Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effect of dislocation loops on the light emission of silicon LEDs

Remarkably strong infrared light emission was recently observed from silicon p/sup +/-n diodes. In several publications a causal relation is proposed between the larger-than-expected light intensity and the existence of lattice damage around the junction. In this letter, we present direct experimental evidence that lattice damage is in fact detrimental to the efficiency of light emission of silicon LEDs. The experiments call for a revision of the explanation for strong light emission in this type of devices.
Effect of Bracket Base Sandblasting on Bonding of Orthodontic Brackets on Enamel Surface

Introduction: In evaluating bond failure, considerable attention has been paid to the various factors that affect bond strength. The bracket–resin interface is the site of usual bond failure. Therefore, many efforts have been accomplished on this interface. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of sandblasting on shear bond strength of three different metal brackets. Materials and Methods: For this experimental study, 180 human maxillary first and second premolars teeth were cleaned and stored in 0.1% thymol solution. The teeth were randomly assigned to either the control ( n = 90) or experimental group ( n = 90). Each group was subdivided into three equal groups ( n = 30). In the control group, three different non-sandblasted metal brackets (American Orthodontics, Dentarum, and 3M Unitek) were bonded with 3M (Unitek) no-mix resin. In the next stage of the experiment, similar brackets were sandblasted and bonded. All samples were pumiced and etched with 37% phosphoric acid for 15 s. The teeth were embedded in blocks of autopolymerization polymethyl methacrylate, utilizing a special device to make their slots parallel to the horizontal. Samples were stored in distilled water for 24 h before testing. Shear bond testing was carried out with UTM Instron machine. Results: Mean shear bond strength of untreated groups was 15.51, 16.60, and 18.58 MPa for American Orthodontics, Dentarum, and 3M Unitek brackets, respectively. Mean shear bond strength of sandblasted brackets was 15.8, 19.36, and 18.66 for American Orthodontics, Dentarum, and 3M Unitek brackets, respectively. Conclusion: This study showed that there was a significant difference in the mean shear bond strength between untreated and sandblasted specimens only in the Dentarum bracket groups.
The trouble of thinking: Activation and application of stereotypic beliefs.

Two studies investigated the effects of cognitive busyness on the activation and application of stereotypes. In Experiment 1, not-busy subjects who were exposed to an Asian target showed evidence of stereotype activation, but busy subjects (who rehearsed an 8-digit number during their exposure) did not. In Experiment 2, cognitive busyness once again inhibited the activation of stereotypes about Asians. However, when stereotype activation was allowed to occur, busy subjects (who performed a visual search task during their exposure) were more likely to apply these activated stereotypes than were not-busy subjects. Together, these findings suggest that cognitive busyness may decrease the likelihood that a particular stereotype will be activated but increase the likelihood that an activated stereotype will be applied.
Residual impact of raw and composted poultry litter on soil carbon pools

Application of animal manures or composts to soils increases soil carbon levels and improves soil physical properties. However, there is little information on the duration of these effects after manure or compost applications cease. We evaluated the four-year residual effects of applying poultry litter (PL) and composted poultry litter (CPL) at < 4 Mg ha -1 application -1 on soil carbon fractions and other soil properties in low input crop rotations. We sampled soil in 2001, which was four years after PL and CPL were last applied in wheat-soybean-corn rotations fertilized with 1) NPK mineral fertilizers (MF) only, 2) PL supplemented with MF, and 3) CPL supplemented with MF. Soil bulk density was greater in MF than in PL and CPL systems compared to initial values (P < 0.10) four years after PL and CPL were last applied. There were no differences among systems in total soil C and N or in active and slow soil C pool sizes four years after PL and CPL were last applied. The size of the slow C pool, however, was positively related to C input levels during the years that PL and CPL were applied, indicating that there was a 4-year residual impact of C inputs on the slow C pool. Also, active and slow C pool rate constants were greater in PL than in MF systems (P < 0.05), averaging 0.2870 and 0.0053 d -1 compared to 0.1103 and 0.0037 d -1 , respectively. Rate constants were intermediate in CPL systems, averaging 0.2398 and 0.0045 d -1 . Since C mineralization rates are generally correlated with N mineralization rates, PL applications may have had a positive residual effect on soil N fertility relative to MF. We conclude that soil quality benefits of low rate applications of PL and CPL can last up to four years after PL is last applied and that these improvements should be considered when valuing PL and CPL as soil amendments and as sources of fertility. The results will be useful in the development of best management practices for PL and CPL applications.
Attentive Contexts for Object Detection

Modern deep neural network-based object detection methods typically classify candidate proposals using their interior features. However, global and local surrounding contexts that are believed to be valuable for object detection are not fully exploited by existing methods yet. In this work, we take a step towards understanding what is a robust practice to extract and utilize contextual information to facilitate object detection in practice. Specifically, we consider the following two questions: “how to identify useful global contextual information for detecting a certain object? ” and “how to exploit local context surrounding a proposal for better inferring its contents? ” We provide preliminary answers to these questions through developing a novel attention to context convolution neural network (AC-CNN)-based object detection model. AC-CNN effectively incorporates global and local contextual information into the region-based CNN (e.g., fast R-CNN and faster R-CNN) detection framework and provides better object detection performance. It consists of one attention-based global contextualized (AGC) subnetwork and one multi-scale local contextualized (MLC) subnetwork. To capture global context, the AGC subnetwork recurrently generates an attention map for an input image to highlight useful global contextual locations, through multiple stacked long short-term memory layers. For capturing surrounding local context, the MLC subnetwork exploits both the inside and outside contextual information of each specific proposal at multiple scales. The global and local context are then fused together for making the final decision for detection. Extensive experiments on PASCAL VOC 2007 and VOC 2012 well demonstrate the superiority of the proposed AC-CNN over well-established baselines.
Can Neighbors Make You Healthy ? Understanding how adolescent obesity is associated with neighborhood characteristics and physical activity

Findings from several studies suggest that higher levels of neighborhood safety and social capital are associated with higher levels of physical activity, a known predictor of obesity. Presently, the obesity rate for adolescents ages 12 to19 in the United States is 16.9%, which is four times the rate noted in the 1960s. This study focuses on neighborhood characteristics, activity patterns and their association with obesity in adolescent females in the United States. Specifically, this paper examines whether neighborhood characteristics (e.g. built environment, social capital, neighborhood safety) are associated with adolescent activity patterns (e.g. weekly physical and sedentary activity) and obesity in females ages 12-17. Data were gathered using the National Survey of Children’s Health, a study that focuses on health in children and adolescents 0-17 years of age in the United States. Findings will clarify the relationship between neighborhood characteristics, female adolescent activity patterns and how these variables relate to adolescent obesity.
Differences in the Predictors of Reading Comprehension in First Graders from Low Socio-Economic Status Families with Either Good or Poor Decoding Skills

Based on the assumption that good decoding skills constitute a bootstrapping mechanism for reading comprehension, the present study investigated the relative contribution of the former skill to the latter compared to that of three other predictors of reading comprehension (listening comprehension, vocabulary and phonemic awareness) in 392 French-speaking first graders from low SES families. This large sample was split into three groups according to their level of decoding skills assessed by pseudoword reading. Using a cutoff of 1 SD above or below the mean of the entire population, there were 63 good decoders, 267 average decoders and 62 poor decoders. 58% of the variance in reading comprehension was explained by our four predictors, with decoding skills proving to be the best predictor (12.1%, 7.3% for listening comprehension, 4.6% for vocabulary and 3.3% for phonemic awareness). Interaction between group versus decoding skills, listening comprehension and phonemic awareness accounted for significant additional variance (3.6%, 1.1% and 1.0%, respectively). The effects on reading comprehension of decoding skills and phonemic awareness were higher in poor and average decoders than in good decoders whereas listening comprehension accounted for more variance in good and average decoders than in poor decoders. Furthermore, the percentage of children with impaired reading comprehension skills was higher in the group of poor decoders (55%) than in the two other groups (average decoders: 7%; good decoders: 0%) and only 6 children (1.5%) had impaired reading comprehension skills with unimpaired decoding skills, listening comprehension or vocabulary. These results challenge the outcomes of studies on “poor comprehenders” by showing that, at least in first grade, poor reading comprehension is strongly linked to the level of decoding skills.
A model for regulation of ColE1-like plasmid replication by uncharged tRNAs in amino acid-starved Escherichia coli cells.

It has been previously observed that various ColE1-like plasmids replicate differentially in Escherichia coli cells during the relaxed response to amino acid starvation. Here we develop a kinetic model to explain these observations based on the possibility of interaction of the 3' CCA-OH sequence with the UGG triplets in loops of RNA I and RNA II encoded by ColE1-like plasmids. According to our model, when the interaction of uncharged CCA with RNA I is possible, the replication of the ColE1-like plasmid is affected by differences in the concentration of various tRNAs in the starved cell, but it is not affected by the tRNA concentration if the hypothetical pairing occurs between the CCA-OH and RNA II. Using the previously determined parameters for the pBR322 plasmid, the concentration of uncharged tRNAs in the amino acid starved relaxed strains and the assumed efficiency of binding of tRNA and RNA I, we show that our model explains the differences in pBR322 copy number in the relaxed strain starved for several amino acids.
Do Investors Trade Too Much?

This paper takes a first step towards demonstrating that overall trading volume in equity markets is excessive, by showing that it is excessive for a particular group of investors: those with discount brokerage accounts. One possible cause of excessive trading is overconfidence. Overconfident investors will trade too frequently, that is, the gains overconfident investors realize through trade will be less than they anticipate and may not even offset the costs of trading. By analyzing trading records for 10,000 accounts at a large discount brokerage house, I test whether the securities these investors purchase outperform those they sell by enough to cover the costs of trading. I find the surprising result that, on average, the securities they purchase actually underperform those they sell. This is the case even when trading is not apparently motivated by liquidity demands, tax-loss selling, portfolio rebalancing, or a move to lower-risk securities. I examine return patterns before and after transactions. Return patterns before purchases and sales can be explained by the difficulty of the search for securities to buy, investors' tendency to let their attention be directed by outside sources, the disposition effect, and investors' reluctance to sell short.
Classical provability of uniform versions and intuitionistic provability

Along the line of Hirst‐Mummert and Dorais , we analyze the relationship between the classical provability of uniform versions Uni(S) of Π2‐statements S with respect to higher order reverse mathematics and the intuitionistic provability of S. Our main theorem states that (in particular) for every Π2‐statement S of some syntactical form, if its uniform version derives the uniform variant of ACA over a classical system of arithmetic in all finite types with weak extensionality, then S is not provable in strong semi‐intuitionistic systems including bar induction BI in all finite types but also nonconstructive principles such as Kőnig's lemma KL and uniform weak Kőnig's lemma UWKL . Our result is applicable to many mathematical principles whose sequential versions imply ACA .
Vps51p Links the VFT Complex to the SNARE Tlg1p*

Intracellular membrane fusion requires the complex coordination of SNARE, rab/ypt, and rab effector function. In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, fusion of endosome-derived vesicles with the late Golgi depends on a cascade of protein-protein interactions that results in the recruitment to Golgi membranes of a conserved docking complex, VFT. This complex binds to Ypt6-GTP, which is necessary for its localization to the Golgi, and also to the SNARE Tlg1p. We show here that the VFT complex contains a fourth, previously uncharacterized, subunit, Vps51p (Ykr020w). Yeast cells lacking VPS51 have defects in vacuole morphology and recycling of the SNARE Snc1p to the plasma membrane, but still assemble a core VFT complex consisting of Vps52p, Vps53p, and Vps54p that localizes properly to the Golgi. Binding to Ypt6-GTP is a property of Vps52p. In contrast, binding to Tlg1p is mediated by a short sequence at the N terminus of Vps51p. Recent evidence suggests that components of a number of rab/ypt effector complexes share a common, distantly related helical coiled-coil motif. We show that each VFT subunit requires this coiled-coil motif for assembly into the complex.
Liver X Receptor (LXR) Regulates Human Adipocyte Lipolysis*

The Liver X receptor (LXR) is an important regulator of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in humans and mice. We have recently shown that activation of LXR regulates cellular fuel utilization in adipocytes. In contrast, the role of LXR in human adipocyte lipolysis, the major function of human white fat cells, is not clear. In the present study, we stimulated in vitro differentiated human and murine adipocytes with the LXR agonist GW3965 and observed an increase in basal lipolysis. Microarray analysis of human adipocyte mRNA following LXR activation revealed an altered gene expression of several lipolysis-regulating proteins, which was also confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR. We show that expression and intracellular localization of perilipin1 (PLIN1) and hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) are affected by GW3965. Although LXR activation does not influence phosphorylation status of HSL, HSL activity is required for the lipolytic effect of GW3965. This effect is abolished by PLIN1 knockdown. In addition, we demonstrate that upon activation, LXR binds to the proximal regions of the PLIN1 and HSL promoters. By selective knock-down of either LXR isoform, we show that LXRα is the major isoform mediating the lipolysis-related effects of LXR. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that activation of LXRα up-regulates basal human adipocyte lipolysis. This is at least partially mediated through LXR binding to the PLIN1 promoter and down-regulation of PLIN1 expression.
Subcellular targeting and dynamic regulation of PTEN: implications for neuronal cells and neurological disorders

PTEN is a lipid and protein phosphatase that regulates a diverse range of cellular mechanisms. PTEN is mainly present in the cytosol and transiently associates with the plasma membrane to dephosphorylate PI(3,4,5)P3, thereby antagonizing the PI3-Kinase signaling pathway. Recently, PTEN has been shown to associate also with organelles such as the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), the mitochondria, or the nucleus, and to be secreted outside of the cell. In addition, PTEN dynamically localizes to specialized sub-cellular compartments such as the neuronal growth cone or dendritic spines. The diverse localizations of PTEN imply a tight temporal and spatial regulation, orchestrated by mechanisms such as posttranslational modifications, formation of distinct protein–protein interactions, or the activation/recruitment of PTEN downstream of external cues. The regulation of PTEN function is thus not only important at the enzymatic activity level, but is also associated to its spatial distribution. In this review we will summarize (i) recent findings that highlight mechanisms controlling PTEN movement and sub-cellular localization, and (ii) current understanding of how PTEN localization is achieved by mechanisms controlling posttranslational modification, by association with binding partners and by PTEN structural or activity requirements. Finally, we will discuss the possible roles of compartmentalized PTEN in developing and mature neurons in health and disease.
Effect of high-potency cannabis on corpus callosum microstructure

Background The use of cannabis with higher Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol content has been associated with greater risk, and earlier onset, of psychosis. However, the effect of cannabis potency on brain morphology has never been explored. Here, we investigated whether cannabis potency and pattern of use are associated with changes in corpus callosum (CC) microstructural organization, in patients with first-episode psychosis (FEP) and individuals without psychosis, cannabis users and non-users. Method The CC of 56 FEP (37 cannabis users) and 43 individuals without psychosis (22 cannabis users) was virtually dissected and segmented using diffusion tensor imaging tractography. The diffusion index of fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivity (MD), axial diffusivity (AD) and radial diffusivity was calculated for each segment. Results Across the whole sample, users of high-potency cannabis had higher total CC MD and higher total CC AD than both low-potency users and those who never used (p = 0.005 and p = 0.004, respectively). Daily users also had higher total CC MD and higher total CC AD than both occasional users and those who never used (p = 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). However, there was no effect of group (patient/individuals without psychosis) or group x potency interaction for either potency or frequency of use. The within-group analysis showed in fact that the effects of potency and frequency were similar in FEP users and in users without psychosis. Conclusions Frequent use of high-potency cannabis is associated with disturbed callosal microstructural organization in individuals with and without psychosis. Since high-potency preparations are now replacing traditional herbal drugs in many European countries, raising awareness about the risks of high-potency cannabis is crucial.
Effect of postmortem storage on mu-calpain and m-calpain in ovine skeletal muscle.

Casein zymography was used to determine the effect of postmortem storage on the proteolytic activity of mu-calpain and m-calpain in lamb longissimus. Casein zymography assays were conducted on crude muscle extracts (only one centrifugation). Six market weight crossbred lambs were slaughtered and a portion of the longissimus lumborum was removed at death (within 15 min of exsanguination) and after 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 72, and 360 h postmortem. Muscle samples were snap-frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at -70 degrees C. Soluble muscle proteins were extracted from muscle samples and analyzed by in-gel casein assay to measure calpain proteolytic activity. There was a gradual decline in mu-calpain activity (P < 0.05) such that after 24 and 72 h postmortem, mu-calpain had lost 42 and 95% of its activity, respectively. After 360 h postmortem, no mu-calpain activity could be detected (under the conditions used in this study). Autolysis of mu-calpain could be detected as early as 3 h postmortem. It was demonstrated that the detectable level of mu-calpain activity is a function of the amount of muscle protein electrophoresed. Hence, the activity data reported are in relative terms, rather than absolute values. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that the activity data also are a function of the assay methods used. Different methods have different lower detection limits. Of the three assays examined, 14C-labeled casein was the most sensitive, then the in-gel casein assay, and the least-sensitive method was the standard casein assay. Unlike mu-calpain, postmortem storage had no effect on m-calpain (P > 0.05). When the calcium concentration of a muscle extract was increased to the level that induces m-calpain autolysis, m-calpain was autolyzed and its autolysis was readily detected by the in-gel casein assay. Collectively, these results demonstrate that calcium concentration in postmortem muscle is only high enough to activate mu-calpain. These results support the widely believed conclusion that mu-calpain-mediated proteolysis of key myofibrillar and cytoskeletal proteins is responsible for postmortem tenderization. Hence, understanding the regulation of mu-calpain in postmortem muscle should be the focus of future studies.
Are Behavioral Effects of Early Experience Mediated by Oxytocin?

Early experiences can alter adaptive emotional responses necessary for social behavior as well as physiological reactivity in the face of challenge. In the highly social prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster), manipulations in early life or hormonal treatments specifically targeted at the neuropeptides oxytocin (OT) and arginine vasopressin (AVP), have long-lasting, often sexually dimorphic, consequences for social behavior. Here we examine the hypothesis that behavioral changes associated with differential early experience, in this case handling the family during the first week of life, may be mediated by changes in OT or AVP or their brain receptors. Four early treatment groups were used, differing only in the amount of manipulation received during the first week of life. MAN1 animals were handled once on post-natal day 1; MAN1 treatment produces a pattern of behavior usually considered typical of this species, against which other groups were compared. MAN1–7 animals were handled once a day for post-natal days 1–7, MAN 7 animals were handled once on post-natal day 7, and MAN0 animals received no handling during the first week of life. When tested following weaning, males in groups that had received manipulation during the first few days of life (MAN1 and MAN1–7) displayed higher alloparenting than other groups. Neuroendocrine measures, including OT receptor binding and OT and AVP immunoreactivity, varied by early treatment. In brain areas including the nucleus accumbens, bed nucleus of stria terminalis and lateral septum, MAN0 females showed increased OT receptor binding. MAN1 animals also displayed higher numbers of immunoreactive OT cell bodies in the supraoptic nucleus. Taken together these findings support the broader hypothesis that experiences in the first few days of life, mediated in part by sexually dimorphic changes in neuropeptides, especially in the receptor for OT, may have adaptive consequences for sociality and emotion regulation.