Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inner core structure behind the PKP core phase triplication

SUMMARY The structure of the Earth’s inner core is not well known between depths of ∼100–200 km beneath the inner core boundary. This is a result of the PKP core phase triplication and the existence of strong precursors to PKP phases, which hinder the measurement of inner core compressional PKIKP waves at epicentral distances between roughly 143 and 148 ◦ . Consequently, interpretation of the detailed structure of deeper regions also remains difficult. To overcome these issues we stack seismograms in slowness and time, separating the PKP and PKIKP phases which arrive simultaneously but with different slowness. We apply this methodtostudytheinnercore’sWesternhemispherebeneathSouthandCentralAmericausing paths travelling in the quasi-polar direction between 140 and 150 ◦ epicentral distance, which enables us to measure PKiKP–PKIKP differential traveltimes up to greater epicentral distance than has previously been done. The resulting PKiKP–PKIKP differential traveltime residuals increase with epicentral distance, which indicates a marked increase in seismic velocity for polar paths at depths greater than 100 km compared to reference model AK135. Assuming a homogeneous outer core, these findings can be explained by either (i) inner core heterogeneity due to an increase in isotropic velocity or (ii) increase in anisotropy over the studied depth range. Although this study only samples a small region of the inner core and the current data cannot distinguish between the two alternatives, we prefer the latter interpretation in the light of previous work.
Spectral thresholding for the estimation of Markov chain transition operators

We consider nonparametric estimation of the transition operator $P$ of a Markov chain and its transition density $p$ where the singular values of $P$ are assumed to decay exponentially fast. This is for instance the case for periodised, reversible multi-dimensional diffusion processes observed in low frequency. We investigate the performance of a spectral hard thresholded Galerkin-type estimator for $P$ and ${p}$, discarding most of the estimated singular triples. The construction is based on smooth basis functions such as wavelets or B-splines. We show its statistical optimality by establishing matching minimax upper and lower bounds in $L^2$-loss. Particularly, the effect of the dimensionality $d$ of the state space on the nonparametric rate improves from $2d$ to $d$ compared to the case without singular value decay.
Matrigel modulates a stem cell phenotype and promotes tumor formation in a mantle cell lymphoma cell line

Tumors may be maintained by subpopulations of cells possessing stem cell-like properties. We evaluated the stem cell-like and tumor-forming properties of side population (SP) and CD133+/ CD44+ cells in Granta 519, a human mantle cell lymphoma cell line. The in-vitro Cobblestone Area Forming Cell (CAFC) assay, designed to detect stem and progenitor cells, revealed that SP cells contained the greatest proportion of stem cell-like cells. The addition of Matrigel to CAFC assays of SP and non-SP cells both increased their respective stem cell frequencies in comparison to those cultures without Matrigel, and additionally resulted in observed stem cell frequencies which were the same between SP and non-SP cells. Contrary, Matrigel decreased the stem cell frequencies of CD133+/CD44+ or CD133-/CD44- cells. In-vivo assays revealed tumor formation from Matrigel-mixed SP and non-SP cells, and in one instance, occurred with as few as one Matrigel-mixed SP cell. Vehicle-mixed injections of SP and non-SP tumor cells resulted in tumor formation from SP cells only. Tumor formation did not occur from Matrigel nor hyaluronan (cellular substrate for CD44-expressing cells)-mixed populations of CD133+/CD44+ or CD133-/CD44- cells. These data demonstrate that Matrigel modulates a stem cell phenotype and promotes tumor formation from SP and non-SP cells. The tumor micro-environmental niche and tumor cell to micro-environmental interactions may be important future targets for novel chemotherapeutic agents.
Charge-pumping characterization of SOI devices fabricated by means of wafer bonding over pre-patterned cavities

The quality of the silicon-buried oxide bonded interface of SOI devices created by thin Si film transfer and bonding over pre-patterned cavities, aiming at fabrication of DG and SON MOSFETs, is studied by means of chargepumping (CP) measurements. It is demonstrated that thanks to the chemical activation step, the quality of the bonded interface is remarkably good. Good agreement between values of front-interface threshold voltage determined from CP and I-V measurements is obtained. Keywords— charge-pumping, electrical characterization, interface traps, SOI, wafer bonding, Si layer transfer.
False Positive Values of Biomarkers of Prenatal Screening on Chromosomopathy as Indicators of a Risky Pregnancy

False Positive Values of Biomarkers of Prenatal Screening on Chromosomopathy as Indicators of a Risky Pregnancy Genetic screening on chromosomopathy has been performed on 2000 pregnant women in their first trimester of pregnancy by determining Pregnancy associated plasma protein-A and free-beta HCG biomarkers in maternal serum. After obtaining a normal fetal karyotype, the pathological values of the biomarkers have been correlated with other pregnancy disorders, and the possible causes of the positive genetic screening have been tested. 340 false positive biomarkers (17%) have been detected. The increased free-beta HCG (48.24%) had a significant influence. A significant correlation (p > 0.01) between the increased free-beta HCG and bleeding during pregnancy has been established. Complications occurred in 78.52% pregnancies with pathological biomarkers, MISSed in 13.82%, miscarriages in 10.88%, induced pregnancy terminations caused by fetal anomalies in 8.82% and births with disturbed fetal vitality in 45%. The research results have shown a significant correlation (p > 0.01) between the increased value of the free-beta HCG biomarkers and fetal hypoxia. The false positive genetic screening, caused by the increased free-beta HCG, can indicate placental dysfunction and fetal vitality disruption. Lažno Pozitivne Vrednosti Biomarkera Prenatalnog Skrininga na Hromozomopatije Kao Pokazatelji Rizične Trudnoće Kod 2000 trudnica urađen je u prvom trimestru trudnoće genetski skrining na hromozomopatije određivanjem biomarkera Pregnancy associated plasma protein-A i free-beta-HCG u maternalnom serumu. Posle dobijanja normalnog kariotipa fetusa, patološke vrednosti biomarkera su korelisane sa drugim poremećajima trudnoće kako bi se ispitali mogući uzroci pozitivnog genetskog skrininga. Otkriveno je ukupno 340 lažno pozitivnih nalaza biomarkera (17%). Značajan udeo imao je povišeni free-beta-HCG (48,24%). Utvrđena je značajna povezanost (p>0,01) povišenog free-beta-HCG i krvarenja u trudnoći. U 78,52% trudnoća sa patološkim biomarkerima nastale su komplikacije: 13,82% MISSed, 10,88% spontani pobačaj, 8,82% indukovani prekid trudnoće zbog anomalija ploda i 45% porođaja sa poremećajem fetalnog vitaliteta. Rezultati istraživanja su pokazali veoma značajnu povezanost (p>0,01) između povećane vrednosti biomarkera free-beta-HCG i fetalne hipoksije. Lažno pozitivan genetski skrining uzrokovan povišenim free-beta-HCG može da bude pokazatelj placentarne disfunkcije i poremećaja fetalnog vitaliteta.
Thermography based inflammation monitoring of udder state in dairy cows: sensitivity and diagnostic priorities comparing with routine California mastitis test

Objectives of this study is to evaluate possibilities for early detection of udder’s diseases of Lithuanian Black and White cows and compare thermography and routine California mastitis test (CMT) results. Cows were examined in the negative and at positive ambient temperature. Infrared thermography (IRT) applied skin surface thermograms of teats in the area of Furstenberg’s rosette analyzed as posing evidence based signs of subclinical mastitis coincide with the CMT. It is shown, that subclinical inflammatory processes of cow’s mammary gland can be simply and successfully identified at an early stage of pathology development applying the thermal imaging method. IRT results measuring the skin surface temperature of teat sphincters of healthy dairy cows and cows with subclinical mastitis were completely similar to the CMT findings. Effectiveness of IRT does not depend from ambient conditions: inflammation can be easily detected both in positive and negative ambient temperatures. We confirm IRT being as alternative, noninvasive, high sensitive, rapid and portable method for subclinical various origins inflammatory processes of cow’s udder, which can be certified for practical subclinical mastitis screening and subsequent detection.
Effect of Supplementation of Salts of Organic Acids on Serum and Haematological Parameters of Broilers

The growing demand for poultry products worldwide requires novel strategies that increase the efficiency of poultry production. Optimization of nutrient utilization is an essential element in such strategies. The growth is 10-12% in broilers per year and the per capita chicken consumption has gone up from 400 grams to 2.5 kg (APEDA, 2016). In previous years, the extensive uses of antibiotics in animal farms to promote growth rate, increasing feed efficiency and prevention of intestinal infections have led to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract and drug residuals in meat. But, now a days, various researchers have developed a number of non-therapeutic alternatives of antibiotics to improve the production performance of the animals. One of such alternatives is use of organic acids as feed additives in the animal production. Organic acids are organic carboxylic acid including fatty acids and amino acids, of the general structure R-COOH such as formic, acetic, propionic and butyric acids or carboxylic acids with the hydroxyl group such as lactic, malic, tartaric and citric acids or short-chain carboxylic acids containing double bonds like fumaric and sorbic acids (Shahidi et al., 2014). Health of the gut is one of the major factors governing the A trial was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary salts of organic acids for a period of 42 days on the serum parameters of broiler chicks. 300 commercial broiler chicks were randomly distributed into five treatments having six replicates consisting of ten birds each. A maize-soybean based diet was used as the basal diet (Control group). The basal diet was supplemented with salts of organic acids (sodium butyrate, calcium propionate @ 0.5% and 1%). Highest body weight gain (2338.2g.) was observed in the 1% sodium butyrate supplemented group and difference was significant (P<0.05) as compared to control group (1967.2g.). FCR was significantly improved in the supplemented groups as compared to control group. Inclusion of sodium butyrate and calcium propionate in the basal diet significantly increased serum phosphorus level while supplementation of organic acids showed no significant (P>0.05) difference in the concentration of serum cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL and calcium in all the treated groups. Dietary acidification significantly improved the haemoglobin value and RBC count and lowered the heterophils number. K e y w o r d s
Improving hyperspectral subpixel target detection using hybrid detection space

Abstract. A hyperspectral image (HSI) has high-spectral and low-spatial resolution. As a result, most targets exist as subpixels, which pose challenges during target detection. Moreover, limitations of target and background samples always hinder the detection performance. In this study, a hybrid method for subpixel target detection of an HSI is developed. The scores of matched filter (MF) and adaptive cosine estimator (ACE) are used to construct a hybrid detection space. The reference target spectrum and background covariance matrix are improved iteratively based on the distribution property of targets, using the hybrid detection space. As the iterative process proceeds, the reference target spectra get closer to the central line, which connects the centers of the target and the background, resulting in a noticeable improvement in target detection. One synthetic dataset and two real datasets are used in the experiments. The results are evaluated based on the mean detection rate (DR), receiver operating characteristic curve, and observations of the detection results. For the synthetic experiment, the hybrid method improves more than 10 times with regard to the average DR compared with that of the traditional MF and ACE algorithms, which use N-FINDR target extraction and Reed–Xiaoli detector for background estimation.
Remnant 'Family': The Role of Women in the Media Discourse on Families (La Famille Rémanente: Le Rôle Des Femmes Dans Le Discours Des Médias Sur Les Familles)

Abstract : How does gender affect discourse processes, particularly regarding the coverage of family issues? In order to explore this question, we focus on media representations of women in their roles as mothers on the one hand and journalists on the other and we compare the reporting of male and female journalists covering families. We refer to gender theory to examine processes of gender construction by different actors in the media and we draw on journalism theory to explain different reporting styles and strategies by male and female authors regarding discourse strategies, framing, and gender-stereotyping. Our methodological approaches include quantitative and qualitative content analyses and 14 semi-structured interviews with journalists, family researchers, and lobbyists. The sample includes coverage of families in general and that of large families in particular in German print media in the years 2011 and 2012, for a total of 1,100 texts. One of the key findings, not surprisingly, is that most of the journalists reporting on families are female. Similar to male journalists, however, they focus on the traditional family type despite the fact that various alternative forms of family life are now a social reality. Keywords : gender, family, large family, print media, discourse strategies *** Resume : Quel role joue le genre dans les discours, specialement dans ceux sur la famille ? Afin d’y apporter des elements de reponse, nous nous focaliserons dans cet article sur la representation des femmes dans les medias, sur leur role en tant que meres et journalistes. Nous allons comparer la couverture mediatique sur le sujet de la famille par les journalistes hommes et les journalistes feminins. Nous allons nous appuyer sur la theorie du journalisme pour expliquer les differents styles de reportage et les differentes strategies des journalistes hommes et femmes en interrogeant les strategies de discours, de « framing » et les stereotypes du genre. L’analyse quantitative et qualitative du contenu sera notre appuie methodologique. Nous avons realise 14 entretiens semi-structures avec les journalistes, les chercheurs en matiere des familles et les lobbyistes. Nous avons analyse 1100 articles de la presse allemande entre 2011 et 2012, articles qui s’interessent aux familles et tout particulierement aux grandes familles. La plupart des journalistes qui reportent sur le sujet des familles est feminine. Mais tout comme les journalistes hommes, les journalistes femmes se concentrent sur le type de famille traditionnelle quoique la realite sociale nous montre une autre face, celle de la variete des typologies de familles. Mots-cles : genre, famille, grande famille, presse ecrite, strategies de discours
Harpacticoid copepods: potential link between inbound adult salmon and outbound juvenile salmon

Stable isotope ratios (615N and 613C) of estuanne organisms were measured monthly within 2 field seasons in Seldovia Bay, Alaska, USA, to assess the impact of salmon carcass decompositlon on estuarine productivity. A hypothesized indirect link between adult and juvenile salmon, with estuarine harpact~coid copepods a c t ~ n g as an intermediary, was supported by the data. Data show an Influence of nutr~ents derived from salmon carcasses on estuanne macroalgal primary production, as nitrogen stable isotope ratio values of Ulva sp. , an estuarine macroalga, were elevated In late summer following the salmon run. The isotope data also indicate that harpacticoids depend on Ulva sp. and possibly its epiphytes. Stomach content data for chum salmon fry (Oncorhynchus keta) show that they depend primarily on harpacticoids. Therefore, there is a nutrient link between adult and juvenile chum salmon in Seldovia Bay. Because harpacticoid production in an estuary is thought to control survival of chum fry, the nutrient link may functlon as a positive feedback mechanism influencing population fluctuatlons. K E Y WORDS: Harpacticoid copepod . Salmon. Seagrass . Ulva . Estuary Food web . Nutrients. Stable isotope
Generation of a circumstellar gas disc by hot Jupiter WASP-12b

Observations of transiting extra-solar planets provide rich sources of data for probing the in-system environment. In the WASP-12 system, a broad depression in the usually-bright MgII h&k lines has been observed, in addition to atmospheric escape from the extremely hot Jupiter WASP-12b. It has been hypothesized that a translucent circumstellar cloud is formed by the outflow from the planet, causing the observed signatures. We perform 3D hydrodynamic simulations of the full system environment of WASP-12, injecting a planetary wind and stellar wind from their respective surfaces. We find that a torus of density high enough to account for the lack of MgII h&k line core emission in WASP-12 can be formed in approximately 13 years. We also perform synthetic observations of the Lyman-alpha spectrum at different points in the planet's orbit, which demonstrate that significant absorption occurs at all points in the orbit, not just during transits, as suggested by the observations.
PROBING THE COSMIC X-RAY AND MeV GAMMA-RAY BACKGROUND RADIATION THROUGH THE ANISOTROPY

While the cosmic soft X-ray background is very likely to originate from individual Seyfert galaxies, the origin of the cosmic hard X-ray and MeV gamma-ray background is not fully understood. It is expected that Seyferts including Compton thick population may explain the cosmic hard X-ray background. At MeV energy range, Seyferts having non-thermal electrons in coronae above accretion disks or MeV blazars may explain the background radiation. We propose that future measurements of the angular power spectra of anisotropy of the cosmic X-ray and MeV gamma-ray backgrounds will be key to deciphering these backgrounds and the evolution of active galactic nuclei (AGNs). As AGNs trace the cosmic large-scale structure, spatial clustering of AGNs exists. We show that e-ROSITA will clearly detect the correlation signal of unresolved Seyferts at 0.5–2 keV and 2–10 keV bands and will be able to measure the bias parameter of AGNs at both bands. Once future hard X-ray all sky satellites achieve a sensitivity better than 10−12 erg cm−2 s−1 at 10–30 keV or 30–50 keV—although this is beyond the sensitivities of current hard X-ray all sky monitors—angular power spectra will allow us to independently investigate the fraction of Compton-thick AGNs in all Seyferts. We also find that the expected angular power spectra of Seyferts and blazars in the MeV range are different by about an order of magnitude, where the Poisson term, so-called shot noise, is dominant. Current and future MeV instruments will clearly disentangle the origin of the MeV gamma-ray background through the angular power spectrum.
A Labor Time Estimation Model for the Information Security Audit by Quantitative Analysis I and Regression Analysis

Based on the factors that are available at the initial phase of the audit task, this paper proposes a labor time estimation method for the information security audit in the form of formula, statistically analyzing the data of the past 20 cases. Initially, audit mode, operation mode, penetration degree, and company size are considered to be the factors that could influence the labor time, and thus the “quantitative analysis I” is conducted with these factors. However the results were not sufficiently positive. As a result, by dividing audit mode into regular and emergency audit and by using company size as the factor, labor time estimation formula has been established by means of the regression analysis. Compared to the traditional estimation by skilled system engineers with around 15% error, this proposed formula has 6 to 11% error, which means that this formula has enough practical accuracy. Key-Words: information security audit, audit plan, labor time estimation, quantitative analysis I, regression analysis, labor times
The Incoherence of Denying My Death

The most common way of dealing with the fear of death is denying death. Such denial can take two and only two forms: strategy 1 denies the finality of death; strategy 2 denies the reality of the dying subject. Most religions opt for strategy 1, but Buddhism seems to be an example of the 2nd. All variants of strategy 1 fail, however, and a closer look at the main Buddhist argument reveals that Buddhism in fact does not follow strategy 2. Moreover, there is no other theory that does, and neither can there be. This means that there is no tenable theory that denies death. There may be no universally psychologically acceptable alternative, however, which would mean that if denying death is incoherent, this is an unavoidable incoherence.
Towards a Library of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for (meta)genomic annotation

Genome annotations describe the features of genomes and accompany sequences in genome databases. The methodologies used to generate genome annotation are diverse and typically vary amongst groups. Descriptions of the annotation procedure are helpful in interpreting genome annotation data. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for genome annotation describe the processes that generate genome annotations. Some groups are currently documenting procedures but standards are lacking for structure and content of annotation SOPs. In addition, there is no central repository to store and disseminate procedures and protocols for genome annotation. We highlight the importance of SOPs for genome annotation and endorse a central online repository of SOPs.
The Beacon Tools for the Analysis of Gene Expression and Its Regulation

Bioinformatic tools have become essential for researchers in modern molecular biology and medicine, allowing them to take advantage of the wealth of data currently available. In this article we present the tools developed by the Bioinformatics, Evolution, and Comparative Genomics (Beacon) group at the University of Milano, that provide a computational pipeline for the analysis of gene expression and its regulation. Through dedicated web interfaces users can retrieve expression data for their gene(s) of interest, as well as study their regulation, i.e. identify factors and sequence elements playing a key role for the modulation of their transcription. The tools are available through a dedicated web interface at either http://www.beacon. unimi.it/webtools http://159.149. 109.11/webtools