Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Deep level transient spectroscopy on light-emitting diodes based on (In,Ga)N/GaN nanowire ensembles

III-N nanowires (NWs) are an attractive alternative to conventional planar layers as the basis for light-emitting diodes (LEDs). In fact, the NW geometry enables the growth of (In,Ga)N/GaN heterostructures with high indium content and without extended defects regardless of the substrate. Despite these conceptual advantages, the NW-LEDs so far reported often exhibit higher leakage currents and higher turn-on voltages than the planar LEDs. In this work, we investigate the mechanisms responsible for the unusually high leakage currents in (In,Ga)N/GaN LEDs based on self-induced NW ensembles grown by molecular beam epitaxy on Si substrates. The temperature-dependent current-voltage (I-V) characteristics, acquired between 83 and 403 K, reveal that temperatures higher than 240 K may activate a further conduction process, which is not present in the low temperature range. Deep level transient spectroscopy (DLTS) measurements show the presence of electron traps, which are activated in the same temperature interval. A detailed analysis of the DLTS signal reveals the presence of two distinct deep levels with apparent activation energies close to Ec-570 meV and Ec-840 meV, and capture cross sections of about 1.0x10-15 cm2 and 2x10-14 cm2, respectively. These results suggest that the leakage process might be related to trap-assisted tunneling, possibly produced by point defects located in the core and/or on the sidewalls of the NWs.
Rat Cardiomyocytes Express a Classical Epithelial Beta-Defensin

Beta-defensins (BDs) are classical epithelial antimicrobial peptides of immediate importance in innate host defense. Since recent studies have suggested that certain BDs are also expressed in non-traditional tissues, including whole heart homogenate, and because effector molecules of innate immunity and inflammation can influence the development of certain cardiovascular disease processes, we hypothesized that BDs are produced by cardiomyocytes as a local measure of cardioprotection against danger signals. Here we report that at least one rat beta- defensin, rBD1, is expressed constitutively in cardiomyocytes specifically isolated using position- ablation-laser-microdissection (P.A.L.M. Microlaser Technologies). RT-PCR analysis showed expression of a single 318 bp transcript in adult rat heart (laser-excised cardiomyocytes) and H9c2 cells (neonatal rat heart myoblasts). Moreover, the full length cDNA of rBD1 was established, and translated into a putative peptide with 69 amino acid residues. The predicted amino acid sequence of the adult rat cardiac BD-1 peptide displayed 99% identity with the previously reported renal rBD1, and 88%, 53%, 53% and 50% identity with mouse, human, gorilla, and rhesus monkey BD1 respectively. Furthermore, structural analysis of the cardiac rBD1 showed the classical six- cysteine conserved motif of the BD family with an alpha-helix and three beta-sheets. Additionally, rBD1 displayed a significantly greater number of amphoteric residues than any of the human analogs, indicating a strong pH functional dependence in the rat. We suggest that rBD1, which was initially believed to be a specific epithelium-derived peptide, may be also involved in local cardiac innate immune defense mechanisms.
An efficient algorithm for compressive sensing based SAR tomography

Modern Tomographic SAR is an advanced InSAR techniques for urban mapping, which can not only retrieve 3D spatial information but also assess the 4D temporal information, such as deformation. To retrieve the information from InSAR data, several algorithms have been developed. Among them, SL1MMER algorithms is state of the art. However, it suffers from the computational expenses and it is hard to extend to large scale practice. In this work, we propose a novel optimization algorithms for L1 regularized least square in SL1MMER, which can keep the accuracy of the optimization result and dramatically speed up the processing.
Clans, Cliques, and Captured States : Rethinking “Transition” in Central and Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet Union

An understanding of informal systems and of the ways in which they can shape political, economic and social institutions and processes is important in fashioning both systemic change and post-conflict reconstruction strategies. In its absence attempts at reform are unlikely to have the intended effects. This paper distinguishes between the partially appropriated state and the clan-state. The two models fall along a continuum-from substantial appropriation of the state and use of politics by private actors to sweeping appropriation and a near wholesale intertwining of state resources and politics. Both models are characterized by the negotiable status of informal groups, entities and institutions situated between state and private. Both may result in an expanded state sphere marked by ambiguity of status and responsibility. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Award Number: W81XWH-12-1-0606 TITLE: Stem Cell-Based Therapies for Epidermolysis Bullosa

Direct reprogramming of somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) provides an opportunity to develop novel personalized treatment options for numerous diseases and to advance current approaches for cell-based drug discoveries and disease modeling. The ability to differentiate iPSCs into relevant cell types is an important prerequisite for the successful development of iPSC-based treatment and modeling strategies. Here, we describe a protocol for the efficient differentiation of human iPSCs into functional keratinocytes. The protocol employs treating iPSCs with retinoic acid and bone-morphogenetic protein-4 to induce differentiation toward a keratinocyte lineage, which is then followed by the growth of differentiated iPSCs on collagen type Iand collagen type IV-coated dishes to enrich for iPSC-derived keratinocytes.
CO 2 INJECTION INTO SUBMARINE SEDIMENTS : DISTURBING CH 4 HYDRATES

The production of natural gas via injection of foss il-fuel derived CO2 into submarine gas hydrate reservoirs can be an example of tapping a hydrocarb n energy source in a CO 2-neutral manner. However, the industrial application of this method is technically challenging. Thus, prior to feasibility testing in the field, multi-scale labor atory experiments and adapted reaction-modeling are needed. To this end, high-pressure flow-through reactors of 15 and 2000 mL sample volume were constructed and tested. Process parameters ( P, T, Q, fluid composition) are defined by a fluid supply and conditioning unit to enable simula tion of natural fluid-flow scenarios for a broad range of sedimentary settings. Additional Ramanan d NMRspectroscopy aid in identifying the most efficient pathway for CH 4 extraction from hydrates via CO 2 injection on both microscopic and macroscopic level. In this study we present exp erimental set-up and design of the highpressure flow-through reactors as well as CH 4 yields from CH4-hydrate decomposition experiments using CO 2-rich brines and pure liquefied CO 2.
HOW DO STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES IN CORPORATE SOCIAL PERFORMANCE ACROSS STAKEHOLDER DOMAINS AFFECT COMPANY PERFORMANCE

HOW DO STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES IN CORPORATE SOCIAL PERFORMANCE ACROSS STAKEHOLDER DOMAINS AFFECT COMPANY PERFORMANCE Kamalesh Kumar (University of Michigan – Dearborn) Giacomo Boesso (University of Padova) Giovanna Michelon (University of Exeter) ABSTRACT The existing research on corporate social responsibility (CSR) has largely focused on the positive aspect of corporate social performance (CSP) and company performance (CP) and ignored the relationship between actions that would qualify as negative CSP (or weakness in CSP) towards a stakeholder group and company performance. Using data from the KLD collected over a three-year period, this study examines the relationship between both CSP weaknesses and strengths and CP across individual stakeholder domains. Results of the study suggest that strengths in CSP related to primary stakeholder domains is associated with superior company performance. However, this relationship is tenuous, at best, in case of secondary stakeholder domain. As for weaknesses in CSP, the results suggest that if a firm performs poorly in meeting the expectations of one or more stakeholders, it is penalized in the form of poor performance. This finding generally holds true for both primary and secondary stakeholders. Implications of these findings for public policy and businesses planning to address social issues are discussed.
The Complete Nucleotide Sequence of a Korean Isolate Bean yellow mosaic virus from Freesia sp. and Comparison to Other Potyviruses

Bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV; genus Potyvirus, family Potyviridae) causes severe losses to various legume species and a number of non-legume species, particularly freesia plants. In a survey of virus diseases in Gyeonggi province, Korea, BYMV isolates were identified from many cultivated freesia species. Here, we determined the complete nucleotide sequences of a BYMV freesia isolate (BYMV-Fr; accession number FJ492961). BYMV-Fr genome consists of 9,545 nucleotides (nt) excluding the poly (A) tail and encodes 3,057 amino acid (aa), with an AUG start and UAG stop codon, containing one open reading frame typical of a potyvirus polyprotein. The polyprotein of BYMV-Fr was divided to ten proteins and the cleavage sites of each protein were determined. The coat protein (CP) and polyprotein of BYMV-Fr were compared at the aa level with those of the previously reported 4 BYMV isolates. BYMV-Fr shared 90.1 to 97.1 and 91.0 to 92.5% at the CP and polyprotein homology. Interestingly, BYMV-Fr showed identities of a lower level at the nt level of 5` noncoding region (61.4 to 67.6%) and at the aa level of P1 (71.4 to 72.8%), comparing with four BYMV isolates. Based on the aa sequence diversity of CP and polyprotein, phylogenetic analysis with the four BYMV isolates showed two distinct groups and BYMV-Fr and most BYMV isolates were most closely related to the clover yellow vein virus among 52 potyviruses. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the complete genome sequence of BYMV freesia strain.
Asset Pricing under uncertainty

We study the effect of parameter uncertainty on a stochastic diffusion model, in particular the impact on the pricing of contingent claims, using methods from the theory of Dirichlet forms. We apply these techniques to hedging procedures in order to compute the sensitivity of SDE trajectories with respect to parameter perturbations. We show that this analysis can justify endogenously the presence of a bid-ask spread on the option prices. We also prove that if the stochastic differential equation admits a closed form representation then the sensitivities have closed form representations. We examine the case of log-normal diffusion and we show that this framework leads to a smiled implied volatility surface coherent with historical data.
Study of Writing Problem in College General English Course—Reflection on the Reform of College English Course

Since the end of 2014, many well-known universities in China have launched an another English course reform under the guidance of College English Teaching promulgated by the Department of Education. They reform general English course into Special English course in order to improve students’ English writing capacity. We can see that the improvement and development of students’ English writing skills and ability have become the core content in this English course reform. This study examines the problem of non-English major students’ English writing in General English course based on the systemic functional linguistics and gives some suggestions. A variety of factors that influence English writing are found, such as the attitude toward English writing, the learning approach and strategy, the number of vocabulary, the integrity of sentence, the coherence of discourse and the transfer of native language. These factors interact to influence the development of students’ English writing ability. Some findings are different from the researches of predecessors. In addition, the survey about English writing sources and self-evaluation are helpful to analyze the problems. This study highlights the influence of discourse and suggests to pay more attention to cultivate students’ discourse awareness.
e empirical content of Cournot competition *

We consider the testable implications of the Cournot model of market competition. Our approach is nonparametric in the sense that we abstain from imposing any functional speci(cid:277)cation on market demand and (cid:277)rm cost functions. We derive necessary and suﬃcient conditions for (reduced form) equilibrium market price and quantity functions to be consistent with the Cournot model. In addition, we present identi(cid:277)cation results for the corresponding inverse market demand function and the (cid:277)rm cost functions. Finally, we use our approach to derive testable restrictions for the models of perfect competition, collusion and conjectural variations. is identi(cid:277)es the conditions under which these diﬀerent models are empirically distinguishable from the Cournot model. We also investigate empirical issues (measurement error and omitted variables) related to bringing our testable restrictions to data. for the (unobservable) inverse market demand function and the (cid:277)rm cost functions. Our results then allow for de(cid:277)ning empirical tests for the model of Cournot competition.
Methods for Assessing the Effects of Chemicals on the Endocrine System

The endocrine system is an important integrating system of the body. The various endocrine glands influence the following major physiological functions: (1) maintenance of homeostatis (involving enzymes, substrates and co-factors) which provides for an optimum environment for the basic biochemical reactions of the body; (2) regulation of growth maturation; (3) reactions to exogenous stimuli such as stress, starvation and infection; (4) regulation of reproductive processes. * Finely-regulated hormonal mechanisms make the endocrine system particularly sensitive to toxic effects of exogenous compounds. These effects can interfere with the action, biosynthesis and release of hormones, and result in alterations in hormonal target cells. In this review, methods are discussed that are useful for the short-term testing of chemicals that affect the endocrine system.
Microsatellite DNA analysis of genetic diversity in selected horse population.

The main objective of this study was to show the extent of genetic diversity in selected endangered horse populations from the Czech Republic. The genetic variability among four horse breeds – two subgroups of warmbloods (Old Kladruby Horse, Hucul) and two subgroups of coldbloods (Silasian Noric, Czech-Moravian Belgian Horse) was compared. The research concerns the variability of microsatellite DNA markers in equine genotypes. Dinucleotide repeat polymorphism from 16 STR autosomal loci and one X chromosome specific marker was studied. In total, 583 animals were genotyped for 17 microsatellites markers (AHT4, AHT5, HMS1, HMS2, HMS3, HMS6, HMS7, HTG4, HTG6, HTG7, HTG10, VHL20, ASB2, ASB17, ASB23, CA425 and LEX3) recommended by the horse applied genetics committee of International Society of Animal Genetics for individual identification and parentage verification. In the different population size, the allele frequencies, observed and expected heterozygosity, test for deviations from HardyWeinberg equilibrium, polymorphism information content, exclusion probabilities and combined exclusion probabilities have been calculated for each breed. The Hucul breed appeared as the most divergent, characterized by high genetic variability.
An improved approximation algorithm for the covering 0 – 1 integer program

We present an improved approximation algorithm for the covering 0–1 integer program (CIP), a well-known problem as a natural generalization of the set cover problem. Our algorithm uses a primal–dual algorithm for CIP by Fujito (2004) as a subroutine and achieves an approximation ratio of ( f − f−1 m ) when m ≥ 2, where m is the number of the constraints and f is the maximum number of non-zero entries in the constraints. In addition, when m = 1 our algorithm can be regarded as a PTAS. These results improve the previously known approximation ratio f . keywords: Approximation algorithms, Covering integer program, Primal-dual method
Embodiment Adaptation from Interactive Trajectory Preferences

Imitation learning provides an attractive approach to communicate complex goals to autonomous systems in domains where explicit reward functions are unavailable, tedious to specify or rely on substantial or high-cost expert knowledge. Standard Imitation Learning implicitly assumes that the embodiment of the learning agent and the teacher are either the same or intuitively compatible from the perspective of the demonstrator. In this work, we consider control tasks which violate these assumptions and propose a framework for estimating embodiment adaptors using human feedback expressed through pairwise preferences over control trajectories.
Consentability: Consent and its Limits

Problems regarding the nature of consent are at the heart of many of today’s most pressing issues. For example, the #MeToo movement has underscored the need to move beyond viewing consent as a simple matter of yes or no. Consent is complex because humans and their relationships are complicated. Humans, as a result of cognitive limitations and emotional and physical vulnerabilities, are susceptible to manipulation and mistakes. Given the potential for regret, are there some things to which one should not be permitted to consent? The consentability quandary becomes more urgent with technological advances. Should we allow body hacking? Cryogenics? Consumer travel to Mars? Assisted suicide? In Consentability: Consent and Its Limits, Nancy Kim proposes a bold, original framework for evaluating consentability, which considers the complexities surrounding consent.
Paleolimnology of Lake Yamanaka as reflected on particle-size distribution

A 17.63 m long bore-hole core extracted from the deepest part of Lake Yamanaka, one of the Fuji-five Lakes at the northeasternfoot of Mount Fuji, central Japan, composed of sediment with intercalations of scoria fallout deposits. The sediment of the upper11.4 m was investigated for grain-size distribution by using a laser diffraction particle size analyser. The mean grain-size profileshowed various degrees of fluctuations, both short-and long-terms, and the size-frequency distribution revealed unimodal-trimodalmixing of sediments. Changes in lake size and water depth appear to be the main factors affecting the variability in the grain-sizedistribution and properties. The lake level appears low during 7000–5000 cal BP and 2800–1150 cal BP and relatively high during5000–2800 cal BP and 1150 cal BP– present. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3126/bdg.v14i0. 5437 Bulletin of the Department of Geology Vol.14 2011, pp.35-42
Microbial Community Dynamics during the Biochemical Treatment of Acid Mine Drainage under three different Hydraulic Retention Times

In the Zipaquirá Mining District of Colombia, there are about 600 coal mines that generate 70,400 m/month of acid mine drainage. A sustainable approach to remediate AMD is to use biochemical passive reactors. However, limited data is available on the dynamics (temporal and spatial) of microbial community and their activity under different hydraulic retention times, in the long-term operation of BPR. Seven 5L biochemical passive reactors (73 × 10 cm) were operated during 36 weeks, under three different hydraulic retention time (1, 2, and 4 days). The reactors were sacrificed on 8, 17 and 36 weeks, and the reactive mixture was sampled at the bottom, middle, and top layers. The microbial community of the post-treatment reactive mixtures was monitored by sequencing (Illumina MiSeq) and correlated with physicochemical parameters. The result showed that operation time, location and hydraulic retention time had significant effects on physicochemical changes of the reactive mixture and it is rather the combination of factors affect diversity during the AMD treatment. In addition, the microbial community analysis resulted in the identification of specialized groups related to cellulose degraders and fermentative bacteria that work in synergy for degrading substrate make the organic material available to sulfate-reducing bacteria. This microbial community analysis provides a base line for future studies in the BPR
Detection of Adulteration and Identification of Cat ’ s , Dog ’ s , Donkey ’ s and Horse ’ s Meat Using Species-Specific PCR and PCR-RFLP Techniques

PCR and PCR-RFLP methods for identification of cat’s, dog’s, donkey’s and horse’s meat were developed. DNA from a very small amount of muscles (0.05 g) was extracted to amplify species-specific DNA sequences in cat, dog and horse, in addition to mitochondrial DNA segment (cytochrome-b gene) in both donkey and horse. PCR product size of the species-specific region was 672-, 808and 221-bp in cat, dog and horse, respectively. Using the same horse-specific primer, the same PCR amplification size (221-bp) in donkey was obtained. For discrimination between donkey’s and horse’s meat, the mitochondrial DNA segment (cytochrome-b gene) was amplified. Restriction analysis of PCR–RFLP of the mitochondrial cytochrome-b segment (359bp) showed difference between donkey’s and horse’s meat. Where, restriction enzyme AluI yielded three fragments in horse’s meat; 189-, 96and 74-bp, whereas no fragments were obtained in donkey’s meat. The use of these species-specific primers allowed a direct and rapid identification and detection of adulteration of cat’s, dog’s, donkey’s and horse’s meat even after homogenizing.
The effeCT Of wOrKLOAD Type AnD BASeLIne COvArIATe On The reSpOnSe Of pLASmA BIOChemICAL pArAmeTerS In ShOw jumperS

Studies with horses indicated that the responses of blood biochemical parameters to different exercises vary. Some study also indicated that significant individual variance exist in blood parameters, which makes difficult to detect treatment effect. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the correlation between plasma biochemical parameters of show jumpers before and after of high level aqua training and jumping course completion, and the effect of using baseline level as a covariate on the significance of horse effect. four normally trained show jumpers ageing from 6 to 11 years were trained with high-intensity aqua treadmill in three periods during three days and after they did compete in the Indoor Show jumping Championship. Blood samples were taken before and immediately after aqua treadmill training program and both days of the competition before and immediately after the course. from the blood plasma samples lactate, lactate dehidrogenase (LDcreatine kinase (CK), aspartate amino transferase (AST/GOT), glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, total-bilirubin and cortisol level were determined. Aqua training did result significant changes only in glucose, trygliceride and cortisol level. In contrast show jumping resulted significantly higher levels in all parameters measured except GOT. we found positive correlation between same blood parameters before and after exercise and competition in bilirubin, cholesterol, LD h, GOT, CK and cortisol. Our result clearly demonstrate that using baseline variables as covariate eliminates the significant individual effect. In conclusion when evaluating fitness of horses the type of exercise should be considered and biochemical values measured at rest should be used as covariate factor.