Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cellulose nanocrystals: chemistry, self-assembly, and applications.

Cellulose constitutes the most abundant renewable polymer resource available today. As a chemical raw material, it is generally well-known that it has been used in the form of fibers or derivatives for nearly 150 years for a wide spectrum of products and materials in daily life. What has not been known until relatively recently is that when cellulose fibers are subjected to acid hydrolysis, the fibers yield defect-free, rod-like crystalline residues. Cellulose nanocrystals (CNs) have garnered in the materials community a tremendous level of attention that does not appear to be relenting. These biopolymeric assemblies warrant such attention not only because of their unsurpassed quintessential physical and chemical properties (as will become evident in the review) but also because of their inherent renewability and sustainability in addition to their abundance. They have been the subject of a wide array of research efforts as reinforcing agents in nanocomposites due to their low cost, availability, renewability, light weight, nanoscale dimension, and unique morphology. Indeed, CNs are the fundamental constitutive polymeric motifs of macroscopic cellulosic-based fibers whose sheer volume dwarfs any known natural or synthetic biomaterial. Biopolymers such as cellulose and lignin and † North Carolina State University. ‡ Helsinki University of Technology. Dr. Youssef Habibi is a research assistant professor at the Department of Forest Biomaterials at North Carolina State University. He received his Ph.D. in 2004 in organic chemistry from Joseph Fourier University (Grenoble, France) jointly with CERMAV (Centre de Recherche sur les Macromolecules Vegetales) and Cadi Ayyad University (Marrakesh, Morocco). During his Ph.D., he worked on the structural characterization of cell wall polysaccharides and also performed surface chemical modification, mainly TEMPO-mediated oxidation, of crystalline polysaccharides, as well as their nanocrystals. Prior to joining NCSU, he worked as assistant professor at the French Engineering School of Paper, Printing and Biomaterials (PAGORA, Grenoble Institute of Technology, France) on the development of biodegradable nanocomposites based on nanocrystalline polysaccharides. He also spent two years as postdoctoral fellow at the French Institute for Agricultural Research, INRA, where he developed new nanostructured thin films based on cellulose nanowiskers. Dr. Habibi’s research interests include the sustainable production of materials from biomass, development of high performance nanocomposites from lignocellulosic materials, biomass conversion technologies, and the application of novel analytical tools in biomass research. Chem. Rev. 2010, 110, 3479–3500 3479
An Exploratory Study of Ethics Codes of Professional Public Relations Associations: Proposing Modified Universal Codes of Ethics in Public Relations

Public relations scholars have demonstrated contradictory views regarding the application of universal versus culture-specific approaches for understanding global public relations ethics. However, few comparative studies have empirically explored public relations ethics on a global scale. To that end, this study represents an exploratory attempt to provide a descriptive picture of public relations professional associations and their codes of ethics across 107 countries. In conclusion, we argue that honesty, safeguarding of confidences of clients, and prohibition of conflicts of interest of competing clients should be accepted as the universal values, while other issues, such as free flow of information and fees and gifts, could be understood as the relativistic values specific to a nation's situation and needs.
The Influence of Decision Aids on Choice Strategies: An Experimental Analysis of the Role of Cognitive Effort

This paper examines the role of computer-based decision aids in reducing cognitive effort and therefore influencing strategy selection. It extends and complements the works reported in the behavioral decision theory literature on the role of effort and accuracy in choice tasks. The central proposition of this paper is that specific features can be incorporated within a set of decision aids that will alter the effort required to implement a particular choice strategy relative to other strategies, and that this will influence strategy selection by the decision maker. In a laboratory experiment, using a repeated measures design, 48 subjects performed a preferential choice task using different decision aids. Subjects were given different levels of support to reduce the cognitive effort associated with different preferential choice strategies. In particular, the decision aids provided varying levels of support for the processing associated with either elimination by aspects or additive difference strategies. The study examined how information processing strategies were influenced by the decision aids. The results show that decision aids which reduce the effort associated with the elimination by aspects strategy induce behaviors associated with elimination by aspects. More importantly, there was an interaction effect caused by the distinct behavior of the group which was provided support for additive difference but not for elimination by aspects. This group processed the information about available choices in a way that is consistent with an additive difference strategy. These findings indicate that a decision aid can induce additive processing by altering the relative effort requirements of different choice strategies.
Perceived empathy, accurate empathy and relationship satisfaction in heterosexual couples

One aim of this study was to test a model derived from Cutrona that conflict and depression partially mediate the relation between perceived and accurate empathy and relationship satisfaction. This was investigated in 149 heterosexual couples using dyadic analysis. As accurate empathy was not significantly related to relationship satisfaction when actual and assumed similarities were controlled, this model was only examined with perceived empathy. Apart from conflict in men, the actor effects of the model were supported. Perceived empathy was positively associated with relationship satisfaction and negatively associated with depression and conflict. Depression and conflict were negatively associated with relationship satisfaction. There were two partner effects. Conflict in women was significantly associated with depression and relationship dissatisfaction in men.
On Object Manipulation Methods using Finger Relocation ∗

This paper presents a new smooth object manipulation method which is based on finger relocation. It relies on a special stratified manipulation concept. This method performs the stratified motion planning algorithm, not using the exact kinematic model but a fictitious system. The process provides a simpler control algorithm because it substitutes the generally hard symbolic computation problem with a simple (almost pure numerical) computations. Finally, the paper introduces the simulation results for the new method.
A Lentiviral Vector Expressing Japanese Encephalitis Virus-like Particles Elicits Broad Neutralizing Antibody Response in Pigs

Background Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is the major cause of viral encephalitis in Southeast Asia. Vaccination of domestic pigs has been suggested as a “one health” strategy to reduce viral disease transmission to humans. The efficiency of two lentiviral TRIP/JEV vectors expressing the JEV envelope prM and E glycoproteins at eliciting protective humoral response was assessed in a mouse model and piglets. Methodology/Principal Findings A gene encoding the envelope proteins prM and E from a genotype 3 JEV strain was inserted into a lentiviral TRIP vector. Two lentiviral vectors TRIP/JEV were generated, each expressing the prM signal peptide followed by the prM protein and the E glycoprotein, the latter being expressed either in its native form or lacking its two C-terminal transmembrane domains. In vitro transduction of cells with the TRIP/JEV vector expressing the native prM and E resulted in the efficient secretion of virus-like particles of Japanese encephalitis virus. Immunization of BALB/c mice with TRIP/JEV vectors resulted in the production of IgGs against Japanese encephalitis virus, and the injection of a second dose one month after the prime injection greatly boosted antibody titers. The TRIP/JEV vectors elicited neutralizing antibodies against JEV strains belonging to genotypes 1, 3, and 5. Immunization of piglets with two doses of the lentiviral vector expressing JEV virus-like particles led to high titers of anti-JEV antibodies, that had efficient neutralizing activity regardless of the JEV genotype tested. Conclusions/Significance Immunization of pigs with the lentiviral vector expressing JEV virus-like particles is particularly efficient to prime antigen-specific humoral immunity and trigger neutralizing antibody responses against JEV genotypes 1, 3, and 5. The titers of neutralizing antibodies elicited by the TRIP/JEV vector are sufficient to confer protection in domestic pigs against different genotypes of JEV and this could be of a great utility in endemic regions where more than one genotype is circulating.
Individual, Familial, and Organizational Determinants of Career Plateau

This article examines the effects of various individual and organizational variables on two measures of career plateau, an objective measure of job stability and a subjective evaluation of having reached a dead end. The study is based on a sample of 2,183 managers from all organizational ranks, representing 41 business establishments and three Canadian economic sectors. The results show wide differences between the variables explaining the fact of having reached a career plateau and the feeling of being in a dead end. The best predictors of objective plateau are objective factors such as past success, age, and education. For the subjective plateau, personal variables such as desire for advancement and personality (locus of control) play the most important role. In both cases, individual factors come out as better predictors of career plateau than familial and organizational factors.
Comparing Compact and Quadrature Polarimetric SAR Performance

The respective classification accuracy levels of compact and quadrature polarimetric synthetic aperture radars (SARs) are compared through results reported in the literature. Classification methodologies are critiqued. A faulty methodology compromises many of those studies. An appropriate methodology leads to trustworthy results. When correctly implemented, classifications from hybrid dual-polarimetric data achieve accuracy levels comparable to those from a quadrature-polarized SAR, to within a few percent.
The consideration of fingerprint probabilities in the courtroom

Recent criticisms and challenges to fingerprint evidence in the United States have prompted fingerprint examiners to reconsider the notion of using probabilities in the courtroom. A growing number of examiners are interested in learning more about this approach, but there is still considerable inertia and fear with respect to this paradigm shift. The present paper provides the author’s viewpoints on why the community can and should be moving in this direction. These viewpoints were shaped through personal experiences as a case-working fingerprint examiner, an instructor of other examiners, and the author’s participation in a moot court exercise that delivered fingerprint probabilities to non-forensic laypersons acting as mock jurors.
A Puzzling Merger in A3266: The Hydrodynamic Picture from XMM-Newton

Using a mosaic of nine XMM-Newton observations, we study the hydrodynamic state of the merging cluster of galaxies Abell 3266. The high signal-to-noise ratio of spectroscopic data of XMM-Newton allows us to determine the thermodynamic conditions of the intracluster medium on ~50 kpc scales. High statistical quality X-ray data reveal the presence of an extended region of low-entropy gas (LEG) running northeast from the primary cluster core along the nominal merger axis. The LEG is a major feature distinguishing the merger event in A3266 from other clusters. The mass of the low-entropy gas is ~1.3 × 1013 M☉. We test the possibility that the origin of the observed low-entropy gas is related either to the disruption of a preexisting cooling core in Abell 3266 or to the stripping of gas from an infalling subcluster. We find that the low-entropy gas has a metallicity 1.5-2 times higher than the bulk of the cluster, yet lower than one-half the solar value typical for the cool cores. In addition, both the radial pressure and entropy profiles, as well as the iron abundance of Abell 3266, do not resemble those in other known cool core clusters (e.g., Abell 478). Thus, we conclude that our observations favor a scenario in which the low-entropy region corresponds to subcluster gas stripped from its dark matter halo. In this scenario the subcluster would be falling onto the core of A3266 from the foreground, having a velocity component in the observer plane toward the southwest. The arguments based on both velocity dispersion and gas mass measurements suggest a mass ratio in the merger of 1 : 10.
THE JUST‐ABOUT‐RIGHT INTENSITY SCALE: FUNCTIONAL ANALYSES AND RELATION TO HEDONICS

This study assessed the meaning of just-about-right (JAR) categories when used with a 5-point intensity scale. The panelists comprised both consumer and in-house respondents. The JAR categories have various meanings as perceived by the respondents: "prefer product," "very good," "I like the product," "like it very much," "highly favorable," "high acceptability," "desirable like the product, " "best for the situation " and "correct. Thus, the JAR meanings invoke preference and acceptability. This article presents two additional analyses to help the product tested. One method of analysis divides below-JAR deviation from the above-JAR deviation, with standard statistical procedures applied in each data set. The second method introduces the signal-to-noise ratio statistic for analyzing the relation of JAR to overall liking. Both analytic methods provide new ways to look at the JAR data, especially with respect to hedonics and product improvement.
From neural stem cells to precursors : Molecular regulation of self-renewal and differentiation

Stem cells are responsible for tissue turnover throughout lifespan. Only highly controlled specific environment, “the stem cell niche”, can sustain undifferentiated stem cell-pool. The balance between maintenance and differentiation is crucial for individual’s health: uncontrolled stem cell self-renewal or proliferation can lead to hyperplasia and mutations that further provoke malignant transformation of the cells. On the other hand, uninhibited differentiation may result in diminished stem cell population, which is unable to maintain tissue turnover. The mechanisms that control the switch from maintenance to differentiation in stem cells are not well known. The same mechanisms that direct the self-renewal and proliferation in normal stem cells are likely to be also involved in maintenance of “cancer stem cell”. Cancer stem cells exhibit stem cell like properties such as self-renewaland differentiation capacity and they can also regenerate the tumor tissue. In this thesis, I have investigated the effect of classical oncogenes E6/E7 and c-Myc, tumor suppressors p53 and retinoblastoma (pRb) family, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) subfamily and glial cell line-derived neurothropic factor (GDNF) family ligands on behavior of neural stem cells (NSCs) and progenitors. The study includes also the characterization of cytoskeletal tumor suppressor neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2) protein merlin and ezrin-radixin-moesin (ERM) protein ezrin expression in neural progenitors cells and their progeny. This study reveals some potential mechanisms regarding to NSCs maintenance. In summary, the studied molecules are able to shift the balance either towards stem cell maintenance or differentiation; tumor suppressor p53 represses whereas E6/E7 oncogenes and c-Myc increase the proportion of self-renewing and proliferating NSCs or progenitors. The data suggests that active MEK-ERK signaling is critical for self-renewal of normal and oncogene expressing NSCs. In addition, the results indicate that expression of cytoskeletal tumor suppressor merlin and ERM protein ezrin in central nervous system (CNS) tissue and progenitors indicates their role in cell differentiation. Furthermore, the data suggests that VEGF-C a factor involved in lymphatic system development, angiogenesis, neovascularization and metastasis but also in maintenance of some neural populations in brain is a novel thropic factor for progenitors in early sympathetic nervous system (SNS). It seems that VEGF-C dose dependently through ERK-pathway supports the proliferation and survival of early sympathetic progenitor cells, and the effect is comparable to that of GDNF family ligands. From neural stem cells to precursors Abbreviations
Teacher Support, Motivation, Learning Strategy Use, and Achievement: A Multilevel Mediation Model

The aim of this study was to examine the role of motivational beliefs in mediating the relationship among perceived teacher support, learning strategy use, and student achievement. The author analyzed the Programme for International Student Assessment mathematics scores and questionnaire responses of 4,855 15-year-old students in Turkey via multilevel analysis. Results indicated that perceived teacher support was positively related to learning strategy use in mathematics and that this relation was mediated through math self-efficacy, anxiety, intrinsic value, and instrumental value. Math self-efficacy and anxiety were, in turn, correlated with Programme for International Student Assessment mathematics achievement. In addition, the author found between-school SES differences to be strong predictors of math self-efficacy, anxiety, and achievement. Findings and directions for future research are discussed.
Estimating One's Own and One's Relatives' Multiple Intelligence: A Study from Argentina

Participants from Argentina (N = 217) estimated their own, their partner's, their parents' and their grandparents' overall and multiple intelligences. The Argentinean data showed that men gave higher overall estimates than women (M = 110.4 vs. 105.1) as well as higher estimates on mathematical and spatial intelligence. Participants thought themselves slightly less bright than their fathers (2 IQ points) but brighter than their mothers (6 points), their grandfathers (8 points), but especially their grandmothers (11 points). Regressions showed that participants thought verbal and mathematical IQ to be the best predictors of overall IQ. Results were broadly in agreement with other studies in the area. A comparison was also made with British data using the same questionnaire. British participants tended to give significantly higher self-estimates than for relatives, though the pattern was generally similar. Results are discussed in terms of the studies in the field. Participantes de Argentina (N = 217) estimaron su propia inteligencia global y múltiple, así como las de su pareja, sus padres y sus abuelos. Los datos argentinos mostraron que los varones proporcionaron estimaciones globales más altas que las mujeres (M = 110.4 vs. 105.1) además de estimaciones más altas en inteligencia numérica y espacial. Los participantes se percibían algo menos inteligentes que sus padres (2 puntos del CI) pero más inteligentes que sus madres (6 puntos), sus abuelos (8 puntos), y, en especial, sus abuelas (11 puntos). Las regresiones mostraron que los participantes creían que el CI verbal y numérico eran los mejores predictores del CI global. En general, los resultados eran similares a otros estudios del área. También se compararon los datos británicos con el mismo cuestionario. Los participantes británicos tendían a adjudicarse estimaciones significativamente más altas que a sus parientes, aunque, en general, el patrón era similar. Se comentan los resultados en términos de estudios en el mismo área.
Cluster Analysis and Classification of Named Entities

This paper presents a statistics-based and language independent unsupervised approach for clustering possible named entities. We describe and motivate the features and statistical filters used by our clustering process. Using the Model-Based Clustering Analysis software we obtained different clusters of named entities. The method was applied to Bulgarian and English. For some clusters, precision is close to 100%; this helps human validation and saves time. Other clusters still need further refinement. Based on the obtained clusters, it is possible to classify new named entities.
Rossby-wave turbulence in a rapidly rotating sphere

We use a quasi-geostrophic numerical model to study the turbulence of rotating flows in a sphere, with realistic Ekman friction and bulk viscous dissipation. The forcing is caused by the destabilization of an axisymmetric Stewartson shear layer, generated by differential rotation, resulting in a forcing at rather large scales. The equilibrium regime is strongly anisotropic and inhomogeneous but exhibits a steep m -5 spectrum in the azimuthal (periodic) direction, at scales smaller than the injection scale. This spectrum has been proposed by Rhines for a Rossby wave turbulence. For some parameter range, we observe a turbulent flow dominated by a large scale vortex located in the shear layer, reminding us of the Great Red Spot of Jupiter.
Repellent Activities of Ocimum basilicum, Azadirachta indica and Eucalyptus citriodora Extracts on Rabbit Skin against Aedes aegypti

Vector borne diseases are the major public health problems in developing countries particularly in tropics. Essential oils from plants can provide the safe and biodegradable alternatives to synthetic repellents, but plant-based repellent formulations available in the market are not effective. The purpose of the study was to investigate mosquito repellent activities of Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum), Neem (Azadirachta indica) and Lemon Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus citriodora) extracts. Different concentrations of the extracts were tested for mosquito repellency on rabbit skin as the host of Aedes aegypti. Laboratory reared starved females were used for the tests and data collection was done by observational parameters based on frequency of mosquito landing and blood engorgement. Synergised Crude oleoresin extract of Pyrethrum and Ballet mosquito repellent® were included as positive test controls and Vaseline pure petroleum jelly® as a negative test control. The results showed that synergised Pyrethrum oleoresin showed complete protection at 0.1% as compared to Lemon Eucalyptus oil and Sweet Basil oil at 2% and 3% respectively(p<0.05). Neem oil and Ballet did not provide complete protection. The mean percent repellency of 5% Neem oil was 84.21 and that of Ballet was 66.84 (p<0.05). Sweet basil and Lemon Eucalyptus oils can be alternative to Pyrethrum as natural mosquito repellents from plant origin.