Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Glutamine Synthetase from Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci: Properties and Inhibition by Tabtoxinine-β-lactam

Glutamine synthetase from Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci was purified 500-fold. Maximum activity was observed with 10 mM-glutamate, 20mM-ATP and 4mM-NH4Cl. The enzyme exhibited substrate inhibition; higher levels of glutamate, Mg. ATP or NH4Cl decreased its activity. The γ-glutamyltransferase activity was inhibited by Mg2+ (75% at 10mM-Mg2+). The enzyme was heat stable and there appeared to be only one form present. Tabtoxinine-β-lactam, a hydrolytic product of tabtoxin produced by pv. tabaci, inactivated the enzyme. This inhibition was linear with respect to the concentration of the inhibitor, and enzyme activity could not be recovered by dialysis, acetone precipitation or incubation with crude cell lysate. Mg. ATP and ammonium ions were required for binding of the inhibitor: incubation of tabtoxinine-β-lactam with the enzyme in the presence of both Mg. ATP and ammonium ions resulted in a greater decrease in synthetase activity than incubation with either one or neither component. Tabtoxinine-β-lactam did not inhibit the y-glutamyltransferase activity of the enzyme if ADP was used in the assay, but did when ATP was used.
Long-term steady state 13 C labelling to investigate soil carbon turnover in grasslands

Abstract. We have set up a facility allowing steady state 13CO2 labeling of short stature vegetation (12 m2) for several years. 13C labelling is obtained by scrubbing the CO2 from outdoors air with a self-regenerating molecular sieve and by replacing it with 13C depleted (−34.7±0.03‰) fossil-fuel derived CO2 The facility, which comprises 16 replicate mesocosms, allows to trace the fate of photosynthetic carbon in plant-soil systems in natural light and at outdoors temperature. This method was applied to the study of soil organic carbon turnover in temperate grasslands. We tested the hypothesis that a low disturbance by grazing and cutting of the grassland increases the mean residence time of carbon in coarse (>0.2 mm) soil organic fractions. Grassland monoliths (0.5×0.5×0.4 m) were sampled from high and low disturbance treatments in a long-term (14 yrs) grazing experiment and were placed during two years in the mesocosms. During daytime, the canopy enclosure in each mesocosm was supplied in an open flow with air at mean CO2 concentration of 425 µmol mol−1 and δ13C of −21.5±0.27‰. Fully labelled mature grass leaves reached a δ13C of −40.8 (±0.93) and −42.2‰ (±0.60) in the low and high disturbance treatments, respectively, indicating a mean 13C labelling intensity of 12.7‰ compared to unlabelled control grass leaves. After two years, the delta 13C value of total soil organic matter above 0.2 mm was reduced in average by 7.8‰ in the labelled monoliths compared to controls. The isotope mass balance technique was used to calculate for the top (0–10 cm) soil the fraction of 13C labelled carbon in the soil organic matter above 0.2 mm (i.e. roots, rhizomes and particulate organic matter). A first order exponential decay model fitted to the unlabelled C in this fraction shows an increase in mean residence time from 22 to 31 months at low compared to high disturbance. A slower decay of roots, rhizomes and particulate organic matter above 0.2 mm is therefore likely to contribute to the observed increased in soil carbon sequestration in grassland monoliths exposed to low disturbance.
New 1,3,4-thiadiazole compounds: synthesis, spectroscopic characterisation and theoretical analyses based on DFT calculations

In this study, four novel 1,3,4-thiadiazole compounds, derived from α-methyl cinnamic acid, were synthesised. The structural elucidation was carried out using UV-Vis, FT-IR, 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR spectroscopy. In addition, the chemical and electronic properties of the compounds as well as UV-Vis, IR and NMR analyses were theoretically performed using the density functional theory (DFT). Based on the frontier molecular orbital (FMO) energies of the compounds, which were obtained from different methods and basis sets, some chemical reactivity parameters and their relationship with the methods were analysed. Theoretical calculations were compared with the experimental results. The electronegative substituents Cl and NO2 reduced the HOMO–LUMO energy gap (ΔE), and the ones caused a bathochromic shift in the UV absorption wavelength. The Pearson correlation coefficients between the experimental and theoretical IR and 13C NMR results were approximately R = 0.99. It was seen that, the chemical shift of hydrogen bound to an electronegative nitrogen atom was affected by intermolecular hydrogen bond interactions.
Exchange Rate Regime, Fiscal Foresight and the Effectiveness of Fiscal Policy in a Small Open Economy

This paper studies the effects of discretionary fiscal policy shocks under different exchange rate regimes within a structural vector autoregressive (SVAR) model. We first suggest that by estimating the effects of fiscal policy shocks in two structurally similar small open economies that have opted for different monetary policy regimes (Finland and Sweden), we may control for the economic environment and study the effect of exchange rate regime on fiscal policy transmission. Second, we propose to augment the baseline model with quarterly fiscal forecasts and study fiscal policy shocks under fiscal foresight, i.e., when economic agents may anticipate and respond to fiscal policy measures prior to their implementation. Our findings suggests that discretionary fiscal policy is more effective under a fixed exchange rate regime than under a floating exchange rate regime. This is consistent with the conventional wisdom inherited from the Mundell-Fleming framework and with recent evidence that suggests the effectiveness of fiscal policy depends on the degree of monetary policy accommodation. We also find evidence that unanticipated (as opposed to standard SVAR) fiscal policy shocks have a larger expansionary effect on output than in the baseline.
Combined Electrostatic/Electromagnetic MEMS Actuators

In this work, one and two degrees of freedom (DOF) lumped mass models of MicroElectro-Mechanical System (MEMS) actuators are introduced, investigated, and compared to experimental results. A one degree of freedom system representing the actuators out-ofplane bending motion under the electrostatic excitation is demonstrated. The capacitive gap between the movable plate and stationary electrode decreases when the microplate inclination angle is accounted for in the model. We investigate experimentally the primary, superharmonic of order two, and subharmonic of order one-half resonances of an electrostatic MEMS actuator under direct excitation. We identify the parameters of a 1-DOF generalized Duffing oscillator, model that represents it. The experiments were conducted in soft vacuum in order to reduce squeezefilm damping and the actuator response was measured optically using a laser vibrometer. The predictions of the identified model were found to be in close agreement with the experimental results. We also identified the power level of process (actuation voltage) and measurement noise. A one DOF model of the actuator’s torsional motion under the electrostatic torque is also introduced. It was found that utilizing electrostatic actuation in torsional motion is not effective. The maximum angle obtained was 0.04 degrees at high voltage. Finally, a novel two DOF model of the MEMS actuator’s torsion and bending under electrostatic and electromagnetic excitation was demonstrated analytically and compared to experimental results. Torsional motions were driven by a torque arising from a Lorentz force. It succeeded in generating a large torsion angle, 1 degree at 1.35 T magnetic field density, and a current of 3.3 mA.
FREE RADICAL SCAVENGING INDEX OF CUCURBITA MAXIMA SEEDS AND THEIR LIBS BASED ANTIOXIDANT ELEMENTAL PROFILE

Objective: To assess the free radical scavenging index and antioxidant capacity of C. maxima ( Cucurbita maxima ) seed extract in vitro and its correlation with the phytoelemental profile, quantitatively assessed by LIBS (Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy). Methods: A number of in vitro antioxidant and free radical scavenging assays were performed along with standard as a reference. Reduction capacity and scavenging potential of C. maxima seeds were analyzed in addition to their IC 50 values and were compared with respective standards. Quantitative measurements of phytoelements present which is responsible for antioxidant activity is carried out by LIBS. Results: Significant Antioxidant power of the extract was validated by high values of Total Phenolics (18.42 mg/g of gallic acid equivalent) and Total Flavonoids (5.53 mg/g of quercetin equivalent). A result of Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (163.4 μM Fe +2 /g) clearly reflects its reduction capacity. Percentage inhibition of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (69.25), Nitric Oxide (63.63) and 2,2’-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (62.09) radicals proves its antioxidant potential undoubtedly, which was further confirmed by their IC 50 values. Reducing power was found to increase significantly in a dose-dependent manner. Extent lipid peroxidation was also measured by comparing the results of Ferric thiocyanate assay with the Thiobarbituric acid method. LIBS analysis showed the presence of certain phytoelements viz. Mg, Ca and Na in the extract, which could be responsible for its antioxidant capacity. Conclusion: Thus, the seeds of C. maxima having a combination of antioxidant phytochemicals and phytoelements could be explored for developing as a complementary and alternative medicine for managing oxidative stress including diabetes as well as aging. Keywords: Reactive oxygen species, Cucurbita maxima , Elemental analysis, Laser spectroscopy
Reduced animal use in efficacy testing in disease models with use of sequential experimental designs.

Although the use of animals in efficacy tests has declined substantially, there remains a small number of well-documented disease models which provide essential information about the efficacy of new compounds. Such models are typically used after extensive in vitro testing, to evaluate small numbers of compounds and to select the most promising agents for clinical trial in humans. The aim of this study was to reduce the number of animals required to achieve valid results, without compromising statistical power, via sequential designs, in tests of efficacy of potential neuroprotective agents. In a rat middle cerebral artery occlusion model of acute stroke, infarct volume was measured by magnetic resonance imaging 24 hours post-occlusion. We performed 13 vehicle-controlled studies of neuroprotectives, with the aim of achieving false negative and false-positive rates of 5% for compounds with 40% neuroprotection. The sequential design used "EaSt" software (Cytel), with significance testing at N=6, 9, 12, and 15 rats. Ten compounds were declared active: four at N=6, three at N=9, two at N=12, and one at N=15. Three compounds were declared inactive: one at N=9, one at N=12, and one at N=15. This equates to a reduction of 138 animals, or 35%, over a conventional design with groups of N=15. Sequential studies require more effort to manage, and are not appropriate in all cases, e.g. where drift occurs in control values, or where the model pathology develops over a considerable period of time. In our implementation, the saving in animals can be anything between 0% and 60%, depending on the true efficacy of the compounds tested. We have demonstrated a practical approach that achieves significant savings in animal use.
ESTIMATION OF THRESHOLDS FOR THE SIGNALS OF THE BLMs AROUND THE LHC FINAL FOCUS TRIPLET MAGNETS

The Interaction Points of the Large Hadron Collider are the regions where the two circulating beams collide. Hence, the magnets closest to any Interaction Point are exposed to an elevated radiation field due to the collision debris. In this study the signal in the Beam Loss Monitors due to the debris is estimated and compared with the measurements. In addition, the energy density in the coils and the signal in the Beam Loss Monitors at quench are estimated for a beam loss scenario. It is shown that the Beam Loss Monitors, as presently installed on the vacuum vessel of the magnets, cannot disentangle the signal due to a localized loss from the constant signal due to the debris in case of steady-state losses.
GCM Driven COSMO-CLM Post-Processed Precipitation Over Italy: Control and Future Scenarios

In Turco et al. (2013a, [19]), three MOS methods (Linear-Scaling, Quantile-Mapping and MOS Analog) have been proposed and they have shown skill to downscale daily precipitation outputs of the ERA40-driven COSMO-CLM model over three Italian domain (Orvieto, Po river basin, Sardinia). This study extend this previous analysis [19] applying these MOS techniques to the entire model chain (CMCC-CM driven COSMO-CLM model) in control and future periods. These methods clearly outperform the uncalibrated RCM outputs, regardless of the region, the season and precipitation index. Generally, better results have been obtained with the quantile mapping method. Finally, the application of these MOS techniques to future RCM scenarios is also discussed. Generally the projected scenarios are quite consistent among the dynamical model and the MOS methods, giving some confidence in the robustness of the MOS in changing climate conditions. The stronger climate change signal that appears, regardless of the scenario (RCP4.5 or RCP8.5), domain, downscaling method or precipitation indices, is the decreasing trend in summer. This report presents the preliminary results of combined downscaling methods for precipitation, adopted by CMCC within the framework of the GEMINA project (product P93b).
All about the ⊥ with its applications in the linear statistical models

Abstract For an n x m real matrix A the matrix A⊥ is defined as a matrix spanning the orthocomplement of the column space of A, when the orthogonality is defined with respect to the standard inner product ⟨x, y⟩ = x'y. In this paper we collect together various properties of the ⊥ operation and its applications in linear statistical models. Results covering the more general inner products are also considered. We also provide a rather extensive list of references
In ‘Descent’ Proposal: Pathologies of Embodiment in Nietzsche, Kafka, and Foucault

This paper advances the argument that Foucault's notion of 'bodily inscription' can be found in more rudimentary form in the Nietzschean notion of 'bodily descent'- the path qua pathology of 'going under' first outlined by Nietzsche in Thus Spoke Zarathustra. The argument is set within context of the ongoing debate in Foucault studies about whether a non-discursive dimension of the body can be posited or whether the body is always already and inevitably discursive. Following Judith Butler's assessment that there is in Foucault's work the presence of a body outside of signification, the present paper argues that Foucaultian bodily inscription is akin to Nietzschean bodily descent: both are predicated on and depend upon the occluded presence of an inherently 'indecent' or 'undisciplined' body, one that disrupts the discursive economy of subjectivization (assujettissement). Through the detailed reading of an exemplary tale by Franz Kafka ('In the Penal Colony'), we attempt to describe the structural axes or disciplinary matrix that descends and is imposed upon 'undisciplined' or 'indecent' bodies, revealing in so doing the 'indecent' body subject to this descent, the body 'crossed over' and 'crossed out' - 'double crossed' - by these axes, by this matrix. We suggest that it is at the crossroads or the crossing of these axes, precisely at the point where the indecent and untidy body is 'inscribed' and 'disciplined', that Foucault, like Nietzsche, locates a point that points beyond the structure, beyond axial and axiomatic binaries, to a body of inherent possibilities, affective virtualities, and spirited resistance.
P o S ( I C R C 2 0 1 7 ) 6 8 1 VHE gamma-ray study of the composite SNR MSH 15-5 2 with

The composite supernova remnant (SNR) MSH 15-52 comprises the bright X-ray pulsar wind nebula (PWN) of PSR B1509-58, surrounded by a shell which is a prominent object in the radio domain. H.E. S.S. had discovered extended very-high-energy (VHE) gamma-ray emission coincident with the PWN. With additional H.E. S.S. observations performed since the 2005 discovery paper, we study the properties of the emission in greater detail. We compare the VHE gammaray morphology of the PWN with that in synchrotron emission, obtained from archival X-ray observations, and discuss the implications on the magnetic field in the nebula. In particular, we discuss potential extended gamma-ray emission beyond the X-ray PWN, which may allow for conclusions on scenarios of PWNe as sources of cosmic ray electrons and positrons.
Effect of dry‐heat treatments on the nutritional value of maize germ

18 Maize germ is a by-product of the maize milling process that is characterized by a high 19 nutritional value. Currently, heat treatments are employed to prevent full-fat maize 20 germ from spoilage. The aim of this research was to study the effect of five dry-heat 21 treatments on the nutritional value of full-fat maize germ. The results confirmed that 22 after each dry-heat treatment the lipase activity decrease but the use of high 23 temperatures could be detrimental for phytosterol and thiamine concentrations. The 24 main negative effects have been observed after treatments at 140°C for 30 min and 25 160°C for 10 min. No significant difference has been observed for protein, ash or fatty 26 acid contents. The treatment at 140°C for 20 min resulted an optimal combination 27 between temperature and heating time in order to inactivate lipase without altering 28 deeply the nutritional value and the colour of maize germ. 29
LOCAL MEASUREMENT OF Λ USING PULSAR TIMING ARRAYS

We consider the propagation of gravitational waves (GWs) in de Sitter spacetime and how a non-zero value of the cosmological constant might affect their detection in pulsar timing arrays (PTAs). If Λ ≠ 0, the waves are anharmonic in Friedmann–Robertson–Walker coordinates, and although this effect is very small it gives rise to noticeable consequences for GWs originating in extragalactic sources such as spiraling black hole binaries. The results indicate that the timing residuals induced by GWs from such sources in PTAs will show a peculiar angular dependence with a marked enhancement around a particular value of the angle subtended by the source and the pulsars, depending mainly on the actual value of the cosmological constant and the distance to the source. The position of the peak could represent a gauge of the value of Λ. The enhancement that the new effect brings about could facilitate the first direct detection of GWs while representing a local measurement of Λ.
Repetition-based Interactive Facade Modeling

Repetition-based Interactive Façade Modeling Sawsan Nabeel AlHalawani Modeling and reconstruction of urban environments has gained researchers attention throughout the past few years. It spreads in a variety of directions across multiple disciplines such as image processing, computer graphics and computer vision as well as in architecture, geoscience and remote sensing. Having a virtual world of our real cities is very attractive in various directions such as entertainment, engineering, governments among many others. In this thesis, we address the problem of processing a single façade image to acquire useful information that can be utilized to manipulate the façade and generate variations of façade images which can be later used for buildings’ texturing. Typical façade structures exhibit a rectilinear distribution where in windows and other elements are organized in a grid of horizontal and vertical repetitions of similar patterns. In the first part of this thesis, we propose an efficient algorithm that exploits information obtained from a single image to identify the distribution grid of the dominant elements i.e. windows. This detection method is initially assisted with the user marking the dominant window followed by an automatic process for identifying its repeated instances which are used to define the structure grid. Given the distribution grid, we allow the user to interactively manipulate the façade by adding, deleting,
Do Public Pension Rights Matter for Health and Well-being Among Retired Persons ? Basic and Income Security Pensions across 13 Western European Countries

Mortality rates have decreased dramatically in the advanced welfare democracies during the past century. This is also reflected in improved health among the elderly even if there is no perfect correlation. In this study the link between public pensions and self-reported health and well-being among retired persons in 13 OECD-countries around 2000 is analysed. It is argued that public pension institutions have a potential to affect health and wellbeing in its capacity as a significant constituent of household income. From a social rights perspective, new institutional data on public pension entitlements allow for a multidimensional analysis of pensions variables that capture different dimensions of old age security. Some indicators relate to basic security and others to income security (less or more related to a persons work history respectively). For improved cross-national comparison relative measures of health and well-being were constructed to account for cultural bias in responses to the survey questions, as well as heterogeneity among countries in the general level of population health. Results show how better (relative) health and well-being is found in countries with more generous pensions. Income security pensions matter more than basic security pensions for men’s health and well-being, whereas women’s health is better in countries with higher basic security pensions. These results are to some extent congruent with the analysis of pensions and mortality differences among the elderly. Cross-sectional data do not permit causal inferences. Paper to be presented at the conference Social Policies: Local Experiments, Travelling Ideas (Annual Meeting of Research Committee 19, International Sociological Association) in Montreal, August 20-22, 2009
III Workshop Identity , Memory , Experience . “ Masks in the Public Space ”

A central issue in human sciences is the configuration of identity as a result of social interactions. There have been several approaches from different angles: sociology (Giddens, ;Goffman), anthropology, developmental psychology (Piaget), etc. Regarding philosophy, it has seldom been assumed that an ontological or ethical study should prevail, and so the expression of the inner self should take priority over other considerations. However, a study of identity cannot be developed without giving an account, not only of the relationship between the Self and the Other, but also of the complex web of relationships that we call the “public sphere”, which have been reshaped from late modernity (Sennet,1947). As a reflection of this exposure to others, the modern individual has been creating an inner space, which we call “intimacy”, which is not conceivable without reference to the public space. So, public and private spaces (even inner, psychological spaces) are intrinsically intertwined, or, so to speak, two faces of the same coin.
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION AS A SIGNIFICANT MEASURE OF SUCCESSFUL ERP IMPLEMENTATION

Abstract: The measuring of implemented ERP system’s efficiency is in any case multidimensional. Various researchers dedicated a lot of attention trying to find the best way to measure the success or the effectiveness of ERP solution. „Customer satisfaction“ as a measure represents the crucial point in creating the model for Measuring the success of implemented ERP systems and therefore it is the subject of this work. In this work we shall see what effect the other measurements will have on the „customer satisfaction“, respecting the correlation between particular crucial categories in creating the model of implemented ERP system’s success.