Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exploring the Inhibition of Quercetin on Acetylcholinesterase by Multispectroscopic and In Silico Approaches and Evaluation of Its Neuroprotective Effects on PC12 Cells

This study investigated the inhibitory mechanism of quercetin in acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and its neuroprotective effects on β-amyloid25–35-induced oxidative stress injury in PC12 cells. Quercetin inhibited AChE in a reversible mixed manner with an IC50 of 4.59 ± 0.27 µM. The binding constant of quercetin with AChE at 25 °C was (5.52 ± 0.05) × 104 L mol−1. Hydrogen bonding and van der Waals forces were the main interactions in forming the stable quercetin–AChE complex. Computational docking revealed that quercetin was dominant at the peripheral aromatic site in AChE and induced enzymatic allosterism; meanwhile, it extended deep into the active center of AChE and destabilized the hydrogen bond network, which caused the constriction of the gorge entrance and prevented the substrate from entering the enzyme, thus resulting in the inhibition of AChE. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation emphasized the stability of the quercetin–AChE complex and corroborated the previous findings. Interestingly, a combination of galantamine hydrobromide and quercetin exhibited the synergistic inhibition effect by binding to different active sites of AChE. In a β-amyloid25–35-induced oxidative stress injury model in PC12 cells, quercetin exerted neuroprotective effects by increasing the glutathione level and reducing the malondialdehyde content and reactive oxygen species levels. These findings may provide novel insights into the development and application of quercetin in the dietary treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
Current-mediated synchronization of a pair of beating non-identical flagella

The basic phenomenology of experimentally observed synchronization (i.e. a stochastic phase locking) of identical, beating flagella of a biflagellate alga is known to be captured well by a minimal model describing the dynamics of coupled, limit-cycle, noisy oscillators (known as the noisy Kuramoto model). As demonstrated experimentally, the amplitudes of the noise terms therein, which stem from fluctuations of the rotary motors, depend on the flagella length. Here we address the conceptually important question which kind of synchrony occurs if the two flagella have different lengths such that the noises acting on each of them have different amplitudes. On the basis of a minimal model, too, we show that a different kind of synchrony emerges, and here it is mediated by a current carrying, steady-state; it manifests itself via correlated ‘drifts’ of phases. We quantify such a synchronization mechanism in terms of appropriate order parameters Q and Q  —for an ensemble of trajectories and for a single realization of noises of duration  , respectively. Via numerical simulations we show that both approaches become identical for long observation times  . This reveals an ergodic behavior and implies that a single-realization order parameter Q  is suitable for experimental analysis for which ensemble averaging is not always possible.
Generalized Zipf's law in proportional voting processes

Voting data from city-councillors, state and federal deputies elections are analyzed and considered as a response function of a social system with underlying dynamics leading to complex behavior. The voting results from the last two general Brazilian elections held in 1998 and 2000 are then used as representative data sets. We show that the voting distributions follow a generalized Zipf's law which has recently been proposed within a nonextensive statistics framework. Moreover, the voting distribution for city-councillors is clearly distinct from those of state and federal deputies in the sense that the latter depicts a higher degree of nonextensivity. We relate this finding with the different degrees of complexity corresponding to local and nonlocal voting processes.
Predictive model for the analysis of academic performance and preventing student dropout using machine learning techniques

School dropout is one of the biggest problems in the country of Mexico, there are several factors that cause it, so it is necessary to propose strategies and lines of action to reduce it. This document analyzes a database with the demographic and social characteristics of high school students, which were collected through the application of school questionnaires and reports, in order to detect the factors that cause students to drop out of school, as well as to identify in time the students who need personalized counseling to offer them educational guidance and prevent them from dropping out of school, this analysis was implemented through machine learning techniques by developing a predictive model with the gradient descent algorithm, from the results to check the forecast errors by applying the mean square error metric, to estimate the possible prediction errors of the model, it is expected to have a great social impact by applying these machine learning techniques in educational community achieving that students can strengthen their comprehensive training, in addition to guiding their talents and interests.
Optimal control of a large PDAE molten carbonate fuel cell model

Molten carbonate fuel cells are well suited for stationary power production and heat supply. In order to enhance service life time, hot spots, resp. high temperature gradients inside the fuel cell have to be avoided. In conflict with that, there is the desire to achieve faster load changes while temperature gradients stay small. For the first time, optimal fast load changes have been computed numerically. The dimensionless model is based on the description of physical and chemical phenomena. The numerical procedure is based on a method of lines approach via spatial discretization and the solution of the resulting very large scale optimal control problem s.t. a differential‐algebraic equation system by a nonlinear programming approach. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Electric signal detection at the early stage of laser ablation in air

A tiny metal probe was used to detect electric signals induced at the early stage of laser ablation in air. It is found that the electric signals result from probe ablation, plasma–probe interaction, and plasma-induced electric field. The recorded signals strongly depend on the probe positions. For a probe placed out of the plasma–probe interaction region, the detected electric signal is a negative peak in the nanosecond range, due to the plasma-induced electric field. The peak arrival time corresponds to the total amount of ion emission from the substrate surface, and therefore, does not vary with the probe position. The signal amplitude is inversely proportional to the square of the probe distance, consistent with the distance dependence of the field intensity from an electric dipole. The signal amplitude increases with the laser fluence while the peak arrival time reduces, reflecting the earlier plasma generation at a higher laser fluence. Both peak width and its arrival time of the electric signals increase with laser fluence and tend to saturate above 6.4 J/cm2. The electric signals were analyzed for laser ablation of different substrate materials. The electric signal detection was also applied to monitor the laser cleaning of organic contamination in real time. The mechanism of the electric signal generation and the process of electron and ion emission are briefly discussed.
Enacting overlapping exchanges to address market concerns: Evidence on sustainable and conventional coffee markets in Uganda

This article tackles an underexplored topic in the Market Studies literature—the enactment of exchange practices in overlapping markets. Based on an ethnographic study, the article examines a contested market space in which sustainable and conventional coffee buyers compete to enact exchanges with farmers. At the center of this competition are farmers, whose subsistence challenges heavily influence the choice of market(s) they operate in. An Exchange Entanglements framework for analyzing overlapping exchanges is developed, which accounts for market concerns, calculative power asymmetries, and the (re)configuration of market entities. The article builds our understanding of how exchanges are enacted to account for concerns in overlapping markets, and develops a characterization of overlapping market exchanges. It questions the extent to which dominant market actors can address farmers’ subsistence challenges, and highlights the problematic challenge of enacting concerned markets that serve marginalized market actors.
Improved RF-DC characteristics and reduced gate leakage in GaN MOS-HEMTs using thermally grown Nb2O5 gate dielectric

This work demonstrates the improvement in DC and RF characteristics and a reduction in the gate leakage current for thermally grown Nb2O5 as a gate dielectric in AlGaN/GaN metal–oxide–semiconductor high electron-mobility transistors (MOS-HEMTs). The MOS-HEMTs with an amorphous 10 nm thick Nb2O5 as the gate dielectric show a reduced gate leakage current of 10−9 A mm−1. Nb2O5 thin film creates a tensile strain in the AlGaN layer, enhancing the density of two-dimension electron gas (2-DEG). The performance of the device also improves in terms of saturation drain current, peak transconductance, subthreshold swing, and unity current gain frequency. An increase in the source-to-drain ON/OFF current ratio to 108 and a significant reduction in the subthreshold leakage current by at least two orders of magnitude are measured compared to the control HEMTs.
Genotyping and physiological characteristics of Acanthamoeba isolated from beaches in Phuket Province, Thailand

Abstract. Boonman N, Wanna C, Chutrtong J, Chotpantarat S, Boonsilp S. 2022. Genotyping and physiological characteristics of Acanthamoeba isolated from beaches in Phuket Province, Thailand. Biodiversitas 23: 4377-4384. Acanthamoeba is widely distributed in water, soil, dust and air. Beaches are popular tourist destinations for water-related activities while they can also be reservoirs for Acanthamoeba to humans. This study aimed to determine the genotyping of Acanthamoeba in the beach environment and characterized their pathogenicity potential. A total of 63 samples were collected from six beaches in Phuket Province, Thailand. Twenty-one samples of each source including wet sand, dry sand and seawater, were collected and cultivated on 2% non-nutrient agar coated with heat-killed Escherichia coli. Acanthamoeba was found in 100% (n=21) wet sand, 52.4% (n=11) dry sand and 14.3% (n=3) seawater. Sequence analysis of the GTSA.B1 region in 18S rRNA revealed that 83.9% of sequenced isolates belonged to the T5 genotype and 16.1% belonged to the T4 genotype. The T5 genotype was predominant, differing from other reports of Acanthamoeba prevalence in natural sources. In vitro thermal and salt-tolerance showed that all isolates had growth rates similar to clinical Acanthamoeba isolates. This research was undertaken to increase awareness of human eye and brain infections caused by Acanthamoeba on beaches. Further studies on these Acanthamoeba isolates are still required such as co-culture assay between the trophozoites and human cell lines to confirm their pathogenicity as well as their susceptibility to the chemotherapeutic agents.
Planar Test Objects for Photogrammetric Calibration of Enhanced Vision Systems Cameras: Application Practice

Two variants of constructs of planar test objects, which can be used to evaluate the internal and external parameters of video cameras operating as part of an enhanced vision system consisting of several video cameras in the visible and infrared wavelength ranges, are considered: with stationary electric heater and with portable electric heater like dock station. The design of both planar test objects consists of the light planar aluminum plate, squares from dark vinyl film, electric heating element and thermostat. The design of the device for performing automated camera calibration is presented. It is shown that the evaluation of the homography matrix based on the results of the performed preliminary calibration makes it possible to superimpose visible and long wave infrared images with an absolute error of the order of units of pixels.
Optimal Hydrogen Production and High Efficient Output Smoothing in Wind Farm

This paper proposes a novel optimal control method for integrated systems of Wind farms (WFs) and hydrogen production systems (HPSs). Green hydrogen production via renewable power generation (RPG), such as wind power generation, is a promising technology to overcome environmental problems. RPG has the potential to become more widespread if we can produce hydrogen in an HPS using the output fluctuation and the output surplus of RPG, which cause power outages due to supply-demand imbalances. The proposed optimal control maximizes the capacity factor of HPS while producing hydrogen constantly and satisfying the technical requirement related to the output fluctuation of the WF. The proposed control is also easy to implement and needs no WF output forecast. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed optimal control through simulated comparative analysis with conventional methods.
Carbon Chain Molecules toward Embedded Low-mass Protostars

Carbon chain molecules may be an important reservoir of reactive organics during star and planet formation. Carbon chains have been observed toward several low-mass young stellar objects (YSOs), but their typical abundances and chemical relationships in such sources are largely unconstrained. We present a carbon chain survey toward 16 deeply embedded (Class 0/I) low-mass protostars made with the IRAM 30 m telescope. Carbon chains are found to be common at this stage of protostellar evolution. We detect CCS, CCCS, HC3N, HC5N, l-C3H, and C4H toward 88%, 38%, 75%, 31%, 81%, and 88% of sources, respectively. Derived column densities for each molecule vary by one to two orders of magnitude across the sample. As derived from survival analysis, median column densities range between 1.2 × 1011 cm−2 (CCCS) and 1.5 × 1013 cm−2 (C4H), and estimated fractional abundances with respect to hydrogen range between 2 × 10−13 (CCCS) and 5 × 10−11 (C4H), which are low compared to cold cloud cores, warm carbon chain chemistry (WCCC) sources, and protostellar model predictions. We find significant correlations between molecules of the same carbon chain families, as well as between the cyanopolyynes (HCnN) and the pure hydrocarbon chains (CnH). This latter correlation is explained by a closely related production chemistry of CnH and cyanopolyynes during low-mass star formation.
Quantum brachistochrone

Quantum brachistochrone (QB) is a quantum analogue of classical brachistochrone (shortest path). It is a solution to the following problem: How can we perform a desired quantum operation (or obtain a desired final quantum state) most quickly, by a time-dependent Hamiltonian subject to given constraints? Finding QB is a fundamental problem in quantum mechanics in its own right. Moreover, it will be useful in the study of quantum information and quantum engineering, such as quantum speed limits and implementations of quantum computers. A general framework for finding QBs, called QB formalism, has been developed. It is based on Pontryagin’s maximum principle. We review the basics of the QB formalism, give simple examples, and briefly discuss some related studies. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Shortcuts to adiabaticity: theoretical, experimental and interdisciplinary perspectives’.
Analysis of Local Lattice Strain Around Oxygen Precipitates in Czochralski-Grown Silicon Wafers Using Convergent Beam Electron Diffraction

The local lattice strain field around oxygen precipitates in Czochralski-grown silicon (CZ-Si) wafers has been measured quantitatively using convergent beam electron diffraction (CBED). As a result of the strain analysis from higher-order Laue zone patterns in the CBED disk, strain of the silicon lattices was found in the vicinity of oxygen precipitates, i.e., platelet type and polyhedral type. The strain along the normal direction to the precipitate is compressive, and the strain along the parallel direction to the precipitate is tensile. The lattice strain field around the precipitate decreases monotonically as a function of distance from the precipitate/matrix interface. Further, the morphological change in the growth process of the precipitate is important for the formation of the local lattice strain.
Does "Welch-Satterthwaite" make a good uncertainty estimate?

The Welch-Satterthwaite (W-S) formula is a classical, approximate method for combining several sample estimates of normal population variances. However, the W-S formula is routinely applied to the results of physical measurements even though uncertainties may include those of Type B. This paper considers the validity of the W-S formula as a means of obtaining a confidence interval for the measurand. The classical concept of a confidence interval provides performance criteria that can be used to assess the W-S formula by simulation. Examples presented include the combination of two Type A uncertainties, and the combination of one Type A and one Type B uncertainty. The results show that the W-S formula performs very well. This finding contrasts with the findings of other recent studies which did not apply classical performance criteria.
Likelihood analysis for probit regression with measurement errors

SUMMARY Likelihood analysis is proposed for a probit regression model when one of the explanatory variables is measured with error and replicate measurements of that variable are available on some of the subjects. The distribution of the measurement error and of the unknown explanatory variable, conditional on the known variables, are both taken to be normal. The maximum likelihood estimates can be computed exactly with the EM algorithm. Likelihood ratio tests and confidence intervals can be computed with a Laplace approximation.
Expression of IRAK1 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Its Clinical Significance, and Docking Characteristics with Selected Natural Compounds

This study aimed to explore clinical significance of interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 1 (IRAK1) in the diagnosis, prognosis, and targeted therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma. A systematic analysis based on the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) indicated that IRAK1 was highly expressed in 18 cancer types (p < 0.01) and may be a pan-cancer biomarker. In hepatocellular carcinoma, the alteration rate of IRAK1 was rather high (62.4%), in which mRNA high relative to normal predominated (58.9%). Higher expression was associated with shorter overall survival (p < 0.01). IRAK1 expression correlated positively with pathology stage and tumor grade (for the latter there was only a slight trend). Interestingly, it correlated positively with TP53 mutation (p < 0.001), suggesting a possible strategy for targeting TP53 via IRAK1. Immunohistochemistry experiments confirmed a higher positive rate of IRAK1 in carcinoma than in para-carcinoma tissues (χ2 = 18.006, p < 0.001). Higher tumor grade correlated with more strongly positive staining. Molecular docking revealed cryptotanshinone, matrine, and harmine as the best hit compounds with inhibition potential for IRAK1. Our findings suggest that IRAK1 may play biologically predictive roles in hepatocellular carcinoma. The suppression of IRAK1/NF-κB signaling via inhibition of IRAK1 by the hit compounds can be a potential strategy for the targeted therapy.
Imaging electron flow from collimating contacts in graphene

The ballistic motion of electrons in graphene opens exciting opportunities for electron-optic devices based on collimated electron beams. We form a collimating contact in a hBN-encapsulated graphene hall bar by adding zigzag contacts on either side of an electron emitter that absorb stray electrons; collimation can be turned off by floating the zig-zag contacts. The electron beam is imaged using a liquid-He cooled scanning gate microscope (SGM). The tip deflects electrons as they pass from the collimating contact to a receiving contact on the opposite side of the channel, and an image of electron flow can be made by displaying the change in transmission as the tip is raster scanned across the sample. The angular half width Δθ of the electron beam is found by applying a perpendicular magnetic field B that bends electron paths into cyclotron orbits. The images reveal that the electron flow from the collimating contact drops quickly at B = 0.05 T when the electron orbits miss the receiving contact. The flow for the non-collimating case persists longer, up to B = 0.19 T, due to the broader range of entry angles. Ray-tracing simulations agree well with the experimental images. By fitting the fields B at which the magnitude of electron flow drops in the experimental SGM images, we find Δθ = 9° for electron flow from the collimating contact, compared with Δθ = 54° for the non-collimating case.
Gastrointestinal Microbiota and Breast Cancer Chemotherapy Interactions: A Systematic Review

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women besides basal cell and squamous cell skin cancer. The current systemic therapy guidelines for this heterogeneous disease are mainly based on the molecular subtypes. However, more research is required to improve rates of therapy resistance and prevent side effects. Previous studies have shown that the human gut microbiota may have an important role in carcinogenesis as well as therapy outcomes, but this factor has not yet been integrated into therapy protocols. This systematic review aims to analyze how response rates and side effect profiles of breast cancer systemic therapies may be affected by the gastrointestinal microbiota. A literature search was performed using multiple databases and keywords related to gastrointestinal microbiota, breast cancer, and anticancer drugs. Studies were excluded if they primarily focused on diseases other than breast cancer. Abstracts, reviews, meta-analyses, and animal experiments were also excluded. After screening, nine studies met all selection criteria and included a total of 566 participants. Most studies described the impact of the gut microbiota on therapy response, but a few additionally discussed chemotherapy side effects, probiotics, or antibiotics. In general, diversity and specific microbiota were linked to chemotherapy response as well as prognosis. Microbiota diversity was also predictive of side effects such as neurological symptoms, weight gain, and constipation. The diversity and composition of gastrointestinal microbiota may serve as biomarkers and provide pathways for the optimization of chemotherapy in breast cancer patients.
Compensation of IR-sensor Fixed Pattern Noise during Point Object Magnitude Recovering

The paper is devoted to describing a principally new method of recovering pulse magnitude which is the reaction of infrared (IR) scanning linear sensor on strobe light spots from point objects. Instead of traditional matching filtering where it is impossible to take into consideration deviations of the pulse magnitude and form depending strongly on a random spot position relatively photosensitive elements, fixed pattern noise (FPN) of sensitivity and FPN of dark current, the suggested method is almost invariant to FPN. The method uses the digital pulse stabilizer based on so-called probabilistic relay. The experimental results have shown that the suggested methods allows not only recovering both magnitude and form of the pulse sequence with good accuracy but leads to improving the quality of the formed image because the inverse coefficients of the stabilizer multiplier can be used for “on fly” IR-sensor calibration.