Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of oxygen related defects on the electrical and thermal behavior of a n+−p junction

This study examines the electrical and temperature behavior of two of the levels in Czochralski-grown silicon that are most detected by different authors. A comparison between an analytical expression of the generation recombination noise in p−n junctions with experimental data taken from other authors was used as a tool for determining capture cross sections and densities of oxygen related traps in silicon. The parameters found in the literature for a deep level located at EC−0.43 eV are verified in this work. Parameters for a shallower level, a Coulomb trap with an activation energy of 0.17 eV, are also obtained. To correlate our theoretical results, obtained by noise analysis, with those of other authors, obtained with different techniques, thermally activated and field enhanced transitions between the latter center and the conduction band are considered. A thorough theoretical study of a silicon p−n junction with these levels shows a mutable electrical operation of the shallower center, acting as an e.
Language shift in a Singapore family

A major language shift in Singapore over the last twenty years has been from familial use of varieties of Chinese other than Mandarin towards the languages of education, English and Mandarin. This has been so rapid that grandchildren may have no language in common with their grandparents. An ethnographic study of a Singaporean Chinese family which has moved from Cantonese to English examines the attitudes and societal pressures which have led to this and shows how family members deal with the discrepancies in language repertoire.
Experimental Evidence of Ischemic Thresholds and Functional Recovery

Background: Impaired blood flow below certain critical levels and an insufficient supply of energy-rich substrates cause failure of neuronal function, triggering biochemical disturbances that eventually lead to ischemic cell damage. Summary of Review: This article reviews experimental studies that attempted to define those ischemic thresholds using functional and histological markers and, more recently, chemical markers of ischemic damage. Conclusions: The duration of ischemia causing irreversible cell damage still is ill defined. Reestablishment of sufficient perfusion must be induced very early after an ischemic attack to ameliorate the potentially harmful biochemical sequelae of transient ischemia.
Decadal to Centennial Variability of the Atlantic from Observations and Models

Recent research has shown that decadal to centennial scale variability of the Atlantic Ocean has a crucial impact on climate over large regions of the Northern Hemisphere. As will be discussed more completely below, Atlantic multidecadal temperature fluctuations have been linked to changes in Atlantic hurricane activity, drought over the Sahel, Indian summer monsoon rains, summer climate conditions over North America and Europe, and the characteristics of El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) variability. For any program of research on climate, obtaining an improved understanding of the characteristics and mechanisms of Atlantic variability, and its global scale influences, is of high priority. Indeed, this is one of the key foci in the International Climate Variability and Predictability (CLIVAR) program. In this review, we first provide a synthesis of observational studies of decadal to centennial variability of the Atlantic, starting with analyses based on instrumental records, and complementing that with analyses based on proxy reconstructions of Atlantic variability. Our focus is on basin-wide patterns, and we will not discuss variability more confined to the Tropical Atlantic [see, for example, Xie and Carton, 2004]. Several patterns of Atlantic variability can be seen on different timescales. A dominant pattern emerges on the multidecadal timescale (30-80 years), with anomalies of one sign spanning the North Atlantic from the Equator to 60°N. This type of variability is the focus of this paper. On the interannual to decadal scale, a distinctive “tripolar” pattern exists in the North Atlantic. This pattern appears to be the result of atmospherically induced heat flux anomalies acting on the oceanic mixed layer. Next, we will review Decadal to Centennial Variability of the Atlantic From Observations and Models
High Content Analysis of Primary Macrophages Hosting Proliferating Leishmania Amastigotes: Application to Anti-leishmanial Drug Discovery

Background/Objectives Human leishmaniases are parasitic diseases causing severe morbidity and mortality. No vaccine is available and numerous factors limit the use of current therapies. There is thus an urgent need for innovative initiatives to identify new chemotypes displaying selective activity against intracellular Leishmania amastigotes that develop and proliferate inside macrophages, thereby causing the pathology of leishmaniasis. Methodology/Principal Findings We have developed a biologically sound High Content Analysis assay, based on the use of homogeneous populations of primary mouse macrophages hosting Leishmania amazonensis amastigotes. In contrast to classical promastigote-based screens, our assay more closely mimics the environment where intracellular amastigotes are growing within acidic parasitophorous vacuoles of their host cells. This multi-parametric assay provides quantitative data that accurately monitors the parasitic load of amastigotes-hosting macrophage cultures for the discovery of leishmanicidal compounds, but also their potential toxic effect on host macrophages. We validated our approach by using a small set of compounds of leishmanicidal drugs and recently published chemical entities. Based on their intramacrophagic leishmanicidal activity and their toxicity against host cells, compounds were classified as irrelevant or relevant for entering the next step in the drug discovery pipeline. Conclusions/Significance Our assay represents a new screening platform that overcomes several limitations in anti-leishmanial drug discovery. First, the ability to detect toxicity on primary macrophages allows for discovery of compounds able to cross the membranes of macrophage, vacuole and amastigote, thereby accelerating the hit to lead development process for compounds selectively targeting intracellular parasites. Second, our assay allows discovery of anti-leishmanials that interfere with biological functions of the macrophage required for parasite development and growth, such as organelle trafficking/acidification or production of microbicidal effectors. These data thus validate a novel phenotypic screening assay using virulent Leishmania amastigotes growing inside primary macrophage to identify new chemical entities with bona fide drug potential.
Job insecurity: Mediator or moderator of the relationship between type of contract and various outcomes?

Research on the consequences of job insecurity among temporary workers has been largely exploratory. This study investigates whether job insecurity either mediates or moderates the relationship between type of contract (temporary versus permanent) and its outcomes. It extends previous research by including a wide range of outcomes (job satisfaction, engagement, organisational commitment, trust, general health, irritation, turnover intention, performance, and positive work life interference), most of which have not yet been considered in this context. Results (N = 656) point to the moderating role of job insecurity, however only for outcomes reflecting immediate reactions. Implications for future research are discussed.
Clinical & biochemical features of primary hyperparathyroidism.

Etude faite chez 25 sujets atteints et hyperparathyroidie primaire vus sur une periode de 18 ans a New Delhi. On peut classer ces patients en 2 groupes, ceux qui sont atteints seulement de maladie osseuse sans problemes renaux et ceux ayant des problemes renaux. Il est suggere que la pathologie osseuse est le resultat de lesions plus rapidement progressives, tandis que la pathologie renale resulte de lesions moins actives
Mortality and neurologic, mental, and psychomotor development at 2 years in infants born less than 27 weeks' gestation: the Leiden follow-up project on prematurity.

OBJECTIVE To determine the outcome of infants with a gestational age (GA) <27 weeks, born in the mid-1990s. DESIGN Regional, prospective study; part of the Leiden Follow-Up Project on Prematurity. SETTING Three health regions in The Netherlands. PATIENTS A total of 266 live born infants (1996/1997) with GA <32 weeks; 46 infants were <27 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Neurologic examination (according to Hempel) and assessment of mental and psychomotor development using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development I, at the corrected age of 2 years. RESULTS Mortality was 35% (16 of 46) <27 weeks, compared with 6% (14 of 220) in infants with GA 27 to 32 weeks; withdrawal of treatment in 60% and 43%, respectively. Below 27 weeks mortality was higher after extra-uterine transport and pregnancy induction. Neonatal morbidity was higher in infants <27 weeks compared with infants 27 to 32 weeks. Below 27 weeks postnatal use of dexamethasone and being hospitalized at term were associated with abnormal neurologic outcome; there was a higher incidence in (mild) mental developmental delay compared with the older infants. Adverse outcome (dead or abnormal neurologic, psychomotor, or mental development) in infants 23 to 24, 25, 26, and 27 to 32 weeks GA was, respectively, 92% (11 of 12), 64% (7 of 11), 35% (8 of 23), and 18% (40 of 220). CONCLUSIONS Mortality and neonatal morbidity were higher in infants with GA <27 weeks compared with infants born between 27 and 32 weeks. The high adverse outcome of infants <25 weeks suggests that one should carefully weigh whether or not to aggressively resuscitate and treat these extremely premature infants.
Genome-wide association analysis on normal hearing function identifies PCDH20 and SLC28A3 as candidates for hearing function and loss

Hearing loss and individual differences in normal hearing both have a substantial genetic basis. Although many new genes contributing to deafness have been identified, very little is known about genes/variants modulating the normal range of hearing ability. To fill this gap, we performed a two-stage meta-analysis on hearing thresholds (tested at 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8 kHz) and on pure-tone averages (low-, medium- and high-frequency thresholds grouped) in several isolated populations from Italy and Central Asia (total N = 2636). Here, we detected two genome-wide significant loci close to PCDH20 and SLC28A3 (top hits: rs78043697, P = 4.71E−10 and rs7032430, P = 2.39E−09, respectively). For both loci, we sought replication in two independent cohorts: B58C from the UK (N = 5892) and FITSA from Finland (N = 270). Both loci were successfully replicated at a nominal level of significance (P < 0.05). In order to confirm our quantitative findings, we carried out RT-PCR and reported RNA-Seq data, which showed that both genes are expressed in mouse inner ear, especially in hair cells, further suggesting them as good candidates for modulatory genes in the auditory system. Sequencing data revealed no functional variants in the coding region of PCDH20 or SLC28A3, suggesting that variation in regulatory sequences may affect expression. Overall, these results contribute to a better understanding of the complex mechanisms underlying human hearing function.
Mentoring of African American Students at a Predominantly White Institution (PWI)

This article provides a synthesis of cross-race mentoring research and fills some gaps in the literature by exploring the experiences of five African American women at a Christian, predominately white institution (PWI). The grounded theory study uses constant comparative analysis between the women's stories, existing research, and dialogue with African American colleagues. The article concludes with suggestions for Caucasian higher education professionals seeking to mentor African American students and for institutions implementing mentor programs.
Identification of a strong emission line at 2.8935 μm in the spectrum of the Orion Nebula

A strong emission line at 2.8935 μm discovered by Rubin et al. in an ISO SWS02 spectrum of the Orion Nebula is identified as the 4p 3 P - 4s 3 S o multiplet of OI. Line formation is due to de-excitation cascades following UV-pumping of high 3 S o and 3 D o terms and occurs in the O I zone immediately behind the hydrogen ionization front. This cascade mechanism also accounts for permitted OI triplet lines in the optical spectrum of the Nebula, as shown by Grandi. An escape probability treatment of the O I cascades accounts for the strength of the λ2. 89-μm line and suggests interesting diagnostic possibilities for the optical lines.
Properties of human disease genes and the role of genes linked to Mendelian disorders in complex disease aetiology

&NA; Do genes presenting variation that has been linked to human disease have different biological properties than genes that have never been related to disease? What is the relationship between disease and fitness? Are the evolutionary pressures that affect genes linked to Mendelian diseases the same to those acting on genes whose variation contributes to complex disorders? The answers to these questions could shed light on the architecture of human genetic disorders and may have relevant implications when designing mapping strategies in future genetic studies. Here we show that, relative to non‐disease genes, human disease (HD) genes have specific evolutionary profiles and protein network properties. Additionally, our results indicate that the mutation‐selection balance renders an insufficient account of the evolutionary history of some HD genes and that adaptive selection could also contribute to shape their genetic architecture. Notably, several biological features of HD genes depend on the type of pathology (complex or Mendelian) with which they are related. For example, genes harbouring both causal variants for Mendelian disorders and risk factors for complex disease traits (Complex‐Mendelian genes), tend to present higher functional relevance in the protein network and higher expression levels than genes associated only with complex disorders. Moreover, risk variants in Complex‐Mendelian genes tend to present higher odds ratios than those on genes associated with the same complex disorders but with no link to Mendelian diseases. Taken together, our results suggest that genetic variation at genes linked to Mendelian disorders plays an important role in driving susceptibility to complex disease.
Public Policies and FDI Location : Differences between Developing and Developed Countries 1

This paper examines the impact of three host country government policies (taxation, good governance, and infrastructure) on the host’s FDI stock. We focus on whether the impact of these factors differs depending on the level of development of the host country. The regression results indicate that FDI is sensitive to host country taxation in developed countries, but not in developing countries; FDI is sensitive to host country governance measures and corruption in both developing countries and developed, with a somewhat larger impact for developing countries; and FDI shows sensitivity to host country infrastructure quality in both developed and developing host countries.
Target Interception: Hand–Eye Coordination and Strategies

This study was designed to define the characteristics of eye–hand coordination in a task requiring the interception of a moving target. It also assessed the extent to which the motion of the target was predicted and the strategies subjects used to determine when to initiate target interception. Target trajectories were constructed from sums of sines in the horizontal and vertical dimensions. Subjects intercepted these trajectories by moving their index finger along the surface of a display monitor. They were free to initiate the interception at any time, and on successful interception, the target disappeared. Although they were not explicitly instructed to do so, subjects tracked target motion with normal, high-gain smooth-pursuit eye movements right up until the target was intercepted. However, the probability of catch-up saccades was substantially depressed shortly after the onset of manual interception. The initial direction of the finger movement anticipated the motion of the target by ∼150 ms. For any given trajectory, subjects tended to initiate interception at predictable times that depended on the characteristics of the target trajectories [i.e., when the curvature (or angular velocity) of the target was small and when the target was moving toward the finger]. The relative weighting of various parameters that influenced the decision to initiate interception varied from subject to subject and was not accounted for by a model based on the short-range predictability of target motion.
The ethnic origins of nations

Preface. Note to Maps. Maps. Introduction. 1. Are Nations Modern? a Modernistsa and a Primordialistsa . Ethnie, Myths and Symbols. The Durability of Ethnic Communities. Part I: Ethnic Communities in Pre--Modern Eras:. 2. Foundations of Ethnic Community. The Dimensions of Ethnie. Some Bases of Ethnic Formation. Structure and persistence of Ethnie. 3. Ethnie and Ethnicism in History. Uniqueness and Exclusion. Ethnic Resistance and Renewal. External Threat and Ethnic Response. Two Types of Ethnic Mythomoteur. 4. Class and Ethnie in Agrarian Societies. Military Mobilization and Ethnic Consciousness. Two Types of Ethnie. Ethnic Polities. 5. Ethnic Survival and Dissolution. Location and Sovereignty. Demographic and Cultural Continuity. Dissolution of Ethnie. Ethnic Survival. Ethnic Socialization and Religious Renewal. Part II: Ethnie and Nations in the Modern Era. 6. The Formation of Nations. Western Revolutions. Territorial and Ethnic Nations. Nation--Formation. The Ethnic Model. Ethnic Solidarity or Political Citizenship? 7. From Ethnie to Nation. Politicization of Ethnie. The New Priesthood. Autarchy and Territorialization. Mobilization and Inclusion. The New Imagination. 8. Legends and Landscapes. Nostalgia and Posterity. The Sense of a The Pasta . Romantic Nationalism as an a Historical Dramaa . Poetic Spaces: The Uses of Landscape. Golden Ages: The Uses of History. Myths and Nation--Building. 9. The Genealogy of Nations. Parmenideans and Heraclitans. The a Antiquitya of Nations. Transcending Ethnicity? A World of Small Nations. Ethnic Mobilization and Global Security. Notes. Bibliography. Index.
Longer time spent in bed attempting to sleep is associated with rapid renal function decline: the Dongfeng–Tongji cohort study

Abstract Introduction: Prospective evidence on the relation between time in bed and renal dysfunction remains limited. We aimed to investigate the association of time spent in bed attempting to sleep (TSBS) with renal function decline in a middle-aged and elderly Chinese population. Methods: About 16,733 eligible participants with a mean age of 62.3 years at baseline were included. Rapid renal function decline was defined as (baseline eGFR − revisit eGFR)/years of follow-up ≥5 mL/min per 1.73 m2/year. A total of 1738 study participants experienced rapid renal function decline after a median 4.6-year follow-up. Logistic regression models were used for multivariate analyses. Results: The adjusted odds ratio (OR) of rapid renal function decline was 1.18 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.37) for TSBS ≥9 h/night compared with TSBS 7 to <8 h/night. This association remained significant (OR = 1.19, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.38) after further adjustment for sleep quality, midday napping and usage of sleeping pills. Particularly, the association appeared to be prominent in individuals with diabetes. Conclusions: Longer TSBS (≥9 h) was independently associated with an increased risk of rapid renal function decline. Our findings emphasized the importance to have optimal TSBS. Key messages Our study firstly investigated the association between time spent in bed attempting to sleep (TSBS) and renal dysfunction in Chinese adults. Compared with individuals TSBS 7 to <8 h, individuals with TSBS ≥9 h had 19% increased risk for rapid renal function decline after adjustment for multivariate confounders. The association appeared to be prominent in individuals with diabetes.
Hunger and nutritional poverty in Germany: quantitative and qualitative empirical insights

Despite increasing social inequality, hunger and nutritional poverty are not regarded as phenomena of German reality; Germany's debate on eating patterns is largely dominated by the issue of obesity. The article challenges this view and shows by means of empirical approaches that hunger and nutritional poverty tend to be underestimated in a supposedly affluent society. Due to a lack of appropriate food research in Germany, our study gives quantitative evidence drawn from a combination of studies to show that there is nutritional poverty in Germany, and that social welfare recipients are widely excluded from eating out, arguably an essential form of social and cultural participation. Furthermore, we provide insights, based on a qualitative longitudinal study, into day-to-day coping practices in response to food shortage. As the empirical results show, physiological hunger and hunger for social inclusion by eating out are a reality in contemporary German society. The predominant responses of the German political and social welfare system, however, can be characterised by delegation and denial of the problem and by a tendency to stigmatise the poor.
Measurement and modeling of intrinsic transcription terminators

The reliable forward engineering of genetic systems remains limited by the ad hoc reuse of many types of basic genetic elements. Although a few intrinsic prokaryotic transcription terminators are used routinely, termination efficiencies have not been studied systematically. Here, we developed and validated a genetic architecture that enables reliable measurement of termination efficiencies. We then assembled a collection of 61 natural and synthetic terminators that collectively encode termination efficiencies across an ∼800-fold dynamic range within Escherichia coli. We simulated co-transcriptional RNA folding dynamics to identify competing secondary structures that might interfere with terminator folding kinetics or impact termination activity. We found that structures extending beyond the core terminator stem are likely to increase terminator activity. By excluding terminators encoding such context-confounding elements, we were able to develop a linear sequence-function model that can be used to estimate termination efficiencies (r = 0.9, n = 31) better than models trained on all terminators (r = 0.67, n = 54). The resulting systematically measured collection of terminators should improve the engineering of synthetic genetic systems and also advance quantitative modeling of transcription termination.