Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Signatures of Majorana Fermions in Hybrid Superconductor-Semiconductor Nanowire Devices

Majoranas Arrive When a negatively charged electron meets a positron—its positively charged antiparticle—they annihilate each other in a flash of gamma rays. A Majorana fermion, on the other hand, is a neutral particle, which is its own antiparticle. No sightings of a Majorana have been reported in the elementary particle world, but recently they have been proposed to exist in solid-state systems and suggested to be of interest as a quantum computing platform. Mourik et al. (p. 1003, published online 12 April; see the cover; see the Perspective by Brouwer) set up a semiconductor nanowire contacted on each end by a normal and a superconducting electrode that revealed evidence of Majorana fermions. Theoretically predicted particles that double as their own antiparticles emerge in a superconductor-coupled indium antimonide nanowire. Majorana fermions are particles identical to their own antiparticles. They have been theoretically predicted to exist in topological superconductors. Here, we report electrical measurements on indium antimonide nanowires contacted with one normal (gold) and one superconducting (niobium titanium nitride) electrode. Gate voltages vary electron density and define a tunnel barrier between normal and superconducting contacts. In the presence of magnetic fields on the order of 100 millitesla, we observe bound, midgap states at zero bias voltage. These bound states remain fixed to zero bias, even when magnetic fields and gate voltages are changed over considerable ranges. Our observations support the hypothesis of Majorana fermions in nanowires coupled to superconductors.
Effects of individuals' locus of control and computer self-efficacy on their e-learning acceptance in high-tech companies

High-tech companies encounter intense competition in today's global economy. With rapid changes in working environments, high-tech employees must learn quickly and effectively to solve difficult problems and increase their productivity. Many large high-tech companies have recently implemented electronic learning (e-learning) for employee training. However, e-learning systems are expensive and often underutilised. Therefore, understanding the factors associated with acceptance to e-learning are of priority concern. By integrating locus of control, computer self-efficacy and technology acceptance model (TAM) into one model, this study examines the feasibility of the extended TAM to explain employee acceptance of e-learning systems. Data were collected from 223 employees at five high-tech companies located in the Hsinchu Science Park, Taiwan. Analytical results indicate that locus of control had significant direct effects on perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use. Computer self-efficacy had significant direct effects on perceived ease of use and behavioural intention to use. Overall, analytical results provide strong support for using the extended TAM to explain user acceptance of e-learning systems. The research and practical implications of findings are discussed.
Bridging the Audio-Symbolic Gap: The Discovery of Repeated Note Content Directly from Polyphonic Music Audio

Algorithms for the discovery of musical repetition have been developed in audio and symbolic domains more or less independently for over a decade. In this paper we combine algorithms for multiple F0 estimation, beat tracking, quantisation, and pattern discovery, so that for the first time, the note content of motifs, themes, and repeated sections can be discovered directly from polyphonic music audio. Testing on deadpan and expressive piano renditions of pieces, we compared pattern discovery performance against runs on symbolic representations of the same pieces. Comparing deadpan audio with deadpan-symbolic representations, establishment precision and recall fell by ∼ 25%, and by ∼ 50% when comparing expressive audio with deadpan-symbolic representations. The music data and evaluation results establish a benchmark for future work that attempts to bridge the audio-symbolic gap.
The structure of ambient water

We review the spectroscopic techniques and scattering experiments used to probe the structure of water, and their interpretation using empirical and ab initio models, over the last 5 years. We show that all available scientific evidence overwhelmingly favors the view of classifying water near ambient conditions as a uniform, continuous tetrahedral liquid. While there are controversial issues in our understanding of water in the supercooled state, in confinement, at interfaces, or in solution, there is no real controversy in what is understood as regards bulk liquid water under ambient conditions.
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences Aging and Consumer Decision Making

Research on consumer decision making and aging is especially important for fostering a better understanding of ways to maintain consumer satisfaction and high decision quality across the life span. We provide a review of extant research on the effects of normal aging on cognition and decision processes and how these age-related processes are influenced by task environment, meaningfulness of the task, and consumer expertise. We consider how research centered on these topics generates insights about changes in consumption decisions that occur with aging and identify a number of gaps and directions for future research.
Regulation of Host Translational Machinery by African Swine Fever Virus

African swine fever virus (ASFV), like other complex DNA viruses, deploys a variety of strategies to evade the host's defence systems, such as inflammatory and immune responses and cell death. Here, we analyse the modifications in the translational machinery induced by ASFV. During ASFV infection, eIF4G and eIF4E are phosphorylated (Ser1108 and Ser209, respectively), whereas 4E-BP1 is hyperphosphorylated at early times post infection and hypophosphorylated after 18 h. Indeed, a potent increase in eIF4F assembly is observed in ASFV-infected cells, which is prevented by rapamycin treatment. Phosphorylation of eIF4E, eIF4GI and 4E-BP1 is important to enhance viral protein production, but is not essential for ASFV infection as observed in rapamycin- or CGP57380-treated cells. Nevertheless, eIF4F components are indispensable for ASFV protein synthesis and virus spread, since eIF4E or eIF4G depletion in COS-7 or Vero cells strongly prevents accumulation of viral proteins and decreases virus titre. In addition, eIF4F is not only activated but also redistributed within the viral factories at early times of infection, while eIF4G and eIF4E are surrounding these areas at late times. In fact, other components of translational machinery such as eIF2α, eIF3b, eIF4E, eEF2 and ribosomal P protein are enriched in areas surrounding ASFV factories. Notably, the mitochondrial network is polarized in ASFV-infected cells co-localizing with ribosomes. Thus, translation and ATP synthesis seem to be coupled and compartmentalized at the periphery of viral factories. At later times after ASFV infection, polyadenylated mRNAs disappear from the cytoplasm of Vero cells, except within the viral factories. The distribution of these pools of mRNAs is similar to the localization of viral late mRNAs. Therefore, degradation of cellular polyadenylated mRNAs and recruitment of the translation machinery to viral factories may contribute to the inhibition of host protein synthesis, facilitating ASFV protein production in infected cells.
A Test Data Generation Tool for Unit Testing of C Programs

This paper describes a prototype tool, called SimC, which automatically generates test data for unit testing of C programs. The tool symbolically simulates the execution of the given program. It simulates pointer operations precisely. This makes it capable of generating test data for programs involving pointer and structure operations. Experiments on real-world programs including the GNU coreutils are presented. Some trade-offs of simulation schemes are also discussed
Heterogeneous feature selection by group lasso with logistic regression

The selection of groups of discriminative features is critical for image understanding since the irrelevant features could deteriorate the performance of image understanding. This paper formulates the selection of groups of discriminative features by the extension of group lasso with logistic regression for high-dimensional feature setting, we call it as the heterogeneous feature selection by Group Lasso with Logistic Regression (GLLR). GLLR encodes a sparse grouping prior to seek after a more interpretable model for feature selection and can identify most of discriminative groups of homogeneous features. The utilization of GLLR for image annotation shows the proposed GLLR achieves a better performance.
Visual Stereotypes and Virtual Pedagogical Agents

The paper deals with the use of visual stereotypes in virtual pedagogical agents and its potential impact in digital learning environments. An analysis of the concept of visual stereotypes is followed by a discussion of affordances and drawbacks as to their use in the context of traditional media. Next, the paper explores whether virtual pedagogical characters introduce anything novel with regard to the use of visual stereotypes – as compared both to real life interaction between humans and to the use of visual stereotypes in traditional non-interactive media such as magazines, film, television and video. It is proposed that novel affordances, as well as novel drawbacks, indeed are being introduced with the use of visual stereotypes in virtual characters. The conclusion of the paper is that knowledge on these matters can be useful both for developers of educational systems and for educators in enabling them to strengthen some pedagogical settings and activities.
C-C Chemokine Receptor 2 (CCR2) Regulates the Hepatic Recruitment of Myeloid Cells That Promote Obesity-Induced Hepatic Steatosis

OBJECTIVE Obesity induces a program of systemic inflammation that is implicated in the development of many of its clinical sequelae. Hepatic inflammation is a feature of obesity-induced liver disease, and our previous studies demonstrated reduced hepatic steatosis in obese mice deficient in the C-C chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) that regulates myeloid cell recruitment. This suggests that a myeloid cell population is recruited to the liver in obesity and contributes to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We used fluorescence-activated cell sorting to measure hepatic leukocyte populations in genetic and diet forms of murine obesity. We characterized in vivo models that increase and decrease an obesity-regulated CCR2-expressing population of hepatic leukocytes. Finally, using an in vitro co-culture system, we measured the ability of these cells to modulate a hepatocyte program of lipid metabolism. RESULTS We demonstrate that obesity activates hepatocyte expression of C-C chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2/MCP-1) leading to hepatic recruitment of CCR2+ myeloid cells that promote hepatosteatosis. The quantity of these cells correlates with body mass and in obese mice represents the second largest immune cell population in the liver. Hepatic expression of CCL2 increases their recruitment and in the presence of dietary fat induces hepatosteatosis. These cells activate hepatic transcription of genes responsible for fatty acid esterification and steatosis. CONCLUSIONS Obesity induces hepatic recruitment of a myeloid cell population that promotes hepatocyte lipid storage. These findings demonstrate that recruitment of myeloid cells to metabolic tissues is a common feature of obesity, not limited to adipose tissue.
Adaptive bipedal walking through sensory-motor coordination yielded from soft deformable feet

In this paper, we investigate an adaptive bipedal walking control that exploits sensory information stemming from “soft deformable” feet. To this end, we developed a bipedal robot with soft deformable feet and proposed an unconventional CPG (central pattern generator)-based control that exploits the local force feedback generated from such deformation. Through experiments with the constructed robot, we have found that the robot exhibits a remarkably adaptive walking ability in response to a change in walking velocity and external perturbations. These results support the conclusion that the “deformation” of a robot's body plays a pivotal role in the emergence of “sensory-motor coordination”, which is the key for generating adaptive locomotion in a robotic system.
Astrocytic Glutamate Is Not Necessary for the Generation of Epileptiform Neuronal Activity in Hippocampal Slices

The release of glutamate from astrocytes activates synchronous slow inward currents (SICs) in hippocampal pyramidal neurons, which are mediated by the NMDA receptor and represent a nonsynaptic mechanism to promote the synchronization of neuronal activity. Two recent studies demonstrate that SICs generate neuronal paroxysmal depolarizations resembling those typical of interictal epileptiform activity and proposed that there could be an astrocytic basis of epilepsy (Kang et al., 2005; Tian et al., 2005). We tested this hypothesis using two in vitro models of epileptiform activity in hippocampal slices. Removal of extracellular Mg2+ and application of picrotoxin or perfusion with 0.5 mm Mg2+ and 8.5 mm K+-containing saline result mainly in neuronal ictal- and interictal-like epileptiform activity, respectively. Although both models trigger epileptiform activity, astrocytic Ca2+ oscillations were increased only after slice perfusion with 0 mm Mg2+ and picrotoxin. The activation of astrocytic Ca2+ signaling correlates with an increased frequency of SICs, and, when paired neurons were within 100 μm of one another with synchronous neuronal Ca2+ elevations, the generation of synchronous neuronal depolarizations and action potential discharges. TTX blocked both ictal- and interictal-like epileptiform activity without affecting SICs or SIC-mediated neuronal synchronization. In contrast, NMDA receptor antagonists, which block SICs, did not prevent the generation of either ictal- or interictal-like events. Based on this clear-cut pharmacology, our data demonstrate that nonsynaptic glutamate release from astrocytes is not necessary for the generation of epileptiform activity in vitro, although we cannot exclude the possibility that it may modulate the strength of the ictal (seizure)-like event.
Targeting chromosomal sites with locked nucleic acid-modified triplex-forming oligonucleotides: study of efficiency dependence on DNA nuclear environment

Triplex-forming oligonucleotides (TFOs) are synthetic DNA code-reading molecules that have been demonstrated to function to some extent in chromatin within cell nuclei. Here we have investigated the impact of DNA nuclear environment on the efficiency of TFO binding. For this study we have used locked nucleic acid-containing TFOs (TFO/LNAs) and we report the development of a rapid PCR-based method to quantify triplex formation. We have first compared triplex formation on genes located at different genomic sites and containing the same oligopyrimidine•oligopurine sequence. We have shown that efficient TFO binding is possible on both types of genes, expressed and silent. Then we have further investigated when gene transcription may influence triplex formation in chromatin. We have identified situations where for a given gene, increase of transcriptional activity leads to enhanced TFO binding: this was observed for silent or weakly expressed genes that are not or are only slightly accessible to TFO. Such a transcriptional dependence was observed for integrated and endogenous loci, and chemical and biological activations of transcription. Finally, we provide evidence that TFO binding is sequence-specific as measured on mutated target sequences and that up to 50% of chromosomal targets can be covered by the TFO/LNA in living cells.
DEFECT IDENTIFICATION USING TEXTURE ANALYSIS

This paper focuses the major properties of Texture analysis. These are defined conceptually in terms of spatial changes in intensity. These are then approximated in computational forms. Initially, the input image is divided into sub images and apply all the properties over the sub images. This is mainly, to identity the defect which is present in the input image. The result shows that if any defect present in the input image, will be identified easily. The application used is Department of Textile. 1. Introduction Texture analysis approaches [1] are usually categorized into Structural approach, Statistical approach, Model based approach and Transform methods. Structural approaches represent the texture by well-defined primitives (micro texture) and a hierarchy of spatial arrangements (macro texture) of those primitives. In contrast to structural methods, statistical approaches do not attempt to understand explicitly the hierarchical structure of the texture [2, 3, 4]. Methods based on second-order statistics (i.e., statistics given by pairs of pixels) have been shown to achieve higher discrimination rates than the power spectrum (transform based) and structural methods. Model-based texture analysis using fractal and stochastic models, attempt to interpret an image texture by the use of generative image model and stochastic model respectively. Transform methods of texture analysis such as Fourier, Gabor and wavelet transforms represent an image in a space whose coordinate system has an interpretation that is closely related to the characteristics of a texture such as frequency or size.
The Response of Drug Expenditure to Contract Design in Medicare Part D

We study the demand response to non-linear price schedules using data on insurance contacts and prescription drug claims in Medicare Part D. Consistent with static response of drug use to price, we document significant bunching of annual drug spending as individuals enter the famous “donut hole,”where insurance becomes discontinuously much less generous on the margin. Consistent with a dynamic response to price, we document a response of drug use to the future out-of-pocket price by using variation in beneficiary birth month which generates variation in contract duration during the first year of eligibility. Motivated by these two facts, we develop and estimate a dynamic model of drug use during the coverage year that allows us to explore and quantify the effects of alternative contract designs on drug expenditures. For example, our estimates suggest that “filling” the donut hole, as required under the Affordable Care Act, will increase average total drug spending by about $170 per beneficiary, or about 10%, and average Medicare drug spending by about $270 per beneficiary, or almost 30%. We describe the nature of the utilization response and its heterogeneity across individuals and
PKCα Mediates CCL18-Stimulated Collagen Production in Pulmonary Fibroblasts

A CC chemokine, CCL18, has been previously reported to stimulate collagen production in pulmonary fibroblasts. This study focused on the role of protein kinase C (PKC) in the profibrotic signaling activated by CCL18 in pulmonary fibroblasts. Of the three PKC isoforms that are predominantly expressed in fibroblasts (PKCα, PKCδ, and PKCϵ), two isoforms (PKCδ and PKCϵ) have been implicated in profibrotic intracellular signaling. The role of PKCα-mediated signaling in the regulation of collagen production remains unclear. In this study, PKCα was found mostly in the cytoplasm, whereas PKCδ and PKCϵ were found mostly in the nucleus of cultured primary pulmonary fibroblasts. In response to stimulation with CCL18, PKCα but not PKCδ or PKCϵ underwent rapid (within 5–10 min) transient phosphorylation and nuclear translocation. Inhibition with dominant-negative mutants of PKCα and ERK2, but not PKCδ or PKCϵ, abrogated CCL18-stimulated ERK2 phosphorylation and collagen production. The effect of CCL18 on collagen prod.
Primary Stenting of Totally Occluded Native Coronary Arteries II (PRISON II): A Randomized Comparison of Bare Metal Stent Implantation With Sirolimus-Eluting Stent Implantation for the Treatment of Total Coronary Occlusions

Background— Sirolimus-eluting stents markedly reduce the risk of restenosis compared with bare metal stents. However, it is not known whether there are differences in effectiveness between bare metal and sirolimus-eluting stents in patients with total coronary occlusions. Methods and Results— In a prospective, randomized, single-blind, 2-center trial, we enrolled 200 patients with total coronary occlusions: Half (n=100) were randomly assigned to receive bare metal BxVelocity stents and half (n=100) to receive sirolimus-eluting Cypher stents. The primary end point was angiographic binary in-segment restenosis rate at 6-month follow-up. Secondary end points were a composite of major adverse cardiac events, target vessel failure, binary in-stent restenosis rate, in-stent and in-segment minimal lumen diameter, percent diameter stenosis, and late luminal loss at 6-month follow-up. The sirolimus stent group showed a significantly lower in-stent binary restenosis rate of 7% compared with 36% in the bare metal stent group (P<0.001). The in-segment binary restenosis rate was 11% in the group receiving a sirolimus stent versus 41% in the bare metal stent group (P<0.0001), resulting in a target lesion revascularization rate of 4% in the sirolimus group versus 19% in the bare metal group (P<0.001). Patients who received the drug-eluting stent also had significantly lower rates of target vessel revascularization, target vessel failure, and all major adverse cardiac events. Conclusions— In patients with total coronary occlusions, use of the sirolimus-eluting stents are superior to the bare metal stents with significant reduction in angiographic binary restenosis, resulting in significantly less need for target lesion and target vessel revascularization.
Authentic and Hubristic Pride: The Affective Core of Self-esteem and Narcissism

Do individuals with high self-esteem enjoy positive interpersonal relationships, or are they aggressive and antisocial? Does narcissism reflect an abundance of self-worth, or inflated self-views driven by an overcompensation for low self-esteem? The present research addresses the apparently two-sided nature of self-esteem and narcissism by distinguishing between two distinct self-regulatory processes (narcissistic self-aggrandizement and genuine self-esteem), and proposing that two distinct facets of pride—authentic and hubristic—form the affective core of each. Specifically, findings demonstrate that when narcissistic and genuine self-esteem are empirically distinguished, genuine self-esteem (along with authentic pride) is positively related to successful social relationships and mental health, whereas narcissistic self-aggrandizement (along with hubristic pride) is positively related to aggression and other antisocial behaviors.
SPiC-MAS: A Multiagent Simulation of Stochastic pi-calculus Models

The biological systems’ study is booming. Some scientists use well known mathematical tools such as differential equations while others use graphs or other formalisms. Since the 2000’s, new models are more and more used: process algebras. These algebras allow to model the biological systems at the scale of the components. Another individual-centered paradigm, very used in computer science, is the multiagent paradigm. We present in this paper a simulation method of stochastic π-calculus models with a multiagent platform. The implementation of this method led us to the realization of the SPiC-MAS software. The robustness and the adaptability of MultiAgent Systems allow to the user of this software to do genuine experiments in the computing and virtual world: “In Virtuo”.