Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Improvements of FLUKA Calculation of the Neutron Albedo

This paper presents Monte-Carlo simulations based on the Fluka code aiming to calculate the contribution of the neutron albedo at a given date and altitude above the Earth chosen by the user. Results consist of a two-parameter distribution, the neutron energy and the angle to the tangent plane of the sphere containing the orbit of interest, and are provided by geographical position above the Earth at the chosen altitude. In this paper, a major improvement was introduced with respect to the previous model concerning the filtering of incoming cosmic rays hitting the upper atmosphere. This more accurate estimation of neutron albedo is of prime importance for the radiation belts modelers because it constitutes the main source of protons >40 MeV of the inner radiation belt.
Dental Plaque and Dietary Intakes in Schoolchildren in Hawaii

The level of dental plaque as measured by surface area increased with the higher consumption of sucrose-containing sticky food such as sweet rolls, sweet breads, manapua, mochi, or poi. Consumption of fruit drinks was associated with less plaque formation. The plaque score had little relationship to the DMF index, whereas it showed a significant association with periodontal disease.
ERPs to encoding and recognition in two different inter‐item association tasks

EVENT-RELATED potentials were obtained during study and recognition of word pairs in an incidental learning paradigm. Word pairs were studied either by performing a semantic judgment separately for each word (non-associative encoding) or by creating a semantic association between the two words (associative encoding). Only word pairs encoded associatively elicited a reliable dm-effect with a right frontal maximum. Recognition of previously studied word pairs revealed two topographically and temporally distinct old/new effects: an earlier parietal effect which was only reliable for associatively encoded items and a right frontal effect which was of equal magnitude for word pairs from both encoding tasks. The findings suggest that ERP effects of distinct memory processes are differentially influenced by the encoding instructions.
Expression of Hoxb-5 during human lung development and in congenital lung malformations.

BACKGROUND We have previously shown that the Hox gene Hoxb-5 is necessary for normal mouse lung branching morphogenesis. Abnormal Hoxb-5 regulation causes specific alterations in airway branching. We hypothesized that Hoxb-5 is similarly involved in human lung branching morphogenesis, and is abnormally expressed in bronchopulmonary sequestration (BPS) and congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM), both of which are congenital lung malformations with abnormal airway development. METHODS The temporal, spatial, and cellular expression of the Hoxb-5 protein was evaluated in normal human lung and BPS and CCAM tissue using Western blot analysis and immunocytochemistry. RESULTS The expression of Hoxb-5 during human lung development showed strong similarities to that during mouse lung development. Western blots showed high Hoxb-5 protein levels in the pseudoglandular period (PSG), decreased but sustained levels in the canalicular period (CAN), and negligible levels during the alveolar period (ALV). Immunocytochemistry showed Hoxb-5 protein expression in mesenchymal cells around branching airways in the pseuodglandular period, subepithelial fibroblast localization (especially at airway branch points) in the CAN and minimal expression in the ALV. In BPS and CCAM tissue, Hoxb-5 protein levels were increased compared to age- and developmentally-matched lung tissue, and were more similar to the PSG and CAN with Hoxb-5-positive cells in mesenchyme surrounding abnormally branched airways. CONCLUSIONS Hoxb-5 expression during human lung branching morphogenesis, which is similar to that observed in mouse lung development, indicates that it plays a role in controlling airway patterning. This notion is supported by results from BPS and CCAM tissue, in which Hoxb-5 is maintained in a manner typical of an earlier developmental stage and is associated with development of abnormal lung tissue.
Relative Importance of Four Muscle Groups for Indoor Rock Climbing Performance

Abstract Deyhle, MR, Hsu, H-S, Fairfield, TJ, Cadez-Schmidt, TL, Gurney, BA, and Mermier, CM. Relative importance of four muscle groups for indoor rock climbing performance. J Strength Cond Res 29(7): 2006–2014, 2015—Little research is available to guide training programs for rock climbers. To help meet this need, we sought to determine the relative importance of 4 muscle groups for rock climbing performance. Eleven male climbers were familiarized with an indoor climbing route before 5 separate days of testing. On testing days, subjects were randomly assigned to climb with no prefatiguing exercise (control climb) or after a prefatiguing exercise designed to specifically target the digit flexors (DF), shoulder adductors (SA), elbow flexors (EF), or lumbar flexors (LF). Immediately after the prefatiguing exercise, the subject climbed the route as far as possible without rest until failure. The number of climbing moves was recorded for each climb. Surface electromyography of the target muscles was recorded during the prefatigue. Fewer climbing moves were completed after prefatigue of the DF (50 ± 18%) and EF (78 ± 22%) (p ⩽ 0.05) compared with the control climb. The number of moves completed after prefatigue of the LF and SA were not statistically significant compared with the control climb (p > 0.05). The short time lapse between the end of prefatiguing exercise and the start of climbing (transit time), which may have allowed for some recovery, was not different among trials (p > 0.05). Electromyography median frequency was reduced from beginning to end of each prefatiguing exercise. These results suggest that among the muscle groups studied in men, muscular endurance of DF and EF muscle groups is especially important for rock climbing on 40° overhanging terrain.
Mesoscale fluvial erosion parameters deduced from modeling the Mediterranean sea level drop during the Messinian (late Miocene)

[1] After a base level drop, rivers are the first components of the landscape to respond by incising into topography. A base level drop results in a knickpoint in the downstream part of river longitudinal profiles. Whether knickpoints are preserved or erased during the upstream propagation of incision is still debated. Preservation and erasure of knickpoints are two end-member processes that work in natural systems at different timescales, different length scales, and different places. The huge (1500 m) and fast (tens of kiloyears) sea level drop in the Mediterranean during the Messinian resulted in the fast propagation of incision far inland. This is especially the case in the Rhone Valley (southern France) where the knickpoint is 300 km from the Mediterranean coast. Numerical modeling of this event has been performed using the ros model, which simulates both erosional and depositional processes in rivers. The best fit between numerical results and geological data is obtained for a nonlinear relation between incision and drainage area and for a small transport length of sediment. This small transport length, at least 2 orders of magnitude lower than the length of the Rhone, suggests that the longitudinal profile relaxed in a diffusive way, so that the initial knickpoint was not preserved. Finally, after a base level fall, the propagation of fluvial incision is very fast at geological timescales (hundreds of kiloyears). Despite this, the diffusive response implies that the time required for restoration of an equilibrium profile is very long.
The effect of sevoflurane on glutamate release and uptake in rat cerebrocortical presynaptic terminals

Background: Volatile anaesthetics exert their effect in the brain mainly by reducing synaptic excitability. Isoflurane abates excitation by reducing the release and increasing the uptake of transmitter glutamate into the presynaptic terminal. The exact molecular mechanisms exerting these effects, however, are not clear. Voltage‐gated calcium channels have been proposed as the pharmacological target. The present study examines the effect of sevoflurane on synaptic glutamate release and free cytosolic calcium and the effect on high‐ and low‐affinity uptake of L‐glutamate using isolated presynaptic terminals prepared from rat cerebral cortex.
Exploring the dynamics of blog communities: the case of MetaFilter

This paper explores the social processes and mechanisms that give form to a prominent type of online community: community blogs. We conducted an interpretive study that examines a particular community blog, MetaFilter, by drawing on the concepts of communities of practice as a theoretical lens. Theoretically, we contribute to the body of knowledge of online communities by identifying the structures of an emergent type of community that is brought together by blog technology. Our findings suggest that cohesion in a community blog is brought about by the following practices: (a) explicit ground rules regarding membership, (b) presence of moderators, (c) availability of profile information, (d) ‘net etiquette’, (e) tacit warrants for discerning pertinent posts, and (f) the deployment of specific techniques of discipline.
Diurnal changes of biochemical metabolic markers in healthy young males – the Bispebjerg study of diurnal variations

Background. To examine whether time of the day has an effect on the circulating levels of metabolism parameters. Methods. Venous blood samples were obtained under standardized conditions from 24 healthy young men every third hour through 24 hours. The metabolic markers and melatonin were examined at each time-point and data were analyzed by rhythmometric statistical methods. Results. The normal 24-h rhythms of the participants were confirmed by significant oscillation of melatonin (p < 0.0001). Cosinor analysis revealed significant diurnal 24-h rhythms of five of the seven examined markers: Total cholesterol (p = 0.01, amplitude (amp) = 0.18 mmol/L) peaking in the early afternoon, Glucose (p < 0.0001, amp = 0.35 mmol/L) peaking around midnight, C-peptide (p < 0.001, amp = 360 pmol/L), triglyceride (p < 0.0001, amp = 0.37 mmol/L) peaking in the afternoon and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p = 0.003, amp = 0.16 mmol/L) peaking in the morning. C-peptide, triglyceride, and glucose had the highest 24-h oscillations in proportion to the reference ranges of the parameters for healthy young men. Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) (p = 0.07, amp = 0.57 mmol/L) and high-density lipoprotein (p = 0.09, amp = 0.06 mmol/L) did not show significant oscillations. Conclusions. When diagnosing and monitoring metabolic disorders compensation for the 24-h variation of the biochemical metabolic markers is needed especially C-peptide, triglyceride and glucose. Furthermore, the stable HbA1c level through 24 h makes it an accurate diagnostic test for diabetes mellitus.
Differential Cytotoxic Effects of Titanium Oxide Nanoparticles on Peripheral Nervous System Neural Cells

The health impact of exposure to TiO2 nanoparticles is poorly understood. We recently found treatment with TiO2 microor nanoparticles induce cell death in human astrocytes-like U87 astrocytoma cells and in normal human fibroblasts in a concentration-related manner. Because the cytotoxic effects of these nanoparticles in peripheral nervous system (PNS) neural cells have not been elucidated, we have developed two PNS neural cell models in vitro consisting of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons and Schwann cells to facilitate the systematic investigation of such effects. We noted treatment with TiO2 nanoparticles lowered the survival of both DRG neurons and Schwann cells in a doseand time-related manner, DRG neurons being more sensitive than Schwann cells to the effects. Thus, our findings may have pathophysiological implications in the impact of exposure to TiO2 nanoparticles on the structure and function of the PNS.
Analysis of Local Aluminum Rear Contacts of Bifacial PERC+ Solar Cells

A recently published industrial passivated emitter rear contact (PERC) solar cell concept called PERC+ enables bifacial applications by printing an aluminum (Al) finger grid instead of the full-area Al layer aligned to the laser contact openings on the rear side. We demonstrate that the rear contacts of these PERC+ solar cells exhibit back-surface field (BSF) depths of around 6 μm over a large range of contact linewidths, whereas PERC cells with full-area Al rear layer show a reduction of the Al-BSF depths for narrower contact lines. Using an existing analytical model for the local contact formation, we show that the measured Al-BSF depths are well described solely by the different volume of Al paste printed on the rear side. Consequently, the open-circuit voltage of PERC+ solar cells improves by up to 5 mV when reducing the contact linewidth only. In contrast, for PERC cells with full-area Al layer, the Voc slightly decreases with narrower contact linewidths due to the thinner Al-BSF depths. We observe a strongly reduced number of voids in the Al-Si eutectic layer for PERC+ cells, compared with PERC. As physical root cause for void formation, we propose the minimization of surface energy of the Al-Si melt.
Susceptibility for homeostatic plasticity is down‐regulated in parallel with maturation of the rat hippocampal synaptic circuitry

Homeostatic regulation, i.e. the ability of neurons and neuronal networks to adjust their output in response to chronic alterations in electrical activity is a prerequisite for the pronounced functional plasticity in the developing brain. Cellular mechanisms of homeostatic plasticity have mainly been studied in cultured preparations. To understand the developmental time frame and properties of homeostatic plasticity under more physiological conditions, we have here compared the effects of activity deprivation on synaptic transmission in acutely isolated and cultured hippocampal slices at different stages of development. We find that transmission at both glutamatergic and GABAergic synapses is strongly and rapidly (15 h) regulated in the opposite directions in response to inactivity during narrow, separated time windows early in development. Following this critical period of synaptic development, induction of the homeostatic response requires longer periods (40 h) of inactivity. At glutamatergic synapses, activity blockade led to an increase in the amplitude and frequency of mEPSCs, and the threshold for induction of this response was increased during development. In contrast, homeostatic regulation at GABAergic synapses was expressed in a qualitatively distinct manner at different developmental stages. Immature neurons responded rapidly to inactivity by regulating mIPSC frequency, while longer activity blockade led to a decrease in the mIPSC amplitude independent of the neuronal maturation. The susceptibility of immature networks to homeostatic regulation may serve as a safety mechanism against rapid runaway destability during the time of intense remodelling of the synaptic circuitry.
RNA-seq Analysis of Solanesol Biosynthesis Genes in Nicotiana tabacum

Solanesol is a noncyclic terpene alcohol composed of nine isoprene units and it mainly accumulates in solanaceous plants, especially tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.). Here, RNA-seq analyses of tobacco leaves, stems, and roots were used to identify solanesol biosynthesis genes. Six 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate synthase, two 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate reductoisomerase, two 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate cytidylyltransferase, four 4-diphosphocytidyl-2-Cmethyl-D-erythritol kinase, two 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 2,4-cyclodiphosphate synthase, four 1hydroxy-2-methyl-2-(E)-butenyl 4-diphosphate synthase, two 1-hydroxy-2-methyl-2-(E)-butenyl 4diphosphate reductase, six isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase, and two solanesyl diphosphate synthase (SPS) genes were identified to be involved in solanesol biosynthesis. Furthermore, the two N. tabacum SPS (NtSPS1 and NtSPS2), which had two conserved aspartate-rich DDxxD domains, were highly homologous with SPS enzymes from other solanaceous plant species. In addition, the solanesol contents of three organs, and leaves from four growing stages, corresponded with the distribution of chlorophyll. Our findings provide a comprehensive evaluation of the correlation between the expression of different biosynthetic genes and the accumulation of solanesol in tobacco.
Effects of ad hoc clopidogrel loading versus pre-treatment on P-selectin expression after coronary stent implantation

Stents represent a thrombogenic surface where one of the earliest events is the deposition of platelets. Activated platelets express neoepitopes that enable them to form homo- and heterotypic aggregates and activate the coagulation system. In this study, we investigated the effects of ad hoc clopidogrel treatment compared to a clopidogrel pretreated group on platelet P-selectin expression. We found that after stent implantation in the ad hoc treated group, P-selectin expression decreased after 1 h, while the initial decrease in platelet count normalized after 4 h. Aspirin non-responsiveness did not influence the results. These data point to the beneficial effect of clopidogrel treatment in reducing platelet reactivity during stenting.
Phylogeography of the African buffalo based on mitochondrial and Y‐chromosomal loci: Pleistocene origin and population expansion of the Cape buffalo subspecies

Population genetics and phylogeography of the African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) are inferred from genetic diversity at mitochondrial D‐loop hypervariable region I sequences and a Y‐chromosomal microsatellite. Three buffalo subspecies from different parts of Africa are included. Nucleotide diversity of the subspecies Cape buffalo at hypervariable region I is high, with little differentiation between populations. A mutation rate of 13–18% substitutions/million years is estimated for hypervariable region I. The nucleotide diversity indicates an estimated female effective population size of 17 000–32 000 individuals. Both mitochondrial and Y‐chromosomal diversity are considerably higher in buffalo from central and southwestern Africa than in Cape buffalo, for which several explanations are hypothesized. There are several indications that there was a late middle to late Pleistocene population expansion in Cape buffalo. This also seems to be the period in which Cape buffalo evolved as a separate subspecies, according to the net sequence divergence with the other subspecies. These two observations are in agreement with the hypothesis of a rapid evolution of Cape buffalo based on fossil data. Additionally, there appears to have been a population expansion from eastern to southern Africa, which may be related to vegetation changes. However, as alternative explanations are also possible, further analyses with autosomal loci are needed.
The role of mobile learning on the learning environment shifting at high school in Indonesia

This research is the result of a multi-year research since 2013-2015, which aims to determine the shifting of learning environment associated with the development of mobile technology. The rapid changing on information technology has affected the current learning strategy. The analysis of this study is a qualitative descriptive approach. The result indicates that mobile technology shifted the tendency of students to learn in a more personalised way. This situation encourages teachers to be able to choose and use technology for students learning success. The implication of this research is that the teachers, students and schools will need to have a different role than before to adapt the changing in today's learning environment. More focus again, learning design needs to enable cooperative learning in a mobile for the convenience of studying individually. In the implication of this research, there is a shifting of learning environment due to mobile technology.
Transduction of murine cerebellar neurons with recombinant FIV and AAV5 vectors

Our data demonstrate that vectors derived from recombinant feline immunodeficiency virus (rFIV) and adeno-associated virus type 5 (rAAV5) transduce cerebellar cells following direct injection into the cerebellar lobules of mice. Both recombinant viruses mediated gene transfer predominantly to neurons, with up to 2500 and 1500 Purkinje cells transduced for rAAV5 or rFIV-based vectors, respectively. The vectors also transduced stellate, basket and Golgi neurons, with occasional transduction of granule cells and deep cerebellar nuclei. rAAV5 also spread outside the cerebellum to the inferior colliculus and ventricular epithelium, while rFIV demonstrated the ability to undergo retrograde transport to the physically close lateral vestibular nuclei. Thus, AAV5 and FIV-based vectors show promise for targeting neurons affected in the hereditary spinocerebellar ataxias. These vectors could be important tools for unraveling the pathophysiology of these disorders, or in testing factors which may promote neuronal survival.
Protein synthesis in Escherichia coli during recovery from exposure to low levels of Cd2+

Exposure of Escherichia coli to 3 microM Cd2+ results in 84 to 95% of the cells losing their ability to form colonies on plates of nutrient agar. Transfer of the cells to Cd2+-free liquid medium results in a recovery of colony-forming ability without significant synthesis of DNA. As an early event in recovery, the cells exhibit a rapid uptake of [3H]leucine. Recovery and this incorporation are inhibited by chloramphenicol or rifampin. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis of proteins from recovering cells labeled with [3H]leucine for 1 min indicated the synthesis of at least two classes of proteins with apparent molecular weights of 55,000 to 65,000. One class bound Cd2+ and was absent in untreated cultures. The other class of proteins, which did not bind Cd2+, was synthesized at a rapid rate in recovering cells and may be a normal cellular protein.
Of sick turkeys, kwashiorkor, malaria, perinatal mortality, heroin addicts and food poisoning: research on the influence of aflatoxins on child health in the tropics.

Similarities between the geographical and climatic prevalences of kwashiorkor and of exposure to dietary aflatoxins, and between the biochemical, metabolic and immunological derangements in kwashiorkor and those in animals exposed to aflatoxins, prompted investigation of the associations between kwashiorkor and aflatoxins. Studies in Africa in the 1980s indicated a role for these toxins in the pathogenesis of the disease. Paediatric cases of kwashiorkor are less prone to severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria than normal children. In mice infected with P. berghei, aflatoxin exposure inhibits parasite growth and ameliorates morbidity. Aflatoxins occur in < or = 40% of samples of breast milk from tropical Africa, usually as low concentrations of the relatively non-toxic derivatives of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) but sometimes as high concentrations of the very toxic AFB1. This could explain kwashiorkor in breast-fed babies. Aflatoxin exposure occurs in > or = 30% of pregnancies in tropical Africa and the toxins are often in cord blood, sometimes at extremely high concentrations. Aflatoxins are now incriminated in neonatal jaundice and there is circumstantial evidence that they cause perinatal death and reduced birthweight. Aflatoxin-induced immunosuppresion may explain the aggressive behaviour of HIV infection in Africa. There are similarities between observations on HIV cases in Africa and those on heroin addicts in Europe, where 'street' heroin is frequently contaminated with aflatoxin. Aflatoxins were found in 20% of random urine samples from heroin addicts in the U.K. and the Netherlands. Aflatoxins have also been incriminated in episodes of food poisoning which have been associated with serious morbidity and mortality, particularly among young children.