Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interfaces in High Voltage Engineering: A Most Important Question for Conventional Solid Insulating Materials as well as for Nanocomposite Polymers

Interfaces consist a most important part of conventional insulating systems at high voltages. They are considered to be problem areas which have to be dealt with. Numerous publications have contributed in rendering the mechanisms of interfaces understandable. On the other hand, interfaces in nanocomposite polymers seem to function in an entirely different manner from that in conventional insulating systems. The present paper reviews past work on both the conventional insulations and in nanocomposites. Differences regarding the interfaces are mentioned and discussed. Whereas interfaces in conventional insulating systems are to be avoided, interfaces in nanocomposite polymers seem to be desirable – at least – up to a certain percentage of nanoparticles in the base polymer. Although things are better understood in conventional insulating materials, more work has to be performed in order to clarify several aspects, such as space charges and electrical trees emanating from enclosed cavities. Needless to say that much more work has to be done in nanocomposites w.r. t. their modeling and possible explanations of the surprising performance of interfaces, a performance that deviates strongly from the performance in classical insulating materials.
Leishmania major Survival in Selective Phlebotomus papatasi Sand Fly Vector Requires a Specific SCG-Encoded Lipophosphoglycan Galactosylation Pattern

Phlebotomine sand flies that transmit the protozoan parasite Leishmania differ greatly in their ability to support different parasite species or strains in the laboratory: while some show considerable selectivity, others are more permissive. In “selective” sand flies, Leishmania binding and survival in the fly midgut typically depends upon the abundant promastigote surface adhesin lipophosphoglycan (LPG), which exhibits species- and strain-specific modifications of the dominant phosphoglycan (PG) repeat units. For the “selective” fly Phlebotomus papatasi PpapJ, side chain galactosyl-modifications (scGal) of PG repeats play key roles in parasite binding. We probed the specificity and properties of this scGal-LPG PAMP (Pathogen Associated Molecular Pattern) through studies of natural isolates exhibiting a wide range of galactosylation patterns, and of a panel of isogenic L. major engineered to express similar scGal-LPG diversity by transfection of SCG-encoded β1,3-galactosyltransferases with different activities. Surprisingly, both ‘poly-scGal’ and ‘null-scGal’ lines survived poorly relative to PpapJ-sympatric L. major FV1 and other ‘mono-scGal’ lines. However, survival of all lines was equivalent in P. duboscqi, which naturally transmit L. major strains bearing ‘null-scGal’-LPG PAMPs. We then asked whether scGal-LPG-mediated interactions were sufficient for PpapJ midgut survival by engineering Leishmania donovani, which normally express unsubstituted LPG, to express a ‘PpapJ-optimal’ scGal-LPG PAMP. Unexpectedly, these “L. major FV1-cloaked” L. donovani-SCG lines remained unable to survive within PpapJ flies. These studies establish that midgut survival of L. major in PpapJ flies is exquisitely sensitive to the scGal-LPG PAMP, requiring a specific ‘mono-scGal’ pattern. However, failure of ‘mono-scGal’ L. donovani-SCG lines to survive in selective PpapJ flies suggests a requirement for an additional, as yet unidentified L. major-specific parasite factor(s). The interplay of the LPG PAMP and additional factor(s) with sand fly midgut receptors may determine whether a given sand fly host is “selective” or “permissive”, with important consequences to both disease transmission and the natural co-evolution of sand flies and Leishmania.
Asymmetric Transmission and Isolation in Nonlinear Devices: Why They Are Different

Here, we highlight the fundamental differences between nonlinear two-port devices with strongly asymmetric transmission responses and “isolators. ” We use a mushroom structure loaded with nonlinear elements as a guiding example. The mushroom metamaterial can be operated in a regime in which it behaves as a nearly ideal electromagnetic diode, such that the individual excitations of the two ports lead to strongly asymmetric responses. We discuss the limitations of using this type of nonlinear devices as microwave isolators. In particular, we underline the crucial importance of material loss to attain the isolator functionality and that in the lossless regime nonreciprocal devices may be time-reversal invariant.
Random Walk Theory and Exchange Rate Dynamics in Transition Economies

This paper investigates the validity of the random walk theory in the Euro-Serbian dinar exchange rate market. We apply Andrew Lo and Archie MacKinlay’s (1988) conventional variance ratio test and Jonathan Wright’s (2000) non-parametric ranks and signs based variance ratio tests to the daily Euro/Serbian dinar exchange rate returns using the data from January 2005 - December 2008. Both types of variance ratio tests overwhelmingly reject the random walk hypothesis over the data span. To assess the robustness of our findings, we examine the forecasting performance of a non-linear, nonparametric model in the spirit of Francis Diebold and James Nason (1990) and find that it is able to significantly improve upon the random walk model, thus confirming the existence of foreign exchange market imperfections in a small transition economy such as Serbia. In the last part of the paper, we conduct a comparative study on how our results relate to those of other transition economies in the region.
Leadership skills for nursing unit managers to decrease intention to leave

Aim: To examine specific elements of nursing leadership linked to intention to leave, in public acute care hospitals. Background: Nurse turnover is a global issue receiving widespread attention due to prolonged and projected workforce shortages. Nurse management and leadership qualities have been associated with intention to leave and turnover of nurses. The role of the nurse unit managers in the retention of nurses is becoming increasingly important, particularly because of their strong influence on the quality and stability of the work environment. Methods: Data were collected from 62 medical, surgical, and mixed units across eleven public acute care hospitals in three Australian states (September 2008 to August 2010). A total of 1,673 nurses completed a nurse survey that included measures of intention to leave and leadership aspects of the practice environment. Analyses explored specific leadership characteristics that were associated with turnover intent. Results: The role of nursing unit managers was confirmed to be a major factor in nurses’ intention to remain or leave their current workplace. Nurses valued “human” skills more highly than other leadership characteristics, including their manager’s connection with nurses’ concerns, clarity, participation in decisions, and encouragement. Conclusion: Strong leadership qualities in the nursing unit manager have been associated with greater job satisfaction, reduced turnover intention among nursing staff, and improved patient outcomes. Nurse leaders need to be supported in an effort to retain nurses given ongoing workforce issues and to ensure high-quality patient care.
Novel MiRNA and PhasiRNA Biogenesis Networks in Soybean Roots from Two Sister Lines That Are Resistant and Susceptible to SCN Race 4

The soybean cyst nematode (SCN), Heterodera glycines, is the most devastating pathogen of soybean worldwide. SiRNAs (small interfere RNAs) have been proven to induce the silencing of cyst nematode genes. However, whether small RNAs from soybean root have evolved a similar mechanism against SCN is unknown. Two genetically related soybean sister lines (ZP03-5373 and ZP03-5413), which are resistant and susceptible, respectively, to SCN race 4 infection were selected for small RNA deep sequencing to identify small RNAs targeted to SCN. We identified 71 less-conserved miRNAs-miRNAs* counterparts belonging to 32 families derived from 91 loci, and 88 novel soybean-specific miRNAs with distinct expression patterns. The identified miRNAs targeted 42 genes representing a wide range of enzymatic and regulatory activities. Roots of soybean conserved one TAS (Trans-acting siRNA) gene family with a similar but unique trans-acting small interfering RNA (tasiRNA) biogenesis profile. In addition, we found that six miRNAs (gma-miR393, 1507, 1510, 1515, 171, 2118) guide targets to produce secondary phasiRNAs (phased, secondary, small interfering RNAs) in soybean root. Multiple targets of these phasiRNAs were predicted and detected. Importantly, we also found that the expression of 34 miRNAs differed significantly between the two lines. Seven ZP03-5373-specific miRNAs were differentially expressed after SCN infection. Forty-four transcripts from SCN were predicted to be potential targets of ZP03-5373-specific differential miRNAs. These findings suggest that miRNAs play an important role in the soybean response to SCN.
Living Labs: A Bibliometric Analysis

The objective of this study is to understand how Living Lab(s) (LL) as a concept and research approach has developed, proliferated and influenced scholarly research to date. The goal is in assisting both the LL and Action Design Research (ADR) communities in advancing both fields by establishing understanding, commonalities and challenges in advancing both research agendas. We adopt a bibliometric methodology to understand the scholarly impact, contribution and intellectual structure of LL as a new approach to innovation. We conclude with recommendations on advancing both ADR and LL fields of research, highlighting that increased cross-collaboration going forward offers clear opportunities to both fields.
Acid Sulfate Alteration on Mars

A variety of mineralogical and geochemical indicators for aqueous alteration on Mars have been identified by a combination of surface and orbital robotic missions, telescopic observations, characterization of Martian meteorites, and laboratory and terrestrial analog studies. Acid sulfate alteration has been identified at all three landing sites visited by NASA rover missions (Spirit, Opportunity, and Curiosity). Spirit landed in Gusev crater in 2004 and discovered Fe-sulfates and materials that have been extensively leached by acid sulfate solutions. Opportunity landing on the plains of Meridiani Planum also in 2004 where the rover encountered large abundances of jarosite and hematite in sedimentary rocks. Curiosity landed in Gale crater in 2012 and has characterized fluvial, deltaic, and lacustrine sediments. Jarosite and hematite were discovered in some of the lacustrine sediments. The high elemental abundance of sulfur in surface materials is obvious evidence that sulfate has played a major role in aqueous processes at all landing sites on Mars. The sulfate-rich outcrop at Meridiani Planum has an SO3 content of up to 25 wt. %. The interiors of rocks and outcrops on the Columbia Hills within Gusev crater have up to 8 wt. % SO3. Soils at both sites generally have between 5 to 14 wt. % SO3, and several soils in Gusev crater contain around 30 wt. % SO3. After normalization of major element compositions to a SO3-free basis, the bulk compositions of these materials are basaltic, with a few exceptions in Gusev crater and in lacustrine mudstones in Gale crater. These observations suggest that materials encountered by the rovers were derived from basaltic precursors by acid sulfate alteration under nearly isochemical conditions (i.e., minimal leaching). There are several cases, however, where acid sulfate alteration minerals (jarosite and hematite) formed in open hydrologic systems, e.g., in Gale crater lacustrine mudstones. Several hypotheses have been suggested for the aqueous formation of sulfate-bearing phases under acidic conditions on the surface of Mars including (1) sulfuric acid weathering of basaltic materials; (2) oxidative weathering of ultramafic igneous rocks containing sulfides; (3) acid fog weathering of basaltic materials, and (4) near-neutral pH subsurface solutions rich in Fe2(+) that were rapidly oxidized to Fe3(+), which produced excess acidity as iron was oxidized on exposure to O2 or photo-oxidized by ultraviolet radiation at the martian surface. Next, we briefly describe evidence for these hypothesis.
Gait velocity as a single predictor of adverse events in healthy seniors aged 75 years and older.

PURPOSE Although gait velocity (GV) measurement could predict poor outcomes, few studies regarding its usefulness as a single test in well functioning elderly persons have been pursued. The aim of this study was to asses whether GV could be sufficient to predict adverse events such as hospitalization for any cause, requirement for a caregiver, nursing home placement, falls, fractures, or death in healthy elderly persons. METHODS Ours was a cohort study comprising 102 well functioning participants aged 75 and older. Demographic features, health status, and functional capacity were assessed at baseline and followed for adverse outcomes. Measurements included evaluation of cognition, activities of daily living, and mobility. The time required to walk the middle 8 meters of 10 meters was defined as GV. Three GV groups were distinguished: high GV (>1.1 m/s), median GV (1-0.7 m/s), and low GV (<0.7 m/s). RESULTS At baseline, the three groups were comparable in their health status with an average age of 79.6 +/- 4 years. At 24 months, the low GV group had a significantly higher incidence of adverse events than did the other groups. Low GV was a predictor of hospitalization (relative risk [RR] = 5.9, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.9-8.5), requirement of a caregiver (RR = 9.5, 95% CI, 1.3-2.5), and new falls (RR = 5.4, 95% CI, 2.0-4.3). These associations remained significant after a multiple logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS GV measurement in the ambulatory setting may allow the detection of healthy elderly people at risk for adverse events. These data may suggest that simple assessment of GV is enough to predict adverse events in well functioning older persons.
Radar characteristics of continental, coastal, and maritime convection observed during AMMA/NAMMA

Ground‐based radar observations at three distinct geographical locations in West Africa along a common latitudinal band (Niamey, Niger (continental), Kawsara, Senegal (coastal), and Praia, Republic of Cape Verde (maritime)) are analyzed to determine convective system characteristics in each domain during a 29‐day period in 2006. Ancillary datasets provided by the African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Analyses (AMMA) and NASA‐AMMA (NAMMA) field campaigns are also used to place the radar observations in context. Results show that the total precipitation is dominated by propagating mesoscale convective systems. Convective characteristics vary according to environmental properties, such as vertical shear, CAPE, and the degree of synoptic forcing. Data are bifurcated based on the presence or absence of African easterly waves. In general, African easterly waves appear to enhance mesoscale convective system strength characteristics (e.g. total precipitation and vertical reflectivity profiles) at the inland and maritime sites. The wave regime also resulted in an increased population of the largest observed mesoscale convective systems observed near the coast, which led to an increase in stratiform precipitation. Despite this increase, differentiation of convective strength characteristics was less obvious between wave and no‐wave regimes at the coast. Owing to the propagating nature of these advecting mesoscale convective systems, interaction with the regional thermodynamic and dynamic environment appears to result in more variability than enhancements due to the wave regime, independent of location. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society
ERK-1/-2 and p38 Kinase Oppositely Regulate 15-deoxy-Δ12,14-prostaglandinJ2-Induced PPAR-γ Activation That Mediates Dedifferentiation But Not Cyclooxygenase-2 Expression in Articular Chondrocytes

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) is a ligand-activated transcription factor and plays an important role in growth, differentiation, and inflammation in different tissues. In this study, we investigated the effects of 15d-PGJ2, a high-affinity ligand of PPAR-γ, on dedifferentiation and on inflammatory responses such as COX-2 expression and PGE2 production in rabbit articular chondrocytes with a focus on ERK-1/-2, p38 kinase, and PPAR-γ activation. We report here that 15d-PGJ2 induced dedifferentiation and/or COX-2 expression and subsequent PGE2 production. 15d-PGJ2 treatment stimulated activation of ERK-1/-2, p38 kinase, and PPAR-γ. Inhibition of ERK-1/-2 with PD98059 recovered 15d-PGJ2-induced dedifferentiation and enhanced PPAR-γ activation, whereas inhibition of p38 kinase with SB203580 potentiated dedifferentiation and partially blocked PPAR-γ activation. Inhibition of ERK-1/-2 and p38 kinase abolished 15d-PGJ2-induced COX-2 expression and subsequent PGE2 production. Our findings collectively suggest that ERK-1/-2 and p38 kinase oppositely regulate 15d-PGJ2-induced dedifferentiation through a PPAR-γ-dependent mechanism, whereas COX-2 expression and PGE2 production is regulated by ERK-1/-2 through a PPAR-γ-independent mechanism but not p38 kinase in articular chondrocytes. Additionally, these data suggest that targeted modulation of the PPAR-γ and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway may offer a novel approach for therapeutic inhibition of joint tissue degradation.
Mild cognitive impairment: prevalence and incidence according to different diagnostic criteria

Background Although mild cognitive impairment is associated with an increased risk of developing dementia, there has been little work on its incidence and prevalence. Aims To report age-specific prevalence, incidence and predictive validities for four diagnostic concepts of mild cognitive impairment. Method A community sample of 1045 dementia-free individuals aged 75 years and over was examined by neuropsychological testing in a three-wave longitudinal study. Results Prevalence rates ranged from 3% to 20%, depending on the concept applied. The annual incidence rates applying different case definitions varied from 8 to 77 per 1000 person-years. Rates of conversion to dementia over 2.6 years ranged from 23% to 47%. Conclusions Mild cognitive impairment is frequent in older people. Prevalence, incidence and predictive validities are highly dependent on the diagnostic criteria applied.
A Novel Query-Driven Clustering-Based Technique for Vertical Fragmentation and Allocation in Distributed Database Systems

In this paper, heuristic query-driven clustering-based vertical fragmentation technique is efficiently developed. The intrinsic idea is to meet the idealistic case of DDBS design which comes to happen as each query attune â€œclosely matchâ€ its relevant fragment. The proposed technique is mainly sought to breed clusters of queries in the first place. Consequently, these clusters would be tacitly used to generate intended disjoint fragments. Moreover, the allocation process has been considered so that replicated and non-replicated scenarios of data are applied. This technique basically meant to be efficaciously applicable at the initial stage of DDBS design without the need for data statistics or empirical results, in either dynamic or static DDBS environment. Many existing design-related techniques are being incorporated to make a promising work, particularly as communication costs being the foremost design objective. Throughout this work, the experimental results and internal evaluation are extensively illustrated to demonstrate the effectiveness and validity of proposed technique.
Factors controlling normal fault offset in an ideal brittle layer

We study the physical processes controlling the development and evolution of normal faults by analyzing numerical experiments of extension of an ideal two-dimensional elastic-plastic (brittle) layer floating on an inviscid fluid. The yield stress of the layer is the sum of the layer cohesion and its frictional stress. Faults are initiated by a small plastic flaw in the layer. We get finite fault offset when we make fault cohesion decrease with strain. Even in this highly idealized system we vary six physical parameters: the initial cohesion of the layer, the thickness of the layer, the rate of cohesion reduction with plastic strain, the friction coefficient, the flaw size and the fault width. We obtain two main types of faulting behavior: (1) multiple major faults with small offset and (2) single major fault that can develop very large offset. We show that only two parameters control these different types of faulting patterns: (1) the brittle layer thickness for a given cohesion and (2) the rate of cohesion reduction with strain. For a large brittle layer thickness (> 22 km with 44 MPa of cohesion), extension always leads to multiple faults distributed over the width of the layer. For a smaller brittle layer thickness the fault pattern is dependent on the rate of fault weakening: a very slow rate of weakening leads to a very large offset fault and a fast rate of weakening leads to an asymmetric graben and eventually to a very large offset fault. When the offset is very large, the model produces major features of the pattern of topography and faulting seen in some metamorphic core complexes.
Generating and Evaluating Choices for Fixing Inconsistencies in UML Design Models

Our objective is to provide automated support for assisting designers in fixing inconsistencies in UML models. We have previously developed techniques for efficiently detecting inconsistencies in such models and identifying where changes need to occur in order to fix problems detected by these means. This paper extends previous work by describing a technique for automatically generating a set of concrete changes for fixing inconsistencies and providing information about the impact of each change on all consistency rules. The approach is integrated with the design tool IBM Rational Rose . We demonstrate the computational scalability and usability of the approach through the empirical evaluation of 39 UML models of sizes up to 120,000 elements.
Microstructure and mechanical properties of the PM precipitation-hardening alloy N07626: effect of HIP temperature and solution annealing

The microstructure and mechanical properties of the precipitation-hardening powder metallurgy Ni-base alloys UNS N07626 are investigated. The material was compacted by hot isostatic pressing and solution treated adopting distinct conditions to reveal the effect of processing temperature on material properties. The microstructure is analysed by scanning electron microscopy, optical microscopy and electron backscatter diffraction and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The prior particle boundaries (PPBs) are related to the presence of thermally stable nanometric Nb-carbides and aluminium oxides. An increase of processing temperature conditions is associated to a slight decrease of mechanical strength and to an appreciable improvement of toughness, as suggested by Instrumented V-Notch Charpy experiments. This behaviour is attributed to the reduction of the density of PPBs precipitates acting as void-nucleating sites in a micro-ductility mechanism. The precipitates’ density is related to a limited grain growth and the resulting separation of PPBs from grain boundaries.