Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Astrophysical Effects of Scalar Dark Matter Miniclusters

We model the formation, evolution and astrophysical effects of dark compact Scalar Miniclusters (``ScaMs''). These objects arise when a scalar field, with an axion-like or Higgs-like potential, undergoes a second-order phase transition below the QCD scale. Such a scalar field may couple too weakly to the standard model to be detectable directly through particle interactions, but may still be detectable by gravitational effects, such as lensing and baryon accretion by large, gravitationally bound miniclusters. The masses of these objects are shown to be constrained by the $\mathrm{Ly}\ensuremath{\alpha}$ power spectrum to be less than $\ensuremath{\sim}{10}^{4}{M}_{\ensuremath{\bigodot}}$, but they may be as light as classical axion miniclusters, of the order of ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}12}{M}_{\ensuremath{\bigodot}}$. We simulate the formation and nonlinear gravitational collapse of these objects around matter-radiation equality using an $N$-body code, estimate their gravitational lensing properties, and assess the feasibility of studying them using current and future lensing experiments. Future MACHO-type variability surveys of many background sources can reveal either high-amplification, strong-lensing events, or measure density profiles directly via weak-lensing variability, depending on ScaM parameters and survey depth. However, ScaMs, due to their low internal densities, are unlikely to be responsible for apparent MACHO events already detected in the Galactic halo. As a result, in the entire window between ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}7}{M}_{\ensuremath{\bigodot}}$ and ${10}^{2}{M}_{\ensuremath{\bigodot}}$ covered by the galactic scale lensing experiments, ScaMs may in fact compose all the dark matter. A simple estimate is made of parameters that would give rise to early structure formation; in principle, early stellar collapse could be triggered by ScaMs as early as recombination, and significantly affect cosmic reionization.
Calibration of two objective measures of physical activity for children

Abstract A calibration study was conducted to determine the threshold counts for two commonly used accelerometers, the ActiGraph and the Actical, to classify activities by intensity in children 5 to 8 years of age. Thirty-three children wore both accelerometers and a COSMED portable metabolic system during 15 min of rest and then performed up to nine different activities for 7 min each, on two separate days in the laboratory. Oxygen consumption was measured on a breath-by-breath basis, and accelerometer data were collected in 15-s epochs. Using receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis, cutpoints that maximised both sensitivity and specificity were determined for sedentary, moderate and vigorous activities. For both accelerometers, discrimination of sedentary behaviour was almost perfect, with the area under the ROC curve at or exceeding 0.98. For both the ActiGraph and Actical, the discrimination of moderate (0.85 and 0.86, respectively) and vigorous activity (0.83 and 0.86, respectively) was acceptable, but not as precise as for sedentary behaviour. This calibration study, using indirect calorimetry, suggests that the two accelerometers can be used to distinguish differing levels of physical activity intensity as well as inactivity among children 5 to 8 years of age.
Transplantation of Co-aggregates of Sertoli Cells and Islet Cells Into Liver Without Immunosuppression

Background Transplantation of islets of Langerhans (islets) was used to treat insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. However, islet grafts must be maintained by administration of immunosuppressive drugs, which can lead to complications in the long term. An approach that avoids immunosuppressive drug use is desirable. Methods Co-aggregates of Sertoli cells and islet cells from BALB/c mice that were prepared by the hanging drop method were transplanted into C57BL/6 mouse liver through the portal vein as in human clinical islet transplantation. Results The core part of the aggregates contained mainly Sertoli cells, and these cells were surrounded by islet cells. The co-aggregates retained the functions of both Sertoli and islet cells. When 800 co-aggregates were transplanted into seven C57BL/6 mice via the portal vein, six of seven recipient mice demonstrated quasi-normoglycemia for more than 100 days. Conclusions The hanging drop method is suitable for preparing aggregates of Sertoli and islet cells for transplantation. Notably, transplantation of these allogeneic co-aggregates into mice with chemically induced diabetes via the portal vein resulted in long-term graft survival without systemic immunosuppression.
DEFINITION OF THE STAGES OF THE CYCLE OF THE SEMINIFEROUS EPITHELIUM IN THE RAT

Any area of any seminiferous tubule of the rat contains a few spermatogonia along the basement membrane, one or several layers of spermatocytes farther in, and groups of spermatids next to the lumen of the tubule. The present work is a systematic study of the various modes of association of these cells in what is known as the seminiferous epithelium. In the rat, development of any one generation of spermatogonia, spermatocytes, or spermatids is closely integrated with that of other generations present in the same area of the tubule. Thus, the cel! s are not arranged a t random, but are organized into well-defined cellular associations. I t was realized in the 1890’s that the various cell associations must succeed one another in time in any given area of the seminiferous tubule, and that the sequence must repeat itself indefinitely. The complete series of successive cellular associations has been named the “ spermatogenic cycle” by von Ebnerl and Regaud. This designation is somewhat misleading and, more recently, has been used to describe the whole of spermat~genesis. ~ To avoid confusion, the more exact designation “cycle of the seminiferous epithelium” or, simply, “cycle” will be used instead. The cycle of the seminiferous epithelium may be defined as that series of changes occurring in a given area of the seminiferous epithelium between two successive appearances of the same cellular association. The number of cellular associations identified by various authors within a cycle ot the seminiferous epithelium shows large (TABLE 1.) The discrepancies may be explained by the fact that many stages of development of the cells cannot be characterized with precision in preparations stained with hematoxylin. In the present work, the cellular associations were defined by the stage of development of the spermatids, which themselves were characterized by their staining reaction to the “periodic acid-Schiff”, also called “periodic acid-fuchsin sulfurous acid” technique (hereafter referred to as PAFSA). The stages through which the developing spermatids progress can be easily identified by this technique, as shown in a previous paper,l0 in which the bibliography of the subject may be found. Spermiogenesis may thus be divided into 19 stages, numbered from 1 to 19 (FIGURES 1-19). During the first 8 stages of the development of young spermatids, the seminiferous epithelium also contains a generation of older spermatids, which are released when the younger generation completes Stage 8. During the next few stages of development, the remaining spermatids are the only ones present, but when they reach Stage 15, a new generation again arises
A generic sensor fusion architecture for enhancing situational awareness

The advancements of mobile technology and its widespread availability have redefined many computing paradigms including Human-centric sensing. Human-centric sensing has already been successfully implemented as integrated network architecture component in many operational intelligent systems in various industry areas such as defense, healthcare, energy or disaster management. The process of integration of Human-centric sensing into the system can be lengthy and complicated because of disparate data formats, modality and connectivity interfaces. Extending an existing system by new, and possibly future, sensors may result in low-level integration issues. There is a need for a generic architecture that will be able to dynamically accommodate new sensors and to provide fusion of all sensed data. In this paper, we extend our previous work of developing an architecture that supports seamless integration and development of platforms to enhance situational awareness in the context of Human-centric sensing.
Pornographic image rejection using eigenporn of simplified LDA of skin ROIs images

This paper proposes alternative solution for pornographic rejection using eigenporn extracted by simplified linear discriminant analysis (LDA) of skin region of interests (ROIs) of pornographic images. The skin ROI is extracted by skin segmentation that is performed by threshold rule of YCbCr color space. The skin ROI is employed to handle the large variability of pornographic images due to backgrounds variations. While eigenporn is employed not only to decrease the dimensionality of the input images but also to handle the large variability of pornographic images due to poses variations. The main aim of this research is to obtain good algorithm for rejection of pornographic contents, which can be developed for rejecting of accessing pornographic contents in the Internet from unexpected people like children. The experimental results show that the proposed rejection system is suitable concept for rejecting of accessing pornographic images, which is shown by higher accuracy and less false rejection rate than those of existing methods (increasing the accuracy by about 2.38% and decrease the FPR and computational time by about 13.20% and 0.195 seconds of those of FD based method, respectively).
Nearly deterministic controlled-not gate with weak cross-kerr nonlinearities

On the basis of the probe coherent state and weak cross-Kerr nonlinearities, we present a scheme of a nearly deterministic Controlled-NOT gate. In this construction, feed-forward methods, quantum nondemolition detectors and several optical elements are applied. It is a potentially practical quantum gate with certain features. First, the lack of auxiliary photons is allowable, which decreases consumption of resources. Secondly, employment of the signal photon from either of target output ports and three quantum nondemolition detectors enable the success probability to approach unit and judge whether the signal photons lose or not. Thirdly, the displacement measurement is adopted, and thus the Controlled-NOT gate works against photon loss of the probe coherent state. Finally, in order to circumvent the effect of dephasing, the monochromatic signal photons are exploited.
Template convolution to enhance or detect structural features in macromolecular electron-density maps.

A conceptually simple real-space convolution method has been developed which can be used to detect or enhance structural features in experimental macromolecular electron-density maps. The method has been implemented in a computer program (ESSENS). One application of the method is in selectively visualizing secondary-structure elements in multiple isomorphous replacement (MIR) maps of proteins, prior to map interpretation. This application is demonstrated for MIR maps of P2 myelin protein [Jones, Bergfors, Sedzik & Unge (1988). EMBO J. 7, 1597-1604; Cowan, Newcomer & Jones (1993). J. Mol. Biol. 230, 1225-1246] and glyoxalase I [Cameron, Olin, Ridderström, Mannervik & Jones (1997). In preparation]. Another application is in finding the optimal orientation and position of a known structural fragment (e.g. a protein domain or a ligand) in any type of electron-density map (real-space or phased molecular replacement). This application is demonstrated for the complex of acetylcholinesterase and the snake toxin fasciculin II [Harel, Kleywegt, Ravelli, Silman & Sussman (1995). Structure, 3, 1355-1366] where the toxin was located in a map phased using the molecular-replacement solution for the acetylcholinesterase alone.
Asymptotic self-similar blow-up for a model of aggregation

In this article we consider a system of equations that describes a class of massconserving aggregation phenomena, including gravitational collapse and bacterial chemotaxis. In spatial dimensions strictly larger than two, and under the assumptions of radial symmetry, it is known that this system has at least two stable mechanisms of singularity formation (see e.g. M. P. Brenner et al. 1999, Nonlinearity 12, 1071–1098); one type is self-similar, and may be viewed as a trade-off between diffusion and attraction, while in the other type the attraction prevails over the diffusion and a non-self-similar shock wave results. Our main result identifies a class of initial data for which the blow-up behaviour is of the former, self-similar type. The blow-up profile is characterized as belonging to a subset of stationary solutions of the associated ordinary differential equation. We compare these results with blow-up behaviour of related models of aggregation.
Q-learning algorithm based multi-agent coordinated control method for microgrids

This paper proposes a Q-learning algorithm (Q-LA) based multi-agent coordinated control method for microgrids. By the method, Q-LA is adopted to calculate the power to be regulated, which is called the microgrid regulation error (MRE), in secondary control for real-time operation. And the generation schedule of distributed generators (DGs) as well as batteries is modified in real time with the MRE by the fuzzy theory and particle swarm optimization method, taking the economy and environmental benefits into consideration together. The simulation platform of Q-LA based multi-agent hybrid energy management system for microgrid (HEMS-MG) is established in C++ Builder. The simulation results verify the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed method.
Laboratory Testing for Prognostic and Predictive Markers in Gliomas

Gliomas can also be classified histologically as astrocytomas, oligodendrogliomas, or tumors with morphological features of both astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. The 2007 World Health Organization (WHO) classification recognizes three main histologic types of low grade diffuse glioma grade II: diffuse astrocytoma, oligoastrocytoma, and oligodendroglio‐ ma [1]. Diffuse astrocytomas account for approximately 40% of primary intracranial tumors. Their gross, microscopic, and biologic characteristics vary to a considerable degree accord‐ ing to their site. They occur at all ages, although the median age is 30 to 40 for astrocytoma (grade II), 40 to 50 for anaplastic astrocytoma (grade III), and 50 to 60 years for glioblastoma multiforme (grade IV). Diffuse astrocytomas tend to progress to more malignant histologic types, such as anaplastic astrocytoma (WHO grade III) and sometimes secondary glioblasto‐ ma (WHO grade IV). Oligodendrogliomas account for approximately 5% of intracranial gliomas. They are most often found in the cerebral hemispheres, where they usually involve the cortex and the white matter. Traditionally the prognosis of oligodendrogliomas has been regarded as relatively favorable, but in practice no valid correlation has been established be‐ tween the microscopic appearances of these tumors and their clinical evolution. Progression of oligodendrogliomas to anaplastic oligodendrogliomas can be unpredictable. Glioblasto‐ mas are malignant, rapidly fatal, astrocytic neoplasms. Glioblastomamultiforme (GBM), ac‐ count for 30% of primary brain tumors in adults [2, 3]. Patients with glioblastomamultiforme have a mean survival of about 12 months. They may occur in any
E-commerce success : the quest for IS effectiveness measurement : a conceptual framework for the e-commerce environment

Although the current era of business has surpassed the hype that was associated with e-Commerce in the 1990s, e-Commerce is still immature. There is still much misunderstanding of e-Commerce's potential capability and how it can be effectively employed. To facilitate the development of e-Commerce into a sound business strategy, it is necessary to develop a valid and robust framework for e-Commerce evaluation. This paper reports on research which is being conducted using a combination of user-satisfaction and Service Quality approaches to this problem. The paper builds on a comprehensive literature study and suggests an appropriate framework for further exploration of the measurement of e-customer satisfaction in the South African context. The findings of the first stage of field work are reported.
Modeling HCV kinetics under therapy using PK and PD information

Background: Mathematical models have proven helpful in analyzing the virological response to antiviral therapy in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected subjects. Objective: To summarize the uses and limitations of different models for analyzing HCV kinetic data under pegylated IFN therapy. Methods: We formulate mathematical models and fit them by nonlinear least square regression to patient data to estimate model parameters. We compare the goodness of fit and parameter values estimated by different models statistically. Results/conclusion: The best model for parameter estimation depends on the availability and the quality of data as well as the therapy used. We also discuss the mathematical models that will be needed to analyze HCV kinetic data from clinical trials with new antiviral drugs.
Frequency conversion and amplification of photon-number detection.

We present a comparative analysis of trilinear parametric processes for photon-number detection. Attention is focused on those processes that correspond to constituent devices in optical networks, such as second- and subharmonic sum- and difference-frequency generation and phase-sensitive and insensitive amplification and attenuation. Gains, output Fano factors, and noise figures are given for input in both coherent and number eigenstates. The fully quantum processes (i.e., with no classical pump) are evaluated numerically. It is shown that the depletion of the quantum pump is never complete and this accounts for additional noise at the output
Feeding signals to the hungry mind

Obesity, due to its associated co‐morbidities, including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, is at the forefront of today's health care concerns. Our need for novel, multifaceted approaches to tackle the global increase of waistlines is urgent, and understanding the physiological processes underlying our vulnerability to weight gain is an important one of them. Evidence for considerable heritability of body weight indicates genetic influences in the susceptibility to our obesogenic environment. Here, we will focus on neurons in brain structures such as the hypothalamus, which sense the body's metabolic state and, through an intricate cascade of events, elicit an appropriate response. We will explore the use of genetically modified mouse models in the investigation of physiological functions of genes and pathways in neuronal regulation of metabolic balance. Use of these techniques allows us to make manipulations at the molecular level (e.g. in the neuronal metabolic sensing mechanism) and combine this with systems‐level physiological analysis (e.g. body weight). Recent technological advances also enable the investigation of the contributions of genes to the co‐morbidities of obesity, such as obesity‐induced hypertension. Reviewing examples of improvements as well as large gaps in our knowledge, this lecture aims to incite interest in whole body physiological research.
Combined method for simulation of high efficient circulating pumps

The detailed analysis of electric machinery is essential for the design of modern high efficiency centrifugal pumps. The paper at hand deals with a new combined method, to reduce the degrees of freedom from finite element analysis (FEA). By extracting the time and current depending lumped parameters of a synchronous machine for a phase-domain model during its simulation, the complexity of the machine model can be reduced and it can be easily connected to frequency converters or more complex hydraulic components without losing the influence of higher harmonics. Thus, the whole pump can be simulated by using a moderate amount of time, compared to FEA. In order to show the accuracy of the proposed method, values from the phase-domain model are compared to the FEA as well as field measurements of a permanent magnet synchronous machine for pump applications.
The Role of Mesoscale Tracer Transports in the Global Ocean Circulation

Ocean models routinely used in simulations of the Earth's climate do not resolve mesoscale eddies because of the immense computational cost. A new parameterization of the effects of these eddies has been implemented in a widely used model. A comparison of its solution with that of the conventional parameterization shows significant improvements in the global temperature distribution, the poleward and surface heat fluxes, and the locations of deep-water formation.
Detection of diverse variants of human immunodeficiency virus-1 groups M, N, and O and simian immunodeficiency viruses from chimpanzees by using generic pol and env primer pairs.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection of humans is the result of independent cross-species transmissions of simian immunodeficiency viruses (SIVcpz) from naturally infected chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes troglodytes) to man. To develop a polymerase chain reaction-based assay capable of detecting members of all major phylogenetic SIVcpz and HIV-1 lineages (groups M, N, and O), primer pairs in conserved pol and env regions were designed. Both primer sets amplified </=10 copies of selected group M reference clones (subtypes A-H), proviral DNA or RNA of group N (YBF30), and group O of HIV-1 and also amplified divergent SIVcpz from cultured isolates (SIVcpzGAB1 and SIVcpzANT), uncultured spleen tissue (SIVcpzUS), and plasma (SIVcpzANT and SIVcpzUS). Sequences of the 2 amplicons (445 bp for gp41 and 261 bp for integrase) are of sufficient length for phylogenetic analyses, allowing both group and subtype classifications of the human viruses. Finally, both primer pairs are highly sensitive (>99%) in amplifying viral sequences from plasma taken from patients infected with HIV-1 group M (n=226) and O (n=17) viruses.
Time Budget in Two Desert Gerbils: is the Diet Important?

SUMMARY We studied time budgets and dietary intake in two desert gerbillids, Psammomys obesus, a diurnal herbivore, and Meriones crassus, a nocturnal granivore feeding three different types of diet (millet seeds together with leaves of Atriplex halimus for M. crassus, fresh leaves of A. halimus or fresh stems of Anabasis syriaca for P. obesus). M. crassus spent the lowest proportion of its time budget for feeding compared to P. obesus. Number of feeding sessions in M. crassus was approximately the same but each separate feeding session was almost three times shorter than those in P. obesus. No difference in temporal pattern of feeding was found between P. obesus fed different plants, in spite of sharp differences in chemical composition of food. P. obesus fed A. halimus was active significantly less time than M. crassus, whereas P. obesus fed A. syriaca stayed active the same time as M. crassus. Dry matter intake of P. obesus fed A. halimus was much higher than that of M. crassus and dry matter intake of P. obesus fed A. syriaca was lower than even that in M. crassus.