Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ab initio investigation of structural, elastic, and thermodynamic characteristics of tetragonal XAgO compounds (X = Li, Na, K, Rb)

The present research utilizes ab initio computations to examine the thermodynamic, structural, and elastic characteristics of XAgO ternary oxides, where X signifies Li, Na, K, and Rb.The GGA-PBE and GGA-WC functionals were used to calculate the ground-state lattice parameters and atomic position coordinates of the title materials. The calculated results were in good agreement with both experimental measurements and theoretical predictions. This suggests that the GGA-PBE and GGA-WC functionals are accurate for describing the structural properties of the material under study.This study offers computational predictions for the elastic properties of monocrystalline structures and polycrystalline aggregates of XAgO compounds. These predictions encompass various key parameters, including single-crystal elastic constants, Young’s modulus, bulk modulus, Lame coefficients, Poisson’s ratio, shear modulus, and Debye temperature. Additionally, the quasi-harmonic Debye approximation is utilized to explore the temperature-dependent behavior of bulk modulus, Debye temperature, volume thermal expansion coefficient, and isobaric and isochoric heat capacities over an extensive temperature range, while maintaining constant pressures. The results obtained from this model are found to be highly successful in accurately predicting the behavior of these properties.
Carrierless Amplitude and Phase Modulation for Terahertz Communications

Terahertz communications has been foreseen as a key enabler to the sixth generation (6G) of wireless communications systems. However, the design of spectrally-efficient waveforms and modulation schemes is an ongoing challenge in this regime. In this article, we propose and experimentally demonstrate the transmission of <italic>M</italic>-ary carrierless amplitude and phase (CAP) modulated signals using a 253 GHz photomixing-based terahertz wireless communications system combined with the optical transmission over a 10-km standard single mode fiber (SSMF). Experimental results show that the CAP modulation technique has a capability to support the high-speed transmission of terahertz signals over a wide range of data rates from 4 Gbit/s (BER <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$>10^{-3}$</tex-math></inline-formula>) to 96 Gbit/s (BER <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$>10^{-1}$</tex-math></inline-formula>), based solely on optical intensity modulation at the transmitter side and terahertz envelope detection at the receiver side. Consequently, <italic>M</italic>-ary CAP can potentially be adopted as a low-complexity waveform and modulation contender to simplify the transceivers architectures for 6G terahertz communications systems, without sacrificing the high throughput targeted by these systems.
Automated diagnosis of pancreatic mucinous and serous cystic neoplasms with modality-fusion deep neural network using multi-modality MRIs

Background Pancreatic cystic neoplasms are increasingly diagnosed with the development of medical imaging technology and people’s self-care awareness. However, two of their sub-types, serous cystic neoplasms (SCN) and mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCN), are often misclassified from each other. Because SCN is primarily benign and MCN has a high rate of malignant transformation. Distinguishing SCN and MCN is challenging and essential. Purpose MRIs have many different modalities, complete with SCN and MCN diagnosis information. With the help of an artificial intelligence-based algorithm, we aimed to propose a multi-modal hybrid deep learning network that can efficiently diagnose SCN and MCN using multi-modality MRIs. Methods A cross-modal feature fusion structure was innovatively designed, combining features of seven modalities to realize the classification of SCN and MCN. 69 Patients with multi-modalities of MRIs were included, and experiments showed performances of every modality. Results The proposed method with the optimized settings outperformed all other techniques and human radiologists with high accuracy of 75.07% and an AUC of 82.77%. Besides, the proposed disentanglement method outperformed other fusion methods, and delayed contrast-enhanced T1-weighted MRIs proved most valuable in diagnosing SCN and MCN. Conclusions Through the use of a contemporary artificial intelligence algorithm, physicians can attain high performance in the complex challenge of diagnosing SCN and MCN, surpassing human radiologists to a significant degree.
Comparative Mitogenome Analyses Uncover Mitogenome Features and Phylogenetic Implications of the Reef Fish Family Holocentridae (Holocentriformes)

Simple Summary Mitochondria play a critical role in the energy metabolism of coral reef fish, providing ATP to fuel cellular processes. A mitogenome study has been employed to investigate the genetic diversity, population structure, and evolutionary relationships among coral reef fish taxa. Species of the Holocentridae family play important ecological roles in coral reef communities. Two subfamilies of this family, Holocentrinae and Myripristinae, exhibit similarities in morphology and distribution, with minor differences in habitation and feeding behavior. Here, we present full mitochondrial genome sequences of eight holocentrid species and report the results of a comparative analysis with six previously published species. The results indicate that these mitogenome structures are relatively conserved, except for the high variability in control regions. The whole genomes, except for nad6, exhibited positive AT-skews and negative GC-skews. Furthermore, we compared the two subfamilies to explore the reasons behind their varying inhabitation and behavior. Phylogenetic analysis indicated all species formed two subfamilies, the Holocentrinae and Myripristinae, with each subfamily comprising two genera. Positive selection analysis revealed that all protein-coding genes (PCGs) were subjected to purifying selection. The data obtained from our study could serve as a valuable resource for future investigations on the evolution and conservation of holocentrid fish. Abstract To understand the molecular mechanisms and adaptive strategies of holocentrid fish, we sequenced the mitogenome of eight species within the family Holocentridae and compared them with six other holocentrid species. The mitogenomes were found to be 16,507–16,639 bp in length and to encode 37 typical mitochondrial genes, including 13 PCGs, two ribosomal RNAs, and 22 transfer RNA genes. Structurally, the gene arrangement, base composition, codon usage, tRNA size, and putative secondary structures were comparable between species. Of the 13 PCGs, nad6 was the most specific gene that exhibited negative AT-skews and positive GC-skews. Most of the genes begin with the standard codon ATG, except cox1, which begins with the codon GTG. By examining their phylogeny, Sargocentron and Neoniphon were verified to be closely related and to belong to the same subfamily Holocentrinae, while Myripristis and Ostichthys belong to the other subfamily Myripristinae. The subfamilies were clearly distinguished by high-confidence-supported clades, which provide evidence to explain the differences in morphology and feeding habits between the two subfamilies. Selection pressure analysis indicated that all PCGs were subject to purifying selection. Overall, our study provides valuable insight into the habiting behavior, evolution, and ecological roles of these important marine fish.
Students' perceptions of higher education courses and instructors before and during Covid-19:

The recognition of Covid-19 as a global pandemic in March 2020 forced the closure of schools and universities around the world, raising the need to adopt emergency teaching methods. A year and a half later, the situation is still not resolved, but there is more data that allow us to understand the real impact. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of higher education students perceptions about courses and faculty during the last 5 years (2016-2021), with a special focus on the differences in perception between the pre-Covid-19 and the during Covid-19 phases. To this end, the pedagogical surveys that are answered by students from an engineering degree at a Portuguese university at the end of the first and second semester of the academic year are analyzed. The results allow us to identify two distinct moments in the Covid-19 phase: a first in which feelings of positivism and appreciation of students for the instructors and the courses they teach stand out, and a second moment in which students become more demanding and dissatisfied with the courses and with the instructors, leading to a lack of motivation and involvement of students.
Captopril Polyvinyl Alcohol/Sodium Alginate/Gelatin-Based Oral Dispersible Films (ODFs) with Modified Release and Advanced Oral Bioavailability for the Treatment of Pediatric Hypertension

Hypertension can begin in childhood; elevated blood pressure in children is known as pediatric hypertension. Contrary to adult hypertension, there is a scarcity of commercial medications suitable for the treatment of pediatric hypertension. The aim of this study was to develop orally dispersible films (ODFs) loaded with captopril for the treatment of hypertension in children. Captopril-loaded ODFs were composed of different blends of synthetic polymers, such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyvinyl pyrrolidone, and natural polymers, such as sodium alginate (SA) and gelatin. The ODFs were characterized based on their mechanical and thermal properties, drug content, surface morphology, in vitro disintegration, in vitro release, and bioavailability. A novel HPLC method with precolumn derivatization was developed to precisely and selectively determine captopril levels in plasma. A low concentration of PVA and a high concentration of SA generated ODFs with faster hydration and disintegration rates. SA-based films exhibited fast disintegration properties (1–2 min). The optimized modified-release film (F2) showed significant (p < 0.05) enhancement in bioavailability (AUC = 1000 ng min/mL), with a value 1.43 times that of Capoten® tablets (701 ng min/mL). While the plasma concentration peaking was in favor of the immediate-release tablet, Tmax was significantly prolonged by 5.4 times for the optimized ODF (3.59 h) compared with that of the tablets (0.66 h). These findings indicate uniform and sustained plasma concentrations, as opposed to the pulsatile and rapid plasma peaking of captopril from the immediate-release tablets. These findings suggest that the modified release of oral films could offer more favorable plasma profiles and better control of hypertension than the conventional release tablets.
Polyester urethane urea (PEUU) functionalization for enhanced anti-thrombotic performance: advancing regenerative cardiovascular devices through innovative surface modifications

Introduction: Thrombogenesis, a major cause of implantable cardiovascular device failure, can be addressed through the use of biodegradable polymers modified with anticoagulating moieties. This study introduces a novel polyester urethane urea (PEUU) functionalized with various anti-platelet deposition molecules for enhanced antiplatelet performance in regenerative cardiovascular devices. Methods: PEUU, synthesized from poly-caprolactone, 1,4-diisocyanatobutane, and putrescine, was chemically oxidized to introduce carboxyl groups, creating PEUU-COOH. This polymer was functionalized in situ with polyethyleneimine, 4-arm polyethylene glycol, seleno-L-cystine, heparin sodium, and fondaparinux. Functionalization was confirmed using Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Bio-compatibility and hemocompatibility were validated through metabolic activity and hemolysis assays. The anti-thrombotic activity was assessed using platelet aggregation, lactate dehydrogenase activation assays, and scanning electron microscopy surface imaging. The whole-blood clotting time quantification assay was employed to evaluate anticoagulation properties. Results: Results demonstrated high biocompatibility and hemocompatibility, with the most potent anti-thrombotic activity observed on pegylated surfaces. However, seleno-L-cystine and fondaparinux exhibited no anti-platelet activity. Discussion: The findings highlight the importance of balancing various factors and addressing challenges associated with different approaches when developing innovative surface modifications for cardiovascular devices.
Tightly Coupled Integration of GNSS/UWB/VIO for Reliable and Seamless Positioning

The technology of autonomous vehicle (AV) is critical in nowadays Intelligent Transportation Systems. To achieve the fully automated operation for AVs, one important prerequisite is the accurate and reliable seamless localization covering complex outdoor-indoor scenarios. Although many solutions have been proposed to support AV localization, it is still challenging in achieving reliable drift-free positioning in seamless urban environments. With the current on-board sensors such as GNSS, IMU, LiDAR and cameras, it is difficult to achieve accurate drift-free indoor positioning due to the lack of GNSS indoors. Meanwhile, challenges remain in reliable navigation under obscured conditions. In this paper, we propose a tightly coupled integration algorithm of GNSS RTK, Ultra-Wide Band (UWB) and Visual Inertial Odometry (VIO) to enhance the accuracy and reliability for AVs seamless localization in challenging environments. The UWB technique is innovatively incorporated into the AVs navigation system to extend absolute positioning indoors. The stereo cameras are utilized to improve positioning continuity and enhance GNSS/UWB usability in outdoor-indoor obscured environments. The proposed algorithm is evaluated over real-world datasets in complex seamless environments. The results show that the proposed algorithm achieves 0.411m and 0.077m horizontal positioning accuracy in obscured outdoor and indoor environments, yielding 71.2% and 18.1% improvements compared with the traditional LC integration schemes, respectively.
The Subjective Well-being Policy: Case Studies and Its Relevance in the Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Objective. This study aims to examine the implementation and optimization of subjective well-being as a constituent of policymaking. Background. Subjective well-being, frequently considered in policymaking, has not been widely used and optimally implemented in Indonesia. Most of the policymaking processes only consider economic indicators and ignore immaterial aspects. Study design. This study employed a qualitative and case study approach. It involves the Statistics Indonesia and the Provincial Government of the Special Region of Yogyakarta as the data collection bases. In addition, it investigated the policy implementation and the factual application of subjective well-being.Measurements. The researchers collected the data through interviews, documentation, and focus group discussion. All the data were validated through triangulation. Result. The issue of happiness is rarely highlighted in policymaking. In fact, happiness is a component that is able to meet the psychological and spiritual needs of society. At the same time, this is supported by the existence of a GDP indicator that does not really represent the welfare of a region, and even is able to control people's satisfaction through policymaking. The Special Region of Yogyakarta is one of the areas that is suitable for pilots in implementing the issue of happiness in policymaking, although in practice there are still variables that are not in line with the planning process document. This pilot pays attention to immaterial supporting elements such as policymaker agreements, social inclusivity, cultural capital, and social capital. The Special Region of Yogyakarta, which has also implemented considerations on the issue of happiness, has shown positive significance in the aspects of people's lives. Conclusions. This study concludes that the variables on the happiness index are not affiliated with several planning documents in the Province of the Special Region of Yogyakarta. Therefore, studies regarding the happiness aspect, for example, welcoming inclusiveness in the Special Region of Yogyakarta, are essential. In addition, the cultural aspect, especially the society’s acceptance of material aspects (life satisfaction), has contributed to the establishment of subjective well-being in the province. This study recommends further study of obstacles in applying the happiness index and subjective well-being in policy formulation.
Financial costs of pediatric cancer management in Africa: systematic review

The high costs of cancer treatment and the lack of investment in health care are significant barriers to public health on the African continent. The objective of this study was to investigate the financial cost of children cancer treating in sub-Saharan Africa. We systematically searched PubMed, Cochrane, and Google Scholar to identify relevant studies between March 2000 and December 2022. We selected articles that specifically addressed the US dollar financial costs of childhood cancer in African countries. Medians and interquartile ranges (IQR) were calculated. We also calculated the economic burden of childhood cancer at the individual level, by dividing the direct costs of cancer per patient by the GDP per capita, PPP of the country studied. The quality of economic studies was assessed using the CHEERS (2022) 28-point checklist. A total of 17 studies met our eligibility criteria. The median (IQR) of total childhood cancer costs by region was $909.5 ($455.3–$1,765) and ranged from $88803.10 for neuroblastoma to $163.80 for lymphoma. No significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed for comparisons of the direct cost of childhood cancer between the geopolitical zone of sub-Saharan Africa. Differences in the direct costs of childhood cancer were significant for different cancer types (p < 0.05). In the majority of 17 out of 54 countries on Africa the continent, the economic burden of childhood cancer exceeds 80% of GDP per capita, PPP, up to 345.38% of Nigeria’s GDP for Rhabdomyosarcoma. The cost of treating childhood cancers is high in Africa is catastrophic, if not downright prohibitive for households in Sub-Saharan Africa. We believe that the data from our study will be able to help make different objective advocacy allowing it to be provided with funds based of the evidence that can strengthen this program in order to install cancerology structures in the countries and by following the system plan. Cost reduction in the treatment of childhood cancer in particular and in general all types of cancer. Systematic review registration Approval of the study was given by the ethics committee of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lubumbashi (UNILU/CEM/135/2018) and (UNILU/CEM/096/2019).
Anode-Integrated GaN Field Emitter Arrays for Compact Vacuum Transistors

Field-emission-based vacuum transistors have been proposed as promising candidates for future high-power and harsh-environment electronic devices. However, the lack of an integrated anode is still an issue for vertical field-emission vacuum transistors for some applications such as radiation-hard vacuum-electronic-based circuits. In this work, an anode-integration technology enabled by tilted metal deposition is proposed and experimentally demonstrated on GaN gated field emitter arrays (FEAs). Full transistor prototypes with a 10 3 on-off ratio in anode current are demonstrated. This process is compatible with gated FEAs of various materials, the vacuum channel can be sealed during fabrication, and the vacuum channel length can be controlled via multiple process parameters.
TDECQ-Based Optimization of Nonlinear Digital Pre-Distorters for VCSEL-MMF Optical Links Using End-to-End Learning

We investigate in this article the use of nonlinear digital pre-distorters (DPDs) for improving the performance of optical transmitters (TX) employing vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs), according to the standard transmitter and dispersion eye closure quaternary (TDECQ) compliance test for short-reach intra data center interconnects (DCI) using PAM4 over multi-mode fibers (MMF). We present a convolutional neural network (CNN) approach for nonlinear DPD optimization, suitable for training the pre-distorters using either a direct learning architecture (DLA) or an end-to-end (E2E) learning system. Then, we focus on a novel E2E architecture based on the reference TDECQ specifications for MMF optical links at net 100 Gbps per wavelength ($\lambda$). We experimentally implement the proposed methodology over a VCSEL-MMF setup compliant to the TDECQ test requirements. We evaluate the TDECQ performance of an optical TX employing a commercial 850 nm VCSEL at 107.2 Gbps driven at several nonlinear conditions, comparing nonlinear DPDs optimized using both DLA and TDECQ-based E2E approaches. Experimental results show that nonlinear DPD significantly enhances TDECQ performance, enabling compliance with the IEEE P802.3dbTM requirements for net 100 Gbps/$\lambda$ even in scenarios in which, without nonlinear DPD, the TDECQ test would fail due to VCSEL nonlinear distortions. In particular, nonlinear DPDs trained using the TDECQ-based E2E approach exhibit a consistent 0.8 dB gain in terms of TDECQ with respect to using the DLA.
Effects of the Use of Rice Grain on Growth Performances, Blood Metabolites, Rumen Fermentation, and Rumen Microbial Community in Fattening Hanwoo Steers

Simple Summary As the price of imported corn rises due to environmental issues and the growing demand for bio-ethanol production, animal nutritionists are actively seeking alternative energy sources to corn. While previous research has shown that rice grain provides a comparable nutritional value to corn, it is noted that most of the studies on rice grain as a starch source for ruminants have been conducted on dairy cattle. The objective of this study is to assess the effects of total mixed ration (TMR) containing rice grains on the growth performance, blood metabolites, rumen fermentation, and rumen microbial community in fattening Hanwoo steers. Our results demonstrated that rice grain had no adverse effects on the growth performance of Hanwoo steers, rumen fermentation characteristics, and blood metabolites. In conclusion, this study suggests that utilizing rice grains as the primary starch source in TMR may serve as an alternative option for fattening Hanwoo steers. Abstract This study aimed to assess the influence of rice grain in the total mixed ration (TMR) on the growth performance, blood metabolites, rumen fermentation, and rumen microbial community of fattening Hanwoo steers. Two experimental diets were prepared: (i) a TMR containing 33% dry matter (DM) corn grains (Corn TMR) and (ii) a TMR containing 33% DM rice grains (Rice TMR). Twenty-two Hanwoo steers (body weight [BW], 498 ± 32 kg; months, 17 ± 0.5) were distributed into two treatment groups in a completely randomized block design according to BW. The Rice TMR group had a higher final BW and DM intake (DMI) compared to those in the Corn TMR group (p < 0.01). However, no difference was observed in the average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) between the two treatments. For the rumen fermentation parameters, the molar portion of butyrate in the Rice TMR was higher than in the Corn TMR (p < 0.01). Streptococcus bovis tended to be higher in the Rice TMR (p = 0.09). The results of this study suggest that using rice grain as the primary starch source in TMRs may be an alternative option for fattening Hanwoo steers.