Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Plasma-assisted Electrochemical Synthesis of Pristine Graphene Sheets

Graphene is a two-dimensional form of graphite made up of a single layer of carbon atoms in a honeycomb lattice that has attracted tremendous interest for its novel physical properties. A key challenge that has emerged is how to synthesize large amounts of graphene (large area or mass) at low cost. The objective of this project is to explore an entirely new method to exfoliate graphene from commercially available graphite products such as pyrolytic graphite (PG) or highly ordered thermal pyrolytic graphite (TPG). Our idea is based on electrochemical exfoliation where a current flows through an electrolyte to enhance the exfoliation of graphene flakes from graphite. A plasma is used as one of the electrodes to amplify the electric fields that are created in solution. In this paper, we present the new process and preliminary characterization of synthesized graphene material by Raman and UV-vis absorbance spectroscopy.
In Response.

February 2016 • Volume 122 • Number 2 www.anesthesia-analgesia.org 581 In Response We thank Cohen et al., 1 representing the Institute for Safe Medication Practices, in their letter to the editor for pointing out our improper use of a trailing zero (using “4.0” instead of the proper “4”) and using the traditional but incorrect “U” instead of “Units. ”2 As pointed out, these are proven sources of medication errors. We thank them for their vigilance, because we neglected to apply our usual clinical practice to our writing. In our defense, we were fractionally (0.3) distracted during writing the manuscript by all the regulations without compelling supporting data. We commit to fractionally (1) reducing our Institute for Safe Medication Practices failure rate. We completely agree with the Institute for Safe Medication Practices that all of us, including the Journals, need to be intellectually consistent in practicing what we preach.
Transneuronal tracing of diverse CNS circuits by Cre-mediated induction of wheat germ agglutinin in transgenic mice

Systems neuroscience addresses the complex circuits made by populations of neurons in the CNS and the cooperative function of these neurons. Improved approaches to the neuroanatomical analysis of CNS circuits are thus of great interest. In fact, significant advances in tract-tracing methods have recently been made by using transgenic mice that express transneuronal lectin tracers under the control of neuron-specific promoters. The utility of those animals, however, is limited to the CNS circuit influenced by the particular promoter. Here, we describe a new transgenic mouse that can be used for transneuronal tracing analysis of circuits in any region of the brain or spinal cord. The transgene in these mice results in expression of LacZ in neurons throughout the CNS. Excision of the LacZ gene by Cre-mediated recombination initiates expression of the lectin, wheat germ agglutinin (WGA). To illustrate the diverse uses of these ZW (LacZ-WGA) mice, we triggered WGA expression either by crossing the mice with two Cre-expressing transgenic mouse lines or by microinjecting a Cre-expressing adeno-associated virus into the cerebellum or cerebral cortex. Both approaches resulted in extensive WGA expression in the cell bodies and dendrites of neurons in which the recombination event occurred, as well as anterograde and transneuronal transport of the lectin to second and third order neurons. Because the lectin can be induced in developing and adult animals, and in all regions of the brain and spinal cord, these ZW may prove extremely valuable for numerous studies of CNS circuit analysis.
User Behaviour during Web Search as Part of Information Gathering

This paper presents the results of a questionnaire on user behaviour during searching the Web as part of information gathering tasks. In this study, users' Web activities related to finding information, comparing information, managing information, and re-finding information, using different Web search and navigation tools, used for information gathering tasks are explored. The results indicate that current Web tools lack important functionalities for supporting how users find, re-find, and manage information during Web information gathering tasks. Furthermore, the results indicate that visual characteristics of search results, re-finding tools that bookmark complete and partial search sessions with user annotation, and integrated information management features may be useful in improving how users gather information on the Web.
Altered gene regulation and potential association with metabolic resistance development to imidacloprid in the tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris.

BACKGROUND Chemical spray on cotton is almost an exclusive method for controlling tarnished plant bug (TPB), Lygus lineolaris. Frequent use of imidacloprid is a concern for neonicotinoid resistance in this key pest. Information of how and why TPB becomes less susceptible to imidacloprid is essential for effective monitoring and managing resistance. RESULTS Microarray analysis of 6688 genes in imidacloprid-selected TPB (Im1500FF) revealed 955 upregulated and 1277 downregulated (≥twofold) genes in Im1500FF, with 369 and 485 of them annotated. Five P450 and nine esterase genes were significantly upregulated, and only one esterase gene and no P450 genes were downregulated. Other upregulated genes include helicases, phosphodiesterases, ATPases and kinases. Pathway analyses identified 65 upregulated cDNAs that encode 51 different enzymes involved in 62 different pathways, including P450 and esterase genes for drug and xenobiotic metabolisms. Sixty-four downregulated cDNAs code only 17 enzymes that are associated with only 23 pathways mostly related to food digestion. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated a significant change in gene expression related to metabolic processes in imidacloprid-selected TPB, resulting in overexpression of P450 and esterase genes for potential excess detoxification and cross/multiple resistance development. The identification of these and other enzyme genes establishes a foundation to explore the complicity of potential imidacloprid resistance in TPB.
Modelling the Paradox in Stock Markets by Variance Ratio Volatility Estimator that Utilises Extreme Values of Asset Prices

We document the presence of the random walk effect in stock indices and, at the same time, find that the constituent stocks of the indices are excessively volatile. This gives rise to a paradox in stock markets between the behaviour of the stock index and its constituent stocks. We address this phenomenon in this article and reconcile the seemingly contradictory inferences by extending the Binomial Markov Random Walk (BMRW) model. JEL Classification: C15, C58, G15
Pathways to higher education: the efficacy of enabling and sub-bachelor pathways for disadvantaged students

This report details the findings of the 'Enabling programmes for disadvantaged student groups project', which was funded as part of the Australian Government Department of Education and Training National Priorities Pool funding 2014 round with the research undertaken in 2015. The project team conducted a review of current enabling programs and reported on: (1) the extent to which current enabling courses offered by Australian higher education providers are an effective means of increasing access to, participation and success in undergraduate courses for domestic students from disadvantaged groups; (2) the appropriateness of enabling courses as a pathway to university for disadvantaged groups compared to other pathways; (3) the variability in quality between enabling courses that impacts on their effectiveness for disadvantaged student groups; and (4) what, if any, particular practices or means of delivery should be incorporated into enabling courses to enhance their effectiveness for people from disadvantaged groups. For the purposes of this report, 'disadvantaged students' were primarily defined in line with the six officially recognised equity groups of students ('the equity group of students'): low socio-economic status (low SES) students; students from regional and remote areas; Indigenous students; students with a disability; students from a non-English speaking background (NESB); and women in non-traditional areas of study (WINTA).
A meta-fuzzy classifier for specifying appropriate fuzzy partitions by genetic fuzzy rule selection with data complexity measures

Tens of thousands of classifiers have been proposed so far. There is no best classifier among them for all the existing data sets. The performance of each classifier often depends on the data sets used for comparison. Even for a single classifier, suitable parameters of the classifier also depend on the data sets. That is, there is a possibility that a suited classifier and its parameter specification can be chosen beforehand if the target data sets or their characteristics were known. In recent years, a number of data complexity measures have been proposed to characterize data sets. The aim of this study is to develop a meta-classifier for selecting an appropriate classifier and/or its appropriate parameter specification by means of data complexity measures. In this paper, we focus on the parameter specification of fuzzy classifiers using data complexity measures as a preliminary study. To construct a meta-classifier, we generate a large number of artificial data sets from Keel benchmark data sets. Then we generate meta-patterns which are composed of the values of data complexity measures as inputs and an appropriate fuzzy partition as an output. Using meta-patterns, a meta-classifier is designed by multiobjective genetic fuzzy rule selection. We evaluate the proposed method through leave one-group out cross-validation.
Estimating insurance and incentive effects of labour market reforms

We formulate a general equilibrium matching model with spell-dependent unemployment benefits and endogenous search effort. The model gives rise to an endogenous distribution of unemployment duration characterized by a time-varying hazard function. Using methods from the literature on Semi-Markov processes, we obtain an expression for the aggregate unemployment rate under heterogeneous search effort. We perform structural estimation of the model using a German micro-data set (SOEP) and discuss the effects of the recent unemployment benefit reform (Hartz IV). Our results show that although the reform and economic growth have contributed to the reduction of the aggregate unemployment rate, aggregate welfare has gone down.
Religion and Mergers and Acquisitions Contracting: The Case of Earnout Agreements

This paper contributes to the growing literature on the effect of religion on corporate decision making. We posit that contingent payment in mergers and acquisitions not only violates Islamic law but also results in several agency issues by creating an incentive for managers to participate in long-term value-destroying behavior during earnout periods. Our empirical results, using regression as well as difference-in-difference estimation, show that target managers significantly manage earnings upward by cutting discretionary expenses during earnout periods. As compared to a sample of matched non-earnout M&A, acquisitions with earnout clauses are followed by significantly lower long-term abnormal returns. Our arguments and results have significant economic and legal consequences on cross-border M&A and could be used to facilitate worldwide economic integration.
Human Ku70/80 Associates Physically with Telomerase through Interaction with hTERT*

Telomere length maintenance, an activity essential for chromosome stability and genome integrity, is regulated by telomerase- and telomere-associated factors. The DNA repair protein Ku (a heterodimer of Ku70 and Ku80 subunits) associates with mammalian telomeres and contributes to telomere maintenance. Here, we analyzed the physical association of Ku with human telomerase both in vivo and in vitro. Antibodies specific to human Ku proteins precipitated human telomerase in extracts from tumor cells, as well as from telomerase-immortalized normal cells, regardless of the presence of DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit. The same Ku antibodies also precipitated in vitro reconstituted telomerase, suggesting that this association does not require telomeric DNA. Moreover, Ku associated with the in vitro translated catalytic subunit of telomerase (hTERT) in the absence of telomerase RNA (hTR) or telomeric DNA. The results presented here are the first to report that Ku associates with hTERT, and this interaction may function to regulate the access of telomerase to telomeric DNA ends.
Development of a dosing strategy for enoxaparin in obese patients.

AIMS Enoxaparin dosing is currently based on total body weight. It is not known how to dose adjust for patients who are overweight or obese. This population pharmacokinetic pharmacodynamic (PKPD) study was undertaken to determine a suitable dosing strategy for such patients. METHODS Patients admitted to the Royal Brisbane Hospital and prescribed enoxaparin as part of their normal care were eligible for inclusion into the study. Approximately three blood samples were taken per patient to determine anti-Xa concentrations. The occurrence of bruising was also recorded. A population pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic analysis using NONMEM was undertaken. Simulations were performed using MATLAB. RESULTS Ninety-six patients were recruited in a prospective study. One-third of patients had a body mass index < 24.9 kg x m(-2), one-third from 25 to 29.9 kg x m(-2), and one-third> 30 kg x m(-2). A two-compartment linear model with additive error was fitted to the data. A covariate analysis showed clearance was best described by lean body weight and the central volume compartment by total body weight. The probability of bruising using a logistic regression model was best described by Cmax and age. Simulations suggest that patients over 50 years of age whose total body weight is> 90 kg, or under 50 years of age whose total body weight is> 120 kg are likely to have a smoother concentration-time profile and less bruising if a dose of 100 IU x kg(-1) (1 mg x kg(-1)) based on lean body weight is administered every 8 h. CONCLUSIONS Dose adjustments of enoxaparin in obese patients are likely to reduce the prevalence of bruising, although prospective validation of this is required.
The Role of Small Towns in Local Place Making

Abstract Self-promotion and reinterpretation of local identity is becoming increasingly important in rural communities. Local identity building is succeeded very differently by rural municipalities and regions. The paper analyses the role of small towns in local identity creation. There are varying interpretations of places in Hungary as ways of achieving meaningful territorialisation. Small towns based on their leading and central position within the micro regions can dominate the place-making processes. Using the example of six Hungarian rural micro-regions we analyse how rural small towns position themselves by local image building. The aim of this paper is to investigate interactions between territorial position and innovative capacity of rural towns through the analysis of symbolisation process and image building. We purpose to introduce a concept of a place oriented approach and demonstrate its usefulness for analysis of rural innovation and place-based development. The case-studies are based on qualitative methods: document-analysis, semi-structured interviews, transect walking and participatory observation. The paper analyses the process of local community and identity building in six rural micro-regions. We seek to understand how small towns position themselves in place-making, the aim of ‘placing’ themselves in the territorial hierarchy of the settlements of micro region. Our results suggest that small towns play very different roles in local image building. Characteristics and territorial scope of local cultural heritage significantly determine the innovative capacity of small towns in local image building where there is a wide range of meanings procedures and processes of place-making.
A miniaturized implantable dual-band platform design for wireless power transfer and biotelemetry

In this paper, we propose a practical system design for wireless implant devices. In order to support both wireless power transfer and medical implant communication service, our design adopted a novel ultra small dual band coil-type antenna. Rests of the elements are composed of commercial off-the-shelf components. Based on this design, the medical implant communication and wireless power transfer performances are thoroughly evaluated in various situations. Evaluation results reveal that the relative performance varies with different situations such as indoor/outdoor and body emulated materials. Our system eventually showed that it can support bi-directional communication more than 1m apart in air and 1cm apart for in-body channel. With practically feasible wireless charging scenario, the system can also support 24/7 operation.
The Impact of Salient Role Stress on Trajectories of Health in Late Life among Survivors of a Seven-Year Panel Study: Analyses of Individual Growth Curves

The purpose this study is twofold: 1) to model changes in health over time among older adults; and 2) to assess the degree to which stress arising in salient social roles accounts for individual variation in these changes. Individual growth curve analyses using Hierarchical Linear Modeling (HLM) software were employed with longitudinal data collected from a nationwide sample of 465 older adults between 1992–1999. The data suggest that, throughout the course of the study, the sample as a whole experienced linear deterioration in self-rated health. After accounting for the effects of non-salient role stress and demographic characteristics, variance in health changes was not accounted for significantly by salient role stress in an additive model. However, the inclusion of a multiplicative term showed that as respondent age increased, the association between salient role stress and adverse changes in health strengthened significantly. These results support the idea that the oldest-old may be particularly vulnerable to the effects of stress. This finding has important implications for targeting interventions and should stimulate further study regarding how and why responses to stress change progressively with age.
Wireless based real-time power coordinated control strategy for a DC microgrid

In a dc microgrid, the bidirectional dc-ac converters are usually operated as a utility interface to control the dc bus voltage and ensure the power balance within the system. In the case of grid failure, power limiting or malfunction condition for dc-ac converters, the dc microgrid will lose its power balance unit. At that time, the distributed generations in dc system will change their operation mode to maintain the dc bus voltage through energy management control. However, this kind of control strategy may not be able to implement realtime power balance due to communication delay and may lead to system collapses in some extreme cases. This paper proposes a wireless based real-time power coordinated control strategy, which is a decentralized control strategy without extra communication link and makes it a viable option for plug and play. In this strategy, each unit in dc microgrid not only can realize smooth transition between different operation modes upon the dc bus voltage signal, but also can adjust its droop curve adaptively according to operation condition. Therefore, the voltage regulation, power balance and power sharing among different sources can be guaranteed. Finally, the validity of the proposed control strategy is confirmed by experiments based on a typical low voltage dc microgrid with simulated dc source, dc-ac interface converters and dc load.
LONGITUDINAL QUANTITATIVE EVALUATION OF PHOTORECEPTOR VOLUME FOLLOWING REPAIR OF MACULA-OFF RETINAL DETACHMENT

Purpose: To quantify photoreceptor volume changes after successful surgical repair of macula-off retinal detachment and to correlate these volumetric changes to postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). Methods: Retrospective study of 15 eyes of 15 patients with macula-off retinal detachment who underwent successful surgical repair. A minimum of 4 optical coherence tomography scans that straddled the foveal center was used to quantify the central photoreceptor volume (central 1 mm). Results: Mean photoreceptor volume at the first postoperative visit was 0.451 mm3, increasing to 0.523 mm3 at the final postoperative visit (P = 0.004). Mean BCVA improved from 1.13 ± 0.59 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution units (∼20/270) preoperatively to 0.52 ± 0.42 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution units (∼20/66) at the final postoperative visit (P = 0.001). Mean photoreceptor volume at either the initial or final visit demonstrated significant correlations with final postoperative BCVA (r = −0.670, P = 0.017 and r = −0.753, P = 0.005, respectively). Shorter time interval from diagnosis to surgery was significantly associated with greater mean final postoperative photoreceptor volume (r = −0.588, P = 0.021) and better mean final postoperative BCVA (r = 0.709, P = 0.003). Conclusion: We observed a significant increase in photoreceptor volume after successful retinal detachment repair; photoreceptor volume was positively associated with BCVA and time to surgery. Our series emphasizes the importance of prompt surgical repair and shows that photoreceptor recovery and volumetric improvement correlate significantly with BCVA.
The role of education in poverty alleviation

An in depth analysis shows the effects that poverty generates on a nation's well-being by measuring the quality of its human capital. The importance of education as a governmental action against poverty has been broadened. Nowadays, education level is used to measure the poverty rate. School attendance, enrolment and academic level have been correlated with generated income. This paper studies the social and economic effects that poverty inflicts on OECD countries by using relevant indicators to show the relationships between educational level and poverty rate over a tenyear period, proving that there are some academic achievements connected with well-being.
Schooling and Learning Deficits: A Simple Unified Measurement Framework

There exists no unified measurement framework that encompasses and integrates schooling and learning deficits—arguably the two most important education challenges in most developing countries. This article offers a methodology that fills this gap. Using the notions of age-appropriate grade, actual grade, and effective grade for a school-age child, we develop an integrated framework offering a range of schooling, learning, and education deprivation measures that also build in distributional considerations. The article illustrates the value added of the measurement framework for education policy and evaluation with an application to data for India and Kenya.
Characterization of Saccharomyces cerevisiaeAcyl-protein Thioesterase 1, the Enzyme Responsible for G Protein α Subunit Deacylation in Vivo *

Thioacylation is a reversible lipid modification of proteins that plays a role in the regulation of signal transduction. Acyl-protein thioesterase 1 (APT1) was identified as an enzyme capable of deacylating some thioacylated proteins in vitro. Saccharomyces cerevisiae open reading frame YLR118c encodes an enzyme homologous to Rattus norvegicus APT1. We demonstrate that the catalytic activity of the protein encoded by the yeast open reading frame is similar to that of rat APT1, and we designate the protein S. cerevisiae Apt1p. Yeasts bearing a disruption of the APT1 gene lack significant biochemically detectable acyl-protein thioesterase activity. They also fail to deacylate Gpa1p, the yeast Gα subunit, in metabolic radiolabeling studies. We conclude that native APT1 is the enzyme responsible for Gα subunit deacylation in S. cerevisiae and presumably other eukaryotes as well.