Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The sharp threshold for bootstrap percolation in all dimensions

In r-neighbour bootstrap percolation on a graph G, a (typically random) set A of initially 'infected' vertices spreads by infecting (at each time step) vertices with at least r already-infected neighbours. This process may be viewed as a monotone version of the Glauber dynamics of the Ising model, and has been extensively studied on the d-dimensional grid $[n]^d$. The elements of the set A are usually chosen independently, with some density p, and the main question is to determine $p_c([n]^d,r)$, the density at which percolation (infection of the entire vertex set) becomes likely. In this paper we prove, for every pair $d \ge r \ge 2$, that there is a constant L(d,r) such that $p_c([n]^d,r) = [(L(d,r) + o(1)) / log_(r-1) (n)]^{d-r+1}$ as $n \to \infty$, where $log_r$ denotes an r-times iterated logarithm. We thus prove the existence of a sharp threshold for percolation in any (fixed) number of dimensions. Moreover, we determine L(d,r) for every pair (d,r).
Training integrate-and-fire neurons with the Informax principle II

For pt I see J. Phys. A, vol. 35, p. 2379-94 (2002). We develop neuron learning rules using the Informax principle together with the input-output relationship of the integrate-and-fire (IF) model with Poisson inputs. The learning rule is then tested with constant inputs, time-varying inputs and images. For constant inputs, it is found that, under the Informax principle, a network of IF models with initially all positive weights tends to disconnect some connections between neurons. For time-varying inputs and images, we perform signal separation tasks called independent component analysis. Numerical simulations indicate that some number of inhibitory inputs improves the performance of the system in both biological and engineering senses.
Impact of Silver Nanoparticles on Haemolysis, Platelet Function and Coagulation

Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) are increasingly used in biomedical applications because of their large antimicrobial spectrum. Data in the literature on the ability of Ag NPs to perform their desired function without eliciting undesirable effects on blood elements are very limited and contradictory. We studied the impact of Ag NPs on erythrocyte integrity, platelet function and blood coagulation. Erythrocyte integrity was assessed by spectrophotometric measurement of haemoglobin release. Platelet adhesion and aggregation was determined by light transmission aggregometry and scanning electron microscopy. The calibrated thrombin generation test was used to study the impact on coagulation cascade. We demonstrated that Ag NPs induced haemolysis. They also increase platelet adhesion without having any impact on platelet aggregation. Finally, they also had procoagulant potential. Bringing all data from these tests together, the no observed effect concentration is 5 μg/mL.
New Source of Genetic Polymorphisms in Lepidoptera?

The variability level of the ISSR (inter-simple sequences repeat) primer (GACA)4 was examined in the three Lepidoptera families Pyralidae, Sphingidae and Pieridae. Our study shows that the tetra-repeat (GACA)n is evidently present in sufficient numbers in these butterflies to provide informative DNA fingerprints. The variability is mostly rather high, but within a comparable range to other ISSR studies. Although less polymorphisms may be encountered in some butterfly families, this study indicates that high variability of this marker may be a common characteristic of Lepidoptera genomes. An appeal for a minimal level of standardization of ISSR-PCR data analysis is formulated to enable an exact comparison between the groups of organisms studied with this fingerprint technique.
Microwave Synthesis, Characterization, and Photoluminescence Properties of Nanocrystalline Zirconia

We report synthesis of ZrO2 nanoparticles (NPs) using microwave assisted chemical method at 80°C temperature. Synthesized ZrO2 NPs were calcinated at 400°C under air atmosphere and characterized using FTIR, XRD, SEM, TEM, BET, and EDS for their formation, structure, morphology, size, and elemental composition. XRD results revealed the formation of mixed phase monoclinic and tetragonal ZrO2 phases having crystallite size of the order 8.8 nm from most intense XRD peak as obtained using Scherrer formula. Electron microscope analysis shows that the NPs were less than 10 nm and highly uniform in size having spherical morphology. BET surface area of ZrO2 NPs was found to be 65.85 m2/g with corresponding particle size of 16 nm. The band gap of synthesized NPs was found to be 2.49 eV and PL spectra of ZrO2 synthesized NPs showed strong peak at 414 nm, which corresponds to near band edge emission (UV emission) and a relatively weak peak at 475 and 562 nm.
The influence of visual media Is Exposure to Visual Media Related to Cognitive Ability ? Testing Neisser ’ s Hypothesis for the Flynn Effect

This research was designed to investigate Neisser's (1997) hypothesis that the Flynn effect (rising intelligence scores during the 20th century) is related to increased exposure to the complex visual environment. In Study 1, 35 participants completed a test of mental rotation along with a survey of their exposure to various media activities. Test performance was positively related to 3-D video game exposure but not to the other predictors. In Study 2, 172 participants completed the Culture Fair Intelligence Test (CFIT) and the Wide Range Vocabulary Test (WRVT) along with another media survey. Test performance, particularly on the CFIT, was not related to any of the visual media variables. These nonsignificant results are inconsistent with Neisser's explanation of the Flynn effect.
The default mode network and self-referential processes in depression

The recently discovered default mode network (DMN) is a group of areas in the human brain characterized, collectively, by functions of a self-referential nature. In normal individuals, activity in the DMN is reduced during nonself-referential goal-directed tasks, in keeping with the folk-psychological notion of losing one's self in one's work. Imaging and anatomical studies in major depression have found alterations in both the structure and function in some regions that belong to the DMN, thus, suggesting a basis for the disordered self-referential thought of depression. Here, we sought to examine DMN functionality as a network in patients with major depression, asking whether the ability to regulate its activity and, hence, its role in self-referential processing, was impaired. To do so, we asked patients and controls to examine negative pictures passively and also to reappraise them actively. In widely distributed elements of the DMN [ventromedial prefrontal cortex prefrontal cortex (BA 10), anterior cingulate (BA 24/32), lateral parietal cortex (BA 39), and lateral temporal cortex (BA 21)], depressed, but not control subjects, exhibited a failure to reduce activity while both looking at negative pictures and reappraising them. Furthermore, looking at negative pictures elicited a significantly greater increase in activity in other DMN regions (amygdala, parahippocampus, and hippocampus) in depressed than in control subjects. These data suggest depression is characterized by both stimulus-induced heightened activity and a failure to normally down-regulate activity broadly within the DMN. These findings provide a brain network framework within which to consider the pathophysiology of depression.
Cognitive demands induce selective hippocampal reorganization: Arc expression in a place and response task

Place cells in the hippocampus can maintain multiple representations of a single environment and respond to physical and/or trajectory changes by remapping. Within the hippocampus there are anatomical, electrophysiological, and behavioral dissociations between the dorsal and ventral hippocampus and within dorsal CA1. Arc expression was used to measure the recruitment of ensembles across different hippocampal subregions in rats trained to utilize two different cognitive strategies while traversing an identical trajectory. This behavioral paradigm allowed for the measurement of remapping in the absence of changes in external cues, trajectory traversed (future/past), running speed, motivation, or different stages of learning. Changes in task demands induced remapping in only some hippocampal regions: reorganization of cell ensembles was observed in dorsal CA1 but not in dorsal CA3. Moreover, a gradient was found in the degree of remapping within dorsal CA1 that corresponds to entorhinal connectivity to this region. Remapping was not seen in the ventral hippocampus: neither ventral CA1 nor CA3 exhibited ensemble changes with different cognitive demands. This contrasts with findings of remapping in both the dorsal and ventral dentate gyrus using this task. The results suggest that the dorsal pole of the hippocampus is more sensitive to changes in task demands. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Molecular Characterization of the Measles Virus Genotypes in JiLin Province, China

Measles remains a severe global health threat, and nearly 30 million new cases are reported annually. Although many studies have analyzed measles viruses (MV) at the epidemiologic and phylogenetic levels, no study has yet to integrate these two types of data. To this end, we isolated 16 wild-type MV strains China's Jilin province. The MV genotype H1 was the most prevalent strain. After sequencing the nucleoprotein (N) genes of these strains, a maximum clade credibility tree was constructed by the Bayesian Markov Chain Monte Carlo method using 450 MV strains from GenBank with epidemiological information. The MV N gene evolution rate was 1.127E-3. Analysis of the time of the most recent common ancestor (TMRCA) for genotypes A/B/C/G/H revealed that genotypes D and B had the largest and smallest TMRCA (45.86 and 26.63, respectively). The highest level of genetic diversity for the MV N gene occurred around the year 2000. Here in this study, we uncovered the MV genotypes circulating in China's Jilin Province and estimated the epidemiologic and phylogenetic relationship for the six different genotypes of MV.
T-Cell-Independent Responses to Borrelia burgdorferiAre Critical for Protective Immunity and Resolution of Lyme Disease

ABSTRACT The humoral immune response to Borrelia burgdorferiduring persistent infection is critical to both protective and disease-resolving immunity. This study examined the role of B cells in the absence of T cells during these events, using mice with selected immune dysfunctions. At 6 weeks postinfection, an interval at which arthritis resolves in immunocompetent mice, arthritis severity was equivalent among immunocompetent mice, αβ+-T-cell-deficient mice, and mice lacking both αβ+ and γδ+ T cells. Arthritis severity was worse in SCID mice, which lack T and B lymphocytes. Carditis regressed in immunocompetent mice and those lacking both αβ+ and γδ+ T cells but remained active in mice lacking only αβ+ T cells and in SCID mice. Mice lacking only αβ+ T cells and those lacking both αβ+ and γδ+ T cells generated immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG3 B. burgdorferi-reactive antibodies. Sera from infected immunocompetent mice, mice lacking only αβ+ T cells, and mice lacking both αβ+ and γδ+ T cells passively protected naive mice against challenge inoculation withB. burgdorferi. However, only sera from infected immunocompetent mice, but not sera from infected T-cell-deficient mice, were able to resolve arthritis when passively transferred to actively infected SCID mice. These data demonstrate that B-cell activation during a T-cell-independent response may be critical for resolution of arthritis and carditis and that protective antibodies are generated during this response.
Specific amino acid residues in both the PstB and PstC proteins are required for phosphate transport by the Escherichia coli Pst system

Three mutant alleles of the pstC gene and one mutant allele of the pstB gene were produced by site-directed mutagenesis. The pstC gene encodes an integral membrane protein of the phosphate-specific transport (Pst) system of Escherichia coli. The amino acid substitutions resulting from the pstC gene mutations, Arg-237----Gln, Glu-240----Gln, or a combination of both, caused the loss of phosphate transport through the Pst system, but the alkaline phosphatase activity remained repressed. The pstB gene encodes a peripheral membrane protein of the Pst system which carries a putative nucleotide-binding site. The amino acid substitutions Gly-48----Ile and Lys-49----Gln, resulting from the pstB mutations, caused the loss of phosphate transport through the Pst system and the derepression of alkaline phosphatase activity. The residues Gly-48 and Lys-49 are key residues in the putative nucleotide-binding site.
Influence of Connector Width on the Stress Distribution of Posterior Bridges under Loading

Objective: In all ceramic fixed partial dentures the connector area is a common fracture location. The survival time of three-unit fixed partial dentures may be improved by altering the connector design in regions of maximum tension. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of buccolingual increase of the connector width on the stress distribution in posterior fixed partial dentures made of IPS Empress 2. To simulate the anatomical condition, we used three-dimensional finite element analysis to generate. Materials and Methods: Three models of three-unit bridges replacing the first molar were prepared. The buccolingual connector width varied from 3.0 to 5.0 mm. Bridges were vertically loaded with 600 N at one point on the central fossa of the pontic, at 12 points along the cusp-fossa contact (50 N each), or at eight points along the cusp-marginal ridge contact (75 N each). Alternatively, a load of 225 N was applied at a 45º angle from the lingual side. Results: Stress concentrations were observed within or near the connectors. The von Mises stress decreased by increasing connector width, regardless of whether the loading was applied vertically or at an angle. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, we conclude that increasing the connector width decreases the failure probability when a vertical or angled load is applied.
Parallel telomere shortening in multiple body tissues owing to malaria infection

Several studies have shown associations between shorter telomere length in blood and weakened immune function, susceptibility to infections, and increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Recently, we have shown that malaria accelerates telomere attrition in blood cells and shortens lifespan in birds. However, the impact of infections on telomere attrition in different body tissues within an individual is unknown. Here, we tested whether malarial infection leads to parallel telomere shortening in blood and tissue samples from different organs. We experimentally infected siskins (Spinus spinus) with the avian malaria parasite Plasmodium ashfordi, and used real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to measure telomere length in control and experimentally infected siskins. We found that experimentally infected birds showed faster telomere attrition in blood over the course of infection compared with control individuals (repeatedly measured over 105 days post-infection (DPI)). Shorter telomeres were also found in the tissue of all six major organs investigated (liver, lungs, spleen, heart, kidney, and brain) in infected birds compared with controls at 105 DPI. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study showing that an infectious disease results in synchronous telomere shortening in the blood and tissue cells of internal organs within individuals, implying that the infection induces systemic stress. Our results have far-reaching implications for understanding how the short-term effects of an infection can translate into long-term costs, such as organ dysfunction, degenerative diseases, and ageing.
Surface formation of hcooh at low temperature

The production of formic acid (HCOOH) in cold and hot regions of the interstellar medium is not well understood. Recent gas-phase experiments and gas-grain models hint at a solid-state production process at low temperatures. Several surface reaction schemes have been proposed in the past decades, even though experimental evidence for their efficiency was largely lacking. The aim of this work is to give the first experimental evidence for an efficient solid-state reaction scheme providing a way to form HCOOH under astronomical conditions. Several surface reaction channels have been tested under fully controlled experimental conditions by using a state-of-the-art ultrahigh vacuum set-up through co-deposition of H atoms and CO:O2 mixtures with 4:1, 1:1 and 1:4 ratios. During deposition spectral changes in the ice are monitored by means of a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer in reflection absorption infraRed (RAIR) mode. After co-deposition a temperature programmed desorption (TPD) experiment is performed and gas-phase molecules are detected by a quadrupole mass spectrometer (QMS). Formation of HCOOH is observed at low temperatures mainly through hydrogenation of the HO–CO complex, while reactions with the HCO radical as intermediate are found to be inefficient. The HO–CO complex channel, which was previously not considered as an important HCOOH formation route, can explain the presence of HCOOH in dense cold clouds, at the beginning of the warm-up phase of a protostar, and, therefore, is likely to be astrochemically relevant.
Improving Portfolio Selection Using Option-Implied Volatility and Skewness

Our objective in this paper is to examine whether one can use option-implied information to improve mean-variance portfolio selection with a large number of stocks, and to document which aspects of option-implied information are most useful for improving the out-of-sample performance of mean-variance portfolios. To calculate the optimal mean-variance portfolio weights, one needs to estimate for each stock its volatility, correlations with all other stocks, and expected return. Our empirical evidence shows that, while using the option-implied volatilities and correlations does not improve significantly the portfolio variance, Sharpe ratio, and certainty-equivalent return, exploiting information about expected returns that is contained in the volatility risk premium and option-implied skewness increases substantially Sharpe ratios and certainty-equivalent returns, but this is accompanied by higher portfolio turnover.
Dynamics of the excised base release in thymine DNA glycosylase during DNA repair process

Abstract Thymine DNA glycosylase (TDG) initiates base excision repair by cleaving the N-glycosidic bond between the sugar and target base. After catalysis, the release of excised base is a requisite step to terminate the catalytic cycle and liberate the TDG for the following enzymatic reactions. However, an atomistic-level understanding of the dynamics of the product release process in TDG remains unknown. Here, by employing molecular dynamics simulations combined with the Markov State Model, we reveal the dynamics of the thymine release after the excision at microseconds timescale and all-atom resolution. We identify several key metastable states of the thymine and its dominant releasing pathway. Notably, after replacing the TDG residue Gly142 with tyrosine, the thymine release is delayed compared to the wild-type (wt) TDG, as supported by our potential of mean force (PMF) calculations. These findings warrant further experimental tests to potentially trap the excised base in the active site of TDG after the catalysis, which had been unsuccessful by previous attempts. Finally, we extended our studies to other TDG products, including the uracil, 5hmU, 5fC and 5caC bases in order to compare the product release for different targeting bases in the TDG–DNA complex.
Transcending classical invariant theory

Let Sp2, (R) = Sp2, = Sp be the real symplectic group of rank n. Let Sp denote the two-fold cover of Sp. There is a unitary representation, constructed by Shale [Sh] and Weil [WA], of Sp that is of considerable interest in the theory of automorphic forms. We denote this representation by co and call it the oscillator representation. The purpose of this paper is to establish about C? a fact that should be useful for clarifying the structure of spaces of automorphic forms constructed using co. We begin by formulating the result. Let E be a reductive subgroup of Sp, and let E denote the inverse image of E in Sp. Denote by R(E) the set of infinitesimal equivalence classes of continuous irreducible admissible representations of E on locally convex spaces. Let co' be the smooth representation of Sp associated to co. Let co be realized on a Hilbert space % and let the subspace of smooth vectors, on which space co' is defined, be written . Denote by R9(E , co) the set of elements of (E) which are realized as quotients by co' (E)-invariant closed subspaces of t'g . Consider a reductive dual pair (G, G') C Sp [H2]. It is not hard to show that G and G' commute with one another. Hence, we may regard co'I G. G' as a representation of Gx G' . It is well known [F] that R (Gx G') S9 '(G) xR9(G') . The identification associates to p E R(G) and p' E i(G') the tensor product p X p'. (We note that p X p' is not defined as a topological vector space; nevertheless, the infinitesimal equivalence class of p op' is well defined.) Select p X p' E (G x G') . Suppose that, in fact, p? p' E 9(G_ G', c) . Then clearly p E R (G, c) and p' E ,9(G', c) . Hence, ( G' , co) defines the graph of a correspondence between certain subsets of R9(G, cv) and ? J(G', co) . In fact, the situation is quite precise.
Morphological studies of glass-microbead-filled polyamide 6.6-polypropylene blends

This article deals with the study of the morphology of glass bead (10% in volume) reinforced compatibilized blends of polypropylene (PP) and polyamide (PA) 6.6. The morphology, as well as some physical and mechanical properties, are determined. The blends are studied in relation with the PP-PA ratio and according to the glass bead's sizing. We have seen the existence of a boundary PA-glass beads interface (independently of the sizing), and the best compatibilization effect is obtained with PP size glass beads and for 50% PP content. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 67: 201–208, 1998
Quantitative trait loci for exercise training responses in FVB / NJ and C 57 BL / 6 J mice

Michael P. Massett, Ruzong Fan, and Bradford C. Berk Department of Health and Kinesiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas; Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York; Department of Statistics, Texas A&M University, College Station; and Department of Epidemiology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas, Houston, Texas
Health behavior change benefits: Perspectives of Latinos with serious mental illness

The objective of this study was to explore the perceived benefits of engaging in health behavior change from the viewpoint of overweight and obese Latinos with severe mental illness (SMI) enrolled in the U.S. Qualitative, semistructured interviews were conducted with 20 obese Latinos with SMI who were enrolled in a randomized trial evaluating the effectiveness of a motivational health promotion intervention adapted for persons with SMI. Overweight and obese Latino participants believed that engaging in health behavior change would have both physical and mental health benefits, including chronic disease management, changes in weight and body composition, and increased self-esteem. Interventions that explicitly link physical activity and healthy eating to improvements in mental health and well-being may motivate Latinos with SMI to adopt health behavior change.