproptosis, a type of programmed cell death that depends on copper, in the progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). Using bioinformatics analysis of a large dataset of CRC patient samples, the authors identified seven cuproptosis markers. From this, they developed a predictive model that can predict the prognosis of CRC patients. The study also shows that the gene TIGD1 is involved in regulating cuproptosis in CRC cells. These findings provide new insights into the role of cuproptosis in cancer and may lead to new therapeutic strategies for treating CRC. Abstract Cuproptosis is a new form of copper-dependent programmed cell death commonly occurring within the body. There is emerging evidence indicating that cuproptosis has a significant regulatory function in the onset and progression of cancer. However, it is still unclear how cuproptosis regulates cancer and whether other genes are involved in the regulation. Using the TCGA-COAD dataset of 512 samples, we found that seven of ten cuproptosis markers showed prognostic value in colorectal cancer (CRC) using Kaplan–Meier survival analysis. Furthermore, 31 prognostic cuproptosis-related genes were identified using weighted gene co-expression network analysis and univariate Cox analysis. Subsequently, we constructed a 7-PCRG signature using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO)–Cox regression analysis. The risk score predicting survival in patients with CRC was evaluated. Two risk groups were classified based on their risk scores. The two groups revealed a significant difference in immune cells, such as B and T cells. Furthermore, we identified differences in many immune functions and checkpoints, including CD276 and CD28. In vitro experiments showed that a hub cuproptosis-related gene, TIGD1, could significantly regulate cuproptosis in CRC after exposure to elesclomol. This study validated that cuproptosis was closely related to the progression of CRC. Seven new cuproptosis-related genes were identified, and the function of TIGD1 in cuproptosis was preliminarily understood. Since a certain concentration of copper in CRC cells is important, cuproptosis may provide a new target for cancer therapy. This study may provide novel insights into the treatment of CRC.
The Inhibitory Effects of Hydroxytyrosol, α-Tocopherol and Ascorbyl Palmitate on Lipid Peroxidation in Deep-Fat Fried Seafood

This study aimed to investigate the inhibitory effects of hydroxytyrosol, α-tocopherol and ascorbyl palmitate on lipid peroxidation in squid, hoki and prawn during deep-fat frying and refrigerated storage. Fatty acid analysis using gas chromatography (GC) showed that the seafood had a high omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFAs) content, including docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). The total content of n-3 fatty acids in their lipids was 46% (squid), 36% (hoki) and 33% (prawn), although they all had low lipid contents. The oxidation stability test results showed that deep-fat frying significantly increased the peroxide value (POV), p-anisidine value (p-AV) and the value of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in squid, hoki and prawn lipids. Meanwhile, antioxidants delayed the lipid oxidation in fried seafood and sunflower oil (SFO) used for frying, albeit in different ways. The least effective of all the antioxidants was α-tocopherol, as the POV, p-AV and TBARS values obtained with this antioxidant were significantly higher. Ascorbyl palmitate was better than α-tocopherol but was not as effective as hydroxytyrosol in suppressing lipid oxidation in the frying medium (SFO) and in the seafood. However, unlike the ascorbyl palmitate-treated oil, hydroxytyrosol-treated oil could not be used for multiple deep-fat frying of seafood. Hydroxytyrosol appeared to be absorbed in the seafood during multiple frying, thus leaving a low concentration in the SFO and making it susceptible to oxidation.
Public Health and Political Corporate Social Responsibility: Pharmaceutical Company Engagement in COVAX

Pharmaceutical companies developed Covid-19 vaccines in record time. However, it soon became apparent that global access to the vaccines was inequitable. Through a qualitative inquiry as the pandemic unfolded (to mid-2021), we provide an in-depth analysis of why companies engaged with the Covid-19 Vaccines Global Access Facility (COVAX), identifying the internal (to the company) and external factors that facilitated or impeded engagement. While all producers of the World Health Organization (WHO)-approved vaccines engaged with COVAX, our analysis highlights the differential levels of COVAX engagement and identifies contractual obligations, opportunities and company strategy, and reputational pressures as key explanatory factors. We discuss our empirical findings relative to the literature on political corporate social responsibility (PCSR). Accordingly, we question whether pharmaceutical companies lived up to their responsibilities as corporate citizens and conclude that they failed to fulfill the implied responsibility of combating inequitable vaccine distribution. We conclude with implications of our research for practice, in relation to the challenges of global access to Covid-19 vaccines and for access to medicines more generally.
Increasing employer willingness to hire people with disability: the perspective of disability employment service providers

Purpose This study aims to investigate which factors are associated with the willingness of employers to hire people with disability from the perspective of disability employment service providers. We also identify social marketing approaches that disability employment service providers consider to be most effective in increasing employer willingness to hire people with disability. Design/methodology/approach Using the framework of the theory of planned behavior, this study examines the association of attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control with employer willingness to hire people with disability. The authors do this from the perspective of disability employment service providers, who are responsible for matching people with disability with suitable employment opportunities. The authors used a qualitative approach to data collection and conducted 30 in-depth interviews. Data analysis included deductive and inductive coding to develop the themes and subthemes. Findings Attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control were all perceived to influence employers’ willingness to hire people with disability. However, the importance of each construct was perceived to differ by location and organization type. Three key social marketing approaches were perceived to be most effective in increasing employer willingness to hire people with disability: educational, relational and interactive. The educational intervention attempts to increase employers’ knowledge about disability, the relational approach aims to develop relationships within the community to strengthen relationships with employers and the interactive approach involves direct contact between employers and people with disability. Originality/value Theoretically, this study reveals perceived heterogeneity in terms of the theoretical constructs that are employer hiring decisions. Practically, results help disability employment service providers design social marketing strategies that are effective in reducing barriers and increasing employment for people with disability. Methodologically, this study adds a new perspective on employer willingness to hire people with disability – that of disability employment service providers – which avoids the social desirability bias found in many self-reported studies of employer attitudes and behavior.
Implicit difference functional inequalities and applications

We give a theorem on implicit difference functional inequalities of the Volterra type for functions of several variables. We apply this general result in the investigation of the stability of implicit difference functional equations with initial boundary conditions. Classical solutions of parabolic functional differential equations are approximated in the paper by solutions of suitable implicit difference schemes. The proofs of the convergence of difference methods are based on comparison technique and results on difference functional inequalities are used. Numerical examples are presented. Mathematics subject classification (2000): 35R10, 65M12.
The Difference between Rhizosphere and Endophytic Bacteria on the Safe Cultivation of Lettuce in Cr-Contaminated Farmland

Chromium (Cr) is a major pollutant affecting the environment and human health and microbial remediation is considered to be the most promising technology for the restoration of the heavily metal-polluted soil. However, the difference between rhizosphere and endophytic bacteria on the potential of crop safety production in Cr-contaminated farmland is not clearly elucidated. Therefore, eight Cr-tolerant endophytic strains of three species: Serratia (SR-1~2), Lysinebacillus (LB-1~5) and Pseudomonas (PA-1) were isolated from rice and maize. Additionally, one Cr-tolerant strain of Alcaligenes faecalis (AF-1) was isolated from the rhizosphere of maize. A randomized group pot experiment with heavily Cr-contaminated (a total Cr concentration of 1020.18 mg kg−1) paddy clay soil was conducted and the effects of different bacteria on plant growth, absorption and accumulation of Cr in lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. Hort) were compared. The results show that: (i) the addition of SR-2, PA-1 and LB-5 could promote the accumulation of plant fresh weight by 10.3%, 13.5% and 14.2%, respectively; (ii) most of the bacteria could significantly increase the activities of rhizosphere soil catalase and sucrase, among which LB-1 promotes catalase activity by 224.60% and PA-1 increases sucrase activity by 247%; (iii) AF-1, SR-1, LB-1, SR-2, LB-2, LB-3, LB-4 and LB-5 strains could significantly decrease shoot the Cr concentration by 19.2–83.6%. The results reveal that Cr-tolerant bacteria have good potential to reduce shoot Cr concentration at the heavily contaminated soil and endophytic bacteria have the same or even better effects than rhizosphere bacteria; this suggests that bacteria in plants are more ecological friendly than bacteria in soil, thus aiming to safely produce crops in Cr-polluted farmland and alleviate Cr contamination from the food chain.
Numerical Simulation of 2D Flow around a Circular Cylinder by the Third-Order Upwind Finite-Difference Method.

In order to examine the reliability of computational results, two-dimensional flow fields around a circular cylinder were analyzed in the Reynolds number range from 102 to 3×105, using the third-order upwind finite-difference method (k-k scheme). The drag coefficient and Strouhal number were compared with experimental results. For low Reynolds numbers, numerical results showed good agreement with experiments. To evaluate the effect of numerical viscosity, all terms of the Navier-Stokes equation were numerically compared with each other. It was found that at high Reynolds numbers, the convergency of the numerical results was insufficient, and the numerical viscosity in the k-k scheme was much higher than actual viscosity.
New Spectrophotometric Methods for the Determination of Imatinib in Bulk Drug and in Pharmaceutical Formulations

Two simple and sensitive spectrophotometric methods (A and B) for the determination of imatinib in bulk drugs and pharmaceutical formulations are described. In method A, distilled water was used as solvent and shows absorbance maximum at 251 nm. In method B, 0.1 N HCL was used as solvent and shows absorbance maximum at 230 nm. In both the methods linearity was found to be in the range of 10 -50 μg/ml; for method A (Y=0.0184 X+0.0061; r2=0.9992) and for method B (Y=0.0164 X-0.0032; r2=0.9997), respectively. These methods were tested and validated for various parameters according to USP guidelines. The quantitation limits were found to be 0.0334 and 0.0279 μg mL−1, for both the methods. The proposed methods were successfully applied for the determination of imatinib in pharmaceutical formulations. The results demonstrated that the procedure is accurate, precise and reproducible (relative standard deviation <2%), while being simple, cheap and less time consuming and can be suitably applied for the estimation of imatinib in different dosage forms.
Comparisons of multivariate relational structures in serially correlated data

An approach for carrying out between-group comparisons of multivariate relationships in the presence of serially correlated data is presented, evaluated, and illustrated. The method has potential applications in many areas of environmental research and is demonstrated in the context of evaluating the performance of an atmospheric model used to predict measures of air quality and acid deposition. The multivariate relationships are initially characterized using principal component analysis. The comparison of subspaces defined by the principal component eigenvectors is investigated using four different test statistics, constructed in such a way as to facilitate the evaluation of discrete aspects of the methodology. A test of the hypothesis of equal subspaces involves subjecting the data from one group to an orthogonal rotation so as to force coincidence of the subspaces, thereby replicating the null hypothesis. Statistical significance is assessed by applying a nonparametric blockwise bootstrap procedure to a series of vector observations. A simulation-based evaluation of the procedure suggests that a conservative test can be obtained in most cases for three of the four statistics. The performance of the fourth is more dependent upon sample size and the strength of data dependencies; however, in some cases it produced conservative results closer to the nominal level than the others.
Inspection of Enamel Removal Using Infrared Thermal Imaging and Machine Learning Techniques

Within aerospace and automotive manufacturing, the majority of quality assurance is through inspection or tests at various steps during manufacturing and assembly. Such tests do not tend to capture or make use of process data for in-process inspection and certification at the point of manufacture. Inspection of the product during manufacturing can potentially detect defects, thus allowing consistent product quality and reducing scrappage. However, a review of the literature has revealed a lack of any significant research in the area of inspection during the manufacturing of terminations. This work utilises infrared thermal imaging and machine learning techniques for inspection of the enamel removal process on Litz wire, typically used for aerospace and automotive applications. Infrared thermal imaging was utilised to inspect bundles of Litz wire containing those with and without enamel. The temperature profiles of the wires with or without enamel were recorded and then machine learning techniques were utilised for automated inspection of enamel removal. The feasibility of various classifier models for identifying the remaining enamel on a set of enamelled copper wires was evaluated. A comparison of the performance of classifier models in terms of classification accuracy is presented. The best model for enamel classification accuracy was the Gaussian Mixture Model with expectation maximisation; it achieved a training accuracy of 85% and enamel classification accuracy of 100% with the fastest evaluation time of 1.05 s. The support vector classification model achieved both the training and enamel classification accuracy of more than 82%; however, it suffered the drawback of a higher evaluation time of 134 s.
Correction of spherical and chromatic aberration in a low voltage SEM

We have set up a low voltage SEM with a multipole corrector for the correction of spherical and chromatic aberrations. With this system we could correct the chromatic aberration to a precision of 30 μm and the spherical aberration to a precision of 200 μm. As a result, the resolution is clearly improved compared to the uncorrected case
Copper- and Silver-Containing Heterometallic Iodobismuthates: Features of Thermochromic Behavior

Nine heterometallic iodobismuthates with the general formula Cat2{[Bi2M2I10}] (M = Cu(I), Ag(I), Cat = organic cation) were synthesized. According to X-ray diffraction data, their crystal structures consisted of {Bi2I10} units interconnected with Cu(I) or Ag(I) atoms through I-bridging ligands, forming one-dimensional polymers. The compounds are thermally stable up to 200 °C. Optical band gaps (Eg), estimated at room temperature via diffuse reflectance measurements, range from 1.81 to 2.03 eV. Thermally induced changes in optical behavior (thermochromism) for compounds 1–9 were recorded, and general correlations were established. The thermal dependence of Eg appears to be close to linear for all studied compounds.
HSV‐1 infection‐induced herpetic neuralgia involves a CCL5/CCR5‐mediated inflammation mechanism

Herpetic‐related neuralgia (HN) caused by varicella‐zoster virus (VZV) infection is one of the most typical and common neuropathic pain in the clinic. However, the potential mechanisms and therapeutic approaches for the prevention and treatment of HN are still unclear. This study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets of HN. We used an HSV‐1 infection‐induced HN mouse model and screened the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the DRG and spinal cord using an RNAseq technique. Moreover, bioinformatics methods were used to figure out the signaling pathways and expression regulation patterns of the DEGs enriched. In addition, quantitative real‐time RT‐PCR and western blot were carried out to further confirm the expression of DEGs. HSV‐1 inoculation in mice resulted in mechanical allodynia, thermal hyperalgesia, and cold allodynia, following the infection of HSV‐1 in both DRG and spinal cord. Besides, HSV‐1 inoculation induced an up‐regulation of ATF3, CGRP, and GAL in DRG and activation of astrocytes and microglia in the spinal cord. Moreover, 639 genes were upregulated, 249 genes were downregulated in DRG, whereas 534 genes were upregulated and 12 genes were downregulated in the spinal cord of mice 7 days after HSV‐1 inoculation. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis suggested that immune responses and cytokine‐cytokine receptor interaction are involved in DRG and spinal cord neurons in mice after HSV‐1 infection. In addition, CCL5 and its receptor CCR5 were significantly upregulated in DRG and spinal cord upon HSV‐1 infection in mice. And blockade of CCR5 exhibited a significant analgesic effect and suppressed the upregulation of inflammatory cytokines in DRG and spinal cord induced by HSV‐1 infection in mice. HSV‐1 infection‐induced allodynia and hyperalgesia in mice through dysregulation of immune response and cytokine‐cytokine receptor interaction mechanism. Blockade of CCR5 alleviated allodynia and hyperalgesia probably through the suppression of inflammatory cytokines. Therefore, CCR5 could be a therapeutic target for the alleviation of HSV‐1 infection‐induced HN.
NAGNet: A novel framework for real‐time students' sentiment analysis in the wisdom classroom

Facial expression is the basis of human emotion recognition, and we can infer the emotional state of human beings by analysing facial expressions. As the main method of human emotional expression, facial expression contains much information about inner emotional changes. In recent years, with the wide application of artificial intelligence in education, related research on student sentiment analysis has become a hot topic in the educational technology field. Analysing affective data is helpful for understanding students' learning status and provides an important basis for the effective implementation of learning interventions, which is of great significance for the evaluation of teaching effects and changes in teaching methods. However, traditional learner emotion recognition methods have some problems, such as low recognition rates, complex algorithms, poor robustness, and easy loss of the key information of facial expression features. Therefore, this article proposes a learner emotion recognition method based on NAGNet. The network model is composed of Res2Net, nonlocal attention and GeM pooling, which can fuse global expression feature information to realize fine‐grained sentiment analysis. Additionally, we conducted training and experiments on the large‐scale learner emotion dataset FERPlus. The NAGNet model trained by the public emotion dataset FERPlus has a recognition accuracy of 89.3% for eight kinds of student emotions. The experimental results show that the method can quickly and accurately identify learner emotional states. We conduct experiments in a real classroom scenario, and use the NAGNet model proposed in this article to analyse and detect students' real‐time sentiment. Then teachers improve teaching methods by understanding the feedback of students' classroom status. Therefore, this method has important reference significance in the construction of wisdom classrooms and wisdom learning environments.