Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Preliminary Technology Readiness Assessment of Morphing Technology Applied to Case Studies

In an innovative system, it is essential to keep under control the crucial development phases, which should consider several aspects involving, for instance, the modeling or the assessment of suitable analytical representations. Aiming to pursue a final demonstration to verify the actual capability of an engineering idea, however, some fundamental elements may have been partially considered. Many projects state the initial and final technology readiness level based on the famous scale introduced by the US National and Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA) many years ago and now widespread in many fields of technology innovation. Its nine-step definition provides a high-level indication of the maturity of the observed innovative system. Trivially, the resolution of that macroscopic meter is not made for catching advancement details, but it rather provides comprehensive information on the examined technology. It is, therefore, necessary to refer to more sophisticated analysis tools that can show a more accurate picture of the development stage and helps designers to highlight points that deserve further attention and deeper analysis. The risk is to perform a very good demonstration test that can miss generality and remain confined only to that specific experimental campaign. Moving on to these assumptions, the authors expose three realizations of theirs concerning aeronautic morphing systems, to the analysis of a well-assessed Technology Readiness Level instrument. The aim is to define the aspects to be further assessed, the aspect to be considered fully mature, and even aspects that could miss some elementary point to attain full maturation. Such studies are not so frequent in the literature, and the authors believe to give a valuable, yet preliminary, contribution to the engineering of breakthrough systems. Without losing generality, the paper refers to the 2.2 version of a tool set up by the US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), and NASA, with the aim to standardize the evaluation process of the mentioned nine-step TRL.
Family Effects on Excitons in Semiconducting Carbon Nanotubes

Family behavior of excitons is studied in carbon nanotubes based on a k · p scheme. Effects responsible for family pattern are characterized by two parameters β representing higher-order terms in the effective Hamiltonian responsible for trigonal warping and p representing amount of effective flux due to curvature and lattice distortion. These parameters are determined through comparison with empirical formula of the lowest exciton and experiments of two-photon absorption giving excited exciton states. The observed family pattern can be reproduced much better for the first gap than for the second gap.
Phytoestrogens and Health Effects

Phytoestrogens are literally estrogenic substances of plant origin. Although these substances are useful for plants in many aspects, their estrogenic properties are essentially relevant to their predators. As such, phytoestrogens can be considered to be substances potentially dedicated to plant–predator interaction. Therefore, it is not surprising to note that the word phytoestrogen comes from the early discovery of estrogenic effects in grazing animals and humans. Here, several compounds whose activities have been discovered at nutritional concentrations in animals and humans are examined. The substances analyzed belong to several chemical families, i.e., the flavanones, the coumestans, the resorcylic acid lactones, the isoflavones, and the enterolignans. Following their definition and the evocation of their role in plants, their metabolic transformations and bioavailabilities are discussed. A point is then made regarding their health effects, which can either be beneficial or adverse depending on the subject studied, the sex, the age, and the physiological status. Toxicological information is given based on official data. The effects are first presented in humans. Animal models are evoked when no data are available in humans. The effects are presented with a constant reference to doses and plausible exposure.
Robust Saliency-Driven Quality Adaptation for Mobile 360-Degree Video Streaming

Mobile 360-degree video streaming has grown significantly in popularity but the quality of experience (QoE) suffers from insufficient and variable wireless network bandwidth. Recently, saliency-driven 360-degree streaming overcomes the buffer size limitation of head movement trajectory (HMT)-driven solutions and thus strikes a better balance between video quality and rebuffering. However, inaccurate network estimations and intrinsic saliency bias still challenge saliency-based streaming approaches, limiting further QoE improvement. To address these challenges, we design a robust saliency-driven quality adaptation algorithm for 360-degree video streaming, RoSal360. Specifically, we present a practical, tile-size-aware deep neural network (DNN) model with a decoupled self-attention architecture to accurately and efficiently predict the transmission time of video tiles. Moreover, we design a reinforcement learning (RL)-driven online correction algorithm to robustly compensate the improper quality allocations due to saliency bias. Through extensive prototype evaluations over real wireless network environments including commodity WiFi, 4 G/LTE, and 5 G links in the wild, RoSal360 significantly enhances the video quality and reduces the rebuffering ratio, thereby improving the viewer QoE, compared to the state-of-the-art algorithms.
The Effect of Green Human Resource Management on Performance with Green Lifestyle Moderation and Perceived Organizational Support

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of green hu- man resources management on employee performance with a green lifestyle and perceived organizational support moderation on employees in Jakarta and Tangerang companies. This study uses a convenience sampling method with a sample of 228 respondents in Jakarta and Tangerang. The analytical method used is moderated multiple regression analysis, which is processed through SPSS version 25. Questionnaires that are applied as research in- struments are green human resource management, green lifestyle, perceived organizational support, and employee performance. The results of this study indicate that green HRM has a significant effect on employee performance. Perceived organizational support and green lifestyle are proven to moder- ate the influence of green HRM on employee performance. Keywords: green human resource management, green lifestyle, perceived organizational support, and employee performance
Effect of syllable onset, coda, and nucleus on degree of skin stretching over the mandible

Movements of the mandible have been shown to correlate with English speech rhythm, and significant differences have been found between native speakers' mandible movements and those of second-language speakers. A simple, inexpensive method of inferring movements of the mandible is to use video tracking of a chin marker during speech. However, since the skin is free to stretch over the mandible, inferences using the chin marker may not always be accurate. This study examines the degree of skin stretching during vowel production in 18 different CVC syllables (using 3 different stop consonants and 2 different vowels) spoken as the middle word in a 3-word utterance. We made electromagnetic articulometer (EMA) recordings of two North American English speakers (1 male, 1 female). The distance was measured between coils placed on the lower incisor and on the skin of the mental protruberance (chin). For both speakers, the distance significantly differed depending on the vowel. The onset C affected the distance for only the female speaker. The coda C did not significantly affect the distance for either speaker. These results need to be taken into account as we continue to develop a method for video recording jaw displacement patterns in running speech.
Mass transport and thermal stability of TiN/Al2O3/InGaAs nanofilms

The structure of TiN/Al2O3 nanofilms grown on InxGa1-xAs substrates was studied with angle-resolved x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (ARXPS), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and density functional theory calculations. From the ARXPS studies, it was possible to characterize in detail the composition and distribution of the various layers constituting the nanofilms; the results were consistent with HRTEM micrographs. The analysis of the ARXPS data showed that annealing causes diffusion of indium atoms from the substrate into the titanium layer. It also allowed for establishing that the thickness and composition of the dielectric layers remain stable under thermal treatments.
Nutraceutical Apigenin: mechanism of action associated with its anti-inflammatory activity and regulation of dendritic cell metabolism

Flavonoids have a range of biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, and neuroprotective effects. Apigenin, one such flavonoid abundant in certain plants, has been employed for centuries in the treatment of Parkinson’s, neuralgia, asthma and other diseases owing to the positive health effects attributed to this group of compounds. Due to Apigenin’s relative abundance and low intrinsic toxicity amongst flavonoids, it can be considered as a potential natural treatment for inflammatory disorders of the central nervous system (CNS), such as multiple sclerosis. However, there is distinct lack of information regarding the molecular mechanism of action of Apigenin leading to its modulatory effects on dendritic cells (DC), a key cell type responsible for maintaining immune balance especially in specialized locations such as the CNS. Here, we investigate the effect of Apigenin on RelB, a NF-kB family protein, which is vital to DC maturation and function. Apigenin reduced cytoplasmic RelB levels in LPS-treated DCs isolated from normal peripheral blood of a healthy donor. Gene and protein expression of downstream targets of RelB activation, IL-12, IL-23, IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α was also reduced upon Apigenin treatment. Further, RelB is also known to engineer a metabolic switch in immune cells upon inflammation to meet the increased energy requirements. We observed a decrease in glucose uptake and lactate production (glycolysis), and an increase in mitochondrial activity when LPS-induced DCs were treated with Apigenin. These results provide key information about the molecular events controlled by Apigenin in its regulation of DC activity marking its potential as a therapy for neuroinflammatory disease.
Intonation of solo violin performance with reference to equally tempered, Pythagorean, and just intonations

The purpose of this study was to determine which musical scale best models the solo performances of violinists when they play diatonic scales of C major very slowly and without frequency vibrato as accurately as possible. Eight professional violinists played without stopping three adjacent scales in ascending order (from C4 to C7), followed immediately by an analogous return to the initial note C4 in descending order. Results show that when violin performances are analyzed taking into account the context of the scale in which they were played, Pythagorean and equally tempered scales are equally good models for the description of performances. Just intonation fits the data significantly less well. When the data analysis is limited to the intervals between separate pairs of notes, not taking into consideration the context of the scale in which they were played, observed interval sizes are almost identical to the arithmetic means of the corresponding interval sizes as defined in Pythagorean and equally tempe.
Green Composites Based on Mater-Bi® and Solanum lycopersicum Plant Waste for 3D Printing Applications

3D printability of green composites is currently experiencing a boost in importance and interest, envisaging a way to valorise agricultural waste, in order to obtain affordable fillers for the preparation of biodegradable polymer-based composites with reduced cost and environmental impact, without undermining processability and mechanical performance. In this work, an innovative green composite was prepared by combining a starch-based biodegradable polymer (Mater-Bi®, MB) and a filler obtained from the lignocellulosic waste coming from Solanum lycopersicum (i.e., tomato plant) harvesting. Different processing parameters and different filler amounts were investigated, and the obtained samples were subjected to rheological, morphological, and mechanical characterizations. Regarding the adopted filler amounts, processability was found to be good, with adequate dispersion of the filler in the matrix. Mechanical performance was satisfactory, and it was found that this is significantly affected by specific process parameters such as the raster angle. The mechanical properties were compared to those predictable from the Halpin–Tsai model, finding that the prepared systems exceed the expected values.
Vanillic Acid Alleviates Right Ventricular Function in Rats With MCT-Induced Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

This study examined the molecular processes behind the effects of vanillic acid (VA) on right ventricular (RV) hypertrophy and function in rats with monocrotaline (MCT)-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). There were 40 male Sprague‒Dawley (SD) rats that were separated into 4 groups: Control, PAH, MCT + VA (50 mg/kg/d), and MCT + VA (100 mg/kg/d). Male SD rats were injected with MCT once under the skin to create the PAH model (40 mg/kg). RV morphological properties were evaluated using Masson and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Echocardiography was used to evaluate RV functioning and right ventricle–pulmonary artery (RV-PA) coupling. In addition, Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) pathway-related factors were evaluated using Western blotting. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect inflammatory markers as well as atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in the blood of PAH rats. As a result, VA effectively reduced the development of RV cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and fibrosis in PAH rats; levels of ANP, BNP, and inflammatory markers in the blood of PAH rats were also significantly decreased by VA intervention. Additionally, VA enhanced RV functioning and RV-PA coupling in PAH rats. In response to VA, the expression of proteins related to the ROCK pathway (ROCK1, ROCK2, NFATc3, P-STAT3, and Bax) was downregulated, whereas Bcl-2 expression was elevated. This study found that VA could attenuate RV remodeling and improve RV-PA coupling in PAH rats. RV remodeling and dysfunction may be linked to the dysregulation of the ROCK pathway, and the protective action of VA on RV function may be due to a block in the ROCK signaling pathway or its downstream signaling molecules.
Mass transport in oscillatory electroosmotic viscoelectric flow in a hydrophobic microchannel with steric effect

We conduct a numerical study of viscoelectric and steric effects on an oscillatory electroosmotic flow (OEOF) and their impact on the mass transport of a passive solute through a hydrophobic microchannel. In many applications of electroosmosis, zeta potentials as high as 100–200 mV can be found; in such a situation, the Debye–Hückel approximation is no longer valid, and the steric effect must be considered because the crowding of finite-sized ions close to the microchannel walls. In addition to the previous effect, the local viscosity can be increased due to the viscoelectric effect for strong electric potentials induced in the electric double layer. Earlier works have studied the mass transfer caused by an OEOF; however, the combined effects’ influence has not been considered. This research suggests that under an appropriate combination of the viscoelectric and steric effects, together with the microchannel hydrophobicity, the mass transport can be controlled and notably enhanced compared with the case where such effects are disregarded. An interesting behavior occurs for relatively high values of the steric factor ν, where there is a linear dependence between the mass transport Q˜ and the viscoelectric factor f˜ ; in contrast, for low values of ν, the relationship Q˜−f˜ is non-linear.
Sexual and reproductive health knowledge among adolescent Syrian refugee girls displaced in Lebanon: The role of schooling and parental communication

Adolescent Syrian refugee girls living in Lebanon are vulnerable to poor sexual and reproductive health (SRH). Sociocultural norms, stigmatization, and limited educational opportunities in the context of forced displacement may impact adolescent girls’ SRH. Little is known about how and where girls in this population access SRH information and services. This study aimed to: (1) assess knowledge of SRH topics among a population of adolescent Syrian refugee girls displaced in Lebanon, and (2) determine the association of schooling versus maternal SRH communication with SRH knowledge. A total of 418 11-17-year-old Syrian refugee girls displaced in the Beqaa region of Lebanon were recruited to participate in a cross-sectional survey. Bivariate logistic regression and ordinary least squares regression models were used to examine the associations between schooling, maternal SRH communication, and other covariates with SRH knowledge outcomes. Significant predictors (p<0.2) were included in multivariate analyses. The mean age of girls was 13.4 years. Approximately two thirds of our sample was enrolled in school, with enrollment rates dropping considerably around age 15. In bivariate and multivariate models, older age and participation in SRH programs were predictive of puberty knowledge. One in five girls enrolled in school had learned about menstruation in school, which was associated with higher puberty knowledge in bivariate models. Older age, current school enrollment, and reaching the 8th-11th grade were strongly associated with HIV knowledge. Schooling is more strongly associated with SRH knowledge among adolescent girls than is maternal communication. School-based SRH curricula should be administered on the basis of age and not grade, given significant age-for-grade heterogeneity in this population. Forced displacement and poverty are major barriers to education retention and may have long-term impacts on girls’ health.
GaN Vertical Transistors with Staircase Channels for High-Voltage Applications

In this study, we propose and simulate the design of a non-regrowth staircase channel GaN vertical trench transistor, demonstrating an exceptional threshold and breakdown characteristic for high power and high frequency applications. The unique staircase design provides a variable capacitance through the gate-dielectric-semiconductor interface, which results in a high breakdown voltage of 1.52 kV and maintains a channel on-resistance of 2.61 mΩ∙cm2. Because of the variable length and doping profile in the channel region, this model offers greater flexibility to meet a wide range of device application requirements.
The Unsteady Boundary Layer on a Spherical Gas Bubble

The boundary layer on a spherical gas bubble started from rest in a viscous incompressible fluid with unsteady velocity is investigated. The velocity is assumed to depend on the time as a power function. As initial motion of the bubble is studied, the Strouhal number is large. The Strouhal number and the Reynolds number are assumed to be of the same order. The Navier-Stokes equations expressed in spherical polar co-ordinates are solved by the method of inner and outer expansions. The stream function is analytically obtained up to the fourth approximation. The solution is uniformly valid in the whole flow field and takes into account the interaction between the boundary layer on the bubble surface and the coming external flow. The drag force experienced by the bubble is calculated. The impulsive and uniformly accelerated motions of of the bubble are considered.
Adaptation of chicken pancreatic secretory functions to feed composition

SUMMARY Poultry farming is the fastest growing sector of agriculture. Balanced diets are an important factor for realisation of the genetic potential of birds. The pancreas plays an important role in the digestive process. The aim of the review is to describe the adaptation of chicken pancreatic secretory functions to a diet with various protein and fat ingredients. Due to the fact that digestive enzymes correlate with nutrient absorption, basic knowledge of pancreatic secretion can be useful to improve poultry nutrition and the economics of the poultry industry in general. The consumption of soy cake instead of sunflower cake (with a 1.5% increase in dietary crude fat) led to an increase in the activity of pancreatic juice lipase by 33.8%. A slight increase in crude protein in the feed (by 0.5%) led to an increase in proteolytic activity by 28.1% compared to the background period. The consumption of sunflower oil instead of soybean, rapeseed and linseed oil in the diet led to a decrease in the activity of pancreatic juice lipase by 42.2%, 57.6% and 19.1%, respectively. It could be concluded that in chickens there is no strict parallelism in the release of the pancreatic enzymes and there is no clear adaptation to a specific feed component.
Breaking of shoaling internal solitary waves

The breaking of fully nonlinear internal solitary waves of depression shoaling upon a uniformly sloping boundary in a smoothed two-layer density field was investigated using high-resolution two-dimensional simulations. Our simulations were limited to narrow-crested waves, which are more common than broad-crested waves in geophysical flows. The simulations were performed for a wide range of boundary slopes S ∈ [0.01, 0.3] and wave slopes extending the parameter range to weaker slopes than considered in previous laboratory and numerical studies. Over steep slopes (S ≥ 0.1), three distinct breaking processes were observed: surging, plunging and collapsing breakers which are associated with reflection, convective instability and boundary-layer separation, respectively. Over mild slopes (S ≤ 0.05), nonlinearity varies gradually and the wave fissions into a train of waves of elevation as it passes through the turning point where solitary waves reverse polarity. The dynamics of each breaker type were investigated and the predominance of a particular mechanism was associated with a relative developmental time scale. The breaking location was modelled as a function of wave amplitude (a), characteristic wave length and the isopycnal length along the slope. The breaker type was characterized in wave slope (Sw = a/Lw, where Lw is a measure of half of the wavelength) versus S space, and the reflection coefficient (R), modelled as a function of the internal Iribarren number, was in agreement with other studies. The effects of grid resolution and wave Reynolds number (Rew) on R, boundary-layer separation and the evolution of global instability were studied. High Reynolds numbers (Rew ~ 104) were found to trigger a global instability, which modifies the breaking process relative to the lower Rew case, but not necessarily the breaking location, and results in a ~ 10 % increase in R, relative to the Rew ~ 103 case.