Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On the role of surface tension in the stabilization of globular proteins

The stabilization of proteins by a variety of co‐solvents can be related to their property of increasing the surface tension of water. It is demonstrated that, during the thermal unfolding of proteins, this increase of the surface tension can be overcome by the increase in the temperature of the solution at the midpoint of the transition, Tm, and the weak binding of co‐solvent molecules. Three such co‐solvents were studied: trehalose, lysine hydrochloride (LysHCl), and arginine hydrochloride (ArgHCl). Trehalose and LysHCl increase the midpoint of Tm. The increase of the surface tension by addition of trehalose is completely compensated by its decrease due to the increase in Tm. However, for LysHCl, the increase of the surface tension by the co‐solvent is partly reduced by its binding to the protein. For trehalose, preferential interaction measurements with RNaseA demonstrate that it is totally excluded from the protein. In contrast, LysHCl gives evidence of binding to RNaseA. ArgHCl also increases the surface tension of water. Nevertheless, Tm of RNaseA decreases on addition of ArgHCl to the solution. Preferential interaction measurements showed very small values of preferential hydration of the native protein, indicating extensive binding of ArgHCl to the protein. During unfolding, the amount of additional ArgHCl binding is sufficiently large to counteract the surface tension effects, and the protein is destabilized. Therefore, although surface tension appears to be a critical factor in the stabilization of proteins, its increase by co‐solvent does not ensure increased stabilization. The binding of ligands can reduce significantly, or even overwhelm, its effects.
Dynamic relations between order imbalance, volatility and return of top gainers

Investors have been working hard to find the best trading strategy. Previous studies suggest that order imbalance can be a state variable in explaining cross sectional stock return. In this article, we examine dynamic relations between order imbalance, volatility and stock return of top gainers. Then, we develop an order imbalance based trading strategy and explain the causality. We employ a time varying Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity (GARCH) model to investigate intraday dynamics among order imbalance, volatility and return. A significantly negative relation between order imbalance and volatility has been documented. The leverage effect proposed by Christie (1982) could explain the above result. Current period order imbalance explains current period volatility and stock return. Contemporaneous order imbalance has a significantly positive and lag-one order imbalance has a significantly negative influence on stock return. Time span of data and responsibility of market maker explain this phenomenon. Finally, we develop a profitable order imbalance based trading strategy. To explore the profitability of our trading strategy, we examine the causal relationship between return and order imbalance. We find that order imbalance is a good indicator for price discovery. Moreover, order imbalance is a better indicator for predicting returns in large firm size quartile.
Regional cultures attracting interregional migrants

This study develops a theoretical concept of how regional cultural values develop, manifest, and become visible in regional images. Moreover, it tests the impact of regional images on attracting interregional migrants. Specifically, we test whether the values held by inhabitants of particular regions can explain variances in intra-country migration. Analyses are conducted on data collected from official statistics and from the European Social Survey on the level of European NUTS 2 regions. Cultural values are measured using a selection of items from the Human Value Scale developed by Shalom Schwartz. Analyses show that independent from unemployment rates, economic prosperity, and the degree of urbanization, net migration rates are dependent upon the cultural values held by the inhabitants of a region. Individuals are more likely to migrate to regions where inhabitants adopt hedonistic values and a certain degree of ‘social indifference’.
Applied control strategy in a micro system interconnected between a renewable energy source and a single-phase electric power

In this paper is presented a synchronous reference frame control strategy applied to a single-phase microgrid system connected to a renewable energy power source. The control strategy aims to regulate active power flow and to optimize the power factor at the point of common coupling (PCC). The whole control system is carried out on the synchronous reference frame of the PCC voltage. On this frame the direct current is responsible for active power regulation while the quadrature one regulates power factor. The direct current is used to regulate the dc-link voltage of the single-phase converter, consequently keeping the active power balance on the system. Experimental results are presented to demonstrate the system feasibility and effectiveness.
Multiple synthesis by the multipin method as a methodological tool

The multipin method of peptide synthesis is demonstrated as a potent methodological tool, where large numbers of comparative studies can be performed concurrently. Two studies are presented. In each study, the test peptides were simultaneously synthesized, and the products examined by high throughput ion spray mass spectrometry and reverse‐phase HPLC. In the first study, comprising 24 experiments, peptides 1 (AELFSTHYLAFKEDYSQ‐NH2) and 2 (LKDFRVYFREGRDQLWKGPG‐NH2) were prepared using Fmoc‐Axx/BOP/HOBt/NMM (100: 100: 100: 150 mM) and Fmoc‐Axx/HATU/HOAt/NMM (100: 100: 100: 150 mM) with 60.90 and 120 min coupling times. The two reagent combinations were found to give comparable results. The second study compared the N‐terminal coupling of Fmoc‐Asn‐OH, Fmoc‐Asn(Mbh)‐OH, Fmoc‐Asn(Mtt)‐OH, Fmoc‐Asn(Tmob)‐OH and Fmoc‐Asn(Trt)‐OH in the synthesis of seven test peptides: 3, NVQAAIDYIG‐cyclo(Kp); 4, NTVQAAIDYIG‐cyclo(KF); 5, NRVYVHPFNL; 6, NRVYVHPFHL: 7, NEAYVHDAPVRSLN: 8, NQLVVPSEGLYLIYSQVLFK. 9, NPNANPNANPNA. A total of 33 experiments were performed. Peptides 3 and 4 were selected to highlight the effect of steric bulk of each Asn derivative on coupling efficiency. Reagent efficiency, as measured by target peptide purity, was as follows: Fmoc‐Asn(Tmob)‐OH > Fmoc‐Asn‐OH > Fmoc‐Asn(Mtt)‐OH = Fmoc‐Asn(Trt)‐OH > Fmoc‐Asn(Mbh)‐OH.
Compatibility of co-tunneling and power-law models of soft breakdown current in MOS structures

The connection between two of the most frequently used mathematical models to fit the soft breakdown I-V characteristic in MOS devices was investigated. First, we show that our experimental data is well represented by the monomial power-law model and we extract its parameters by means of an auxiliary operator that involves numerical integration of the I-V curve. Next, we consider the co-tunneling conduction model, which represents the current by a polynomial expression with only odd-order terms and positive coefficients. The best fit of our experimental data to odd-order polynomials yields some negative coefficients, which is contrary to its physical foundations. Finally, in an attempt to conciliate both representations, we have approximated the power-law model to a polynomial with only odd-order terms and arbitrary coefficients and again we have found that is not possible to obtain all positive coefficients.
Branding mountain destinations: The battle for “placefulness”

This paper explores the potential influence and consequences of corpora te branding on mountain resort destinations. It examines the extent to which corporations emphasize “placefulness” in the branding of their tourism products and services, as well as the degree to which they intentionally match their brands with values held by other destination stakeholders. “Placefulness” refers to the relative extent to which corporate branding strategies reinforce a destination's “sense of place” The findings suggest that a corporate as opposed to a community approach to branding is emerging in many tourism destinations. This has resulted in some significant redefinition of destination identities to reflect the changing needs of markets and corporations. Probably the most apparent identity shift in mountain communities brought on by corporate influence has involved the repositioning of many areas from being ski resorts to becoming four season destination resorts.
THE US-CANADIAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT AND NORTH AMERICAN MARITIME TRADE.

The free trade agreement (FTA) implemented in 1988 by the United States and Canada will complete the integration of the economics of the world's two largest trading partners. While the vast bulk of US–Canadian trade is transported overland, the FTA will also affect the volume, commodity composition, and spatial distribution of maritime trade. The spatial structure of US–Canadian water-borne trade is examined followed by an investigation of the short-run (non-investment related) impacts of the FTA on the US port system. Commodity-specific analyses of tariffs and non-tariff barriers and elasticities of demand are employed to estimate the sectoral and spatial changes in water-borne trade volumes since 1988 that are attributable to the FTA.
The effect of ketamine on the MACBAR of sevoflurane in dogs.

OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of intravenous ketamine on the minimum alveolar concentration of sevoflurane needed to block autonomic response (MAC(BAR)) to a noxious stimulus in dogs. STUDY DESIGN Randomized, crossover, prospective design. ANIMALS Eight, healthy, adult male, mixed-breed dogs, weighing 11.2-16.1 kg. METHODS Dogs were anesthetized with sevoflurane on two occasions, 1 week apart, and baseline MAC(BAR) (B-MAC(BAR)) was determined on each occasion. MAC(BAR) was defined as the mean of the end-tidal sevoflurane concentrations that prevented and allowed an increase (≥15%) in heart rate or invasive mean arterial pressure in response to a noxious electrical stimulus (50 V, 50 Hz, 10 ms). Dogs then randomly received either a low-dose (LDS) or high-dose series (HDS) of ketamine, and treatment MAC(BAR) (T-MAC(BAR)) was determined. The LDS had an initial loading dose (LD) of 0.5 mg kg(-1) and constant rate infusion (CRI) at 6.25 μg kg(-1) minute(-1), followed, after T-MAC(BAR) determination, by a second LD (1 mg kg(-1)) and CRI (12.5 μg kg(-1) minute(-1)). The HDS had an initial LD (2 mg kg(-1)) and CRI (25 μg kg(-1) minute(-1)) followed by a second LD (3 mg kg(-1)) and CRI (50 μg kg(-1) minute(-1)). Data were analyzed with a mixed-model anova and are presented as LSM ± SEM. RESULTS The B-MAC(BAR) was not significantly different between treatments. Ketamine at 12.5, 25, and 50 μg kg(-1) minute(-1) decreased sevoflurane MAC(BAR), and the maximal decrease (22%) occurred at 12.5 μg kg(-1) minute(-1). The percentage change in MAC(BAR) was not correlated with either the log plasma ketamine or norketamine concentration. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Ketamine at clinically relevant doses of 12.5, 25, and 50 μg kg(-1) minute(-1) decreased sevoflurane MAC(BAR), although the reduction was neither dose-dependent nor linear.
Secrecy performance of MIMO Nakagami‐m wiretap channels with optimal TAS and different antenna schemes

Transmit antenna selection (TAS) in wiretap channels has arisen as a simple promising scheme to improve physical layer security. However, up to now, TAS schemes have aimed at maximising the instantaneous signal‐to‐noise ratio of the legitimate receiver, which by its essence is a sub‐optimal strategy from a secrecy point of view. In this paper, unlike previous works, we propose a novel TAS scheme for multiple‐input multiple‐output wiretap channels by exploiting full channel state information. The proposed scheme achieves higher secrecy performance by selecting an antenna that maximises the secrecy rate. In our analysis, we assume that the receiver (Rx) and the eavesdropper employ either selection combining (SC) or maximal‐ratio combining (MRC) to combine the received signals, and this results in four different receiver combining arrangements. By considering Nakagami‐m fading, secrecy performance is analysed. Specifically, closed‐form expressions for the secrecy outage probability are derived, which can be used as a quality of service metric. Moreover, an asymptotic analysis is carried out and the respective diversity/array gains are obtained. The ergodic secrecy rate is also investigated for the case of multiple‐input single‐output wiretap channels. Insightful discussions are attained from our analysis. For instance, it is shown that the performance gain of MRC over SC at the Rx does not depend on the number of antennas and combining scheme at the eavesdropper. More interestingly, we observe that such a performance gain is independent of the TAS scheme used at the transmitter (Tx). On the other hand, it is shown that the secrecy gap between SC and MRC at the eavesdropper is independent of the number of antennas at the Tx, but it depends on the number of antennas at the Rx. Finally, it is demonstrated that the diversity gain is the same for all antenna configurations. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Josephson ternary memory circuit

A novel ternary logic memory circuit using Josephson junctions is described. The principle of the ternary memory circuit proposed here is based on the persistent circulating current in the superconducting loop in the clockwise and the counter clockwise directions. As the gate for writing and reading operation of the memory, the three-junction SQUID and the JCTL which is constructed by combination of two two-junction SQUIDs are used. In order to develop the memory circuit, we have made the simulations to determine the most suitable circuit parameters to the memory cell and then fabricated the circuit based on 2 /spl mu/m minimum line width technology. The simulation results show satisfactory operations of the memory circuit, which agree well with the experiment results. The advantages of the proposed memory circuit are capability of high speed computation, low power consumption and very simple construction with less number of elements due to the ternary operation.
The Third Wave: Inside the Numbers

Recent democratic setbacks have raised the specter of a reverse wave of democratization and emphasized the importance of the gray zone between closed autocracy and liberal democracy. Mapping the frequency of different regime types in different world regions (1972–2012), we identify a set of interesting cross-regional similarities and differences and show that the recent setbacks have affected only some regions. We conclude that much indicates that we have entered a situation of overall democratic stagnation. While this entails a lot of movement forth and back, these movements are mostly confined to the gray zone regime types of electoral autocracies and minimalist democracies.
Individual Decisions Concerning the Allocation of Resources for Projects with Uncertain Consequences

Individual decision making behavior under uncertainty is queried by experiments. The subject's task is to allocate resources for projects with transformation results about which only uncertain expectations exist. The purpose is to get some insight into the information processing which determines the choice of an allocation rate. The data contradict any predictions based on a SEU model of decision making behavior under uncertainty. An heuristic information processing model is built which possesses better empirical validity than the SEU model. The model provides an alternative to Atkinson's theory, for it is demonstrated that individuals show both typical and atypical reactions in dynamic interaction. The variable 'situation of an individual' is defined which provides a mechanism to explain the observable switch in the priority ordering of needs.
Hematoma resolution as a target for intracerebral hemorrhage treatment: Role for peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ in microglia/macrophages

Phagocytosis is necessary to eliminate the hematoma after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH); however, release of proinflammatory mediators and free radicals during phagocyte activation is toxic to neighboring cells, leading to secondary brain injury. Promotion of phagocytosis in a timely and efficient manner may limit the toxic effects of persistent blood products on surrounding tissue and may be important for recovery after ICH.
Using genetic algorithms to optimize an active sensor network on a stiffened aerospace panel with 3D scanning laser vibrometry data

With the increasing complexity of aircraft structures and materials there is an essential need to continually monitor the structure for damage. This also drives the requirement for optimizing the location of sensors for damage detection to ensure full damage detection coverage of the structure whilst minimizing the number of sensors required, hence reducing costs, weight and data processing. An experiment was carried out to investigate the optimal sensor locations of an active sensor network for detecting adhesive disbonds of a stiffened panel. A piezoelectric transducer was coupled to two different stiffened aluminium panels; one healthy and one with a 25.4mm long disbond. The transducer was positioned at five individual locations to assess the effectiveness of damage detection at different transmission locations. One excitation frequency of 100kHz was used for this study. The panels were scanned with a 3D scanning laser vibrometer which represented a network of ‘ideal’ receiving transducers. The responses measured on the disbonded panel were cross- correlated with those measured on the healthy panel at a large number of potential sensor locations. This generated a cost surface which a genetic algorithm could interrogate in order to find the optimal sensor locations for a given size of sensor network. Probabilistic techniques were used to consider multiple disbond location scenarios, in order to optimise the sensor network for maximum probability of detection across a range of disbond locations.
Genotyping Primers for Fully Automated Multilocus Variable-Number Tandem Repeat Analysis of Escherichia coli O157:H7

We recently developed a multilocus variable-number tandem repeat (TR) analysis (MLVA) assay for Escherichia coli O157:H7 ([2][1]). In this assay, we identified seven loci that, when used in combination, were able to identify E. coli O157:H7 outbreaks, discriminate among genetically diverse isolates
Refugee transition into American public schools: an emergent study of major influences

American public schools are growing increasingly diverse and are in need of refining practices to meet the needs of all students. Annually new groups of refugees are resettled in the United States and their children enroll in public schools. Educating refugees who may have experienced an adverse past such as war, trauma, oppression, persecution, loss and interrupted education presents many challenges for school officials. To better understand those challenges, the purpose of this research was to ascertain what some of the salient educational influences are that impact refugee transition into American schools. The literature speaks in general terms both about the refugee experience before resettlement and the educational experience after resettlement. There is minimal research that examines these experiences from the perspectives of refugees themselves. In this study a forum was created inviting a purposeful sample of refugees to be heard. Refugees’ perspectives informed school officials about how to meet their educational and socio-cultural needs. As a result, participants were recognized as meaningful and valued stakeholders in the American schooling process. An ethnographic interview-based methodology was the primary research method used to gather information. Thirteen refugees shared their stories of transition. Half of the participants were enrolled in a public high school whereas the others had already attended public schools and were either working in careers or attending universities. Participants completed a demographic survey and shared artifacts relevant to their story. These participants’ stories inform the reader about the interconnectedness of the different aspects of the refugee experience, which creates a deeper understanding of their condition. Participants recounted the specific episodes of the traumatic past they endured as well as the issues related to their school transition. They did not simply report about these events— they invited the reader to experience them through storytelling. Consequently, transitional issues were not viewed in abstract terms but as the reality of specific events that transpired in the lives of participants. Their input was explicit and more credible than a report from one who has not personally experienced these events firsthand. While policy makers and school leaders focus heavily on academic outcomes for students, participants demonstrated that educating individuals is about far more than academic development alone. The whole person must be taken into consideration when creating educational policies and programs. Stories can speak for themselves where a deep listener is available to hear them. Advocates who have listened and understood those stories can be a voice for refugees in schools and with policy making bodies. The stories of this group of refugees demonstrate how this can be accomplished.
Expectations of youth victims of violence regarding health care professionals leading them to wellness in South Africa

Background Many youth victims of violence report for treatment at the health care facilities in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. It was unclear what the youth expected regarding how they could be led towards wellness by health care professionals following an incident of violence (R1.1). Objectives This study sought to explore and describe the expectations of the youth victims of violence with regards to health care professionals (R1.2) leading them to wellness in a selected rural community. Method A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual design was used. Nine focus group discussions were conducted with 58 (23 males, 35 females) purposefully selected youth victims of violence between the ages of 15 and 19. Data analysis was done through open coding. Ethics clearance was received from the University Ethics Committee prior to the study being conducted. Results Findings indicated that the youth victims of violence expect the health care professionals (professional nurses, doctors and social workers) working in their community to act as role models, demonstrate a professional attitude, provide health education, provide confidential counselling services, and establish school and community outreach programmes. Conclusion This study provides evidence that youth victims of violence have important expectations from health care professionals concerning their wellness. Hence, health care professionals should focus on designing and implementing interventions targeting these expectations.