Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stacking‐Fault Energies of GaAs

Transmission electron microscopy is used to determine the dissociation width of extended dislocations in n-, si-, and p-GaAs. Results obtained by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and the weak-beam technique (WB) are compared. Reasons for the differences between the results obtained from WB and HRTEM and their influence on the determination of the stacking-fault energy are discussed. The results are compared with previous investigations, which show a wide scatter of results despite the fact, that the stacking-fault energy is an intrinsic material property. A number of parameters, such as the defect used for the determination, localization of the partial-dislocation cores and the electrical characteristics of the material are considered to explain the discrepancies. Die Aufspaltung von Versetzungen in n-, si- and p-GaAs wird mittels Elektronenmikroskopie (Hochauflosungs- und weak-beam-Abbildung) untersucht. Unterschiedliche Ergebnisse aus beiden Methoden und ihr Einflus auf die Bestimmung der Stapelfehlerenergie werden erortert. Der Vergleich mit fruheren Arbeiten ergibt eine weite Streuung der Ergebnisse, obwohl die Stapelfehlerenergie eine Materialkonstante ist. Einflusse unterschiedlicher Faktoren, z. B. der Typ des untersuchten Defektes, die Defekterzeugung, die Delokalisierung des Kerns der Partialversetzungen und elektrische Eigenschaften der Versetzungen werden betrachtet, um die Abweichungen zu erklaren.
Indicators for the estimation of vulnerability to land degradation derived from soil compaction and vegetation cover

The increasing incidence of soil degradation requires monitoring strategies adapted to the scale of interest. We propose an innovative approach to the large‐scale investigation of predominantly green areas where healthy vegetation is the clue to identifying vital and protected soil. We started with the well‐established environmentally sensitive areas (ESA) model, which provides an evaluation of overall land vulnerability that is based on structural, biophysical and socio‐economic indicators. To improve the estimation of soil vulnerability, we integrated information on the potential extent of compaction caused by agricultural machinery. To differentiate the degree of degradation in areas that show similar potential vulnerability we included information on the temporal variation of photosynthetic activity in the model for early detection of the soil's reduced ability to carry out ecosystem services and functions. Satellite data were used to obtain vegetation cover properties to integrate into the ESA model to improve estimation of land degradation in southern Italy, where both natural and agricultural areas are widespread. Inclusion of the temporal dimension is essential for discriminating between different degrees of soil productivity in areas characterized by similar structural conditions. Our procedure is adaptable, user‐friendly and easily transferable.
Sharply Angled Lateral Curvature Modification in Anal Fin of a Viviparous Fish, Xenotoca variata (Cyprinodontiformes: Goodeidae)

Almost all viviparous species possess male external genitalia; for example, the mammalian penis is an intromittent organ. Some live-bearing bony fish use their anal fins to assist in mating and internal fertilization. We previously reported a male-specific asymmetric curvature at the posterior end of the anal fin in Xenotoca eiseni, a viviparous fish of the family Goodeidae. However, three other goodeid species, Xenotoca melanosoma, Zoogoneticus quitzeoensis, and Chapalichthys pardalis, examined in that study possessed lesser anal fin curvature modifications as compared to those in the anal fin of X. eiseni. Here, we report the second case of acute-angled curvature modification of the male anal fin in the family Goodeidae. We obtained a dead specimen of the goodeid species Xenotoca variata from a city zoo in Japan, and the morphological and histological analyses indicated an acute-angled asymmetric curvature of the posterior end of the anal fin in X. variata, similar to that observed in X. eiseni in the previous study. However, in our previous report, obtuse-angled modification was only observed in one other Xenotoca species, X. melanosoma, and two species belonging to other genera, Z. quitzeoensis and C. pardalis. Therefore, our findings suggest that the acute-angled curvature in the male anal fin has been developed in the genus Xenotoca.
Chitosan amphiphiles provide new drug delivery opportunities

Chitosan amphiphiles self-assemble into nanoparticles that are used for drug delivery. These chitosan amphiphile nanoparticles significantly enhance the oral absorption of hydrophobic drugs such as cyclosporine A for example. Chitosan, an acid soluble and renewable biopolymer, was first studied as a drug delivery agent in 1990. This review focuses on the relatively newer self-assembling chitosan amphiphiles and their use as drug delivery agents. Chitosan amphiphiles, first introduced in the late 1990s, are prepared by conjugating hydrophobic and sometimes additional hydrophilic units to chitosan. These amphiphiles self-assemble in aqueous media at neutral pH to form micelles, with critical micellar concentrations (CMCs) ranging from 0.09 to 700μg mL. The CMCs depend on the actual molecular architecture, molecular weight and hydrophobic character, but are typically lower than the values reported for block copolymer amphiphiles. As well as linear amphiphiles in which chitosan is derivatised with hydrophobic pendant groups, new claw amphiphiles have been prepared in which chitosan amphiphiles radiate geometrically from a dendrimer core. These chitosan amphiphiles (linear and claw) have been exploited as drug delivery agents and they increase the oral bioavailability of hydrophobic drugs up to sixfold, deliver hydrophobic drugs to tumours, genes to the liver via the intravenous route, genes to the muscle via the intramuscular routes and small interfering RNAs to tumours via the intratumoural route. Chitosan amphiphile nanoparticles also deliver peptides to the brain via the intravenous and oral routes. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry.
Atmospheric Cold Front-Generated Waves in the Coastal Louisiana

Atmospheric cold front-generated waves play an important role in the air–sea interaction and coastal water and sediment transports. In-situ observations from two offshore stations are used to investigate variations of directional waves in the coastal Louisiana. Hourly time series of significant wave height and peak wave period are examined for data from 2004, except for the summer time between May and August, when cold fronts are infrequent and weak. The intra-seasonal scale variations in the wavefield are significantly affected by the atmospheric cold frontal events. The wave fields and directional wave spectra induced by four selected cold front passages over the coastal Louisiana are discussed. It is found that significant wave height generated by cold fronts coming from the west change more quickly than that by other passing cold fronts. The peak wave direction rotates clockwise during the cold front events. The variability of the directional wave spectrum shows that the largest spectral density is distributed at low frequency in the postfrontal phase associated with migrating cyclones (MC storms) and arctic surges (AS storms).
Alkaline stability of poly(phenylene)‐based anion exchange membranes with various cations

Anion exchange membranes comprised of a poly(phenylene) backbone and one of five different cationic head-groups are prepared, briefly characterized, and tested for stability in 4 M KOH at 90 °C. The two membranes with resonance-stabilized cations (benzyl pentamethylguanidinium and benzyl N-methylimidazolium) show large (>25%) decreases in both conductivity and ion exchange capacity (IEC) after just one day of testing. The membrane with benzyl trimethylammonium cations shows a 33% loss of conductivity (14% decrease in IEC) after 14 days while the membrane with trimethylammonium cations attached by a hexamethylene spacer shows the least degradation: a 5% loss of conductivity over 14 days with no accompanying loss in IEC. A similar membrane which has a six-carbon spacer and a ketone adjacent to the phenyl ring shows much lower stability, suggesting that the ketone takes part in degradation reactions. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2013, 51, 1736–1742, 2013
‘Rape is a man’s issue:’ gender and power in the era of affirmative sexual consent

ABSTRACT The #MeToo movement has shined light on sexual harassment and assault, creating new avenues for survivors to seek justice, outside of the justice system. People (mostly men) accused of sexual assault or harassment are publicly ‘outed’, and the consequence have been serious for many. #MeToo stresses that ‘rape is a man’s issue’, arguing that men can end rape by educating themselves about gendered power, changing their behaviour, and holding other men accountable. In this contentious context, affirmative consent policies are taking root in US universities. In this paper, we ask, How does gender frame the negotiation of consent? We analyse data from our interview project on sexual consent (N = 45) to explore gendered power dynamics in subjects’ reported negotiations of sexual consent. We find that participants’ understandings of consent reinforced – rather than destabilized – hegemonic systems of power. Even when acting in ways that seemed consistent with feminist conceptualizations of bodily autonomy and affirmative consent, men in this study did so to protect their own interests. Affirmative consent was mediated through gender frames that stressed men’s sexual entitlement. We conclude that sexual assault intervention strategies need to be reworked to address systemic, cultural, and individual-level issues.
HoloCities: A Shared Reality application for Collaborative Tourism

Communication is a key arena for shared-reality application: our mixed reality application is developed on Microsoft Hololens and it has been designed to provide new engaging ways to discover the city using augmented reality. Most augmented reality tourism applications isolate the user, therefore, this application has been made multiplayer and collaborative to encourage shared experiences and socialization. In this project two scenarios are described: In the first scenario there is a real guide that exposes to the group, each equipped with Head Mounted Display, the peculiarities of the monument visited. Each user share the 3D models manipulated by the guide that can be in the same room or it can be a remote guide leveraging on the 5G network low latency. Moreover, the guide could highlight and label to convey relevant information about the objects. While in the second scenario there is no real guide, so the application automatically recognizes the framed monument thanks to a visual search engine running on a 5G-ready infrastructure and shows shared information to the whole group of tourists. Moreover, it uses the huge amount of multimedia data stored in the archives of the Italian Public Broadcaster RAI. Thanks to the fact that the new HMDs are able to track the position and orientation of the user, we have created a menu capable of following the user while exploring the city. Moreover, the shared-interaction with virtual objects is performed by hands or vocal commands. Both scenarios allow users to visit a city in a new and intelligent way, promoting participation and collaboration with others and with the guide, unlike previous approaches that involve only one tourist using the information provided by the app.
The pull-off test of different materials using electroadhesive pads

The aim of the article was to investigate the phenomenon of electroadhesion in terms of the value of pull-off force for various materials. Application possibilities of electroadhesion, which is widely used in industry, are presented. A unique measuring and power-supplying system was designed and built. A dynamometer was used to test the pull-off force. The test was conducted for three materials: cellulose, silicone-modified cellulose and polyester. The measurements were presented on histograms, taking into account the average force used to pull off a given material. Streszczenie Celem artykułu było zbadanie zjawiska elektroadhezji pod kątem wartości siły zrywu dla różnych materiałów. Przedstawiono możliwości zastosowania elektroadhezji, która jest szeroko stosowana w przemyśle. Zaprojektowano i zbudowano unikalny system pomiarowy i zasilający. Do badania siły zrywu użyto dynamometru. Badania przeprowadzono dla trzech materiałów: celulozy, celulozy modyfikowanej silikonem oraz poliestru. Pomiary zostały przedstawione na histogramach z uwzględnieniem średniej siły odciągania danego materiału. Badanie siły zrywu matriałów używanych do prdukcji elektroadhezyjnych elementów
Comprehensive Ahead Prospecting of Tunnels in Severely Weathered Rock Mass Environments with High Water Inrush Risk: A Case Study in Shaanxi Province

The ahead geological prospecting of severely weathered surrounding rock in a tunnel is challenging due to complex geological conditions. Hence, the best approach is to use a variety of geophysical exploration methods. In this study, we have applied seismic, electrical resistivity (ER), and transient electromagnetic (TEM) methodologies for ahead prospecting of the highly weathered and complex surrounding rock at the diversion tunnel of the Hongyan River to Stone River Water Transfer Project in Shaanxi Province, China. The seismic method was employed to detect structural information for an area of 100 m from the front of the tunnel, the TEM method was used to obtain the resistivity information within 60 m, and the ER method was conducted to obtain detailed resistivity information over a range of 30 m. The integrated results generated a comprehensive interpretation of the geological body located within 100 m of the front of the tunnel. We divided this geological area into intact, severely weathered, and slightly weathered sections. Information on the water content of each section was also produced. The results of subsequent excavations are consistent with our results, proving the effectiveness and feasibility of a comprehensive approach for analyzing highly weathered and complex surrounding rock.
Lianas explore the forest canopy more effectively than trees under drier conditions

1. Lianas rely on trees for support and access to high-light positions in the forest canopy, but the implications for how lianas explore the canopy compared to trees remain un-derstudied. We present an in situ forest canopy study to test the hypotheses that: (1) lianas favour leaf display over stem investment compared to trees and (2) lianas have greater potential to colonize non-shaded, high-light areas effectively than trees. 2. We compared branches of 16
Desorption of myo-inositol hexakisphosphate and phosphate from goethite by different reagents

Inositol phosphates are abundant organic phosphates found widely in the environment. The sorption and desorption of organic phosphate (Po) are important processes in controlling the mobility, bioavailability and fate of phosphorus (P) in soil and sediment. The desorption characteristics of myo-inositol hexakisphosphate (IHP) and inorganic phosphate (Pi) from goethite were studied by pre-sorption of IHP or Pi followed by desorption by KCl, H2O, and citrate. Batch experiments and in situ attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy were used to investigate the desorption of IHP/Pi. The desorption percentage of IHP/Pi by citrate was much higher than that by H2O/KCl. The desorption of P by citrate was mainly achieved through ligand exchange, and the desorption increased with decreasing pH. Desorption by H2O was slightly greater than that by 0.02 M KCl because the electrostatic repulsion between the P molecules is larger in H2O. Due to the higher affinity of IHP for goethite than that of Pi, the maximum desorption of IHP was lower than that of Pi. Desorption curves (desorption concentration in solution vs. sorption density) of IHP or Pi on goethite by KCl or H2O was well fitted by an exponential equation, while those by citrate were well fitted by a linear equation. The desorption amounts of P in the first cycle account for more than 58% of the total desorption followed by substantial decreases in the second and third cycles. There was a re-sorption of Pi from solution in the late stage of desorption by KCl and H2O, resulting in a sharp decrease in desorption. Re-sorption of IHP did not occur, which is probably due to its poor diffusion into goethite. The initial desorption rate of Pi with KCl and H2O decreased with increasing pre-sorption time, whereas that of IHP was opposite. This study indicates that strong sorption on and weak desorption of IHP from iron (hydr)oxides may explain the accumulation of IHP in soils.
Phonological Substitution is Motivated by Adjacent Phonological Features: Evidence from Classical Arabic

This article aims at investigating phonological substitution in classical Arabic. I hypothesise that consonantal and vocalic substitution is motivated by phonological features of adjacent consonantal or vocalic segments. Data of the study were collected from classical Arabic literary works in Aldiwan – encyclopaedia of Arabic poetry. Data were analysed in the framework of Chomsky and Halle’s SPE theory. Findings of the study have revealed that phonological features of consonantal or vocalic segments motivate other adjacent consonants to undergo a phonological substitution process in specific phonological contexts in classical Arabic. It has been revealed that the glide /w/ surfaces as /t/ when it is followed by /t/ or as /j/ when it occurs between two vowels, the first of which is high short /i/ and the second is low long /aː/, word-internally. The phoneme /t/ becomes /t/ when it is preceded by /ṣ/, /d/, /t/ or /ð/ across a syllable, and it surfaces as /d/ when it is preceded by /d/, /z/ or /ð/ word-internally. It has been also found that the long vowels /aː, iː, uː/ replace glide phonemes in vocalic substitution processes when glides are adjacent to corresponding short vowels either word-internally or word-finally.
A Study on the Validity of the Grammar Fill-in-the-blank Questions of the National English Paper for College Entrance Examination in 2020

Grammar fill-in-the-blank is different from previous single-choice questions. It uses text as a carrier to test students’ English ability, instead of traditional multiple-choice questions. However, is it better than the single-choice test? Is it effective? Taking the grammar filling-in-the-blank questions of the 2020 National College Entrance Examination Papers 1, 2 and 3 as the research object, starting from the grammar filling-in-the-blank, combined with the students’ expected answers, this article conducts an analysis and investigation. The results show that grammar fill-in-the-blank questions are highly effective, which can examine students’ grammatical ability. However, some test points are still limited to the level of words or phrases, so the discourse function is not fully utilized. In this regard, the author puts forward specific suggestions for improvement.
Control and Dispersal of Bacterial Biofilms on OrthodonticLigatures Using Plant Wealth: An Overview

The development of bacterial biofilms on the fixed appliances have been associated the development of white spot lesion, plaque, enamel decalcification and caries and onset of various infections. Multiple biofilm dispersal and control measures such as acid shock treatment, catheter lock solution etc. have been reviewed earlier. However, visualizing a huge pool of naturally occurring green wealth, the present precise review exclusively reminds of further intensification of more focused approach to evolve promising antibiofilm and antimicrobial biomolecules to curb oral biofilms. A large plant wealth like Ficus retusa, Wrightia tinctoria, Terminalia catappa, Terminalia bellirica, Mentha arvensis, Alangium salviifolium, Psidium guajava, Acacia farnesiana, Cajanus cajan, Anisomeles malabarica etc. have been explored as dental remedies for variety of dental disorders viz. toothache, foetid smell, gingivitis. However, the studies on anti-colonization potential of the plants still seems to be deficient. Further, the scientific data pool also seems to lack ample scientific documentation on plants or their biomolecules with dual antimicrobial and anti-colonization activity, especially in context to orthodontic ligature induced biofilms. Thus, there is need to trigger the targeted research efforts to explore relevant noble phytochemicals.
Exome sequencing revealed PDE11A as a novel candidate gene for early-onset Alzheimer’s disease

Abstract To identify novel risk genes and better understand the molecular pathway underlying Alzheimer’s disease (AD), whole-exome sequencing was performed in 215 early-onset AD (EOAD) patients and 255 unrelated healthy controls of Han Chinese ethnicity. Subsequent validation, computational annotation and in vitro functional studies were performed to evaluate the role of candidate variants in EOAD. We identified two rare missense variants in the phosphodiesterase 11A (PDE11A) gene in individuals with EOAD. Both variants are located in evolutionarily highly conserved amino acids, are predicted to alter the protein conformation and are classified as pathogenic. Furthermore, we found significantly decreased protein levels of PDE11A in brain samples of AD patients. Expression of PDE11A variants and knockdown experiments with specific short hairpin RNA (shRNA) for PDE11A both resulted in an increase of AD-associated Tau hyperphosphorylation at multiple epitopes in vitro. PDE11A variants or PDE11A shRNA also caused increased cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels, protein kinase A (PKA) activation and cAMP response element-binding protein phosphorylation. In addition, pretreatment with a PKA inhibitor (H89) suppressed PDE11A variant-induced Tau phosphorylation formation. This study offers insight into the involvement of Tau phosphorylation via the cAMP/PKA pathway in EOAD pathogenesis and provides a potential new target for intervention.
A Sensitive Validated Spectrophotometric Method for the Determination of Flucloxacillin Sodium

A simple and sensitive spectrophotometric method has been proposed for the determination of flucloxacillin sodium. The determination method is based on charge transfer complexation reaction of the drug with iodine in methanol-dichloromethane medium. The absorbance was measured at 362 nm against the reagent blank. Under optimized experimental conditions, Beer's law is obeyed in the concentration ranges 1-9 μg/mL for flucloxacillin. The method was validated for specificity, linearity, precision, accuracy. The degree of linearity of the calibration curves, the percent recoveries, limit of detection and quantitation for the spectrophotometric method were determined. No interferences could be observed from the additives commonly present in the pharmaceutical formulations. The method was successfully applied for in vitro determination of human urine samples with low RSD value. This is simple, specific, accurate and sensitive spectrophotometric method.