Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In Vitro Evaluation of Tooth-Whitening Potential of Peroxide-Free OTC Dental Bleaching Agents

Abstract: Purpose: To evaluate and compare the tooth-whitening potential of five over-the-counter (OTC), peroxide-free dental bleaching methods as well as an experimental tooth-whitening solution containing 0.1% hydrogen peroxide complexed with doping agents with a gold standard (positive control) containing 16% carbamide peroxide. Material and Methods: Eighty permanent bovine incisor teeth were randomly allocated to eight different groups. Two teeth from each group were immerged into five staining solutions represented by coffee, tea, red wine, and curry mixed in warm oil or distilled water (control group) and stored at 37 °C for 28 days in an incubator. The teeth were then reallocated to the eight groups, resulting in ten samples per group, and each group was matched with a bleaching product. The bleaching procedures were executed following the manufacturer’s recommendations. The color of each sample was assessed over a white and black background using a quantitative numerical measurement approach with a calibrated spectrophotometer. Spectrophotometric measurements were performed after exposing the teeth to the bleaching agent for 60 min (T2), 100 min (T3), and 200 min (T4), and ΔE00 was calculated. Results: When analyzed over a white background, the mean ΔE00 values ranged from 2.14 (placebo) to 6.32 (Opalescence PF). When analyzed over a black background, the mean ΔE00 values ranged from 2.31 (placebo) to 5.78 (Opalescence PF). Statistically significant ΔE00 color changes over time for the eight groups and five staining solutions at T1 and T4 were assessed for both backgrounds using repeated ANOVA followed by Fisher’s LSD post hoc test (p-value < 0.01). Conclusions: All tested over-the-counter whitening kits except one exhibited positive color variation. However, the individual performance differed vastly from one brand to the other, and the overall performance was less effective compared to the conventional carbamide-peroxide-based positive control.
Surface roughness and polarization ratio in microwave remote sensing

The characteristics of the polarization ratio in the case of rough surfaces are investigated. In addition, an inversion method is also proposed for retrieving the surface roughness over land and sea. The proposed method was effective for angles of incidence near the Brewster angles close to the view angles of many satellite microwave sensors. This new method retrieves the sea surface roughness within a reasonable range of bias. Consequently, this study provides insight into the polarization ratio and an inversion method to estimate the surface roughness by using the characteristics of the polarization ratio from passive microwave remote sensing.
COMMUNITY STRUCTURE DISCOVERY IN DIRECTED GRAPHS BY ASYMMETRIC CLUSTERING

A familiar problem with respect to the analysis of network data (in which relations between objects can be described by links between the vertices of a graph) is the discovery of so-called community structures, i.e., the detection of subgraphs of closely connected vertices with comparatively few links joining vertices of different subgraphs. For this task modularity is a popular goodness-of-fit-index. While undirected graphs restrict considerations to basically symmetric relations, more realistic situations can be described by directed graphs. In this paper we consider shortest walk lengths between all pairs of vertices as dissimilarities instead of just using the adjacency information given by the directed edges of the graphs, which enables us to suggest a new approach in which the application of asymmetric clustering is a main step. This enrichment of the underlying adjacency matrix to a walk-length based dissimilarity matrix together with asymmetric hierarchical clustering are the keys of our proposed approach to community structure discovery in directed graphs. We use example graphs from the literature with known modularity values and apply computer-generated directed benchmark graphs for the evaluations. The findings show that our approach compares favourably with results available from the literature.
Direct wafer bonding of III-V compound semiconductors for free-material and free-orientation integration

This paper describes the use of direct wafer bonding technique to implement the novel concept of "free-material and free-orientation integration" which we propose. The technique is applied for various wafer combinations of an InGaAsP material system, and the properties of the bonded structures are studied in terms of the crystalline and electrical characterization through transmission electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, and so on. This technique's advantage for use in the fabrication of lattice-mismatched structures is confirmed by the crystalline characterization, together with its second advantage of enabling bonded structures with an orientation mismatch, is investigated. The high crystalline quality of the bonded structures with both lattice and orientation mismatches is proved, and the electrical property of the bonded interface is examined for some of them. We show a practicability in a laser fabricated on a lattice- and orientation-mismatched structure by direct bonding. The results demonstrate the remarkable feasibility of using the direct wafer bonding technique to obtain integrated structures of material- and orientation-mismatched wafers with satisfactory quality.
High Selectivity Hydrogen Gas Sensor Based on WO3/Pd-AlGaN/GaN HEMTs

We investigated the hydrogen gas sensors based on AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) for high temperature sensing operation. The gate area of the sensor was functionalized using a 10 nm Pd catalyst layer for hydrogen gas sensing. A thin WO3 layer was deposited on top of the Pd layer to enhance the sensor selectivity toward hydrogen gas. At 200 °C, the sensor exhibited high sensitivity of 658% toward 4%-H2, while exhibiting only a little interaction with NO2, CH4, CO2, NH3, and H2S. From 150 °C to 250 °C, the 10 ppm hydrogen response of the sensor was at least eight times larger than other target gases. These results showed that this sensor is suitable for H2 detection in a complex gas environment at a high temperature.
Facial Landmark, Head Pose, and Occlusion Analysis Using Multitask Stacked Hourglass

In this study, we proposed a multitask network architecture for three attributes, landmark, head pose, and occlusion, from a face image. A 2-stacked hourglass with three task-specific heads is the proposed network architecture. We also designed three auxiliary components for the network. First is the feature pyramid fusion module, which plays a crucial role in facilitating contextual information from various receptive fields. Second is the interlevel occlusion-aware fusion module, which explicitly fuses intermediate occlusion prediction between subnetworks. The third is the gimbal-lock-free head pose head, which outputs a rotation matrix from a 6D rotation representation. We conducted an ablative study of these auxiliary components to determine their impacts on the network. Additionally, we introduced the landmark heatmap scaling approach to avoid falling local minima. We trained the proposed network with a 300W-LP dataset for landmark and head pose and a C-CM dataset for occlusion. Then, we fine-tuned the network using the 300W or WFLW dataset, instead of the 300W-LP dataset for the landmark task. This 2-stage training method contributes to enhancing the landmark detection accuracy and that of other tasks. In the experiments, we assessed the performance of the proposed network on eight test datasets using task-specific metrics. The results show that the proposed network achieved competitive performance across all the datasets and notably outperformed the state-of-the-art methods on AFLW2000 and Masked 300W datasets.
Bletilla striata polysaccharide/ethanol extract composite hydrogel for accelerated wound healing

The purpose of this study is to utilize the active ingredients of Bletilla striata ( B. striata ) to prepare the hydrogel dressing for accelerated wound healing. To this end, a series of composite hydrogels were prepared by blending different proportions of B. striata polysaccharide (BSP) and ethanol extract of B. striata (EEB) with Carbomer 940 (CBM940). These hydrogels showed porous three-dimensional structures with good water retention properties. The cytotoxicity test demonstrated the high cytocompatibility of the EEB/BSP hydrogels. Additionally, the inclusion of EEB enhanced the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of EEB/BSP hydrogel. The animal experiment illustrated the accelerated wound healing effect using the hydrogels and the highest healing rate was obtained in EEB1/BSP7 (m_EEB:m_BSP = 1:7) group with the 82.00 ± 4.25% and 93.30 ± 0.97% on 7th day and 10th day, respectively. Histological observations further confirmed the excellent healing effect of EEB/BSP hydrogel. Therefore, EEB/BSP hydrogel had potential to becoming a suitable wound dressing. Graphical abstract
Machine Learning based Real Time Water Quality Monitoring System

Deterioration of natural water systems including lakes, streams, and estuaries is a major problem that has to be addressed immediately. Water pollution has far-reaching consequences that touch on every facet of life. Effective management of water resources is essential to maintain pristine water quality. If data are continually examined and groundwater quality is forecasted in advance, the consequences of water pollution may be lessened. There have been a number of studies done on the topic but more are required to confirm that the present approaches to water quality management are reliable and successful. The main goal of this study is to use ANN in tandem with an analytical strategy that accounts for water quality parameters to create a model for estimating groundwater supplies. The water quality data used in this study was gathered in 2014 at a 6-minute interval. The USGS uses the online National Water Information System (NWIS) to compile the data. Quantitative data on four factors that affect water quality are presented here. Mean Squared Error (MSE), Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE), and regression analysis are all methods used for assessing performance. Additionally, this research assesses existing water quality forecasting work and suggests ways forwarded. The most accessible and economical sources of drinkable water are those found at or near the earth’s surface and in underground water tables.
Comparative Genetic Characterization of Pathogenic Escherichia coli Isolated from Patients and Swine Suffering from Diarrhea in Korea

Simple Summary The objective of this study was to compare the virulence and antimicrobial resistance characteristics of the most prevalent Escherichia coli strains causing diarrhea in both swine and humans. Results show that the swine strains exhibited a considerably higher level of resistance compared to those from human patients, particularly against fluoroquinolones. Moreover, five sequence types (ST 100, ST 1, ST 10, ST 641, and ST 88) were identified in both swine and human isolates. Furthermore, it was confirmed that both swine and human isolates possessed comparable virulence traits and shared similar phylogenetical relationships. These results suggest that cross contamination and the transmission of antimicrobial resistance may occur between swine and humans. Abstract The aim of this study was to compare the virulence factors and antimicrobial resistance of the most common pathogenic Escherichia coli strains in swine and patients with diarrhea in Korea. We examined virulence genes and antimicrobial susceptibility in 85 and 61 E. coli strains isolated from swine and patients with diarrhea, respectively. The most prevalent pathogen in swine was enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) (47.1%), followed by Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) (32.9%). Similarly, the majority of the patient isolates (50.8%) were proven to be STEC, the most common pathotype, followed by ETEC (23.0%). We found that swine isolates had significantly higher resistance than patient isolates, especially to fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin: 37.5% and 16.1%; norfloxacin: 29.7% and 16.1%, respectively). Additionally, sequence type (ST) 100 (swine: 21; patients: 4), ST 1 (swine: 21, patients: 2), ST 10 (swine: 8; patients: 6), ST 641 (swine: 3, patients: 2), and ST 88 (swine: 2, patients: 11) were detected in both swine and humans. In addition, we confirmed that isolates from swine and patients had similar virulence traits and were phylogenetically similar. According to these findings, swine and humans are susceptible to cross infection and the transfer of antimicrobial resistance.
Grain boundaries in high-Tc superconductors

Since the first days of high-Tc superconductivity, the materials science and the physics of grain boundaries in superconducting compounds have developed into fascinating fields of research. Unique electronic properties, different from those of the grain boundaries in conventional metallic superconductors, have made grain boundaries formed by high-Tc cuprates important tools for basic science. They are moreover a key issue for electronic and large-scale applications of high-Tc superconductivity. The aim of this review is to give a summary of this broad and dynamic field. Starting with an introduction to grain boundaries and a discussion of the techniques established to prepare them individually and in a well-defined manner, the authors present their structure and transport properties. These provide the basis for a survey of the theoretical models developed to describe grain-boundary behavior. Following these discussions, the enormous impact of grain boundaries on fundamental studies is reviewed, as well as high-power and electronic device applications.
Thin-film channel waveguide electro-optic modulator in epitaxial BaTiO3

We report on a thin-film channel waveguide electro-optic modulator fabricated in epitaxial BaTiO3 on MgO. Films had an effective dc electro-optic coefficient of reff∼50±5 pm/V and reff∼18±2 pm/V at 5 MHz for λ∼1.55 μm light. Extinction ratios of 14 dB were obtained. The electro-optic effect decreases to ∼60% of the dc value at 1 Hz, 50% of the dc value at 20 kHz, and ∼37% of the dc value at 5 MHz.
Strategy Based on Michael Addition Reaction for the Development of Bioinspired Multilayered and Multiphasic 3D Constructs

The high incidence of osteochondral defects has increased the interest in the development of improved repairing alternatives, with tissue engineering being considered a promising approach. The hierarchical, complex structure of osteochondral tissue requires the design of a biomimetic multilayered scaffold. Here, a multilayered and multiphasic 3D macroporous structure was achieved at subzero temperature by the Michael addition reaction of amino functionalities of collagen with acryloyl groups of a bifunctionalized poly(ε-caprolactone). This green approach has been successfully applied to crosslink layers of different composition, both for their efficient sequential formation and connection. Polyethylenimine functionalized nano-hydroxyapatite (nHApLPEI) was added to the bottom layer. The resulting hybrid cryogels were characterized by morphology, equilibrium swelling ratios, compressive strength analysis, and MTS assay. They presented good stability, integrity, and biocompatibility. The results revealed that the properties of the prepared constructs may be tuned by varying the composition, number, and thickness of the layers. The Young modulus values were between 3.5 ± 0.02 and 10.5 ± 0.6 kPa for the component layers, while for the multilayered structures they were more than 7.3 ± 0.2 kPa. The equilibrium swelling ratio varied between 4.6 and 14.2, with a value of ~10.5 for the trilayered structure, correlated with the mean pore sizes (74–230 µm).
Pollen as Bee Medicine: Is Prevention Better than Cure?

Simple Summary Bees suffer from diverse pathogens and parasites that play crucial roles in shaping their communities. Alas, human activities have deeply disturbed natural bee–pathogen dynamics, through the spread of emerging pathogens and altered transmission networks. Such human-disturbed pollinator–pathogen dynamics are partly assumed to be responsible for pollinator decline. To deal with parasite infection, bees may rely on specific resources that may act as natural pharmacies. In this study, we explored whether different pollen resources may impede parasite establishment in healthy bumble bees or reduce parasite load in infected ones, either by weakening the parasite or improving the host resistance towards infection. Moreover, we also investigated whether infected bumble bees favour medicating resources over non-medicating ones. We found that consuming specific resources could impede parasite dynamics, especially its establishment, but that the cost–benefit trade-off could be detrimental if bumble bee reproductive success is highly reduced along with these medicinal effects. We did not affirm any self-medicative behaviour in infected bumble bees regarding the gut parasite used in our study, but questioned the importance of parasite virulence for such behaviours to occur. Our results showed that the ecological significance of medicating resource may be overlooked when missing parts of the story. Abstract To face environmental stressors such as infection, animals may display behavioural plasticity to improve their physiological status through ingestion of specific food. In bees, the significance of medicating pollen may be limited by their ability to exploit it. Until now, studies have focused on the medicinal effects of pollen and nectar after forced-feeding experiments, overlooking spontaneous intake. Here, we explored the medicinal effects of different pollen on Bombus terrestris workers infected by the gut parasite Crithidia bombi. First, we used a forced-feeding experimental design allowing for the distinction between prophylactic and therapeutic effects of pollen, considering host tolerance and resistance. Then, we assessed whether bumble bees favoured medicating resources when infected to demonstrate potential self-medicative behaviour. We found that infected bumble bees had a lower fitness but higher resistance when forced to consume sunflower or heather pollen, and that infection dynamics was more gradual in therapeutic treatments. When given the choice between resources, infected workers did not target medicating pollen, nor did they consume more medicating pollen than uninfected ones. These results emphasize that the access to medicating resources could impede parasite dynamics, but that the cost–benefit trade-off could be detrimental when fitness is highly reduced.
Selective antagonists of calcium-permeable GluA1 AMPA-receptors as potential antiaddictive agents

An increase in synaptic dopamine levels, particularly in the nucleus accumbens sheath, is a critical initial response for encoding a drugs positive effect and the development of associative learning, which is crucial for finding drugs in response to their rewarding effects. This study aims to review current data describing the role of AMPA glutamate receptors in the pathological drug search that occurs during the transition from drug use to drug abuse. Publications reviewed and analyzed the journal publications in international databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, RSCI) on the mechanisms of interaction between dopamine and AMPA glutamate receptors in drug addiction pathogenesis are reviewed and analyzed. After repeated exposure to psychostimulant drugs, the dopamine response to narcogen administration becomes sensitized, which is responsible for drugs of abuse over other natural reinforcers. The nucleus accumbens contains convergent inputs of dopamine and glutamate, which modulate the response to psychostimulant drugs. Simultaneously, a constant increase in AMPA-receptors lacking the GluA2 subunit was observed, which leads to an increase in conductivity and initiates a cascade of calcium-dependent signaling. With the development of compulsive drug seeking, the expression of AMPA-receptors in the nucleus accumbens increases. Based on this hypothesis, it is reasonable to propose drugs for the treatment of drug dependence that counteract the neuroplastic changes in AMPA-receptors caused by repeated drug exposure and leading to addiction. IEM-1460 and IEM-2131, which are two GluA1 AMPA blockers, have been proposed as potential therapeutic agents against addiction and other CNS diseases.
Multi-agent DDPG Enpowered UAV Trajectory Optimization for Computation Task Offloading

In order to solve the problems of high cost, poor mobility and difficulty in coping with emergency in large-scale deployment of fixed edge computing nodes in mobile edge computing(MEC), an unmanned aerial vehicle(UAV)-assist task offloading algorithm is proposed to meet the need of computing-intensive and delay-sensitive mobile services. Considering constraints such as the flight range, flight speed of multiple UAVs and system fairness among users, the method aims to minimize the weighted sum of the average computing delay of users and the UAV's energy consumption. This non-convex and NP-hard problem is transformed into a partially observed Markov decision process, and we propose a multi-agent deep deterministic policy gradient algorithm to get optimal offloading decision and UAV flight trajectory. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm outperforms the baseline algorithm in terms of fairness of mobile service terminals, average system delay and total energy consumption of multiple UAVs.
Convective Boundary Layer Height Measurement with Wind Profilers and Comparison to Cloud Base

Abstract The depth of the atmospheric boundary layer is of interest in several different areas, such as chemistry, pollutant studies, and global modeling. In this research the authors describe and compare several different measurements of boundary layer depth. First, the authors use the standard measurement from radiosondes to confirm the validity of wind-profiler measurements, which use humidity gradients to estimate the boundary layer depth. A method for obtaining meaningful cloud-base altitudes is then presented, and the results are compared to the wind-profiler boundary layer heights. The authors find good agreement between the different types of measurement but see that the profiler peak reflectivity is slightly raised above cloud base in the presence of boundary layer clouds. This may be due to increased humidity gradients at the top and edges of clouds or to increased turbulence within the cloud. Calculation of the boundary layer height using the bulk Richardson number is commonly used in computer .