Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of a practical level of critical current densities in pnictides and recently discovered superconductors

A dissipation-free current is one of the most fascinating and practically important properties of superconductors. At self-field conditions (when no external magnetic field is applied) dissipation-free current density, Jc(sf, T), in thin weak-link-free superconductors described by the equation J c s f , T = ϕ 0 4 · π · μ 0 · ln 1 + 2 · κ λ 3 T (where λ(T) is the London penetration depth, and κ is the Ginzburg–Landau parameter) was proved for more than 90 superconductors, including type-I and type-II superconductors, elementary superconductors, pnictides, cuprates, MgB2, heavy fermions and H3S. In addition, it was recently proposed for quasi-two dimensional superconductors (namely pnictides and cuprates), that maximum achievable critical current density, Jc(sf, T ∼ 0 K), is linked with the transition temperature, Tc, and the mean spacing between superconducting sheets, d, by the following equation: J c ( s f , T ≃ 0 K ) ≳ π 3 · μ 0 1 / 2 ϕ 0 2 · ln 1 + 2 · κ · k B · T c d 3 / 2 (Talantsev and Crump 2018 Supercond. Sci. Technol. 31 124001). In this paper, we focused on the inverse problem, i.e., to find the best candidates for the developing practical wires in terms of their self-field critical current capacity from known parameters of newly discovered superconductors (for which we draw largely on Hosono et al 2015 Sci. Technol. Adv. Mater. 16 033503). Considering that in-field critical currents of iron-based superconductors are very slow functions of applied magnetic fields, our calculations may have wider applicability outside self-field conditions.
Calorie restriction reduces pinealectomy‐induced insulin resistance by improving GLUT4 gene expression and its translocation to the plasma membrane

Abstract: The present study aimed to investigate insulin sensitivity and GLUT4 expression protein in pinealectomized rats, as well as to determining the effects of melatonin and calorie restriction on the changes induced by pinealectomy. Wistar rats were pinealectomized (Pinx) or sham operated (Sham), and studied 30 days later. Melatonin replacement treatment (50 g/100 g body weight) was continued for 30 days after pinealectomy. Calorie restriction was performed by offering 60% of the standard food intake. In vivo insulin sensitivity was evaluated using the glucose disappearance constant (kITT) during an insulin tolerance test, and GLUT4 mRNA and protein were assessed by Northern and Western blotting, respectively. The in vitro effect of melatonin on GLUT4 protein content in plasma membrane was investigated in adipocytes isolated from intact rats. Compared with Sham rats, Pinx rats showed decreased kITT (40%), GLUT4 expression in white adipose tissue (WAT, ∼70%), and unchanged GLUT4 expression in skeletal muscle. Melatonin treatment in Pinx rats restored the kITT and GLUT4 protein to control values. No in vitro effects of melatonin (10−9 m) upon GLUT4 protein were observed. Calorie restriction of Pinx rats increased their kITT value (∼40%), total GLUT4 protein content (∼240%) and its translocation to the plasma membrane (∼80%) in WAT. The results show that pinealectomy, for lack of melatonin, decreased insulin sensitivity as well as GLUT4 gene expression. Calorie restriction improved insulin sensitivity in Pinx rats, and this was related to increased GLUT4 gene expression and insulin‐induced GLUT4 translocation to the plasma membrane in WAT.
Multiple Principals and Oversight of Bureaucratic Policy-Making

I examine a model in which multiple legislative principals monitor a bureaucratic agent's implementation of a project. The principals can each perform oversight of the implementation to limit information asymmetries exploited by the agent. Oversight is costly to perform and due to information leakages between principals, oversight by one principal reveals information to all principals. Thus for some values of the audit costs, there is a collective action problem in monitoring among the principals: the multiplicity of principals can cause the level of this form of oversight to be underperformed relative to the principals' joint interests. Notably, the multiplicity of principals reduces their collective control over the agent even though they have common interests about the agent's actions, i.e. conflicting preference about agent actions are not necessary to attenuate accountability when there are multiple principals. Overall the results point out that the institutional structure of the overseeing body has an important effect on accountability, independent of the institutional structure of the overseen.
A biologically inspired multimodal whisker follicle

Mammalian whisker follicle contains multiple sensory receptors strategically organized to capture tactile sensory stimuli of different frequencies via the vibrissal system. There have been a number of attempts to develop robotic whiskers to perform texture classification tasks in the recent past. Inspired by the features of biological whisker follicle, in this paper we design and use a novel soft whisker follicle comprising of two different frequency-dependent data capturing modules to derive deeper insights into the biological basis of tactile perception in the mammalian whisker follicle. In our design, the innervations at the Outer Conical Body (OCB) of a biological follicle are realized by a piezoelectric transducer for capturing high frequency components; whereas the innervations around the hair Papilla are represented by a hall sensor to capture low frequency components during the interaction with the environment. In this paper, we show how low dimensional information such as the principle components of co-variation of these two sensory modalities vary for different speeds and indentations of brushing the whisker against a surface. These new insights into the biological basis of tactile perception using whiskers provides new design guidelines to develop efficient robotic whiskers.
Productivity, Computerization, and Skill Change

Using pooled cross-section, time-series data for 44 industries over the decades of the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s in the United States, I find no econometric evidence that computer investment is positively linked to TFP growth (over and above its inclusion in the TFP measure). However, computerization is positively associated with occupational restructuring and changes in the composition of intermediate inputs and capital coefficients. There is modest evidence that the growth of worker skills is positively related to industry productivity growth. The effects are very modest -- adding at most 0.07 percentage points to annual labor productivity growth.
Flavonoids from the Fresh Leaves of Kalanchoe tomentosa (Crassulaceae)

Flavonoids compounds such as kaempferol (1), kaempferol-3-O-￻ -D-glucopyranoside or astragalin (2) and kaempferol-3-O-￻ -L-rhamnoside or afzelin (3) have been isolated from the fresh leaves of Kalanchoe tomentosa (Crassulaceae). The chemical structure of isolated compounds 1-3 were identified by spectroscopic evidences and comparison with those compound previously reported. Compounds 1-3 showed cytotoxic activity against P-388 murine leukimia cells with IC50 values of 51.8, � 100 and 3.32 μg/mL, respectively.
Back to the Future: From Knowledge Management to Data Management

This paper argues for a return to fundamentals as we enter the new millennium. It argues that the field of Information Systems should no longer be distracted from its natural locus of concern and competence, or claim more than it can actually achieve. More specifically, and as a case in point, we eschew IT-enabled Knowledge Management, both in theory and in practice. We view Knowledge Management as the most recent in a long line of fads and fashions embraced by the Information Systems community that have little to offer. Rather, we argue for a refocusing of our attention back on the management of data, since IT processes data not information and certainly not knowledge. In so doing, we develop a model that provides a tentative means of distinguishing between these terms. This model also forms the basis for on-going empirical research designed to test the efficacy of our argument in a number of case companies currently implementing ERP and Knowledge Management Systems.
Chopping Concurrent Programs

A chop for a source statement s and a target statement t reveals the program parts involved in conveying effects from s to t. While precise chopping algorithms for sequential programs are known, no chopping algorithm for concurrent programs has been reported at all. This work introduces five chopping algorithms for concurrent programs, which offer different degrees of precision, ranging from imprecise over context-sensitive to time-sensitive. Our evaluation on concurrent Java programs shows that context-sensitive and time-sensitive chopping can reduce chop sizes significantly.
Two novel non-destructive biomarkers to assess PAH-induced oxidative stress and porphyrinogenic effects in crabs

Two novel, non-destructive assays were developed to evaluate contaminant-induced lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid-reacting substances, TBARS, levels) and haem biosynthesis disruption (porphyrin excretion) in decapod crabs. A laboratory experiment was conducted whereby pie-crust crabs (Cancer novaezelandiae) were fed cockles (Austrovenus stutchburyi) collected from a contaminated and reference site and TBARS levels and porphyrin excretion determined using fluorometric analysis in urine samples. Pyrene metabolite levels were also measured in the same urine samples to assess polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) exposure. Contaminant-exposed crabs exhibited elevated urinary TBARS and porphyrin levels and a strong correlation was found between these two assays and the urinary pyrene metabolite concentrations. However, there was large within-treatment variability, which precluded a clear separation between the control and the impacted group. Nevertheless, consistency in the direction of the response shows that the biomarkers reflect pollutant levels and validates the use of these simple techniques from human medicine for environmental assessments.
Adoption and Impacts of Integrated Pest Management in Bangladesh: Evidence from Smallholder Bitter Gourd Growers

Determinants of integrated pest management (IPM) adoption, productivity and efficiency of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) growers in Bangladesh were jointly measured using propensity score matching (PSM), sample selection stochastic frontier production function (SFPF) and inverse probability weighted regression adjustment (IPWRA) techniques. The significant value (P < 0.05) of the selectivity variable (ρ(w,v)) coefficient justifies the use of the sample selection SFPF. The decision to adopt IPM was positively influenced by the training and other farmers’ decisions to adopt. Mean technical efficiency (MTE) was found to be significantly higher for adopters (0.59) compared to non-adopters (0.40). The MTE analysis suggests that arranging more training sessions and making farmers more familiar with the IPM practices would improve the technical efficiency of the growers. Adoption of IPM practices significantly reduced the number pesticide applications, which imply environmental benefits from their adoption.
Quantifying Bimolecular Recombination Losses in Organic Bulk Heterojunction Solar Cells

We present a new experimental technique that affords direct quantification of the fraction of charge carriers lost in poly(3-hexylthiophene): fullerene solar cells by bimolecular recombination. Depending on annealing conditions up to 17% of carriers recombine bimolecularly under solar illumination. We explain our findings with a closed analytical expression for the photocurrent generated by an organic solar cell.
The Description of CO Levels, COHb Levels, And Blood Pressure of Basement Workers X Shopping Centre, Malang

CO is one of air pollutants that harmful to humans. CO that inhaled by humans will react with hemoglobin and forming COHb in the blood. The purpose of this research is describe the CO levels of basement, COHb levels, and blood pressure basement workers of X shopping center Malang. This research was observational research that was included in a cross sectional study. This research done by the interview with respondents that all of the 14 workers, related to the characteristics of the respondents, measured of the CO levels, examinated of COHb levels and measured of blood pressure. The average of CO levels at the basement work area was 23,93 ppm, less than the standard. 13 workers had high levels of COHb >5%. 9 of the 13 workers with high blood COHb levels had high blood pressure. Workers who had about 47-55 years old, working in the basement of > 6 years, and had a smoking habit tends to had high levels of COHb and high blood pressure. Preferably basement workers who every day exposed by the CO to stop smoking so as not to get exposure CO gas from smoking.
The att locus of Rhodococcus fascians strain D188 is essential for full virulence on tobacco through the production of an autoregulatory compound

The ability of Rhodococcus fascians strain D188 to provoke leafy gall formation on a variety of plant species is correlated with the linear plasmid pFiD188, on which different pathogenicity loci were identified. The att locus affects the severity of symptom development on tobacco, whereas the fas locus is essential for virulence. To gain insight into the function of the att locus, sequence and expression analyses were performed. The att locus contains nine open reading frames homologous to arginine and β‐lactam biosynthetic genes. att gene expression is transcriptionally induced by leafy gall extracts, but not by extracts of uninfected plants, and depends on the attR gene that encodes a LysR‐type transcriptional regulator. The att locus proves to be essential for the formation of inducing factors (IFs) that are present in gall extracts. Because the induction of the fas locus also requires the presence of IFs in gall extracts, the att locus is proposed to play an important role in regulating the expression of the virulence loci of R. fascians.
Nonvestibular Schwannomas of the Brain: A 7-Year Experience

OBJECTIVE Nonvestibular schwannomas are uncommon tumors of the brain. Trigeminal nerve schwannomas are the most common of this group, followed by glossopharyngeal, vagal, facial, accessory, hypoglossal, oculomotor, trochlear, and abducens nerve schwannomas, in descending order of frequency. We present a series of nonvestibular schwannomas that were surgically treated during a 7-year period. METHODS Forty-six patients with schwannomas of Cranial Nerves V (26 cases), VII (7 cases), IX, X, and XI (9 cases), XII (3 cases), and III (1 case) were microsurgically treated by the senior author (LNS) during a 7-year period, from 1993 to 2000. The clinical presentations, operative approaches, complications, and results were studied. RESULTS Forty-five patients underwent gross total tumor resection in the first operation. One patient who had undergone subtotal tumor resection in the initial operation experienced a large recurrence after 4 years, and gross total tumor resection was achieved in the second operation. There were no postoperative deaths. Postoperative morbidity consisted of cerebrospinal fluid leaks for 5 patients (3 patients required a second operation to repair the leak, and 2 patients responded to lumbar drain placement), meningitis for 3 patients (2 cases were aseptic and 1 involved bacterial meningitis, which resolved with antibiotic therapy), vasospasm requiring angioplasty for 1 patient, temporary hemiparesis for 2 patients (who experienced good recoveries), and permanent hemiparesis for 1 patient. New cranial nerve deficits were observed for 24% of patients but were usually partial. The mean follow-up period was 33.3 months (range, 0.2–93 mo). No patient experienced tumor recurrence after complete tumor removal. The patient who experienced regrowth of the tumor did not exhibit recurrence after the second operation. The Karnofsky Performance Scale scores at the latest follow-up examination were 80 or more for 45 patients (98%) and 70 for 1 patient. CONCLUSION Nonvestibular schwannomas can be treated via microsurgical excision, with excellent functional results. Recurrence is rare after total tumor excision, although much longer follow-up monitoring is required.
Comparison of conventional testing to polymerase chain reaction in detection of Trichomonas vaginalis in indigenous women living in remote areas

There are high rates of Trichomonas vaginalis in remote areas of Central Australia. Conventional tests for T. vaginalis have low sensitivity in this setting. Aims of the study were to estimate the prevalence of T. vaginalis, to assess the presence of clinical signs and symptoms, to compare a T. vaginalis polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test with conventional methods of diagnosis, and to compare the PCR from different samples, including self-collected swabs (SCS). Of 205 women recruited, the prevalence of T. vaginalis was 24%. The prevalence of T. vaginalis was higher in women under 25 years (33%), compared with those who were 25–34 years (26%) and those over 35 years (15%, P < 0.05). The sensitivity of T. vaginalis PCR detection from SCS (94%) was not statistically different from a practitioner-collected HVS (96%), but was superior to urine PCR (74%) and conventional methods. After multivariate analysis, those women with high pH were almost three times more likely to be positive for T. vaginalis (odds ratio = 2.71 with 95% confidence interval 1.06–6.93, P = 0.037). Superior assays such as PCR should be a diagnostic option to adequately screen and treat women with T. vaginalis, in order to reduce complications, including the increased risk of HIV transmission.
Dynamic Monopolies of Constant Size

The paper deals with a polling game on a graph. Initially, each vertex is colored white or black. At each round, each vertex is colored by the color shared by the majority of vertices in its neighborhood, at the previous round. (All recolorings are done simultaneously.) We say that a set W0 of vertices is a dynamic monopoly or dynamo if starting the game with the vertices of W0 colored white, the entire system is white after a finite number of rounds. D. Peleg (1998, Discrete Appl. Math.86, 262? 273) asked how small a dynamic monopoly may be as a function of the number of vertices. We show that the answer is O(1).
FGF21 Mediates Mesenchymal Stem Cell Senescence via Regulation of Mitochondrial Dynamics

Mesenchymal stem cell- (MSC-) based therapy is a novel strategy in regenerative medicine. The functional and regenerative capacities of MSCs decline with senescence. Nonetheless, the potential mechanisms that underlie their senescence are not fully understood. This study was aimed at exploring the potential mechanisms of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) in the regulation of MSC senescence. The senescence of MSCs was determined by senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) staining. The morphology and the level of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) of MSCs were assessed by MitoTracker and Mito-Sox staining, respectively. The expression of FGF21 and mitochondrial dynamics-related proteins was detected by Western blotting. As MSCs were expanded in vitro, the expression of FGF21 decreased. Depletion of FGF21 enhanced production of mitochondrial reactive oxidative species (ROS) and increased the senescence of early-passage MSCs whereas inhibition of ROS abolished these effects. The senescent MSCs exhibited increased mitochondrial fusion and decreased mitochondrial fission. Treatment of early-passage MSCs with FGF21 siRNA enhanced mitochondrial fusion and reduced mitochondrial fission. Moreover, treatment of mitofusin2- (Mfn2-) siRNA inhibited depletion of FGF21-induced MSC senescence. Furthermore, we demonstrated that depletion of FGF21-induced mitochondrial fusion was regulated by the AMPK signaling pathway. Treatment with an AMPK activator, AICAR, abrogated the depletion of FGF21-induced senescence of MSCs by inhibiting mitochondrial fusion. Compared with MSCs isolated from young donors, those derived from aged donors showed a lower level of FGF21 and a higher level of senescent activity. Furthermore, overexpression of FGF21 in aged MSCs inhibited senescence. Our study shows that FGF21, via the AMPK signaling pathway, regulates the senescence of MSCs by mediating mitochondrial dynamics. Targeting FGF21 might represent a novel strategy to improve the quality and quantity of MSCs.
A new stratified risk assessment tool for whiplash injuries developed from a prospective observational study

Objectives An initial stratification of acute whiplash patients into seven risk-strata in relation to 1-year work disability as primary outcome is presented. Design The design was an observational prospective study of risk factors embedded in a randomised controlled study. Setting Acute whiplash patients from units, general practitioners in four Danish counties were referred to two research centres. Participants During a 2-year inclusion period, acute consecutive whiplash-injured (age 18–70 years, rear-end or frontal-end car accident and WAD (whiplash-associated disorders) grades I–III, symptoms within 72 h, examination prior to 10 days postinjury, capable of written/spoken Danish, without other injuries/fractures, pre-existing significant somatic/psychiatric disorder, drug/alcohol abuse and previous significant pain/headache). 688 (438 women and 250 men) participants were interviewed and examined by a study nurse after 5 days; 605 were completed after 1 year. A risk score which included items of initial neck pain/headache intensity, a number of non-painful complaints and active neck mobility was applied. The primary outcome parameter was 1-year work disability. Results The risk score and number of sick-listing days were related (Kruskal-Wallis, p<0.0001). In stratum 1, less than 4%, but in stratum 7, 68% were work-disabled after 1 year. Early work assessment (p<0.0001), impact of the event questionnaire (p<0.0006), psychophysical pain measures being McGill pain questionnaire parameters (p<0.0001), pressure pain algometry (p<0.0001) and palpation (p<0.0001) showed a significant relationship with risk stratification. Analysis Findings confirm previous studies reporting intense neck pain/headache and distress as predictors for work disability after whiplash. Neck-mobility was a strong predictor in this study; however, it was a more inconsistent predictor in other studies. Conclusions Application of the risk assessment score and use of the risk strata system may be beneficial in future studies and may be considered as a valuable tool to assess return-to-work following injuries; however, further studies are needed.