Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pretreatment-dependent surface chemistry of wood nanocellulose for pH-sensitive hydrogels

Nanocellulose from wood is a promising material with potential in various technological areas. Within biomedical applications, nanocellulose has been proposed as a suitable nano-material for wound dressings. This is based on the capability of the material to self-assemble into 3D micro-porous structures, which among others have an excellent capacity of maintaining a moist environment. In addition, the surface chemistry of nanocellulose is suitable for various applications. First, OH-groups are abundant in nanocellulose materials, making the material strongly hydrophilic. Second, the surface chemistry can be modified, introducing aldehyde and carboxyl groups, which have major potential for surface functionalization. In this study, we demonstrate the production of nanocellulose with tailor-made surface chemistry, by pre-treating the raw cellulose fibres with carboxymethylation and periodate oxidation. The pre-treatments yielded a highly nanofibrillated material, with significant amounts of aldehyde and carboxyl groups. Importantly, the poly-anionic surface of the oxidized nanocellulose opens up for novel applications, i.e. micro-porous materials with pH-responsive characteristics. This is due to the swelling capacity of the 3D micro-porous structures, which have ionisable functional groups. In this study, we demonstrated that nanocellulose gels have a significantly higher swelling degree in neutral and alkaline conditions, compared to an acid environment (pH 3). Such a capability can potentially be applied in chronic wounds for controlled and intelligent release of antibacterial components into biofilms.
Gender Differences in the Importance of Personality Traits in Predicting Leadership Self‐Efficacy

Our goal in this study was to investigate antecedents to formation of leadership self&#8208;efficacy (LSE) for men versus women. We used a relative importance analysis, which allows more precise identification of important predictors without concern of multicollinearity effects on R2. Using a sample of 325 business students, we found that extraversion, conscientiousness and openness to experience each explained significant variance in LSE. Conscientiousness and openness to experience were stronger predictors of LSE for women than men, whereas extraversion was a stronger predictor of LSE for men than women. We provide a literature review with hypotheses, methods and analysis. We discuss the results with respect to the role congruency and leadership self&#8208;perceptions and provide implications for future research and practice of leadership development.
Sleep-dependent learning and practice-dependent deterioration in an orientation discrimination task.

Learning new information requires practice. The degree of learning can be influenced by the amount of practice and whether subjects sleep between sessions. Over-practice, however, can lead to performance deterioration. The interaction between practice-dependent deterioration and sleep-dependent learning needs more study. We examine whether the amount of practice before sleep alters learning, and whether prior sleep protects against deterioration. Two groups (N = 33) were tested three times across two days on an orientation discrimination task. The High practice group was tested twice before a night of sleep and once after, at 9 a.m., 7 p.m. , and 9 a.m. The Low practice group was tested once before a night of sleep and twice after, at 7 p.m. , 9 a.m., and 7 p.m. Overall, both groups showed (1) deterioration with repeated, within-day testing, (2) performance improvement only after a night of sleep, (3) similar amounts of sleep-dependent learning and practice-dependent deterioration. In summary, we found that sleep resets visual contrast thresholds to a lower baseline (i.e., produces learning), but does not prevent over-practice deterioration effects. Likewise, over-practice deterioration does not influence the magnitude of overnight learning on this task.
The dumortierite supergroup. I. A new nomenclature for the dumortierite and holtite groups

Abstract Although the distinction between magnesiodumortieite and dumortierite, i.e. Mg vs. Al dominance at the partially vacant octahedral Al1 site, had met current criteria of the IMA Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification (CNMNC) for distinguishing mineral species, the distinction between holtite and dumortierite had not, since Al and Si are dominant over Ta and (Sb,As) at the Al1 and two Si sites, respectively, in both minerals. Recent studies have revealed extensive solid solution between Al, Ti, Ta and Nb at Al1 and between Si, As and Sb at the two Si sites or nearly coincident (As,Sb) sites in dumortierite and holtite, further blurring the distinction between the two minerals. This situation necessitated revision in the nomenclature of the dumortierite group. The newly constituted dumortierite supergroup, space group Pnma (no. 62), comprises two groups and six minerals, one of which is the first member of a potential third group, all isostructural with dumortierite. The supergroup, which has been approved by the CNMNC, is based on more specific end-member compositions for dumortierite and holtite, in which occupancy of the Al1 site is critical. (1) Dumortierite group, with Al1 = Al3+, Mg2+ and ⃞, where ⃞ denotes cation vacancy. Charge balance is provided by OH substitution for O at the O2, O7 and O10 sites. In addition to dumortierite, endmember composition AlAl6BSi3O18, and magnesiodumortierite, endmember composition MgAl6BSi3O17(OH), plus three endmembers, ‘‘hydroxydumortierite’’, ⃞Al6BSi3O15(OH)3 and two Mg-Ti analogues of dumortierite, (Mg0.5Ti0.5)Al6BSi3O18 and (Mg0.5Ti0.5)Mg2Al4BSi3O16(OH)2, none of which correspond to mineral species. Three more hypothetical endmembers are derived by homovalent substitutions of Fe3+ for Al and Fe2+ for Mg. (2) Holtite group, with Al1 = Ta5+, Nb5+, Ti4+ and ⃞. In contrast to the dumortierite group, vacancies serve not only to balance the extra charge introduced by the incorporation of pentavalent and quadrivalent cations for trivalent cations at Al1, but also to reduce repulsion between the highly charged cations. This group includes holtite, endmember composition (Ta0.6⃞0.4)Al6BSi3O18, nioboholite (2012-68), endmember composition (Nb0.6⃞0.4)Al6BSi3O18, and titanoholtite (2012-69), endmember composition (Ti0.75⃞0.25)Al6BSi3O18. (3) Szklaryite (2012-70) with Al1 = ⃞ and an endmember formula ⃞Al6BAs33+O15. Vacancies at Al1 are caused by loss of O at O2 and O7, which coordinate the Al1 with the Si sites, due to replacement of Si4+ by As3+ and Sb3+, and thus this mineral does not belong in either the dumortierite or the holtite group. Although szklaryite is distinguished by the mechanism introducing vacancies at the Al1 site, the primary criterion for identifying it is based on occupancy of the Si/As,Sb sites: (As3+ + Sb3+) > Si4+ consistent with the dominant-valency rule. A Sb3+ analogue to szklaryite is possible.
CHEMICAL ABUNDANCES OF METAL-POOR RR LYRAE STARS IN THE MAGELLANIC CLOUDS

We present for the first time a detailed spectroscopic study of chemical element abundances of metal-poor RR Lyrae stars in the Large and Small Magellanic Cloud (LMC and SMC). Using the MagE echelle spectrograph at the 6.5 m Magellan telescopes, we obtain medium resolution (R ∼ 2000–6000) spectra of six RR Lyrae stars in the LMC and three RR Lyrae stars in the SMC. These stars were chosen because their previously determined photometric metallicities were among the lowest metallicities found for stars belonging to the old populations in the Magellanic Clouds. We find the spectroscopic metallicities of these stars to be as low as [Fe/H]spec = −2.7 dex, the lowest metallicity yet measured for any star in the Magellanic Clouds. We confirm that for metal-poor stars, the photometric metallicities from the Fourier decomposition of the light curves are systematically too high compared to their spectroscopic counterparts. However, for even more metal-poor stars below [Fe/H]phot < −2.8 dex this trend is reversed and the spectroscopic metallicities are systematically higher than the photometric estimates. We are able to determine abundance ratios for 10 chemical elements (Fe, Na, Mg, Al, Ca, Sc, Ti, Cr, Sr, and Ba), which extend the abundance measurements of chemical elements for RR Lyrae stars in the Clouds beyond [Fe/H] for the first time. For the overall [α/Fe] ratio, we obtain an overabundance of 0.36 dex, which is in very good agreement with results from metal-poor stars in the Milky Way halo as well as from the metal-poor tail in dwarf spheroidal galaxies. Comparing the abundances with those of the stars in the Milky Way halo we find that the abundance ratios of stars of both populations are consistent with another. Therefore, we conclude that from a chemical point of view early contributions from Magellanic-type galaxies to the formation of the Galactic halo as claimed in cosmological models are plausible.
Genome-Wide Identification and Characterization of R2R3MYB Family in Cucumis sativus

Background The R2R3MYB proteins comprise one of the largest families of transcription factors in plants. Although genome-wide analysis of this family has been carried out in some species, little is known about R2R3MYB genes in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). Principal Findings This study has identified 55 R2R3MYB genes in the latest cucumber genome and the CsR2R3MYB family contained the smallest number of identified genes compared to other species that have been studied due to the absence of recent gene duplication events. These results were also supported by genome distribution and gene duplication analysis. Phylogenetic analysis showed that they could be classified into 11 subgroups. The evolutionary relationships and the intron - exon organizations that showed similarities with Arabidopsis, Vitis and Glycine R2R3MYB proteins were also analyzed and suggested strong gene conservation but also the expansions of particular functional genes during the evolution of the plant species. In addition, we found that 8 out of 55 (∼14.54%) cucumber R2R3MYB genes underwent alternative splicing events, producing a variety of transcripts from a single gene, which illustrated the extremely high complexity of transcriptome regulation. Tissue-specific expression profiles showed that 50 cucumber R2R3MYB genes were expressed in at least one of the tissues and the other 5 genes showed very low expression in all tissues tested, which suggested that cucumber R2R3MYB genes took part in many cellular processes. The transcript abundance level analysis during abiotic conditions (NaCl, ABA and low temperature treatments) identified a group of R2R3MYB genes that responded to one or more treatments. Conclusions This study has produced a comparative genomics analysis of the cucumber R2R3MYB gene family and has provided the first steps towards the selection of CsR2R3MYB genes for cloning and functional dissection that can be used in further studies to uncover their roles in cucumber growth and development.
Influence of Subunit Composition on Desensitization of Neuronal Acetylcholine Receptors at Low Concentrations of Nicotine

The influence of α and β subunits on the properties of nicotine-induced activation and desensitization of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) expressed in Xenopusoocytes was examined. Receptors containing α4 subunits were more sensitive to activation by nicotine than α3-containing receptors. At low concentrations of nicotine, nAChRs containing β2 subunits reached near-maximal desensitization more rapidly than β4-containing receptors. The concentration of nicotine producing half-maximal desensitization was influenced by the particular α subunit expressed; similar to results for activation, α4-containing receptors were more sensitive to desensitizing levels of nicotine than α3-containing receptors. The α subunit also influenced the rate of recovery from desensitization; this rate was approximately inversely proportional to the apparent nicotine affinity for the desensitized state. The homomeric α7 receptor showed the lowest sensitivity to nicotine for both activation and desensitization; α7 nAChRs also demonstrated the fastest desensitization kinetics. These subunit-dependent properties remained in the presence of external calcium, although subtle, receptor subtype-specific effects on both the apparent affinities for activation and desensitization and the desensitization kinetics were noted. These data imply that the subunit composition of various nAChRs determines the degree to which receptors are desensitized and/or activated by tobacco-related levels of nicotine. The subtype-specific balance between receptor activation and desensitization should be considered important when the cellular and behavioral actions of nicotine are interpreted.
Searching for coronal radio emission from protostars using Very-Long-Baseline Interferometry

Aims. In order to directly study the role of magnetic fields in the im mediate vicinity of protostars, we use Very-Long-Baseline Interferometry (VLBI), aiming at the detection of non-thermal centimetric radio emission. This is technically the onl y possibility to study coronal emission at sub-AU resolution. Methods. We performed VLBI observations of the four nearby protostars HL Tau, LDN 1551 IRS5, EC 95, and YLW 15 in order to look for compact non-thermal centimetric radio emission. For maximum sensitivity, we used the High Sensitivity Array (HSA) where possible, involving the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA), the phased Very Large Array (VLA), as well as the Arecibo, Green Bank, and Effelsberg radio telescopes. Results. While all four protostars were detected in VLA-only data, only one source (YLW 15 VLA 2) was detected in the VLBI data. The possibility of non-detections due to free-free ab sorption, possibly depending on source geometry, is considered. For YLW 15 VLA 2, the prospects for an accurate orbit determination appear to be good.
Does Familiar Environment Affect Individual Risk Attitudes? Olive-oil Producer vs. no-producer Households

In this paper we experimentally research if the socio-cultural environment of an olive-oil producer family could influence on the attitudes towards risk of their members. Beyond the often assumed greater risk aversion of farmers on this particular environment, we do not find any significant differences between the subjects with a long olive-oil farming tradition and other subjects without relationship with the sector. Therefore, we could question the prevalence of sector-specific risk attitudes. Although, both collectives show a considerable risk aversion and a low dispersion in their decisions under risk. This last issue could be an undesirable characteristic to an olive oil futures market because the existence of heterogeneity in the risk preferences is not guaranteed.
POSSUM (TRICHOSURUS VULPECULA) DENSITIES AND IMPACTS ON FUCHSIA (FUCHSIA EXCORTICATA) IN SOUTH WESTLAND, NEW ZEALAND

To assess the effect of possum browse on plant growth, an index of the amount of foliage on about 50 trees of Fuchsia excorticata and the number of trees that died or were completely defoliated was measured at five sites in South Westland over 5 years. This index was compared to possum density indices taken at each site each year. At one site, possums were reduced from a high density about 6 months before the final measurement. The degree of defoliation of fuchsia was significantly related to the density of possums at each site. Possums defoliate and kill fuchsia within two years once the catch-rate index of their density exceeds about 25%. However, this impact can be halted and quickly reversed by reducing possum density.
Neuronal and non-neuronal aromatase in primary cultures of developing zebra finch telencephalon

Estrogenic metabolites of circulating androgens have important effects on the organization and activation of neural circuits controlling reproductive behavior and physiology in males of many vertebrate species. Previous studies indicate that aromatase, the enzyme that converts androgens to estrogens, is expressed most abundantly in neurons in limbic brain regions. Songbirds are unique in that aromatase is expressed at unusually high levels throughout the telencephalon of both males and females. We assume that estrogens formed in the telencephalon itself masculinize neural circuits controlling song, since the brain is a major source of circulating estrogens in adult males. However, the cellular localization of telencephalic aromatase in songbirds remains unknown. We have established primary cultures from telencephalons of developing zebra finches and found aromatase activity (conversion of 3H-androstenedione or 3H-testosterone to 3H-estrone plus 3H-estradiol) at some of the highest levels reported for brain tissue of any species. Both neurons and glia were identified in these cultures based on cell morphology and labeling by specific immunohistochemical markers. However, when culture conditions were manipulated to reduce the incidence of either neurons or glia by varying the age of cultures or their plating density, treating with the neurotoxin kainic acid, physically shaking off loosely attached neurons, or preparing cultures in media that encouraged enrichment of neurons, high levels of aromatase persisted. Furthermore, Northern blot analysis of total RNA extracted from enriched neuronal or glial cultures indicated the presence of aromatase mRNA in both cell preparations. In situ hybridization with a zebra finch aromatase cDNA probe conjugated to digoxigenin showed the cultures contained darkly labeled neurons and lightly labeled non-neuronal cells, presumably astrocytes. We conclude that aromatase is expressed in both neuronal and non-neuronal cells in these cultures, suggesting that both cell types may also express the enzyme in vivo. The presence of aromatase outside of neurons suggests that glia may be targets of estrogen action or that glia may supply some estrogen to the estrogen-sensitive neural circuits in this species.
Predicting Stock Price from Financial Message Boards with a Mixture of Experts Framework

Many online financial message boards exist where users can discuss the latest information about their favorite stocks. However, the sheer number of postings and the high level of noise in these postings present a significant challenge to message board users seeking to extract recommendations on whether to buy or sell a stock. Earlier attempts to extract sentiment and information from these boards and relate it to stock markets have been largely unsuccessful. This paper presents a new approach which focuses on identifying the most historically accurate posters in message boards. Specifically, we use a mixture of experts framework to identify these posters and analyze their sentiments in a completely automated fashion. We find that this approach not only extracts information from message boards, but that implementable strategies based on this extracted information can automatically be devised to achieve statistically significant returns even after adjusting for both market effects and commission rates.
The risk of colorectal cancer is associated with the frequency of meat consumption in a population-based cohort in Korea.

OBJECTIVE To date, there have been few prospective cohort studies that have investigated the association between meat consumption and the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) in Asian countries. A large, population-based cohort study was conducted to assess the effect of the frequency of meat consumption on the risk of CRC in Korean adults. METHODS The participants were Korean government employees, school faculty members, and their unemployed dependents, aged 30-80 years, who underwent health examinations between 1996 and 1997. In 2003, information on CRC incidence was obtained during the 6-7 year follow-up period. The final data analysis included 2,248,129 study subjects. The hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of the HR were estimated using the Cox proportional hazards regression model. RESULTS During the follow-up period, CRC occurred in 4,501 men and 1,943 women (64.19 and 36.34 for age-standardized incidence rates per 100,000 person-years, respectively). In the total population, the estimated HRs and 95% CI for meat consumption of 2-3 times per week and more than 4 times per week compared with consumption of less than once per week were 1.06 (1.01-1.12) and 1.23 (1.13-1.35), respectively. In men only and women only groups, the HRs (95% CI) for consumption of more than 4 times per week compared with consumption of less than once per week were 1.13 (1.02-1.26) and 1.42 (1.21-1.66), respectively. CONCLUSION The present findings suggest that frequency of meat consumption is positively associated with the risk of CRC.
MISKONSEPSI SISWA SMP PADA MATERI BANGUN DATAR SEGIEMPAT DAN ALTERNATIF MENGATASINYA

Miskonsepsi merupakan hal yang harus dihindari guru dan peserta didik dalam pembelajaran. Kenyataan di lapangan menunjukkan bahwa masih banyak siswa yang mengalami miskonsepsi salah satunya dalam matematika. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendeskripsikan miskonsepsi siswa SMP pada materi bangun datar segiempat dan alternatif mengatasinya. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian deskriptif kualitatif yang menggunakan metode tes dan wawancara. Subjek dalam penelitian ini sebanyak tiga siswa yang memiliki miskonsepsi paling banyak dari semua siswa di kelas. Miskonsepsi siswa pada penelitian ini dianalisis menggunakan tes miskonsepsi tertulis dengan metode CRI (Certainty of Response Index) dan dilanjutkan dengan wawancara untuk mengetahui penyebab miskonsepsi siswa yang terjadi. Berdasarkan hasil analisis data, ketiga subjek menunjukkan miskonsepsi yang hampir sama. Miskonsepsi tersebut terjadi pada definisi bangun datar segiempat. Sebagian besar siswa hanya menganggap segiempat itu selalu dalam bentuk beraturan saja. Selain itu terjadi miskonsepsi pada sifat-sifat dari bangun datar segiempat. Adapun penyebab miskonsepsi yang terjadi adalah kemampuan dalam memahami konsep dan gambar yang diberikan pada soal. Alternatif yang dapat dilakukan diantaranya seperti menjelaskan ulang, diskusi kelas atau dengan menggunakan strategi konflik kognitif. Kata Kunci: Miskonsepsi, Miskonsepsi Bangun Datar Segiempat, Penyebab Miskonsepsi Siswa, Alternatif mengatasi miskonsepsi
Invariants and Robustness of BIP Models

Verification techniques have become popular in software and hardware development. They increase confidence and potentially provide rich feedback. However, with increasing complexity verification techniques are more likely to contain errors themselves. Many verification tools use invariants of the considered systems for their analysis. These invariants are often generated by the verification tools in a first step. The correctness of these invariants is crucial for the analysis results. In this paper we address the problem of automatically generating realistic and guaranteed correct invariants. Since invariant generation mechanisms are error-prone, after the computation of invariants by a verification tool, we formally prove that the generated invariants are indeed invariants of the considered systems using a higher-order theorem prover and automated techniques. We regard invariants for BIP models. BIP (behavior, interaction, priority) is a language for specifying asynchronous component based systems. Proving that an invariant holds often requires an induction on possible system execution traces. For this reason, apart from generating invariants that precisely capture a system's behavior, inductiveness of invariants is an important goal. We establish a notion of robust BIP models. These can automatically be constructed from our original non-robust BIP models and over-approximate their behavior. We motivate that invariants of robust BIP models capture the behavior of systems in a more natural way than invariants of corresponding non-robust BIP models. Robust BIP models take imprecision due to values delivered by sensors into account. Invariants of robust BIP models tend to be inductive and are also invariants of the original non-robust BIP model.