Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Janus-like Fe3O4/PDA vesicles with broadening microwave absorption bandwidth

Microstructural design of the magnetic composites with ultra-wide microwave absorption bandwidth has been attracting extensive attention in the fields of both electromagnetic shielding and radar stealth, but it still remains a great challenge. Herein, asymmetric Janus nanocomposites of Fe3O4/PDA vesicles were successfully prepared, and they exhibited strong absorption intensity (−50.0 dB) and ultra-wide bandwidth (6.4 to 18 GHz) covering 73% of the frequency range of 2–18 GHz with a film thickness of only 2.5 mm. The excellent absorption properties could be due to the asymmetric polarization and magnetic coupling effects, which allow most incident microwaves propagating from the nonmagnetic PDA shell into the magnetic core to be exhausted (−50.0 dB). Electron holography analysis confirmed the intense magnetic coupling of the high-density flux lines within the adjacent Fe3O4-derived core@shell network. Our findings suggest that the anisotropic Janus absorber effectively possesses a broad bandwidth, which might be extended to other asymmetric nanomaterials for electromagnetic interference applications.
Do HMOs Reduce Preventable Hospitalizations for Medicare Beneficiaries?

This study assesses the association of HMO enrollment with preventable hospitalizations among the elderly in four states. Using 2001 hospital discharge abstracts for elderly Medicare enrollees (age 65 and above) residing in four states (New York, Pennsylvania, Florida, and California), from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP-SID) database of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, we use a multivariate cross-sectional design with patient-level data for each state. Holding other factors such as demographics and illness severity constant, we find that in three out of four states, Medicare HMO patients had lower odds of a preventable admission versus marker admission than Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) patients. Moreover, in the two states with longest tenure and greatest Medicare HMO penetration, California and Florida, the reduction in preventable admissions among Medicare HMO patients was mainly concentrated among more ill patients. These findings add to the evidence that managed care outperforms traditional care among the elderly, rather than simply skimming off the healthiest populations.
Potentialities of the Poly(Aminoethyl Methacrylate) p(AMA) as Gelatin-Like Polymer in Complex Coacervation

In order to overcome all encapsulation variations during a complex coacervation process, the replacement of gelatin cationic polymer has been performed using p(AMA). The synthesis of p(AMA) was realized through a random radical methodology. Under these conditions a polymer with 18,600 g/mol was found appropriate for optimal capsule yield and physico-chemical properties. Turbidity measurements performed during the coacervation reactions with different ratios of both CMC and p(AMA) allowed optimizing coacervation conditions. Coacervates characterizations particularly demonstrate the stability of the capsules exhibiting a break strength over 3 N/m2.
IMAGE ANALYSIS AND FUZZY INTEGRATION APPLIED TO PRINT QUALITY ASSESSMENT

ABSTRACT We present an image analysis and fuzzy integration based option for the assessment of print quality in rotogravure printing. Values of several print distortion attributes are evaluated employing image analysis procedures and then are aggregated into an overall print quality measure using fuzzy integration. The experimental investigations performed have shown that the print quality evaluations provided by the measure correlate well with the print quality rankings obtained from the expert. The developed tools are successfully used in printing shops for routine print quality control.
Structure and Electrophysical Properties of Double-component Film Alloys Based on Molybdenum and Iron or Nickel

The study of the structure-phase composition and electrophysical properties of film alloys of molybdenum and nickel or iron were deposited by the method of simultaneous thermo-vacuum condensation was done. In a non-annealing state, the samples remain biphasic. After heat treatment at 750 K in vacuum, the formation of the metastable phases of the fcc-Ni3Mo (lattice parameter a  0.360 nm) and bcc-Fe2Mo (a  0.296 nm) in film alloys based on Ni and Mo was recorded at concentrations of atoms of ferromagnetic metal 75 and 65 at. % respectively Investigation of the thermoresistive properties of films showed that the dispersion of the structure, the admixture phases and the solid phase reactions affect the temperature dependence of the resistivity and the temperature coefficient of resistance. In film alloys, the range of elastic deformation remains greater than several times than for single-layer metal films, while the strain coefficient is practically unchanged.
Analyzing Chat Logs in Online Games for Tutorial Improvement

Our current work is dedicated to research and development of methods for tutorial improvement and newcomers adaptation in online games. This report is focused on investigation of help-seeking patterns in online games' chat logs. Using text mining techniques we detect game-related questions from users, explore their contents, and show the changes across the server lifecycle.
Integrating symbolic and geometric planning for mobile manipulation

Mobile manipulation requires to solve multiple subproblems. One is planning in high-dimensional configuration spaces, that we approach in this work. We decompose the manipulation problem into a symbolic and a geometric part. The symbolic part is implemented as a classical symbolic planner that tightly integrates a geometric planner enabling us to efficiently generate correct plans. A probabilistic roadmap planner constitutes the geometric part. During the computation of the roadmap we utilize proximity queries to determine non-colliding configurations and to verify collision-free paths between configurations accurately and efficiently. We demonstrate experiments in two scenarios, one of these being the manipulator dexterity test scenario that was used in NIST's response robot evaluation in Disaster City.
First Evidence of Bone Morphogenetic Protein 1 Expression and Activity in Sheep Ovarian Follicles1

Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) 1 is a vertebrate metalloproteinase of the astacin family. BMP1 plays a key role in regulating the formation of the extracellular matrix (ECM), particularly by processing the C-propeptide of fibrillar procollagens. BMP1 also promotes BMP signaling by releasing BMP signaling molecules from complexes with the BMP-antagonist chordin. As a result of BMP1′s dual role in both ECM formation and BMP signaling, we hypothesized that BMP1 could play a role in ovarian physiology. Using the sheep ovary as a model system, we showed that BMP1 was expressed in the ovary throughout early fetal stages to adulthood. Furthermore, in adult ovaries, BMP1 was expressed along with chordin, BMP4, and twisted gastrulation, which together form an extracellular regulatory complex for BMP signaling. Within ovine ovaries, immunohistochemical localization demonstrated that BMP1 was present in granulosa cells at all stages of follicular development, from primordial to large antral follicles, and that the levels of BMP1 were not affected by the final follicle selection mechanism. In cultured granulosa cells, BMP1 expression was not affected by gonadotropins, but BMP4 and activin A had opposing effects on the levels of BMP1 mRNA. BMP1 appeared to be secreted into the follicular fluid of antral follicles, where it is able to exert procollagen C-proteinase and chordinase activities. Interestingly, BMP1 activity in follicular fluid decreased with follicular growth.
New NTP analogs: the synthesis of 4′-thioUTP and 4′-thioCTP and their utility for SELEX

The synthesis of the triphosphates of 4′-thiouridine and 4′-thiocytidine, 4′-thioUTP (7; thioUTP) and 4′-thioCTP (8; thioCTP), and their utility for SELEX (systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment) is described. The new nucleoside triphosphate (NTP) analogs 7 and 8 were prepared from appropriately protected 4′-thiouridine and -cytidine derivatives using the one-pot method reported by J. Ludwig and F. Eckstein [(1989) J. Org. Chem., 54, 631–635]. Because SELEX requires both in vitro transcription and reverse transcription, we examined the ability of 7 and 8 for SELEX by focusing on the two steps. Incorporation of 7 and 8 by T7 RNA polymerase to give 4′-thioRNA (thioRNA) proceeded well and was superior to those of the two sets of frequently used modified NTP analogs for SELEX (2′-NH2dUTP and 2′-NH2dCTP; 2′-FdUTP and 2′-FdCTP), when an adequate leader sequence of DNA template was selected. We revealed that a leader sequence of about +15 of DNA template is important for the effective incorporation of modified NTP analogs by T7 RNA polymerase. In addition, reverse transcription of the resulting thioRNA into the complementary DNA in the presence of 2′-deoxynucleoside triphosphates (dNTPs) also proceeded smoothly and precisely. The stability of the thioRNA toward RNase A was 50 times greater than that of the corresponding natural RNA. With these successful results in hand, we attempted the selection of thioRNA aptamers to human α-thrombin using thioUTP and thioCTP, and found a thioRNA aptamer with high binding affinity (Kd = 4.7 nM).
Conservation genomics of natural and managed populations: building a conceptual and practical framework

The boom of massive parallel sequencing (MPS) technology and its applications in conservation of natural and managed populations brings new opportunities and challenges to meet the scientific questions that can be addressed. Genomic conservation offers a wide range of approaches and analytical techniques, with their respective strengths and weaknesses that rely on several implicit assumptions. However, finding the most suitable approaches and analysis regarding our scientific question are often difficult and time‐consuming. To address this gap, a recent workshop entitled ‘ConGen 2015’ was held at Montana University in order to bring together the knowledge accumulated in this field and to provide training in conceptual and practical aspects of data analysis applied to the field of conservation and evolutionary genomics. Here, we summarize the expertise yield by each instructor that has led us to consider the importance of keeping in mind the scientific question from sampling to management practices along with the selection of appropriate genomics tools and bioinformatics challenges.
Who Influences Latin American Stock Market Returns? China versus USA Author(s):

This paper studies the influence of Chinese and American macroeconomic variables in the stock market indices of Brazil, Chile and Mexico by applying the present value model. The long-run relationships are tested applying Cointegration (Johansen), Granger causality tests, and a Vector Error Correction Model (VECM). The main findings suggest that (Chinese and US) macroeconomic variables are cointegrated with Latin American stock market indices; moreover, we uncover that US macroeconomic variables Granger cause Mexican and Brazilian stock market indices whilst Chinese macroeconomic variables Granger cause Mexican and Chilean stock market indices. Finally, we find evidence supporting the present value model since the domestic industrial production is a leading factor explaining stock market performance and domestic interest rates are inversely related to stock market performance. Meanwhile, the US leading industrial production index explains stock market indices in Mexico and Chile; whereas the Chinese leading industrial production index explains the Mexican stock market index. The results suggest that Chinese macroeconomic variables have increasingly become an important determinant of Latin American stock market performance.
Effectiveness Study of Code-Aided and Non-Code-Aided ML-Based Feedback Phase Synchronizers

This paper investigates the effectiveness of a (non-)code-aided ML-based FB phase synchronizer at the low operating signal-to-noise ratio of capacity-approaching codes. We show that the performance of the code-aided synchronizer is very close to that of a data-aided synchronizer that knows all data symbols in advance. This illustrates the optimality of the code-aided synchronizer. For the non-code-aided and the data-aided synchronizer, the linearized mean square phase error (MSPE) is evaluated analytically in the case of a first order loop. We demonstrate that, the MSPE of the non-code-aided synchronizer equals that of the data-aided synchronizer when the carrier phase is essentially constant and the loop filter gain is the same for both synchronizers, but that the non-code-aided synchronizer (as compared to the data-aided synchronizer) yields a larger MSPE due to phase fluctuations. This proves that code-aided FB phase estimation outperforms non-code-aided FB phase estimation when that the phase to be estimated is time-varying.
Tramp Novae between Galaxies in the Fornax Cluster: Tracers of Intracluster Light

We report the results of a survey for novae in and between the galaxies of the Fornax Cluster. Our survey provides strong evidence that intracluster novae exist and that they provide a useful, independent measure of the intracluster light in Fornax. We discovered six strong nova candidates in six distinct epochs spanning 11 yr from 1993 to 2004. The data were taken with the 4 m and the 1.5 m telescopes at Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory. The spatial distribution of the nova candidates is consistent with ~16%-41% of the total light in the cluster being in the intracluster light, based on the ratio of the number of novae we discovered in intracluster space over the total number of novae discovered plus a simple completeness correction factor. This estimate is consistent with independent measures of intracluster light in Fornax and Virgo using intracluster planetary nebulae. The accuracy of the intracluster light measurement improves with each survey epoch as more novae are discovered.
Modulation of theta rhythmicity in the medial septal neurons and the hippocampal electroencephalogram in the awake rabbit via actions at noradrenergic alpha2-receptors.

The modulation of the firing discharge of medial septal neurons and of the hippocampal electroencephalogram (EEG) mediated by actions on alpha2-adrenoreceptors (ARs) was investigated in awake rabbits. Bilateral i.c. v. infusion of a relatively low dose (0.5 microg) of the alpha2-AR agonist clonidine produced a reduction in the theta rhythmicity of both medial septal neurons and the hippocampal EEG. In contrast, a high dose of clonidine (5 microg) increased the percentage and degree of rhythmicity of theta bursting medial septal neurons as well as the theta power of the hippocampal EEG. On the other hand, administration of alpha2-AR antagonist idazoxan produced the opposite dose-dependent effect. While a low dose of the antagonist (20 microg) produced an increase in both the theta rhythmicity of medial septal neurons and the theta power of the hippocampal EEG, a high dose (100 microg) caused a reduction of theta rhythmicity in both the medial septum and hippocampus. These results suggest that low doses of alpha2-ARs agents may act at autoreceptors regulating the synaptic release of noradrenaline, while high doses of alpha2-ARs drugs may have a predominant postsynaptic action. Similar results were observed after local injection of the alpha2-AR drugs into the medial septum suggesting that the effects induced by the i.c. v. infusion were primarily mediated at the medial septal level. We suggest that noradrenergic transmission via the postsynaptic alpha2-ARs produces fast and strong activation of the septohippocampal system in situations that require urgent selective attention to functionally significant information (alert, aware), whereas the action via the presynaptic alpha2-ARs allows a quick return of the activity to the initial level.
A General PLL-Type Algorithm for Speed Sensorless Control of Electrical Drives

Speed control of electrical drives without additional speed sensors is preferable in terms of cost and maintenance effort. Common approaches are either simple but inaccurate with deteriorated drive performance in the low-speed range, or they offer full torque even at zero speed at the cost of high implementation effort and parameter sensitivity. Moreover, most of the suggested solutions are tailor made for specific machine types. The proposed method constitutes a simple phase-locked-loop-type sensorless algorithm that can be related to the former category. The outstanding feature of the presented method is its effectiveness and simplicity at the same time. This paper presents corresponding design guidelines for an easy to implement and robust speed sensorless control algorithm for all kinds of electrical machines that includes induction machines as well as synchronous reluctance machines with and without extra/permanent excitation.
Extracellular microRNAs are dynamic non-vesicular biomarkers of muscle turnover

Extracellular microRNAs (miRNAs) are promising biomarkers of the inherited muscle wasting condition Duchenne muscular dystrophy, as they allow non-invasive monitoring of either disease progression or response to therapy. In this study, serum miRNA profiling reveals a distinct extracellular miRNA signature in dystrophin-deficient mdx mice, which shows profound dose-responsive restoration following dystrophin rescue. Extracellular dystrophy-associated miRNAs (dystromiRs) show dynamic patterns of expression that mirror the progression of muscle pathology in mdx mice. Expression of the myogenic miRNA, miR-206 and the myogenic transcription factor myogenin in the tibialis anterior muscle were found to positively correlate with serum dystromiR levels, suggesting that extracellular miRNAs are indicators of the regenerative status of the musculature. Similarly, extracellular dystromiRs were elevated following experimentally-induced skeletal muscle injury and regeneration in non-dystrophic mice. Only a minority of serum dystromiRs were found in extracellular vesicles, whereas the majority were protected from serum nucleases by association with protein/lipoprotein complexes. In conclusion, extracellular miRNAs are dynamic indices of pathophysiological processes in skeletal muscle.
Petrogenesis of Amphibolites from the Banded Gneissic Complex around Masuda, Rajasthan: Significance to Precambrian Crustal Evolution of the Aravalli Craton

The Banded Gneissic Complex (BGC) occurring around Masuda consists of granitoids, migmatized mica schist, calc-gneiss and amphibolites. The amphibolites (few cm to tens of metre wide) are co-folded with the granitoid and calc- gneisses. The ortho-amphibolites are classified into high-Mg and tholeiitic amphibolites and they have distinct chondrite normalized Rare Earth Element (REE) patterns and Ce/Nd ratios. Modeling of their geochemical data suggests that magmas representing the high-Mg amphibolites were derived by low extents of partial melting of mantle sources more Fe-enriched than lherzolite whereas magmas representing the tholeiitic amphibolites were derived by low-extents of partial melting of sources formed by mixing of high-Mg magmas with lherzolite. The composition of this source is similar to the komatiites. The tholeiitic amphibolites have geochemical and petrogenetic characteristics of the basalts formed in island arcs. They are different from that of amphibolites found in the basal part of Aravalli Supergroup and mafic enclaves found within the BGC occurring east of Nathdwara and Udaipur.
Parallel expression of the MB19 genetic polymorphism in apoprotein B-100 and apoprotein B-48. Evidence that both apoproteins are products of the same gene.

Immunochemical studies have demonstrated that apoprotein B-100 and apoprotein B-48 share some antigenic determinants, but whether they are products of the same gene has remained uncertain. Utilizing a specific mouse monoclonal antibody, MB19, we recently characterized a common form of genetic polymorphism that was expressed in apo-B-100 (Young, S. G., Bertics, S. J., Curtiss, L. K., Casal, D. C., and Witztum, J.L. (1985) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. , in press). Antibody MB19 binds different allotypes of apo-B-100 (MB19(1) and MB19(2] with high and low affinities, respectively. Compared to a rabbit antiserum against human low density lipoprotein, which detects 100% of apo-B mass in all individuals, antibody MB19 detects 100% of apo-B with allotype MB19(1) but less than 10% of apo-B with allotype MB19(2). Western blots demonstrate that MB19 binds to both apo-B-100 and apo-B-48. To determine if apo-B-48 and apo-B-100 from the same individual express the same polymorphism, chylomicrons and very low density lipoproteins were isolated from 23 subjects in whom the allotypes of apo-B-100 were known. Delipidated apoproteins were separated electrophoretically and then transferred to nitrocellulose membranes. Nitrocellulose membranes were incubated with 125I-MB19 (to detect the polymorphism) and 131I-antiserum to human apo-B (to quantitate total apo-B transferred to nitrocellulose membranes). Apo-B-100 and apo-B-48 bands were removed and the ratio of 125/131 counts in each band was calculated. In all 23 subjects studied, the same MB19 polymorphism was present in both apo-B-100 and apo-B-48. This observation provides strong evidence that both apoproteins are products of the same gene.
The Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factor MYC2 Directly Represses PLETHORA Expression during Jasmonate-Mediated Modulation of the Root Stem Cell Niche in Arabidopsis[W][OA]

This study investigates the mechanisms underlying jasmonate-induced inhibition of primary root growth. Jasmonate inhibits the expression of two AP2-domain transcription factors, PLETHORA1 and 2, in a MYC2-dependent fashion. MYC2 is suggested to integrate the jasmonate and auxin pathways during the maintenance of the root stem cell niche. The root stem cell niche, which in the Arabidopsis thaliana root meristem is an area of four mitotically inactive quiescent cells (QCs) and the surrounding mitotically active stem cells, is critical for root development and growth. We report here that during jasmonate-induced inhibition of primary root growth, jasmonate reduces root meristem activity and leads to irregular QC division and columella stem cell differentiation. Consistently, jasmonate reduces the expression levels of the AP2-domain transcription factors PLETHORA1 (PLT1) and PLT2, which form a developmentally instructive protein gradient and mediate auxin-induced regulation of stem cell niche maintenance. Not surprisingly, the effects of jasmonate on root stem cell niche maintenance and PLT expression require the functioning of MYC2/JASMONATE INSENSITIVE1, a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor that involves versatile aspects of jasmonate-regulated gene expression. Gel shift and chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments reveal that MYC2 directly binds the promoters of PLT1 and PLT2 and represses their expression. We propose that MYC2-mediated repression of PLT expression integrates jasmonate action into the auxin pathway in regulating root meristem activity and stem cell niche maintenance. This study illustrates a molecular framework for jasmonate-induced inhibition of root growth through interaction with the growth regulator auxin.