Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Luminescent Hybrid BPA.DA-NVP@Eu2L3 Materials: In Situ Synthesis, Spectroscopic, Thermal, and Mechanical Characterization

A series of homogeneous hybrid BPA.DA-NVP@Eu2L3 materials were obtained through an in situ approach where the luminescent dopant was formed at the molecular level with different contents (0.1; 0.2; 0.5; 1; and 2% by weight). A Europium(III) complex (Eu2L3) with quinoline-2,4-dicarboxylic acid was applied as a luminescence additive while a polymer matrix consisted of a combination of bisphenol A diacrylate (BPA.DA) and N-vinylpyrrolidone (NVP) monomers. Synthesis steps and the final materials were monitored by NMR and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The emission, excitation spectra, lifetime, and quantum yield measurements were applied for the determination of the photophysical characteristics. The thermal and mechanical properties of the obtained materials were tested via thermal analysis methods (TG/DTG/DSC and TG-FTIR) in air and nitrogen atmospheres, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and hardness and bending measurements. Generally, even a small addition of the metal complex component causes changes in the thermal, mechanical, and luminescent properties. Hybrid materials with a greater europium complex content are characterized by a lower stiffness and hardness while the heterogeneity and the flexibility of the samples increase. A very small amount of an Eu2L3 admixture (0.1% wt.) in a hybrid material causes an emission in the red spectral range and the luminescence intensity was reached for the BPA-DA-NVP@1%Eu2L3 material. These materials may be potentially used in chemical sensing, security systems, and protective coatings against UV.
Dynamics and ecological reassembly of the human gut microbiome and the host metabolome in response to prolonged fasting

Introduction Prolonged fasting is an intervention approach with potential benefits for individuals with obesity or metabolic disorders. Changes in gut microbiota during and after fasting may also have significant effects on the human body. Methods Here we conducted a 7-days medically supervised water-only fasting for 46 obese volunteers and characterized their gut microbiota based on whole-metagenome sequencing of feces at five timepoints. Results Substantial changes in the gut microbial diversity and composition were observed during fasting, with rapid restoration after fasting. The ecological pattern of the microbiota was also reassembled during fasting, reflecting the reduced metabolic capacity of diet-derived carbohydrates, while other metabolic abilities such as degradation of glycoproteins, amino acids, lipids, and organic acid metabolism, were enhanced. We identified a group of species that responded significantly to fasting, including 130 fasting-resistant (consisting of a variety of members of Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, and Fusobacteria) and 140 fasting-sensitive bacteria (mainly consisting of Firmicutes members). Functional comparison of the fasting-responded bacteria untangled the associations of taxon-specific functions (e.g., pentose phosphate pathway modules, glycosaminoglycan degradation, and folate biosynthesis) with fasting. Furthermore, we found that the serum and urine metabolomes of individuals were also substantially changed across the fasting procedure, and particularly, these changes were largely affected by the fasting-responded bacteria in the gut microbiota. Discussion Overall, our findings delineated the patterns of gut microbiota alterations under prolonged fasting, which will boost future mechanistic and clinical intervention studies.
Different Responses of Soil Bacterial and Fungal Communities in Three Typical Vegetations following Nitrogen Deposition in an Arid Desert

The effects of increased nitrogen (N) deposition on desert ecosystems have been extensively studied from a plant community perspective. However, the response of soil microbial communities, which play a crucial role in nutrient cycling, to N inputs and plant community types remains poorly understood. In this study, we conducted a two-year N-addition experiment with five gradients (0, 10, 30, 60, and 120 kg N ha−1 year−1) to evaluate the effect of increased N deposition on soil bacterial and fungal communities in three plant community types, namely, Alhagi sparsifolia Shap. , Karelinia caspia (Pall.) Less. monocultures and their mixed community in a desert steppe located on the southern edge of the Taklimakan Desert, Northwest China. Our results indicate that N deposition and plant community types exerted an independent and significant influence on the soil microbial community. Bacterial α-diversity and community dissimilarity showed a unimodal pattern with peaks at 30 and 60 kg N ha−1 year−1, respectively. By contrast, fungal α-diversity and community dissimilarity did not vary significantly with increased N inputs. Furthermore, plant community type significantly altered microbial community dissimilarity. The Mantel test and redundancy analysis indicated that soil pH and total and inorganic N (NH4+ and NO3−) levels were the most critical factors regulating soil microbial communities. Similar to the patterns observed in taxonomic composition, fungi exhibit stronger resistance to N addition compared to bacteria in terms of their functionality. Overall, our findings suggest that the response of soil microbial communities to N deposition is domain-specific and independent of desert plant community diversity, and the bacterial community has a critical threshold under N enrichment in arid deserts.
Impact of Bottom Dielectric Isolation of Si-Stacked Nanosheet Transistor on Stress and Self-Heating at 3-nm Node and Beyond

This study examines the effect of leakage current reduction techniques on the performance of the nanosheet FETs (NS-FETs) at 3 nm and beyond. We study the effects of the punchthrough stopper (PTS) and bottom dielectric isolation (BDI) schemes on stress and self-heating. We have developed a new simulation flow based on quantum correction of Monte Carlo (MC) simulation and calibration of drift diffusion model. We calibrate the simulation results with the latest available published experimental data. BDI was found to lower the average channel stress by 85% and reduced drive current compared with PTS with ideal source/drain (S/D) stressors. The impact of nonideal, defective S/D stressors on the development of channel stress of PTS is also covered in this article. We also found that the BDI structure raises the lattice temperature dramatically compared with the PTS structure at the same dc bias current level. The performance of the BDI structure is improved by introducing metal S/D to increase the contact area between M0 and S/D epi, leading to a significant improvement in lattice temperature, drive current, and RC delay up to 30%.
The unsuitability of meteoritic and other nuclei for polar stratospheric cloud freezing

Bulk freezing experiments have been performed with binary and ternary HNO3/H2SO4/H2O solutions containing original micrometeorites, ground samples of representative larger meteorites and other freezing nuclei of potential stratospheric importance. The experiments enable us to determine upper bounds for the heterogeneous freezing rates of sulfuric and nitric acid hydrates. Based on an analysis, of the meteoritic mass flux from space and of the modifications meteorites undergo when entering the atmosphere, the resulting morphology and surface area of extraterrestrial material in the stratosphere are estimated. From this micrometeorites gained from Antarctica are shown to be a good proxy for meteoritic surfaces in the stratosphere. In combination with this analysis the freezing experiments suggest that heterogeneous nucleation rates on micrometeorites ale too low to enhance freezing of polar stratospheric clouds above the frost point.
Autism symptoms, functional impairments, and gaze fixation measured using an eye-tracker in 6-year-old children

Introduction Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder clinically characterized by abnormalities in eye contact during social exchanges. We aimed to clarify whether the amount of gaze fixation, measured at the age of 6 years using Gazefinder, which is an established eye-tracking device, is associated with ASD symptoms and functioning. Methods The current study included 742 participants from the Hamamatsu Birth Cohort Study. Autistic symptoms were evaluated according to the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2), and the functioning of the participating children in real life was assessed using the Japanese version of the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, Second Edition (VABS-II). The Gazefinder system was used for gaze fixation rates; two areas of interest (eyes and mouth) were defined in a talking movie clip, and eye gaze positions were calculated through corneal reflection techniques. Results The participants had an average age of 6.06 ± 0.14 years (males: 384; 52%). According to ADOS, 617 (83%) children were assessed as having none/mild ASD and 51 (7%) as severe. The average VABS-II scores were approximately 100 (standard deviation = 12). A higher gaze fixation rate on the eyes was associated with a significantly lower likelihood of the child being assigned to the severe ADOS group after controlling for covariates (odds ratio [OR], 0.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.002–0.38). The gaze fixation rate on the mouth was not associated with ASD symptoms. A higher gaze fixation rate on the mouth was associated with a significantly lower likelihood of the child being assigned to the low score group in VABS-II socialization after controlling for covariates (OR, 0.18; 95% CI, 0.04–0.85). The gaze fixation rate on the eyes was not associated with functioning. Conclusion We found that children with low gaze fixation rates on the eyes were likely to have more ASD symptoms, and children with low gaze fixation rates on the mouth were likely to demonstrate poorer functioning in socialization. Hence, preschool children could be independently assessed in the general population for clinically relevant endophenotypes predictive of ASD symptoms and functional impairments.
Assessment of Endocrine‐Disrupting Chemicals Attenuation in a Coastal Plain Stream Prior to Wastewater Treatment Plant Closure

The U.S. Geological Survey is conducting a combined pre/post‐closure assessment at a long‐term wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) site at Fort Gordon near Augusta, Georgia. Here, we assess select endocrine‐active chemicals and benthic macroinvertebrate community structure prior to closure of the WWTP. Substantial downstream transport and limited instream attenuation of endocrine‐disrupting chemicals (EDCs) was observed in Spirit Creek over a 2.2‐km stream segment downstream of the WWTP outfall. A modest decline (less than 20% in all cases) in surface water detections was observed with increasing distance downstream of the WWTP and attributed to partitioning to the sediment. Estrogens detected in surface water in this study included estrone (E1), 17β‐estradiol (E2), and estriol (E3). The 5 ng/l and higher mean estrogen concentrations observed in downstream locations indicated that the potential for endocrine disruption was substantial. Concentrations of alkylphenol ethoxylate (APE) metabolite EDCs also remained statistically elevated above levels observed at the upstream control site. Wastewater‐derived pharmaceutical and APE metabolites were detected in the outflow of Spirit Lake, indicating the potential for EDC transport to aquatic ecosystems downstream of Fort Gordon. The results indicate substantial EDC occurrence, downstream transport, and persistence under continuous supply conditions and provide a baseline for a rare evaluation of ecosystem response to WWTP closure.
A numerical model to improve the derivation of aerosols optical parameters from elastic backscatter lidar data

LIDAR systems have demonstrated their ability to map aerosol variations throughout the atmospheric column and therefore they have has become a central technology in current strategies for tropospheric aerosol research. Its use is complicated, however, by the fact that the lidar signal contains a convolution of two basic optical properties of the aerosol particles: the backscatter coefficient and the extinction coefficient. A quantitative retrieval of either property requires knowledge of their relationship along the laser path which is referred as lidar ratio. If the lidar ratio can not be measured by high spectral resolution lidar, or Raman lidar, then either an assumed value of LRa must be used in the lidar retrieval, leading to very large uncertainties in light extinction, or models can be used for determination of LRa profile. Our research refers to the development of an iterative hybrid regularization technique for elastic backscatter lidar data processing and retrieval of the aerosols optical parameters using the atmospheric model, Mie model and Fernald-Klett, but also Ackermann algorithm for lidar ratio calculation based on relative humidity profile. This study focuses on a numerical investigation about the lidar ratio of tropospheric aerosols characterizing Romanian atmosphere. The model can be also used for other type of atmosphere in order to improve the derivation of aerosols optical parameters from elastic backscatter lidar data when no other information than meteorological data are available.
Changing demands for Spatial Data Infrastructure assessment: experience from The Netherlands

The Spatial Data infrastructure (SDI) is an emerging phenomenon world-wide. With their growth also has the demand for assessment approaches to evaluate their development and progress. The early approaches were developed by scientists and were mainly curiosity driven. With the increasing involvement of government officials and policy makers over the years the assessment demands have also changed. Current demands focus on measuring implementation progress and the use of SDIs. SDI assessment developments in The Netherlands follow this overall generic trend and it is a challenge for scientists to contribute to these trends in which they are no longer leaders but contributors. Chapter 17. Changing demands for SDI assessment: experience from The Netherlands 358 17.
On the symmetry of ionospheric polar cap patch exits around magnetic midnight

In this paper we examine how polar cap patches, which have been frozen into the antisolar flow over the polar cap, are transported into the nighttime auroral oval. First we present a detailed case study from 12 January 2002, with continuous observations of polar cap patches exiting into the nighttime auroral oval in the Scandinavian sector. Satellite images of the auroral oval and all‐sky camera observations of 630.0 nm airglow patches are superimposed onto Super Dual Auroral Radar Network convection maps. These composite plots reveal that polar cap patches exit on both the dusk and on the dawn convection cells. Then we present statistics based on 8 years of data from the meridian scanning photometer at Ny‐Aalesund, Svalbard, to investigate the possible interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) By influence on the distribution of patch exits around magnetic midnight. The magnetic local time distribution of patch exits is almost symmetric around magnetic midnight, independent of IMF By polarity. Synthesizing these observations with previous results, we propose a three‐step mechanism for why patch material exits symmetrically around midnight. First, intake of patch material occurs on both convection cells for both IMF By polarities. Second, plasma intake by transient magnetopause reconnection stretches the newly cut polar cap patches into dawn‐dusk elongated forms during their transport into the polar cap. And finally at exit, dawn‐dusk elongated patches are split and diverted toward both the dawn and dusk flanks when grabbed by transient tail reconnection.
Forecast model for large and great earthquakes in southern California

An earthquake instability model is used to compute theoretical fault slip and ground surface deformation before possible future earthquakes on the San Andreas fault in southern California. The quasistatic model represents the earth's crust by an elastic half-space and the San Andreas, Imperial, Cerro Prieto, and San Jacinto faults by flat rectangular surfaces whose strikes approximate the actual local strikes. The seismogenic zone of the San Andreas fault is represented by a brittle, strain-softening patch extending from the ground surface to 11 km depth and from Parkfield to the Salton Sea (500 km). The strength of the patch varies along strike, and unstable failures of parts of the patch are earthquake analogs; failed areas heal immediately after instability. For the model to reproduce the lengths, slips, and times of earthquakes since 1080 A.D. reported by K. Sieh and others, the patch must be divided into five sections along strike. The sections have alternately low and high strength, with the two strongest sections being roughly coincident with the major bends of the San Andreas fault. Ten to twenty years before unstable slippage of patch areas, portions of the patch bottom begin to fail stably (aseismically). The stable failure causes accelerating fault slip at depth and at the fault trace, as well as anomalous changes in lengthening rates of trilateration lines. In the model simulation the next two sections to fail unstably in the future are just north of the Salton Sea and just south of Parkfield. Rupture lengths are about 100 km and 40 km. At favorable locations, precursory anomalies of fault slip and trilateration line length become large enough to be detected in field data a few years before each earthquake.
Forest conversion and provision of ecosystem services in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

The importance of quantifying existing ecosystem services, assessing the impacts of various land use decisions and ultimately evaluating the overall costs and benefits of different land use patterns having internalized ecosystem services, is now widely recognized and such work is at the forefront of current landscape management planning. We aim to quantify ecosystem services derived from different land uses within the Atibainha Reservoir catchment in Brazil, determine the spatial distribution of ecosystem services and quantify the impacts of land use changes on the provision of ecosystem services. Four ecosystem services were considered: carbon sequestration, mitigation of sediment delivery into the reservoir, purification of water and maintenance of soil fertility. Results indicate strong increase in the provision of ecosystem services among the main land uses in the following order: urban area/bare soil; pastures; plantation of eucalyptus and native forests. The most important services provided by native forests, when compared with bare soil, were carbon sequestration and prevention of sedimentation, with an additional 864 569 tons of carbon stored in forest biomass in 30 years, and prevention of 244 511 tons of sediment delivery into the reservoir per year, respectively, from 7624 ha of lands around the reservoir. Spatial variation in the provision of ecosystem services were mapped to develop a tool to support decision making at the landscape scale. Results and maps from the decision support tool can support policies that ensure effective land‐use planning and can serve as the basis for the development of payment for ecosystem service schemes in the region. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
BACTERIAL RELATIONSHIPS IN STORMWATERS

: Data were developed within a three-year period for indicator bacteria and three species of bacterial pathogens following rural storm event hydrographs. The first flush concept was confirmed in all hydrographs. Bacterial density peaking occurred at or before the hydrograph peaks. FC and FS values were higher in more developed areas than the primary rural test site and their numerical ratios followed similar trends. Chlorine demand of storm waters varied between 8 and 16 mg/l and, the ozone requirement was greater than 32 mg/l in the same waters. Aftergrowth of total coliform bacteria occurred following chlorine and ozone doses of 16 mg/l and 32 mg/l respectively. Fecal coliform, fecal streptococci, Salmonella sp. , and Pseudomonas sp. all were reduced to near detectable limits by the disinfectants up to 8 days. Staphylococcus sp. demonstrated a propensity to restablish their populations. Multiple regression analysis of the bacterial groups and species in storm waters suggested the fecal streptococci to have been the most useful group in evaluating bacterial storm water quality, with staphylocci have been closely related insofar as their statistical significance was concerned.
Relationship between community pride and participation needs in sustainable tourism development of Fishing Village: a case study of Samut Sakhon Province, Thailand

This article investigates the relationship between community pride and participation needs in the sustainable tourism development of ‘Fishing Village’ in Samut Sakhon Province, Thailand. Pearson correlation was used to determine the relationship between these variables. In-depth interviews were also used to gather detailed data. The findings reveal that community pride regarding emotional bonding with other members and resource awareness have a strong relationship to the participation needs excluding willingness to sacrifice personal time. To conclude this research, this fishing village has the potential for sustainable tourism development as awareness of community pride connected to participation is the vital sign indicating an approach of sustainability. Thus, the sustainable development plan should indicate this community strength and encourage the knowledge in aspects of mutual needs for the willingness of working for the community. The paper ends with suggestions for future research.
Locating tuna forage ground through satellite remote sensing

A technique has been developed to assess tuna habitat using satellite derived ocean colour, water transparency and sea surface temperature. The scientific approach is based on the food and feeding habit and the preferential temperature range of tuna. Time series chlorophyll-a images of Indian Remote Sensing Satellite P4-Ocean Colour Monitor (IRS P4-OCM) have been analysed to define the critical phytoplankton patch size, its persistence and the optimal water transparency depth. Sea surface temperature (SST) data derived from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (NOAA-AVHRR) have been analysed to study the optimum temperature range in the surrounding waters. Results based on hindcasting indicate that the tuna forage ground derived from satellite data yielded high catch of tuna (>2% hooking rate). Study reveals that a minimum time delay of 5–7 days is required for a phytoplankton patch to mature to the forage ground. In addition, water transparency for facilitating sight feeding should be about 25–30 m depth. The thermal limit and preferential temperature range observed is 26–30°C and 26–28°C, respectively. Preliminary results based on limited validation are highly promising. However, an experimental forecast is being planned to validate this approach.