Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Undetected Binary Stars Cause an Observed Mass-dependent Age Gradient in Upper Scorpius

Young stellar associations represent a key site for the study of star formation, but to accurately compare observations to models of stellar evolution, the age of an association must be determined. The Upper Scorpius region is the youngest section of the Scorpius–Centaurus OB association, which is the largest collection of nearby, young, low-mass stars. The true age of Upper Scorpius is not clear, and an observed mass-dependent age gradient in Upper Scorpius, as well as in other star-forming regions, complicates age measurements. The age gradient may indicate a genuine astrophysical feature or may be an artifact of unrecognized systematic effects in stellar age measurements. We have conducted a synthetic red-optical low-resolution spectroscopic survey of a simulated analog to the Upper Scorpius star-forming region to investigate the effects of unresolved binary stars (which have mass-dependent demographics) on age measurements of a stellar population. We found that the observed mass-dependent age gradient in Upper Scorpius can be explained by a population of undetected binary stars. For a simulated population with an age of 10 (rms = 2) Myr, we measured an age of 10.5 (rms = 3.5) Myr for F stars and of 7.5 (rms = 5.8) Myr for M stars. This discrepancy is caused by the mass-dependent mass ratio distribution and the variable steepness of the mass–luminosity relation. Our results support the previously suggested 10 Myr age for Upper Scorpius, with a small intrinsic age spread.
Combined load and leachant pH effects on contaminant release from fly ash

Several studies have been performed recently on the suitability of particulate waste materials as substitute aggregate in load bearing and geoenvironmental structures. To investigate the long-term performance and durability of these recycled materials, the coupled effects of the interacting fluid chemistry and applied load are herein analysed experimentally. The leachability of heavy metals (copper, selenium and arsenic) from coal combustion fly ash as a function of load (under uni-axial stress of about 570 kPa, 1425 kPa, 2850 kPa and 5707 kPa) was assessed in a specially designed leaching device at leachant pH levels of 4, 6 and 8. The rate of release of Cu from fly ash is decreased by applied uni-axial load when compared to that of column leaching for the low L/S ratio of about 1. Release of Se and As is accelerated by uni-axial stress greater than 1425 kPa compared to leaching in a column.
COMPACT LATTICE-TYPE LC BALUN EMBEDDED INTO FR-4 PCB WITH BaTiO3 COMPOSITE FILM

ABSTRACT In this paper, fully embedded lattice type LC balun into a PCB substrate was investigated for advanced RF SOP products with low cost and small size. The proposed balun was miniaturized by embedding high Q circular spiral inductors and MIM capacitors into the FR-4 PCB substrate. Especially, the area of embedded capacitor was extremely reduced by applying high dielectric composite RCC film which was comprised of BaTiO3 power and epoxy resin. These embedded capacitors exhibited excellent performance characteristics at high frequency regime by achieving the capacitance density ranged from 15 pF/mm2 to 25 pF/mm2. The embedded LC baluns had much smaller area than previously reported PCB based ones and excellent performance characteristics. The measured results were well agreed with 3D-EM simulated ones. They are promising for advanced RF SOP products with multi functionalities, small size, and low cost.
Nanocrystalline TiN Derived by a Two-Step Halide Approach for Electrochemical Capacitors

Titanium nitride (TiN) nanocrystallites exhibiting high specific surface area (∼128 m 2 /g) for electrochemical capacitor application were obtained by a two-step halide approach comprised of a room-temperature TiCl 4 (1)-NH 3 (g) reaction followed by heat-treatment under NH 3 atmosphere. The synthesized nitride powders were agglomerates containing spherical crystallites ∼ 10 nm in diam and exhibit a specific surface area ranging from 128 to 23 m 2 /g depending on the heat-treatment temperature. The specific capacitance evaluated by cyclic voltammetry in 1 M KOH electrolyte ranged from 238 to 24 F/g depending on the heat-treatment temperature and the scan rates employed. Structural characterization was performed using X-ray diffraction, helium pycnometry, N 2 adsorption for specific surface area measurements using the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller method, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. Results of these studies are presented and discussed.
Structure–Property Relationships in Epoxy-Amine Networks of Well-Controlled Architecture

Series of epoxy-amine networks of well-controlled architecture were prepared by varying (a) the chemical nature of both diepoxide and primary diamine, (b) the nature and relative amount of the difunctional amine co-hardener and (c) the stoichiometric ratio. The 22 systems under study here proved to be very suitable for establishing connections between network structure and various physical and mechanical properties including glass transition, primary and secondary mechanical relaxations, modulus in the glassy state, plasticization and antiplasticization effects, water uptake and development of residual stresses. Most of these relationships were based on the consideration of the cross-link density, which affects the properties to a larger extent than the chain flexibility.
Genome Sequence of Clostridium sp. Strain P21, a CO-Fermenting Acetogen Isolated from Old Hay

Here, we report the genome sequence of Clostridium sp. strain P21, isolated from old hay from Stillwater, Oklahoma. This announcement describes the generation and annotation of the 5.6-Mb genomic sequence of strain P21, which will aid in studies targeting genes involved in the enhancement of acid-alcohol production. ABSTRACT Here, we report the genome sequence of Clostridium sp. strain P21, isolated from old hay from Stillwater, Oklahoma. This announcement describes the generation and annotation of the 5.6-Mb genomic sequence of strain P21, which will aid in studies targeting genes involved in the enhancement of acid-alcohol production.
Draft Genome Sequences of Three Penicillin-Resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae Strains Isolated in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1994

Here, we report the draft genome sequences of three penicillin-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates. We include associated data on MICs and genetic relationships to other N. gonorrhoeae strains collected from across the United States. Resistance mutations known to contribute to reduced penicillin susceptibility are annotated in each genome. ABSTRACT Here, we report the draft genome sequences of three penicillin-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates. We include associated data on MICs and genetic relationships to other N. gonorrhoeae strains collected from across the United States. Resistance mutations known to contribute to reduced penicillin susceptibility are annotated in each genome.
Catillaria flexuosa (Catillariaceae), a new lichen species described from the Netherlands

Abstract A new lichen species is described from specimens growing on Fraxinus trees north of Eindhoven (the Netherlands). Morphological and genetic studies suggest that the new species belongs in the genus Catillaria, and the name Catillaria flexuosa is proposed because of its flexuose apothecia. The new species is characterized by the relatively large apothecia (up to 0.9 mm diam.) and relatively thick, knobby to ±subsquamulose, greenish, thallus. Due to their similar morphological features, C. flexuosa can be easily confused with Catillaria chalybeia, C. fungoides or C. nigroclavata, so it is therefore compared with these species. In addition, Arthonia epiphyscia is reported being a very rare species in the Netherlands.
Self-assembly and phase transformations of π-conjugated block copolymers that bend and twist: from rigid-rod nanowires to highly curvaceous gyroids

In this study, a series of π-conjugated block copolymers of regioregular poly(3-hexyl thiophene)-b-poly(2-vinyl pyridine) (P3HT–P2VP) was synthesized and their self-assembly behavior and the detailed thermodynamic phase diagram were explored. By a combination of TEM, SAXS, WAXS, and UV-VIS measurements, it was found that the π-conjugated P3HT in their various self-assembled nanodomains could be a rigid rod, or a semi-rigid chain, or even a fully flexible chain. With the P2VP volume fraction, ϕ, = 0.20, the P3HT–P2VP displays a nanowire structure with a fully extended all-transP3HT rod structure across the width of the nanowires, indicating a prevailing rod–rod interaction between P3HT blocks over the microphase separation interaction between the constituent blocks. With ϕ = ∼0.30 to 0.6, the P3HT–P2VPs show a highly ordered lamellar structure with the P3HT block exhibiting as a semirod-like chain composed of shorter rods connected by twisted 3HT units. With ϕ > 0.68, the π-conjugated block copolymers display self-assembling nanostructures of hexagonal close packed cylinders and spheres, indicating that P3HT adopts a fully coil-like structure that favors interfacial curvatures. In particular, for the P3HT–P2VP with ϕ = 0.68, a gyroid phase, the first of its kind for π-conjugated block copolymers, was observed upon heating. For the nanowire structured P3HT–P2VP, a liquid crystalline phase transition from the smectic-like crystalline state to a nematic structure was observed at ∼200 °C. The observed microstructures and transformations reveal the importance of the semirigid nature of π-conjugated P3HT chains and provide new guidelines for the organization of π-conjugated block copolymers for future optoelectronic applications.
Biodegradation of packaging materials: composting of polyolefins

The compostability of LDPE, PP and heterophasic E-P Copolymers was studied for 5 months under normal and accelerated composting environments. Bio-susceptibility of pre-UV (290 nm) treated films (∼ 100μm, 5 X 5 cm) was measured by monitoring the weight loss, intrinsic viscosity [η], chain scission, functional group evolution (FT-IR) and surface morphology (SEM). It was found that with the increasing time of UV treatment, weight loss was increased in compost. Almost linear decrease in [η] was observed for irradiated and composted samples. The temperature of compost and extra addition of thermophilic microbes significantly influenced the biodegradation. In general, it was concluded that the composition of copolymer markedly affected the compostability and increased ethylene content, slowed down the microbial activity.
Beyond ‘puffins and moss’: Iceland Airwaves and post-crash musical tourism

Abstract This article explores relationships between the significant growth of foreign tourism to Iceland, following the 2008 economic crash, and the popular music festival Iceland Airwaves. I consider the effects of Iceland Airwaves on popular music in Reykjavík during the festival and outside of the festival season. My focus is primarily on how the local population experiences Iceland Airwaves and musical tourism in general. Based on ethnographic fieldwork conducted in Iceland between 2010 and 2018, I examine how musicians, politicians, festival management, tourism sector workers, business people, and other music industry workers approach and negotiate the rising role of popular music in Iceland's new tourism economy. This research contributes to broader understandings of how music festivals and musical tourism shape local musical life year-round, and it also offers insight into Iceland's internationally renowned popular music industry.
Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) recovery under a building with an in situ technology using micellar solutions

This paper presents laboratory studies, numerical modelling, and a soil washing field test as a remedial technology for mass reduction in a source zone of soil contaminated with the polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) Aroclor 1248 beneath an industrial building. Due to its high viscosity, the Aroclor 1248 is almost immobile in soils at this site. The objective was therefore to select products capable of dissolving the Aroclor in situ. In the laboratory phase, two surfactants and three alcohols were selected using 52 distinct phase diagrams. Alcohols and surfactants used either alone or in combination were tested in sand columns with contaminated soil from the site. The washing solution used in the field test was composed of an anionic surfactant (Nansa HS 85 S, a dodecylbenzene sulfonate) and an alcohol (n-butanol). In laboratory trials, this solution recovered 99% of initial PCBs by dissolution after the injection of 10 pore volumes of solution. During the field test, however, recovery rates reached only 25%.
Variations in Muscle Activity and Exerted Torque During Temporary Blood Flow Restriction in Healthy Individuals

Recent studies suggest that transitory blood flow restriction (BFR) may improve the outcomes of training from anatomical (hypertrophy) and neural control perspectives. Whilst the chronic consequences of BFR on local metabolism and tissue adaptation have been extensively investigated, its acute effects on motor control are not yet fully understood. In this study, we compared the neuromechanical effects of continuous BFR against non-restricted circulation (atmospheric pressure—AP), during isometric elbow flexions. BFR was achieved applying external pressure either between systolic and diastolic (lower pressure—LP) or 1.3 times the systolic pressure (higher pressure—HP). Three levels of torque (15, 30, and 50% of the maximal voluntary contraction—MVC) were combined with the three levels of pressure for a total of 9 (randomized) test cases. Each condition was repeated 3 times. The protocol was administered to 12 healthy young adults. Neuromechanical measurements (torque and high-density electromyography—HDEMG) and reported discomfort were used to investigate the response of the central nervous system to BFR. The investigated variables were: root mean square (RMS), and area under the curve in the frequency domain—for the torque, and average RMS, median frequency and average muscle fibres conduction velocity—for the EMG. The discomfort caused by BFR was exacerbated by the level of torque and accumulated over time. The torque RMS value did not change across conditions and repetitions. Its spectral content, however, revealed a decrease in power at the tremor band (alpha-band, 5–15 Hz) which was enhanced by the level of pressure and the repetition number. The EMG amplitude showed no differences whilst the median frequency and the conduction velocity decreased over time and across trials, but only for the highest levels of torque and pressure. Taken together, our results show strong yet transitory effects of BFR that are compatible with a motor neuron pool inhibition caused by increased activity of type III and IV afferences, and a decreased activity of spindle afferents. We speculate that a compensation of the central drive may be necessary to maintain the mechanical output unchanged, despite disturbances in the afferent volley to the motor neuron pool.
Cytokine Profiles and Antibody Response Associated to Choclo Orthohantavirus Infection

Background New World Hantaviruses (NWHs) are the etiological agent underlying hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS), a severe respiratory disease with high mortality rates in humans. In Panama, infections with Choclo Orthohantavirus (CHOV) cause a much milder illness characterized by higher seroprevalence and lower mortality rates. To date, the cytokine profiles and antibody responses associated with this milder form of HCPS have not been defined. Therefore, in this study, we examined immune serological profiles associated with CHOV infections. Methods For this retrospective study, sera from fifteen individuals with acute CHOV-induced HCPS, were analyzed alongside sera from fifteen convalescent phase individuals and thirty-three asymptomatic, CHOV-seropositive individuals. Cytokine profiles were analyzed by multiplex immunoassay. Antibody subclasses, binding, and neutralization against CHOV-glycoprotein (CHOV-GP) were evaluated by ELISA, and flow cytometry. Results High titers of IFNγ, IL-4, IL-8, and IL-10 serum cytokines were found in the acute individuals. Elevated IL-4 serum levels were found in convalescent and asymptomatic seropositive individuals. High titers of IgG1 subclass were observed across the three cohorts analyzed. Neutralizing antibody response against CHOV-GP was detectable in few acute individuals but was strong in both convalescent and asymptomatic seropositive individuals. Conclusion A Th1/Th2 cytokine signature is characteristic during acute mild HCPS caused by CHOV infection. High expression of Th2 and IL-8 cytokines are correlated with clinical parameters in acute mild HCPS. In addition, a strong IL-4 signature is associated with different cohorts, including asymptomatic individuals. Furthermore, asymptomatic individuals presented high titers of neutralizing antibodies.
Automatic Detection for Multi-Labeled Cardiac Arrhythmia Based on Frame Blocking Preprocessing and Residual Networks

Introduction: Electrocardiograms (ECG) provide information about the electrical activity of the heart, which is useful for diagnosing abnormal cardiac functions such as arrhythmias. Recently, several algorithms based on advanced structures of neural networks have been proposed for auto-detecting cardiac arrhythmias, but their performance still needs to be further improved. This study aimed to develop an auto-detection algorithm, which extracts valid features from 12-lead ECG for classifying multiple types of cardiac states. Method: The proposed algorithm consists of the following components: (i) a preprocessing component that utilizes the frame blocking method to split an ECG recording into frames with a uniform length for all considered ECG recordings; and (ii) a binary classifier based on ResNet, which is combined with the attention-based bidirectional long-short term memory model. Result: The developed algorithm was trained and tested on ECG data of nine types of cardiac states, fulfilling a task of multi-label classification. It achieved an averaged F1-score and area under the curve at 0.908 and 0.974, respectively. Conclusion: The frame blocking and bidirectional long-short term memory model represented an improved algorithm compared with others in the literature for auto-detecting and classifying multi-types of cardiac abnormalities.
Editorial: Head & Neck Cancer and Esophageal Cancer: From Biosignatures to Therapeutics

1 Division of Medical Oncology, Kuang Tien General Hospital Cancer Center, Taichung, Taiwan, 2 Department of Bioinformatics and Medical Engineering, Asia University Taiwan, Taichung, Taiwan, 3 Institute of Oral Sciences, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, 4 School of Dentistry, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, 5 Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade de Coimbra, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde—Azinhaga de Santa Comba, Coimbra, Portugal
Kaempferol Glycosides in the Seed-Coat of Ophiopogon jaburan (Kunth) Lodd

Blue seed-coats of Ophiopogon jaburan have been found to contain kaempferol, kaempferol 3-glucoside (astragalin), two new glucosides of kaempferol, and a trace amount of an unknown flavonol-like compound. One of the new glucosides was determined to be kaempferol 4′-glucoside and the other to be kaempferol 3, 4′-diglucoside by means of paper-chro-matographic and spectral analyses.
Expression of TMEM16A in Colorectal Cancer and Its Correlation With Clinical and Pathological Parameters

TMEM16A is a recently identified calcium-activated chloride channel (CaCC) and its overexpression contributes to tumorigenesis and progression in several human malignancies. However, little is known about expression of TMEM16A and its clinical significance in colorectal cancer (CRC). TMEM16A mRNA expression was determined by quantitative real time-PCR (qRT-PCR) in 67 CRC tissues and 24 para-carcinoma tissues. TMEM16A protein expression was performed by immunohistochemistry in 80 CRC tissues. The correlation between TMEM16A expression and clinicopathological parameters, and known genes and proteins involved in CRC was analyzed. The results showed that TMEM16A mRNA expression was frequently detected in 51 CRC tissues (76%), whereas TMEM16A protein expression was determined at a relatively lower frequency (26%). TMEM16A mRNA expression in tumor tissues was higher than its expression in normal para-carcinoma tissues (P < 0.05). TMEM16A mRNA expression was significantly correlated with TNM stage (p = 0.039) and status of lymph node metastasis (p = 0.047). In addition, there was a strong positive correlation between TMEM16A mRNA expression and MSH2 protein. More importantly, TMEM16A protein expression was positively associated with KRAS mutation, and negatively correlated with mutant p53 protein. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that TMEM16A mRNA expression was an important independent predictive factor of lymph node metastasis (OR = 16.38, CI: 1.91–140.27, p = 0.01). TMEM16A mRNA and protein expression was not significantly related with patient survival. Our findings provide original evidence demonstrating TMEM16A mRNA expression can be a novel predictive marker of lymph node metastasis and TMEM16A protein expression may be an important regulator of tumor proliferation and metastasis in CRC.
The Nature of Oxide Films on Tungsten in Acidic and Alkaline Solutions

Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) data of W in acidic solution were characterized by modes associated with hydration (WO{sub 3}(H{sub 2}O){sub x}, 942 cm{sup {minus}1}) as well as modes characteristic of WO{sub 3} (816 cm{sup {minus}1}). At applied anodic potentials, the WO{sub 3}(H{sub 2}O){sub x} content in the oxide was greater than the WO{sub 3} content, while at applied cathodic potentials the WO{sub 3} content was larger. These results are consistent with a bilayer film on W in acidic solution which consists of a compact inner layer of WO{sub 3} and an outer layer of WO{sub 3}(H{sub 2}O){sub x}. Rotating disk electrode experiments (RDE) demonstrated that the passive dissolution (i{sub pass}) of W in acidic solution increased with the angular velocity of the electrode. An increase in i{sub pass} and a corresponding decrease in the thickness of the surface layer with increasing angular velocity is consistent with a reversible dissolution mechanism where dissolution is limited by the mass transport of a loosely bound WO{sub 3}(H{sub 2}O){sub x} layer from the surface. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements found that W dissolution in acidic solution was associated with an adsorption pseudocapacitance presumably due to the outer WO{sub 3}(H{sub 2}O){sub x} layer. The valuemore » of this pseudocapacitance increased with increasing angular velocity, indicating thinning of the layer consistent with RDE and SERS results. Results for W in alkaline solution are also presented. « less