Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Facile Synthesis of Calcium Borate Nanoparticles and the Annealing Effect on Their Structure and Size

Calcium borate nanoparticles have been synthesized by a thermal treatment method via facile co-precipitation. Differences of annealing temperature and annealing time and their effects on crystal structure, particle size, size distribution and thermal stability of nanoparticles were investigated. The formation of calcium borate compound was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Thermogravimetry (TGA). The XRD patterns revealed that the co-precipitated samples annealed at 700 °C for 3 h annealing time formed an amorphous structure and the transformation into a crystalline structure only occurred after 5 h annealing time. It was found that the samples annealed at 900 °C are mostly metaborate (CaB2O4) nanoparticles and tetraborate (CaB4O7) nanoparticles only observed at 970 °C, which was confirmed by FTIR. The TEM images indicated that with increasing the annealing time and temperature, the average particle size increases. TGA analysis confirmed the thermal stability of the annealed samples at higher temperatures.
A Multilevel MTMM Approach to Estimating the Influences of Contextual Factors on Trait and Informant-Based Method Effects in Assessments of School Climate

School-level contextual factors have been found to influence reports of school climate. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the extent to which these associations are related to the school climate traits being measured or the methods (i.e., informants) used to obtain them. Data from a multilevel multitrait–multimethod (MTMM) design in which structurally different and interchangeable students (n = 45,641) and teachers (n = 12,808), residing within 302 high schools, responded to items measuring four dimensions of school climate were evaluated through a multilevel correlated trait–correlated method (CT-CM) latent analysis that allowed for the estimation of both school-level trait and informant-based method factors. The resulting trait and method factors were regressed on several school-level contextual variables. Results indicated that the percentage of students receiving free and reduced-price meals (FRPM) in schools was associated with both school climate traits and informant-based method factors, school size and the percentage of minority students in schools were associated with some traits, and school size was associated with student method effects. Findings support the use of controlling for school-level contextual factors in school climate research.
Attention! An affective approach to anticipated action : Cognitive, affective, and motivational processes underlying proactive behavior

Proactivity is popular: on vacancy websites, ‘proactive’ generates more hits than any other competency. Proactive individuals do not wait for instructions. They actively try to anticipate future problems and opportunities and initiate improvement in themselves and their environment. Despite proactivity’s popularity in organizations and science however, we know relatively little about what makes people proactive because experimental research is non-existent. In order to find out which psychological processes are involved in proactive behavior, I conducted a series of experiments. Three chapters each focus on one psychological process: 1) cognition – how much conscious attention do people need to be proactive? 2) affect – how do feelings influence proactivity? 3) motivation – what drives people to become proactive? My research shows that proactive behavior is caused by an interaction of personality and situational circumstances. First, individuals who are proactive by nature, require less conscious attention to execute high quality proactivity than individuals who are naturally less proactive. Second, passive-reactive individuals are more likely to show proactive behavior when they experience negative feelings, whereas people with a proactive personality do not need such affective activation. Third, for some individuals, a need to seek out new experiences intrinsically motivates proactivity, whereas for others, rewards such as status and money can motivate proactivity more extrinsically. These outcomes point out novel perspectives on proactivity’s antecedents as proactivity was previously assumed to require a lot of (as opposed to little) conscious attention, positive (as opposed to negative) affect, and intrinsic (as opposed to extrinsic) motivation.
Effect of propofol on the auditory evoked response and oesophageal contractility.

Six patients were anaesthetized with 70% nitrous oxide in oxygen supplemented by infusion of propofol 40, 80, 120, 160 and 200 micrograms kg-1 min-1 sequentially in successive 10-min periods. Auditory evoked response (AER) and lower oesophageal contractility (LOC) were monitored. The AER findings were consistent with those noted in previous studies of i.v. agents. Early cortical waves showed attenuation of Pa and Nb amplitude (P less than 0.01) and increase in Pa and Nb latency (P less than 0.01; P less than 0.05) with increasing blood concentrations of propofol. Brainstem waves were not affected significantly. LOC, provoked and spontaneous, showed no consistent relationship with blood concentration of propofol. The two variables AER and LOC were not related.
Repaglinide versus nateglinide monotherapy: a randomized, multicenter study.

OBJECTIVE A randomized, parallel-group, open-label, multicenter 16-week clinical trial compared efficacy and safety of repaglinide monotherapy and nateglinide monotherapy in type 2 diabetic patients previously treated with diet and exercise. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Enrolled patients (n = 150) had received treatment with diet and exercise in the previous 3 months with HbA(1c) >7 and < or =12%. Patients were randomized to receive monotherapy with repaglinide (n = 76) (0.5 mg/meal, maximum dose 4 mg/meal) or nateglinide (n = 74) (60 mg/meal, maximum dose 120 mg/meal) for 16 weeks. Primary and secondary efficacy end points were changes in HbA(1c) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) values from baseline, respectively. Postprandial glucose, insulin, and glucagon were assessed after a liquid test meal (baseline, week 16). Safety was assessed by incidence of adverse events or hypoglycemia. RESULTS Mean baseline HbA(1c) values were similar in both groups (8.9%). Final HbA(1c) values were lower for repaglinide monotherapy than nateglinide monotherapy (7.3 vs. 7.9%). Mean final reductions of HbA(1c) were significantly greater for repaglinide monotherapy than nateglinide monotherapy (-1.57 vs. -1.04%; P = 0.002). Mean changes in FPG also demonstrated significantly greater efficacy for repaglinide than nateglinide (-57 vs. -18 mg/dl; P < 0.001). HbA(1c) values <7% were achieved by 54% of repaglinide-treated patients versus 42% for nateglinide. Median final doses were 6.0 mg/day for repaglinide and 360 mg/day for nateglinide. There were 7% of subjects treated with repaglinide (five subjects with one episode each) who had minor hypoglycemic episodes (blood glucose <50 mg/dl) versus 0 patients for nateglinide. Mean weight gain at the end of the study was 1.8 kg in the repaglinide group as compared with 0.7 kg for the nateglinide group. CONCLUSIONS In patients previously treated with diet and exercise, repaglinide and nateglinide had similar postprandial glycemic effects, but repaglinide monotherapy was significantly more effective than nateglinide monotherapy in reducing HbA(1c) and FPG values after 16 weeks of therapy.
Supplement to : Analysis and Comparison of Queues with Different Levels of Delay Information August

• λ = arrival rate of potential customers • μ = service rate • W = waiting time in queue • θ = customer-type parameter, indicating the importance of time, θ ∈ [0, 1] • H = cumulative distribution function of θ, assumed continuous on [0, 1], with density h • c(w) = basic cost to wait time w, a positive, increasing, unbounded, continuous function • r = reward to the customer for receiving service, r > 0. • u = average utility 2. Solutions 2.1 No Information Assume that E[c(W |−)] is finite for any λ− < μ. Proposition 1 For no information, there exists a unique equilibrium arrival rate λ−.
Family Reintegration Following Guard Deployment

Abstract : Purpose: The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore and describe the experiences of family reintegration of Guard members deployed in the Global War on Terror and elicit their perceptions of what would be helpful to them as they face these challenges. Design: This was a qualitative descriptive study that used an intensive interviewing method of data collection in individual, couples, and focus groups. Methods: Each interview lasted from 90 to 120 minutes, depending upon the amount of information each participant shared. Each participant consented to be interviewed and be tape recorded. All of the interviews were transcribed verbatim and the transcripts were used for data analysis. Sample: A total of 45 participants, n=26 Guard Members and n=19 family members participated in the study. A total of n=26 Guard members and n=19 family members participated in either individual, couples of focus group interviews. Instrumentation: Open ended interviews. Findings: Finding their way back in requires quite a bit of self-discovery and thoughtful reflection on the part of the veteran and family members about the changes that have occurred during the separation. Not all members and their families will experience difficulty with this, but for some the problems will be substantial. Participants identified several types of resources and strategies as helpful or potentially helpful. Nursing Implications: The most important implication of this study is that we need a means to identify veterans at risk of developing a sense of failed belongingness because they are having difficulty finding their way back in to the family. One big concern identified in this study was the reluctance to seek help noted by the participants in this study. Reintegration support activities that expect both the Guard member and their respective spouse to attend an activity like a couples weekend may be doomed to low participation rates if they are contingent on both the military member and family m
Influence of cooperative type model of group investigation on students’ cognitive learning outcomes

This study aims to determine the effect of cooperative learning model of Group Investigation (GI) on learning outcomes and student interpersonal communication development.The study is quasi experimental, with two group pretest post-test design.The study population was all students of class XI SMA Negeri 11 Medan in academic year 2016/2017. Samples were taken from two classes of the population by random sampling technique. One class is the experimental class taught by cooperative learning model GI and the control class was taught by conventional learning. The research instruments consisted of cognitive tests.Achievement test used to measure learning outcomes.Cognitive learning outcomes were analyzed by t-test. The results showed that there was an influence of cooperative learning model GI on learning outcomes. Through the cooperative model GI type, atmosphere to learn was more effective, cooperative relationships in the learning group inspired students to have courage to express opinions, communicate and share information with friends in solving learning problems.
A perceptually motivated online benchmark for image matting

The availability of quantitative online benchmarks for low-level vision tasks such as stereo and optical flow has led to significant progress in the respective fields. This paper introduces such a benchmark for image matting. There are three key factors for a successful benchmarking system: (a) a challenging, high-quality ground truth test set; (b) an online evaluation repository that is dynamically updated with new results; (c) perceptually motivated error functions. Our new benchmark strives to meet all three criteria. We evaluated several matting methods with our benchmark and show that their performance varies depending on the error function. Also, our challenging test set reveals problems of existing algorithms, not reflected in previously reported results. We hope that our effort will lead to considerable progress in the field of image matting, and welcome the reader to visit our benchmark at www.aIphamatting. com.
Improved Automatic Analysis of Architectural Floor Plans

This paper proposes a novel complete system for automated floor plan analysis. Besides applying and improving state-of-the-art processing methods, we introduce novel preprocessing methods, e.g., the differentiation between thick, medium, and thin lines and the removal of components outside the convex hull of the outer walls. Especially the latter method increases the performance of the final system. In our experiments on a reference data set we compare our approach to other approaches available in the literature. We show that our system outperforms previous systems. The final room recognition accuracy is 79 % that is 10 % higher than the 69 % achieved by a state-of-the-art approach from the literature.
A nonlinear fourth-order parabolic equation and related logarithmic Sobolev inequalities

A nonlinear fourth-order parabolic equation in one space dimension with periodic boundary conditions is studied. This equation arises in the context of fluctuations of a stationary nonequilibrium interface and in the modeling of quantum semiconductor devices. The existence of global-in-time non-negative weak solutions is shown. A criterion for the uniqueness of non-negative weak solutions is given. Finally, it is proved that the solution converges exponentially fast to its mean value in the “entropy norm” using a new optimal logarithmic Sobolev inequality for higher derivatives.
New investigations of the mechanisms of lightning strike to radomes Part I : Experimental study in high voltage laboratory

The main purpose of the experiments described here is the analysis of the mechanisms of radome protection with lightning diverters of various types and sizes. A high voltage arrangement and associated diagnostics have been implemented to perform a quantitative study of the inception and propagation mechanisms of the corona and leader discharges that precede the final breakdown. It is shown that ambient humidity plays a significant role on the discharge process and that the nature of the discharge initiated from the strip is very different depending on the strip type. Segmented strips are more likely to allow energetic discharges to propagate from an internal antenna leading to radome puncture.
Reduction of Na/K-ATPase Potentiates Marinobufagenin-induced Cardiac Dysfunction and Myocyte Apoptosis*

Background: Na/K-ATPase decrease has been reported in patients with heart failure and is related to cardiac dysfunction. Results: Reducing Na/K-ATPase activates caspase 9 and induces cardiac dilation when treated with marinobufagenin. Conclusion: Reduction of Na/K-ATPase potentiates marinobufagenin-induced cardiac myocyte apoptosis. Significance: Decreased Na/K-ATPase content together with increased cardiotonic steroids levels is a novel mechanism that may account for cardiac dysfunction. Decreases in cardiac Na/K-ATPase have been documented in patients with heart failure. Reduction of Na/K-ATPase α1 also contributes to the deficiency in cardiac contractility in animal models. Our previous studies demonstrate that reduction of cellular Na/K-ATPase causes cell growth inhibition and cell death in renal proximal tubule cells. To test whether reduction of Na/K-ATPase in combination with increased cardiotonic steroids causes cardiac myocyte death and cardiac dysfunction, we examined heart function in Na/K-ATPase α1 heterozygote knock-out mice (α1+/−) in comparison to wild type (WT) littermates after infusion of marinobufagenin (MBG). Adult cardiac myocytes were also isolated from both WT and α1+/− mice for in vitro experiments. The results demonstrated that MBG infusion increased myocyte apoptosis and induced significant left ventricle dilation in α1+/− mice but not in their WT littermates. Mechanistically, it was found that in WT myocytes MBG activated the Src/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, which further increased phosphorylation of ribosome S6 kinase (S6K) and BAD (Bcl-2-associated death promoter) and protected cells from apoptosis. In α1+/− myocytes, the basal level of phospho-BAD is higher compared with WT myocytes, but MBG failed to induce further activation of the mTOR pathway. Reduction of Na/K-ATPase also caused the activation of caspase 9 but not caspase 8 in these cells. Using cultures of neonatal cardiac myocytes, we demonstrated that inhibition of the mTOR pathway by rapamycin also enabled MBG to activate caspase 9 and induce myocyte apoptosis.
Singular Clues to Causality and Their Use in Human Causal Judgment

It is argued that causal understanding originates in experiences of acting on objects. Such experiences have consistent features that can be used as clues to causal identification and judgment. These are singular clues, meaning that they can be detected in single instances. A catalog of 14 singular clues is proposed. The clues function as heuristics for generating causal judgments under uncertainty and are a pervasive source of bias in causal judgment. More sophisticated clues such as mechanism clues and repeated interventions are derived from the 14. Research on the use of empirical information and conditional probabilities to identify causes has used scenarios in which several of the clues are present, and the use of empirical association information for causal judgment depends on the presence of singular clues. It is the singular clues and their origin that are basic to causal understanding, not multiple instance clues such as empirical association, contingency, and conditional probabilities.
Species limits, quarantine risk and the intrigue of a polyphagous invasive pest with highly restricted host relationships in its area of invasion

Scirtothrips aurantii is a generalist horticultural pest in its native African range and recently established quite widely in Australia on the invasive succulent weed Bryophyllum delagoense. Paradoxically, this thrips is not polyphagous in its incursive range. The issue is principally one of quarantine. Will the thrips in Australia shift, perhaps adaptively, to citrus, and should the primary focus be on containment around Australian citrus, or does the real quarantine risk exist offshore with thrips present on citrus in Africa? We examined the phylogenetic relationships between Bryophyllum‐associated thrips populations in Australia and populations sampled from various host plant species in South Africa (including Bryophyllum) using both CO1 and 28s markers. Eight variable microsatellite markers were developed to assess the extent of gene flow between the thrips on different hosts in South Africa. The COI phylogeny resolved S. aurantii into three distinct clades with samples collected from B. delagoense in South Africa and Australia representing a single clade, a second clade associated with Gloriosa lilies and the third with horticultural hosts. The microsatellite analysis confirmed that the populations associated with citrus and Bryophyllum do not hybridize with one another in sympatry. We conclude that the citrus‐damaging thrips are not currently present in Australia and remain a serious quarantine concern in relation to Australian horticulture.
Helping friends or fighting foes: The influence of collaboration and competition on player experience

Playing digital games comprises a diverse, but holistic experience. Yet it is still unclear how and to what extend certain design elements of a game contribute to specific aspects of player experience. We developed a game as test bed to investigate this question. The casual game Loadstone allows for different social interaction modes while retaining all other game elements. By isolating one single gameplay element we were able to analyze the influence of competition and collaboration on the game experience. The game served as the basis for a study conducted with 58 participants in order to empirically investigate potential differences in player experience induced by collaborative and competitive game design elements. Data regarding player experience, aggression, social presence and performance was assessed in form of questionnaires and observations. Results indicate significant differences between player experiences in both modes: While positive affect and aggression were higher in the competitive mode, empathy was higher in the collaborative mode. However, social presence turns out to be not a sufficient predictor of positive affect. No gender differences were found.
Covariant spectator theory of np scattering: Phase shifts obtained from precision fits to data below 350-MeV

Using the covariant spectator theory (CST), we present two one-boson-exchange kernels that have been successfully adjusted to fit the 2007 world $\mathit{np}$ data (containing 3788 data) below 350 MeV. One model (which we designate WJC-1) has 27 parameters and fits with a ${\ensuremath{\chi}}^{2}/{N}_{\mathrm{data}}=1.06$. The other model (designated WJC-2) has only 15 parameters and fits with a ${\ensuremath{\chi}}^{2}/{N}_{\mathrm{data}}=1.12$. Both of these models also reproduce the experimental triton binding energy without introducing additional irreducible three-nucleon forces. One result of this work is a new phase-shift analysis, updated for all data until 2006, which is useful even if one does not work within the CST. In carrying out these fits we have reviewed the entire database, adding new data not previously used in other high precision fits and restoring some data omitted in previous fits. A full discussion and evaluation of the 2007 database is presented.
Afferent Fiber Remodeling in the Somatosensory Thalamus of Mice as a Neural Basis of Somatotopic Reorganization in the Brain and Ectopic Mechanical Hypersensitivity after Peripheral Sensory Nerve Injury

Abstract Plastic changes in the CNS in response to peripheral sensory nerve injury are a series of complex processes, ranging from local circuit remodeling to somatotopic reorganization. However, the link between circuit remodeling and somatotopic reorganization remains unclear. We have previously reported that transection of the primary whisker sensory nerve causes the abnormal rewiring of lemniscal fibers (sensory afferents) on a neuron in the mouse whisker sensory thalamus (V2 VPM). In the present study, using transgenic mice whose lemniscal fibers originate from the whisker sensory principle trigeminal nucleus (PrV2) are specifically labeled, we identified that the transection induced retraction of PrV2-originating lemniscal fibers and invasion of those not originating from PrV2 in the V2 VPM. This anatomical remodeling with somatotopic reorganization was highly correlated with the rewiring of lemniscal fibers. Origins of the non-PrV2-origin lemniscal fibers in the V2 VPM included the mandibular subregion of trigeminal nuclei and the dorsal column nuclei (DCNs), which normally represent body parts other than whiskers. The transection also resulted in ectopic receptive fields of V2 VPM neurons and extraterritorial pain behavior on the uninjured mandibular region of the face. The anatomical remodeling, emergence of ectopic receptive fields, and extraterritorial pain behavior all concomitantly developed within a week and lasted more than three months after the transection. Our findings, thus, indicate a strong linkage between these plastic changes after peripheral sensory nerve injury, which may provide a neural circuit basis underlying large-scale reorganization of somatotopic representation and abnormal ectopic sensations.