Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Wavelength dependence of polarimetric and phase-shift characterization of a liquid crystal on silicon display

We present a full characterization of a liquid-crystal-on-silicon (LCoS) display, including a polarimetric analysis based on the Mueller-Stokes formalism, and a phase shift modulation calibration. Results for different wavelengths are compared. The goal of this work is two fold. On one side, previous papers dealing with the illumination wavelength 633 nm have shown that LCoS produce a non negligible amount of depolarized light. This may have a negative impact in certain applications. Here we want to establish how this depolarization varies with the wavelength. On the other side, to use the LCoS as a spatial light modulator (SLM) we need to obtain optimal configurations enabling for phase-only or for amplitude-only modulation. Here we show how phase-only modulation is obtained, and how it evolves with the wavelength. In principle, for shorter wavelengths the phase modulation depth increases and the energy throughput may also be increased. However, these phase-only configurations may be partially degraded by the presence of depolarization at certain gray levels. Thus, the Mueller-Stokes formalism is necessary to get a full picture of the performance exhibited by the LCoS at each wavelength
V1432 Aql: a polar or an intermediate polar?

We present evidence for a spin period of 4070 s in a magnetic cataclysmic variable V1432 Aql, classified as a polar. The evidence is based on the analysis of archival X-ray data obtained from a 25 ks long and uninterrupted observations with XMM-Newton. We also detect modulation of the X-ray flux with the orbital period, various harmonics of the spin period, and side-bands due to beating of the spin period with the orbital period. The energy-dependent light curves and hardness ratios show a very complex behaviour with both the spin phase and the orbital phase, indicating the presence of multiple absorbers of different densities. The observed characteristics suggest the presence of a disk in the system and accretion via a disk-overflow mechanism as is commonly observed in intermediate polars.
Molecular basis of chemical chaperone effects of N-octyl-β-valienamine on human β-glucosidase in low/neutral pH conditions

Chemical chaperone therapy is a strategy for restoring the activities of mutant lysosomal hydrolases. This therapy involves chemical compounds binding to the dysfunctional enzymes. The chemical chaperones for lysosomal hydrolases are anticipated to stabilize folding of target enzymes by binding at neutral pH and rescuing enzyme activities by dissociation in acidic conditions after transport to lysosome. However, the molecular basis describing the mechanism of action of chemical chaperones has not been analysed sufficiently. Here we present results derived from molecular dynamics simulations showing that the binding free energy between human ? -glucosidase and its known chemical chaperone, N-octyl-? -valienamine (NOV), is lower at pH 7 than at pH 5. This observation is consistent with the hypothetical activity of chemical chaperones. The pH conditions were represented as differences in the protonation states of ionizable residues which were determined from predicted pKa values. The binding free energy change is negatively correlated to the number of hydrogen bonds (H-bonds) formed between GLU235, the acid/base catalyst of the enzyme, and the N atom of NOV. At pH 7, NOV is inserted further into the active site than at pH 5. Consequently, this provides an increase in the number of H-bonds formed. Thus, we conclude that the dissociation of NOV from ? -glucosidase at pH 5 occurs due to an increase in the binding free energy change caused by protonation of several residues which decreases the number of H-bonds formed between NOV and the enzyme.
Rational Drug Designing for Drug Target Alanine Racemase (Alr) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

The emergence of multidrug resistant strains and persistence nature of Mycobacterium tuberculosis has caused stringent need to search novel drug targets. Non-homologous proteins of metabolic pathways are first preference for effective drug designing to avoid the deceptive targeting and side-effect in host parasite diseases. In the present study, fourteen unique pathways have been identified throughin-silico comparative metabolic pathways analysis of the host Homo sapiens and the pathogen M. tuberculosis H37Rv. Alanine Racemase (Rv3423c) was considered for drug designing due its role in cell wall synthesis, cell wall organization , alanine metabolic process , alanine racemase activity, and pyridoxal phosphate binding etc. Alanine Racemase (Alr) has crystallographic structure (1XFC) in Protein Data Bank. Ligand library of 50 molecules were designed through Ligand Scout 2.0 and docking studies were performed by the AutoDock 4.0. On the basis of docking energies, a list of top 6 molecules has been proposed which has good compatibility binding affinity with target. The docking studies also suggest that ASP (85), LYS (156), ALA (181) are important determinant residues in binding with ligands, as they are highly involved in hydrogen bond interactions with the ligands.
Comparation to the Methods of Interpolation with Aster Gdem V2 Based on Icesat/gla14 Lvliang Mountains in Shanxi Province

ICESat/GLA14, a series of altitude points with high accuracy, it can be used for ASTER GDEM data’s accuracy correction, while the rational interpolation method is the important guarantee for the quality of ASTER GDEM data correction results. IDW, Simple Kriging, Ordinary Kriging and Universal Kriging are used in this research to make an accuracy correction for ASTER GDEM V2 based on the ICESat, and compared with the large scale topographic map of Shuiyuguan in Lvliang Mountains. Results show that the Simple Kriging is the best in the four interpolation methods. So, we hold our opinion that the Simple Kriging interpolation is more suitable for the study area of ASTER data accuracy correction.
Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles and its antibacterial activity using seaweed Urospora sp.

In the present research work, biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles and its activity on bacterial pathogens were investigated. Silver nanoparticles were rapidly synthesized using Urospora sp. and the formation of nanoparticles was observed within 30 min. The results recorded from UV–vis spectrum, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM) support the biosynthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles. From HRTEM analysis, the size of the silver nanoparticles was measured 20 to 30 nm. Further, the antibacterial activity of synthesized silver nanoparticles showed effective inhibitory activity against the pathogens namely: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Key words : Urospora sp, silver nanoparticles, biosynthesis, antibacterial activity.
Photoacoustics: a novel application to the determination of photosynthetic efficiency in zooxanthellate hermatypes

We present here a novel application of photoacoustics to the monitoring and study of the physiological status of zooxanthellate corals. Until now, the method has only been applied in homogeneous phytoplankton cultures and field samples. Corals are among the world's most productive ecosystems because they host symbiotic dinoflagellates (zooxanthellae) that provide them with a large amount of photosynthates for their energy requirements. Coral reefs face unprecedented pressures on local, regional, and global scales due to climate change and anthropogenic disturbances. Responses to such stress are often a decrease in the photosynthetic efficiency of the symbiotic dinoflagellates, as well as bleaching, which involves the mass expulsion of these symbionts or loss of their pigments. Photosynthesis is a sensitive indicator of stress in plants and plays a central role in the nutrition of symbiotic invertebrates. Our aim was to examine the applicability of photoacoustics, developed by us for ecological work with phytoplankton, to the study of symbiotic dinoflagellates in situ. We have determined areal chlorophyll content and light energy storage efficiency with three zooxanthellate coelenterates, two corals and one hydrozoan, hosting symbiotic algae. We also present the effect of temperature elevation on the decrease in photosynthetic efficiency of the symbiotic coral Stylophora pistillata determined by photoacoustics. Our results demonstrate the potential, power, and convenience of photoacoustics in following bleaching‐related changes in coral pigmentation, in the photosynthetic energy storage efficiency of corals, and in its usefulness in diagnosing its health in relation to environmental factors, in the example presented here, seawater warming.
Development Of A Method For Assessing Personalized Risks Of Depression

Identification of depressive disorders risk factors still remains a relevant task, and the studies do not show sufficiently consistent data. The strongest risk factors are already known, but there is no general model of depression risk prediction and there are no calculators and predictive algorithms based on it. The results of attempts to develop complex predictive models and algorithms are considered in the paper. Advantages and limitations of available algorithms and calculators are discussed. It is shown that: 1) the most powerful risk factors are the same in different studies; 2) there is a great variety of both depression criteria and methods for measuring variables in predictive models and algorithms. That makes it impossible to compare the proposed models; 3) the way of information gathering may indirectly affect the findings: the answers given by subjects in the national study may differ from those that they might give in a specially organized study of depression. The absence of objective markers and using self-reports makes it difficult to make unambiguous conclusions from the presented studies; 4) the universality of predictive models for different cultures and especially Russian-speaking sample is questioned. Authors present a study aimed at developing a predictive algorithm for assessing depression risk among Russian-speaking adults based on an online health assessment system, that is collecting information about users history, current status and behavior. This online screening service will include identification of four groups of depression predictors and protective factors, as well as situational triggers that can contribute to depression development. difficulties; self-assessment of physical and mental health; alcohol use during the last 6 months (using the AUDIT test the issue of alcohol problems or alcohol dependence treatment); use of recreational drugs; the quality of sexual and emotional relationships with partners or spouses; the presence of serious problems with physical or psychological health, including dependence on substances, disability in close people; difficulties in establishing contacts with people and maintaining close relations; children's experience of physical, emotional or sexual violence; faith in God or other spiritual practices; history of serious psychological problems or suicide in close relatives; or disorder in the past 6 months (Patient Health Questionnaire); satisfaction with neighbors and a sense of security at home and away from home; negative life experience (questionnaire of Life Experiences Questionnaire); experience of discrimination the past 6 months regarding sex, age, disability, sexual orientation; adequacy of social support from family and friends. Behaviour: alcohol and / or drug abuse, working hours, sleep disorders, motor problems, motor activity nutrition (balanced regularity), long-term use of drugs (hypnotics, hypotensive, steroid, interferon, beta-blockers, isotretinoin, oral contraceptives, anticonvulsant, antipsychotic, against
Estimation of the Exchange Market Pressure in the EU4 Countries: A Model-Dependent Approach

This paper estimates the exchange market pressure (EMP) on currencies of EU4 countries (Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia) during the period 1993-2005. Therefore, it is one of a very few studies focused on this region and the very first paper applying the model-dependent approach to the EMP estimation on these countries. Moreover, the model proposed by Spolander (1999) is used in the paper along with quarterly data. Thus, this paper, tests the suitability of this model for the countries analysed. Regarding the results obtained, EMP is of similar magnitude in all countries except Poland. We found that EMP was significantly lower and less volatile during the periods when a floating exchange rate arrangement was applied than in periods with fixed exchange rates. It implies that unavoidable entry into ERM II (a quasi-fixed regime) could lead to the EMP increase during the period of the exchange rate stability criterion fulfilment. Hence, a revision of the current definition and understanding of the criterion fulfilment is suggested. Since the model estimation was burdened by some factors reducing the estimates validity we also propose some modifications and extensions of the methodology applied.
Ephedra alata as biologically-based strategy inhibit aflatoxigenic seedborne mold

Investigation has been carried out to evaluate the effect of range plant Ephedra alata as biologically-based strategy inhibit growth characters and aflatoxin production (in vitro andin vivo) of Aspergillus flavus. The aqueous extract of E. alata had significant inhibitory potential against growth as well as aflatoxin production by aflatoxigenic seedborne mold (Aspergillus flavus). Moreover, it has been found that, the addition of 1 and 2% (w/w) of plant powder material of E. alata to corn grains and soybean seeds respectively decreased the aflatoxin contamination and improve their nutritional value (total nitrogen content, fiber content, total lipids content and ash content) under storage conditions. The results observed here suggest employment of E. alata as an alternative non-chemical mean to control aflatoxin contamination of fodder in Saudi Arabia. Key words: Biocontrol, Aflatoxins, Aspergillus flavus, Ephedra alata, nutritional value, Saudi Arabia.
Efficient computational homogenization of simple elasto-plastic microstructures using a modified Ritz-Galerkin approach

In this presentation, a recent work [18] on a fast nonlinear homogenization method for simple microstructures is revised. The degrees of freedom of the approach are defined on shear bands. Moreover, the number of degrees of freedom as well as the number of stress computations is very small compared to related finite element (FE) computations making the method fast. The predictions of the computational method are validated by FE-simulations. As a new aspect, the overall algorithmic tangent moduli of the method are derived for the first time.
THE ORGANIZATION OF MOTOR SYNERGIES IN ONE-PERSON AND TWO-PERSON MULTI-FINGER FORCE PRODUCTION TASKS

Title of Thesis: THE ORGANIZATION OF MOTOR SYNERGIES IN ONE-PERSON AND TWO-PERSON MULTI-FINGER FORCE PRODUCTION TASKS Kelsey A. Christensen, Master of Arts, 2017 Thesis Directed By: Dr. Jae Kun Shim, Ph.D. Department of Kinesiology, Bioengineering, Neuro and Cognitive Sciences (NACS) Humans perform motor tasks every day, both individually and with others. Performing motor tasks involves the organization of motor synergies, taskspecific groupings of individual motor effectors that are temporarily constrained to act as a single unit and whose total combined output ensures stability of the overall task performance. Both intraand inter-personal motor synergies have been found to exist in one-person and two-person motor tasks, respectively. Not as clear, however, is whether separate synergies can exist simultaneously on multiple levels of control within a given task. The purpose of the current study is to investigate the organization of force-stabilizing motor synergies during one-person and two-person finger-force production tasks using the Uncontrolled Manifold Analysis. We expect to find both intraand inter-personal motor synergies, an increase in synergy strength as tasks require more motor effectors, but the lack of simultaneously-occurring motor synergies on multiple levels of control within the given tasks.
Silicoflagellates and Ebridians from the New Jersey Transect, Deep Sea Drilling Project Leg 93, Sites 604 and 605

Well-preserved and diverse silicoflagellate and ebridian populations are found in the lower and middle Eocene sediments of DSDP Site 605 and the upper Miocene sediments of DSDP Site 604. The ebridians outnumber the silicoflagellates in the siliceous interval of Site 605, but are less numerous at Site 604. The abundances of the various taxa are tabulated.
Bayesian Analysis of Inverse Lomax Distribution Using Approximation Techniques

The main aim of the present paper is to study the behavior of the shape parameter of Inverse Lomax Distribution by using various approximation techniques like Normal approximation and Tierney and Kadane (T-K) approximation. Different informative and non informative priors have been considered to obtain the Bayes’ estimate of the parameter of Inverse Lomax Distribution under these approximation techniques. Moreover, the estimates obtained under these priors have been compared using the simulation technique as well as real life data set. Keywords: Bayesian estimation, Prior distribution, Normal approximation, T-K approximation.
DuMu x : DUNE for Multi-fPhase, Component, Scale, Physics, ...g Flow and Transport in Porous Media

DuMu is a free and open-source simulator for flow and transport processes in porous media, based on the Distributed and Unified Numerics Environment DUNE. Its main intention is to provide a sustainable and consistent framework for the implementation and application of model concepts, constitutive relations, discretizations, and solvers. The paper provides an overview of DuMu with the focus on software-related aspects. Selected examples highlight the multi-scale and the parallel capabilities.
Socially Responsible Investments in Germany, Switzerland and the United States - an Analysis of Investment Funds and Indices

The aim of this study is the analysis of so called socially responsible investments(SRI). First, the performance of SRI equity investment funds and equity indices is investigated using Jensen´s alpha as performance measure. The analysis considers market timing strategies of the fund management and takes publicly available information into account (conditional performance). In the second part sensitivities regarding macroeconomic factors are estimated and the third part investigates the investment style of the SRI funds and indices. It is found that most of the SRI assets have a similar performance than their benchmarks. Only a few funds and indices exhibit a relatively poor performance. As SRI funds and indices seem to have some specific risk-return characteristics (investment styles) that might be characterised as special investment vehicles different from conventional assets.
Proposed Optimization Technique for Maximization of Throughput under Using Different Multicarrier Systems in Cognitive Radio Networks

Beside the hard ware implementation problems in Cognitive Radio Networks (CRNs), some communication criteria’s are considering to generate CRN with improvement, reliability and motivation communication system. One of these criteria’s is how to maximize total throughput of the spectrum sharing CRNs to improve the Quality of Services (QOS) of Secondary Users (SUs), and adapt its communication parameters to communicate concurrent with primary system while assuring the QOS of primary users (PUs). In this paper, proposed optimization technique studies the power allocation strategies to maximize the total throughput of underlay CRN. This optimizing technique is based on Genetic Algorithm (GA) under the consideration of the maximum transmit power and interference constraints. Furthermore, this proposed technique will be applied on two different multicarrier modulation systems which are Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) and Generalized Frequency Division Multiplexing (GFDM). Moreover, some OFDM problem will be solved such as cyclic prefix and subcarrier overlapping in CRNs. Finally, the performance of the proposed technique for maximization of throughput will be investigated by using different number of PUs, SUs, subcarriers M, noise levels and fully utilized system under maximum power and interference constraints while ensuring the QOS of PUs.
The role of mindfulness in the cognitive-behavioural treatment of problem gambling

Recent years have witnessed the emergence of mindfulness meditation as an important intervention in the alleviation of illness-related disability and distress. Although originally developed within the context of physical illnesses such as chronic back pain, recent years have seen mindfulness meditation effective in the alleviation of emotional distress, especially anxiety and depression. Mindfulness meditation assists the individual in learning more adaptive ways of responding to aversive mental states by encouraging a focus on remaining present, non-judgement, and acceptance towards all mental states. Unlike cognitive therapy there is no attempt to directly challenge or restructure cognition. Given the prominence of distorted thinking among problem gamblers and the difficulty in modifying them, mindfulness meditation holds promise as an adjunctive intervention to help problem gamblers learn to cope with gambling-relevant cognitive distortions. A case study is presented illustrating the integration of mindfulness meditation into treatment for problem gambling.
EVIDENCE FOR DARK MATTER CONTRACTION AND A SALPETER INITIAL MASS FUNCTION IN A MASSIVE EARLY-TYPE GALAXY

Stars and dark matter account for most of the mass of early-type galaxies, but uncertainties in the stellar population and the dark matter profile make it challenging to distinguish between the two components. Nevertheless, precise observations of stellar and dark matter are extremely valuable for testing the many models of structure formation and evolution. We present a measurement of the stellar mass and inner slope of the dark matter halo of a massive early-type galaxy at z = 0.222. The galaxy is the foreground deflector of the double Einstein ring gravitational lens system SDSSJ0946+1006, also known as the “Jackpot. ” By combining the tools of lensing and dynamics we first constrain the mean slope of the total mass density profile () within the radius of the outer ring to be γ′ = 1.98 ± 0.02 ± 0.01. Then we obtain a bulge-halo decomposition, assuming a power-law form for the dark matter halo. Our analysis yields γDM = 1.7 ± 0.2 for the inner slope of the dark matter profile, in agreement with theoretical findings on the distribution of dark matter in ellipticals, and a stellar mass from lensing and dynamics MLD* = 5.5−1.3+0.4 × 1011 M☉. By comparing this measurement with stellar masses inferred from stellar population synthesis fitting we find that a Salpeter initial mass function (IMF) provides a good description of the stellar population of the lens while the probability of the IMF being heavier than Chabrier is 95%. Our data suggest that growth by accretion of small systems from a compact red nugget is a plausible formation scenario for this object.