Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Emerging stem cell controls : nanomaterials and plasma effects

Stem cells (SC) are among the most promising cell sources for tissue engineering due to their ability to self-renew and differentiate, properties that underpin their clinical application in tissue regeneration. As such, control of SC fate is one of the most crucial issues that needs to be fully understood to realise their tremendous potential in regenerative biology. The use of functionalized nanostructured materials (NM) to control the microscale regulation of SC has offered a number of new features and opportunities for regulating SC. However, fabricating and modifying such NM to induce specific SC response still represent a significant scientific and technological challenge. Due to their versatility, plasmas are particularly attractive for the manufacturing and modification of tailored nanostructured surfaces for stem cell control. In this review, we briefly describe the biological role of SC and the mechanisms by which they are controlled and then highlight the benefits of using a range of nanomaterials to control the fate of SC. We then discuss how plasma nanoscience research can help produce/functionalise these NMs for more effective and specific interaction with SCs. The review concludes with a perspective on the advantages and challenges of research at the intersection between plasma physics, materials science, nanoscience, and SC biology.
Kinetics of zinc toxicity to environmental bacterial isolates

Toxicidade de zinco para especies dos generos Pseudomonas, Escherichia, Proteus, Bacillus e Arthrobacter isoladas de um rio tropical e de um efluente de refinaria de petroleo foi avaliada utilizando o teste de inibicao de atividade de desidrogenase (TTC). Em concentracoes suficientes, o zinco e toxico para as celulas bacterianas e a exposicao das celulas ao ion zinco resultou na repressao da atividade de desidrogenase. Os padroes desses efeitos toxicos podem ser matematicamente descritos com base em modelos logisticos de dose-resposta de forma semelhante a nao inibicao competitiva de enzimas. A concentracao limiar acima da qual o efeito toxico foi observado variou de 0,008 mM para Pseudomonas sp. DAF1 ate 0,364 mM para Proteus sp. PLK2. Os coeficientes de inibicao Ki apresentaram correlacao com o IC50 e indicaram que a toxicidade do zinco e dependente do organismo. Os limiares de Ki e de toxicidade previstos a partir das equacoes sao comparaveis e sao indicadores adequados para a analise cinetica da toxicidade do zinco contra as bacterias.
The Use of Fibre Waste as Complement in Concrete for a Sustainable Environment

One of the many challenges faced in developing world is the issue of waste management. Organic fibres forms major percentage of waste produced from agricultural products and should be of great concern. Fibres have been used to reinforce composites concrete to obtain lighter weight, reduce shrinkage effects which serve to reduce environmental waste. Natural fibre is 100% bio-degradable and recyclable, thereby eliminate pollution, promote biodiversity and conservation of natural resources and thus environmentally friendly.This paper focuses on utilization of some fibres as solid wastes for making economically-friendly and affordable green environment. Three fibres: Jute, Oil palm and Polypropylene fibres were used as complement in concrete and its suitability, durability and influence on the properties of concrete were assessed. The percentages of fibre used were 0.25 and 0.5 of cement content by weight. A total of 84 concrete cube specimens were prepared for standard tests which include compression test, slump test and compaction factor test. The compression test was carried out at concrete ages of 7, 14, 21 and 28 days. As the percentage of the fibre increases, the tendency for fibre to ball up becomes higher in water. The test results showed that for Jute and Oil palm fibres, the optimum fibre content was 0.25% and for Polypropylene fibre, the optimum fibre content was 0.5%. They all yielded increase in strength when compared to the control specimen and has proven to reduce reasonable environmental waste pollution. Keywords : Environmental Pollution, Fibre, Concrete strength, Jute, Waste reduction
Tertiary-Quaternary subduction processes and related magmatism in the Alpine-Mediterranean region

Abstract During Tertiary to Quaternary times, convergence between Eurasia and Africa resulted in a variety of collisional orogens and different styles of subduction in the Alpine-Mediterranean region. Characteristic features of this area include arcuate orogenic belts and extensional basins, both of which can be explained by roll-back of subducted slabs and retreating subduction zones. After cessation of active subduction, slab detachment and post-collisional gravitational collapse of the overthickened lithosphere took place. This complex tectonic history was accompanied by the generation of a wide variety of magmas. Most of these magmas (e.g. low-K tholeiitic, calc-alkaline, shoshonitic and ultrapotassic types) have trace element and isotopic fingerprints that are commonly interpreted to reflect enrichment of their source regions by subduction-related fluids. Thus, they can be considered as 'subduction-related' magmas irrespective of their geodynamic relationships. Intraplate alkali basalts are also found in the region and generally postdated the 'subduction-related' volcanism. These mantle-derived magmas have not (or only slightly) been influenced by subduction-related enrichment. This paper summarizes the geodynamic setting of the Tertiary-Quaternary 'subduction-related' magmatism in the various segments of the Alpine-Mediterranean region (Betic-Alboran-Rif province, Central Mediterranean, the Alps, Carpathian-Pannonian region, Dinarides and Hellenides, Aegean and Western Anatolia), and discusses the main characteristics and compositional variation of the magmatic rocks. Radiogenic and stable isotope data indicate the importance of continental crustal material in the genesis of these magmas. Interaction with crustal material probably occurred both in the upper mantle during subduction ('source contamination') and in the continental crust during ascent of mantle-derived magmas (either by mixing with crustal melts or by crustal contamination). The 87Sr/86Sr and 206Pb/204Pb isotope ratios indicate that an enriched mantle component, akin to the source of intraplate alkali mafic magmas along the Alpine foreland, played a key role in the petrogenesis of the 'subduction-related' magmas of the Alpine-Mediterranean region. This enriched mantle component could be related to mantle plumes or to long-term pollution (deflection of the central Atlantic plume and recycling of crustal material during subduction) of the shallow mantle beneath Europe since the late Mesozoic. In the first case, subduction processes could have had an influence in generating asthenospheric flow by deflecting nearby mantle plumes as a result of slab roll-back or slab break-off. In the second case, the variation in the chemical composition of the volcanic rocks in the Mediterranean region can be explained by 'statistical sampling' of the strongly inhomogeneous mantle followed by variable degrees of crustal contamination.
Antioxidant potential of pod coats extracts of cluster bean and their efficacy in stabilizing soybean oil

Present investigation was conducted to determine phenolic composition and antioxidant activity of pod coat extracts of cluster bean and their effect on tocopherols and carotenoids content of crude soybean oil. Pod coats were extracted with solvents of varying polarity (acetone, ethyl acetate and chloroform). Extract yield as well as concentration of different phytoconstituents varied in different solvent. Highest yield was observed in acetone extract (5.44%). Total phenolics, flavonoids and tannins content were also highest in acetone extract (24.18±0.12 mg GAEg, 10.77±0.09 mg CAEg and 2.48±0.03 mg TAEg). Tocopherols were highest in ethyl acetate extract (7.10±0.04 mg/g). Acetone extract showed highest DPPH free radical scavenging activity i.e. 77.43%. Tocopherols (33.04 mg/100g of oil) and carotenoids content (20.48 mg/kg of oil) were highest in the soybean oil sample stabilised with acetone extract (2000ppm) of pod coat of cluster bean at the end of incubation period.
Phylogeny of the cuckoo genus Coccyzus (Aves: Cuculidae): A test of monophyly

Abstract Coccyzus comprises nine species of New World cuckoos (Aves: Cuculidae) that breed from southern Canada to central South America. The phylogeny of this genus was reconstructed using 2490 base pairs of the mitochondrial genes cytochrome oxidase II and III, and cytochrome b. Maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony, and Bayesian inference approaches produced similar topologies in which Coccyzus, as currently classified, is polyphyletic. Topological‐constraint analyses demonstrated that trees resulting from this study were significantly better than those derived from conventional classifications. Furthermore, results support paraphyly of Piaya, another genus of New World cuckoos. These conclusions reflect some early classifications of these genera and support the resurrection of Micrococcyx to house the ash‐coloured (Coccyzus cinereus) and dwarf (C. pumilus) cuckoos, and Coccycua for the little cuckoo (Piaya minuta).
Market Value, Mergers, and Market Share: Evidence from a Panel of US Firms

Improving shareholder value through higher stock market valuation has often been cited as a key determinant for merger activities. However, there is limited evidence that oers a strong link between the consummation of a merger and subsequent stock market value. My contribution to the literature is premised on the construction of a panel data set of mergers among publicly traded U.S. manufacturing
Determinants of different internal migration trends: the Italian experience

This paper investigates the determinants of interregional migration in Italy for the period 1985-2006, during which different migration trends took place. In so doing, in addition to the traditional variables of Harris and Todaro model, the impact of housing prices and externalities variables were studied. Our results, using a dynamic panel GMM, show that the H-T model, due to the complexity of the internal migration process, omits some important economic and non-economic variables and may not be representative of migration flow in Italy. Furthermore, our analysis confirms our intuition that for different periods we have to take into account different determinants.
Responses to reviewers: “Quantifying methane point sources from fine-scale (GHGSat) satellite observations of atmospheric methane plumes”

Anthropogenic methane emissions originate from a large number of relatively small point sources. The planned GHGSat satellite fleet aims to quantify emissions from individual point sources by measuring methane column plumes over 10 selected ~10×10 km domains with ≤ 50×50 m pixel resolution and 1-5% measurement precision. Here we develop algorithms for retrieving point source rates from such measurements. We simulate a large ensemble of instantaneous methane column plumes at 50×50 m pixel resolution for a range of atmospheric conditions using the Weather Research and Forecasting model (WRF) in large eddy simulation (LES) mode and adding instrument noise. We show that standard methods to infer source rates by Gaussian plume inversion or source pixel mass balance are prone to large errors because the turbulence 15 cannot be properly parameterized on the small scale of instantaneous methane plumes. The integrated mass enhancement (IME) method, which relates total plume mass to source rate, and the cross-sectional flux method, which infers source rate from fluxes across plume transects, are better adapted to the problem. We show that the IME method with local measurements of the 10-m wind speed can infer source rates with error of 0.07-0.17 t h + 5-12% depending on instrument precision (1-5%). The cross-sectional flux method has slightly larger errors (0.07-0.26 t h + 8-12%) but a simpler physical basis. For 20 comparison, point sources larger than 0.3 t h contribute more than 75% of methane emissions reported to the U.S. Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program. Additional error applies if local wind speed measurements are not available, and may dominate the overall error at low wind speeds. Low winds are beneficial for source detection but detrimental for source quantification.
Sample variance, source clustering and their influence on the counts of faint radio sources

The shape of the curves defined by the counts of radio sources per unit area as a function of their flux density was one of the earliest cosmological probes. Radio source counts continue to be an area of astrophysical interest as they can be used to study the relative populations of galaxy types in the Universe (as well as investigate any cosmological evolution in their respective luminosity functions). They are also a vital consideration for determining how source confusion may limit the depth of a radio interferometer observation, and are essential for characterizing the extragalactic foregrounds in cosmic microwave background experiments. There is currently no consensus as to the relative populations of the faintest (sub-mJy) source types, where the counts show a turn-up. Most of the source count data in this regime are gathered from multiple observations that each use a deep, single pointing with an interferometric radio telescope. These independent count measurements exhibit large amounts of scatter (factors of the order of a few) that significantly exceeds their respective stated uncertainties. In this paper, we use a simulation of the extragalactic radio continuum emission to assess the level at which sample variance may be the cause of the scatter. We find that the scatter induced by sample variance in the simulated counts decreases towards lower flux density bins as the raw source counts increase. The field-to-field variations make significant contributions to the scatter in the measurements of counts derived from deep observations that consist of a single pointing, and could even be the sole cause at >100 µJy. We present a method for evaluating the flux density limit that a radio survey must reach in order to reduce the count uncertainty induced by sample variance to a specific value. We also derive a method for correcting Poisson errors on source counts from existing and future deep radio surveys in order to include the uncertainties due to the cosmological clustering of sources. A conclusive empirical constraint on the effect of sample variance at these low luminosities is unlikely to arise until the completion of future large-scale radio surveys with next-generation radio telescopes.
Forecasting the Daily Transaction Data Utilizing a Day of the Week Index in the Case of Web Site

The daily web site access data’s forecasting is an important factor for the web master in order to improve the quality of the site, and to increase the sales from the site. In this paper, the authors propose a new method to improve forecasting accuracy and confirm them by the Web transaction data (Nail consulting site). Focusing that the equation of exponential smoothing method (ESM) is equivalent to (1,1) order ARMA model equation, a new method of estimation of smoothing constant in exponential smoothing method is proposed before by us which satisfies minimum variance of forecasting error. Generally, smoothing constant is selected arbitrarily. But in this paper, we utilize above stated theoretical solution. Firstly, the authors make estimation of ARMA model parameter and then estimate smoothing constants. Thus theoretical solution is derived in a simple way and it may be utilized in various fields. Combining the trend removing method with this method, we aim to improve forecasting accuracy. Furthermore, “a day of the week index” is newly introduced for the daily data and we have obtained good result. The effectiveness of this method should be examined in various cases.
Gedanken Experiment Examining How Kinetic Energy Would Dominate Potential Energy, in Pre-Planckian Space-Time Physics, and Allow Us to Avoid the BICEP 2 Mistake

We use Padmabhan’s “Invitation to Astrophysics” formalism of a scalar field evolution of the early universe, from first principles, to show something which seems counter intuitive. How could, just before inflation, kinetic energy be larger than potential energy in pre-Planckian physics, and what physics mechanism is responsible for the Planckian physics result that Potential energy is far larger than kinetic energy. This document answers that question, as well as provides a mechanism for the dominance of kinetic energy in pre-Planckian space-time, as well as its reversal in the Planckian era of cosmology. The kinetic energy is proportional to , with initial degrees of freedom, and T the initial temperature just before the onset of inflation. Our key assumption is the smallness of curvature, as given in the first equation, which permits adoption of the Potential energy and Kinetic energy formalism used, in the Planckian and pre-Planckian space-time physics. Interpretation of this result, if done correctly, will be able to allow a correct distinguishing of relic gravitational waves, as to avoid the BICEP 2 pickup of galactic dust as a false relic Gravitational wave signal, as well as serve as an investigative template as to if quantum gravity is embedded in a deterministic dissipative system, as cited in the conclusion.
Screening and Characterization of Protease Inhibitors from Marine Bacteria Associated with Sponge Jaspis sp.

oC respectively. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence, the closest related with SAB S-12, SAB-17, and SAB-21 isolates was Providencia sp. (92% identity), Paracoccus sp. (86% identity), and Bacillus sp. (100% identity), respectively.
Growth and mortality of Atlantic cod Gadus morhua and haddock Melanogrammus aeglefinus eggs and larvae on Georges Bank, 1995 to 1999

The egg and larval stages of the Atlantic cod Gadus morhua and haddock Melanogrammus aeglefinus populations on Georges Bank, northeastern USA, were sampled monthly from February through July in 1995 and January through June in 1996 to 1999 as part of the US GLOBEC Georges Bank program. The eggs were staged by means of microscopic examination. Larvae were aged by otolith increment analysis. Seasonally averaged rates of egg mortality were estimated for both species and ranged from 9.9 to 20.4 % d–1 for cod and 7.8 to 13.4% d–1 for haddock. From the results of a simple drift model, the interannual variability in egg mortality rate is believed to be due largely to wind-driven transport off the southern side of the bank. The estimated number of hatched eggs is strongly correlated with the subsequent recruitment for both the Atlantic cod and haddock stocks. Mortality during the early larval period was estimated for 10 d cohorts within each year, based on the decrease in abundance from egg hatching to the first sampling of the cohort on a survey, when the larvae were on average about 15 d old. For both species, these rates were slowly varying between cohorts within a season, but showed large variation between years. For the 1995 to 1996 period, the annual average mortality rate was about 6.3% d–1 for cod and 10.1% d–1 for haddock, whereas in 1998 to 1999 the values were 3.9% d–1 for cod and 5.4% d–1 for haddock. The lower mortality rates in 1998 to 1999 are believed to be due to higher prey abundance for the larvae in those years. From the larval stage to stock recruitment, haddock appeared to have a survival rate (recruits per larvae) 3 times higher than that for Atlantic cod.
Autonomous control of a reconfigurable constellation of satellites on geostationary orbit with artificial potential fields

This paper presents a method of controlling a constellation of small satellites in Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) such that the constellation is able to reconfigure - changing the angular position of its members relative to the Earth’s surface in order to cluster them above particular target longitudes. This is enabled through the use of an artificial potential function whose minimum value corresponds to a state where the phase angle between each satellite and its intended target is minimised. By linking the tangential low-thrust acceleration of each satellite to this artificial potential function, the altitude of each satellite relative to the nominal GEO altitude is manipulated in order to achieve the required drift rate. A demonstration of the efficacy of the method is given through a simple test case in which a constellation of 90 satellites converge upon 3 equatorial targets, with each target requiring the attention of a varying number of spacecraft from the constellation. The constellation performance is analysed in terms of the time taken for the satellites to converge over their targeted longitudes and the Dv required to actuate the phasing maneuvers. This analysis is performed across a parameter space by varying the number of satellites in the constellation, the number of targeted longitudes, and a parameter representing the maximum acceleration of the thruster.
In situ swimming speeds of the late pelagic larvae of some Indo-Pacific coral-reef fishes

S\~lmrnlng speeds of the late-stage, pelaglc larvae of coral-leef flshes were measured in situ near Llzard Island on Australia's Great Barrler Reef, and Ranglroa Atoll, Tuamotu Islands, French Polynes~a dunng 1995-96 Larvae were captured w ~ t h llght traps and crest nets, and released indiv~dually In open water They were then followed by SCUBA d ~ v e r s , normally for 10 mm, and their speed was measured w ~ t h a m o d ~ f ~ e d plankton-net flow meter and a stop watch Swlmmlng speeds of 260 lalvae of 50 specles In 15 famll~es of mostly perclform reef f ~ s h e s are presented Most measurements were for pomacentnds (8 genera 16 specles, 127 ~ n d ~ v i d u a l s ) , apogonids (1 genus, -5 specles, 18 1nd1vlduals), chaetodontids (3 genera. 8 specles, 49 ~ndlviduals) , lethrlnlds (1 genus, -4 specles, 11 lndivlduals), nemipterlds ( l genus, 2 specles, 10 ~ndlvlduals) , serranlds (2 genera, 2 specles, 14 md~vlduals) and acanthurlds (2 genera, -4 specles 13 ~ n d ~ v l d u a l s ) Numbers of lndlvlduals per specles ranged from 1 to 25 Speeds were remarkably hlgh for such small flshes (0 7 to 5 5 cm) Average speed was 20 6 cm S ' (ranqe 2 to 65), or 13 7 body lengths s ' (range 2 to 34) SE fol specles wlth n > 4 ranged from 0 8 to 5 3 cm s ' 14 1 to 25 0"0 of mean speed), but speed of the fastest lndlvldual ot each specles averaged 144 "/o of mean speed A taxonom~c component was evident, with apogonlds the slowest (2 to 13 cm S l ) , followed by nemipterlds (10 cm s ' ) Speed of pomacentr~ds and chaetodontlds varled wldely among specles (7 to 35 cm s '), whereas acanthunds, lethrlnlds and se r r an~ds were fast ( l 9 to 55 cm S-') Except for apogonlds and nem~ptel-lds, nearly all specles had mean swlmming speeds greater than average ambient current speeds In the L~zard Island area Mean speed was positively correlated wlth size (slope 8 2, r2 = 0 43) when all taxa were lncluded but was not correlated wlth slze for the Pomacentndae and Chaetodontidae when each were considered alone The speeds reported here combined wlth data on swimming endurance recently reported by Stobutzk~ & Bellwood (1997. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 149 35-41) reveal remarkable swlmnling ab lh t~es for late-stage pelaglc larvae of coral-reef flshes whlch could e ~ t h e r gleatly enhance d~spersa l or eliminate it