Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bilayer-Embedded Lipid Droplets Coated with Perilipin-2 Display a Pancake Shape

Lipid droplets (LD) are organelles localized in the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) that play an important role in many biological functions. Free LDs that have been released from the ER membrane and are present in the cytosol resemble an oil-in-water emulsion. The surface of an LD is coated with a phospholipid monolayer, and the core of an LD is composed of neutral lipids. Adipose differentiation-related protein (ADRP), also known as perilipin-2, is a protein that surrounds the LD, together with the phospholipid monolayer. ADRP molecules are involved in assisting in the storage of neutral lipids within LDs. In this article, we focus our interest on the influence of ADRP molecules on the 3D shape of bilayer-embedded LDs and the diffusion of phospholipids in the monolayer covering LDs. For this study, we employed two different microfluidic setups: one to produce and explore bilayer-embedded LDs and a second one to mimic the surface of a single LD. Using the first setup, we demonstrate that ADRP molecules stay preferentially localized on the surfaces of bilayer-embedded LDs, and we study their 3D-shape in the presence of ADRP. Using the second setup, we performed FRAP experiments to measure the phospholipid diffusion on a model LD surface as a function of the ADRP concentration. Although the presence of proteins on the LD surface minimally affects the phospholipid and protein motility, ADRP appears to have a significant effect on the 3D structure of LDs embedded in the bilayer.
Access to Credit in Informal Economies: Does Financial Information Matter?

Traders operating in informal economies rarely use financial information in their credit allocation decisions. Using a combination of survey questions and a hypothetical choice experiment, we study the frictions impeding traders’ financial information use in a bazaar economy. Based on estimates of wholesalers’ willingness to pay for retailer information, we find that although wholesalers value informal information such as retailers’ community membership and relationship length, they also overwhelmingly value retailers’ sales and profits in making credit decisions. We also show that traders use financial information sparsely not because of financial illiteracy, but because they perceive such information to be unreliable. JEL Classification: D82, G21, G28, M40, M41, M49, O10, O16, O17, Z10, Z13
Validity of Local Thermal Equilibrium in Plasma Spectroscopy

Criteria for the existence of local thermal equilibrium in various classes of plasmas are derived. In addition to general criteria that should also be fulfilled for homogeneous and time-independent plasmas, special criteria must be imposed on homogeneous and/or transient plasmas. The influence of the imprisonment of resonance radiation on the establishment of thermal equilibrium is considered, and it is concluded that even then complete thermal equilibrium can usually not be achieved for multiply ionized species. (auth)
The Same–Up–Down Staging System for Recurrent Early Glottic Cancer

Simple Summary Compared with other head and neck cancer types, the prognosis of recurrent early glottic cancer (rEGC) may be less dependent on the presence of regional (N) and/or distant metastases (M). The latter two are clinically infrequent due to rEGC’s peculiar biology, but the currently available staging systems still rely upon these parameters. Thus, we developed a new staging system (SUD) centered on the comparison between the T stages of the recurrence and the primary tumor. Then, in our cohort of 258 patients with rEGC treated at our Institution in Florence, Italy, we verified how the SUD system performs in the prediction of the overall and disease-specific survival, compared to the other classifications already in use. Abstract (1) Background: The treatment of recurrent early glottic cancer (rEGC) remains challenging. We wanted to investigate how the oncological outcomes are affected by the initial and recurrent stages, in order to propose our newly developed Same–Up–Down (SUD) staging system. (2) Methods: In our cohort of 258 rEGC patients, we retrospectively assessed the prognostic performances of the rTNM (the TNM staging system for recurrence), CLRSS, CLRSS-2, and SUD staging systems by univariate and multivariate Cox analysis, comparing their predictive capability using Harrell’s C-index. (3) Results: The SUD classification satisfactorily predicted both overall survival (p = 0.022) and second-recurrence-free survival (p = 0.024, as same + down vs. upstage) in our cohort. It also outperformed the other three systems in terms of prediction of survival, with an improvement of 1.52%, 1.18%, and 3.96% in the predictive capacity of overall survival, disease-specific survival, and second-recurrence-free survival, respectively. (4) Conclusions: The SUD staging system can efficiently predict survival in rEGC patients, whose prognosis heavily depends on both the initial and recurrent locoregional extension.
Optimized Gore/Seam Cable Actuated Shape Control of Gossamer Membrane Reflectors

This investigation explores the feasibility of using an active gore/seam cable-based control system to reduce global root mean square figure errors due to thermal loading and inflation effects (W error) in large, gossamer, inflatable membrane reflectors. Analysis is performed on an inflated spherical membrane with polyvinylidene-fluorideactuated radial cables, for which the cable lengths and attachment points are designed via genetic algorithm optimization. It is found that throughproper tailoring of the cable lengths, significant global rootmean squarefigureerror reduction is achieved. Specifically, root mean square errors due to on-orbit thermal loading were reduced by approximately 75%with a 104-cable active gore/seam cable-control system that has amass equal to 15% the original reflector. Similarly,W errorswere reduced by approximately 95%with a 104-gore/seam cable-control systemwith a mass ratio of 12%. Finally, to deal with simultaneous W error and thermal loading with uncertain relative magnitudes, a hybrid gore/seam cable-control configuration based on a combination of independently optimized thermal andW-error cable patterns is considered. By adjusting the weights of a hybrid objective function, the gore/ seam cable-control system demonstrated robust shape-control performance for combined loading conditions. Because of the relatively lightweight designs and shape-control effectiveness, the gore/seam cable-shape-control concept seems promising for future gossamer reflector applications.
Influence of Seed-Covering Layers on Caper Seed Germination

Caper is a perennial shrub that is widespread in the Mediterranean Basin. Although the fruits contain many seeds, they germinate slowly and with very low percentages, due to their nondeep physiological dormancy. The influence of the testa and endosperm, as well as the effect of applying gibberellic acid (GA3) solutions on seed germination to release its dormancy, are reported in this study. The mechanical resistance exerted by the testa and endosperm against radicle protrusion in mature caper seeds was measured. The best germination results were obtained with seeds devoid of testa wetted with water and with intact seeds wetted with a 500 mg L−1 GA3 solution, without statistical differences between them. The GA3 addition triggers an increase in both the content of endogenous gibberellins (GA) and the GA/abscisic acid ratio, increasing germination. Its germination consists of two temporally separated events: testa cracking and endosperm piercing. Testa cracking begins in the hilum-micropillar area; it involves a signal from the embryo, which GA can replace, possibly by increasing the growth potential of the embryo. After testa cracking, the radicle emerges through a hole in the micropylar endosperm. The puncture force necessary to pierce the micropylar endosperm decreased drastically during the first day of imbibition, remaining practically constant until testa cracking, decreasing afterwards, regardless of the addition or not of gibberellins.
Psychosocial Risk in COVID Context: The Impact of Economic Factors and Labour Protection Policy (ERTEs) in Spain

The pandemic and the current situation have caused working poverty and therefore social risk, which implies a deterioration in well-being, affecting mental health and anxiety. In this context, the employment situation tends to be regarded ignoring previous social differences, economic and mental components, which should be considered when establishing priorities to program a global action of various synergistic elements. The study involved 4686 people (3500 women and 1186 men). They all completed a questionnaire that evaluated their anxiety, employment situation, income, changes of working status, and fears of becoming infected at the workplace. The results show the need to take into account the social determinants of mental health in vulnerable groups due to socioeconomic factors, job changes, contractual changes, age, or gender, considering the need to generate strategies to manage mental health and deal with it at a structural level, therefore displacing individual focus policies and interventions. An example of these policies are ERTEs (record of temporary employment regulation), constituting a perceived measure of protection and acting as an effective buffer against the economic crisis, thus reducing anxiety.
A Study of 42 Partially Edentulous Patients with Single-Crown Restorations and Implants to Compare Bone Loss Between Crestal and Subcrestal Endosseous Implant Placement

Background The purpose of the study was to evaluate the influence of dental implant placement at different bone levels upon the resultant postoperative peri-implant bone loss. Material/Methods Forty-two partially edentulous patients seeking implant-supported single-crown restorations were screened followed by segregation into 2 groups (GP), GP E (equicrestal) and GP S (subcrestal) (n=21 each). Sixty endosseous implants (30 each) (Adin Tourage-S, Israel), size 3.5/8 and 4/10 mm for mandible, were placed using a 2-stage surgical procedure. At 4 to 6 months, straight abutments were attached followed by restoration (Vita Zahnfabrik, Germany). Crestal bone levels (mesial/distal) of implant fixtures were assessed at 5 time intervals (after surgery, and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months) using digital radiography. Means and standard deviations were calculated, following which the differences were statistically analyzed using ANOVA at P value of <0.05. Results The mean annual bone loss for GP S (1.96 mm) was higher than GP E (1.10 mm). At all studied time intervals, the bone loss for implants in GP S was higher than in GP E (P<0.05). Between time intervals, lowest bone loss was observed on the distal side in GP E (0.11 mm/6–9 month) and the highest bone loss was observed on the distal side of GP S (0.6 mm/9–12 month). Differences in the means between the 2 groups on mesial and distal sides were statistically significant at all time intervals (P<0.05). Conclusions Subcrestal implant placement was associated with more bone loss than when implants are placed at the crestal level.
Quasi-Static Characteristics of a Two-Conductor Multi-Layer Microstrip Transmission Line with Dielectric Overlay and a Notch between the Strips

Different methods for controlling the coupling between a two-conductor microstrip transmission line are investigated in this paper. The transmission line consists of two thin perfectly conducting strips with a rectangular notch between the strips, two layers of dielectric substrate, and a dielectric overlay. The formulation and solution technique are based on the equivalence principle, a free space Green's function, and the method of moments. It has been found that the coupling between the conducting lines can be reduced significantly if dielectric material between the lines is removed. Further reduction in coupling is observed when the relative permittivity of the upper substrate layer is made smaller than that of the lower substrate. Coupling can be maximized if the notch is filled with dielectric material having large relative permittivity compared to that of the substrates. If the strips are covered with a dielectric overlay (or superstrate), the coupling will be substantially increased. Moreover, wit.
A new ranked set sample estimator of variance

Summary. We develop an unbiased estimator of the variance of a population based on a ranked set sample. We show that this new estimator is better than estimating the variance based on a simple random sample and more efficient than the estimator based on a ranked set sample proposed by Stokes. Also, a test to determine the effectiveness of the judgment ordering process is proposed.
Dynamical diffraction of neutrons and transition from beam splitter to phase shifter case

This paper presents formulas for the transmission and the reflection of neutrons on a perfect crystal blade in symmetric Laue geometry. While the standard formulas are valid either for the situation very close to the Bragg condition or far off the Bragg condition (index of refraction model) the formulas presented here smoothly cover the whole range of transition. The paper concludes with experimental considerations.
On the heat transport in a sunspot penumbra

The penumbra radiates an energy flux that is roughly 75% of the quiet-sun value. One mechanism proposed to bring this flux to the surface is interchange convection of magnetic flux tubes according to which hot flux tubes rise to the surface, cool off their heat by radiation and sink down again. Another way to deposit heat in the penumbral photosphere is by steady upflows along magnetic flux tubes. We discuss these two mechanisms and elaborate on consequences that can be compared with and constrained by observations. We estimate the time scales for variations of the intensity and the magnetic field pattern. By comparing them with the corresponding observed time scales, we find that pure interchange convection is unable to account for the observed penumbral heat flux. Heating the penumbra by steady upflows along magnetic flux tubes, however, turns out to be sufficient to explain the penumbral brightness, under the condition that significant magnetic return flux is present within the penumbra. Associated with the magnetic return flux, downflows within the penumbra should be present, in accordance with recent observational findings of such downflows. Exploring other possible heating mechanisms, we find that dissipation of magnetic energy is negligible, while dissipation of the kinetic energy of the Evershed flow could contribute significantly to the brightness of the penumbra.
Insights on Metrosexuality and Consumption for Marketers in South-East Europe

This article explores the emergence of metrosexuals among millennial men in five South-East Europe (SEE) countries and their subculture of consumption. It qualitatively studies their beliefs about masculinity and metrosexuality, and it identifies their purchasing behaviours’ of grooming products online and offline by employing digital extended self-theory to provide strategic guidance for marketers and new insights for academics. This qualitative study includes ten semi-structured in-depth interviews and one hundred qualitative open-ended questionnaires. Additionally, it employs netnography to analyze the subculture of consumption of male metrosexuality in two representative blogs. The findings reveal that SEE millennial men embrace a dual identity, a traditional masculine identity, which co-exists with their metrosexuality, creating an emotional conflict as they differ along an accepted to extreme continuum. Metrosexual men are heavy users of personal grooming products favouring online purchasing (1) due to the frequent lack of retail availability in SEE countries and (2) their sense of embarrassment––the underlying emotional conflict. This study directly challenges the existing academic literature, which supports the dominance of traditional masculine identity among developing countries. For both marketers and academics, it presents a different market reality. Metrosexual males show a distinctly different self-identity online from offline. Social media provides them with a safe space, which is often subject to public embarrassment in offline settings. These findings have note-worthy implications for marketing practitioners including communication messaging, social media strategy, brand identity and presence, and product development. They provide insights for both practitioners and academics regarding the subculture of consumption of metrosexuals in the historically macho male-dominated SEE regions.
WHT observations of cataclysmic variables in globular clusters. III, V4 in M30 during quiescence

We report the results of William Herschel telescope (WHT) observations of the candidate globular-cluster dwarf nova, V4 in M30. We find that, on the basis of its quiescent magnitude and colours, its outburst magnitude and its radial velocity, V4 is likely to be a foreground object in the field of M30. In addition, it is probably a short-period system near the period gap
Irreversibility field up to 42 T of GdBa2Cu3O7-δ thin films grown by PLD and its dependence on deposition parameters

We investigated the irreversibility field of GdBa2Cu3O7 − δ thin films grown epitaxially by pulsed laser deposition on single crystalline LaAlO3(100) substrates in pulsed magnetic fields up to 42 T and at temperatures between 50 and 100 K. The critical temperature Tc reached values of 93.5 K with a ΔTc of 0.6 K and an inductively measured self-field critical current density Jc at 77 K of 3.7 MA cm − 2. The pulsed magnetic field measurements yield a strong dependence of Hirr on the deposition rate, but the film thickness has a small influence on the resistive transition in high magnetic fields. A maximum irreversibility field Hirr of 40.1 T was measured at a temperature of 50 K for a 300 nm thick film.
A class of impulsive nonautonomous differential equations and Ulam–Hyers–Rassias stability

In this paper, we study a model described by a class of impulsive nonautonomous differential equations. This new impulsive model is more suitable to show dynamics of evolution processes in pharmacotherapy than the classical one. We apply Krasnoselskii's fixed point theorem to obtain existence of solutions. Meanwhile, we mainly present the sufficient conditions on Ulam–Hyers–Rassias stability on both compact and unbounded intervals. Many analysis techniques are used to derive our results. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Phytosociology and species diversity in the catchment of Ratle hydro-electric project, District Kishtwar –J&K (India)

This study deals with the phytosociology and plant diversity in the 10 km radius influence zone of Ratle hydro-electric catchment area in district Kishtwar (J&K). Quadrats of varying sizes were laid to record the parameters like frequency, density, abundance and IVI for trees, shrubs and herbs. The data obtained was further computed to analyse the species diversity using Shannon- Wiener’s index. The results revealed the dominance of Quercus baloot, Vitex negundo and Viola pilosa for trees, shrubs and herbs, respectively. The computation of diversity index showed that species richness and evenness remained relatively lower for trees and shrubby flora whereas relatively higher in case of herbaceous vegetation.
Uniting Through Difference: Rich Cultural-Identity Expression as a Conduit to Inclusion

Although previous research suggests that bringing attention to minority cultural identities in the workplace can lead to professional penalties, this research provides promising evidence that the opposite can occur. I examine how cultural minority employees engaging in rich and meaningful conversations about their racial, ethnic, and national backgrounds (referred to as rich cultural-identity expression) influences majority-group coworkers’ inclusive behaviors, such as majority-group employees’ willingness to socially integrate with and professionally support minority coworkers. Three experiments found evidence of majority-group employees behaving more—not less—inclusively toward minority coworkers who engaged in rich cultural-identity expression, as opposed to small talk that did not bring attention to a minority cultural background. Even when minority employees richly expressed negatively valenced cultural information that could provoke anxiety (such as issues with discrimination), this form of sharing had positive effects on most measures of inclusive behavior in Studies 2 and 3 (although one exception was found in Study 3). No benefits were observed when minority employees engaged in surface-level cultural-identity expression (Studies 2 and 3) and intimate, noncultural self-disclosure (Study 2). The power of rich cultural-identity expression is its ability to increase majority-group individuals’ status perceptions of, feelings of closeness to, and sense of learning potential from minority coworkers. This research provides promising evidence that minority employees may be able to express valued aspects of their cultural identities while gaining—as opposed to jeopardizing—inclusion. Funding: This work was supported by the Wharton Behavioral Laboratory and the Wharton Dean’s Research Fund. Supplemental Material: The e-companion is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.2022. 1648 .
Seasonal and Spatial Variations of the Oxidative Properties of Ambient PM2.5 in the Po Valley, Italy, before and during COVID-19 Lockdown Restrictions

This study describes the chemical and toxicological characteristics of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in the Po Valley, one of the largest and most polluted areas in Europe. The investigated samples were collected in the metropolitan area of Milan during the epidemic lockdown and their toxicity was evaluated by the oxidative potential (OP), measured using ascorbic acid (OPAA) and dithiothreitol (OPDTT) acellular assays. The study was also extended to PM2.5 samples collected at different sites in the Po Valley in 2019, to represent the baseline conditions in the area. Univariate correlations were applied to the whole dataset to link the OP responses with the concentrations of the major chemical markers of vehicular and biomass burning emissions. Of the two assays, OPAA was found mainly sensitive towards transition metals released from vehicular traffic, while OPDTT towards the PM carbonaceous components. The impact of the controlling lockdown restrictions on PM2.5 oxidative properties was estimated by comparing the OP values in corresponding time spans in 2020 and 2019. We found that during the full lockdown the OPAA values decreased to 80–86% with respect to the OP data in other urban sites in the area, while the OPDTT values remained nearly constant.
Delivery of Therapeutic Biopolymers Employing Silica-Based Nanosystems

The use of nanoparticles is crucial for the development of a new generation of nanodevices for clinical applications. Silica-based nanoparticles can be tailored with a wide range of functional biopolymers with unique physicochemical properties thus providing several advantages: (1) limitation of interparticle interaction, (2) preservation of cargo and particle integrity, (3) reduction of immune response, (4) additional therapeutic effects and (5) cell targeting. Therefore, the engineering of advanced functional coatings is of utmost importance to enhance the biocompatibility of existing biomaterials. Herein we will focus on the most recent advances reported on the delivery and therapeutic use of silica-based nanoparticles containing biopolymers (proteins, nucleotides, and polysaccharides) with proven biological effects.