Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Investigation of thermal and viscoelastic properties of polymers relevant to hot melt extrusion - III: Polymethacrylates and polymethacrylic acid based polymers.

Polymers serve as major constituents of drug products prepared by hot melt extrusion (HME) and hence it is necessary to understand their behavior under heat and mechanical stress for the development of successful HME processes. The aim of this work was to generate a database of physicochemical properties for polymethacrylates and polymethacrylic acid based polymers relevant to HME. Only neat polymers were used and no drug or plasticizers were added. All six polymers used were amorphous and had < 2% moisture. In differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) studies, the three homo block copolymers, Eudragit ® E PO, Eudragit ® RL PO and Eudragit ® RS PO, had glass transition temperatures (T g ) of 57 °C, 63 °C and 64 °C respectively, and in thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) they showed weight loss due to thermal degradation at 250 °C, 166 °C and 170 °C, respectively. Thermomechanical analysis was conducted to investigate rheological properties of the polymers, which predicted their melt extrusion ranges to be 127-150 °C, 165-170 °C, and 142-167 °C respectively. In contrast, the hetero block copolymers: Eudragit ® L 100, Eudragit ® S 100 and Eudragit ® L 100-55 had T g of 195 °C, 173 °C, and 111 °C, respectively, and onsets of their degradation, as measured by TGA, were in the range of 173-176 °C. The predicted HME processing temperatures of Eudragit ® L 100, Eudragit ® S 100 and Eudragit ® L 100-55 were greater than 200 °C and hence these polymers should not be processed as it is.
Single Polyelectrolyte Layers Adsorbed at High Salt Conditions: Polyelectrolyte Brush Domains Coexisting with Flatly Adsorbed Chains

AFM is used to measure the surface forces and to image sodium poly(styrenesulfonate) (PSS) layers physisorbed from 1 M NaCl solution on different length scales within one experiment. Domains of PSS brushes coexist with flatly adsorbed PSS. For degree of polymerization N = 380, the brush area fraction is 6%. With increasing degree of polymerization, brush area fraction and domain size increase, whereby the domain radii vary between 50 nm and 1.5 μm. Lateral homogeneous brush layers are found for a degree of polymerization exceeding 1100. The colloidal probe technique reveals that the surface forces are a superposition of steric and electrostatic forces; their respective contribution is determined by the brush area fraction. A comparison with literature demonstrates that adsorbed PSS brushes show the same scaling behavior as end-grafted PSS brushes. We develop a model for the adsorption of polyelectrolytes in which not the whole chain but only a fraction of the monomers adsorbs onto the surface. Thereby, we.
Eigenschaften von Tellur-Tellur-Bindungen, VI. Struktur und Barriere der Enantiomerenumwandlung von Bis(2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenyl)ditellan

Bis(2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenyl)ditellan (1) wird durch Oxidation von Lithium-(2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenyl)tellurid in Form roter, stark lichtbrechender Kristalle erhalten. 1 kristallisiert monoklin in der Raumgruppe C2/c. Der Bindungsabstand d(Te-Te) betragt 271.3 pm, der Bindungswinkel an den Te-Atomen 100.6° und der Torsionswinkel an der Te-Te-Bindung 92.1°. Durch die C2-Symmetrie besitzen die beiden ortho-standigen tert-Butylgruppen der Substituenten unterschiedliche chemische Umgebung, die auch in Losung bei tiefen Temperaturen erkennbar wird. Aus NMR-spektroskopischen Daten gelang erstmals die Bestimmung der Rotationsbarriere um eine Te-Te-Bindung; sie betragt 40.9 kJ · mol−1. Dieser Wert ist um 20% kleiner als fur das entsprechende Diselan. Properties of Tellurium-Tellurium Bonds, VI. — Structure and Barrier of Interconversion of Enantiomeric Conformations of Bis(2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenyl)ditellane Oxidation of lithium (2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenyl)telluride provides red and strong refractive needles of bis(2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenyl)-ditellane (1) which crystallize monoclinically in the space group C2/c. The bond distance d(Te–Te), the bond angle at the Te atoms, and the torsion angle at the Te–Te bond were found to be 271.3 pm, 100.6°, and 92.1°, respectively. The C2 symmetry of the molecule gives rise to different chemical surroundings for both tert-butyl groups in ortho position belonging to the aryl groups. This effect can also be observed in solution at low temperatures. For the first time, dynamic NMR spectroscopy succeeded in determination of the barrier of rotation about a Te–Te bond. This barrier was found to be 40.9 kJ · mol−1 and is 20% less than that in the corresponding diselane.
Economic distress and voting: evidence from the subprime mortgage crisis

Abstract We use nationwide deed-level records on home foreclosures to examine the effects of economic distress on electoral outcomes and individual voter turnout. County-level difference-in-differences estimates show that counties that suffered larger increases in foreclosures did not punish or reward members of the incumbent president's party more than less affected counties. Linking the Ohio voter file to individual foreclosures, difference-in-differences estimates show that individuals whose homes were foreclosed on were less likely to turn out, rather than being mobilized. However, in 2016 counties more exposed to foreclosures supported Trump at substantially higher rates. Taken together, the evidence suggests that the effect of local economic distress on incumbent performance is generally close to zero and only becomes substantial in unusual circumstances.
Radiographic Determination of the Canine Elbow Joint Angle in Collimated Views

Abstract The mediolateral flexed, extended, or neutral elbow radiographic views are commonly used in clinical practice. However, there is currently no standardized methodology to accurately measure the elbow joint angle in mediolateral images that include only the elbow joint and surrounding tissues. The main aim of this work is to compare elbow joint angles obtained from mediolateral radiographs that include the complete arm and forearm of the dog, with angles measured in radiographs including only the elbow. Ninety mediolateral views of elbow joints were obtained from 50 canine thoracic limbs, with 39 joints <90º, 30 ≥90 - ≤120º and 21 >120º. Radiographs were centered on the elbow joint and include the shoulder and carpal joints. For each complete forelimb radiographic image, the elbow angle was measured using the methodology described in previous studies. Then, the digital images were cut to obtain only the joint and surrounding tissues, establishing a new set of anatomical landmarks to measure the joint angles: the lateral humeral epicondyle was used as an angular point, with the linking points being the nutritional orifice of the radius at the antebrachial interosseous space and the intersection point of the lateral supracondylar crest with the cranial humeral endosteum. There was a good agreement observed between the two elbow angle measurement methodologies. The intraclass correlation coefficient was statistically significant, with the lower limits of the 95% confidence interval (CI) at >0.75, and with zero being included in the standard error of the mean 95% confidence interval in the Bland-Altman test. This elbow angle measurement methodology based on anatomic landmarks next to the elbow joint is accurate and may be used for clinical and research purposes.
Finding the best between the column store and row store Databases

Row store databases are unavoidable to manage data in Information Systems. However, Web growth and consumer high-connectivity generate incredible amount of data and change ways to manage it. In a matter of fact, traditional Row Stores hardly satisfy new application needs they are faced with, especially for OLAP data processing and BI. Column Stores became to be an answer to this problematic but in a restricted area of features. In this perspective, we propose a deep study that compares column stores and row stores databases to get an answer of the real impact of the physical design of column stores and row stores on the queries response, on small or big volume of data by using the TPCH benchmark in a unique centralized environment.
Analyzing the influence of block highlighting on beginning programmers' reading behavior using eye tracking

To improve programming education, it is worthwhile to investigate how understanding of source code takes place. Reading is a foundational skill essential to tracing, debugging and understanding code. As readers' working memory is limited, their proficiency strongly relies on the ability to chunk and organize source code material. There are several alternative visual representations aiming to facilitate code reading, of which syntax highlighting is the most common. We hypothesized that highlighting code blocks in the style of the language Stride would scaffold students' reading process more effectively. In this exploraratory study, the code reading behavior of seven students was investigated in the context of a code comprehension task using eye tracking, stimulated Retrospective Think Aloud and interviews. The tasks were either presented using plain code, with standard syntax highlighting or with block highlighting. We found no significant differences in the students' comprehension scores. Their reading patterns, however, turned out to be strongly affected by the highlighting conditions. Remarkably, this effect appears to be subconscious, as participants consistently claimed to not have been influenced by the block highlighting. This also implies that in order to study code reading behavior and comprehension, participant reports alone are not sufficient. An approach combining objective data, such as that of eye tracking, combined with classic stimulated retrospective think aloud sessions is needed to paint the full picture.
Biomedical computing in the Arab world

I M A G E B Y A N D R I J B O R Y S A S S O C I A T E S HEALTH CHALLENGES REPRESENT one of the longstanding issues in the Arab region that hinder its ability to develop. Prevalence of diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, liver cirrhosis and cancer among many others has contributed to the deteriorated health status across the region leading to lower life expectancy compared to other regions. For instance, the average life expectancy in the Arab world is approximately 70 years, which is at least 10 years lower than most high-income countries. Among many directions of healthcare development across the region, biomedical computing research represents one main arm of tackling health challenges. Advances in computational technologies have enabled the emergence of biomedical computing as one of the most influential research areas worldwide. In recent years, life sciences have witnessed an explosion in the volumes of biomedical data generated by high-throughput technologies and other sources. The enormity of volumes and interdependence in biomedical data pose great analytical challenges in the quest to infer deeply hidden knowledge buried under this complexity. As such, the biomedical computing research community in the Arab world has been actively contributing to the efforts that tackle long-standing biomedical challenges. Research in biomedical computing in the region dates back to mid1970s with the establishment of the Systems and Biomedical Engineering department at Cairo University in Egypt. Since then, the number of related programs has steadily increased and researchers from different disciplines have developed interest in biomedical computing applications. Despite the limited available resources, researchers from the Arab region have made over the years strong contributions to the rapid advances that occur in the field of biomedical computing. Recent successful efforts by researchers across the region have been evident in three broad areas of biomedical computing; namely, biomedical imaging, biomedical signal analysis and bioinformatics. These efforts have materialized in advancing a diverse spectrum of biomedical computing applications, as well as stimulating clear commercial interest. This article sheds light on notable research efforts in the Arab world in each of the aforementioned areas of biomedical computing. It also demonstrates how this research Biomedical Computing in the Arab World: Unlocking the Potential of a Growing Research Community DOI:10.1145/3447746
On an Empirical Study: Face Recognition using Machine Learning and Deep Learning Techniques

Face recognition is an interesting topic in biometrics research, which can be divided into two sub-problems: face detection followed by face recognition. The application of face recognition in real life situations and pose variations still remains a challenge. The aim of this paper is to evaluate and compare various systems of face recognition based on speed and high accuracy Machine Learning algorithms. The Support Vectors Machine is a strong algorithm for mutli-classification. The feed- forward Neural Network is a popular one. Recently, Deep Learning is becoming a very important subset of machine learning due to its high level of performance across many types of data, in particular using Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs). A large colored Face Database is used to evaluate these three proposed and adapted architectures. The results are competitive.
Lawyers in society: a celebration of the work of Philip Lewis and his legacy

ABSTRACT This paper begins by explaining Philip Lewis’s key contribution to the development of legal professions studies, culminating in the three volume comparative work Lawyers in Society to which he contributed and co-edited with Rick Abel [(1988a) Lawyers in Society: Vol I The Common Law World (Berkeley, University of California Press); (1988b) Lawyers in Society: Vol II The Civil Law World (Berkeley, University of California Press); (1989a) Lawyers in Society: Vol III Comparative Theories (Berkeley, University of California Press)]. We discuss how this project led to the establishment of the RCSL International Working Group for Comparative Studies of Legal Professions – http://rcsl.iscte. pt/rcsl_wg_professions. htm – and, thirty years later, inspired our current work: Lawyers in 21st Century Societies https://www.bloomsburyprofessional. com/uk/lawyers-in-21st-century-societies-9781509915156/. We outline the parameters of both studies, focusing particularly on their methodology, and summarise some findings from the current study. We conclude by acknowledging the enormous debt this owes to Philip Lewis.
Optimal reduced dimensional representation of classical molecular dynamics

An optimal reduced space method for capturing the low-frequency motion in classical molecular dynamics calculations is presented. This technique provides a systematic means for carrying out reduced-dimensional calculations in an effective set of reduced coordinates. The method prescribes an optimal reduced subspace linear transformation for the low frequency motion. The method is illustrated with a dynamics calculation for a model potential, where the original six-dimensional space is reduced to two (three) dimensions, depending on the desired frequency cutoff value.
SNOW COVER AREA ANALYSIS AND ITS RELATION WITH THE TEMPERATURE IN SIBINACOCHA LAKE WATERSHED, PERU, DURING 1984–2019 USING LANDSAT AND ERA5 DATA

ABSTRACT In comparison with many remote parts of the Earth, the watershed Sibinacocha Lake is poorly studied region and the various types of life that habit this region are highly dependent on the waters of this glaciated basin. The present study evaluates the snow cover in this basin associated with changes in air temperatures and precipitation during the period 1984 to 2019. It used the ERA5 high-resolution reanalysis data from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) and 35 images from the Landsat satellite. The results showed a statistically significant positive trend in maximum air temperatures whose signal is in agreement with previous studies. Seasonal analysis of maximum temperatures showed positive trends in all seasons, indicating that the highest trends occur during winter and the lowest trends during the southern fall. In addition, there was a 26% decrease in snow cover in general in the basin, and it was evidenced that the greater decreases (53%, approximately) occurred in regions below the altitude of 5300 m. In fact, from this contribution of the study comes the need to carry out more research in this region, especially to support decisions covering agriculture, water resources management and biodiversity studies.
Application of innovative space technology approaches to the sustainability of agricultural systems in the developing world

ABSTRACT The climate change is severely impacting global agriculture, especially that of the developing world where non-availability/awareness of advanced technologies at the root level is a significant limitation. Adopting advanced and sustainable technologies, such as space technologies can be a successful approach in minimizing the severe impacts as evident from the developed first-world nations that have shown successful and sustainable applications of these technologies. This manuscript inculcates some of those crucial applications that can be adopted in the developing world’s agricultural production systems. The valued information could be instrumental to scientific and non-scientific readers in facilitating extensive awareness and adoption of these state-of-the-art technologies.
Low Fe Availability for Photosynthesis of Sea-Ice Algae: Ex situ Incubation of the Ice Diatom Fragilariopsis cylindrus in Low-Fe Sea Ice Using an Ice Tank

Sea-ice algae play a crucial role in the ecology and biogeochemistry of sea-ice zones. They not only comprise the base of sea-ice ecosystems, but also seed populations of extensive ice-edge blooms during ice melt. Ice algae must rapidly acclimate to dynamic light environments, from the low light under sea ice to high light within open waters. Recently, iron (Fe) deficiency has been reported for diatoms in eastern Antarctic pack ice. Low Fe availability reduces photosynthetic plasticity, leading to reduced ice-algal primary production. We developed a low-Fe ice tank to manipulate Fe availability in sea ice. Over 20 days in the ice tank, the Antarctic ice diatom Fragilariopsis cylindrus was incubated in artificial low-Fe sea ice ([total Fe] = 20 nM) in high light (HL) and low light (LL) conditions. Melted ice was also exposed to intense light to simulate light conditions typical for melting ice in situ. When diatoms were frozen in, the maximum photochemical quantum efficiency of photosystem II (PSII), Fv/Fm, was suppressed by freezing stress. However, the diatoms maintained photosynthetic capability throughout the ice periods with a stable Fv/Fm value and increased photoprotection through non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) via photoprotective xanthophyll cycling (XC) and increased photoprotective carotenoid levels compared to pre-freeze-up. Photoprotection was more pronounced in the HL treatment due to greater light stress. However, the functional absorption cross section of PSII, σPSII, in F. cylindrus consistently increased after freezing, especially in the LL treatment (σPSII > 10 nm2 PSII–1). Our study is the first to report such a large σPSII in ice diatoms at low Fe conditions. When the melted sea ice was exposed to high light, Fv/Fm was suppressed. NPQ and XC were slightly upregulated, but not to values normally observed when Fe is not limiting, which indicates reduced photosynthetic flexibility to adapt to environmental changes during ice melt under low Fe conditions. Although ice algae can optimize their photosynthesis to sea-ice environments, chronic Fe starvation led to less flexibility of photoacclimation, particularly in low light conditions. This may have detrimental consequences for ice algal production and trophic interactions in sea-ice ecosystems if the recent reduction in sea-ice extent continues.
SARS-CoV-2 Proteome-Wide Analysis Revealed Significant Epitope Signatures in COVID-19 Patients

The WHO declared the COVID-19 outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. The causative agent of this acute respiratory disease is a newly emerged coronavirus, named SARS-CoV-2, which originated in China in late 2019. Exposure to SARS−CoV−2 leads to multifaceted disease outcomes from asymptomatic infection to severe pneumonia, acute respiratory distress and potentially death. Understanding the host immune response is crucial for the development of interventional strategies. Humoral responses play an important role in defending viral infections and are therefore of particular interest. With the aim to resolve SARS-CoV-2-specific humoral immune responses at the epitope level, we screened clinically well-characterized sera from COVID-19 patients with mild and severe disease outcome using high-density peptide microarrays covering the entire proteome of SARS-CoV-2. Moreover, we determined the longevity of epitope-specific antibody responses in a longitudinal approach. Here we present IgG and IgA-specific epitope signatures from COVID-19 patients, which may serve as discriminating prognostic or predictive markers for disease outcome and/or could be relevant for intervention strategies.
Priming of Marine Macrophytes for Enhanced Restoration Success and Food Security in Future Oceans

Marine macrophytes, including seagrasses and macroalgae, form the basis of diverse and productive coastal ecosystems that deliver important ecosystem services. Moreover, western countries increasingly recognize macroalgae, traditionally cultivated in Asia, as targets for a new bio-economy that can be both economically profitable and environmentally sustainable. However, seagrass meadows and macroalgal forests are threatened by a variety of anthropogenic stressors. Most notably, rising temperatures and marine heatwaves are already devastating these ecosystems around the globe, and are likely to compromise profitability and production security of macroalgal farming in the near future. Recent studies show that seagrass and macroalgae can become less susceptible to heat events once they have been primed with heat stress. Priming is a common technique in crop agriculture in which plants acquire a stress memory that enhances performance under a second stress exposure. Molecular mechanisms underlying thermal priming are likely to include epigenetic mechanisms that switch state and permanently trigger stress-preventive genes after the first stress exposure. Priming may have considerable potential for both ecosystem restoration and macroalgae farming to immediately improve performance and stress resistance and, thus, to enhance restoration success and production security under environmental challenges. However, priming methodology cannot be simply transferred from terrestrial crops to marine macrophytes. We present first insights into the formation of stress memories in both seagrasses and macroalgae, and research gaps that need to be filled before priming can be established as new bio-engineering technique in these ecologically and economically important marine primary producers.