Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Flow Velocity and Effective Viscosity of a Fluid Containing Rigid Cylindrical Inclusions

The determination of the flow properties of a fluid containing a cylindrical inclusion with its long axis oriented parallel to the vorticity direction is a 2-dimensional problem which is treated as a special case in a calculation of the corresponding D-dimensional problem. The velocity and pressure are obtained from the solution of the equations of hydrodynamics where D-dimensional multipole potential tensors are used. The effective viscosity of a dilute suspension is evaluted via the entropy production, as suggested by Einstein, and via an effective stress tensor. The relative change of the viscosity is proportional to the volume fraction. For D = 2 the proportionality factor Z is found to be 2 and 3 when the inclusion rotates with an angular velocity equal to the vorticity and when the inclusion does not rotate, repectively. The corresponding results for D=3 are the well known number Z = 2.5 and Z = 4.
Étude du traitement visuel simple et complexe chez les enfants autistes

Atypical perceptual information processing is commonly described in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). In the visual modality, influential work with autistic adults suggests altered connectivity within specialized local networks defining the response properties of stimulusdriven mechanisms. This has led to the development of a hypothesis that stipulates that the efficiency of autistic visual perception is contingent on the complexity of the neural network involved (Complexity-specific hypothesis). When several cortical areas must communicate with each other (as in texture-defined perception, also called second-order), reduced sensitivity to visual input is observed in autistic individuals. In contrast, when visual processing predominately relies on the primary visual cortex V1 (as in luminance-defined perception, also called first-order), their sensitivity is either enhanced (stationary stimuli) or intact (moving stimuli). This dissociation in performance is unique to ASD and suggests atypical connectivity within their visual cortex. The precise type of neural alteration remains unknown, however. In addition, studies focusing on younger individuals are needed to define the developmental trajectories of perceptual abilities in autism. This issue is crucial for perceptual theories of ASD. The first experiment aims to investigate whether the dissociation regarding firstand second-order spatial vision is also present in school-aged children with autism. We combined the use of behavioural (psychophysics) and neuroimaging (visual evoked potentials: VEPs) methods. The second experiment was designed to assess the integrity of one type of neural connections that are known to be involved in texture processing: feedback processes from extrastriate areas towards lower hierarchical levels (V1). As such, we used a visual texture segregation task and isolated a texture-segregation specific VEP component that mainly reflects feedback modulation in the visual cortex. Behavioural measures from the first experiment do not reveal differences in visual thresholds between typically developing and autistic children for both luminanceand
High concentrations of manganese and sulfur in deposits on Murray Ridge, Endeavour Crater, Mars

Abstract Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter HiRISE images and Opportunity rover observations of the ~22 km wide Noachian age Endeavour Crater on Mars show that the rim and surrounding terrains were densely fractured during the impact crater-forming event. Fractures have also propagated upward into the overlying Burns formation sandstones. Opportunity’s observations show that the western crater rim segment, called Murray Ridge, is composed of impact breccias with basaltic compositions, as well as occasional fracture-filling calcium sulfate veins. Cook Haven, a gentle depression on Murray Ridge, and the site where Opportunity spent its sixth winter, exposes highly fractured, recessive outcrops that have relatively high concentrations of S and Cl, consistent with modest aqueous alteration. Opportunity’s rover wheels serendipitously excavated and overturned several small rocks from a Cook Haven fracture zone. Extensive measurement campaigns were conducted on two of them: Pinnacle Island and Stuart Island. These rocks have the highest concentrations of Mn and S measured to date by Opportunity and occur as a relatively bright sulfate-rich coating on basaltic rock, capped by a thin deposit of one or more dark Mn oxide phases intermixed with sulfate minerals. We infer from these unique Pinnacle Island and Stuart Island rock measurements that subsurface precipitation of sulfate-dominated coatings was followed by an interval of partial dissolution and reaction with one or more strong oxidants (e.g., O2) to produce the Mn oxide mineral(s) intermixed with sulfate-rich salt coatings. In contrast to arid regions on Earth, where Mn oxides are widely incorporated into coatings on surface rocks, our results demonstrate that on Mars the most likely place to deposit and preserve Mn oxides was in fracture zones where migrating fluids intersected surface oxidants, forming precipitates shielded from subsequent physical erosion.
Positioning strategies of Polish entrepreneurs in Germany: Transnationalizing Bourdieu’s notion of capital

This article presents an in-depth study of how Polish entrepreneurs in Munich, Germany, make use of their economic, social and cultural capital acquired in Poland and in Germany to position themselves transnationally. The article studies these migrants’ life courses and draws attention to cross-border intersections between their cultural, social and economic capital with roots in different places. The article also throws light on the subjective evaluation of economic capital of migrants in a transnational frame. Three types of transnational social positioning of the migrants are discerned (single space, bi-local and overlapping), which suggest a new reading of Bourdieu’s work that is better adapted to the theoretical challenges faced by researchers who study people in transnational spaces.
Conjugational recombination in resolvase-deficient ruvC mutants of Escherichia coli K-12 depends on recG

ruvC mutants of Escherichia coli appear to lack an activity that resolves Holliday intermediates into recombinant products. Yet, these strains produce close to normal numbers of recombinants in genetic crosses. This recombination proficiency was found to be a function of recG. A "mini-kan" insertion in recG was introduced into ruvA, ruvB, and ruvC strains. Conjugational recombination was reduced by more than 100-fold in recG ruvA::Tn10, recG ruvB, and recG ruvC strains and by about 30-fold in a recG ruvA strain carrying a ruvA mutation that is not polar on ruvB. The double mutants also proved very deficient in P1 transduction and are much more sensitive to UV light than ruv single mutants. Since mutation of recG alone has very modest effects on recombination and sensitivity to UV, it is concluded that there is a functional overlap between the RecG and Ruv proteins. However, this overlap does not extend to circular plasmid recombination. The possibility that RecG provides a second resolvase that can substitute for Ruv is discussed in light of these findings.
RAGE mediates S100A4-induced cell motility via MAPK/ERK and hypoxia signaling and is a prognostic biomarker for human colorectal cancer metastasis

Survival of colorectal cancer patients is strongly dependent on development of distant metastases. S100A4 is a prognostic biomarker and inducer for colorectal cancer metastasis. Besides exerting intracellular functions, S100A4 is secreted extracellularly. The receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) is one of its interaction partners. The impact of the S100A4-RAGE interaction for cell motility and metastasis formation in colorectal cancer has not been elucidated so far. Here we demonstrate the RAGE-dependent increase in migratory and invasive capabilities of colorectal cancer cells via binding to extracellular S100A4. We show the direct interaction of S100A4 and RAGE, leading to hyperactivated MAPK/ERK and hypoxia signaling. The S100A4-RAGE axis increased cell migration (P<0.005) and invasion (P<0.005), which was counteracted with recombinant soluble RAGE and RAGE-specific antibodies. In colorectal cancer patients, not distantly metastasized at surgery, high RAGE expression in primary tumors correlated with metachronous metastasis, reduced overall (P=0.022) and metastasis-free survival (P=0.021). In summary, interaction of S100A4-RAGE mediates S100A4-induced colorectal cancer cell motility. RAGE by itself represents a biomarker for prognosis of colorectal cancer. Thus, therapeutic approaches targeting RAGE or intervening in S100A4-RAGE-dependent signaling early in tumor progression might represent alternative strategies restricting S100A4-induced colorectal cancer metastasis.
A process-complete automatic acceptance testing framework

We present a new automated software acceptance tests framework. The framework is novel in supporting the entire lifecycle and all QA activities, including test maintenance over multiple versions, interaction with programmers and business analysts, traceability to specifications, multi-user test cases and more. This enables a significant increase in QA productivity and product quality. We compare our framework to other available tools, products and frameworks, and present several patterns and anti-patterns for implementing a successful automated acceptance testing solution.
Growth rates of modern science: A bibliometric analysis based on the number of publications and cited references

Many studies (in information science) have looked at the growth of science. In this study, we reexamine the question of the growth of science. To do this we (a) use current data up to publication year 2012 and (b) analyze the data across all disciplines and also separately for the natural sciences and for the medical and health sciences. Furthermore, the data were analyzed with an advanced statistical technique—segmented regression analysis—which can identify specific segments with similar growth rates in the history of science. The study is based on two different sets of bibliometric data: (a) the number of publications held as source items in the Web of Science (WoS, Thomson Reuters) per publication year and (b) the number of cited references in the publications of the source items per cited reference year. We looked at the rate at which science has grown since the mid‐1600s. In our analysis of cited references we identified three essential growth phases in the development of science, which each led to growth rates tripling in comparison with the previous phase: from less than 1% up to the middle of the 18th century, to 2 to 3% up to the period between the two world wars, and 8 to 9% to 2010.
An Updated Review of Tyrosinase Inhibitors

Tyrosinase is a multifunctional, glycosylated, and copper-containing oxidase, which catalyzes the first two steps in mammalian melanogenesis and is responsible for enzymatic browning reactions in damaged fruits during post-harvest handling and processing. Neither hyperpigmentation in human skin nor enzymatic browning in fruits are desirable. These phenomena have encouraged researchers to seek new potent tyrosinase inhibitors for use in foods and cosmetics. This article surveys tyrosinase inhibitors newly discovered from natural and synthetic sources. The inhibitory strength is compared with that of a standard inhibitor, kojic acid, and their inhibitory mechanisms are discussed.
Attack trends in present computer networks

An integral component of security mechanisms in company and governmental networks are Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS), which have been under intensive research for over 30 years. Unfortunately, even with these high-level security measures, the number of security incidents remains on a very high level or even rises. Therefore, for identifying the corresponding weaknesses, an in-depth knowledge of the various kinds of threats and state of the art attacks is necessary. While plenty of research about weaknesses and threats is available for special categories like wireless networks or sensor networks, research with respect to general networks, such as traditional wired networks, is widely neglected. However, the most important real-world harassment affects these networks.
Dynamic changes in the osteoclast cytoskeleton in response to growth factors and cell attachment are controlled by β3 integrin

The β3 integrin cytoplasmic domain, and specifically S752, is critical for integrin localization and osteoclast (OC) function. Because growth factors such as macrophage colony–stimulating factor and hepatocyte growth factor affect integrin activation and function via inside-out signaling, a process requiring the β integrin cytoplasmic tail, we examined the effect of these growth factors on OC precursors. To this end, we retrovirally expressed various β3 integrins with cytoplasmic tail mutations in β3-deficient OC precursors. We find that S752 in the β3 cytoplasmic tail is required for growth factor–induced integrin activation, cytoskeletal reorganization, and membrane protrusion, thereby affecting OC adhesion, migration, and bone resorption. The small GTPases Rho and Rac mediate cytoskeletal reorganization, and activation of each is defective in OC precursors lacking a functional β3 subunit. Activation of the upstream mediators c-Src and c-Cbl is also dependent on β3. Interestingly, although the FAK-related kinase Pyk2 interacts with c-Src and c-Cbl, its activation is not disrupted in the absence of functional β3. Instead, its activation is dependent upon intracellular calcium, and on the β2 integrin. Thus, the β3 cytoplasmic domain is responsible for activation of specific intracellular signals leading to cytoskeletal reorganization critical for OC function.
Perspective Based on Stereopsis and Occlusion

Perspective is usually considered a monocular pictorial cue, distinct from other cues such as occlusion and stereopsis. We cut across these distinctions by asking whether purely binocular (cyclopean) contours, created by stereoscopically shifting a region of homogeneous texture nearer or further than its surround, can act as a linear-perspective cue and whether the contours' ability to do this is influenced by their surface belongingness. We found that the left/right orientation of cyclopean trapezoids nearer than a surround strongly influenced perceived slant, showing that perspective constraints are applied to stereoscopically derived contours. Further regions, however, appeared as surfaces seen through a trapezoidal aperture. Because the aperture “owned” the trapezoidal contours, their orientation had little effect on perceived slant. We conclude that the application of perspective constraints depends critically on how contours are classified by stereo-specified occlusion relationships among surfaces and that perspective, stereopsis, and occlusion are not distinct processing systems.
Conjugated linoleic acid in diets for large-size rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss): effects on growth, chemical composition and sensory attributes

The effects of graded levels (0 %, 0·5 %, 0·75 and 1 %) of dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) were assessed on 97 g rainbow trout. Fish were fed to satiation twice a day for 12 weeks. At the end of the experiment, all groups of fish weighed more than 250 g and no significant differences were detected in growth performance, feed conversion, nutrient or energy utilisation or body composition between treatments. A decrease in liver lipid content resulted from including CLA and was accompanied by a reduction in malic enzyme activity. The muscle saturated acid and PUFA content did not vary between dietary treatments, despite the increasing concentration of stearic acid and CLA. In the liver, however, both fractions increased significantly with dietary CLA. Moreover, the MUFA decreased significantly in both muscle and liver. CLA was incorporated into tissue lipids, with levels in flesh (2·1–4·2 %) being 2-fold higher than in liver (0·8–1·9 %). In muscle, the percentage of cis-9, trans-11 isomer ranged from 39·5 % to 41·8 % and that of trans-10, cis-12 isomer from 31·4 % to 33·4 % of total CLA. The incorporation of CLA isomers in the liver varied with dietary treatment, and the cis-9, trans-11 isomer seemed to be more efficiently incorporated than trans-10, cis-12. Sensory data indicated slight-to-moderate differences between the trout fed with and without CLA. The present results suggest that 250 g rainbow trout can incorporate CLA in both muscle and liver, contributing to the production of a functional food.
Pivotal Role of the CC Chemokine, Macrophage-Derived Chemokine, in the Innate Immune Response1

Macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC), a recently identified CC chemokine, has been regarded to be involved in chronic inflammation and dendritic cell and lymphocyte homing. In this study, we demonstrate a pivotal role for MDC during experimental sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Intraperitoneal administration of MDC (1 μg/mouse) protected mice from CLP-induced lethality. The survival was accompanied by increased number of peritoneal macrophages and decreased recovery of viable bacteria from the peritoneum and peripheral blood. In addition, mice treated with an i.p. injection of MDC cleared bacteria more effectively than those in the control when 3 × 108 CFU live Escherichia coli was i.p. inoculated. Endogenous MDC was detected in the peritoneum after CLP, and neutralization of the MDC with anti-MDC Abs decreased CLP-induced recruitment of peritoneal macrophages and increased the recovery of viable bacteria from the peritoneum and peripheral blood. MDC blockade was deleterious in the survival of mice after CLP. In vitro, MDC enhanced the phagocytic and killing activities of peritoneal macrophages to E. coli and induced both a respiratory burst and the release of lysozomal enzyme from macrophages. Furthermore, MDC dramatically ameliorated CLP-induced systemic tissue inflammation as well as tissue dysfunction, which were associated in part with decreased levels of TNF-α, macrophage inflammatory proteins-1α and -2, and KC in specific tissues. Collectively, these results indicate novel regulatory activities of MDC in innate immunity during sepsis and suggest that MDC may aid in an adjunct therapy in sepsis.
Endothelial dysfunction and vascular disease – a 30th anniversary update

The endothelium can evoke relaxations of the underlying vascular smooth muscle, by releasing vasodilator substances. The best‐characterized endothelium‐derived relaxing factor (EDRF) is nitric oxide (NO) which activates soluble guanylyl cyclase in the vascular smooth muscle cells, with the production of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) initiating relaxation. The endothelial cells also evoke hyperpolarization of the cell membrane of vascular smooth muscle (endothelium‐dependent hyperpolarizations, EDH‐mediated responses). As regards the latter, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) now appears to play a dominant role. Endothelium‐dependent relaxations involve both pertussis toxin‐sensitive Gi (e.g. responses to α2‐adrenergic agonists, serotonin, and thrombin) and pertussis toxin‐insensitive Gq (e.g. adenosine diphosphate and bradykinin) coupling proteins. New stimulators (e.g. insulin, adiponectin) of the release of EDRFs have emerged. In recent years, evidence has also accumulated, confirming that the release of NO by the endothelial cell can chronically be upregulated (e.g. by oestrogens, exercise and dietary factors) and downregulated (e.g. oxidative stress, smoking, pollution and oxidized low‐density lipoproteins) and that it is reduced with ageing and in the course of vascular disease (e.g. diabetes and hypertension). Arteries covered with regenerated endothelium (e.g. following angioplasty) selectively lose the pertussis toxin‐sensitive pathway for NO release which favours vasospasm, thrombosis, penetration of macrophages, cellular growth and the inflammatory reaction leading to atherosclerosis. In addition to the release of NO (and EDH, in particular those due to H2O2), endothelial cells also can evoke contraction of the underlying vascular smooth muscle cells by releasing endothelium‐derived contracting factors. Recent evidence confirms that most endothelium‐dependent acute increases in contractile force are due to the formation of vasoconstrictor prostanoids (endoperoxides and prostacyclin) which activate TP receptors of the vascular smooth muscle cells and that prostacyclin plays a key role in such responses. Endothelium‐dependent contractions are exacerbated when the production of nitric oxide is impaired (e.g. by oxidative stress, ageing, spontaneous hypertension and diabetes). They contribute to the blunting of endothelium‐dependent vasodilatations in aged subjects and essential hypertensive and diabetic patients. In addition, recent data confirm that the release of endothelin‐1 can contribute to endothelial dysfunction and that the peptide appears to be an important contributor to vascular dysfunction. Finally, it has become clear that nitric oxide itself, under certain conditions (e.g. hypoxia), can cause biased activation of soluble guanylyl cyclase leading to the production of cyclic inosine monophosphate (cIMP) rather than cGMP and hence causes contraction rather than relaxation of the underlying vascular smooth muscle.
A Non-Neuronal Cholinergic System Regulates Cellular ATP Levels to Maintain Cell Viability

Background/Aims: We previously suggested that a non-neuronal cholinergic system modulates energy metabolism through the mitochondria. However, the mechanisms responsible for making this system crucial remained undetermined. Methods: In this study, we developed a fusion protein expression vector containing a luciferase gene fused to the folic acid receptor-α gene. Results: This protein of the vector was confirmed to target the plasma membrane of transfected HEK293 cells, and vector-derived luciferase activities and ATP levels in viable cells were positively correlated (r = 0.599). Using this luciferase vector, choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)-expressing cells (i.e., cells with an activated non-neuronal cholinergic system) had increased cellular ATP levels. ChAT-expressing cells also had upregulated IGF-1R and Glut-1 protein expressions as well as increased glucose uptake. This activated non-neuronal cholinergic system with efficient glucose metabolism rendered cells resistant to serum depletion-induced cell death. Conclusion: Our results indicate that a non-neuronal cholinergic system is involved in sustaining ATP levels to render cells resistant to a nutrient-deficient environment.
Scaling and operation characteristics of HfOx based vertical RRAM for 3D cross-point architecture

Stacked HfOx based vertical RRAM with interface engineering for 3D cross-point architecture is fabricated using a cost-effective fabrication process. The excellent performances such as low reset current, fast switching speed, high switching endurance and disturbance immunity, good retention and self-selectivity are demonstrated in the fabricated HfOx based vertical RRAM devices. The scaling limit and the functionality along with a viable write/read scheme of the presented vertical RRAM are investigated. The experiments show that the pillar electrode thickness and the plane electrode thickness of the vertical RRAM can be scaled down to 3nm and 5nm without significant performance degradation, respectively.