Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Investigation of Bias-Voltage Dependence of Radiation Power in Bi-2212 Intrinsic Josephson Junction THz-Wave Oscillators

Bias-voltage dependence of the radiation power of a THz-wave oscillator using Bi-based cuprate intrinsic Josephson junctions was investigated. A rectangular mesa with 80 × 300 × 2 μm3 was fabricated from a single crystal of the cuprate. The maximum power of 25 μW at a frequency of 0.514 THz was obtained by a bidirectional sweep in an I-V curve of the mesa. The power was two times higher than that obtained by a unidirectional sweep. The experimental result is qualitatively consistent with that of numerical simulation using the coupled sine-Gordon equation with the radiation boundary condition.
Digit recognition of Iranian license plate based on SOFM and naive Bayesian classifier

This paper presents license plate (LP) detection and recognition of Iranian LP digits. The proposed method can be divided into four major steps which are preprocessing, digit segmentation, feature extraction and finally classification using naive Bayesian (NB) classifier. In the preprocessing step, the obtained vehicle images are converted to the binary format based on a proposed threshold value. In the digit segmentation step, the LP digits are extracted from the image based on connected component labeling and some extracted characteristics of LP digits. In the feature extraction step, the self-organizing feature maps (SOFM) is used. In the classification step, the digits are recognized by a NB classifier which its performance is compared with a K-NN classifier. Various images in different conditions were used to test the proposed algorithm and experimental results demonstrated its robustness.
Cytokeratin expression in corneal dystrophies.

PURPOSE To identify an immunohistochemical pattern of epithelial markers in granular, lattice and Avellino corneal dystrophies. METHODS Twenty-two corneal buttons, diagnosed as lattice (17), Avellino (4) and granular (1) underwent immunohistochemical studies of cytokeratins (CKs) on paraffin-embedded sections (group I). Monoclonal antibodies for pan-CK (AE1/AE3) and CKs 3/12, 5/6, 8, 18 and 19 were used. Twenty-two normal corneas were used as the control (group II). RESULTS Six lattice and 2 Avellino cases of group I stained positively with anti-CK 3/12 in corneal epithelium and areas of corneal stroma deposits. One of these cases of lattice was positive for anti-pan-CK (AE1/AE3) also in the epithelium and areas of corneal stroma deposits with a similar pattern. None of the controls (group II) revealed any staining in corneal stroma. All disease and control cases (groups I and II) revealed positive staining in corneal epithelium. CONCLUSION AE1/AE3 and CK 3/12 anti-CK positive markers in the stromal deposits of lattice and Avellino dystrophies may suggest an epithelial genesis of the disease.
Glycoprotein electrophoretic patterns have potential to monitor changes associated with neoplastic transformation in oral cancer

Alterations in glycoproteins, important cell surface constituents, have long been associated with various malignancies. The present investigation therefore explored the clinical significance of a glycoproteomics approach in patients with oral precancerous conditions (OPC) and patients with oral cancer. The study included 80 oral cancer patients, 50 patients with OPC, and 84 controls. Native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by Schiff's staining was carried out to study the alterations in glycoproteins. The results showed significant elevation (p<0.0001) of 192 kDa, 170 kDa, 116 kDa and 44 kDa glycoproteins in oral cancer patients and patients with OPC compared with controls. The odds ratio indicated a significantly higher risk for oral cancer among users and especially chewers of tobacco. The levels of all the glycoprotein bands (192 kDa, 170 kDa, 116 kDa and 44 kDa) were higher in patients with a habit of tobacco use (WHT) than in patients with no habit of tobacco (NHT) and were also higher in WHT controls than in NHT controls. Moreover, a 230 kDa glycoprotein consistently appeared only in individuals with tobacco habits and an increasing trend was observed from WHT controls to patients with OPC to WHT oral cancer patients. In conclusion, the results indicated the potential utility of glycoprotein alterations in monitoring sequential changes occurring due to tobacco consumption during neoplastic transformation.
Interaction of multidrug resistance reversal agents with P-glycoprotein ATPase activity on blood-brain barrier.

AIM To gain further insights into the mechanism of the ATP-dependent interaction of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) with various multidrug resistance (MDR) reversal agents. METHODS Bovine brain capillary endothelial cells (BCEC) were isolated from cerebral gray matter using modifications of the mechanical homogenization technique. Plasma membranes were prepared from BCEC. The P- gp adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activity of the isolated BCEC membranes was estimated by measuring inorganic phosphate liberation. RESULTS The basal P-gp ATPase activity was increased by verapamil (Ver), vincristine (VCR), doxorubicin (Dox), tetrandrine (Tet), dauricine (DRC), berbamine (BBM), and daurisoline (DRS), with respective half-maximal activity concentrations Km of about 17, 5.9, 41, 2.3, 11, 23, and 22 micromol/L. Berberine (BBR) produced a relatively slight activation. dl-Tetrahydropalmatine (dl-THP) and l-tetrahydropalmatine (l-THP ) does not alter the basal P-gp ATPase activity. Cyclosporin A (CsA) inhibited both the basal and the drug-stimulated ATPase activity of P-gp with high affinity. Kinetic analysis indicated a competitive inhibition of Ver- or VCR-stimulated ATPase activity and a noncompetitive inhibition of Dox- or Tet-activated ATPase activity by CsA. Moreover, Dox inhibited Tet-activated P-gp ATPase activity in a noncompetitive manner. CONCLUSION Various MDR reversal agents could interact with P-gp and alter its ATPase activity in different manners. This is the result of the b road molecular recognition specificity of P-gp. CsA, Ver, and VCR could bin d P-gp either on overlapping sites or distant but interacting sites, while CsA, Dox, and Tet could independently bind P-gp on separated sites on blood-brain barrier.
Control of a Pediatric Pulsatile Ventricular Assist Device: A Hybrid Cardiovascular Model Study

The aim of this work is to study pediatric pneumatic ventricle (PVAD) performance, versus VAD rate (VADR) and native heart rate (HR) ratio Rr (VADR/HR). The study uses a hybrid model of the cardiovascular system (HCS). HCS consists of a computational part (a lumped parameter model including left and right ventricles, systemic and pulmonary arterial and venous circulation) interfaced to a physical part. This permits the connection of a VAD (15 mL PVAD). Echocardiographic and hemodynamic data of a pediatric patient (average weight 14.3 kg, HR 100 bpm, systemic pressure 75/44 mm Hg, CO 1.5 L/min) assisted apically with asynchronous PVAD were used to set up a basal condition in the model. After model tuning, the assistance was started, setting VAD parameters (ejection and filling pressures, systole duration) to completely fill and empty the PVAD. The study was conducted with constant HR and variable VADR (50-120, step 10, bpm). Experiments were repeated for two additional patients' HRs, 90 and 110 bpm and for two values of systemic arterial resistance (Ras ) and Emax . Experimental data were collected and stored on disk. Analyzed data include average left and right ventricular volumes (LVV, RVV), left ventricular flow (LVF), VAD flow (VADF), and total cardiac output (COt). Data were analyzed versus Rr. LVV and RVV are sensitive to Rr and a left ventricular unloading corresponds in general to a right ventricular loading. In the case of asynchronous assistance, frequency beats are always present and the beat rate is equal to the difference between HR and VADR. In the case of pulsatile asynchronous LVAD assistance, VADR should be chosen to minimize frequency beat effects and right ventricular loading and to maximize left ventricular unloading.
Chinese Overseas Students’ Perspectives on Benefits and Limitations of English Language Learning and Teaching between China and Thailand

This research aims to explore Chinese overseas students at a Thai university with regard to their perceived benefits and limitations, which are underpinned by the cultures of English language learning and teaching in China and in Thailand. Drawing upon the notion of “cultures of learning” (Cortazzi & Jin, 2013; Jin & Cortazzi, 1993, 1996), this study investigates the students’ expectations, beliefs, and values in terms of effective teaching styles, approaches and methods, learning strategies and styles, classroom interactions, activities, and the appropriate rapport between students and teacher. Based on the students’ focus-group data, the findings reveal that the Chinese students compared and contrasted the benefits and limitations in terms of educational philosophies, values, policies, and practices, linguistic and cultural diversity, and sociocultural contexts, which impacted on their situated learning styles and strategies. “Cultures of learning” were linguistically specific, culturally sensitive, contextually dependent, dynamic, agentive, and non-generalizable. The pedagogical implications are related to Chinese students’ academic, socio-psychological, socio-economic, cultural and political dimensions. This study addresses the students’ beliefs and practices in a language and culture immersion program at a Thai university, which, in retrospect, promote culturally appropriate and sensitive teaching of English for comparative overseas education between China and Thailand.
A Stochastic Optimization Approach to Rating of Energy Storage Systems in Wind-Diesel Isolated Grids

Wind-diesel systems represent a proactive step towards sustainable remote communities. However, for high ratios of wind energy, the necessity of a dump load and the diesel operating constraints need to be considered. Energy storage systems offer a means of optimizing energy use and further reducing consumption of diesel fuel. This paper proposes a methodology for storage sizing based on stochastic optimization. The problem is formulated and solved using representative data. The dependence of storage sizing and the cost of delivered energy on wind penetration levels, storage efficiency, and diesel operating strategies are considered. Results demonstrate that for high wind penetration, the availability of storage, together with an appropriate diesel operating approach, can result in significant cost savings in terms of fuel and operating costs.
Assessing the impact of closing global commodity yield gaps on food production and land-use change emissions from biofuels

The greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) associated with corn ethanol have received considerable attention over the last decade. Higher commodity prices from additional U.S. ethanol demand leads to landuse change in the U.S. and globally potentially leading to significant GHG emissions. Some research argues that higher commodity prices also result in yield increases above the trend. This yield increase is due to farmers changing management practices to increase returns. This paper sheds some light on the yield trends that are observed around the world and the possibility to increase yields above trend. This paper uses a global agricultural outlook model and GIS data to quantify the potential increase in global commodity yields. Note that this paper is an early draft of a book chapter in “Biofuels, Bioenergy, and Food Security: Technology, Institutions, and Policies” (Elsevier).
Bradykinin decreases K+ and increases Cl− conductances in vagal afferent neurones of the guinea pig

Bradykinin (BK) is an inflammatory mediator that can excite and sensitize primary afferent neurones. The nature of the ionic channels underlying the excitatory actions of BK is still incompletely understood. Using whole‐cell patch‐clamp recording from acutely dissociated nodose ganglion neurones (NGNs) we have examined the ionic mechanism responsible for BK's excitatory effect. Bath‐applied BK (0.1 μm) depolarized the membrane potential (29 ± 3.1 mV, n= 7), evoked action potentials, and induced an inward ionic current (IBK) with two distinctive membrane conductances (gm). Initially, gm decreased; the ionic current associated with this gm had a reversal potential (Erev) value of −87 ± 1.1 mV (n= 26), a value close to EK (−89 mV). Subsequently, gm increased; the ionic current associated with this gm had an estimated Erev of 49 ± 4.3 mV (n= 23). When the second component was isolated from the first component, by replacing [K+]o with Cs+, Erev was 20 ± 4.7 mV (n= 10). Replacing external NaCl with NMDG‐Cl or choline‐Cl, or reducing [Ca2+]o did not significantly diminish IBK. After replacing external NaCl with sodium isethionate, Erev for the second component shifted to 56 ± 8.8 mV (n= 4), a value close to the ECl (66 mV). The second component was inhibited by intracellular BAPTA or by bath application of niflumic acid (100 μm), a Ca2+‐activated Cl− channel blocker. These results suggest that the first and second components of IBK are produced by a decrease in K+ conductance and an increase in Ca2+‐activated Cl− conductance, respectively. The BK‐evoked Cl− conductance in NGNs may be the first demonstration of an inflammatory mediator exciting primary afferents via an anion channel.
The Effects of 12 Weeks of Step Aerobics Training on Functional Fitness of Elderly Women

Hallage, T, Krause, MP, Haile, L, Miculis, CP, Nagle, EF, Reis, RS, and Da Silva, SG. The effects of 12 weeks of step aerobics training on functional fitness of elderly women. J Strength Cond Res 24(8): 2261-2266, 2010-The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of 12 weeks of step aerobics (SA) training on the functional fitness of apparently healthy older women. Thirteen previously sedentary elderly women (mean age 63.14 years) participated in this study. Subjects performed 3 training sessions per week for 30-60 minutes per session. All measurements were assessed at baseline, after 12 weeks of training (posttest), and after 1 month of detraining. Assessments included the evaluation of body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), strength of the upper (arm-curl [AC] test) and lower body (30-second chair-stand test [CS]), dynamic balance and agility (8 foot up and go [8 ft]), flexibility (chair sit-and-reach [CSR]), and cardiorespiratory fitness (6-minute walk test [6MW]). Step aerobics significantly improved all functional fitness components except for BMI. The 12 weeks of SA promoted a large effect size in the following measurements: WC (d = 1.6); CSR (d = 1.51); CS (d = 1.49); AC (d = 1.41); 8 ft (d = 1.32); and 6MW (d = 1.06) (p < 0.05). These results indicate that 12 weeks of SA had a positive effect on the functional fitness components of these older women. Furthermore, these findings were confirmed by the reverse effect observed after 1 month of detraining, except for upper body strength (AC test). In conclusion, 12 weeks of SA training can promote improvements in the functional fitness of apparently healthy older women. Therefore, SA can be considered an effective exercise modality to prevent the loss of functional fitness and its associated consequences.
The Regulation of Mortgage Servicing: Lessons from the Financial Crisis

Pivotal litigation against the largest subprime mortgage servicer in the United States provides lessons about the appropriate regulation of mortgage servicing and adds to research about the causes of the financial crisis. Mortgage servicing is essential to the functioning of the financial system so servicers must be held to a high standard. The litigation revealed egregious practices but was settled quickly for a nominal amount and provided the servicer a very broad release of liability, allowing it to expand without correcting serious problems, and created significant wealth gains for the parent firm. Regulatory authority should not be split between agencies. (JEL G28, G21, K40)
Identification and Temperature Regulation ofLegionella pneumophila Genes Involved in Type IV Pilus Biogenesis and Type II Protein Secretion

ABSTRACT Previously, we had isolated by transposon mutagenesis aLegionella pneumophila mutant that appeared defective for intracellular iron acquisition. While sequencing in the proximity of the mini-Tn10 insertion, we found a locus that had a predicted protein product with strong similarity to PilB fromPseudomonas aeruginosa. PilB is a component of the type II secretory pathway, which is required for the assembly of type IV pili. Consequently, the locus was cloned and sequenced. Within this 4-kb region were three genes that appeared to be organized in an operon and encoded homologs of P. aeruginosa PilB, PilC, and PilD, proteins essential for pilus production and type II protein secretion. Northern blot analysis identified a transcript large enough to include all three genes and showed a substantial increase in expression of this operon when L. pneumophila was grown at 30°C as opposed to 37°C. The latter observation was then correlated with an increase in piliation when bacteria were grown at the lower temperature. Southern hybridization analysis indicated that the pilBlocus was conserved within L. pneumophila serogroups and other Legionella species. These data represent the first isolation of type II secretory genes from an intracellular parasite and indicate that the legionellae express temperature-regulated type IV pili.
Modulation of RGD-Functionalized Polyelectrolyte Multilayer Membranes for Promoting Osteoblast Function

Layer-by-layer deposition of polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) membranes has recently been applied successfully to a number of biomedical applications. This simple and versatile technique provides a broad surface modification platform, for example, for the display of biomolecules such as cell-adhesion peptides. In this work, we investigated the effects of PEM coatings on RGD-immobilization and osteoblast cell culture. RGD-containing peptides were conjugated to the amino groups of poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH), and then adsorbed on top of 10-layer PAH/poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) multilayer membranes that were assembled at either pH 2.0 or pH 6.5. MG63 osteoblast-like cells were then seeded and cultured on the RGD-conjugated surfaces. We found that the cells adhered to and grew better on the RGD-conjugated PEM membranes. Furthermore, the cells grew better on the RGD-conjugated PEM coatings assembled at pH 6.5 than those assembled at pH 2.0. On the other hand, MG63 cells exhibited better differentiated phenotype on the pH 2.0 coatings compared to the pH 6.5 coatings with respect to alkaline phosphatase activity and calcium deposition, while cells did not express osteoblast phenotype on the PAH surfaces. These results clearly show that the base PEM membranes play an important role in RGD-immobilization and osteoblast functions.
Psychometric Validation of the Insomnia Severity Index in Adults with Sickle Cell Disease

Background. The Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) is an instrument to evaluate insomnia symptoms. The psychometric properties have not been established in adults (18 years of age or older) with sickle cell disease (SCD). Objective. Evaluate the reliability and validity of the ISI among adults with SCD. Methods. Analysis included psychometric evaluation with exploratory factor analysis. Results. Our 263 participants had a mean age of 35.6 years and primarily were female (54.8%) with HbSS genotype (69.2%). Almost 41% were classified as clinical insomnia cases (ISI ≥14) using the traditional scoring approach. Two factors, Insomnia Symptoms and Insomnia Impact, emerged during factor analysis. Reliability of both factor-scales was good and each correlated with pain severity and depressive symptomatology (r = 0.38 to 0.66, p<.01). Conclusion. The ISI demonstrated construct validity and reliability for evaluating insomnia symptomatology among adults with SCD and can be used in research and clinical practice.
Arts Council England: Ramifications of Organisational Dynamics and Institutional Setting on Policy

This paper offers a view of the development of decision making and policy within the Arts Council, national development agency for the arts, and explores the notion of how strategies are often the outcome of resource, political and cultural processes rather than discrete strategic planning. For the purposes of this paper, decision making and policy making are being treated as synonymous as key expressions of strategy. The paper is based on an examination of the assumption with which the Arts Council historically has justified both its general operations and particular decisions, the aim being to identify the various ideological and structural determinants which bear upon its decision-making processes. The paper concludes that the Arts Council is influenced by normative pressures from without and within which leads the organisation to be guided by previously legitimated policies which over time have become standard operating practice. The legitimated policies have had the tendency to lead to isomorphism within the Arts Council environment, creating selected patterns of routine and continuity. A form of ‘constructive tension’ has arisen between that which is deemed necessary to preserve and that which must change with time.
Superannuation in Australia: A Survey of the Literature

In 2017 Australian superannuation assets stood at 148 per cent of GDP, or $2.5 trillion in absolute terms. This was the world's fourth largest pool of retirement savings, a remarkable outcome over 25 years of the operation of the Superannuation Guarantee. We survey the local academic, industry and policy literature on the economics of superannuation during the last quarter of a century. Topics include the policy debate, the positive, normative and behavioural economics of household interaction with superannuation, and the structure, conduct and performance of the superannuation industry. We encourage further research into effective tax rates, the need to hedge human capital and the automation of financial advice.