Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Photometry and Kinematics of Two Minor Merger Candidate Galaxies

We observationally investigate the properties of disk galaxies undergoing minor merger or capture events. In this context, the properties of two double-nucleus candidate galaxies, ESO 381-IG 23 and MCG -3-35-14, are analyzed. Both are disk-dominated Sc-Scd galaxies that show a bright knot superposed on their disk body. The size and surface brightness of these knots are in both cases comparable to those of the galaxy nucleus, which has led previous work to classify these galaxies as double-nucleus galaxies. We present results from observations made with the SOAR 4.1 m, CASLEO 2.15 m, and Bosque Alegre 1.54 m telescopes. We determined the values for the apparent and absolute magnitudes of the nuclei and the bright regions and analyzed the surface brightness profiles and colors. We also study the kinematics of the galaxies via their rotation curves. Analytical mass models were fitted under the constraints of both kinematic and photometric observational data. It is found that ESO 381-IG 23 has an absolute magnitude MB = -19.59 and mass ℳ = (3.0 ± 0.2) × 1010 ℳ⊙, and its nuclear spectrum shows strong emission lines typical of starbursts. MCG -3-35-14 has MB = -19.97 and ℳ = (9.6 ± 0.5) × 1010 ℳ⊙. Both galaxies are morphologically normal disk galaxies. They have a bulge-to-disk ratio of ∼0.1 and show no significant signatures of dynamical perturbation in their rotation curves. The secondary nuclei candidates are found to be giant H II regions, rather than nuclei of captured companions. They have masses of (2.2 ± 0.2) × 106 ℳ⊙ (ESO 381-IG 23) and (4.1 ± 0.2) × 106 ℳ⊙ (MCG -3-35-14), and ages of 6.6 ± 0.1 and 8.0 ± 1.0 Myr, respectively.
Bactericidal Action of Shrimp Shell Chitooligosaccharide Conjugated with Epigallocatechin Gallate (COS-EGCG) against Listeria monocytogenes

The antibacterial effect of chitooligosaccharide conjugated with five different polyphenols, including catechin (COS-CAT), epigallocatechin gallate (COS-EGCG), gallic acid (COS-GAL), caffeic acid (COS-CAF), and ferulic acid (COS-FER), against Listeria monocytogenes was investigated. Among all the conjugates tested, COS-EGCG showed the highest inhibition toward Listeria monocytogenes, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 1024 and 1024 µg/mL, respectively. The COS-EGCG conjugate also had a bactericidal effect on the environmental and clinical strains of L. monocytogenes. The low concentration of COS-EGCG conjugate augmented the formation of biofilm and the growth of L. monocytogenes. Nevertheless, the inhibition of biofilm formation and bacterial growth was achieved when treated with the COS-EGCG conjugate at 2 × MIC for 48 h. In addition, the COS-EGCG conjugate at 2 × MIC had the potential to inactivate the pre-biofilm, and it reduced the production of the extracellular polysaccharides of L. monocytogenes. The COS-EGCG conjugate at the MIC/4 effectively impeded the motility (the swimming and swarming) of L. monocytogenes, with an 85.7–94.3% inhibition, while 100% inhibition was achieved with the MIC. Based on scanning electron microscopic (SEM) images, cell wall damage with numerous pores on the cell surface was observed. Such cell distortion resulted in protein leakage. As a result, COS-EGCG could penetrate into the cell and bind with the DNA backbone. Therefore, the COS-EGCG conjugate could be further developed as a natural antimicrobial agent for inhibiting or controlling L. monocytogenes.
Thermal conductivity study of porous low-k dielectric materials

An experimental method based on the 3ω technique has been developed to measure thermal conductivity of porous Xerogel films as a function of porosity. The results show that the thermal conductivity of these porous dielectric films can be an order of magnitude smaller than that of SiO2. To account for the porosity dependence of thermal conductivity, two porosity weighted semiempirical models are introduced. These models suggest the scaling rule expressing the thermal conductivity as a function of porosity. The decrease observed in thermal conductivity of porous films suggests that the tradeoff between thermal and electrical performance is an important consideration when implementing porous dielectric materials as interlevel dielectrics for on-chip interconnects.
Optimal Designs for 2 k Choice Experiments

Abstract In this article we establish the choice sets in the D-optimal design for a choice experiment for testing main effects and for testing main effects and two-factor interactions, when there are k attributes, each with two levels, for choice set size m. We also give a method to construct optimal and near-optimal designs with small numbers of choice sets.
A NOTE ON ESTIMATING THE NUMBER OF SUPERIMPOSED EXPONENTIAL SIGNALS BY THE CROSS-VALIDATION APPROACH

In this paper, a procedure based on the delete-1 cross-validation is given for estimating the number of superimposed exponential signals, its limiting behavior is explored and it is shown that the probability of overestimating the true number of signals is greater than a positive constant for sufficiently large samples. Also a general procedure based on the cross-validation is presented when the deletion proceeds according to a collection of subsets of indices. The result is similar to the delete-1 cross-validation if the number of deletions is fixed. The simulation results are provided for the performance of the procedure when the collections of subsets of indices are chosen as those suggested by Shao [1]in a linear model selection problem.
Performance Analysis of Junctionless and Inversion Mode Trigate SOI FinFET at 20nm Gate Length

The FinFET architecture has attracted attention due to its better channel control, which reduces short-channel effects (SCEs). In this paper, we investigate the comparative analysis of Junctionless and Inversion Mode trigate Silicon-On-Insulator (SOI) FinFET using digital performance parameters: OFF current ($I_{OFF}$), ON-OFF current ratio $(I_{ON}/I_{OFF})$, Sub-threshold Swing (SS), Drain Induced Barrier Lowering (DIBL) and threshold voltage ($V_{th}$). The analog performance parameters such as transconductance ($g_{m}$) and transconductance generation factor (TGF) are also analyzed at 20nm gate length. The parameters are compared by varying the Fin height at supply voltage 0.7V. The dielectric HfO2($\mathrm{k}=22$) is used for gate oxide. Since the Junctionless FinFET has better control on the channel and has no junction, it provides less short channel effects: $I_{OFF},I_{ON}/I_{OFF}$, SS, DIBL, $V_{th}$ than Inversion Mode FinFET. It also provides better analog performance parameters. The Cogenda VisualTCAD tool is used for simulating the structures.
When three is not a crowd: trispecific antibodies for enhanced cancer immunotherapy

Despite the clinical success of the first bispecific antibody approved by the FDA against B cell malignancies (blinatumomab), many obstacles remain such as dosing, treatment resistance, and modest efficacy in solid tumors. To overcome these limitations, considerable efforts have been dedicated to the development of multispecific antibodies, opening up new avenues to address both the complex biology of cancer and the onset of anti-tumoral immune responses. Simultaneous targeting of two tumor-associated antigens is presumed to enhance cancer cell selectivity and reduce immune escape. Co-engagement of CD3, along with agonists of co-stimulatory molecules or antagonists of co-inhibitory immune checkpoint receptors in a single molecule, may revert T cell exhaustion. Similarly, targeting of two activating receptors in NK cells may improve their cytotoxic potency. And these are only examples of the potential of antibody-based molecular entities engaging three (or more) relevant targets. From the perspective of health care costs, multispecific antibodies are appealing, since a similar (or superior) therapeutic effect could be obtained with a single therapeutic agent as with a combination of different monoclonal antibodies. Despite challenges in production, multispecific antibodies are endowed with unprecedented properties, which may render them more potent biologics for cancer therapy.
AN AUTOMATED METHOD FOR 3D ROOF OUTLINE GENERATION AND REGULARIZATION IN AIRBONE LASER SCANNER DATA

In this paper, an automatic approach for the generation and regularization of 3D roof boundaries in Airborne Laser scanner data is presented. The workflow is commenced by segmentation of the point clouds. A classification step and a rule based roof extraction step are followed the planar segmentation. Refinement on roof extraction is performed in order to minimize the effect due to urban vegetation. Boundary points of the connected roof planes are extracted and fitted series of straight line segments. Each line is then regularized with respect to the dominant building orientation. We introduce the usage of cycle graphs for the best use of topological information. Ridge-lines and step-edges are basically extracted to recognise correct topological relationships among the roof faces. Inner roof corners are geometrically fitted based on the closed cycle graphs. Outer boundary is reconstructed using the same concept but with the outer most cycle graph. In here, union of the sub cycles is taken. Intermediate line segments (outer bounds) are intersected to reconstruct the roof eave lines. Two test areas with two different point densities are tested with the developed approach. Performance analysis of the test results is provided to demonstrate the applicability of the method.
First Author and Second Author and Third Author

: The pandemic caused by the Covid-19 virus has severely impacted the real estate industry. The research investigates the relationship between the spread of the virus and REITs performances in Europe, considering the role played by localization and diversification of properties in the real estate portfolios. The results show that Covid-19 had heterogeneous impacts depending on property types. Moreover, risks associated to Covid-19 may be described by synthetic indexes that represent the degree of vulnerability of economic activities carried out in the real estates.
Association between Ultra-Processed Food Consumption and Metabolic Syndrome among Adults in China—Results from the China Health and Nutrition Survey

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) is increasing and the relationship between ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption and MetS remains uncertain in Chinese adults. This study aimed to examine the longitudinal association of UPF consumption with the risk of MetS and its components in Chinese adults. Adults aged 18 years and above who participated in at least two waves of the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) in 2009, 2015, and 2018 were included in this analysis. Dietary intake data were collected by three consecutive 24 h dietary recalls and weighing household foods and condiments. Depending on the purpose and extent of food processing, UPFs were classified using the NOVA food classification system. A multivariate Cox proportional risk model was used to explore the association between UPF consumption (grouped by quartile: quartile 1 (Q1), quartile 2 (Q2), quartile 3 (Q3), and quartile 4 (Q4)) and risk of MetS and its components. A total of 5147 adults were included. During a median (IQR) 6.0 (3.0, 9.0) year follow-up with 31,878 person-years, 1712 MetS cases were identified, with an incidence of 33.26%. After multivariable adjustment, the risk of MetS was increased by 17% in the highest quartile with UPF consumption (HR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.01–1.35, p trend: 0.047), with the lowest quartile as a reference. For the components of MetS, the risk of central obesity, raised triglycerides (TG), reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and raised blood pressure (BP) was increased by 33% (HR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.18–1.51, p trend: <0.001), 26% (HR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.08–1.48, p trend: 0.003), 25% (HR: 1.25, 95% CI: 1.07–1.46, p trend: 0.007), and 16% (HR: 1.16, 95% CI: 1.03–1.32, p trend: 0.018) in the highest quartile with UPF consumption, respectively. Adults aged 45–59 years and living in urban areas with higher UPF consumption had higher odds of MetS. These results indicate that higher long-term UPF consumption was associated with an increased risk of MetS in Chinese adults. Further studies such as intervention trials are needed to confirm the mechanism of correlation between UPF consumption and health-related outcomes. Nutritional education actions are warranted to promote a balanced diet and improve the overall dietary quality of residents to reduce the risk of MetS effectively.
An elasto-viscoplastic thermal stress model with applications to the continuous casting of metals

A finite element model is presented for the analysis of the thermal stress development in a body with temperature dependent material properties. The thermal model allows a change of phase to occur within the body and an elasto-viscoplastic constitutive relationship is used for the stress analysis. An example is given of the applicability of the technique to the analysis of continuous casting in metals.
ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS OF ATMOSPHERIC AEROSOLS: RESULTS AND PERSPECTIVES OF THE PIXE TECHNIQUE

Information on the elemental constituents of atmospheric aerosols is of basic importance in studying atmospheric processes for a detailed understanding of the physics and chemistry of the atmosphere. Environmental pollution and its impact can be tested in the same way, too. In the present review we survey the main research fields in aerosol analytics that can be investigated with the application of the PIXE method. The nature of emission sources, emission inventories, aerosol transport and its tracing, arctic aerosols and climatic influences are mentioned along with methodological features of the present-day PIXE technique and its combined applications with other tools of instrumental analytics.
Improved Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm and its Application Based on the Aggregation Degree

The aim is to improve the convergence of the algorithm, and increase the population diversity. Adaptively particles of groups fallen into local optimum is adjusted in order to realize global optimal. by judging groups spatial location of concentration and fitness variance. At the same time, the global factors are adjusted dynamically with the action of the current particle fitness. Four typical function optimization problems are drawn into simulation experiment. The results show that the improved particle swarm optimization algorithm is convergent, robust and accurate.
Identifying miRNA biomarkers of polycystic ovary syndrome through text mining

Objective: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder with diverse clinical manifestations that often occurs in women of childbearing age. However, its molecular pathogenesis remains unclear, and this study aimed to identify miRNA targets in PCOS through text mining and database analysis. Methods: First, three different sets of text mining genes (TMGs) associated with “polycystic ovary syndrome”, “obesity/adiposis”, and “anovulation” keywords were retrieved from the GenCLiP3 database, and overlapping genes were selected. Second, Gene ontology annotation and biological pathway enrichment analyses of these overlapping TMGs were performed, followed by protein–protein interaction (PPI) network analysis. Third, genes in the gene module clustered in the PPI were selected to predict potential miRNAs for PCOS via miRNA-mRNA analysis. Results: A total of 4291 TMGs related to three different keywords were obtained through text mining; 72 intersect TMGs were retained among the three gene sets, and 62 TMGs participated in the establishment of the PPI network, of which 18 were aggregated in the gene module. Finally, 11 miRNAs that simultaneously bound to two TMGs (IGF1, ESR1, MAPK1, NAMPT, PIK3CA, and SERPINE1) could be prioritized as targets to study PCOS. Conclusion(s): The discovery of 11 miRNAs (miR-301a-3p, miR-301b-3p, miR-3666, miR-454-3p, miR-130a-3p, miR-130b-3p, miR-4295, miR-190a-3p, miR-5011-5p, miR-548c-3p, and miR-4799-5p) and 6 TMGs, which are associated with the HIF-1 signaling pathway (P = 4.799E-08), could be used as potential targets for PCOS.
Progress in Microtopography Optimization of Polymers-Based Pressure/Strain Sensors

Due to the wide application of wearable electronic devices in daily life, research into flexible electronics has become very attractive. Recently, various polymer-based sensors have emerged with great sensing performance and excellent extensibility. It is well known that different structural designs each confer their own unique, great impacts on the properties of materials. For polymer-based pressure/strain sensors, different structural designs determine different response-sensing mechanisms, thus showing their unique advantages and characteristics. This paper mainly focuses on polymer-based pressure-sensing materials applied in different microstructures and reviews their respective advantages. At the same time, polymer-based pressure sensors with different microstructures, including with respect to their working mechanisms, key parameters, and relevant operating ranges, are discussed in detail. According to the summary of its performance and mechanisms, different morphologies of microstructures can be designed for a sensor according to its performance characteristics and application scenario requirements, and the optimal structure can be adjusted by weighing and comparing sensor performances for the future. Finally, a conclusion and future perspectives are described.
Reproductive Health Behaviors of Women Married in the Adolescent Period: A Mixed Method Study

Objective: Adolescent marriages are those that take place before the age of 18 years or before maturity and are associated with a wide range of health and psychological problems. This study was carried out to examine the reproductive health behaviour of women who got married during the adolescent period. Methods: In this study, convergent parallel design, in which the quantitative and qualitative stages of mixed method designs can be applied simultaneously, was used. This research was carried out with 245 women included in the quantitative section and 25 women in the qualitative section. During the collection of the quantitative data, face-to-face interview and semi-structured interview techniques were used. The data were collected using the content analysis method, and descriptive statistics were used in the analysis of quantitative data. Results: The mean age at first marriage was 16.1±0.9 (range 12–17) years. Quantitative analysis showed that, to have a healthy delivery, women adopted the practices of healthy life during pregnancy (88.7%), for the birth they maintained nutrition, ensured good hygiene and performed pain coping techniques (95.0%) and maintained personal hygiene during post-partum (69.8%). Analysis of the data collected in the in-depth interview on the women’s practices on sexual life and violence against women, five themes were identified ‘healthy sex life, sexual violence, legal procedures, social support and preventive practices’. Conclusion: Women who got married at adolescent age had problems with their reproductive health characteristics and reproductive health. Midwives can take an active role in meeting the service needs for this vulnerable group, solving reproductive health problems and improving women’s health during service provision.
Modelling the Evolution of Pore Structure during the Disintegration of Pharmaceutical Tablets

Pharmaceutical tablet disintegration is a critical process for dissolving and enabling the absorption of the drug substance into the blood stream. The tablet disintegration process consists of multiple connected and interdependent mechanisms: liquid penetration, swelling, dissolution, and break-up. One key dependence is the dynamic change of the pore space in a tablet caused by the swelling of particles while the tablet takes up liquid. This study analysed the changes in the pore structure during disintegration by coupling the discrete element method (DEM) with a single-particle swelling model and experimental liquid penetration data from terahertz-pulsed imaging (TPI). The coupled model is demonstrated and validated for pure microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) tablets across three porosities (10, 15, and 22%) and MCC with three different concentrations of croscarmellose sodium (CCS) (2, 5, and 8% w/w). The model was validated using experimental tablet swelling from TPI. The model captured the difference in the swelling behaviour of tablets with different porosities and formulations well. Both the experimental and modelling results showed that the swelling was lowest (i.e., time to reach the maximum normalised swelling capacity) for tablets with the highest CCS concentration, cCCS = 8%. The simulations revealed that this was caused by the closure of the pores in both the wetted volume and dry volume of the tablet. The closure of the pores hinders the liquid from accessing other particles and slows down the overall swelling process. This study provides new insights into the changes in the pore space during disintegration, which is crucial to better understand the impact of porosity and formulations on the performance of tablets.
Between processes and norms. Understanding EU development cooperation beyond EU institutions

ABSTRACT Over the last two decades, a raising awareness concerning the Eurocentric nature of knowledge production infused the research on EU development cooperation. As a consequence, this field of study had to face a post-development and a post-colonial challenge. In this context, a renewed interest towards Africa and the multifaceted agency of the EU from a socio-ontological and normative perspective emerged. By combining normative political theory and empirical research, three books offer relevant insights concerning intra-EU norm coordination, situated norm collision, and norm problematisation in Africa-EU relations. In a global scenario that leaves no space for oversimplifying dichotomies and epistemic stances shaped by outdated hegemonies, these contributions prove to be an essential starting point for future research that aims at analysing post-2020 EU development cooperation.
IQGAP1 Is a Phosphotyrosine-Regulated Scaffold for SH2-Containing Proteins

The scaffold protein IQGAP1 associates with over 150 interactors to influence multiple biological processes. The molecular mechanisms that underly spatial and temporal regulation of these interactions, which are crucial for proper cell functions, remain poorly understood. The receptor tyrosine kinase MET phosphorylates IQGAP1 on Tyr1510. Separately, Src homology 2 (SH2) domains mediate protein–protein interactions by binding specific phosphotyrosine residues. Here, we investigate whether MET-catalyzed phosphorylation of Tyr1510 of IQGAP1 regulates the docking of SH2-containing proteins. Using a peptide array, we identified SH2 domains from several proteins, including the non-receptor tyrosine kinases Abl1 and Abl2, that bind to the Tyr1510 of IQGAP1 in a phosphorylation-dependent manner. Using pure proteins, we validated that full-length Abl1 and Abl2 bind directly to phosphorylated Tyr1510 of IQGAP1. In cells, MET inhibition decreases endogenous IQGAP1 phosphorylation and interaction with endogenous Abl1 and Abl2, indicating that binding is regulated by MET-catalyzed phosphorylation of IQGAP1. Functionally, IQGAP1 modulates basal and HGF-stimulated Abl signaling. Moreover, IQGAP1 binds directly to MET, inhibiting its activation and signaling. Collectively, our study demonstrates that IQGAP1 is a phosphotyrosine-regulated scaffold for SH2-containing proteins, thereby uncovering a previously unidentified mechanism by which IQGAP1 coordinates intracellular signaling.