Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A GaN on SiC process with high power density and efficiency

In this contribution, a high power density and efficiency C-Band hybrid power amplifier (PA), employing the GaN process developed at Selex ES, is presented. Thanks to technological improvements in the actual process, the current collapse and knee voltage shift problems are mitigated, showing 5W/mm power density at 20 V, with a linear output power increase as function of drain bias, up to 9.5W/mm at 35V. In order to assess the actual performances of the GaN HEMTs, the most representative active device has been characterized and modeled, and a PA at 5.5 GHz has been designed. The amplifier is designed utilizing second harmonic tuning strategy for high efficiency operation, thus exploiting the high-breakdown voltage peculiarity of GaN-based devices employing Field Plate technology. The PA shows an output power of 36.5 dBm with a power added efficiency (PAE) of 65 % and an associated gain of 12 dB while the preliminary evaluation estimate a MTTF of 107h.
Near field propagation law & a novel fundamental limit to antenna gain versus size

The paper presents a theoretical analysis of the near field channel in free space. The theoretical model is then validated by comparison to data measured in an open field. The results are important for low frequency RF systems, such as those operating at short range in the AM broadcast band (525-1715 kHz). Finally, the paper establishes a novel fundamental limit for antenna gain versus size.
The roots of prosocial behavior in children: Socialization in the family

As we have seen, children generally acquire the patterns of behavior, motives, personal characteristics, predispositions, values, and social responses that are adaptive and expected in their own cultures. Most children reared in Mexican villages, Hopi children on reservations in the Southwest, and youngsters on Israeli kibbutzim are more considerate, kind, and cooperative than their “typical” middle-class American counterparts. Nevertheless, cultural factors alone cannot account for the wide range of prosocial actions within each culture; some children are consistently cooperative and generous, but others are not. These individual differences are attributable primarily to variations in the ways children are socialized in their own families, where they acquire many of their personal attributes, motives, and values. Many agents contribute to the child's socialization and to the development of prosocial tendencies. In the early years, the family is the principal agent of socialization. In this chapter, attention is centered on how the family promotes (or inhibits) prosocial behavior and, most important, strengthens (or weakens) children's internalized motivations for altruism, helpfulness, generosity, and consideration of others. Socialization involves many processes. Parents often self-consciously attempt to teach their children prosocial responses by praising and approving altruism and generosity and punishing selfish and uncooperative responses. They may instruct their children, reason with them, and explain rules or standards of prosocial behavior. But many of the child's prosocial actions and motivations are the products of more subtle processes, such as imitation or identification; these responses appear to emerge spontaneously, without direct training or reward - usually without anyone intending to “teach” and without the child intending to learn.
Iterative Reconstruction of Transcriptional Regulatory Networks: An Algorithmic Approach

The number of complete, publicly available genome sequences is now greater than 200, and this number is expected to rapidly grow in the near future as metagenomic and environmental sequencing efforts escalate and the cost of sequencing drops. In order to make use of this data for understanding particular organisms and for discerning general principles about how organisms function, it will be necessary to reconstruct their various biochemical reaction networks. Principal among these will be transcriptional regulatory networks. Given the physical and logical complexity of these networks, the various sources of (often noisy) data that can be utilized for their elucidation, the monetary costs involved, and the huge number of potential experiments (~1012) that can be performed, experiment design algorithms will be necessary for synthesizing the various computational and experimental data to maximize the efficiency of regulatory network reconstruction. This paper presents an algorithm for experimental design to systematically and efficiently reconstruct transcriptional regulatory networks. It is meant to be applied iteratively in conjunction with an experimental laboratory component. The algorithm is presented here in the context of reconstructing transcriptional regulation for metabolism in Escherichia coli, and, through a retrospective analysis with previously performed experiments, we show that the produced experiment designs conform to how a human would design experiments. The algorithm is able to utilize probability estimates based on a wide range of computational and experimental sources to suggest experiments with the highest potential of discovering the greatest amount of new regulatory knowledge.
Algicidal Activity of Bacillamide Alkaloids and Their Analogues against Marine and Freshwater Harmful Algae

Harmful algal blooms have become a great challenge to global aquatic ecosystems over the past decades. Given their low toxicity, high selectivity, and environment-friendly properties, the use of natural products and their analogues as algicides has proven to be particularly efficient. In the present study, algicidal activity of naturally occurring bacillamides A–C, alkaloid (1), and neobacillamide A, as well as their synthetic analogues were investigated intensively. Bioassay results showed that, relative to natural bacillamide alkaloids, aniline-derived analogue (10d) exhibited higher algicidal potential against three freshwater harmful algae Mycrocyctis aeruginosa, Scenedesmus obliquus, and Chlorella pyrenoidosa, suggesting that it could be used as a promising lead compound to develop novel algicide for controlling harmful algal blooms.
Detection of lectin activity on western blots using erythrocytes

A method is described for the direct detection of lectins, agglutinating erythrocytes, on nitrocellulose membranes after Western blotting, thus avoiding protein extraction from specific bands in the gel, followed by agglutination assays. The methodology essentially involves exposing the lectin band on a nitrocellulose strip to trypsinized rabbit erythrocytes (2%, in 0.15 M NaCl) for 30 min at 37°C and then carefully transferring the membrane to saline (4°C) for a few gentle washes and then fixing it in a solution (0.2% glutaraldehyde in 0.15 M NaCl) for 30 min. Later, the membrane is gently washed several times in 0.15 M NaCl containing 10 mM β‐alanine. The lectin band is visualized as a red agglutinated patch. The method is specific for lectins that can agglutinate red blood cells and virtually has no cross reactivity with the various nonlectin proteins tested. Binding of erythrocytes to the lectin band on the nitrocellulose strip can be prevented by specific competing sugars. The method can be applied to screen for the presence of lectins in natural materials and to monitor lectin fractions during purification.
Processing of Sliding Spotlight and TOPS SAR Data Using Baseband Azimuth Scaling

This paper presents an efficient phase preserving processor for the focusing of data acquired in sliding spotlight and Terrain Observation by Progressive Scans (TOPS) imaging modes. They share in common a linear variation of the Doppler centroid along the azimuth dimension, which is due to a steering of the antenna (either mechanically or electronically) throughout the data take. Existing approaches for the azimuth processing can become inefficient due to the additional processing to overcome the folding in the focused domain. In this paper, a new azimuth scaling approach is presented to perform the azimuth processing, whose kernel is exactly the same for sliding spotlight and TOPS modes. The possibility to use the proposed approach to process data acquired in the ScanSAR mode, as well as a discussion concerning staring spotlight, is also included. Simulations with point targets and real data acquired by TerraSAR-X in sliding spotlight and TOPS modes are used to validate the developed algorithm.
Antimicrobial Property of Extracts of Indian Lichen against Human Pathogenic Bacteria

Context. Usnea ghattensis G. Awasthi (Usneaceae) endemic fruticose lichen found growing luxuriantly in Northern Western Ghats of India, it also contains Usnic acid as a major chemical and tested against some human pathogenic bacteria. Objective. To explore antimicrobial properties of Usnea ghattensis against some human pathogenic bacteria. Materials and Methods. The lichen was extracted in acetone, methanol, and ethanol. In vitro antimicrobial activity was tested initially by Kirby-Bauer technique of disc diffusion method and was confirmed by minimum inhibitory concentration using Broth microdilution method according to the NCCLS guidelines. Results. Ethanol extract was most effective against Bacillus cereus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa with a zone of inhibition 29.8 ± 0.6 mm and 12.3 ± 0.5 mm diameters at a concentration of 0.2 mg/mL. Acetone and methanol extract demonstrated almost similar activity against Staphylococcus aureus and the zone of inhibition was 24.6 ± 0.5 and 24.7 ± 0.4 mm. Only methanol extract was showing activity against Streptococcus faecalis with a 13.5 ± 0.8 mm zone. MIC value noted against Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus faecalis was 6.25 μg/mL and 25 μg/mL, whereas against Bacillus cereus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, MIC calculated was 3.125 μg/mL and 200 μg/mL, respectively. Conclusion. The present study demonstrates the relatively higher activity of this lichen against not only gram (+) but significantly also against gram (−) bacteria. This indicates that this lichen might be a rich source of effective antimicrobial agents.
L'ipervideo nella formazione professionale: alcuni esempi

L’ipervideo, inteso come un video arricchito da link che permettono la navigazione fra diverse sequenze del video stesso e/o che rimandano a materiale multimediale, trova le sue radici negli albori dell’ipertesto, tuttavia da allora non ha visto gli sviluppi attesi, in parte a causa di limitazioni di carattere tecnologico. Oggi e possibile superare queste barriere, eppure l’uso di ipervideo in contesti di apprendimento e ancora limitato a poche esperienze circoscritte.Nel presente contributo illustriamo alcune esperienze preliminari di utilizzo dell’ipervideo condotte nell’ambito del progetto Scuolavisione, avviato nel gennaio del 2011 con lo scopo di fornire ai docenti delle scuole professionali in Svizzera uno strumento per rendere interattivi brevi spezzoni di video. I dati raccolti testimoniano un forte interesse sia da parte dei docenti, sia degli studenti. Ulteriori sperimentazioni dovranno essere realizzate, ma i risultati ottenuti finora hanno avuto riscontri molto positivi. Nello specifico, utilizzato nella formazione professionale, l’ipervideo potrebbe contribuire a diminuire il gap fra contesto scolastico e mondo del lavoro.
School-community connections : exploring issues for research and practice

1. Introduction: The Need for New Strategies(Leo C. Rigsby) Part One: The Policy Debate 2. Collaboration to Improve Education and Children's Services: Politics and Policymaking(Michael W. Kirst, Carolyn Kelly) 3. Commentary: Renewing Familcratic Commitments(Edmund W. Gordon) 4. Commentary: Local Parnerships as the Source of Innovative Policy(Wayne H. Holtzman) Part Two: Key Organizational Issues 5. Obstacles to Success in Educational Collaboration(Barbara Gray) 6. A Communication Perspective on Interorganizational Cooperation and Inner-City Education(Eric M. Eisenberg) 7. Integration of Services for Children: A Political Economy of Institutions Perspective(Robert L. Crowson, William L. Boyd) 8. Commentary: The Case for Assessing Intermediate Outcomes(Michael K. Grady) 9. Commentary: On Building Trusting and Mutually Beneficial Partnerships(Carol B. Truesdell) Part Three: The Social Context 10. The Macroecology of Educational Outcomes(David W. Bartelt) 11. Ecological Embeddedness of Educational Processes and Outcomes(William L. Yancy, Salvatore J. Saporito) 12. The Complex World of an Embedded Institution: Schools and Their Consituent Publics(Alan Peshkin) 13. Commentary: Breaking the Cycle of Causation(Sam F. Redding) 14. Commentary: Collaboration and Family Empowerment as Strategies to Achieve Comprehensive Services(Don Davies) Part Four: Lessons from Existing Programs 15. The Effectiveness of Collaborative School-Linked Service(Margaret C. Wang, Geneva D. Haertel, Herbert J. Walberg) 16. The School of the Future: Implementation Issues in a School/Community Connection(Harriet H. Arvey, Alfredo Tijerina) 17. Slipping Through the Cracks: The Education of Homeless Children(Roslyn Arlin Mickelson, Maria Grace Yon, Iris Carlton-LaNey) 18. An Evaluation of Family Suppport and Integrated Services in Six Elementary Schools(Lawrence J. Dolan) 19. Commentary: Lessons Learned About Integrating Services(Andrea Zetlin).
Interactive Modeling of Concept Drift and Errors in Relevance Feedback

In exploratory search tasks, users usually start with considerable uncertainty about their search goals, and so the search intent of the user may be volatile as the user is constantly learning and reformulating her search hypothesis during the search. This may lead to a noticeable concept drift in the relevance feedback given by the user. We formulate a Bayesian regression model for predicting the accuracy of each individual user feedback and thus find outliers in the feedback data set. To accompany this model, we introduce a timeline interface that visualizes the feedback history to the user and gives her suggestions on which past feedback is likely in need of adjustment. This interface also allows the user to adjust the feedback accuracy inferences made by the model. Simulation experiments demonstrate that the performance of the new user model outperforms a simpler baseline and that the performance approaches that of an oracle, given a small amount of additional user interaction. A user study shows that the proposed modeling technique, combined with the timeline interface, made it easier for the users to notice and correct mistakes in their feedback, resulted in better and more diverse recommendations, allowed users to easier find items they liked, and was more understandable.
Rapid transgene expression in multiple precursor cell types of adult rat subventricular zone mediated by adeno-associated type 1 vectors.

The adult rat brain subventricular zone (SVZ) contains proliferative precursors that migrate to the olfactory bulb (OB) and differentiate into mature neurons. Recruitment of precursors constitutes a potential avenue for brain repair. We have investigated the kinetics and cellular specificity of transgene expression mediated by AAV2/1 vectors (i.e., adeno-associated virus type 2 pseudotyped with AAV1 capsid) in the SVZ. Self-complementary (sc) and single-stranded (ss) AAV2/1 vectors mediated efficient GFP expression, respectively, at 17 and 24 hr postinjection. Transgene expression was efficient in all the rapidly proliferating cells types, that is, Mash1(+) precursors (30% of the GFP(+) cells), Dlx2(+) neuronal progenitors (55%), Olig2(+) oligodendrocyte progenitors (35%), and doublecortin-positive (Dcx(+)) migrating cells (40%), but not in the slowly proliferating glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive (GFAP(+)) neural stem cell pool (5%). Because cell cycle arrest by wild-type and recombinant AAV has been described in primary cultures, we examined SVZ proliferative activity after vector injection. Indeed, cell proliferation was reduced immediately after vector injection but was normal after 1 month. In contrast, migration and differentiation of GFP(+) precursors were unaltered. Indeed, the proportion of Dcx(+) cells was similar in the injected and contralateral hemispheres. Furthermore, 1 month after vector injection into the SVZ, GFP(+) cells, found, as expected, in the OB granular cell layer, were mature GABAergic neurons. In conclusion, the rapid and efficient transgene expression in SVZ neural precursors mediated by scAAV2/1 vectors underlines their potential usefulness for brain repair via recruitment of immature cells. The observed transient precursor proliferation inhibition, not affecting their migration and differentiation, will likely not compromise this strategy.
Straight-Line Trajectory Tracking Control for Sampled-Data Underactuated Ships

Straight-line trajectory tracking control of sampled-data underactuated ships with both state and output feedback controllers is considered and analyzed by resorting to a nonlinear sampled-data control theory. State feedback controllers and reduced-order observers are designed on the basis of the Euler approximate models. Then they are combined to obtain output feedback controllers that semiglobally practically uniformly asymptotically stabilize the tracking error dynamics. Both simulation and experimental results are given to show the efficiency of the designed controllers.
The AII amacrine cell connectome: a dense network hub

The mammalian AII retinal amacrine cell is a narrow-field, multistratified glycinergic neuron best known for its role in collecting scotopic signals from rod bipolar cells and distributing them to ON and OFF cone pathways in a crossover network via a combination of inhibitory synapses and heterocellular AII::ON cone bipolar cell gap junctions. Long considered a simple cell, a full connectomics analysis shows that AII cells possess the most complex interaction repertoire of any known vertebrate neuron, contacting at least 28 different cell classes, including every class of retinal bipolar cell. Beyond its basic role in distributing rod signals to cone pathways, the AII cell may also mediate narrow-field feedback and feedforward inhibition for the photopic OFF channel, photopic ON-OFF inhibitory crossover signaling, and serves as a nexus for a collection of inhibitory networks arising from cone pathways that likely negotiate fast switching between cone and rod vision. Further analysis of the complete synaptic counts for five AII cells shows that (1) synaptic sampling is normalized for anatomic target encounter rates; (2) qualitative targeting is specific and apparently errorless; and (3) that AII cells strongly differentiate partner cohorts by synaptic and/or coupling weights. The AII network is a dense hub connecting all primary retinal excitatory channels via precisely weighted drive and specific polarities. Homologs of AII amacrine cells have yet to be identified in non-mammalians, but we propose that such homologs should be narrow-field glycinergic amacrine cells driving photopic ON-OFF crossover via heterocellular coupling with ON cone bipolar cells and glycinergic synapses on OFF cone bipolar cells. The specific evolutionary event creating the mammalian AII scotopic-photopic hub would then simply be the emergence of large numbers of pure rod bipolar cells.
Moral Status and Human Life: The Case for Children's Superiority

This book develops a comprehensive theory of moral status, responding to the disparate partial accounts offered by animal rights proponents, environmental theorists, Kantians, and care ethicists and drawing from a naturalistic account of human moral psychology. It generates a multi-variable, sliding-scale rubric of moral status. It then applies the theory and rubric to do a rough comparison of the moral status of adults and children. It concludes, contrary to the historically prevailing view, that children occupy a higher moral status and so should receive greater consideration than adults in our moral and political deliberations. Finally, the book suggests some applications to current legal and policy debates.
Causal Model Selection Hypothesis Tests in Systems Genetics

Current efforts in systems genetics have focused on the development of statistical approaches that aim to disentangle causal relationships among molecular phenotypes in segregating populations. Model selection criterions, such as the AIC and BIC, have been widely used for this purpose, in spite of being unable to quantify the uncertainty associated with the model selection call. In this tutorial we illustrate the use of software implementing the causal model selection hypothesis tests proposed by Chaibub Neto et al. (2012).
On the Meaning and Necessity of a White, Anti-Racist Identity

In this essay we argue not only that a positive, white anti-racist identity is possible, but also that it is fundamental to the success of any social justice educational initiative. Central to our analysis is a discussion of the perspective of the Deconstructionists (also referred to as New Abolitionists). These theorists, who call for the abolition of white identity, conflate “whiteness” as a system of dominance and oppression with “whiteness” as an individual identity. On the basis of this conceptualization, they conclude that the eradication of white dominance requires the deconstruction of white identity. This conceptual flaw compromises the feasibility of the proposals generated for anti-racist education from within this framework and ignores important questions of agency. Nevertheless, we contend that the Deconstructionists’ position offers tremendous educational insights. When whiteness as a system of dominance is theoretically distinguished from whiteness as white identity, the complex relationship between these two concepts is illuminated and the positive educational implications of some of the Deconstructionists’ recommendations are brought to light.
Feedback-controlled random test generation

Feedback-directed random test generation is a widely used technique to generate random method sequences. It leverages feedback to guide generation. However, the validity of feedback guidance has not been challenged yet. In this paper, we investigate the characteristics of feedback-directed random test generation and propose a method that exploits the obtained knowledge that excessive feedback limits the diversity of tests. First, we show that the feedback loop of feedback-directed generation algorithm is a positive feedback loop and amplifies the bias that emerges in the candidate value pool. This over-directs the generation and limits the diversity of generated tests. Thus, limiting the amount of feedback can improve diversity and effectiveness of generated tests. Second, we propose a method named feedback-controlled random test generation, which aggressively controls the feedback in order to promote diversity of generated tests. Experiments on eight different, real-world application libraries indicate that our method increases branch coverage by 78% to 204% over the original feedback-directed algorithm on large-scale utility libraries.