Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A promising electrochemical biosensing platform based on graphitized ordered mesoporous carbon

Three dimensional ordered graphitized mesoporous carbon GMC-6 (pore diameter ∼6 nm) and GMC-13 (pore diameter ∼13 nm), prepared by a nickel-catalyzed template-assisted method, were explored systematically for the construction of enzyme-based electrochemical biosensors. Comparative studies revealed that GMC-6 offer significant advantages over GMC-13 and graphitized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in facilitating the direct electron transfer of entrapped hemoglobin and improving the performance of fabricated biosensors. The possible factors that affect the biosensing performance of these carbon materials were evaluated comprehensively and comparatively based on the characterization of their physical parameters. The biosensor based on GMC-6 displayed excellent analytical performance over a wide linear range along with good stability and selectivity for the detection of hydrogen peroxide. The “entrapment” immobilization mode and “interspace confinement effect” (by restraining the unfolding or conformational change of enzyme molecules from inactivation) provided by GMC can result in pore-size-dependent enzymatic stability and bioactivity, which might be a crucial factor for the superior biosensing performance of GMC-6 to that of CNTs and GMC-13. Graphitized ordered mesoporous carbons with good pore size matching for enzymes proved to be a promising electrochemical biosensing platform.
Student and staff expectations and experiences of a UK–China Transnational Education collaboration

PurposeThis study reports the results of a survey of teaching staff in the UK and China and two cohorts of Chinese students. We explored perceptions of a Transnational Education (TNE) course taught by UK teachers at a Chinese university to ascertain similarities and differences in perceptions and to help inform future TNE design and provision.Design/methodology/approachTeachers in the UK (N = 10) and Chinese University (N = 20) and two cohorts of Chinese students (N = 102) completed questionnaires about their perceptions of the collaboration, including why they thought the university had developed the course and the benefits and risks of the course. They were also asked why they personally or why they thought the students had enrolled in the course. Questions were a mix of forced choice and open response formats.FindingsPrior to the course commencing, differences were identified between UK and Chinese teachers in their perception of the risks and benefits of the course and the challenges students might face. Differences were also seen in teachers' and students' views about why students enrolled and their expectations about the course. The TNE is no longer running and many of the reasons for this were identified by our participants before the course had begun.Originality/valueThis suggests the importance of engaging with various stakeholders in the setup of TNE to ensure a close match between staff, student and institutional expectations of the course. This is likely to increase the likelihood of success of such programmes.
Researching in the RERC Archive

‘Researching in the RERC Archive’ is a very appropriate title for a paper commemorating the 50 anniversary of Sir Alister Hardy’s establishment of the Religious Experience Research Centre. But how to begin? Actually, the real question is: where to stop? At the very least, I take the title to involve at least some degree of reflection on what it was like to actually do that research. What it felt like to work within the archive and what impact the discoveries I made had on me, the researcher. In fact, at the outset I realise that I have never actually done that. So I am going to try to do it now, at least to an extent, whilst quoting quite liberally from archival material: for there is no better way to describe what it is like to research in the RERC archive than to hear some accounts at first hand, unfiltered by the researcher and presented as they were written.
Mitigating Study Power Loss Caused by Clinical Trial Disruptions Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Leveraging External Data via Propensity Score-Integrated Approaches

Abstract The spread of COVID-19 has created tremendous challenges to ongoing clinical studies essential to finding effective treatments and cures for a myriad of diseases, with some studies having suspended enrollment altogether. This perspective article focuses on the loss of power in clinical studies disrupted by the pandemic. It introduces an innovative use of the recently developed propensity score-integrated approaches: salvaging those stopped studies for which restarting enrollment is not feasible, by integrating external patients with data already collected to recover the loss of study power due to the premature stopping. A hypothetical example is provided to illustrate how to implement these methods while preserving study integrity.
Hybrid Particle–Continuum Simulations of Polymer Brushes in Shear Flow

A hybrid particle–continuum method is used to study the shear flow confined between two opposing walls, one of which is coated with polymer chains. Molecular dynamics (MD) is used in the particle region near the brush and Navier–Stokes (NS) equations are applied in the remaining region where the continuum assumption holds. The information exchange from the continuum region to the particle region is implemented using the constrained particle dynamics. Both Couette shear flow and oscillatory flow are considered in the present work. The effect of the shear flow on the conformational characteristics of polymer brushes is analyzed. In the overlap region, the velocities obtained from MD simulations are smoothly connected with those from NS equations. Our investigations demonstrate that the hybrid particle–continuum model is valid in exploring the shear behavior of polymer brushes.
Spontaneous DNA Mutations Induced by Proton Transfer in the Guanine·Cytosine Base Pairs: An Energetic Perspective

The energetic provisions for Lowdin's DNA mutational mechanism (Lowdin, P. O. Rev. Mod. Phys. 1963, 35, 724) of the formation of substitution DNA mutations were investigated for the guanine·cytosine Watson−Crick base pair. The structures studied involve the canonical base pair (GC1), rare base-pair tautomers that are formed from GC1 by the antiparallel simultaneous transfer of two protons in hydrogen bonds, and ion-pair structures that are formed by the transfer of a single proton. The geometries of these complexes were optimized by ab initio Hartree−Fock (HF) calculations using the 6-31G* basis set. At the same level, harmonic vibrational frequencies were determined. Nonplanar geometries featuring considerable propeller-twist angles and a pyramidal guanine amino group were found for base pairs involving the guanine anion and 6-hydroxyguanine. The relative stabilities and dissociation energies of the base pairs were determined at the higher MP2/6-31G**//HF/6-31G* level of theory. These methods were also u.
Varietal quality control in the nursery plant industry using computer vision and deep learning techniques

Computer vision coupled to deep learning is a promising technique with multiple applications in the industry. In this work, the potential of this technique has been assessed in the classification of two varieties of almond trees (Prunus dulcis), Soleta and Pentacebas. For that, a convolutional neural network named VGG16 was used. The most appropriate configuration for model training was studied, which included the comparison between two different filling modes (reflect and nearest) in the data augmentation step, the evaluation of the batch size and the analysis of the image sizes. The robustness of the model was also checked, and information was obtained about how the model extracts the information from the images. The results showed that the reflect fill mode was more effective than the nearest one. The best results were obtained using batches with 30 and 40 images, with an image size of (224 × 224) pixels. The verification of the robustness proved the capability of the technique as a promising tool for plant varietal identification.
Patient perspectives on living with severe asthma in Denmark and Sweden

ABSTRACT Background: Severe asthma has an acknowledged impact on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and is associated with substantial health care costs. This study aimed to investigate the patients’ own experiences of the disease, perceptions of HRQOL, and awareness of disease management. Methods: This study included severe asthma patients in Sweden and Denmark. A quantitative Web-based survey and qualitative in-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted. The survey included St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), Asthma Control Test (ACT), Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI), and a study-specific questionnaire on quality of care and disease awareness. Telephone-based IDIs were conducted by medical interviewers following a semi-structured interview guide. Results: A total of 93 patients participated in the Web survey, and 33 participated in the IDIs. In the survey, the vast majority (77%; 72/93) had uncontrolled asthma (ACT<20). Mean total SGRQ score was 47.4 (59.7 symptom, 53.7 activity, 39.9 impact scores). Nearly 60% were treated in primary care. The IDIs revealed a long path to diagnosis, substantial and constant need for adaptations because of disease limitations, high burden on family members, social restrictions, and sick leaves and income losses. Patient awareness about guidelines, treatment goals, and available therapies was poor, and a low level of satisfaction by primary health care was seen. Conclusions: The vast majority of this severe asthma population had uncontrolled asthma and poor access to lung expert physicians. Impaired HRQOL despite patients’ adaptations was indicated. These findings highlight the need for structured patient education and greater access to units with disease-specific knowledge.
Uncertainties, Knowledge, and Futures in Foresight Studies — A Case of the Industry 4.0

The main purpose of this publication is an attempt to treat phenomenon of uncertainty as the one of main research facility in future studies and not as the background for future research — by answering the following research question: “What is the methodical relation among the scope of the uncertainty phenomenon vs. levels of knowledge and types of the future in the foresight approach? ”. The study uses the results of the analysis and criticism of the literature as the main research method. On this basis were performed deductive reasoning. Proposed by the author of the paper types of future and scope of uncertainty allowed to define the author’s scale of knowledge levels. This paper has attempted to draw together three methodological fields: uncertainty, foresight, and knowledge. Author analysed complex relations among above areas on the basis of their characteristic which are author’s extensions of existing concepts available in the literature. In the author’s opinion conclusions from the results presented in the article can be a valuable contribution to the development of the area of management in the area of future management. In management of complex systems (such as Industry 4.0), from the foresight methodological point of view, it seems relevant to determine which specific uncertainties can be managed by which classes of foresight methods, and which foresight methods by what level of knowledge, will be appropriate for the analysis of a specific types of future. According to the author, the results of research presented in the publication may be used in creating research methodology of technological foresight projects and as a complementary element of research devoted to the issues of development of modern technologies, which include Industry 4.0.
Estudo Comparativo da Doença Coronariana Microvascular Causada por Doença de Chagas e por Outras Etiologias

Resumo Fundamento A doença de Chagas (DC) constitui uma causa potencial negligenciada de doença microvascular coronariana (DMC). Objetivos Comparar pacientes com DMC relacionada à DC (DMC-DC) com pacientes com DMC ligada a outras etiologias (DMC-OE). Métodos De 1292 pacientes estáveis, encaminhados para angiografia coronária invasiva para elucidar o padrão hemodinâmico e a causa de angina, 247 apresentaram coronárias subepicárdicas normais, e 101 foram incluídos após aplicação dos critérios de exclusão. Desses, 15 compuseram o grupo de DMC-DC e suas características clínicas, hemodinâmicas, angiográficas, e cintilográficas foram comparadas às do grupo de 86 pacientes com DMC-OE. O nível de significância estatística para todas as comparações adotado foi de 0,05. Resultados Pacientes com suspeita de DMC-DC apresentaram características antropométricas, clínicas e angiográficas, além de alterações hemodinâmicas e de perfusão miocárdica estatisticamente comparáveis às detectadas nos 86 pacientes com DMC-OE. Disfunção ventricular diastólica, expressa por elevada pressão telediastólica do ventrículo esquerdo, foi igualmente encontrada nos dois grupos. Entretanto, em comparação a esse grupo com DMC-OE, o grupo com DMC-DC exibiu fração de ejeção ventricular esquerda mais baixa (61,1 ± 11,9 vs 54,8 ± 15,9; p= 0,049) e mais elevado escore de mobilidade da parede ventricular (1,77 ± 0,35 vs 1,18 ± 0,26; p= 0,02). Conclusão A cardiomiopatia crônica da doença de Chagas esteve associada à etiologia de possível doença microvascular coronariana em 15% de amostra de 101 pacientes estáveis, cujo sintoma principal era angina requerendo elucidação por angiografia invasiva. Embora os grupos DMC-DC e DMC-OE apresentassem características clínicas, hemodinâmicas, e de perfusão miocárdica em comum, a disfunção global e segmentar do ventrículo esquerdo foi mais grave nos pacientes com DMC associada à DC em comparação à DMC por outras etiologias. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; 115(6):1094-1101)
A Conceptual Model for the Origin of the Cutoff Parameter in Exotic Compact Objects

A Black Hole (BH) is a spacetime region with a horizon and where geodesics converge to a singularity. At such a point, the gravitational field equations fail. As an alternative to the problem of the singularity arises the existence of Exotic Compact Objects (ECOs) that prevent the problem of the singularity through a transition phase of matter once it has crossed the horizon. ECOs are characterized by a closeness parameter or cutoff, ϵ, which measures the degree of compactness of the object. This parameter is established as the difference between the radius of the ECO’s surface and the gravitational radius. Thus, different values of ϵ correspond to different types of ECOs. If ϵ is very big, the ECO behaves more like a star than a black hole. On the contrary, if ϵ tends to a very small value, the ECO behaves like a black hole. It is considered a conceptual model of the origin of the cutoff for ECOs, when a dust shell contracts gravitationally from an initial position to near the Schwarzschild radius. This allowed us to find that the cutoff makes two types of contributions: a classical one governed by General Relativity and one of a quantum nature, if the ECO is very close to the horizon, when estimating that the maximum entropy is contained within the material that composes the shell. Such entropy coincides with the Bekenstein–Hawking entropy. The established cutoff corresponds to a dynamic quantity dependent on coordinate time that is measured by a Fiducial Observer (FIDO). Without knowing the details about quantum gravity, parameter ϵ is calculated, which, in general, allows distinguishing the ECOs from BHs. Specifically, a black shell (ECO) is undistinguishable from a BH.
Non‐Toxic Virucidal Macromolecules Show High Efficacy Against Influenza Virus Ex Vivo and In Vivo

Influenza is one of the most widespread viral infections worldwide and represents a major public health problem. The risk that one of the next pandemics is caused by an influenza strain is high. It is important to develop broad‐spectrum influenza antivirals to be ready for any possible vaccine shortcomings. Anti‐influenza drugs are available but they are far from ideal. Arguably, an ideal antiviral should target conserved viral domains and be virucidal, that is, irreversibly inhibit viral infectivity. Here, a new class of broad‐spectrum anti‐influenza macromolecules is described that meets these criteria and display exceedingly low toxicity. These compounds are based on a cyclodextrin core modified on its primary face with long hydrophobic linkers terminated either in 6'sialyl‐N‐acetyllactosamine (6’SLN) or in 3’SLN. SLN enables nanomolar inhibition of the viruses while the hydrophobic linkers confer irreversibility to the inhibition. The combination of these two properties allows for efficacy in vitro against several human or avian influenza strains, as well as against a 2009 pandemic influenza strain ex vivo. Importantly, it is shown that, in mice, one of the compounds provides therapeutic efficacy when administered 24 h post‐infection allowing 90% survival as opposed to no survival for the placebo and oseltamivir.
Some observations on plasma-assisted combustion enhancement using dielectric barrier discharges

We explore an effective way to promote propane combustion by applying a plasma discharge for efficiency enhancement. A coaxial-cylinder, dielectric barrier discharge is used to activate propane and air before they are mixed with each other and ignited for combustion. The characteristics of the combustion flame are well studied and evaluated by varying various operational parameters. It is found that the combustion process can be enhanced by applying a plasma on either the propane or air stream, and the combustion stability is found to be somewhat sensitive to the lean burning conditions and confined to a relatively narrow operating window. The temperature and spectrum of the flame in the main combustion zone are investigated with a 4 W plasma in the on or off state. The main components are identified, and the possible physical and chemical reaction mechanisms are discussed. A comparative analysis of these spectra and temperatures obtained in the main flame suggests that the energy generated from the 4 W plasma is partially used to heat the reaction gases in the flame, and another part of the energy is used to increase the luminosity, especially for activation of air. We also observe that combustion of high flow rate propane and/or air requires more discharge energy density under certain conditions. A comparison of combustion enhancement through different activation methods in flame blowout tests shows that reactive species derived from activation of air play a more critical role in the blowout limit of propane combustion flame than those generated by activation of propane at low equivalence ratio and propane flow.
Self-sustained dc atmospheric pressure normal glow discharge in helium: from microamps to amps

It has been shown that self-sustained normal dc atmospheric pressure glow discharge (APGD) in helium exists in a large range of current values from 100 µA to 10 A. The plasma of this discharge is weakly ionized (one thousandth part of a per cent) and is non-equilibrium. The plasma non-equilibrium degree in the positive column depends on the discharge current values. Parameters of the cathode region stay constant over the whole current range of normal APGD.
Feeling correct is feeling prejudiced: The differential effects of attitude correctness and attitude clarity on evaluations of outgroups

Global attitude certainty consists of two subconstructs: attitude clarity—certainty that one is aware of one’s true attitudes—and attitude correctness, certainty that one’s attitudes are morally correct and valid. Attitude correctness is more often associated with group-related psychological and behavioral outcomes than attitude clarity. As such, we expected that attitude correctness, but not attitude clarity, would be associated with more negative attitudes toward outgroups when group boundaries are defined by attitudes. Across four studies, greater attitude correctness related to more negative attitudes toward attitudinal outgroups regardless of context (e.g., political, religious); attitude clarity’s relationship to prejudice was inconsistent (Studies 1a and 2: positive or no relationship; Study 3: negative; Studies 1b and 4: no relationship). In Studies 2 and 3, mediational analyses showed that greater attitude correctness was associated with stronger beliefs that group boundaries are sharp and distinct (i.e., discreteness beliefs), which in turn was associated with greater prejudice. Finally, Study 4 demonstrated that the attitude correctness–prejudice link was associated with greater intention to engage in competitive behaviors in a conflict resolution scenario with an outgroup member.
Job Satisfaction Over the Life Course

We examine the relationship between union membership and job satisfaction over the life-course using data from the National Child Development Study (NCDS) tracking all those born in Great Britain in a single week in March in 1958 through to age 55 (2013). Data from immigrants as well as non-respondents to the original 1958 Perinatal Mortality Study (PMS) are added in later years. Conditioning on one’s social class at birth, together with one’s education and employment status, we find there is a significant negative correlation between union membership and job satisfaction that is apparent across the life-course. Lagged union membership status going back many years is negatively correlated with current job satisfaction, though its effects become statistically non-significant when conditioning on current union membership status. These results provide a different perspective to longitudinal studies showing short-term positive responses to switches in membership status. They are consistent with earlier work showing that this cohort of workers, and others before them, have persistently lower job satisfaction as union members compared to their non-union counterparts.
Generation of Molecular Recognition Sites in Electrospun Polymer Nanofibers via Molecular Imprinting

A simple method for the formation of molecular recognition sites in polymer nanofibers was developed. Electrospun nanofibers were prepared from a solution mixture of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and polyallylamine in the presence of a template molecule, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). The polyamine was used to provide functional groups that interact with the template during the electrospinning process, and PET acted as a major supporting matrix to ensure easy fiber formation and to minimize the conformational change of the polymers when the nanofibers were subjected to different solvent treatments. When the template was removed by solvent extraction, imprinted binding sites were left in the nanofiber materials that are capable of selectively rebinding the target molecule. The molecularly imprinted nanofibers were characterized by SEM, FT-IR, and radioligand binding analysis.
Design and Simulation of Compound Eye Lens for Visible Light Communication and Illumination

We proposed a scheme for designing an optical launch system that can make the light intensity more uniform on the receiving plane via a compound eye lens combined with a sunflower plano-convex lens. )e simulation results demonstrate that the light converges on the optical axis after passing through the sunflower-shaped plano-convex lens array and compound eye lens. )e divergence angle and central light intensity of the receiving plane are, respectively, 26.57° and 80.50% of the total emitted light power for the array structure of the compact compound eye plano-convex lens, while those are 21.80° and 62.50% for the discrete compound eye lens. From the above results, it can be seen that the compact compound eye lens is more conducive to the uniform distribution of light intensity on the receiving plane compared with the discrete compound eye lens, taking into account the dual application of illumination and communication.