Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Energetics of nanocrystalline TiO2

The energetics of the TiO2 polymorphs (rutile, anatase, and brookite) were studied by high temperature oxide melt drop solution calorimetry. Relative to bulk rutile, bulk brookite is 0.71 ± 0.38 kJ/mol (6) and bulk anatase is 2.61 ± 0.41 kJ/mol higher in enthalpy. The surface enthalpies of rutile, brookite, and anatase are 2.2 ± 0.2 J/m2, 1.0 ± 0.2 J/m2, and 0.4 ± 0.1 J/m2, respectively. The closely balanced energetics directly confirm the crossover in stability of nanophase polymorphs inferred by Zhang and Banfield (7). An amorphous sample with surface area of 34,600 m2/mol is 24.25 ± 0.88 kJ/mol higher in enthalpy than bulk rutile.
Energy Efficient Visible Light Communications Relying on Amorphous Cells

In this paper, we design an energy efficient indoor visible light communications (VLC) system from a radically new perspective based on an amorphous user-to-network association structure. Explicitly, this intriguing problem is approached from three inter-linked perspectives, considering the cell formation, link-level transmission and system-level optimisation, critically appraising the related optical constraints. To elaborate, apart from proposing hitherto unexplored amorphous cells (A-Cells), we employ a powerful amalgam of asymmetrically clipped optical orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (ACO-OFDM) and transmitter pre-coding aided multi-input single-output (MISO) transmission. As far as the overall system-level optimisation is concerned, we propose a low-complexity solution dispensing with the classic Dinkelbach's algorithmic structure. Our numerical study compares a range of different cell formation strategies and investigates diverse design aspects of the proposed A-Cells. Specifically, our results show that the A-Cells proposed are capable of achieving a much higher energy efficiency per user compared to that of the conventional cell formation for a range of practical field of views (FoVs) angles.
The Option Value of Forest Concessions in Brazilian Amazon

The Brazilian government is now planning to implement natural forest concessions for timber extraction. In addition to the legal requirements imposed on the management of concessions (minimum reserves, maximum extraction rates, etc.), the value of concessions is closely linked with uncertainties in estimates of the volume of commercial logs within the concession area and on future timber prices.
Measuring foreign impact: leading index construction using hierarchical dynamic factor model

ABSTRACT In this paper a new method of constructing the leading economic index is presented. Its main advantage is the ability to distinguish domestic and foreign factors influencing the growth of economy and it is performed via dynamic hierarchical factor modelling. An application is carried out with Lithuanian data and the results indicate that foreign component corresponds to an economically and statistically significant amount of variance. Under this new methodology, a hypothesis that the effect of international trends on the growth of economy is increasing over time is validated. Results indicate that globalization effect can be quantified and monitored using the proposed decomposition.
Mobile base station dual band microstrip antenna

In this paper, a multi-band microstrip slot antenna is presented. The antenna is suitable for operation in mobile phone base stations. The antenna operating bands are (0.824 - 0.894) GHz, and (1.83 - 2.2) GHz. The antenna supports GSM850, PCS1900, and UMTS2100. The antenna is based upon placing a metallic rectangular brick inside a rectangular etched slot on the ground plane and incorporates a simple single layered feeding technique to achieve dual band operation used in mobile communications. This antenna element may be used in a linear antenna array to act as a mobile base station transmitter. The effort was directed towards the design of a single standalone antenna; however, the complete performance would be evaluated when it is incorporated as an array element. The average gain is 5.3 dBi at the lower band (GSM850), and is 2.5 dBi at upper band (PCS1900/UMTS2100). The Front-to- back ratio (FBR) is 16.38 dB at the lower band and is greater than 19.3 dB, at the higher band.
Considerations for an integrated UAS CNS architecture

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Glenn Research Center (GRC) is investigating revolutionary and advanced universal, reliable, always available, cyber secure and affordable Communication, Navigation, Surveillance (CNS) options for all altitudes of UAS operations. In Spring 2015, NASA issued a Call for Proposals under NASA Research Announcements (NRA) NNH15ZEA001N, Amendment 7 Subtopic 2.4. Boeing was selected to conduct a study with the objective to determine the most promising candidate technologies for Unmanned Air Systems (UAS) air-to-air and air-to-ground data exchange and analyze their suitability in a post-NextGen NAS environment. The overall objectives are to develop UAS CNS requirements and then develop architectures that satisfy the requirements for UAS in both controlled and uncontrolled airspace. This contract is funded under NASA's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorates (ARMD) Aviation Operations and Safety Program (AOSP) Safe Autonomous Systems Operations (SASO) project and proposes technologies for the Unmanned Air Systems Traffic Management (UTM) service.
A study of the organic material of hen's-egg shell.

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Consequences of Habitat Fragmentation for the Prairie-Endemic Weevil Haplorhynchites aeneus

ABSTRACT Widespread destruction of tallgrass prairies in the midwestern United States has fragmented plant communities with the result that populations of endemic animal species have become geographically isolated from one another. The goal of the research summarized here was to evaluate the potential for conserving endemic prairie species of herbivorous insects by managing their host plants. Our study species was the weevil Haplorhynchites aeneus (Boehman), adults of which feed on pollen of plants in the genus Silphium (Asteraceae: Heliantheae). The female weevils clip the peduncles of flower heads and oviposit into the heads, where the larvae feed on the ovules. The research was conducted in 12 prairie sites in eastern Illinois. An allozyme analysis revealed that most populations of H. aeneus at the various prairie sites were genetically differentiated from one another, but the degree of differentiation was not associated with geographic distance between sites. Adult H. aeneus fed and oviposited on the plant species Silphium laciniatum L. , S. integrifolium Michx. , and S. terebinthinaceum Jacq, which differ in bloom phenology. There was no evidence of genetic differentiation of weevil populations with respect to host plant species, and adult weevils strongly preferred S. terebinthinaceum. We conclude that the oligophagous nature of the weevil assures its survival in small prairie remnants even where some of the host plant species are absent. Although H. aeneus can have a significant impact on reproduction of host plants by clipping flower heads, the perennial nature of Silphium species prevents their local extinction.
Conceptual and mathematical modelling - the platonic dichotomy and the Euclidean anthyphairetic method

This article focuses on the concept of modelling and more precisely on the relation between conceptual and mathematical modelling. A simple example of an exact numerical mathematical model is the ratio of two numbers, which arises from the geometrical and philosophical concept of analogy. The ratio of two numbers expresses the relationship between two magnitudes A and B. The discovery of irrational ratios and the need to suggest ways to approximate them has imposed the philosophical and mathematical thought of that time to go a little bit further. In the field of philosophy, this was accomplished by Plato and his dichotomous division method, and in the field of mathematics, it was expressed later by Euclid and his method of anthyphairesis, which introduces the fundamental notions of creating sequences approximating irrational numbers. Such developments introduce the notion of approximation, which is central in defining models of dynamical processes in the modern context of applications.
Systemic viral interleukin-10 gene delivery prevents cartilage invasion by human rheumatoid synovial tissue engrafted in SCID mice.

OBJECTIVE To assess the effects of viral interleukin-10 (vIL-10) gene delivery on human rheumatoid synovial tissue. METHODS SCID mice were engrafted subcutaneously with human rheumatoid synovial tissue and homologous cartilage before systemic injection of 10(9) plaque-forming units of type 5 E1a Elb-deficient non-replicative adenovirus vector containing the vIL-10 gene under control of the cytomegalovirus promoter (AdvIL-10; n = 10) or a control gene (AdvIL-10mut; n = 7). Three weeks later, the graft was removed for histologic analysis of cartilage invasion by synovial tissue. The number of CD3-positive mononuclear cells was assessed in the synovial tissue by immunohistology. Messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP-3), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1 (TIMP-1), and proinflammatory cytokines was determined by polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS Systemic vIL-10 gene transfer resulted in high sustained production of vIL-10 protein in SCID mouse sera (mean +/- SD 25 +/- 5 ng/ml on day 40 post vector injection). Moreover, vIL-10 mRNA expression was detected in the synovial tissue 3 weeks after intravenous injection of AdvIL-10, reflecting the gene transfer in the human graft. In animals treated with AdvIL-10, cartilage invasion by rheumatoid synovial tissue was significantly inhibited compared with the control vector (mean +/- SD histologic score 2.5 +/- 0.52 versus 0.75 +/-0.8; P < 0.0001). The number of T cells infiltrating the synovium and perichondral resorption in the animals treated with AdvIL-10 gene were not significantly modified relative to the control vector. In animals treated with AdvIL-10, the MMP-3-TIMP-1 balance was partially restored, independent of the effect on mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor a, IL-1, IL-6, or IL-8. CONCLUSION Systemic vIL-10 gene transfer prevented cartilage invasion by synovial tissue engrafted in SCID mice. This model offers the opportunity to study the biologic effects of gene transfer in vivo in rheumatoid synovium.
The H istory, Means, and Effec ts of Structural Surveillance

The focus on the technology of surveillance, while important, has had the unfortunate side effect of obscuring the study of surveillance generally, and tends to minimize the exploration of other, less technical means of surveillance that are both ubiquitous and self-reinforcing — what I refer to as structural surveillance — and their effects on marginalized and disenfranchised populations. This Article proposes a theoretical framework for the study of structural surveillance which will act as a foundation for follow-on research in its effects on political participation.
Factors Affecting Healthcare Chaplaincy and the Provision of Pastoral Care in the United States

AI pastoral care has begun to mature as a profession, particularly in healthcare settings, it is producing some of the basic knowledge and information which undergird and legitimize it. ' To date, however, little research has been done that documents the role chaplains play in healthcare settings," or the place of chaplaincy and pastoral care within the healthcare system. ' A study by VandeCreek and his colleagues" provides valuable data on the employment and deployment of chaplains in healthcare settings with pastoral care departments. Their survey of pastoral care directors found that the number of chaplains increased with hospital size in both religiously affiliated and non-affiliated hospitals, but the number of chaplain FTEs was roughly two times higher in religiously affiliated hospitals. The present study attempted to extend the findings ofVandeCreek et aL6 by conducting a randomized survey of healthcare institutions throughout the United States (U.S.) to see how they are meeting the spiritual needs of patients. The study was designed to measure the degree to which different institutional characteristics (such as religious affiliation) affect whether they employ professional chaplains and the number of chaplains they employ. '
Effect of Diet Quality on Nutrient Allocation to the Test and Aristotle's Lantern in the Sea Urchin Lytechinus variegatus (LAMARCK, 1816)

ABSTRACT Small, adult (19.50 ± 2.01g wet weight) Lytechinus variegatus (Lamarck, 1816) were fed 8 formulated diets with different protein (12–36% dry weight as fed) and carbohydrate (21–39% dry weight) levels. Each sea urchin (n = 8 per treatment) was fed a daily ration of 1.5% of the average body weight of all individuals for 9 wk. Akaike information criterion (AIC) scores were used to compare 6 different dietary composition hypotheses for 8 growth measurements. For each physical growth response, different mathematical models representing a priori hypotheses were compared using the AIC score. The AIC is one of many information—theoretical approaches that allows for direct comparison of nonnested models with varying numbers of parameters. Dietary protein level and protein:energy ratio were the best models for prediction of test diameter increase. Dietary protein level was the best model of test with spines wet weight gain and test with spines dry matter production. When the Aristotle's lantern was corrected for size of the test, there was an inverse relationship with dietary protein level. Log-transformed lantern to test with spines index was also best associated with the dietary protein model. Dietary carbohydrate level was a poor predictor for growth parameters. However, the protein × carbohydrate interaction model was the best model of organic content (percent dry weight) of the test without spines. These data suggest that there is a differential allocation of resources when dietary protein is limiting and the test, but not the Aristotle's lantern, is affected by availability of dietary nutrients.
Efficient voltage/current spike reduction by Active Gate Signaling

This paper presents an Active Gate Signaling scheme to reduce voltage/current spikes across insulated gate power switches in hard switching power electronic circuits. Voltage and/or current spikes may cause EMI noise. In addition, they increase voltage/current stress on the switch. Traditionally, a higher gate resistance is chosen to reduce voltage/current spikes. Since the switching loss will increase remarkably, an active gate voltage control scheme is developed to improve efficiency of hard switching circuits while the undesirable voltage and/or current spikes are minimized.
Neuropsychiatric symptoms in workers occupationally exposed to jet fuel — a combined epidemiological and casuistic study

Some aircraft personell and airline industry workers are exposed to jet fuel, a mixture of aliphatic hydrocarbons (petroleum 80%) and some organic solvents (aromatic hydrocarbons 20%). In order to evaluate the possible neuropsychiatric sequale of such long‐term occupational exposure, we examined 30 workers exposed at about 250 mg/m3 for 4—32 years at a jet motor factory. They were compared with two control groups (2 × 30) of matched non‐exposed workers. The medical history was first assessed by standardized interviews and examination of medical records kept by the factory physician. The exposed subjects had, after their employment, much more often saught medical advice because of emotional dysfunctions, such as depression and anxiety, than had the control groups (P < 0.005). When the prevalent mental symptoms, indicative of brain lesion, later were rated by psychiatrists, the exposed workers scored higher than did the controls (P < 0.001). 14 subjects showing most symptoms were then selected for a thorough neuropsychiatric clinical investigation comprising psychosocial inquiries, psychological testing, personality assessment and neurological/neurophysiological examinations. Seven were judged to suffer from mild organic brain syndrome (i.e. “organic neurasthenia”) of which one subject was a severe case. The subjects had all undergone a slow but steady personality change over the years — starting from an ordinary strength without neurotic traits and moving towards an asthenic state with fatigue, anxiety and vegetative hyperreactivity. No other cause for this change could be identified as an alternative to the occupational exposure to jet fuel. It is concluded that personality changes and emotional dysfunctions are the foremost effects of such long‐term exposure to petroleum products.
Identification of bacterial plasmids based on mobility and plasmid population biology.

Plasmids contain a backbone of core genes that remains relatively stable for long evolutionary periods, making sense to speak about plasmid species. The identification and characterization of the core genes of a plasmid species has a special relevance in the study of its epidemiology and modes of transmission. Besides, this knowledge will help to unveil the main routes that genes, for example antibiotic resistance (AbR) genes, use to travel from environmental reservoirs to human pathogens. Global dissemination of multiple antibiotic resistances and virulence traits by plasmids is an increasing threat for the treatment of many bacterial infectious diseases. To follow the dissemination of virulence and AbR genes, we need to identify the causative plasmids and follow their path from reservoirs to pathogens. In this review, we discuss how the existing diversity in plasmid genetic structures gives rise to a large diversity in propagation strategies. We would like to propose that, using an identification methodology based on plasmid mobility types, we can follow the propagation routes of most plasmids in Gammaproteobacteria, as well as their cargo genes, in complex ecosystems. Once the dissemination routes are known, designing antidissemination drugs and testing their efficacy will become feasible. We discuss in this review how the existing diversity in plasmid genetic structures gives rise to a large diversity in propagation strategies. We would like to propose that, by using an identification methodology based on plasmid mobility types, we can follow the propagation routes of most plasmids in ? -proteobacteria, as well as their cargo genes, in complex ecosystems.
Bordetella Adenylate Cyclase Toxin Promotes Calcium Entry into Both CD11b+ and CD11b− Cells through cAMP-dependent L-type-like Calcium Channels*

Adenylate cyclase toxin (ACT), a 200 kDa protein, is an essential virulence factor for Bordetella pertussis, the bacterium that causes whooping cough. ACT is a member of the pore-forming RTX (repeats-in-toxin) family of proteins that share a characteristic calcium-binding motif of Gly- and Asp-rich nonapeptide repeats and a marked cytolytic or cytotoxic activity. In addition, ACT exhibits a distinctive feature: it has an N-terminal calmodulin-dependent adenylate cyclase domain. Translocation of this domain into the host cytoplasm results in uncontrolled production of cAMP, and it has classically been assumed that this surge in cAMP is the basis for the toxin-mediated killing. Several members of the RTX family of toxins, including ACT, have been shown to induce intracellular calcium increases, through different mechanisms. We show here that ACT stimulates a raft-mediated calcium influx, through its cAMP production activity, that activates PKA, which in turn activates calcium channels with L-type properties. This process is shown to occur both in CD11b+ and CD11b− cells, suggesting a common mechanism, independent of the toxin receptor. We also show that this ACT-induced calcium influx does not correlate with the toxin-induced cytotoxicity.
Influence of E1-deleted recombinant adenoviruses on B7.1 and IL-2 expression in C1498 cells.

BACKGROUND Knowing that adenoviral vectors could initiate innate immunity, the ability of E1-deleted recombinant adenovirus (Ad-E1Delta) in induction of B7.1 and IL-2 molecules was studied. METHODS The expression of green fluorescent protein in C1498 cells following transfection of these cells with adenovirus green fluorescent protein vector confirmed the ability of adenovirus vectors in infecting the cells and inducing the expression of the gene of interest. The expression of B7.1 molecule on the surface of the cells was assayed upon infection with Ad-E1Delta vector. Adenovirus-IL-2/B7.1 vector capable of inducing IL-2 and B7.1 expression in the cells was used as the positive control vector. RESULTS According to the FACS results, about 4.17% of normal cells expressed B7.1 on their surface, while this level was increased in Ad-E1Δ transduced cells up to 14.43%. These results demonstrate that Ad E1∆ vector considerably (about 3 folds) increases the expression of B7.1 on the cells. No detectable IL-2 was secreted into the medium of non-transduced and Ad-E1Δ transduced cellscells. CONCLUSION Data indicate that the infection of C1498 cells with recombinant adenoviruses stimulates expression of B7.1 on the cell surface rather than secretion of IL-2 into the medium.
Operative laparoscopy for ovarian cysts. Excision vs. aspiration.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate operative laparoscopy for excision vs. aspiration of ovarian cysts. STUDY DESIGN From July 1, 1990, to June 30, 1993, 100 women under 40 years of age were subjected by the senior author to laparoscopic cyst excision, and 31 patients with similar characteristics underwent laparoscopic cyst aspiration by their attending physicians. Four-puncture laparoscopy was performed for laparoscopic cyst excision using the stripping technique, whereas two-puncture laparoscopy was employed for laparoscopic cyst aspiration. All patients underwent postoperative serial clinical examinations and ultrasound scans for the detection of recurrence. RESULTS Four recurrences (4%) were observed in the group that underwent laparoscopic cyst excision, whereas 26 (84%) recurrences occurred in the group that underwent laparoscopic cyst aspiration (P < .0001). CONCLUSION Provided that patients are carefully selected according to age and sonographic pattern, enucleation of adnexal masses at operative laparoscopy is the treatment of choice.