Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optical Properties of Composite Interstellar Grains: A Morphological Analysis

In the framework of the transition matrix approach, we calculate the relevant optical properties of cosmic dust grains of amorphous carbon and astronomical silicates, modeled as aggregates of spherical monomers. Two mechanisms of aggregation were considered, producing clusters with different structure and degree of fluffiness: ballistic particle-cluster aggregation (BPCA) and ballistic cluster-cluster aggregation (BCCA). Our results are very different from those obtained through computational approaches based on effective medium theories and might have major implications both on the modeling procedure and on the dust-mass balance in the interstellar medium.
Microbiota Phenotype Promotes Anastomotic Leakage in a Model of Rats with Ischemic Colon Resection

Anastomotic leakage (AL) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality after colorectal surgery, but the mechanism behind this complication is still not fully understood. Despite the advances in surgical techniques and perioperative care, the complication rates have remained steady. Recently, it has been suggested that colon microbiota may be involved in the development of complications after colorectal surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of gut microbiota in the development of colorectal AL and their possible virulence strategies to better understand the phenomenon. Using 16S rRNA sequencing of samples collected on the day of surgery and the sixth day following surgery, we analyzed the changes in tissue-associated microbiota at anastomotic sites created in a model of rats with ischemic colon resection. We discovered a trend for lower microbial diversity in the AL group compared to non-leak anastomosis (NLA). There were no differences in relative abundance in the different types of microbial respiration between these groups and the high abundance of the facultative anaerobic Gemella palaticanis is a marker species that stands out as a distinctive feature.
Spalling of Cu3Sn intermetallics in high-lead 95Pb5Sn solder bumps on Cu under bump metallization during solid-state annealing

We report the spalling of Cu3Sn intermetallics in high-lead 95Pb5Sn solder bumps on Cu under bump metallization (UBM) during solid state annealing. Upon reflow, the Cu3Sn intermetallics formed on Cu UBM. However, after solid state annealing at 170 °C, the Cu3Sn intermetallics spalled off from Cu UBM and the Pb phase filled the gap between the Cu3Sn intermetallics and Cu UBM. This is primarily explained by the loss of chemical adhesion between the Cu3Sn intermetallics and Cu UBM due to no additional chemical reaction. Thermodynamic principles are used to interpret the spalling phenomenon and the analysis showed that the interfacial free energy without spalling is greater than that with spalling after solid-state annealing. Spalling of the Cu3Sn intermetallics initiated at an open interface such as the edge of Cu UBM and finally extended to the flat interface at a slower rate.
On the nature and origin of confinement resonances

Three different types of resonances arise in the photoionization spectra of atoms endohedrally confined within a fullerene cage: atomic resonances, confinement resonances and molecular resonances. In each case, a different mechanism is involved, and different theoretical models are necessary for their study. In this work, we exploit the flexibility of the spherical model-potential method to explore the properties of confinement resonances. Both repulsive and attractive shells are considered. It is demonstrated that the nature of confinement resonances (CRs) emerging in each case is not the same. For attractive shells it is found that CRs result from interference between three waves: the incident wave, and the waves reflected at each of the inner and outer cavity boundaries. We find significant sensitivity of near-threshold confinement resonances to the size and thickness of the shell, we demonstrate modulations and `beats' in the intensities of the resonances and we study them, both as a function of the parameters of the confining shell, and as a function of photoelectron energy. In the case of repulsive shells, the resonances can result from three-wave interference, as above, or can be due to quasi-discrete states appearing as a result of confinement.
Design of objective lenses to extend the depth of field based on wavefront coding

Wavefront coding extended the depth of field to a great extent with simpler structure compared to confocal microscope. With cubic phase mask (CPM) employed in the STOP of the objective lens, blurred images will be obtained in charge coupled device (CCD), which will be restored to sharp images by Wiener filter. We proposed that one CPM is used in one microscope although there are different objective lenses with different power indices. The microscope proposed here is the wavefront coding one when the CPM is used in the STOP; while it is the traditional one when a plane plate is used in the STOP. Firstly, make the STOP in the last surface of the lens, and then add a plane plate at the STOP with the same material and the same center thickness of the CPM. Traditional objective lenses are designed, based on which wavefront coding system will be designed with the plane plate replaced by a CPM. Secondly, the parameters of CPMs in different objective lenses are optimized to certain ranges based on metric function of stability of modulation transfer function (MTF). The optimal parameter is chosen from these ranges. A set of objective lenses is designed as an example with one CPM. The simulation results shows that the depth of field of 4X, 10X, 40X, 60X and 100X objective lenses with the same CPM can reach to 400um, 40um, 24um, 16um and 2um respectively, which is much larger than 55.5um, 8.5um, 1um, 0.4um and 0.19um of the traditional ones.
Random Matrix Theories and Metal-Insulator Transition

The problem of metal-insulator transition (static Anderson localization) is reviewed from the viewpoint of random matrix theories (RMT). We examine the recently developed novel idea that in 3-d metals level attraction takes place that characterizes the transition, as manifest in comparison of the long-range (number variance) statistics for metallic, insulating and the mobility-edge states in thermodynamic limit. Their universal nature is shown in the same context as the semiclassical limit in quantum chaos theory that predicts the disappearance of non-universal saturation behaviors.
A locally modified second order upwind scheme for convection terms discretization

A finite difference scheme for convection term discretization, called BSOU (stands for Bounded Second Order Upwind), is developed and its performance is assessed against exact or benchmark solutions in linear and non‐linear cases. It employs a flux blending technique between first order upwind and second order upwind schemes only in those regions of the flow field where spurious oscillations are likely to occur. The blending factors are calculated with the aid of the convection boundedness criterion. In all cases the scheme performed very well, minimizing the numerical diffusion errors. The scheme is transportive, conservative, bounded, stable and accurate enough so as to be suitable for inclusion into a general purpose solution algorithm.
Developmental dynamic transcriptome and systematic analysis reveal the major genes underlying isoflavone accumulation in soybean

Introduction Soy isoflavone, a class of polyphenolic compounds exclusively occurred in legumes, is an important bioactive compound for both plants and human beings. The outline of isoflavones biosynthesis pathway has been drawn up basically in the previous research. However, research on the subject has been mostly restricted to investigate the static regulation of isoflavone content in soybean, rather than characterize its dynamic variation and modulation network in developing seeds. Methods In this study, by using eight recombinant inbred lines (RIL), the contents of six isoflavone components in the different stages of developing soybean seeds were determined to characterize the dynamic variation of isoflavones, and the isoflavones accumulation pattern at physiological level was investigated. Meanwhile, we integrated and analyzed the whole genome expression profile of four lines and 42 meta-transcriptome data, based on the multiple algorithms. Results This study: 1) obtained 4 molecular modules strongly correlated with isoflavone accumulation; 2) identified 28 novel major genes that could affect the accumulation of isoflavones in developing seeds free from the limitation of environments; 3) discussed the dynamic molecular patterns regulating isoflavones accumulation in developing seed; 4) expanded the isoflavone biosynthesis pathway. Discussion The results not only promote the understandings on the biosynthesis and regulation of isoflavones at physiological and molecular level, but also facilitate to breed elite soybean cultivars with high isoflavone contents. Graphical Abstract
X-ray spectroscopy of buried layer foils irradiated at laser intensities in excess of 1020 W/cm2

Observations of a rapid decrease in thermal temperature as a function of depth of solid targets irradiated with a short pulse, ultrahigh-intensity laser are reported. This phenomenon is investigated using the Titan short pulse laser with intensities greater than 1020 W/cm2 interacting with buried layer targets. The longitudinal temperature profile is determined by measuring K-shell spectra from a 0.4 μm copper tracer layer placed at various depths (i.e., 0–1.5 μm) within the 2.4 μm thick target. It is observed that the line ratios (He-like K-shell lines) as a function of temperature require a consideration of at least three parameters to analyze the K-shell spectra: hot electron population, time-dependent plasma conditions, and opacity. Here, the study of the effect of these three parameters on measured spectra in the short pulse high intensity laser-matter interactions using the atomic model FLYCHK [H. -K. Chung et al., High Energy Density Phys. 1, 3 (2005)] is presented.
Near-infrared spectroscopy assessment of divided visual attention task-invoked cerebral hemodynamics during prolonged true driving

Driver fatigue is one of the leading causes of traffic accidents. It is imperative to develop a technique to monitor fatigue of drivers in real situation. Near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is now capable of measuring brain functional activity noninvasively in terms of hemodynamic responses sensitively, which shed a light to us that it may be possible to detect fatigue-specified brain functional activity signal. We developed a sensitive, portable and absolute-measure fNIRS, and utilized it to monitor cerebral hemodynamics on car drivers during prolonged true driving. An odd-ball protocol was employed to trigger the drivers’ visual divided attention, which is a critical function in safe driving. We found that oxyhemoglobin concentration and blood volume in prefrontal lobe dramatically increased with driving duration (stand for fatigue degree; 2-10 hours), while deoxyhemoglobin concentration increased to the top at 4 hours then decreased slowly. The behavior performance showed clear decrement only after 6 hours. Our study showed the strong potential of fNIRS combined with divided visual attention protocol in driving fatigue degree monitoring. Our findings indicated the fNIRS-measured hemodynamic parameters were more sensitive than behavior performance evaluation.
Chitosan-Coated Alginate Microcapsules of a Full-Spectrum Cannabis Extract: Characterization, Long-Term Stability and In Vitro Bioaccessibility

Cannabinoids present in Cannabis sativa are increasingly used in medicine due to their therapeutic potential. Moreover, the synergistic interaction between different cannabinoids and other plant constituents has led to the development of full-spectrum formulations for therapeutic treatments. In this work, the microencapsulation of a full-spectrum extract via vibration microencapsulation nozzle technique using chitosan-coated alginate is proposed to obtain an edible pharmaceutical-grade product. The suitability of microcapsules was assessed by their physicochemical characterization, long-term stability in three different storage conditions and in vitro gastrointestinal release. The synthetized microcapsules contained mainly ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-type and cannabinol (CBN)-type cannabinoids and had a mean size of 460 ± 260 µm and a mean sphericity of 0.5 ± 0.3. The stability assays revealed that capsules should be stored only at 4 °C in darkness to maintain their cannabinoid profile. In addition, based on the in vitro experiments, a fast intestinal release of cannabinoids ensures a medium–high bioaccessibility (57–77%) of therapeutically relevant compounds. The full characterization of microcapsules indicates that they could be used for the design of further full-spectrum cannabis oral formulations.
Modelling mean wave direction distribution with the von Mises model

This paper presents the probabilistic modelling of the mean wave direction derived from directional spectral analysis of waves recorded by directional buoys. The analysis is performed on the mean wave direction in terms of the climatic season, the sea state severity and the period of the dominant waves. The usefulness of the von Mises theoretical models to describe the empirical kernel density estimates is examined. It is observed that the single von Mises theoretical model results are useful to fit the observed distribution only for moderate and severe sea states while the mixture of two von Mises distributions enhances significantly the degree of fitness.
First Bacteremia Due to Corynebacterium gottingense in an Immunocompromised Child: A Case Report, 16S rDNA-Based Phylogenetic Analyses and Review of the Literature

Corynebacterium gottingense is a Gram-positive bacillus that has not been reported as pathogenic in pediatric patients. Herein, a case of catheter-associated bloodstream infection by C. gottingense in a 13-year-old immunocompromised child with febrile neutropenia induced for osteosarcoma is reported. The species was identified by Sanger sequencing of the 16s rRNA sequence of the bacterial strain and was compared phylogenetically with published sequences. As suggested in the literature, the presented strain was multi-susceptible, particularly to amoxicillin. The patient was treated with piperacillin/tazobactam for seven days in the context of a urinary co-infection, resulting in resolution of fever within 48 h and then relaunched with oral amoxicillin for 3 days (for a total of 10 days of antibiotic therapy). Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rDNA demonstrated the complexity of the genus Corynebacterium spp. but failed to demonstrate a direct benefit in predicting clinical outcome based on this single information.
Stress, mental ill-health and functional somatic syndromes in incident and chronic sleep disturbance in a general adult population

ABSTRACT Objective Sleep disturbance may constitute health problems for the afflicted individual, but documentation of its chronicity is sparse. The objective was to investigate the extent to which incident and chronic sleep disturbance are associated with stress, mental ill-health and functional somatic syndromes. Design This was a prospective, longitudinal study with 3-year interval between two assessments (T1 and T2), with a population-based sample forming groups with incident sleep disturbance (disturbance only at T2; n = 303), chronic sleep disturbance (disturbance at T1 and T2; n = 343) and without sleep disturbance (neither at T1 nor T2; n = 1421). Questionnaire data were used at T2 of physician-based diagnosis of anxiety disorder, depression, exhaustion syndrome, and functional somatic syndrome as well as of degree of stress, burnout, anxiety and depression. Results Significant associations were found between chronic sleep disturbance and all four diagnoses (odds ratios = 1.74–2.19), whereas incident sleep disturbance was associated only with exhaustion syndrome and depression (odds ratios = 2.18–2.37). Degree of stress, burnout, anxiety and depression increased significantly from the referents to incident and chronic sleep disturbance, in that order (eta2 = 0.083–0.166), except for the two latter groups not differing in depression. Conclusion The findings imply that healthcare professionals should be observant regarding various conditions of, apart from stress, mental ill-health and functional somatic syndromes in patients who present themselves with sleep disturbance, and in particular chronic disturbance.
Photoneutron Cross Sections ofTa181andHo165

The ( gamma ,n) and ( gamma ,2n) cross sections for Ta/sup 181/ and Ho/ aup 165/ were measured by use of nearly monochromatic photons obtained from the annihilation-in-flight of fast positrons. The integrated cross sections up to 28 Mev for sigma ( gamma ,n) and sigma ( gamma ,2n), respectively, are 1.32 plus or minus 0.13 and 0.93 plus or minus 0.09 Mev.b for Ta, and 1.47 plus or minus 0.15 and 0.90 plus or minus 0.09 Mev.b for Ho. Values obtained for sigma /sub -2/ are 10.88 and 10.93 mb/Mev, respectively, for these elements. The level density parameters, a, were determined to be 15.7 and 22.0 reciprocal Mev, respectively. The intrinsic quadrupole moments determined from the compound nucleus formation cross sections, were found to be 6.71 plus or minus 0.74 and 7.40 plus or minus 0.90 b for Ta and Ho, respectively. (auth)
Toward a combined seasonal weather and crop productivity forecasting system: determination of the working spatial scale

Abstract A methodology is presented for the development of a combined seasonal weather and crop productivity forecasting system. The first stage of the methodology is the determination of the spatial scale(s) on which the system could operate; this determination has been made for the case of groundnut production in India. Rainfall is a dominant climatic determinant of groundnut yield in India. The relationship between yield and rainfall has been explored using data from 1966 to 1995. On the all-India scale, seasonal rainfall explains 52% of the variance in yield. On the subdivisional scale, correlations vary between variance r2 = 0.62 (significance level p < 10–4) and a negative correlation with r2 = 0.1 (p = 0.13). The spatial structure of the relationship between rainfall and groundnut yield has been explored using empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis. A coherent, large-scale pattern emerges for both rainfall and yield. On the subdivisional scale (∼300 km), the first principal component (PC) of .
Dynamical regimes in an optically injected semiconductor ring laser

We theoretically investigate optical injection in semiconductor ring lasers. Starting from a rate-equation model for semiconductor ring lasers, we use numerical simulations and a bifurcation analysis to reveal all the relevant dynamical regimes that will unfold for different parameter values. Our numerical simulations reproduced the saddle-node and Hopf bifurcation observed in other optically injected laser systems, which typically yield the boundaries of the parameter region in which stable locking can occur. Nevertheless, the bifurcation diagram of the optically injected semiconductor ring laser shows differences with the ones of other semiconductor lasers. For low injection power, we not only observe the regular saddle-node locking bifurcation, we also reveal the presence of an additional family of saddle-node bifurcations and a new Hopf bifurcation. These new bifurcations lead to the coexistence of two injection-locked states in two separate parameter regions and a parameter region is revealed in which a frequency-locked limit cycle coexists with an injection-locked solution, providing an additional route to stable locking. Finally, a chaotic regime that extends to low values of the detuning and injection power is revealed.
Electroluminescence at 1.54 μm in Er-doped Si nanocluster-based devices

The electroluminescence (EL) properties of Er-doped Si nanoclusters (NC) embedded in metal–oxide–semiconductor devices are investigated. Due to the presence of Si NC dispersed in the SiO2 matrix, an efficient carrier injection occurs and Er is excited, producing an intense 1.54 μm room temperature EL. The EL properties as a function of the current density, temperature, and time have been studied in detail. We have also estimated the excitation cross section for Er under electrical pumping, finding a value of ∼1×10−14 cm2. This value is two orders of magnitude higher than the effective excitation cross section of Er ions through Si NC under optical pumping. In fact, quantum efficiencies of ∼1% are obtained at room temperature in these devices.
ASTEROSEISMOLOGY OF THE TRANSITING EXOPLANET HOST HD 17156 WITH HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE FINE GUIDANCE SENSOR

Observations conducted with the Fine Guidance Sensor on the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) providing high cadence and precision time-series photometry were obtained over 10 consecutive days in 2008 December on the host star of the transiting exoplanet HD 17156b. During this time, 1.0 × 1012 photons (corrected for detector dead time) were collected in which a noise level of 163 parts per million per 30 s sum resulted, thus providing excellent sensitivity to the detection of the analog of the solar 5-minute p-mode oscillations. For HD 17156, robust detection of p modes supports the determination of the stellar mean density of 〈ρ*〉 = 0.5301 ± 0.0044 g cm−3 from a detailed fit to the observed frequencies of modes of degree l = 0, 1, and 2. This is the first star for which the direct determination of 〈ρ*〉 has been possible using both asteroseismology and detailed analysis of a transiting planet light curve. Using the density constraint from asteroseismology, and stellar evolution modeling results in M* = 1.285 ± 0.026 M☉, R* = 1.507 ± 0.012 R☉, and a stellar age of 3.2 ± 0.3 Gyr.
The organization of carbon nanotube and silicon nanowires using lateral-type porous anodic alumina

We successfully synthesized organized Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and Silicon Nanowires (SiNWs) arrays using LPAA. This approach can yield very dense assemblies of nano-objects with a planar-type organization compatible with existing tools inherited from advanced microelectronic processes and adapted to electronic devices as field effect transistors, interconnects, sensors, etc. CNTs/SiNWs were grown using Hot-filament Chemical Vapor Deposition (HFCVD) within lateral-type porous anodic alumina. We demonstrate that the pulsed electrodeposition of metal nanoparticles to be further used as catalysts inside the membranes requires specific thinning and pore widening process to remove the alumina barrier layer located at the bottom of the pores. The growth of CNTs was found to strongly depend on the electrodeposition conditions as well as on the CVD parameters. In addition, we found that introducing atomic hydrogen (generated using a hot-wire) as etching agent was essential to prevent parasitic carbon/silicon deposition on the surface of PAA or on the wall of pores and to improve CNTs/NWs growth. Such organized CNTs/SiNWs arrays are very promising as advanced microelectronic devices and their potentiality for photosensing applications were investigated.