Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gelation and long-time relaxation of aqueous solutions of Pluronic F127

We have studied the gelation dynamics of solutions of Pluronic F127, a triblock copolymer, using oscillatory rheometry. As the solutions are slowly heated from 10 to 85 ° C, they undergo a transition from sol to gel around room temperature, followed by a gel-sol transition at a higher temperature. The sol-gel transition temperature decreases and the width in the temperature of the gel phase broadens with increasing concentration. The reverse transitions occur on cooling. Both transitions are hysteretic, and the temperature range over which the transitions occur is different on cooling than on heating. Near the phase transitions, the rheological relaxation time becomes very long, up to of order τ s ∼ 10 4 s. Gelation in Pluronic solutions is due to the arrangement of micelles into an organized large-scale structure, and our results suggest that the rearrangement of micelles into or out of the gel structure is a slow process at temperatures within the phase transitions.We have studied the gelation dynamics of solutions of Pluronic F127, a triblock copolymer, using oscillatory rheometry. As the solutions are slowly heated from 10 to 85 ° C, they undergo a transition from sol to gel around room temperature, followed by a gel-sol transition at a higher temperature. The sol-gel transition temperature decreases and the width in the temperature of the gel phase broadens with increasing concentration. The reverse transitions occur on cooling. Both transitions are hysteretic, and the temperature range over which the transitions occur is different on cooling than on heating. Near the phase transitions, the rheological relaxation time becomes very long, up to of order τ s ∼ 10 4 s. Gelation in Pluronic solutions is due to the arrangement of micelles into an organized large-scale structure, and our results suggest that the rearrangement of micelles into or out of the gel structure is a slow process at temperatures within the phase transitions.
Social Capital, Sensemaking, and Recovery: Japanese Companies and the 2011 Earthquake

The earthquake that hit East Japan in March 2011 caused massive damage. While widespread disruption to global supply chains was predicted, production resumed with remarkable speed. This article describes how resources from the networks of damaged companies were rapidly mobilized and deployed, enabling rapid restoration of production. It uses the concepts of social capital and sensemaking to explain the speed of recovery. Social capital facilitated rapid mobilization, and strategies to build shared mental models permitted effective coordination under complex and rapidly evolving conditions. The ability to mobilize and focus resources is crucial to disaster recovery.
Molecular Dynamics Simulations, Exact NOE Measurements, and Machine Learning Reveal a Low-populated State of the UUCG RNA Tetraloop

Many RNA molecules are dynamic, but characterizing their motions 14 by experiments is often difficult, often requiring application of complex NMR 15 experiments. Computational methods such as molecular dynamics simulations, 16 on the other hand, still suffer from difficulties in sampling and remaining force 17 field errors. Here, we provide an atomic-detailed description of structure and 18 dynamics of the 14-mer UUCG RNA stem-loop by combining molecular dynamics 19 simulations with exact nuclear Overhauser enhancement data. The integration of 20 experiments and simulation via a Bayesian/Maximum entropy approach enable 21 us to discover and characterize a new state of this molecule, which we show 22 samples two distinct states. The most stable conformation corresponds to the 23 native, consensus three-dimensional structure. The second, low-populated state 24 is characterized by the absence of the peculiar non-Watson-Crick base pair 25 between U and G in the loop region. We use machine learning methods to 26 analyse the MD simulation, that reveal the presence of specific proton-proton 27 contacts that characterize the alternative loop conformation. We identify these 28 contacts in the NOESY spectrum, thereby providing evidence for the existence of 29 the low-populated state. Together, our results demonstrate a new approach to 30 determine the structure and thermodynamics of conformational changes in RNA 31 molecules. 32 1 of 18 . CC-BY 4.0 International license is made available under a The copyright holder for this preprint (which was not peer-reviewed) is the author/funder. It . https://doi.org/10.1101/690412 doi: bioRxiv preprint
Molecular dynamics simulation of liquid water along the coexistence curve: Hydrogen bonds and vibrational spectra

Structure and dynamic properties of liquid water at temperatures between 298 and 523 K and densities between 0.75 and 1.20 g/cm3 have been investigated by molecular dynamics simulation. A flexible simple point charge potential has been asssumed for interactions. The hydrogen bonding structure in the different simulated states as well as the influence of the hydrogen bonds on the dynamic properties (self‐diffusion coefficients, vibrational spectra) is discussed. Special attention is paid to the intermolecular vibrational spectrum (10–400 cm−1). It has been corroborated that the band around 200 cm−1 can be attributed to intermolecular O–O stretching vibrations of pairs of H‐bonded bounded molecules. On the contrary, molecular dynamics results indicate that the band close to 50 cm−1 is independent of the existence of hydrogen bonds but depends on the density and temperature of the system. It is suggested that it is simply associated with vibrations of molecules in the cage formed by their neighbors. Shifts of librational and stretching bands as a function of the thermodynamic state are highly correlated with changes in the percentage of hydrogen bonded molecules.
Impact of the Tier system on SARS-CoV-2 transmission in the UK between the first and second national lockdowns

Objective: Measure the effects of the Tier system on the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK between the first and second national lockdowns, before the emergence of the B.1.1.7 variant of concern. Design: Modelling study combining estimates of the real-time reproduction number Rt (derived from UK case, death and serological survey data) with publicly available data on regional non-pharmaceutical interventions. We fit a Bayesian hierarchical model with latent factors using these quantities, to account for broader national trends in addition to subnational effects from Tiers. Setting: The UK at Lower Tier Local Authority (LTLA) level. Primary and secondary outcome measures: Reduction in real-time reproduction number Rt. Results: Nationally, transmission increased between July and late September, regional differences notwithstanding. Immediately prior to the introduction of the tier system, Rt averaged 1.3 (0.9-1.6) across LTLAs, but declined to an average of 1.1 (0.86-1.42) two weeks later. Decline in transmission was not solely attributable to Tiers. Tier 1 had negligible effects. Tiers 2 and 3 respectively reduced transmission by 6% (5%-7%) and 23% (21%-25%). 93% of LTLAs would have begun to suppress their epidemics if every LTLA had gone into Tier 3 by the second national lockdown, whereas only 29% did so in reality. Conclusions: The relatively small effect sizes found in this analysis demonstrate that interventions at least as stringent as Tier 3 are required to suppress transmission, especially considering more transmissible variants, at least until effective vaccination is widespread or much greater population immunity has amassed.
of cross-cultural

Preparing for international military collaboration includes raising knowledge about cultural differences. The differences in individualism-collectivism between countries are one of the most central aspects likely to impact collaboration. However, are the differences in individualism-collectivism between countries as documented in a significant amount of civilian research (e.g., Hofstede, 2001) generalizable to a military context? Or are the differences not the same in a military context, as suggested by Soeters (1997) on the bases of a values survey? Quasi-experiments were conducted in a distributed collaborative computer game environment. The study is multi-method, employing self-reporting, observer ratings and direct behavioral measures, and it is the first study of cross-cultural differences in individualism-collectivism in behavior in a military context. By studying differences in collectivist-type behaviors in a sample of military officers ( N = 154) in four different countries (the USA, the Netherlands, Sweden and Norway), this study seeks to determine whether the cross-cultural differences in values found by Soeters from a military context are reflected in behavior. The study also includes a values survey using Hofstede’s (2007) measurement tool, the Values Survey Module (VSM), consistent with Soeters’ study. The study is considered exploratory due to a somewhat limited sample. The results from the six different measures of collectivist behaviors provide no support for the suggestion that cross-cultural differences in individualism-collectivism are not the same in military organizations as in civilian organizations. Although not conclusive, the results raise doubt concerning the appropriateness of using the VSM in military samples. The implications are discussed.
Topology: A Theory of a Pseudometric-Based Clustering Model and Its Application in Content-Based Image Retrieval

The clustering problem has been extensively studied over the last 50 years; however, it still has the attention of researchers. This paper presents a topological basis of a pseudometric-based clustering model which takes into account the local and global topological properties of the data to be clustered, as per the definition of homogeneity measurement. The proposed approach takes into account the homogeneity effect produced when a new particle is added to a group. The additional element can be accumulated in the group if its local homogeneity is not altered and, therefore, it is not necessary to carry out tests in another group. A new group needs to be generated if the threshold of the local homogeneity of the group exceeds. Theoretical results, their implementation, and their application to the problem of Content Based Image Retrieval (CBIR) are presented. The tests were performed using three image databases widely used in the literature, which are “Vogel and Shiele,” “Oliva and Torralba,” and “L. Fei- Fei, R. Fergus and P. Perona. ” The results are presented and compared with the most competitive methods available in the literature.
Knowledge representation: logical, philosophical, and computational foundations

1. Logic. 2. Ontology. 3. Knowledge Representation. 4. Processes. 5. Purposes, Contexts, And Agents. 6. Knowledge Soup. 7. Knowledge Acquisition And Sharing. Appendixes: Appendix A: Summary Of Notations Appendix B: Sample Ontology. Appendix C: Extended Example. Answers To Selected Exercises. Bibliography. Name Index. Subject Index. Special Symbols.
Primary Productivity of Coastal Marshes in Mississippi

The annual net primary production of nine types of marsh communities common in Mississippi Gulf Coast estuaries were studied by means of the Harvest Method. Production values ranged from 600 g m-z yr-I for a Sugittaria lancifolia marsh to 2330 g m--2 yr-' for a Phrugmites communis marsh. Primary productivity values for the other marsh types are Juncus roemerianus 1697 g m-? yr-l, Scirpus robustus 1056 g m-? yr-' , Spartinu cynosuroides2190 g m--2 yr-', Spartina patens 1922 g m-? yr-',Spartina alternipora taU form 1964 g m-2 yr-I, S. alterniflora short form 1089 g m-' yr-' , and Distichlis spicuta 1484 g m-' yr-' . Annual net productivity in Mississippi marshes are generally slightly higher than those reported for the Atlantic marshes.
Trends in trace element concentrations in holocene bottom sediments of a lake Wielki Staw in the Karkonosze mountains

Lake sediments and peat bogs are “natural archives” of long-term changes in the quality of the natural environment at local and regional scales. However, due to technical difficulties the sediments of mountain lakes are rarely subject of geochemical analyses. Also, the sediments of Wielki Staw (1,225 m a.s.l.), the largest lake in the Karkonosze and entire Sudeten Mountains, have never been analyzed for trace elements. The aim of this study was to determine total content of Pb, Cu, Zn, Cd, Ni, Cr, Mn, and their vertical variations on the background of basic physical and chemical properties of sediments of Wielki Staw. The 11 mthick sediment profile, representing the entire Holocene period, was analyzed after being divided into 55 sections, each 20 cm thick. Bottom sediments are characterized by variable particle-size distribution (prevailing loamy textures), strongly acidic pH, and high content of organic matter and Fe (2,730-10,100 mg·kg), but low Ca (70-688 mg·kg) and Mg (567-2,450 mg·kg). Mean concentrations of trace elements are lower than in the sediments of Polish lowland lakes and close to the contents in mountain peatbogs and soils, and are generally correlated with the organic matter and fine earths. Pb, Mn, Zn, and Cu concentrations (4.65-81.8, 85.4-346, 11.9-50.3, and 3.05-19.5 mg·kg, respectively) are generally higher in the oldest (preand boreal) sediments and lower in younger sediments (postatlantic). Cr, Ni, and Cd (0.55-10.7, 1.40-7.35, and 0.25-1.15 mg·kg, respectively) contents do not express any trend throughout the profile. Increases of Cu, Zn, and especially Pb concentrations in the uppermost layer of sediments (down to 1.2-1.5 m) is not justified by the change of the physicochemical properties of sediments and may only be explained with atmosphere anthropogenic contamination in the Sudeten Mountains that began at the end of the first millennium AD and accelerated during the last three-four centuries.
Optimizing Fractional Intensity Threshold for FSLBrain Extraction Tool (BET) and Comparing with FreeSurfer on 3D T1W MR Images

Objective: To find out the optimal Brain Extraction Tool (BET) parameter (fractional intensity threshold) for measuring the brain volume compared with the standard manual method in our institute and to compare with those of automated FreeSurfer software Methods: This retrospective study was performed in 10 healthy adult subjects with data of 3D-T1W on 3T MR machine. The manual gold standard brain volume measurements were done by two independent readers. The automated segmentations using BET with varied parameters and FreeSurfer software were also performed. Then, the two automated methods were compared with the manual tracing to make the optimal parameter by seeking for the highest intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) using SPSS software. Results: The fractional intensity threshold for whole brain volume measurement of 0.1- 0.6 showed high ICC with the manual gold standard (ranging from 0.639 to 0.748). The best value was 0.1, showing highest ICC of 0.748 (p < 0.006) with confidence interval of 95% equal to (0.242; 0.932). There were no optimal parameters for right and left hippocampus volume measurement by BET due to very low ICC between BET and the reader (ICC ranging from 0.017 to 0.139 and from 0.012 to 0.110, for the right and left hippocampus volume, respectively). The ICC values of the automated FreeSurfer method with the manual tracing were also very low (0.063, 0.068, and 0.063 for right, left and bilateral hippocampi respectively). Conclusion: The optimal BET parameter (fractional intensity threshold) for automated brain volume measurement in our institute is 0.1 similar to the suggested value by prior study with high agreement (ICC=0.748) to the manual method.
A switching self-exciting jump di(cid:27)usion process for stock prices

This study proposes a new Markov switching process with clustering e(cid:27)ects. In this approach, a hidden Markov chain with a (cid:28)nite number of states modulates the parameters of a self-excited jump process combined to a geometric Brownian motion. Each regime corresponds to a particular economic cycle determining the expected return, the di(cid:27)usion coe(cid:30)cient and the long-run frequency of clustered jumps. We study (cid:28)rst the theoretical properties of this process and we propose a sequential Monte-Carlo method to (cid:28)lter the hidden state variables. We next develop a Markov Chain Monte-Carlo procedure to (cid:28)t the model to the S&P 500. Finally, we analyse the impact of such a jump clustering on implied volatilities of European options
Effect of agro-climatic conditions on near infrared spectra of extra virgin olive oils

Authentication of extra virgin olive oil requires fast and cost-effective analytical procedures, such as near infrared spectroscopy. Multivariate analysis and chemometrics have been successfully applied in several papers to gather qualitative and quant itative information of extra virgin olive oils from near infrared spectra. Moreover, there are many examples in the literature analysing the effect of agro-climatic conditions on food content, in general, and in olive oil components, in particular. But the majority of these studies considered a factor, a non-numerical variable, containing this meteorological information. The present work uses all the agro-climatic data with the aim of highlighting the linear relationships between them and the near infrared spectra. The study begins with a graphical motivation, continues with a bivariate analysis and, finally, applies redundancy analysis to extend and confirm the previous conclusions.
Effect of cover crop and tillage on fluometuron bioavailability

Studies were conducted in 1991 and 1992 to determine the effects of long-term no-tillage and cover crops on efficacy and degradation of fluometuron in the field. Experiments were established on an area which had been planted no-till (NT) or conventional-till (CT) into either no cover crop (NC) or vetch (VE) continuously since 1981. The study utilized a two-by-two factorial arrangement of treatments in which the factors consisted of tillage systems (CT or NT) and cover crop (VE or NC). Fluometuron was applied preemergence (PRE) at 1.7 kg ai ha"' broadcast. Soil samples were collected immediately after fluometuron application and at approximately 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, and 12 wk after treatment (WAT). Fluometuron was quantified by High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Visual evaluations of weed control were made at approximately 3, 7, and 9 WAT. Control of Palmer amaranth was lower in NT than in CT both years. Control of Palmer amaranth was not affected by cover crops. Degradation of fluometuron did not differ among treatments in either surface soils (0 to 4 cm) or subsurface soils (4 to 8 and 8 to 15 cm). Therefore the differences in Palmer amaranth control could not be explained by differences in degradation of fluometuron among treatments.
Effect of forced carbonation on the behavior of a magnesia-stabilized clay soil

Research on the method of forced carbonation on magnesium stabilized soil is limited. This paper presents an investigation into the behavior of a clay soil stabilized with MgO under forced carbonation and comparison with conventional chemical stabilization methods. The tests were conducted in two groups. In the first group the soil was mixed with 5, 10, 15 and 20% MgO or cement. Atterberg limits and compaction tests were conducted on these mixtures. Also, unconfined compressive strength (UCS) tests were performed on compacted samples from these mixtures at curing times of 7, 14 and 28 days. In the second group, samples prepared with different percents of MgO were subjected to CO 2 under pressures of 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 bar for periods of 4, 8, 12 and 24 hours. The results showed that adding MgO increases the strength of the soil and, like other binders, the amount of increase in strength depends on the percent of MgO and curing time. It is also resulted that the effect of MgO is less than cement in increasing the strength. It was revealed that forced carbonation can facilitate the stabilization of MgO-stabilized soil in a few hours compared with usual process that takes several days. XRD and SEM results showed that the gained strength is resulted from the interaction between the soil and the agents.
Amyloid Angiopathy as Neuroimaging Biomarker in Cerebral Peak Width of Skeletonized Mean Diffusivity

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Whole-brain network connectivity has been shown to be a useful biomarker of cerebral amyloid angiopathy and related cognitive impairment. We evaluated an automated DTI-based method, peak width of skeletonized mean diffusivity, in cerebral amyloid angiopathy, together with its association with conventional MRI markers and cognitive functions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included 24 subjects (mean age, 74.7 [SD, 6.0] years) with probable cerebral amyloid angiopathy and mild cognitive impairment and 62 patients with MCI not attributable to cerebral amyloid angiopathy (non-cerebral amyloid angiopathy – mild cognitive impairment). We compared peak width of skeletonized mean diffusivity between subjects with cerebral amyloid angiopathy – mild cognitive impairment and non-cerebral amyloid angiopathy – mild cognitive impairment and explored its associations with cognitive functions and conventional markers of cerebral small-vessel disease, using linear regression models. RESULTS: Subjects with Cerebral amyloid angiopathy – mild cognitive impairment showed increased peak width of skeletonized mean diffusivity in comparison to those with non-cerebral amyloid angiopathy – mild cognitive impairment ( P , .001). Peak width of skeletonized mean diffusivity values were correlated with the volume of white matter hyperintensities in both groups. Higher peak width of skeleton-ized mean diffusivity was associated with worse performance in processing speed among patients with cerebral amyloid angiopathy, after adjusting for other MRI markers of cerebral small vessel disease. The peak width of skeletonized mean diffusivity did not correlate with cognitive functions among those with non-cerebral amyloid angiopathy – mild cognitive impairment. CONCLUSIONS: Peak width of skeletonized mean diffusivity is altered in cerebral amyloid angiopathy and is associated with performance in processing speed. This DTI-based method may re ﬂ ect the degree of white matter structural disruption in cerebral amyloid angiopathy and could be a useful biomarker for cognition in this population
Assessment of Measuring Circulating Levels of Interleukin-6, Interleukin-8, C-Reactive Protein, Soluble Fcγ Receptor Type III, and Mannose-Binding Protein in Febrile Children with Cancer and Neutropenia

Circulating levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, soluble Fcγ receptor type III (sFcγRIII), mannose-binding protein (MBP), and C-reactive protein (CrP) were assessed among febrile children with cancer and neutropenia. Levels of IL-6, IL-8, sFcγRIII, MBP, and CrP were measured in serum from 56 pediatric cancer patients at the time of admission for 121 episodes of febrile neutropenia (88 febrile episodes without identifiable source, 5 clinically documented infections, 20 episodes of bacteremia due to gram-positive and 5 due to gram-negative organisms, and 3 fungal infections). IL-6 and IL-8 levels were higher in patients with either bacteremia due to gram-negative organisms or fungal infections than in patients with febrile episodes without an identifiable source (P <.00001 for each). IL-6 and IL-8 levels were higher in children with bacteremia due to gram-negative organisms than in those with bacteremia due to gram-positive organisms (P =.0011 and P =.0003, respectively). The measured levels of CrP, MBP, and sFcγRIII were not useful for identifying the type of infection. These preliminary results show the potential usefulness of IL-6 and IL-8 as early indicators for life-threatening infections in febrile cancer patients with neutropenia.