Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysis of 16S rDNA clone libraries: Part of the big picture

Analyses of 16S rDNA from cultured organisms and clone libraries have set the pace in molecular microbial ecological studies. Sequences led to the development of oligonucleotide probes and PCR primers used in the determination of community complexity and changes in structure. Today, clone libraries are part of a multi-structured strategy in which genes coding for proteins, mRNA and rRNA play equally important roles aimed at the understanding of complex ecological processes. This contribution summarizes general problems involved in the interpretation of clone libraries, and focuses on two particular problems of such analyses.
Temporal variability of the anthropogenic CO 2 storage in the Irminger Sea

Abstract. The anthropogenic CO2 (Cant) estimates from cruises spanning more than two decades (1981–2006) in the Irminger Sea area of the North Atlantic Subpolar Gyre reveal a large variability in the Cant storage rates. During the early 1990's, the Cant storage rates (2.3±0.6 mol C m−2 yr−1) doubled the average rate for 1981–2006 (1.1±0.1 mol C m−2 yr−1), whilst a remarkable drop to almost half that average followed from 1997 onwards. The Cant storage evolution runs parallel to chlorofluorocarbon-12 inventories and is in good agreement with Cant uptake rates of increase calculated from sea surface pCO2 measurements. The contribution of the Labrador Seawater to the total inventory of Cant in the Irminger basin dropped from 66% in the early 1990s to 49% in the early 2000s. The North Atlantic Oscillation shift from a positive to a negative phase in 1996 led to a reduction of air-sea heat loss in the Labrador Sea. The consequent convection weakening accompanied by an increase in stratification has lowered the efficiency of the northern North Atlantic CO2 sink.
Efficient Evaluation of Ellipsoidal Harmonics for Potential Modeling

Ellipsoidal harmonics are a useful generalization of spherical harmonics but present additional numerical challenges. One such challenge is in computing ellipsoidal normalization constants which require approximating a singular integral. In this paper, we present results for approximating normalization constants using a well-known decomposition and applying tanh-sinh quadrature to the resulting integrals. Tanh-sinh has been shown to be an effective quadrature scheme for a certain subset of singular integrands. To support our numerical results, we prove that the decomposed integrands lie in the space of functions where tanh-sinh is optimal and compare our results to a variety of similar change-of-variable quadratures.
Solution to Force-Free and Forced Duffing-Van der Pol Oscillator Using Memetic Computing

We propose memetic computing for the solution to force-free and forced Duffing-van der pol (DVP) oscillator. An approximate mathematical model based on the linear combination of some basis functions employing log sigmoid has been done. Fitness function (FF) which is a function of unknown weights is formulated. Genetic algorithm (GA) and hybrid approach of GA and interior point algorithm (IPA) have been employed for the optimization of the unknown weights. The proposed method has been effectively applied to force-free DVP, as well as single-well, double-well, and double-hump situations of forced DVP oscillator. The results obtained using this method are in good agreement with the numerical methods based on fourth order Runge-Kutta (RK), and Lindsted’s method (LM).
Element Homology and the Evolution of Dental Formulae in Megachiropteran Bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera: Pteropodidae)

Abstract Variation in dental formulae observed in megachiropteran bats poses element homology problems. Identity of individual teeth has been controversial, with authors differing in their assessment of individual tooth homology, particularly with respect to incisors and premolars, in several taxa. Also, newly described taxa exhibit dental formulae whose implications for tooth homology have been little discussed. We compared crown morphology, tooth replacement, and dental anomalies in representatives of all megachiropteran genera. Our observations confirm the generalized megachiropteran dental formula (34 teeth represented by I1, I2, C, P1, P3, P4, M1, M2, i1, i2, c, p1, p3, p4, m1, m2, and m3) and establishes the homology of each tooth in most megachiropteran taxa in which reduction in tooth number has taken place. Some of our conclusions confirm presumed homologies postulated by previous authors, but in other cases new homology assignments are proposed. Uncorroborated assignments are reduced to just two taxa, Harpyionycteris and Nyctimeninae, both of which remain problematic with respect to homologies of the incisor dentition. Mapping tooth presence/absence on previously published phylogenetic trees reveals modest levels of ambiguity and homoplasy in patterns of tooth reduction in Pteropodidae, and indicates that reversals involving the reappearance of an ancestrally lost tooth may have taken place. Our results are consistent with dental field theory, which explains both reversals and anomalies as a regulatory variation that does not affect element homology because the latter is supported by structural genes.
Growth-Mediated Life History Traits of Steelhead Reveal Phenotypic Divergence and Plastic Response to Temperature

AbstractGrowth-mediated early life history traits affect an individual's fitness and reflect both evolutionary adaptations and phenotypic responses to environmental conditions. We tested for phenotypic plasticity of growth-mediated life history traits between and within two depressed populations of steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss from Hood Canal, Washington. We conducted a reciprocal transplant “common garden” experiment at two temperature regimes and measured individual growth rate, condition factor, proportion of age-1 smolts and proportion of age-1 mature males. We found phenotypic plasticity in growth rate, condition factor, and proportion of age-1 smolts in both populations, demonstrating that genotype–temperature interaction plays an important role in determining phenotypic expression of growth and development. Growth rates were highest in the warm temperature treatment for both populations. More Dewatto River individuals smolted in their first year than Duckabush River individuals, which is consisten.
Comparison of Szmyd incision over envelope incision during the surgical removal of impacted third molar for evaluating postoperative prognosis: a prospective randomized study

Background: Manipulation of both hard and soft tissues during the surgical removal of mandibular third molars is usually associated with a number of postoperative complications. This study was aimed to compare the effects of two types of flap designs used during the impacted mandibular third molar removal and the consequences of choosing Szmyd incision over envelope incision in terms of primary wound healing and periodondal healing.Methods: A prospective, randomized study was conducted in healthy 50 patients with partially or completely impacted mandibular third molars were selected. The patients were divided into two groups of 25 each. In one group envelope flap design was used and in the other group Szmyd flap design was used. The influence of these incisions on accessibility to third molar, primary wound healing and periodontal healing was evaluated and compared.Results: The incidence of wound dehiscence at 7th day follow-up is more in envelop incision (p=0.123) and 20% more at 14th day follow-up (p=0.087) when compared to Szmyd design. Significant differences were noted with respect to the periodontal healing distal to adjacent second molar. Distal periodontal pocket depth was significantly lower for the Szmyd incision as compared to the Envelop incision. Effect size of Envelop flap is 1.84 times more than Szmyd flap.Conclusions: The Szmyd flap design makes primary wound healing easier, less wound dehiscence and periodontal complication than envelop flap design.
Quantitative Phosphoproteomics of the Human Neural Stem Cell Differentiation into Oligodendrocyte by Mass Spectrometry

Cellular processes such as proliferation, differentiation, and adaptation to environmental changes are regulated by protein phosphorylation. In order to enhance the understanding of molecular dynamics for biological process in detail, it is nec- essary to develop sensitive and comprehensive analytical methods for the determination of protein phosphorylation. Neural stem cells hold great promise for neural repair following an injury or disease. In this study, we made differentiated oligodendrocytes from human neural stem cells using over-expression of olig2 gene. We confirmed using quantitative phosphoproteome analysis approach that combines stable isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture (SILAC) and TiO2 micro-column for phosphopep- tide enrichment with MS 2 and MS 3 mass spectrometry. We detected 275 phosphopeptides which were modulated at least 2-fold between human neural stem cells and oligodendrocytes. Among them, 23 phosphoproteins were up-regulated in oligodendro- cytes and 79 phosphoproteins were up-regulated in F3 cells.
Synthesis and Structure-Activity Relationships of Novel Nor-Seco Analogs of Taxol and Taxotere

Novel nor-seco analogs of taxol and taxotere are synthesized from 14-hydroxy-10-deacetylbaccatin III through periodic acid oxidation and NaBH 3 CN reduction, followed by coupling with the C-13 side chain precursors using a highly efficient β-lactam synthon method. The new reduced structure analogs show muted cytotoxicity aganist human cancer cell lines compared with taxol but still retain a certain level of activity despite the destruction of the A ring
The Union Effect on Wages in Chile: A Two‐Stage Approach Using Panel Data

We estimate the wage premium in Chile for the period 2004-2009 following a two-stage procedure that corrects the endogeneity of the union decision process. We find that there is true state dependence in the union decision. The wage premium after controlling for endogeneity is close to 20%. At the same time we find evidence that unions tend to increase more the wages of the low end of the wage distribution. Economic sectors are important in the wage equation but seem less relevant in explaining union membership.The most relevant factor that explain union membership is firm size.
Verification of enhanced dynamic torque per ampere capability in saturated induction machines

An easily implemented technique for dynamic torque per ampere enhancement under high levels of motor saturation is described and validated via substantial experimental results. A saturation model assuming only d-axis saturation is utilized in field-oriented control of the experimental system, and the results are compared to theoretical predictions based on the same saturation model. In order to help users to optimize this technique, the authors discuss motor selection issues for the production of this dynamic torque enhancement. An experimental illustration of the use of the torque enhancement principle to break away a load with high static friction is presented to demonstrate the practical application of the concept. Measurement methods used to evaluate the dynamic properties of the electromagnetic torque are presented in sufficient detail so that users have appropriate tools for performing such work. <<ETX>>
Constraints on two accretion disks centered on the equatorial plane of a Kerr SMBH

The possibility that two toroidal accretion configurations may be orbiting around a~super--massive Kerr black hole has been addressed. Such tori may be formed during different stages of the Kerr attractor accretion history. We consider the relative rotation of the tori and the corotation or counterrotation of a~single torus with respect to the Kerr attractor. We give classification of the couples of accreting and non--accreting tori in dependence on the Kerr black hole dimensionless spin. We demonstrate that only in few cases a~double accretion tori system may be formed under specific conditions.
Taller men are less sensitive to cues of dominance in other men

Male dominance rank, physical strength, indices of reproductive success, and indices of reproductive potential are correlated with masculine characteristics in many animal species, including humans. Accordingly, men generally perceive masculinized versions of men's faces and voices to be more dominant than feminized versions. Less dominant men incur greater costs when they incorrectly perceive the dominance of rivals. Consequently, it may be adaptive for less dominant men to be particularly sensitive to cues of dominance in other men. Because height is a reliable index of men's dominance, we investigated the relationship between own height and men's sensitivity to masculine characteristics when judging the dominance of other men's faces and voices. Although men generally perceived masculinized faces and voices to be more dominant than feminized versions, this effect of masculinity on dominance perceptions was significantly greater among shorter men than among taller men. These findings suggest that differences among men in the potential costs of incorrectly perceiving the dominance of rivals have shaped systematic variation in men's perceptions of the dominance of potential rivals. Copyright 2010, Oxford University Press.
Simple Method for Benzamidomethylation of Phenols in Water Solution

Abstract Benzamidomethyl ethers ROCH2 NHBz (5) (R = aryl, cyclohexyl and benzyl) were obtained in high yields in reactions of ROH (4) with (benzamidomethy1)tri-ethylammonium chloride 3 as a benzamidomethylation agent. Reactions occurred in water, except reactions of cyclohexyl and benzyl alcohol with 3 that occurred in CHCl3.
Micro pulse lidar observation of high altitude aerosol layers at Visakhapatnam located on the east coast of India

Aerosol back scatter profiles obtained using a micro pulse lidar at Visakhapatnam, a station located on the east coast of peninsular India show certain high altitude aerosol layers during the months of March/April 2005, 2006. Co‐located aerosol optical depth measurements show an increase in AOD by 0.05 to 0.25 during the event when the layers were observed. The prevailing meteorology does not indicate any possible local entrainment of aerosol leading to the formation of elevated layers due to boundary layer dynamics. The 7 day back trajectory analysis shows that the possible origin of the layers could be from Arabia in 60% of the cases while it is from Indian sub‐continent during the rest of the events. When the air mass flow is from the Indian sub‐continent, there is a proportional increase in MODIS derived aerosol column fine mode fraction though it is not observed at the surface level. During the events when air mass flow is from Arabia, such an increase in column fine mode fraction was not observed but the angstrom size index which is a measure of the aerosol size distribution was low indicating that the elevated layers of Arabian origin could contain significant fraction of dust aerosol.
Analogue implementation of a neural network controller for UPS inverter applications

An analogue neural-network controller for UPS inverter applications is presented. The proposed neural-network controller is trained off-line using patterns obtained from a simulated controller, which had an idealized load-current-reference. Simulation results show that the proposed neural-network controller can achieve low total harmonic distortion under nonlinear loading condition and good dynamic responses under transient loading condition. To verify the performance of the proposed NN controller, a hardware inverter with an analogue neural network (NN) controller (using mainly operational amplifiers and resistors) is built. Additionally, for comparison purposes, a PI controller with optimized parameters is built. Experimental results confirm the simulation results and show the superior performance of the NN controller especially under rectifier-type loading condition. Implementing the analogue neural-network controller using programmable integrated circuits is also discussed.
Analysis of a Parallel System with Priority to Maintenance over Repair Subject to Random Shocks

This paper has been designed with an object to determine reliability measures of a parallel system of two identical units with priority to maintenance over repair subject to random shocks. The unit has a direct failure fro m normal mode. There is a single server who visits the system immediately to perfo rm maintenance and repair of the system. The unit undergoes for maintenance if it is affected by the impact of shocks while repair of the unit is done if it fails due to the reasons other than shocks. The unit works as new after maintenance and repair. Prio rity is given to maintenance of the shocked unit over repair of the failed unit. All random variables are statistically independent. The shock and failure times of the unit are exponentially d istributed where as the d istributions of maintenance and repair times are taken as arbit rary with different probability density functions. The expressions for some important measures of system effectiveness are obtained in steady state using semi-Markov process and regenerative point technique. Giving particular values to various parameters and costs, the results for MTSF, availability and pro fit function are obtained to depict their graphical behavior with respect to shock rate.
Collective modes in two- and three-dimensional electron systems with Rashba spin-orbit coupling

In addition to charge plasmons, a 2D electron system with Rashba-type spin-orbit coupling (SOC) also supports three collective modes in the spin sector: the chiral-spin modes. We study the dispersions of the charge and spin modes and their coupling to each other within a generalized Random Phase Approximation for arbitrarily strong SOC, and both in 2D and 3D systems. In both 2D and 3D, we find that the charge plasmons are coupled to only one of the three chiral-spin modes. This coupling is shown to affect the dispersions of the modes at finite but not at zero wavenumbers. In 3D, the chiral-spin modes are strongly damped by particle-hole excitations and disappear for weak electron-electron interaction. Landau damping of the chiral-spin modes in 3D is directly related to the fact that, in contrast to 2D, there is no gap for particle-hole excitations between spin-split subbands. The gapless continuum is also responsible for Landau damping of the charge plasmon in 3D - a qualitatively new feature of the SOC system. We also discuss the optical conductivity of clean 2D and 3D systems and show that SOC introduces spectral weight at finite frequency in a such way that the sum rule is satisfied. The in-plane tranverse chiral-spin mode shows up as dispersing peak in the optical conductivity at finite number which can can be measured in the presence of diffraction grating. We also discuss possible experimental manifestations of chiral-spin modes in semiconductor quantum wells such InGaAs/AlGaAs and 3D giant Rashba materials of the BiTeI family.
Tissue viability imaging of skin microcirculation following exposure to whole body cryotherapy (-110°C) and cold water immersion (8°C)

Cryotherapy is currently used in various clinical, rehabilitative and sporting settings. However, very little is known regarding the impact of cooling on the microcirculatory response. Objectives: The present study sought to examine the influence of two commonly employed modalities of cryotherapy, whole body cryotherapy (WBC; -110°C) and cold water immersion (CWI; 8±1°C), on skin microcirculation in the mid thigh region. Methods: The skin area examined was a 3 ´ 3 cm located between the most anterior aspect of the inguinal fold and the patella. Following 10 minutes of rest, 5 healthy, active males were exposed to either WBC for 3 minutes or CWI for 5 minutes in a randomised order. Volunteers lay supine for five minutes after treatment, in order to monitor the variation of red blood cell (RBC) concentration in the region of interest for a duration of 40 minutes. Microcirculation response was assessed using a non-invasive, portable instrument known as a Tissue Viability imaging system. After a minimum of seven days, the protocol was repeated. Subjective assessment of the volunteer’s thermal comfort and thermal sensation was also recorded. Results: RBC was altered following exposure to both WBC and CWI but appeared to stabilise approximately 35 minutes after treatments. Both WBC and CWI affected thermal sensation (p 0.05). Conclusions: As both WBC and CWI altered RBC, further study is necessary to examine the mechanism for this alteration during whole body cooling.
On the modelling of isothermal gas flows at the microscale

This paper makes two new propositions regarding the modelling of rarefied (non-equilibrium) isothermal gas flows at the microscale. The first is a new test case for benchmarking high-order, or extended, hydrodynamic models for these flows. This standing time-varying shear-wave problem does not require boundary conditions to be specified at a solid surface, so is useful for assessing whether fluid models can capture rarefaction effects in the bulk flow. We assess a number of different proposed extended hydrodynamic models, and we find the R13 equations perform the best in this case. Our second proposition is a simple technique for introducing non-equilibrium effects caused by the presence of solid surfaces into the computational fluid dynamics framework. By combining a new model for slip boundary conditions with a near-wall scaling of the Navier--Stokes constitutive relations, we obtain a model that is much more accurate at higher Knudsen numbers than the conventional second-order slip model. We show that this provides good results for combined Couette/Poiseuille flow, and that the model can predict the stress/strain-rate inversion that is evident from molecular simulations. The model's generality to non-planar geometries is demonstrated by examining low-speed flow around a micro-sphere. It shows a marked improvement over conventional predictions of the drag on the sphere, although there are some questions regarding its stability at the highest Knudsen numbers.
Double Disadvantages: A Study of Ethnic and Hukou Effects on Class Mobility in China (1996–2014)

This paper examines the ethnic and household registration system (hukou) effects on intergenerational social mobility for men in China. Using national representative surveys covering almost two decades (1996–2014), we assess both absolute and relative rates of mobility by ethnicity and hukou origin. With regard to absolute mobility, we find that minority men had significantly lower rates of total and upward mobility than Han men, and those from rural hukou origins faced more unfavourable chances. With regard to relative mobility, we find men of rural ethnic origins significantly less likely to inherit their parental positions. Even with parental and own educational qualifications and party memberships controlled for, we still find ethnic minority men of rural hukou origins behind others in access to professional-managerial positions. Overall, our findings suggest that the preferential policies have largely removed the ethnic differences in the urban sector but ethnic minority men from rural hukou origins are faced with double disadvantages: in addition to the inequality of opportunity rooted in the institutional divide which they share with the majority group from similar backgrounds, they face much greater inequalities in conditions, namely, in having poorer socio-economic and cultural resources.