Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On the use of double probes in RF discharges

The paper deals with the interpretation of double-probe characteristics in the presence of RF voltages. The theory analyses the equations of the double probe with the insertion of electric currents modulated by the radio frequency and an exact solution for the thin-sheath approximation is derived. The case of an ion curve strongly dependent on the voltage is also considered and leads to a new method of RF compensation and to a derivation which, together with the experimental results, gives the electron temperature. Measurements which support the above theory are also presented. The electron temperature obtained from the double-probe characteristic of a thin probe is found to agree well with the electron temperature obtained from single-probe analysis. The plasma density is obtained by the comparison of the ion curves derived from the double-probe characteristic with the radial motion theory. This method does not need a return electrode inside the discharge vessel.
Three Cycles versus Six Cycles of Neoajuvant Chemotherapy in Stage II and III Breast Cancer: 3 Years Overview

Background: The majority of breast cancer patients is diagnosed at a young age and present with locally advanced stage which limit the response to treatment and the frequency of conservative surgery. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy increasingly used to achieve better results. The number of cycles which should be given is addressed in this study. Aim: To study the efficacy of increasing number of cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (three versus six cycles of (FAC) protocol) as regards pathological complete response {p(CR)} and frequency of conservative breast surgery. Methods: 260 breast cancer patients were included into 2 groups and treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, group A (132 cases) received 3 cycles, and group B (128 cases) received 6 cycles. Results: At the end of neoadjuvant chemotherapy protocol, all cases were underwent surgery either modified radical mastectomy (MRM) or conservative breast surgery (CBS) and were pathologically assessed. The p(CR) was statistically different between the 2 groups. In group B 39 patients (30.5%) achieved p(CR) compared to 12 patients (9.1%) in group A (P value<0.05). Also conservative surgery was more frequent in group B (89 patients) (69.5%) compared to group A (52 Original Research Article Elazab et al.; IRJO, 2(4): 1-6, 2019; Article no.IRJO. 54931 2 patients) (39.4%) which is also statistically significant. The protocol was generally well tolerated, febrile neutropenia was noticed in only 7% of cases in group A and 9% in group B. Conclusion: 6 cycles of FAC protocol of neoadjuvant chemotherapy are better than 3 cycles when used in advanced breast cancer patients as regards p(CR) and frequency of conservative surgery.
Using machine learning to associate bacterial taxa with functional groups through flow cytometry, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and productivity data

High- (HNA) and low-nucleic acid (LNA) bacteria are two separated flow cytometry (FCM) groups that are ubiquitous across aquatic systems. HNA cell density often correlates strongly with heterotrophic production. However, the taxonomic composition of bacterial taxa within HNA and LNA groups remains mostly unresolved. Here, we associated freshwater bacterial taxa with HNA and LNA groups by integrating FCM and 16S rRNA gene sequencing using a machine learning-based variable selection approach. There was a strong association between bacterial heterotrophic production and HNA cell abundances (R2 = 0.65), but not with more abundant LNA cells, suggesting that the smaller pool of HNA bacteria may play a disproportionately large role in the freshwater carbon flux. Variables selected by the models were able to predict HNA and LNA cell abundances at all taxonomic levels, with highest accuracy at the OTU level. There was high system specificity as the selected OTUs were mostly unique to each lake ecosystem and some OTUs were selected for both groups or were rare. Our approach allows for the association of OTUs with FCM functional groups and thus the identification of putative indicators of heterotrophic activity in aquatic systems, an approach that can be generalized to other ecosystems and functioning of interest.
Codon Bias Confers Stability to mRNAs via ILF2 in Humans

Codon bias has been implicated as one of the major factors contributing to mRNA stability in yeast. However, the effects of codon-bias on mRNA stability remain unclear in humans. Here we show that human cells possess a mechanism to modulate RNA stability through a unique codon bias different from that of yeast. Bioinformatics analysis showed that codons could be clustered into two distinct groups – codons with G or C at the third base position (GC3) and codons with either A or T at the third base position (AT3); the former stabilizing while the latter destabilizing mRNA. Quantification of codon bias showed that increased GC3 content entails proportionately higher GC content. Through bioinformatics, ribosome profiling and in vitro analysis, we show that decoupling of the effects of codon bias reveals two modes of mRNA regulation, GC3- and GC-content dependent. Employing an immunoprecipitation-based strategy, we identified ILF2 as an RNA binding protein that differentially regulates global mRNA abundances based on codon bias. Our results demonstrate that codon bias is a two-pronged system that governs mRNA abundance.
Concepts of Supply Chain Management: Literature Review

Supply chain Management (SCM) has assumed a significant role in firm's performance and has attracted serious research attention over the last few years. A literature review reveals a considerable spurt in research in theory and practice of SCM. Combining and informing on features of Supply Management and distribution Management. This integration has resulted in the concept of extended enterprise and the supply chain is now manifest as the collaborative supply chain across intercompany borders to maximize the value across the entire supply chain. A large number of research papers have been published in various journals in last two decades. In this paper an attempt is made to review the status of literature on Supply Chain Management. A literature classification scheme is proposed. A total of 588 articles from 13 refereed academic journals are classified into articles in five methodologies i.e. Exploratory, Normative, Methodology, Literature Review and Hypothesis testing. This literature review finds that exploratory type of research is mostly preferred it is expected that with the maturity of SCM the hypothesis testing method will pick up. The articles are further categorized in fifteen categories on the basis of content analysis. Based on this review, some possible research issues are identified
Optimal strategies for pirate phage spreading

6 Pirate phages use the structural proteins encoded by unrelated helper phages to propagate. The 7 best-studied example is the pirate P4 and helper P2 of coli-phages, and it has been known that the 8 Staphylococcus aureus pathogenicity islands (SaPIs) that can encode virulence factors act as pirate 9 phages, too. Understanding pirate phage spreading at population level is important in order to 10 control spreading of pathogenic genes among host bacteria. Interestingly, the SaPI-helper system 11 inhibits spreading of pirate/helper phages in a lawn of helper/pirate lysogens, while in the P4-P2 12 system, pirate/helper phages can spread in a lawn of helper/pirate lysogens. In order to study 13 which behavior is advantageous in spreading among uninfected host, we analyzed the plaque for- 14 mation with pirate-helper co-infection by using a mathematical model. In spite of the diﬀerence in 15 the strategies, we found that both are relatively close to a local optimum for pirate phage spreading 16 as prophage. The analysis highlights the complex strategy space in pirate-helper phage interaction. 17 18 Competing interests: The author declares no competing interest. 19
Community size affects the signals of ecological drift and selection on biodiversity

Ecological drift can override the effects of deterministic niche selection on small populations and drive the assembly of small communities. We tested the hypothesis that smaller local communities are more dissimilar among each other because of ecological drift than larger communities, which are mainly structured by niche selection. We used a unique, comprehensive dataset on insect communities sampled identically in a total of 200 streams in climatically different regions (Brazil and Finland) that differ in community size by fivefold. Null models allowed us to estimate the magnitude to which beta diversity deviates from the expectation under a random assembly process while taking differences in species richness and relative abundance into account, i.e., beta deviation. Beta diversity of small communities was consistently higher but closer to null expectations than β-diversity of large communities. However, although β-deviation and community size were strongly related in both regions, the direction of the relationship varied according to β-diversity metrics. While incidence-based beta diversity was lower than expected (communities were less dissimilar than null expectations) and negatively related to community size only in Brazil, abundance-based β-diversity was higher than expected (communities were more dissimilar that null expectations) and positively related to community size in both regions. We suggest that ecological drift drives variation in small communities by increasing the chances of species with low abundance and narrow distribution to occur within the metacommunity. Also, while weak niche selection and high dispersal rates likely reduced variation in community structure among large tropical streams, niche selection was likely sufficient to cause non-random variations in the relative abundances of genera among large communities in both regions. Habitat destruction, overexploitation, pollution, and reductions in connectivity have been reducing the size of biological communities. These environmental pressures will make smaller communities more vulnerable to novel conditions and render community dynamics more unpredictable, as random demographic processes should prevail under these conditions. Incorporation of community size into ecological models should provide conceptual, empirical and applied insights into a better understanding of the processes driving changes in biodiversity.
Template-free synthesis of an electroactive Au-Calix-PPY nanocomposite for electrochemical sensor applications

A simple green approach to the template-free synthesis of a nanocomposite material accompanied with a simultaneous redox reaction is described herein. Gold (21.35%) and polypyrrole doped with 4-sulfocalix[4]arene consist in the as-obtained nanobeads with a uniform size in the range of 30 to 50 nm. Universal solvent (water) was selected for the synthesis, allowing the formation of the nanocomposite when the fast addition of the above three components takes place one after the other. The effects of reaction time, temperature, and the concentrations of the dopant, 4-sulfocalix[4]arene and gold on the synthesis of the nanocomposite were also investigated. The current work focuses on the highly electroactive nanocomposite which can be synthesized in the absence of an external additive/template; and from the green chemistry approach, where HAuCl4 serves as an oxidizing agent as well as a stabilizer for the polymer, which makes the synthesis more constructive to avoid the use of hazardous organic solvents. For comparison, we also synthesized polypyrrole (PPY) doped with 4-sulfocalix[4]arene (Calix-PPY), but the synthesis was carried out in the presence of the oxidizing agent (ammonium persulfate), that endorses polymerization of the pyrrole. The Au-Calix-PPY modified electrodes have long-time stability for sensing formaldehyde and glucose. The materials synthesized herein were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). It was revealed that the resulting Au-Calix-PPY nanocomposite exhibits significant electrochemical activity and is successfully demonstrated in sensing formaldehyde and glucose, respectively.
A metal-dependent switch moderates activity of the hexameric M17 aminopeptidases

Abstract The metal-dependent M17 aminopeptidases are conserved throughout all kingdoms of life. The large enzyme family is characterised by a conserved binuclear metal center and a distinctive homohexameric arrangement. To understand the mechanistic role of the hexameric assembly, we undertook an investigation of the structure and dynamics of the M17 aminopeptidase from P. falciparum, PfA-M17. We describe a novel structure of PfA-M17, which shows that the active sites of each trimer are linked by a dynamic loop, and that the loop movement is coupled with a drastic rearrangement of the binuclear metal center and substrate-binding pocket. Molecular dynamics simulations, supported by biochemical analyses of PfA-M17 variants, demonstrate that this rearrangement is inherent to PfA-M17, and that the transition between the active and inactive states is part of a dynamic regulatory mechanism. Key to the mechanism is a re-modelling of the binuclear metal center, which occurs in response to a signal from the neighbouring active site, and serves to moderate the rate of proteolysis under different environmental conditions. Therefore, this work has identified the precise mechanism by which oligomerization contributes to PfA-M17 function. Further, it has described a novel role for metal cofactors in the regulation of enzymes with implications for the wide range of metalloenzymes that operate via a two-metal ion catalytic center including DNA processing enzymes and metalloproteases.
Dog eye movements are slower than human eye movements

Eye movement of a species reflects the visual behavior strategy that it has adapted to during its evolution. What are eye movements of domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) like? Investigations of dog eye movements per se have not been done, despite the increasing number of visuo-cognitive studies in dogs using eye-tracking systems. To fill this gap, we have recorded dog eye movements using a video-based eye-tracking system, and compared the dog data to that of humans. We found dog saccades follow the systematic relationships between saccade metrics previously shown in humans and other animal species. Yet, the details of the relationships, and the quantities of each metric of dog saccades and fixations differed from those of humans. Overall, dog saccades were slower and fixations were longer than those of humans. We hope our findings contribute to existing comparative analyses of eye movement across animal species, and also to improvement of algorithms used for classifying eye movement data of dogs.
Exploring retail employees’ satisfaction with life in selected regions of Namibia

Customer service enhances the shopping experience of customers and impacts on their buying behaviour. Enhancing employees’ levels of psychological capital, general health and job satisfaction will likely impact positively on their satisfaction with life. The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of psychological capital, general health and job satisfaction on satisfaction with life of retail employees. A quantitative research design was used to collect the data on the biographical details, psychological capital, general health, job satisfaction and satisfaction with life of retail employees in Swakopmund, Walvis Bay and Windhoek, Namibia (n=453). A positive relationship was found between psychological capital, job satisfaction and satisfaction with life. General health reported a negative relationship with satisfaction with life. It is recommended that supervisors should encourage staff members to take on more challenging tasks, offer praise and recognition to employees that excel at their tasks and regularly assess job satisfaction levels in order to enhance satisfaction with life. In addition, organisations need to provide medical benefits to employees, encourage an active lifestyle or invite medical aid service providers to facilitate health seminars.
7-Transmembrane Helical (7TMH) Proteins: Pseudo-Symmetry and Conformational Plasticity

Membrane proteins sharing 7 transmembrane helices (7-TMH) dominate the polytopic TMH proteome. They cannot be grouped under a monolithic fold or superfold, however, a parallel structural analysis of folds around that magic number of 7-TMH in distinct 6/7/8-TMH protein superfamilies (SWEET, PnuC, TRIC, FocA, Aquaporin, GPCRs, AND MFS), reveals a common homology, not in their structural fold, but in their systematic pseudo-symmetric construction. Our analysis leads to guiding principles of intragenic duplication and pseudo-symmetric assembly of ancestral 3 or 4 Transmembrane Helix (3/4-TMH) protodomains/protofolds. A parallel deconstruction and reconstruction of these domains provides a structural and mechanistic framework for the evolution path of current pseudo-symmetrical transmembrane helical (TMH) proteins. It highlights the conformational plasticity inherent to fold formation itself. The sequence/structure analysis of different 6/7/8-TMH superfamilies provides a unifying theme of their evolutionary process involving the intragenic duplication of protodomains with varying degrees of sequence and fold divergence under conformational and functional constraints.
Assessment of Causal Relationships Between Motivational Climates, Goal Orientations and “Zest for Living” in Junior High School Physical Education Classes*

Causal relationships among perceived motivational climates in physical education classes, goal orientations, and ‘‘ Zest for Living ’’ (ZL) were investigated reciprocally in junior high school students. This longitudinal study involved 1045 junior high school students (mean age=13.9+0.8 years) who completed questionnaires on 5 occasions at 2-month intervals throughout the academic year. The measures used included a questionnaire on motivational climates in physical education (mastery climate, cooperative climate, and performance cli-mate), a scale assessing goal orientations (student task orientation and student ego orienta-tion), and a scale assessing ZL. The validity of the 5-wave cross-lagged effect model was veri fied using structural equation modeling. The results of the study suggested the following processes: (1) The mastery climate and cooperative climate had positive causal effects on ZL. (2) The mastery climate and cooperative climate had positive causal effects on ZL through mediation of task orientation, and exhibited a positive cycle. (3) The performance cli mate had positive causal effects on ego orientation, but negative causal effects on task orientation. In conclusion, to enhance ZL in junior high school students, it is important for teachers to cultivate a mastery climate and cooperation climate in physical education classes. In addition, the performance climate in physical education classes has an indirect negative impact on ZL.
Hydrothermal Synthesis of CdSe Nanoparticles

We report herein the feasibility of CdSe nanoparticle synthesis in high-temperature water. The base-case experimental conditions (T = 200 °C, Cd/Se molar ratio = 8:1, and a reaction time, t, of 1.5 min) produced nanoparticles that exhibited quantum confinement behavior. The quantum yield was 1.5%, but it was easily increased to approximately 7% by adding a CdS shell. The mean particle size can be manipulated by changing the process variables. The particle size increased with increasing reaction time, temperature, stabilizer concentration, and Cd/Se ratio. The mean size decreased with increasing pH. This effort is a step in the development of alternative syntheses that can reduce limitations posed by current approaches.
Simultaneous interaction of methyl radicals and atomic hydrogen with amorphous hydrogenated carbon films

The simultaneous interaction of methyl radicals (CH3) and atomic hydrogen (H) with the surface of amorphous hydrogenated carbon (a-C:H) films is investigated by using quantified radical beam sources. The growth and/or erosion of the films during the interaction of the H and CH3 radical beam with the surface is monitored by means of in situ real-time ellipsometry at a substrate temperature of 320 K. Interaction with the CH3 beam alone results in a slow growth rate corresponding to a sticking coefficient for CH3 of ∼10−4. Simultaneous interaction of an atomic hydrogen beam and the CH3 radical beam with the surface results in a sticking coefficient for CH3 of ∼10−2. A microscopic modeling of this synergistic growth yields a cross section of 3.8 A2 for CH3 adsorption at a dangling bond, created by abstraction of surface bonded hydrogen due to impinging atomic hydrogen. The cross section for the abstraction of surface bonded hydrogen by impinging CH3 radicals is 1.5×10−3 A2.
Embedded - Atom - Method Interatomic Potentials for BCC - Iron

An embedded-atom-method (EAM) interatomic potential [1] for bcc-iron is derived. It is fitted exactly to the lattice parameter, elastic constants, an approximation to the unrelaxed vacancy formation energy, and Rose's expression for the cohesive energy [2]. Formation energies and relaxation volumes of point defects are calculated. We find that the relative energies of the defect configurations depend on the functional fitting details of the potential considered, mainly its range: the experimental interstitial configuration of lowest energy can be reproduced by changing this parameter. This result is confirmed by calculating the same defect energies using other EAM potentials, based on the ones developed by Harrison et al. [3].
The Role of The Media in Corporate Governance: Evidence From Shareholder Proposals

This paper examines the role played by the media in the shareholder proposal process. We find a positive relation between media coverage and the likelihood to be targeted by governance proposals. The effect is mostly concentrated in proposals submitted by non-institutional shareholders and driven by negative news. Negative media coverage is also associated with the success of proposals and changes in executive compensation and board turnover. Instrumental variable analysis and tests exploiting local newspaper closures suggest that the relationship between media coverage and shareholder proposals is causal. Our results shed light on a new channel through which the media can play a corporate governance role.