Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ultrafast optical phase modulation with metallic nanoparticles in ion-implanted bilayer silica

The nonlinear optical response of metallic-nanoparticle-containing composites was studied with picosecond and femtosecond pulses. Two different types of nanocomposites were prepared by an ion-implantation process, one containing Au nanoparticles (NPs) and the other Ag NPs. In order to measure the optical nonlinearities, we used a picosecond self-diffraction experiment and the femtosecond time-resolved optical Kerr gate technique. In both cases, electronic polarization and saturated absorption were identified as the physical mechanisms responsible for the picosecond third-order nonlinear response for a near-resonant 532 nm excitation. In contrast, a purely electronic nonlinearity was detected at 830 nm with non-resonant 80 fs pulses. Regarding the nonlinear optical refractive behavior, the Au nanocomposite presented a self-defocusing effect, while the Ag one presented the opposite, that is, a self-focusing response. But, when evaluating the simultaneous contributions when the samples are tested as a multilayer sample (silica–Au NPs–silica–Ag NPs–silica), we were able to obtain optical phase modulation of ultra-short laser pulses, as a result of a significant optical Kerr effect present in these nanocomposites. This allowed us to implement an ultrafast all-optical phase modulator device by using a combination of two different metallic ion-implanted silica samples. This control of the optical phase is a consequence of the separate excitation of the nonlinear refracting phenomena exhibited by the separate Au and Ag nanocomposites.
Mitotic Inheritance of mRNA Facilitates Translational Activation of the Osteogenic‐Lineage Commitment Factor Runx2 in Progeny of Osteoblastic Cells

Epigenetic mechanisms mediate the acquisition of specialized cellular phenotypes during tissue development, maintenance and repair. When phenotype‐committed cells transit through mitosis, chromosomal condensation counteracts epigenetic activation of gene expression. Subsequent post‐mitotic re‐activation of transcription depends on epigenetic DNA and histone modifications, as well as other architecturally bound proteins that “bookmark” the genome. Osteogenic lineage commitment, differentiation and progenitor proliferation require the bone‐related runt‐related transcription factor Runx2. Here, we characterized a non‐genomic mRNA mediated mechanism by which osteoblast precursors retain their phenotype during self‐renewal. We show that osteoblasts produce maximal levels of Runx2 mRNA, but not protein, prior to mitotic cell division. Runx2 mRNA partitions symmetrically between daughter cells in a non‐chromosomal tubulin‐containing compartment. Subsequently, transcription‐independent de novo synthesis of Runx2 protein in early G1 phase results in increased functional interactions of Runx2 with a representative osteoblast‐specific target gene (osteocalcin/BGLAP2) in chromatin. Somatic transmission of Runx2 mRNAs in osteoblasts and osteosarcoma cells represents a versatile mechanism for translational rather than transcriptional induction of this principal gene regulator to maintain osteoblast phenotype identity after mitosis. J. Cell. Physiol. 231: 1001–1014, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sound source localization in 3-D space by a triple-microphone algorithm

In this paper we present a novel technique which localizes sound source with acceptable accuracy and low time complexity. In this technique, contrary to former localization techniques in 3-D space, only three microphones are sufficient. Instead of searching the entire space domain for the sound source, we first estimate an approximate point of the sound source according to the time delays and the ratio of energy received by each pair of microphones. Then, we enhance our estimation by applying an error criterion to points in vicinity of the estimated point. Simulation results show performance of our work, especially when considering the processing time of algorithms as a metric.
Long-Term Expression of β-Glucuronidase by Genetically Modified Human Neural Progenitor Cells Grafted into the Mouse Central Nervous System

Mucopolysaccharidosis type VII (MPS VII) is an inherited disease caused by beta-glucuronidase (beta-glu) deficiency. This deficiency results in the lysosomal accumulation of glycosaminoglycans in all tissues and affects a wide range of organs, including the central nervous system (CNS). Gene transfer is a promising approach to therapy for MPS VII because it allows extensive delivery of the enzyme to the affected tissues. We studied neurotransplantation of primary human cells to supply beta-glucuronidase to the CNS. Human neural progenitor cells (HNPC) were amplified and cotransduced with two lentiviral vectors, one encoding the green fluorescent protein and the other the human beta-glu. We show that these cells strongly expressed both transgenes in culture. When grafted into the mouse striatum, HNPC differentiated into neurons and astrocytes and expressed the two transgenes for at least 6 months. This study therefore paves the way for the treatment of MPS VII by long-term delivery of the appropriate enzyme.
iso 14001 environmental management

International standard ISO 14001 helps companies to control their environmental impact and achieve sustainable growth. It belongs to the ISO 14000 family of environmental management standards that were drawn up in 1996. Following the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, also known as the Earth Summit, that was held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, ISO’s Technical Committee 207 set out to work towards achieving sustainable development.
Cooperative Virtual Data Center: Sharing Data and Resources among Multiple Computing Entities

Existing data centers are each individually owned and operated by a single entity. This situation creates an excessive financial burden upon each entity through the need to overprovision for hardware. While this state of affairs enables a secure and an efficient maintenance scheme for the data center, the financial drawbacks are perhaps excessive. To address the concern, we propose the idea of a cooperative virtual data center among multiple entities that is founded on the principal of fair resource sharing amongst the entities.
goSAT: Floating-point satisfiability as global optimization

We introduce goSAT, a fast and publicly available SMT solver for the theory of floating-point arithmetic. We build on the recently proposed XSat solver [1] which casts the satisfiability problem to a corresponding global optimization problem. Compared to XSat, goSAT is an integrated tool combining JIT compilation of SMT formulas and NLopt, a feature-rich mathematical optimization backend. We evaluate our tool using several optimization algorithms and compare it to XSat, Z3, and MathSat. Our evaluation demonstrates promising results.
Transgenic Mice Overexpressing Nuclear SREBP-1 c in Pancreatic-Cells

Influx of excess fatty acids and the resultant accumulation of intracellular triglycerides are linked to impaired insulin secretion and action in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes. Sterol regulatory element–binding protein (SREBP)-1c is a transcription factor that controls cellular synthesis of fatty acids and triglycerides. SREBP-1c is highly expressed in high-energy and insulin-resistant states. To investigate effects of this synthetic lipid regulator on insulin secretion, we generated transgenic mice overexpressing nuclear SREBP-1c under the insulin promoter. -Cell–specific expression of SREBP-1c caused reduction in islet mass and impaired glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and was associated with accumulation of triglycerides, suppression of pancreas duodenal homeobox-1, and upregulation of uncoupling protein 2 gene expression. The mice presented with impaired glucose tolerance that was exacerbated by a high-energy diet. Taken together with enhanced insulin secretion from SREBP-1–null islets, these data suggest that SREBP-1c and endogenous lipogenesis could be involved in -cell dysfunction and diabetes. Diabetes 54:492–499, 2005
Curbing Managerial Myopia: The Role of Managerial Overconfidence in Owner-Managed Firms and Professionally Managed Firms

We develop and test a model in which managerial overconfidence offsets the underinvestment problem arising from managerial myopia. Using a three-period investment model in which we capture managerial myopia by hyperbolic discounting, we show that both overconfident owner-managers and professional managers who have myopic preferences can enhance firm value (up to a point) by increasing investment. This value-enhancing role of overconfidence is more evident for professional managers than for owner-managers. The results from simulation and empirical analyses support the model’s predictions. Thus, while managers’ cognitive biases, when considered separately, negatively impact firm performance, they can be beneficial when considered jointly.
Biodegradation of phenols by the alga Ochromonas danica

The eukaryotic alga Ochromonas danica, a nutritionally versatile, mixotrophic chrysophyte, grew on phenol as the sole carbon source in axenic culture and removed the phenol carbon from the growth medium. Respirometric studies confirmed that the enzymes involved in phenol catabolism were inducible and that the alga oxidized phenol; the amount of oxygen consumed per mole of oxidized substrate was approximately 65% of the theoretical value. [U-14C]phenol was completely mineralized, with 65% of the 14C label appearing as 14CO2, approximately 15% remaining in the aqueous medium, and the rest accounted for in the biomass. Analysis of the biomass showed that 14C label had been incorporated into the protein, nucleic acid, and lipid fractions; phenol carbon is thus unequivocally assimilated by the alga. Phenol-grown cultures of O. danica converted phenols to the corresponding catechols, which were further metabolized by the meta-cleavage pathway. This surprising result was rigorously confirmed by taking the working stock culture through a variety of procedures to check that it was axenic and repeating the experiments with algal extracts. This is, as far as is known, the first definitive identification of the meta-cleavage pathway for aromatic ring degradation in a eukaryotic alga, though its incidence in other eukaryotes has been (infrequently) suggested.
Pentobarbital reduces basal liver glucose output and its insulin suppression in rats.

Recent reports conflict on the effect that pentobarbital anesthesia has on basal glucose turnover in the rat. It is also unclear whether pentobarbital alters insulin suppressibility of hepatic glucose production (Ra). We examined these issues by performing basal and hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp studies in anesthetized and conscious animals. Ra and glucose utilization (Rd) were estimated using a steady-state infusion of 3-[3H]glucose. Pentobarbital anesthesia in normothermic rats transiently elevated plasma glucose but resulted in a sustained suppression of basal Ra (10.4 +/- 0.3 vs. conscious 13.2 +/- 0.9 mg.kg-1.min-1, P less than 0.05). In the insulin-stimulated state (110 mU/l), despite similar plasma glucose and insulin levels, clamp glucose infusion rate was significantly reduced in anesthetized animals (11.1 +/- 0.9 vs. conscious 23.6 +/- 1.3 mg.kg-1.min-1, P less than 0.001). This can be attributed to both a significantly lower insulin-stimulated Rd (15.4 +/- 1.3 vs. conscious 22.8 +/- 1.4 mg.kg-1.min-1, P less than 0.005) and reduced insulin suppression of Ra (4.3 +/- 0.8 vs. conscious -0.8 +/- 0.5 mg.kg-1.min-1, P less than 0.001; i.e., anesthetized 59% vs. conscious 100% reduction of basal Ra). Thus pentobarbital anesthesia significantly reduces basal Ra and induces hepatic insulin resistance (reduces Ra suppressibility). Pentobarbital effects are not dependent on induced hypothermia, but this exacerbates the metabolic perturbation. Caution should be used in extrapolating from the anesthetized to the conscious state.
USING DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES TO DETECT NON-MCAR PROCESSES IN LINEAR REGRESSION MODELS WITH MISSING COVARIATES

This paper presents methods to analyze and detect non-MCAR processes that lead to missing covariate values in linear regression models. First, the data situation and the problem is sketched. The next section provides an overview of the methods that deal with missing covariate values. The idea of using outlier methods to detect non-MCAR processes is described in section 3. Section 4 uses these ideas to introduce a graphical method to visualize the problem. Possible extensions conclude the presentation.
Mutational analysis of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Rev transactivator: essential residues near the amino terminus

The expression of certain mRNAs from human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is controlled by the viral transactivator Rev, a nucleolar protein that binds a cis-acting element in these mRNAs. Rev is encoded by two viral exons that specify amino acids 1 to 26 and 27 to 116, respectively. Earlier studies have mapped essential regions of the protein that are encoded in the second exon. By further mutational analysis of Rev, we have now identified a novel locus encoded by the first exon that also is essential for transactivation in vivo. Defined by mutations at residues 14 to 20, this locus coincides with a cluster of positively charged and nonpolar amino acids that is conserved in Rev proteins of all known primate immunodeficiency viruses. Rev proteins that contained mutations at this site were defective in both nuclear localization and transactivation and did not function as trans-dominant inhibitors of wild-type Rev. Fusion of these mutants to a heterologous nuclear protein complemented the defect in localization but did not restore biological activity. Our findings suggest that this N-terminal locus may play a direct role in transactivation, perhaps contributing to essential protein-protein interactions or forming part of the RNA-binding domain of Rev.
Quality of Life and Cost of Care of Back Pain Patients in Finnish General Practice

Study Design. A cohort of 114 primary care patients were studied for 1 year before and 1 year after a randomized clinical trial. Objectives. To explore the therapy use, societal costs, and quality of life of patients with prolonged back pain. To compare the effects of physiotherapy, bone setting, and light exercise therapy on these measures. Summary of Background Data. Analyses of back pain have mostly focused on the minority of patients who cause high costs and a heavy burden on national economies. The majority with low costs have aroused less interest. The patient’s choice of therapy, especially alternative medicine, has seldom been evaluated despite the increasing popularity of alternative therapies. Methods. Data were collected from the Social Insurance Institution files, patient records, and questionnaires: the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP). Results. One year before enrollment a third of the patients had consulted primary care. Half of them had had some therapy: mainly massage, physiotherapy, naprapathy, or bone setting. One third of the direct costs were spent on complementary therapies and another third on rehabilitation. Sick leaves accounted for 55% of the total costs (US$ 1029). The mean total costs slightly increased after the randomized therapies (US$ 1306). The costs of ambulatory care, with the study therapies included, were similar, whereas physiotherapy seemed the cheapest (US$ 621) and bone setting the most expensive (US$ 2072) alternative in view of the total costs. More NHP subscales were improved by physiotherapy and bone setting than by exercise. Conclusions. A third of the direct back pain costs were spent on complementary therapies. The use of health care services and absenteeism tended to decrease after a course of physiotherapy. Physiotherapy and bone setting seemed able to improve the quality of life of patients with prolonged back pain.
Advancing the Growth of Cloud Services in Africa: Trends, Challenges and Opportunities

Cloud computing is growing significantly day by day, and has created a shift in the IT industry. It brings several advantages of having the potential to bolster economic growth through the provision of cost savings and efficiencies by delivering computing as a service, such as self-service, on-demand, broad network access, rapid elasticity, resource pooling, and measured service. Today, individuals and organizations are fast embracing and adopting cloud computing to take advantages that the technology brings. While the growth of the cloud technology is growing exponentially in the North American, European and Far Asian countries, the case of the Africa seem to be difference as the growth rate is at the lowest level. This paper presents the trends and the challenges of advancing the cloud technology and services in Africa with some recommendations on how these challenges can be solved.
Utilising Employees Performance Management System (EPMS) towards Enhancing Academic Staff Performance in Higher Education Institutions

Extrapolating from a widprior scholarly work, the present paper attempts to shed light on the gaps in the literature in terms academic staff performance in the higher education sector. It appears that, at the conceptual level; there is no clear framework concerning the relationships that could ideally guide the interactions between elements of employee performance management system (EPMS) and the performance of academic staff members. Additionally, there is also an obvious ambiguity about the role of change agents in enhancing the relationship between EPMS and staff performance. Subsequently, this paper intends to underline the notion of conceptualising the nexus between the dimensions of EPMS and academic personnel performance; and at the same time, the examination of change agents` contribution in this regard. The paper concludes its position by discussing the idea of EPMS, change agents and how HRM can play their respective role followed by recommendations for further research on each entity introspectively for the responsive development of higher institutions in Saudi Arabia.
Comparison of two rapid commercial tests with complement fixation for serologic diagnosis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections

The complement fixation (CF) test is the current reference serologic test for the diagnosis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection. However, it is reported to be insensitive and nonspecific, and it is labor intensive. To determine if a faster and more sensitive diagnosis of M. pneumoniae could be obtained, we examined 50 paired serum samples from patients with suspected M. pneumoniae infection by the CF test and two commercial rapid antibody detection kits, the Remel M. pneumoniae immunoglobulin G (IgG)-IgM antibody test system (Remel, Lenexa, Kans.) and the Seradyn Color Vue M. pneumoniae IgG-IgM kit (Seradyn, Indianapolis, Ind.). The Remel test, a 5-min qualitative immunobinding assay, detected antibodies in three patient serum samples with CF titers of 32 and in all but one sample with titers of > or = 64. The Seradyn test, a 40-min qualitative agglutination test, was less sensitive than CF or Remel. The Seradyn test was positive in 68% of cases, compared with 94 and 96% of cases tested by CF or Remel, respectively. Both commercial tests are faster and less technically demanding to perform than is the CF test.
Photochemical degradation of triazine herbicides — comparison of homogeneous and heterogeneous photocatalysis

Photochemical degradation of atrazine under different conditions was studied and compared, namely degradation via photocatalysis on TiO_2, UV C photolysis, and homogeneous photocatalysis in the presence of added ferric ions. The reaction rate constants in heterogeneous photocatalytic reactions on TiO_2 and of photolytic degradation by means of UV C light are similar, 0.018 min^−1 and 0.020 min^−1, respectively. The reaction rate constants in homogeneous photocatalytic reactions with Fe( iii ) added depend strongly on the Fe( iii ) concentration, 0.0017 min^−1 for 1.6 × 10^−6 mol l^−1 Fe( iii ) to 0.105 min^−1 for 3.3 × 10^−4 mol l^−1 Fe( iii ). In all types of reactions, dechlorination was observed; in homogeneous photocatalytic reactions and in UV C (250–300 nm) photolysis, dechlorination proceeds with a 1 : 1 stoichiometry to atrazine degradation, in photocatalytic reactions on TiO_2, dechlorination measured as chloride ion release reaches only 1/5 of the substrate degradation. In photocatalytic reactions on TiO_2, mineralisation of 40% carbon was observed.
Job Satisfaction: Are Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives Beneficial And Do Different Governance Structures Matter?

The non-financial benefits of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives remain an understudied controversy in the literature. We draw on elements of stakeholder theory to investigate the effect of multiple CSR initiatives on job satisfaction for a widespread set of medium-sized Canadian companies. We explore this relationship further by focusing on the moderating effects of governance control structures. Data on these variables is captured through the lens of CFO/controller perceptions because of their intimate governance gatekeeping over firms’ control structure/systems. In this respect, we assume that CFOs are among the instrumental drivers in advancing an organization’s unfolding social consciousness. Research findings in this study reveal the criticality of examining this linkage within the context of the performance-based versus conformance-based dimensions of an organization’s corporate governance control structure – two governance dimensions championed by the International Federation of Accountants (2009). Results for low/high levels of performance-based control structures manifest different interaction configurations of statistically significant CSR variables that heighten job satisfaction. However, significant interaction effects under low/high levels featuring compliance-based control structures are not forthcoming, despite the presence of significant main effects in the CSR/job satisfaction relationship. These findings offer firms a more comprehensive practical understanding of benefits associated with investments in particular CSR strategies while grooming specific control structures, as well as offering researchers new control variables to model in the CSR domain.
Organization of efferent projections from the parabrachial area to the hypothalamus: a Phaseolus vulgaris‐leucoagglutinin study in the rat

The organization of projections from the parabrachial (PB) area to the hypothalamus was studied in the rat by using microinjections of Phaseolus vulgaris‐leucoagglutinin (PHA‐L) into subregions of the PB area. The present study is a follow‐up of two former studies (Bernard et al. [1993] J. Comp. Neurol. 329:201‐229; Aldén et al. [1994] J. Comp. Neurol. 341:289‐314) that examined PB projections onto the amygdala and the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis.