Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Radiocesium Adsorption By Zeolitic Materials Synthesized From Coal Fly Ash

Abstract Brown coal fly ash derived from the combustion of brown-coal in power plant ENO Nováky (Slovak Republic) was used as raw material for synthesis of zeolitic materials ZM1 and ZM3 by hydrothermal alternation with 1M NaOH and 3M NaOH, respectively. Fly ash and synthesized products were characterized using XRF and SEM-EDX analysis. Subsequently, zeolitic materials were tested as sorbents to remove Cs+ ions from aqueous solutions using radiotracer technique. Sorption of cesium by both types of zeolitic materials obeys Langmuir adsorption isotherm model. The maximum sorption capacities Qmax at pH 6.0 calculated from Langmuir isotherm were 1203 ± 65 μmol Cs+/ g for ZM1 and 1341 ± 66 μmol Cs+/ g for ZM3. The results showed that alkali treated fly ash can be used as effective sorbent for radiocesium removal from contaminated solutions
Polyaniline functionalized magnetic mesoporous nanocomposite: A smart material for the immobilization of lipase

Magnetically separable mesoporous silica nanocomposites with polyoaniline functionalization (Pani-MS@Fe3O4) were synthesized for the immobilization of lipase via electrostatic adsorption. The as prepared Pani-MS@Fe3O4 nanocomposites as well as immobilized lipase were characterized by FTIR, XRD, HRTEM, FESEM, BET, and TGA techniques. The BET surface area was calculated to be 779.27 m2/g, 425 m2/g, and 230.45 m2/g for magnetic mesoporous nanoparticle (MS@Fe3O4), Pani-MS@Fe3O4 nanocomposite, and lipase immobilized Pani-MS@Fe3O4 nanocomposite respectively. The comparison experiments verified that the immobilized lipase exhibited slightly higher optimal pH and temperature value with a wider pH-activity and temperature stability in comparison with the free lipase. From Michaelis–Menten kinetic study, the lower Km value (0.25 mM) and higher Vmax value (0.0341 mM/min) for the immobilized lipase revealed the higher affinity of immobilized lipase toward the substrate. Further, reusability studies of the immobilized lipase indicated that up to 70% of the original activity was retained after having been recycled seven times. POLYM. COMPOS. , 2014. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers
Zn-Doped Gallium Nitride Nanotubes with Zigzag Morphology

Zn-doped gallium nitride (GaN) nanotubes with zigzag morphology have been synthesized by a chemical vapor deposition method. A single-crystalline zigzag nanotube consists of two building blocks with equivalent growth directions, hexagonal cross sections, and about 10 nm wall thicknesses. The formation of the nanotube is attributed to the reduction of electrostatic interaction energy caused by the polar side surfaces of GaN. A room temperature photoluminescence spectrum of Zn-doped GaN nanotubes with zigzag morphology shows two peaks at 2.97 and 2.16 eV, respectively.
Fast Structure Recovery and Integration using Scaled Orthographic Factorization

요 약 본 논문에서는 비디오에서의 특징점 추적을 통해 얻은 2D 좌표를 이용 한 3D 구조를 추정하는 방법과 네 점 이상의 공통점을 이용한 융합 방법을 제안한다. 영상의 각 프레임에서 공통되는 특징점을 이용하여 형상을 추정한 다. 영상의 각 프레임에 대한 특징점의 추적은 Lucas-Kanade 방법을 사용하 였다. 3D 좌표 추정 방법으로 개선된 직교분해기법을 사용하였다. 개선된 직 교분해기법에서는 3D 좌표를 복원함과 동시에 카메라의 위치와 방향을 계산 할 수 있다. 복원된 부분 데이터들은 전체를 이루는 일부분이므로, 융합을 통 해 완성된 모습을 만들 수 있다. 복원된 부분 데이터들의 서로 다른 좌표계 를 기준 좌표계로 변환함으로써 융합할 수 있다. 융합은 카메라의 모션에 해 당하는 카메라의 위치와 방향에 의존된다. 융합 과정은 모두 선형으로 평균 0.5 초 이하의 수행 속도를 보이며 융합의 오차는 평균 0.1cm 이하의 오차를 보였다.
Estimated dietary sodium intake in Thailand: A nationwide population survey with 24‐hour urine collections

Thailand has committed to reducing population sodium intake by 30% by 2025. However, reliable nationally representative data are unavailable for monitoring progress toward the goal. We estimated dietary sodium consumption using 24‐hour urinary analyses in a nationally representative, cross‐sectional population‐based survey. We selected 2388 adults (aged ≥ 18 years) from the North, South, North‐east, Central Regions, and Bangkok, using multi‐stage cluster sampling. Mean sodium excretion was inflated by 10% to adjust for non‐urinary sources. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to assess factors associated with sodium consumption ≥ 2000 mg. Among 1599 (67%) who completed urine collection, mean age was 43 years, 53% were female, and 30% had hypertension. Mean dietary sodium intake (mg/day) was 3636 (±1722), highest in South (4108 ± 1677), and lowest in North‐east (3316 ± 1608). Higher sodium consumption was independently associated with younger age (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) 2.81; 95% Confidence interval (CI): 1.53‐5.17; p = . 001); higher education (AOR 1.79; 95% CI: 1.19‐2.67; p = .005), BMI ≥ 25 (AOR 1.55; 95% CI: 1.09‐2.21; p=.016), and hypertension (AOR 1.58; 95% CI: 1.02‐2.44; p = .038). Urine potassium excretion was 1221 mg/day with little variation across Regions. Estimated dietary sodium consumption in Thai adults is nearly twice as high as recommended levels. These data provide a benchmark for future monitoring.
Heterogeneity and incidence of non-response for changes in cardiorespiratory fitness following time-efficient sprint interval exercise training.

Interindividual variability for training-induced changes in maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) is well described following continuous aerobic and high-intensity interval training. Whether similar variability is observed following time-efficient sprint interval training with minimal training volume (i.e., reduced-exertion high-intensity interval training; REHIT) is unknown. We conducted a pooled analysis of n=117 (68 men) training participants (mean±SD: age: 30±10 y; VO2max: 34.8±7.5 ml·kg-1·min-1), who completed a VO2max assessment before and 3 days after 6 weeks of REHIT comprising of two 10-20 second 'all-out' cycling sprints per session, and n=40 no-intervention control participants (age: 30±13 y; VO2max: 31.5±6.5 ml·kg-1·min-1) who completed repeated VO2max tests over a comparable timeframe. Individual responses estimated using 50% confidence intervals derived from the technical error were interpreted against a smallest worthwhile change (SWC) of 1.75 ml·kg-1·min-1. The standard deviation of individual responses was 2.39 ml·kg-1·min-1 demonstrating clinically meaningful heterogeneity in training-induced changes in VO2max following REHIT that exceed the technical, biological and random within-subjects variability of VO2max assessment. The likely (75% probability) non-response rate was 18% (21/117), and 49% (57/117) of individuals demonstrated increases in VO2max likely higher than the SWC. We conclude that the well-described increase in VO2max following REHIT at the group level is subject to substantial variability in magnitude at an individual level. This has important implications for exercise prescription and can be harnessed to elucidate mechanisms of adaptation. Novelty: • There is substantial heterogeneity in VO2max responses following time-efficient sprint interval training • Proportion of non-response was 18% and ∽50% of individuals show clinically meaningful increases in VO2max.
Mitochondrial Impairment in Sarcopenia

Simple Summary With old age, the strength and size of our muscles worsens with time, affecting our ability to carry out daily activities. Muscle wasting may be more dangerous for some people, causing falls, inactivity, and a loss of self-sufficiency. This severe muscle-wasting condition is called sarcopenia. Mitochondria are sub-cellular organelles involved in the regulation of determinant functions in muscles, such as energy production and programmed cell death. The present review describes muscle modifications and mitochondria alterations occurring in old age, digesting the most important discoveries on mitochondrial changes in sarcopenia. Our comprehensive summary of scientific advances in this field during the last years will be of help for researchers to design future investigations which clarify further aspects of mitochondrial involvement in sarcopenia and define the impact of mitochondria-targeted therapies for the prevention and treatment of sarcopenia. Abstract Sarcopenia is defined by the age-related loss of skeletal muscle quality, which relies on mitochondrial homeostasis. During aging, several mitochondrial features such as bioenergetics, dynamics, biogenesis, and selective autophagy (mitophagy) are altered and impinge on protein homeostasis, resulting in loss of muscle mass and function. Thus, mitochondrial dysfunction contributes significantly to the complex pathogenesis of sarcopenia, and mitochondria are indicated as potential targets to prevent and treat this age-related condition. After a concise presentation of the age-related modifications in skeletal muscle quality and mitochondrial homeostasis, the present review summarizes the most relevant findings related to mitochondrial alterations in sarcopenia.
Anisotropic crack propagation and self-healing mechanism of freestanding black phosphorus nanosheets

In this study, an indentation simulation is employed to study the anisotropic crack propagation and re-forming mechanism of freestanding black phosphorus (FBP) nanosheets by molecular dynamics simulation. The results indicate that the size of the FBP nanosheet decides the crack direction as well as the von Mises stress concentration. It is found that crack directions are not influenced by temperature. With increasing specimen size, the crack propagation rate is nearly the same as at the first stage of crack formation, while in the later stage, cracking develops very quickly in larger specimens. Especially, small FBP nanosheets almost re-form in a short time at ambient temperature. However, after being destroyed, the larger specimen has no possibility of recovery. Besides, when increasing the number of layers of FBP, the energy stored by the top layer and the system undergoing deformation increases. In addition, the specimen with two fixed edges is less stable, leading to increased stress and decreased Young’s modulus compared with the specimen with four fixed edges.
Gene and Metabolite Integration Analysis through Transcriptome and Metabolome Brings New Insight into Heat Stress Tolerance in Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

Potatoes are particularly vulnerable to elevated temperatures, with short heat stress (6 h) inducing stomatal opening and reducing membrane stability and prolonged heat stress (3-day) decreasing the photosynthetic capacity of potato leaves. The integration of transcriptomics and metabolomics methods demonstrated that 448 heat upregulated and 918 heat downregulated genes and 325 and 219 compounds in the positive and negative ionization modes, respectively, were up- or downregulated in leaves in response to short and prolonged heat stress. Differentially expressed genes enriched in photosynthesis, cell wall degradation, heat response, RNA processing, and protein degradation were highly induced during heat exposure, and differentially expressed metabolites involved in amino acid biosynthesis and secondary metabolism were mostly induced during heat exposure, suggesting a possible role of these genes and metabolites in the heat tolerance of the potato. Metabolite and transcript abundances for the upregulation of flavone and flavonol biosynthesis under prolonged heat stress were closely correlated. Heat-induced gene expression in Arabidopsis thaliana shoots and potato leaves overlapped, and heat stress-responsive genes overlapped with drought stress-related genes in potato. The transient expression of four heat-induced genes in Nicotiana benthamiana exhibited increased heat tolerance. This study provides a new transcriptome and metabolic profile of the potato’s response to heat.
Covariation Informed Graph Slepians for Motor Imagery Decoding

Graph signal processing (GSP) provides signal analytic tools for data defined in irregular domains, as is the case of non-invasive electroencephalography (EEG). In this work, the recently introduced technique of Graph Slepian functions is exploited for the robust decoding of motor imagery (MI) brain activity. The particular technique builds over the concept of graph Fourier transform (GFT) and provides additional flexibility in the subsequent data analysis by incorporating domain knowledge. Based on contrastive learning, we introduce an algorithmic pipeline that attains a data driven and subject specific design of Graph Slepian functions. These functions, by incorporating both the topology of the sensor array and the empirical evidence about the differential functional covariation, act as spatial filters that enhance the information conveyed by the multichannel signal and specifically relates to the participant’s intention. The proposed technique for crafting Graph Slepians is incorporated in a MI-decoding scheme, in which the informed projections are fed to a support vector machine (SVM) that casts a prediction regarding the type of intended movement. The employed MI-decoder is evaluated based on two publicly available datasets and its superiority against popular alternatives in the field is established. Computational efficiency is listed among its main advantages, since it involves only simple matrix operations, allowing to consider its use in real-time implementations.
Formation and dynamics of plasma bullets in a non-thermal plasma jet: influence of the high-voltage parameters on the plume characteristics

Non-thermal plasma jets in open air are composed of ionization waves commonly known as ‘plasma bullets’ propagating at high velocities. We present in this paper an experimental study of plasma bullets produced in a dielectric barrier discharge linear-field reactor fed with helium and driven by microsecond high-voltage pulses. Two discharges were produced between electrodes for every pulse (at the rising and falling edge), but only one bullet was generated. Fast intensified charge coupled device camera imaging showed that bullet velocity and diameter increase with applied voltage. Spatially resolved optical emission spectroscopy measurements provided evidence of the hollow structure of the jet and its contraction. It was shown that the pulse amplitude significantly enhances electron energy and production of active species. The plasma bullet appeared to behave like a surface discharge in the tube, and like a positive streamer in air. A kinetics mechanism based on electron impact, Penning effect and charge transfer reactions is proposed to explain the propagation of the ionization front and temporal behavior of the radiative species.
Network for Biomarker Immunoprofiling for Cancer Immunotherapy: Cancer Immune Monitoring and Analysis Centers and Cancer Immunologic Data Commons (CIMAC-CIDC)

Purpose: Immunoprofiling to identify biomarkers and integration with clinical trial outcomes are critical to improving immunotherapy approaches for patients with cancer. However, the translational potential of individual studies is often limited by small sample size of trials and the complexity of immuno-oncology biomarkers. Variability in assay performance further limits comparison and interpretation of data across studies and laboratories. Experimental Design: To enable a systematic approach to biomarker identification and correlation with clinical outcome across trials, the Cancer Immune Monitoring and Analysis Centers and Cancer Immunologic Data Commons (CIMAC-CIDC) Network was established through support of the Cancer MoonshotSM Initiative of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Partnership for Accelerating Cancer Therapies (PACT) with industry partners via the Foundation for the NIH. Results: The CIMAC-CIDC Network is composed of four academic centers with multidisciplinary expertise in cancer immunotherapy that perform validated and harmonized assays for immunoprofiling and conduct correlative analyses. A data coordinating center (CIDC) provides the computational expertise and informatics platforms for the storage, integration, and analysis of biomarker and clinical data. Conclusions: This overview highlights strategies for assay harmonization to enable cross-trial and cross-site data analysis and describes key elements for establishing a network to enhance immuno-oncology biomarker development. These include an operational infrastructure, validation and harmonization of core immunoprofiling assays, platforms for data ingestion and integration, and access to specimens from clinical trials. Published in the same volume are reports of harmonization for core analyses: whole-exome sequencing, RNA sequencing, cytometry by time of flight, and IHC/immunofluorescence.
Introducing the 24-2C Visual Field Test in Neuro-Ophthalmology

Purpose: The Humphrey 24-2C visual field test is a modified 24-2 visual field test that incorporates 10 additional test points in the central 10° of vision. This study compares the new 24-2C test to the standard Humphrey 10-2 visual field test in patients presenting for neuro-ophthalmology evaluation to evaluate its ability to detect central visual field defects. Methods: Twenty-five neuro-ophthalmology patients (42 eyes) underwent both 24-2C and 10-2 visual field testing using the Humphrey perimeter. The number of flagged total deviation (TD) and pattern deviation (PD) points of the 10 added test points of the 24-2C were compared with the corresponding 10-2 fields at the P < 5%, P < 2%, and P < 1% significance levels. The total number of flagged TD points were further analyzed by diagnosis. An experienced neuro-ophthalmologist evaluated all visual fields, commenting on the added value for clinical practice. Results: There was no significant difference between the number of flagged TD and PD points of the 10 extra 24-2C points and corresponding 10-2 points at all significance levels. When analyzed by diagnosis, there was no significant difference in the number of flagged TD points in patients with optic neuritis, ischemic optic neuropathy, optic atrophy, and no neuro-ophthalmic disease. The added 24-2C points aided in identifying visual field defects and areas of spared central vision and had similar diagnostic value as the 10-2. Conclusions: The 24-2C is able to detect visual field loss in the central 10° that corroborates with loss detected in the 10-2 pattern. The 24-2C exhibits potential to be used as a hybrid between the 24-2 and 10-2 to better evaluate visual field defects.
Preparation and Properties of Aluminum-doped ZnO–SiO2 Composite Thin Films

Aluminum-doped ZnO (AZO) thin films are usually used as transparent conductors. For practical applications, however, the relatively high refractive index of AZO can lead to high optical reflection. In this work, we modified the optical properties of AZO thin films by adding different amounts of SiO2 into the AZO thin films to prepare the AZO-SiO2 composite thin films. The AZO-SiO2 films were deposited on quartz substrates using a co-sputtering deposition method. It was shown that the refractive index of the AZO-SiO2 thin films consistently decreased with the amount of SiO2 contained in the films. In the meantime, the resistivity of the AZO-SiO2 thin films was found to increase with the SiO2 content in the films. The effects of the deposition conditions on the optical and electrical properties of the AZO-SiO2 thin films were systematically investigated.
Analysis of Parametric and Subharmonic Excitation in Push-Pull Driven Disk Resonator Gyroscopes

For micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) resonators, once the devices are fabricated and packaged, their intrinsic quality factors (Q) will be fixed and cannot be changed, which seriously limits the further improvement of the resonator’s performance. In this paper, parametric excitation is applied in a push-pull driven disk resonator gyroscope (DRG) to improve its sensitivity by an electrical pump, causing an arbitrary increase of the “effective Q”. However, due to the differential characteristics of the push-pull driving method, the traditional parametric excitation method is not applicable. As a result, two novel methods are proposed and experimentally carried out to achieve parametric excitation in the push-pull driven DRGs, resulting in a maximum “effective Q” of 2.24 × 106 in the experiment, about a 7.6 times improvement over the intrinsic Q. Besides, subharmonic excitation is also theoretically analyzed and experimentally characterized. The stability boundary of parametric excitation, defined by a threshold voltage, is theoretically predicted and verified by related experiments. It is demonstrated that, when keeping the gyroscope’s vibration at a constant amplitude, the fundamental frequency driving voltage will decrease with the increasing of the parametric voltage and will drop to zero at its threshold value. In this case, the gyroscope operates in a generalized parametric resonance condition, which is called subharmonic excitation. The novel parametric and subharmonic excitation theories displayed in this paper are proven to be efficient and tunable dynamical methods with great potential for adjusting the quality factor flexibly, which can be used to further enhance the resonator’s performance.
Cancer and Stress: Does It Make a Difference to the Patient When These Two Challenges Collide?

Simple Summary Head and neck cancers are the sixth most common cancer in the world. The burden of the disease has remained challenging over recent years despite the advances in treatments of other malignancies. The very use of the word malignancy brings about a stress response in almost all adult patients. Being told you have a tumour is not a word anyone wants to hear. We have embarked on a study which will investigate the effect of stress pathways on head and neck cancer patients and which signalling pathways may be involved. In the future, this will allow clinicians to better manage patients with head and neck cancer and reduce the patients’ stress so that this does not add to their tumour burden. Abstract A single head and neck Cancer (HNC) is a globally growing challenge associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The diagnosis itself can affect the patients profoundly let alone the complex and disfiguring treatment. The highly important functions of structures of the head and neck such as mastication, speech, aesthetics, identity and social interactions make a cancer diagnosis in this region even more psychologically traumatic. The emotional distress engendered as a result of functional and social disruption is certain to negatively affect health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The key biological responses to stressful events are moderated through the combined action of two systems, the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal axis (HPA) which releases glucocorticoids and the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) which releases catecholamines. In acute stress, these hormones help the body to regain homeostasis; however, in chronic stress their increased levels and activation of their receptors may aid in the progression of cancer. Despite ample evidence on the existence of stress in patients diagnosed with HNC, studies looking at the effect of stress on the progression of disease are scarce, compared to other cancers. This review summarises the challenges associated with HNC that make it stressful and describes how stress signalling aids in the progression of cancer. Growing evidence on the relationship between stress and HNC makes it paramount to focus future research towards a better understanding of stress and its effect on head and neck cancer.