Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EVIDENCE FOR A MASSIVE NEUTRON STAR FROM A RADIAL-VELOCITY STUDY OF THE COMPANION TO THE BLACK-WIDOW PULSAR PSR B1957+20

The most massive neutron stars constrain the behavior of ultra-dense matter, with larger masses possible only for increasingly stiff equations of state. Here, we present evidence that the black-widow pulsar, PSR B1957+20, has a high mass. We took spectra of its strongly irradiated companion and found an observed radial-velocity amplitude of Kobs = 324 ± 3 km s-1. Correcting this for the fact that, due to the irradiation, the center of light lies inward relative to the center of mass, we infer a true radial-velocity amplitude of K2 = 353 ± 4 km s-1 and a mass ratio q = MPSR/M2 = 69.2 ± 0.8. Combined with the inclination i = 65° ± 2° inferred from models of the light curve, our best-fit pulsar mass is MPSR = 2.40 ± 0.12 M☉. We discuss possible systematic uncertainties, in particular, in the light curve modeling. Taking an upper limit of i < 85° based on the absence of radio eclipses at high frequency, combined with a conservative lower limit to the motion of the center of mass, K2>343 km s-1 (q>67.3), we infer a lower limit to the pulsar mass of MPSR>1.66 M☉.
Semantic Features Based on Word Alignments for Estimating Quality of Text Simplification

This paper examines the usefulness of semantic features based on word alignments for estimating the quality of text simplification. Specifically, we introduce seven types of alignment-based features computed on the basis of word embeddings and paraphrase lexicons. Through an empirical experiment using the QATS dataset, we confirm that we can achieve the state-of-the-art performance only with these features.
X‐Ray Study of the Cat Hindlimb During Treadmill Locomotion

With pulsed X‐ray cinematography we have analysed the angular excursions of the distal hindlimb joints (proximal interphalangeal, PIP; metatarsophalangeal, MTP; ankle) in cats walking on a treadmill. These distal joints transmit the body weight and the dynamic forces onto the ground. We have included the knee and hip joints in the analysis to relate the angular excursions of the proximal and distal joints and to verify the data previously obtained with external markers on the kinematics of the proximal joints. At the beginning of the stance phase the PIP joints flexed rapidly, the MTP joints extended slowly and the ankle and knee yielded under body weight. Whereas the PIP joints maintained a rather constant angular position of −75° throughout the stance phase, extension continued in the MTP joints from −230° at touch‐down to −270° at the end of the stance phase. Around 50 ms before lift‐off the MTP joints flexed rapidly. Early (−30 ms) after lift‐off this flexion changed into a slow extension. The PIP joints extended swiftly at the stance‐swing transition and moderately at the end of the swing phase. During the middle part of the swing phase they flexed slowly. Small rotatory movements around the long axis of the foot took place in the last 100 ms of the swing phase. The results of this study on the distal joints are discussed in relation to the placing of the paw, to the translation of forward propulsion into a MTP movement and to the lifting of the paw (conventionally described as toe curling). They show a differentiated mechanical interaction between the different distal limb joints during these different phases, which must be known in detail to interpret the corresponding electromyographic data and to understand how the hip is moved forward over the MTP joints which serve as the final pivot during stance.
A Hybrid Network Emergency Communication Model

To communicate within disaster scenarios, different devices/systems need to cooperate with specific protocols. The key communication protocol needs to provide interoperability among these systems and provide the solution for emergency services. The paper studies the hybrid network disaster recovery HNDR systems and classifies its communication scenarios and requirements. The authors propose a new networking protocol for the hybrid network, with ability to forward sessions and messages through different transport protocols, and copes with node mobility and node failure. The paper considers heterogeneous network disaster recovery scenario and proposes a cost effective and easy to deploy hybrid network emergency communication protocol HNEC. This internetwork protocol is a specific model of the inter-domain messaging IDM protocol for emergency communications. The routing protocol procedure is similar to the reactive AODV procedure but is different in maintaining routes from unpredicted link breaks or node failure. A detailed simulation model with the designed network layer model is used to investigate network delivery rate and end-to-end delay performance. The performance results are analyzed using varying node load, mobility speed, and network size.
Effect of pore size of stationary phase on the separation performance of chip-based gas chromatography columns

Chip-based semi-packed gas chromatography (GC) columns coated with two kinds of mesoporous silica (MS) stationary phase have been explored and compared in this paper. For the first time, the influence of pore size of the stationary phase on the separation performance in a micro GC (μGC) column has been investigated. As has been demonstrated, full separation of heavy hydrocarbons (C5-C10) can be achieved in both columns. Moreover, compared with stationary phase of smaller pores, that of bigger ones leads to obviously increased retention time of C9 and C10.
Crystal Structure and Mode of Helicase Binding of the C-Terminal Domain of Primase from Helicobacter pylori

ABSTRACT To better understand the poor conservation of the helicase binding domain of primases (DnaGs) among the eubacteria, we determined the crystal structure of the Helicobacter pylori DnaG C-terminal domain (HpDnaG-CTD) at 1.78 Å. The structure has a globular subdomain connected to a helical hairpin. Structural comparison has revealed that globular subdomains, despite the variation in number of helices, have broadly similar arrangements across the species, whereas helical hairpins show different orientations. Further, to study the helicase-primase interaction in H. pylori, a complex was modeled using the HpDnaG-CTD and HpDnaB-NTD (helicase) crystal structures using the Bacillus stearothermophilus BstDnaB-BstDnaG-CTD (helicase-primase) complex structure as a template. By using this model, a nonconserved critical residue Phe534 on helicase binding interface of DnaG-CTD was identified. Mutation guided by molecular dynamics, biophysical, and biochemical studies validated our model. We further concluded that species-specific helicase-primase interactions are influenced by electrostatic surface potentials apart from the critical hydrophobic surface residues.
Extraction of feature vector based on wavelet coefficients for a palm print based biometric identification system

Palm prints are rich in features, can be easily acquired and hence different Palmprint features are used for the purpose of biometric identification. This paper presents analysis of wavelet coefficients for feature extraction of palm print images for biometry. A novel preprocessing technique for alignment of Palmprint images has been developed which allows the palm to be placed in any orientation in front of the camera. This paper also presents a method to extract a square shaped Region of Interest from the aligned image based on the palm geometry. Further processing has been done on the coefficients obtained from the Discrete Wavelet Transform to generate the feature vector. The method of feature extraction and the results obtained from feature matching using Neural Network have been discussed in this paper.
Analytical circuit model for stacked slit gratings

This work presents a rigorous circuit model to compute the transmission/reflection properties of a finite number of stacked slit gratings printed on dielectric slabs of arbitrary thickness. A key aspect of the present approach is that the circuit model itself leads us to find fully analytical expressions for the finite stacked-grating structure. An analytical model to obtain the Brillouin diagram for the fully periodic structure (infinite number of identical unit cells) is also provided.
Cost-effectiveness of human papillomavirus vaccination in Belgium: Do not forget about cervical cancer screening

Objectives: The cost-effectiveness of adding a human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program in 12-year-old females to the recommended cervical cancer screening in Belgium is examined. Moreover, the health and economic consequences of a potential decline in screening uptake after initiation of a HPV vaccination program are investigated. Methods: A static Markov model is developed to estimate the direct effect of vaccination on precancerous lesions and cervical cancers. Results: Vaccination is estimated to avoid 20 percent of the cervical cancers occurring in a 12-year-old girls' cohort and to cost €32,665 per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained (95 percent credibility interval [CrI]: €17,447 to €68,078), assuming a booster injection after 10 years, a limited duration of protection and discounting costs and effects at 3 percent and 1.5 percent, respectively. Assuming lifelong protection, HPV vaccination is estimated to cost €14,382 (95 percent CrI: €9,238 to €25,644) per QALY gained, while avoiding 50 percent of the cervical cancer cases. In the base-case, a 10 percent reduction in screening compliance after vaccination obliterates the effect of vaccination on cervical cancer cases avoided, whereas further declines in the level of screening compliance even turned out to be detrimental for the cohort's health, inducing a mean loss in QALYs and life-year gained compared with the situation prevaccination. Conclusions: An HPV vaccination program should only be considered if the level of screening after vaccination can be maintained.
Antecedents of Cooperation of Public Higher Education Institutions with External Entities : Literature Approach

Tlo badan. Niniejsze opracowanie wpisuje sie w debate w odniesieniu do wybranych organizacji sektora publicznego, jakimi są publiczne uczelnie, poniewaz ma na celu rozpoznanie antecedencji wspoldzialania publicznych szkol wyzszych z podmiotami zewnetrznymi. Podjety problem jest wazny, gdyz publiczne szkoly wyzsze, a w szczegolności ich podsystem relacji miedzyorganizacyjnych, mają za zadanie sprzyjac odpowiedniemu ich dopasowaniu do otoczenia, przy jednoczesnym zapewnieniu ich efektywności. Cel badan. Celem opracowania jest rozpoznanie antecedencji tworzenia relacji publicznych szkol wyzszych z partnerami zewnetrznymi oraz obszarow, w ktorych relacje te są przez wspoldzialające podmioty wykorzystywane do osiągania celow. Celowi temu podporządkowano strukture opracowania. I tak w cześci pierwszej przedstawiono charakterystyke relacji organizacji sektora publicznego z podmiotami zewnetrznymi. W cześci drugiej skoncentrowano sie na identyfikacji istoty dzialalności publicznych szkol wyzszych i specyfiki ich relacji z interesariuszami zewnetrznymi. Z kolei w cześci trzeciej, na bazie wynikow studiow literatury, wskazano antecedencje wspoldzialania publicznych szkol wyzszych publicznych z podmiotami zewnetrznymi. Metodyka. Treści zawarte w artykule są rezultatem przeprowadzonych studiow literatury z zakresu zarządzania publicznego, relacji miedzyorganizacyjnych oraz dzialalności publicznych uczelni wyzszych. Przy czym nalezy zauwazyc, ze przegląd ten zostal dokonany z zachowaniem odpowiedniego dla tej metody badan określonego rygoru metodycznego: od określenia celu badania poprzez wybor publikacji, analize treści i opracowanie rezultatow. Kluczowe wnioski. Publiczne szkoly wyzsze, tworząc relacje z organizacjami zewnetrznymi, dązą do skutecznej realizacji zadan nalozonych na nie przez Ustawe prawo o szkolnictwie wyzszym (UPoSW). W szczegolności oczekiwanym jest, by relacje te przyczynily sie do zwiekszenia efektywności ekonomicznej i spolecznej tych szkol. Jednak przede wszystkim chodzi o to, by uczelnie publiczne, poprzez wykorzystywanie relacji z innymi organizacjami, przyczynialy sie do rozwoju wiedzy. W świetle uzyskanych wynikow badan, intrygującym wydaje sie rozpoznanie typow relacji, jakie lączą publiczne szkoly wyzsze z poszczegolnymi podmiotami zewnetrznymi, a tym samym określenie stopnia uzaleznienia podejmowanych przez nie dzialan od zachowan partnerow.
Simulations of the formation of a Milky Way like galaxy

Die numerische Modellierung der Entstehung einer Milchstrasen ahnlichen Scheibengalaxien ist selbst heute, trotz des Einsatzes modernster Simulationstechniken und leistungsfahiger Grosrechner, immer noch nicht zufriedenstellend moglich. Ziel dieser Arbeit ist es, verschiedene Modelle fur unterschiedliche Aspekte thermischen sowie kinetischen Feedbacks auf Ihren Einfluss auf die Morphologie der entstehenden Galaxie sowie deren System von Satellitengalaxien zu untersuchen. Insbesondere die Anzahl der beobachteten Satellitengalaxien der Michstrase im Vergleich mit simulierten Galaxien warf bisher grose Probleme auf, die sogar zu die Gultigkeit des kosmologischen Standardmodells in Frage stellten. Unter sorgfaltiger Berucksichtung der Gasdynamik sowie der wirkenden Feedback-Prozesse war es allerdings im Rahmen dieser Arbeit moglich zu zeigen, dass Simulationen, die auf dem kosmologischen Standardmodell beruhen, durchaus in der Lage sind, Systeme von Satellitengalaxien zu erzeugen, die den Beobachtungen der Milchstrasen Satelliten hinreichend ahnlich sind. Desweiteren vergleicht diese Arbeit detailiert den Einfluss der numerischen Implementation der Hydrodynamik auf die simulierte Galaxy. Dies ist ein Aspekt der bisher in diesem Kontext noch nie ausfuhrlich betrachtet wurde, sich aber in den vorgestellten Ergebnissen als hochst einflussreich herausstellt.
A Comparison of Soft-Switched DC-to-DC Converters for Electrolyzer Application

An electrolyzer is part of a renewable energy system and generates hydrogen from water electrolysis that is used in fuel cells. A dc-to-dc converter is required to couple the electrolyzer to the system dc bus. This paper presents the design of three soft-switched high-frequency transformer isolated dc-to-dc converters for this application based on the given specifications. It is shown that LCL-type series resonant converter (SRC) with capacitive output filter is suitable for this application. Detailed theoretical and simulation results are presented. Due to the wide variation in input voltage and load current, no converter can maintain zero-voltage switching (ZVS) for the complete operating range. Therefore, a two-stage converter (ZVT boost converter followed by LCL SRC with capacitive output filter) is found suitable for this application. Experimental results are presented for the two-stage approach which shows ZVS for the entire line and load range.
High-Affinity, Slowly Desensitizing GABAA Receptors Mediate Tonic Inhibition in Hippocampal Dentate Granule Cells

The tonic form of GABA-mediated inhibition requires the presence of slowly desensitizing GABAA receptors with high affinity, which has not yet been directly demonstrated in hippocampal neurons. Low concentration of GABA (1 μM) persistently increased baseline noise, increased membrane slope conductance, but did not affect spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs) in dentate granule cells (DGCs). Higher concentrations of GABA (10–100 μM) desensitized synaptic currents quickly, and there was a large residual current. Saturating concentration of GABA (1 mM) completely desensitized synaptic currents and revealed a slowly desensitizing, persistent current. Penicillin (300 μM) inhibited baseline noise without affecting mean current and inhibited decay time of sIPSCs. GABAA receptors mediating baseline noise in DGCs were sensitive to allopregnanolone, furosemide, and loreclezole and insensitive to diazepam and zolpidem. These studies demonstrate persistently open GABAA receptors on DGCs with high affinity for GABA, slow desensitization rate, and pharmacological properties similar to those of recombinant receptors containing α4, β1, and the δ subunits.
2 dCas 9 : A Versatile Tool For Epigenome Editing

The epigenome is a heritable layer of information not encoded in the DNA sequence of the genome, but in chemical modifications of DNA or histones. These chemical modifications, together with transcription factors, operate as spatiotemporal regulators of genome activity. Dissecting epigenome function requires controlled site-specific alteration of epigenetic information. Such control can be obtained using designed DNA-binding platforms associated with effector domains to function as targeted transcription factors or epigenetic modifiers. Here, we review the use of dCas9 as a novel and versatile tool for fundamental studies on epigenetic landscapes, chromatin structure and transcription regulation, and the potential of this approach in basic research in these fields. Introduction The epigenome is a layer of information that, together with transcription factors, defines the celltype-specific gene expression pattern of a genome. By definition, epigenetic information is mitotically and/or meiotically heritable, but not directly encoded in the DNA sequence (Bird, 2007; Berger et al., 2009). Epigenetic information consists of covalent chemical modifications [post-translational modification of histone proteins that include, but are not limited to, methyl, acetyl, phosphoryl and ubiquitin groups (Turner, 2012) and methylation of cytosine bases (Vardimon et al., 1982; Schübeler, 2015)] that alter the structure and physicochemical properties of DNA or DNA-bound histones (Bird, 2002; Kouzarides, 2007). Epigenetic modification states are dynamic by nature and depend on enzymes transferring or removing these modifications (Holliday, 1987; Cubas et al., 1999; Chong and Whitelaw, 2004; Youngson and Whitelaw, 2008). The epigenetic state of a genomic region is determined by combinations of modifications, but how exactly the resulting code is determined remains poorly understood (Gardner et al., 2011). These states correlate with gene expression and chromatin structure, and link the modification pattern of DNA and histones of genomic regions to states of development and differentiation (Holliday, 2006; Henikoff and Shilatifard, 2011; Zhou et al., 2011; Turner, 2012; Smith and Meissner, 2013). A variety of diseases has been linked to mutations in epigenetic maintenance enzymes or to misregulation of genes following aberrations in the epigenetic code (Kelly et al., 2010; Baylin and Jones, 2011; Plass et al., 2013). Epigenome editing could develop into a tool used to revert aberrations in this code that lead to disease. Due to the lack of knowledge of rare modifications and the combinatorics of DNA and histone modifications, it is unclear by what exact mechanisms epigenetic signals lead to downstream effects on gene regulation and chromatin conformation and whether as yet unknown
Measurement of the molecular dipole moment and the hyperfine and 
Λ
-doublet splittings of the 
BΠ13
 state of thallium fluoride

We report high-precision measurements on the thallium fluoride $\tilde{J} = 1$ hyperfine manifold of the $B^3\Pi_1$ ($\nu = 0$) state. The measurements are made by monitoring the fluorescence induced by laser excitation of a cryogenic molecular beam. This state is of special interest because it is central to an optical cycling scheme that is envisioned to play an important role in enhancing the sensitivity of the proposed CeNTREX nuclear Schiff-moment experiment presently under construction. We present a novel acousto-optic modulator coincident resonance technique which has allowed a more precise determination of the $\tilde{J} = 1$ manifold of hyperfine level splittings. We observe Stark shifts of the $\tilde{J} = 1$ levels and infer a permanent electric dipole moment of 2.28(7) D and $\Omega$-doublet splittings for the $F_1 = 1/2$ and $F_1 = 3/2$ manifolds of 14.4(9) MHz and 17.4(11) MHz, respectively.
Speech-like Pragmatic Markers in Argumentative Essays Written by Iranian EFL Students and Native English Speaking Students

In this study, the use of speech-like pragmatic markers in Iranian EFL students’ academic writing was investigated. Speech-like pragmatic markers, such as I think, well, I guess, actually, anyway, anyhow, etc. are linguistic components that are more specific to conversation than writing, and writers may wrongly include them in their academic writing. To examine the students’ use of speech-like pragmatic markers when writing an essay, samples of Iranian students’ and English native students’ argumentative essays were analyzed using Contrastive Interlanguage Analysis (CIA). Moreover, the overuse or underuse of such items was compared between English native students and Iranian EFL students. Native English data were collected from the Louvain Corpus of Native English Essays (LOCNESS) and non-native English data were gathered from Iranian students’ essays during an academic semester from Islamic Azad University of Najafabad, Islamic Azad University of Abadan and Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz in Iran. Iranian participants were 71 EFL upper-intermediate (based on the Oxford Placement Test) graduate students that were selected randomly from male and female students. A frequency analysis of pragmatic markers indicates significant differences between Iranian students’ and English native students’ use of speech-like pragmatic markers. Quantitative analyses of the non-native corpus data revealed that students apply these spoken components in their argumentative essays, which may adversely affect their text in terms of a correct style and tone. By investigating the results, the language teachers and materials writers are recommended to recognize the features of Iranian English students’ interlanguage and to provide them with planned input about appropriate use of pragmatic markers.
Longitudinal Evaluation of Effects of Intra-Articular Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Administration for the Treatment of Osteoarthritis in an Ovine Model

In this study, the therapeutic effect of intra-articularly injected autologous mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) was evaluated in an ovine osteoarthritis (OA) model using consecutive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), radiography, and macroscopic and histologic postmortem examination. In 12 sheep, OA was induced by bilateral, lateral meniscectomy. After 6 weeks, 20 × 106 bone marrow-derived MSCs (50% MSCs were superparamagnetic iron oxide particle labeled) were injected intra-articularly into one knee joint. The contralateral knee served as negative control. MR images were acquired before OA induction, immediately before and after MSC injection, and 1, 4, 8, and 12 weeks thereafter using a 0.5T unit and a T2* gradient echo sequence. Radiographs were obtained before OA induction, at MSC injection, and 12 weeks thereafter. The MRI scoring system included articular cartilage, bone, joint capsule, and synovial fluid evaluation. The radiographic scoring system included the joint space and bone. Postmortem evaluation entailed macroscopic and histologic assessment. Longitudinal MRI revealed a significant deceleration of OA progression in MSC-treated joints. However, at the conclusion of the study, there was no significant difference in the degree of OA detected by MRI, radiography, and postmortem evaluation between the treatment and control group. The degree of OA on MRI varied among the 12 animals at the time of injection, but there was no difference between the left and right limb. In conclusion, intra-articular MSCs decreased OA progression. However, no significant treatment effects were seen at the conclusion of the study at 12 weeks. This somewhat contradicts previously published results. Nevertheless, the choice of OA model, outcome measures, or lack of additional medication might explain the differences. Our results indicate that OA might benefit from intra-articular MSC injection, but further studies are needed to refine patient selection and injection parameters for a more substantially improved outcome.