Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spin eigenmodes of magnetic skyrmions and the problem of the effective skyrmion mass

Properties of magnon modes localized on a ferromagnetic skyrmion are studied. Three types of possible asymptotic behavior of the modes eigenfrequencies are found for the case of large skyrmion radius $R_s$, namely $\omega_0\sim R_s^{-2}$ for the breathing mode, $\omega_{-|\mu|}\sim R_s^{-1}$ and $\omega_{|\mu|}\sim R_s^{-3}$ for modes with negative and positive azimuthal quantum numbers, respectively. A number of properties of the magnon eigenfunctions are determined. This enables us to demonstrate that the skyrmion dynamics based on the traveling wave model is described by the massless Thiele equation.
An Online Survey of New Zealand Vapers

Using electronic cigarettes (vaping) is controversial, but is increasingly widespread. This paper reports the results of an electronic survey of vapers in New Zealand, a country where the sale and supply of e-liquids containing nicotine is illegal, although vapers can legally access e-liquids from overseas. An on-line survey was conducted, using vaper and smoking cessation networks for recruitment, with follow up surveys conducted 1 and 2 months after the initial survey. 218 participants were recruited. Almost all had been smokers, but three quarters no longer smoked, with the remainder having significantly reduced their tobacco use. Three participants were non-smokers before starting to vape, but none had gone on to become smokers. The overriding motivation to begin and continue vaping was to stop or to reduce smoking. The results were consistent with a progression from initially both vaping and smoking using less effective electronic cigarette types, then moving to more powerful devices, experimentation with flavors and nicotine strengths—all resulting in reducing or stopping tobacco use. Lack of access to nicotine and lack of support for their chosen cessation method were the main problems reported. Vaping had resulted in effective smoking cessation for the majority of participants.
On the physical basis of life

This sales letter may not influence you to be smarter, but the book that we offer will evoke you to be smarter. Yeah, at least you'll know more than others who don't. This is what called as the quality life improvisation. Why should this on the physical basis of life? It's because this is your favourite theme to read. If you like this theme about, why don't you read the book to enrich your discussion?
Host-Specificity and Dynamics in Bacterial Communities Associated with Bloom-Forming Freshwater Phytoplankton

Many freshwater phytoplankton species have the potential to form transient nuisance blooms that affect water quality and other aquatic biota. Heterotrophic bacteria can influence such blooms via nutrient regeneration but also via antagonism and other biotic interactions. We studied the composition of bacterial communities associated with three bloom-forming freshwater phytoplankton species, the diatom Aulacoseira granulata and the cyanobacteria Microcystis aeruginosa and Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii. Experimental cultures incubated with and without lake bacteria were sampled in three different growth phases and bacterial community composition was assessed by 454-Pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicons. Betaproteobacteria were dominant in all cultures inoculated with lake bacteria, but decreased during the experiment. In contrast, Alphaproteobacteria, which made up the second most abundant class of bacteria, increased overall during the course of the experiment. Other bacterial classes responded in contrasting ways to the experimental incubations causing significantly different bacterial communities to develop in response to host phytoplankton species, growth phase and between attached and free-living fractions. Differences in bacterial community composition between cyanobacteria and diatom cultures were greater than between the two cyanobacteria. Despite the significance, major differences between phytoplankton cultures were in the proportion of the OTUs rather than in the absence or presence of specific taxa. Different phytoplankton species favoring different bacterial communities may have important consequences for the fate of organic matter in systems where these bloom forming species occur. The dynamics and development of transient blooms may also be affected as bacterial communities seem to influence phytoplankton species growth in contrasting ways.
DNA Sequencing Reveals the Midgut Microbiota of Diamondback Moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) and a Possible Relationship with Insecticide Resistance

Background Insect midgut microbiota is important in host nutrition, development and immune response. Recent studies indicate possible links between insect gut microbiota and resistance to biological and chemical toxins. Studies of this phenomenon and symbionts in general have been hampered by difficulties in culture-based approach. In the present study, DNA sequencing was used to examine the midgut microbiota of diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella (L.), a destructive pest that attacks cruciferous crops worldwide. Its ability to develop resistance to many types of synthetic insecticide and even Bacillus thuringiensis toxins makes it an important species to study. Methodology/Principal Findings Bacteria of the DBM larval midgut in a susceptible and two insecticide (chlorpyrifos and fipronil) resistant lines were examined by Illumina sequencing sampled from an insect generation that was not exposed to insecticide. This revealed that more than 97% of the bacteria were from three orders: Enterobacteriales, Vibrionales and Lactobacillales. Both insecticide-resistant lines had more Lactobacillales and the much scarcer taxa Pseudomonadales and Xanthomonadales with fewer Enterobacteriales compared with the susceptible strain. Consistent with this, a second study observed an increase in the proportion of Lactobacillales in the midgut of DBM individuals from a generation treated with insecticides. Conclusions/Significance This is the first report of high-throughput DNA sequencing of the entire microbiota of DBM. It reveals differences related to inter- and intra-generational exposure to insecticides. Differences in the midgut microbiota among susceptible and insecticide-resistant lines are independent of insecticide exposure in the sampled generations. While this is consistent with the hypothesis that Lactobacillales or other scarcer taxa play a role in conferring DBM insecticide resistance, further studies are necessary to rule out other possibilities. Findings constitute the basis for future molecular work on the functions of insect midgut microbiota taxa and their possible role in conferring host resistance to toxins.
Comparison Between Nonlinear and Linear Periodized Resistance Training: Hypertrophic and Strength Effects

Abstract Simão, R, Spineti, J, de Salles, BF, Matta, T, Fernandes, L, Fleck, SJ, Rhea, MR, and Strom-Olsen, HE. Comparison between nonlinear and linear periodized resistance training: hypertrophic and strength effects. J Strength Cond Res 26(5): 1389–1395, 2012—The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of nonlinear periodized (NLP) and linear periodized (LP) resistance training (RT) on muscle thickness (MT) and strength, measured by an ultrasound technique and 1 repetition maximum (1RM), respectively. Thirty untrained men were randomly assigned to 3 groups: NLP (n = 11, age: 30.2 ± 1.1 years, height: 173.6 ± 7.2 cm, weight: 79.5 ± 13.1 kg), LP (n = 10, age: 29.8 ± 1.9 years, height: 172.0 ± 6.8 cm, weight: 79.9 ± 10.6 kg), and control group (CG; n = 9, age: 25.9 ± 3.6 years, height: 171.2 ± 6.3 cm, weight: 73.9 ± 9.9 kg). The right biceps and triceps MT and 1RM strength for the exercises bench press (BP), lat-pull down, triceps extension, and biceps curl (BC) were assessed before and after 12 weeks of training. The NLP program varied training biweekly during weeks 1–6 and on a daily basis during weeks 7–12. The LP program followed a pattern of intensity and volume changes every 4 weeks. The CG did not engage in any RT. Posttraining, both trained groups presented significant 1RM strength gains in all exercises (with the exception of the BP in LP). The 1RM of the NLP group was significantly higher than LP for BP and BC posttraining. There were no significant differences in biceps and triceps MT between baseline and posttraining for any group; however, posttraining, there were significant differences in biceps and triceps MT between NLP and the CG. The effect sizes were higher in NLP for the majority of observed variables. In conclusion, both LP and NLP are effective, but NLP may lead to greater gains in 1RM and MT over a 12-week training period.
Performance of 3D Tissue Engineering Scaffolds of Nanocellulose/High Cationic Polymers Composite

Three- dimensional(3D) tissue engineering scaffolds were prepared by compounding nanocellulose with polyacrylic cationic polymer and polyethylene amine cationic polymer respectively.The structural morphology of the scaffolds was characterized by scanning electron microscopy(SEM). The influence of the relative molecular mass and dosages of the polymers on the pore structure of the scaffolds was investigated, while a new method for fast measuring the porosity of the scaffolds was established based on SEM image processing. The water retention value(WRV) of the scaffolds was also measured. Results show that the porosity of all the nanocellulose 3D tissue engineering scaffolds is larger than 90%. The porosity value obtained by the new image processing method is close to that measured according to Archimedes principle with a difference less than 5%, which indicated that this method was reliable. All the 3D scaffolds have high WRV(200%). Both the porosity and WRV of the 3D scaffolds can be adjusted by varying the species and dosage of polymers. Therewith the nanocellulose 3D tissue engineering scaffolds may optionally be prepared to meet the requirement for tissue and cell culture.
Fine-tuning the Ant Colony System algorithm through Particle Swarm Optimization

Ant Colony System (ACS) is a distributed (agent- based) algorithm which has been widely studied on the Symmetric Travelling Salesman Problem (TSP). The optimum parameters for this algorithm have to be found by trial and error. We use a Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm (PSO) to optimize the ACS parameters working in a designed subset of TSP instances. First goal is to perform the hybrid PSO-ACS algorithm on a single instance to find the optimum parameters and optimum solutions for the instance. Second goal is to analyze those sets of optimum parameters, in relation to instance characteristics. Computational results have shown good quality solutions for single instances though with high computational times, and that there may be sets of parameters that work optimally for a majority of instances.
Better Pictures Through Physics

Over the last decade, CMOS image sensor technology has made huge progress. Not only has the imager's performance improved drastically, but there has also been great commercial success since the introduction of mobile phones with onboard cameras. Many scientists and marketing specialists predicted 15 years ago that CMOS image sensors were going to take over completely from charge coupled device (CCD) imagers, just as CCD imagers took over the imaging business from tubes in the mid-1980s [1].
X-ray Structure and Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Endoglucanase 3 from Trichoderma harzianum: Structural Organization and Substrate Recognition by Endoglucanases That Lack Cellulose Binding Module

Plant biomass holds a promise for the production of second-generation ethanol via enzymatic hydrolysis, but its utilization as a biofuel resource is currently limited to a large extent by the cost and low efficiency of the cellulolytic enzymes. Considerable efforts have been dedicated to elucidate the mechanisms of the enzymatic process. It is well known that most cellulases possess a catalytic core domain and a carbohydrate binding module (CBM), without which the enzymatic activity can be drastically reduced. However, Cel12A members of the glycosyl hydrolases family 12 (GHF12) do not bear a CBM and yet are able to hydrolyze amorphous cellulose quite efficiently. Here, we use X-ray crystallography and molecular dynamics simulations to unravel the molecular basis underlying the catalytic capability of endoglucanase 3 from Trichoderma harzianum (ThEG3), a member of the GHF12 enzymes that lacks a CBM. A comparative analysis with the Cellulomonas fimi CBM identifies important residues mediating interactions of EG3s with amorphous regions of the cellulose. For instance, three aromatic residues constitute a harboring wall of hydrophobic contacts with the substrate in both ThEG3 and CfCBM structures. Moreover, residues at the entrance of the active site cleft of ThEG3 are identified, which might hydrogen bond to the substrate. We advocate that the ThEG3 residues Asn152 and Glu201 interact with the substrate similarly to the corresponding CfCBM residues Asn81 and Arg75. Altogether, these results show that CBM motifs are incorporated within the ThEG3 catalytic domain and suggest that the enzymatic efficiency is associated with the length and position of the substrate chain, being higher when the substrate interact with the aromatic residues at the entrance of the cleft and the catalytic triad. Our results provide guidelines for rational protein engineering aiming to improve interactions of GHF12 enzymes with cellulosic substrates.
Binary matching for high-dimensional image descriptors

High-dimensional learning-based descriptors such as Fisher vectors (FV) is effective in encoding images, yet efficient representation of facial images in the context of large-scale databases remains a challenge for face recognition. In this paper, we propose a dimensional reduction based hashing framework to binarize high-dimensional descriptors. We introduce a compact representation of FV, and show the benefit of Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) combined with Local-sensitive Hashing (LSH) or Iterative Quantization (ITQ). We further present a PCA+orthogonalized LDA combined with a generalized ITQ method. Our experiments show such a framework gained decent performance. We also extend our method to single sample per person case.
A Reconfigurable Cache for Efficient Use of Tag RAM as Scratch-Pad Memory

The cache memory has been a predominant component in modern chips, easily taking up more than 50% of the silicon area. It is then desirable to make the cache memory flexible for different needs. Therefore, many modern processor chips allow users to configure a part of the cache memory as the scratch-pad memory (SPM), a high-speed internal memory for rapid data access. However, such approach uses only the data RAM of the cache memory while leaving the tag RAM unused and thus wasting its capacity. This paper presents a cache organization, called Tag-SPM architecture, which allows the tag RAM to be used as the SPM and thus increases its capacity. It is accomplished with small Tag/Data-SPM controllers and four additional multiplexers in the cache organization. The proposed Tag-SPM architecture has been implemented with an academic ARM-based microprocessor with 4-/4-kB four-way set-associative instruction/data caches at the register transfer level level. Experiments show that the proposed architecture boosts the SPM capacity by 12.5% and requires only 0.08% area (434 gates) overhead without impairing the cache’s circuit speed in TSMC’s 90-nm standard cell implementation. Furthermore, the power overhead is negligible. When the Tag-SPM architecture is applied to typical cache systems, such as in ARM’s Cortex-A5 and Cortex-A53 processors, additional 12.5% SPM space per way can also be gained in both cases. The analyses show that our Tag-SPM architecture is a highly cost-effective way to boost the SPM space.
Depth Sensitivity and Source-Detector Separations for Near Infrared Spectroscopy Based on the Colin27 Brain Template

Understanding the spatial and depth sensitivity of non-invasive near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) measurements to brain tissue–i.e., near-infrared neuromonitoring (NIN) – is essential for designing experiments as well as interpreting research findings. However, a thorough characterization of such sensitivity in realistic head models has remained unavailable. In this study, we conducted 3,555 Monte Carlo (MC) simulations to densely cover the scalp of a well-characterized, adult male template brain (Colin27). We sought to evaluate: (i) the spatial sensitivity profile of NIRS to brain tissue as a function of source-detector separation, (ii) the NIRS sensitivity to brain tissue as a function of depth in this realistic and complex head model, and (iii) the effect of NIRS instrument sensitivity on detecting brain activation. We found that increasing the source-detector (SD) separation from 20 to 65 mm provides monotonic increases in sensitivity to brain tissue. For every 10 mm increase in SD separation (up to ∼45 mm), sensitivity to gray matter increased an additional 4%. Our analyses also demonstrate that sensitivity in depth (S) decreases exponentially, with a “rule-of-thumb” formula S = 0.75*0.85depth. Thus, while the depth sensitivity of NIRS is not strictly limited, NIN signals in adult humans are strongly biased towards the outermost 10–15 mm of intracranial space. These general results, along with the detailed quantitation of sensitivity estimates around the head, can provide detailed guidance for interpreting the likely sources of NIRS signals, as well as help NIRS investigators design and plan better NIRS experiments, head probes and instruments.
Approach of athermalizing infrared optical systems

The active athermalizing technique used usually in our country and the passive athermalizing technique adopted successfully overseas are described. Considering domestic conditions, the possibility of introducing the passive athermalizing is discussed from three ways, matching optical material used in the system that is all composed of spherical surfaces, using an aspherical surface and using a simple mechanical framework. Furthermore, the conclusions are given by design of a example and analysis of a great deal of data. In addition, infrared optical material, which is suitable for thermal imaging in our country now, is described.
Genetic and Environmental Determinants of Human NK Cell Diversity Revealed by Mass Cytometry

Both genetics and environment contribute to human NK cell diversity. NK Cell Nature Versus Nurture Natural killer (NK) cells were first discovered because of their ability to kill tumor cells without any previous exposure. However, this population is actually quite heterogeneous: Different subgroups of NK cells express different combinations of activating and inhibiting receptors that govern their specificity. Now, Horowitz et al. use mass cytometry to examine NK cell diversity in humans. The authors examined 35 parameters simultaneously in 5 sets of monozygotic twins as well as 12 unrelated donors. They found up to 30,000 phenotypic NK cell populations in a given individual. What’s more, by comparing the twins versus unrelated donors, they determined that although genetics primarily determined inhibitory receptor expression, activating receptors were controlled by the environment. These data suggest that inhibitory receptors may contribute more to NK cell self-tolerance, whereas activating receptors may guide response to pathogens and tumors. Natural killer (NK) cells play critical roles in immune defense and reproduction, yet remain the most poorly understood major lymphocyte population. Because their activation is controlled by a variety of combinatorially expressed activating and inhibitory receptors, NK cell diversity and function are closely linked. To provide an unprecedented understanding of NK cell repertoire diversity, we used mass cytometry to simultaneously analyze 37 parameters, including 28 NK cell receptors, on peripheral blood NK cells from 5 sets of monozygotic twins and 12 unrelated donors of defined human leukocyte antigen (HLA) and killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) genotype. This analysis revealed a remarkable degree of NK cell diversity, with an estimated 6000 to 30,000 phenotypic populations within an individual and >100,000 phenotypes in the donor panel. Genetics largely determined inhibitory receptor expression, whereas activation receptor expression was heavily environmentally influenced. Therefore, NK cells may maintain self-tolerance through strictly regulated expression of inhibitory receptors while using adaptable expression patterns of activating and costimulatory receptors to respond to pathogens and tumors. These findings further suggest the possibility that discrete NK cell subpopulations could be harnessed for immunotherapeutic strategies in the settings of infection, reproduction, and transplantation.
Assembly of aligned polyvinyl alcohol–styrylpyridinium pendent group nanofibres for vascular tissue engineering applicationsg

The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of assembling small diameter tubes with helically arranged fibres tomimic the helical structure of native blood vessels for possible future vascular tissue engineering applications. Photocrosslinkable polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with styrylpyridinium pendent groups (SbQ) was usedto produce nanofibres by the electrospinning process. A novel collector was designed to produce helically aligned fabric networks. Two main parameters of the electrospinning process, voltage and feed rate, were studied by investigating their effects on the resultant morphology of the fibres. Operating parameters of 10kV and 0.2 ml/h were found to be suitable for production of PVA-SbQ nanofibres, with a 10cm distance to the collector device. At these settings, a high degree of alignment of fibres both along and between the collector copper wires was observed using a scanning electron microscope. A preliminary cell culture study demonstrated viable attachment of endothelial cells on PVA-SbQ fibres which highlighted the potential of PVA-SbQ fibrous vessels produced according to this approach to act as a substrate or basement membrane for use in vascular tissue engineering scaffold development.
Mortality risk in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis and its association to asthma

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a highly prevalent inflammatory condition, with significant effects on morbidity and quality of life. Given that other chronic inflammatory conditions have been associated with increased mortality risk, we sought to evaluate the relationship between mortality and CRS including the influence of asthma. Our objective was to determine if CRS, with or without asthma, is associated with altered risk of mortality.
Improved chaotic image encryption scheme for highly autocorrelated data using NCA

The world has now evolved into a digital hub. Multimedia data such as images, videos and audio streams are being transferred, shared and accessed extensively. This extensive data is being channeled mostly through the internet. Transferring multimedia data over internet securely is one of the issues faced in the digital world [1, 2]. Several traditional encryption schemes in practice are not secure enough for encoding, due to a higher correlation in the multimedia data. Because of this high correlation, new schemes were developed and analyzed to achieve high quality encryption for images, videos and other types of multimedia data. Several security parameters are used to assess the efficiency of the encryption algorithm. These include entropy, correlation, Peak Signal to Noise Ratio (PSNR), Unified Average Change Intensity (UACI), Avalanche Effect, Number of Pixel Change Rate (NPCR) and Key Sensitivity. This paper addresses the limitations faced in the encryption process presented in Anees et al.'s work [3] and proposes an enhanced version for the encryption process.