Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Improving photoluminescence, optical and electrical characteristics of PMMA films with gamma irradiation

Polymeric materials are macromolecules, essentially a combination of numerous repeated subunits. Polymers are innovative and advanced materials that currently have a strong impact on our daily lives. In recent years, polymer use has been prominent due to the materials’ distinctive properties; thus, they entered different fields of science, technology and industrial-biomedical applications.The improvement of photoluminescence, optical and electrical characteristics of non-conducting Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) films was studied. Upon gamma irradiation of various doses, the photophysical and electrical properties of PMMA films were investigated using photoluminescence spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy and the LCR Meter Bridge Circuit technique. The fluorescent response improved the photoluminescence (PL) spectral emission peaks according to gamma values. Strong fluorescence peaks appeared with the highest gamma dose. The UV–Vis results revealed a significant red-shift in the absorption edge as gamma doses increased. This shift exhibits a continuous decrease in the energy band gap values (from 3.50 to 2.60 eV for direct transition and from 3.05 to 1.55 eV for indirect transition). This was due to the formation of carbon clusters, which led to an increase in the electrical conductivity and improved the dielectric parameters of the irradiated PMMA films. Among a variety of measurements presented and discussed in the present study, the electrical measurements showed improved electrical characteristics of gamma-irradiated PMMA films.
A multimodal neuroimaging study investigating resting-state connectivity, glutamate and GABA at 7 T in first-episode psychosis

Background: The major excitatory and inhibitory neurometabolites in the brain, glutamate and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), respectively, are related to the functional MRI signal. Disruption of resting-state functional MRI signals has been reported in psychosis spectrum disorders, but few studies have investigated the role of these metabolites in this context. Methods: We included 19 patients with first-episode psychosis and 21 healthy controls in this combined magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and resting-state functional connectivity study. All imaging was performed on a Siemens Magnetom 7 T MRI scanner. Both the MRS voxel and the seed for functional connectivity analysis were located in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). We used multiple regressions to test for an interaction between ACC brain connectivity, diagnosis and neurometabolites. Results: ACC brain connectivity was altered in first-episode psychosis. The relationship between ACC glutamate and ACC functional connectivity differed between patients with first-episode psychosis and healthy controls in the precuneus, retrosplenial cortex, supramarginal gyrus and angular gyrus. As well, the relationship between ACC GABA and ACC functional connectivity differed between groups in the caudate, putamen and supramarginal gyrus. Limitations: We used a small sample size. As well, although they were not chronically medicated, all participants were medicated during the study. Conclusion: We demonstrated a link between the major excitatory and inhibitory brain metabolites and resting-state functional connectivity in healthy participants, as well as an alteration in this relationship in patients with first-episode psychosis. Combining data from different imaging modalities may help our mechanistic understanding of the relationship between major neurometabolites and brain network dynamics, and shed light on the pathophysiology of first-episode psychosis.
Influence of GSTP-1 Polymorphism on the Prognosis of Patients with High-Grade Glioma Who Received Temozolomide Plus Radiotherapy Adjuvant Treatment

Background Glutathione S-Transferase P 1 (GSTP-1) gene plays an important physiological role in the body. The present study was conducted to identify the clinical implication of GSTP-1 gene polymorphism on the prognosis of patients with high-grade glioma (HGG) who received temozolomide plus radiotherapy adjuvant treatment. Methods This study recruited a total of 186 patients with HGG who were treated with temozolomide plus radiotherapy adjuvant regimen (retrospectively). Baseline clinical characteristics were obtained and the prognostic data of the patients were collected. Peripheral blood specimen of patients was preserved for genotyping of GSTP-1 polymorphism during hospitalization. Correlation analysis was carried out accordingly. Additionally, fresh peripheral blood specimens that were available for mRNA expression analysis were collected for the mRNA expression analysis. Results The median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of the 186 patients with HGG who received temozolomide plus radiotherapy regimen was 8.5 months (95% CI: 5.95–11.05) and 15.5 months (95% CI: 11.49–19.51), respectively. The prevalence of 313A>G among 186 patients with glioma was AA genotype: 126 cases (67.7%), AG genotype: 54 cases (29.1%), GG genotype: 6 cases (3.2%), minor allele frequency of 313A>G was 0.18. Association analysis suggested that the median PFS of patients with AA and AG/GG genotypes was 11.2 and 5.0 months, respectively (χ2=11.17, P=0.001). Furthermore, the median OS of patients with AA and AG/GG genotypes was 18.9 and 10.5 months, respectively (χ2=12.684, P<0.001). Besides, when adjusted for PFS in multivariate Cox regression analysis, AG/GG genotype was an independent factor for PFS (HR=0.48, P=0.006). The mRNA expression results indicated that mRNA expression of GSTP-1 in patients with AG/GG genotypes of 313A>G was significantly higher than that of patients with AA genotype (P<0.001). Conclusion GSTP-1 polymorphism 313A>G might be used as a potential biomarker to predict the prognosis of patients with HGG who received temozolomide plus radiotherapy adjuvant treatment.
EIN COMPUTERSYSTEM ZUR PLANUNG UND DURCHFÜHRUNG NEUROCHIRURGISCHER INTERVENTIONEN

Neurosurgical interventions have to be planned carefully using different sources of Information like anatomicalMR Images, segmented brain structures, fimctional data (EEG, MEG, ß4RI) and alias Information. We developed a 3D planning System that incorporates this important data. The planning procedure is performed by the neurosurgeon in less than 15 minutes. The results of the planning phaset i.e. an optimal trajectory, localizations qfthe electrical sources and Information about the brain tissue can be used intraoperatively. Therefore the planning System is connected with a navigation system. The simultaneous visualization of the planning Information and the actual position of the Instrument during the surgical procedure is extremely valuablefor the outcome andquality qfthe Intervention. Keywords—neuro-surgical planning, multimodal imagingt neuronavigation, functional data
Nutritional Therapies and Their Influence on the Intestinal Microbiome in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic, autoimmune disorder of the gastrointestinal tract with numerous genetic and environmental risk factors. Patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC) often demonstrate marked disruptions of their gut microbiome. The intestinal microbiota is strongly influenced by diet. The association between the increasing incidence of IBD worldwide and increased consumption of a westernized diet suggests host nutrition may influence the progression or treatment of IBD via the microbiome. Several nutritional therapies have been studied for the treatment of CD and UC. While their mechanisms of action are only partially understood, existing studies do suggest that diet-driven changes in microbial composition and function underlie the diverse mechanisms of nutritional therapy. Despite existing therapies for IBD focusing heavily on immune suppression, nutrition is an important treatment option due to its superior safety profile, potentially low cost, and benefits for growth and development. These benefits are increasingly important to patients. In this review, we will describe the clinical efficacy of the different nutritional therapies that have been described for the treatment of CD and UC. We will also describe the effects of each nutritional therapy on the gut microbiome and summarize the strength of the literature with recommendations for the practicing clinician.
Nickel matrix composite electrocoatings as electrical contacts

The work presented in this paper explores the possibility of using composite nickel matrix electrodeposits prepared under direct current (DC) and pulse current (PC) conditions as electrical contact materials. The codeposition of liquid containing microcapsules (/spl mu/caps) along with the metal matrix from electrolytic baths leads to the development of new type of materials with prespecified properties: the liquid-containing metal electrocoatings. The incorporation, in the nickel matrix, of polymeric wall /spl mu/caps containing oil ensures a self-lubrication and cooling action during fretting or transient operation. The electrical properties of composite nickel electrodeposits have been investigated. Different preparation conditions have been employed. Their contact resistance and interfacial temperature have been monitored for a great number of operation cycles during the simultaneous application of mechanical and electrical fatigue. SEM and XRD analysis were applied toward investigating the structural characteristics of the inter-electrode surfaces.
Modelling the spatio-temporal dynamic of traffic flows with gravity models and mobile phone data

The analysis of origin-destination traffic flows may be useful in many contexts of application (e.g., urban planning, tourism economics) and have been commonly studied through the gravity model, which states that flows are proportional to ''masses" of both origin and destination, and inversely proportional to distance between them. Using data on the flow of mobile phone SIM among different aree di censimento, recorded hourly basis for several months and provided by FasterNet in the context of MoSoRe project, in this work we characterize and model the dynamic of such flows over the time in the strongly urbanized and flood-prone area of the Mandolossa (western outskirts of Brescia, northern Italy), with the aim of predicting the traffic flow during flood episodes. Whereas a traditional ”static” mass explanatory variable is represented by residential population (Pop), or by gross domestic product (GDP), here we propose to use a most accurate set of explanatory variables in order to better account for the dynamic over the time. First, we employ a time-varying mass variable represented by the number of city-users by area and by time period, which has been estimated from mobile phone data (provided by TIM) using functional data approach and already adopted to derive crowding maps for flood exposure. Secondly, we include in the model a proper set of factors such as areal and time dummies, and a novel set of indices related to (e.g.) the number and the type of streets, the number of offices, restaurants or cinemas, which may be retrieved from OpenStreetMap. The joint use of these two novel sets of explanatory variables should allow us to obtain a better linear fitting of the gravity model and a better traffic flow prediction for the flood risk evaluation.
HOW CAN AMERICAN AEC FIRMS GET THE LEAD IN SUSTAINABLE BUILDING DESIGN? WHAT A POTENTIAL DESIGN LEADER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT "GREEN-CONVERTIBLE BUILDINGS."

Energy-efficient building design and operations reduce the negative impacts of buildings on human health, natural environment, and non-renewable energy resources by reducing waste, pollution, environmental degradation, and energy consumption. However, the number of green residences and commercial buildings is small compared to the number of traditional buildings since the initial costs of energy-efficient buildings are relatively higher than regular buildings. When stricter environmental regulations take place, innovative technologies become available at a lower price, costs of non-renewable resources rise to higher levels, or capital financing becomes ready, energy-inefficient buildings will be required to convert to low-energy green buildings at a certain cost, the green-conversion cost. It is then appropriate to ask what AEC firms can do now to reduce this future green-conversion cost. A possible solution is to develop a systematic approach that helps designers/retrofitters to identify flexible building systems and (dis)assembly methods that facilitate conversion to low-energy green buildings in the future with minimal intervention cost. We present the novel approach of incorporating flexibilities on/in a building or a building system to AEC firms. Considering flexibilities on/in building projects can potentially contribute to transforming the traditional building development and design as the nation confronts the daunting challenge of securing sustainable buildings for future generations and American AEC firms seek the competitive advantage to lead in the global markets.
Enhanced thermoelectric properties of polycrystalline CuCrS2−x Se x (x = 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2) samples by replacing chalcogens and sintering

The optimization of thermoelectric properties of the CuCrS 2−x Se x (x = 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2) samples was achieved by substitution in anionic sublattice and sintering at high temperature. The maximum power factor PF ∼ 0.3 mW (m·K)−2 among a series of samples with chalcogen substitution was obtained for CuCrS0.5Se1.5 sample at T = 300 K. The sintering made it possible to obtain the maximum value PF ∼ 2.1 mW (m·K)−2 for CuCrSe2 sample. This is due to a more than threefold increase in the thermopower S(T) in CuCrSe2 sample with a spin-orbital interaction in comparison with CuCrS0.5Se1.5 sample with the same optimal electrical conductivity σ ( σ∼ 100 S cm−1), but without spin-orbital interaction. In CuCrSe2 sample, sintering effectively reduced the σ to an optimal value, suppressed of the magnetic phase transition in the range of 50–100 K, and the weak localization were replaced by weak antilocalization indicating the appearance of strong spin-orbit interaction below 20 K. As a result, an additional contribution to the S(T) appeared due to the filtration of current carriers caused by the strong spin-orbit interaction. The effect of grain boundaries on the properties σ and S(T) of the samples was investigated. It was established that polycrystalline samples with a high sulfur content were low-conductivity materials consisting of high-conductivity crystallites with the charge carriers concentration n∼1020 cm−3 separated by low-conductivity grain boundaries with fluctuation-induced tunneling conductivity. Both the replacement of sulfur with selenium and sintering led to a decrease in the energy barriers connecting grain boundaries. Selenium-dominated samples (CuCrS0.5Se1.5 and CuCrSe2) had high electrical conductivity with negligible energy barriers between grain boundaries. Logarithmic quantum corrections to the electrical conductivity was observed below 20 K, which indicated a quasi-two-dimensional electron transport in these samples.
Cooling as a possible way to extend the usability of I/sub DDQ/ testing

A reduction of the V/sub DD/ voltage, and thus the threshold voltage, in submicrometre CMOS circuits, results in an increase in the subthreshold current of the transistors and, consequently, in an increase in the overall quiescent current. This effect prohibits the use of I/sub DDQ/ testing. Based on experimental investigation into the subthreshold characteristics of deep submicrometre transistors, the authors propose a cooling of the circuit under test as a method to reduce these difficulties.
Reactive astrogliosis: A friend or foe in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease

Astrocytes are highly efficient homeostatic glial cells playing a crucial role in optimal brain functioning and homeostasis. Astrocytes respond to changes in brain homoeostasis following central nervous system (CNS) injury/diseased state by a specific defence mechanism called reactive astrogliosis. Recent studies have implicated and placed reactive astrogliosis in the centre of pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative disorders. The AD biomarker field is evolving rapidly with new findings providing strong evidence which supports the notion that a reactive astrogliosis is an early event in the time course of AD progression which may precede other pathological hallmarks of AD. Clinical/translational in vivo PET and in vitro postmortem brain imaging studies demonstrated ‘a first and second wave’ of reactive astrogliosis in AD with distinct close‐loop relationships with other pathological biomarkers at different stages of the disease. At the end stages, reactive astrocytes are found to be associated, or in proximity, with amyloid plaque and tau pathological deposits in postmortem AD brains. Several new PET‐tracers, which are being in pipeline and validated at a very fast pace for mapping and visualising reactive astrogliosis in the brain, will provide further invaluable mechanistic insights into AD and other non‐AD dementia pathologies. The complementary roles of microglia and astrocyte activation in AD progression, along with the clinical value of new fluid astrocytes biomarkers in the context of existing biomarkers, are the latest avenue that needs further exploration.
Comparison of the particle filter with range-parameterized and modified polar EKFs for angle-only tracking

The tracking performance of the Particle Filter is compared with that of the Range-Parameterised EKF (RPEKF) and Modified Polar coordinate EKF (MPEKF) for a single-sensor angle-only tracking problem with ownship maneuver. The Particle Filter is based on representing the required density of the state vector as a set of random samples with associated weights. This filter is implemented for recursive estimation, and works by propagating the set of samples, and then updating the associated weights according to the new received measurement. The RPEKF, which is essentially a weighted sum of multiple EKF outputs, and the MPEKF are known for their robust angle-only tracking performance. This comparative study shows that the Particle Filter performance is the best, although the RPEKF is only marginally worse. The superior performance of the Particle Filter is particularly evident for high noise conditions where the EKF type trackers generally diverge. Also, the Particle Filter and the RPEKF are found to be robust to the level of a priori knowledge of initial target range. On the contrary, the MPEKF exhibits degraded performance for poor initialisation.
Evaluation of Native and Nonnative Ornamentals as Pollinator Plants in Florida: I. Floral Abundance and Insect Visitation

Diverse floral resources impart immense value for pollinating insects of all types. With increasing popularity and demand for modern ornamental hybrids, cultivation by breeders has led to selection for a suite of traits such as extended bloom periods and novel colors and forms deemed attractive to the human eye. Largely understudied is pollinator preference for these new cultivars, as compared with their native congeners. To address this gap in understanding, 10 species of popular herbaceous flowering plants, commonly labeled as pollinator-friendly, were evaluated at two sites in Florida [U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) cold hardiness zones 8b and 9a] and across three seasons for their floral abundance and overall attractiveness to different groups of pollinating insects. Each genus, apart from pentas, encompassed a native and nonnative species. Native species included blanket flower (Gaillardia pulchella), lanceleaf coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata), pineland lantana (Lantana depressa), and scarlet sage (Salvia coccinea). Nonnative species included Barbican™ yellow-red ring blanket flower (G. aristata ‘Gaiz005’), Bloomify™ rose lantana (L. camara ‘UF-1011-2’), mysty salvia (S. longispicata ×farinacea ‘Balsalmysty’), Lucky Star® dark red pentas (Pentas lanceolata ‘PAS1231189’), ruby glow pentas (P. lanceolata ‘Ruby glow’) and Uptick™ Gold & Bronze coreopsis (Coreopsis × ‘Baluptgonz’). Flower-visiting insects were recorded during five-minute intervals in the morning and categorized into the following morpho-groups: honey bees, large-bodied bees (bumble and carpenter bees), other bees (small to medium-bodied native bees), butterflies/moths, and wasps. Floral abundance and pollinator visitation varied widely by season, location, and species. Of the plant species evaluated, nonnative plants produced nearly twice as many flowers as native plants. About 22,000 floral visitations were observed. The majority of visits were by native, small to medium-bodied bees (55.28%), followed by butterflies and moths (15.4%), large-bodied native bees (11.8%), wasps (10.0%), and honey bees (7.6%). Among plant genera, both native and nonnative coreopsis and blanket flower were most attractive to native, small to medium-bodied bees (e.g., sweat bees, leafcutter bees) with the greatest number of visitations occurring during the early and midmonths of the study (May–August). Across the study, butterflies and moths visited lantana more frequently than all other ornamentals evaluated, whereas pentas were most attractive to wasps. Large-bodied bees visited plants most frequently in May and June, primarily foraging from both native and nonnative salvia. While results from this study showed nominal differences between native and nonnative species in their ability to attract the studied pollinator groups, care should be taken to making similar assessments of other modern plant types.
Investigation on Viral Pathogens in Vitis vinifera from Four Production Bases in Hangzhou Vicinity of China by sRNAseq and Molecular Validation

This is the first systematic investigation of viral pathogens in Vitis vinifera from Hangzhou vicinity of China. About 7 viruses and 5 viroids were annotated from four production bases “Dushicun”, “Wangjiayuan”, “Xiajiangcun”, and “Yangducun” covering 15 cultivars through sRNAseq technique. At least 3 viruses—grapevine leaf roll-associated virus 3 (GLRaV-3), grapevine fleck virus (GFkV) and grapevine geminivirus A (GGVA), and 4 viroids—hop stunt viroid (HSVd), citrus viroid II (CVd-II), grapevine yellow speckle viroid 1 (GYSVd-1) and grapevine yellow speckle viroid 2 (GYSVd-2) infected all four bases. “Yangducun” base showed 11, the most infected pathogens. GYSVd-1 showed the highest accumulation in host of Wangjiayuan base. The main infected pathogens were verified by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique, the detected rate reached to 85% - 100%. The results provide an important basis for effective and precise detection of viral diseases in the area and for the virus-free cultivation in future.