Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A New Insight on Stereo-Dynamics of Penning Ionization Reactions

Recent developments in the experimental study of Penning ionization reactions are presented here to cast light on basic aspects of the stereo-dynamics of the microscopic mechanisms involved. They concern the dependence of the reaction probability on the relative orientation of the atomic and molecular orbitals of reagents and products. The focus is on collisions between metastable Ne*(3P2, 0) atoms with other noble gas atoms or molecules, for which play a crucial role both the inner open-shell structure of Ne* and the HOMO orbitals of the partner. Their mutual orientation with respect to the intermolecular axis controls the characteristics of the intermolecular potential, which drives the collision dynamics and the reaction probability. The investigation of ionization processes of water, the prototype of hydrogenated molecules, suggested that the ground state of water ion is produced when Ne* approaches H2O perpendicularly to its plane. Conversely, collisions addressed toward the lone pair, aligned along the water C2v symmetry axis, generates electronically excited water ions. However, obtained results refer to a statistical/random orientation of the open shell ionic core of Ne*. Recently, the attention focused on the ionization of Kr or Xe by Ne*, for which we have been able to characterize the dependence on the collision energy of the branching ratio between probabilities of spin orbit resolved elementary processes. The combined analysis of measured PIES spectra suggested the occurrence of contributions from four different reaction channels, assigned to two distinct spin-orbit states of the Ne*(3P2, 0) reagent and two different spin-orbit states of the ionic M+(2P3/2, 1/2) products (M = Kr, Xe). The obtained results emphasized the reactivity change of 3P0 atoms with respect to 3P2, in producing ions in 2P3/2 and 2P1/2 sublevels, as a function of the collision energy. These findings have been assumed to arise from a critical balance of adiabatic and non-adiabatic effects that control formation and electronic rearrangement of the collision complex, respectively. From these results we are able to characterize for the first time, according to our knowledge, the state to state reaction probability for the ionization of Kr and Xe by Ne* in both 3P2 and 3P0 sublevels.
Effects of tDCS of Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex on Dual-Task Performance Involving Manual Dexterity and Cognitive Task in Healthy Older Adults

Healthy aging limits the activities of daily living and personal independence. Furthermore, cognitive-motor interference in dual-task (e.g., walking while talking) appears to be more pronounced in the elderly. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), a form of the non-invasive brain stimulation technique, is known to modify cortical excitability and has been investigated as a tool for enhancing motor and cognitive performance in health and disease. The present study examined whether tDCS targeting the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) could improve dual-task performance in healthy older adults. The effects of tDCS, among other factors, depend on stimulation polarity (anodal vs. cathodal), electrode setup (unilateral vs. bilateral) and the time of application (off-line vs. on-line). We therefore explored the effects of unilateral and simultaneous bilateral tDCS (anodal and cathodal) of left DLPFC while performing (on-line) the Grooved Pegboard Test (GPT) and Serial Seven Subtraction Test (SSST) alone or together (dual-tasking). The number of pegs and the number of correct subtractions were recorded before, during and 30 min after tDCS. The dual-task performance was measured as the percent change from single- to the dual-task condition (dual-task cost DTC). Only bilateral, anode left tDCS, induced a significant increase in subtracted numbers while dual-tasking, i.e., it reduced the DTC of manual dexterity (GPT) to a cognitive task. Significant changes 30 min after the stimulation were only present after bilateral anode right (BAR) tDCS on GPT dual-task costs. These findings suggest that anodal tDCS applied on-line interacts with a dual-task performance involving demanding cognitive and manual dexterity tasks. The results support the potential use of non-invasive brain stimulation for improvement of cognitive functioning in daily activities in older individuals.
Applications of Iron Oxide-Based Magnetic Nanoparticles in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Bacterial Infections

Diseases caused by bacterial infections, especially drug-resistant bacteria have seriously threatened human health throughout the world. It has been predicted that antimicrobial resistance alone will cause 10 million deaths per year and that early diagnosis and therapy will efficiently decrease the mortality rate caused by bacterial infections. Considering this severity, it is urgent to develop effective methods for the early detection, prevention and treatment of these infections. Until now, numerous efforts based on nanoparticles have been made to detect and kill pathogenic bacteria. Iron oxide-based magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), as potential platforms for bacteria detection and therapy, have drawn great attention owing to their magnetic property. These MNPs have also been broadly used as bioimaging contrast agents and drug delivery and magnetic hyperthermia agents to diagnose and treat bacterial infections. This review therefore overviews the recent progress on MNPs for bacterial detection and therapy, including bacterial separation and enrichment in vitro, bacterial infection imaging in vivo, and their therapeutic activities on pathogenic bacteria. Furthermore, some bacterial-specific targeting agents, used to selectively target the pathogenic bacteria, are also introduced. In addition, the challenges and future perspective of MNPs for bacterial diagnosis and therapy are given at the end of this review. It is expected that this review will provide a better understanding toward the applications of MNPs in the detection and therapy of bacterial infections.
Single crystal silicon nano-wire piezoresistors for mechanical sensors

A p-type silicon (Si) nano-wire piezoresistor, whose minimum cross-sectional area is 53 nm/spl times/53 nm, was fabricated by combination of thermal diffusion, EB (electron beam) direct writing and RIE (reactive ion etching). The maximum value of longitudinal piezoresistance coefficient /spl pi//sub l[011]/ of the Si nano-wire piezoresistor was found to be 48/spl times/10/sup -5/ (1/MPa) at surface impurity concentration of 5/spl times/10/sup 19/ (cm/sup -3/) and it has enough sensitivity for mechanical sensor applications. The longitudinal piezoresistance coefficient /spl pi//sub l[011]/ of the Si nano-wire piezoresistor increased up to 60% with a decrease in the cross sectional area, while transverse piezoresistance coefficient /spl pi//sub t[011]/ decreased with a increase in the aspect ratio of the cross section. These phenomena were briefly investigated based on a hole energy consideration and FEM (finite element method) stress analysis.
Participation of National Civil Society Organizations in the Policy Process: A Case Study of CONPES as a Venue in Nicaragua

The concept of participation has become a significant component within development theory. It is also through participation that new roles for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) are being created, shifting from traditional service-delivery functions to influencing policy formulation and decision making process on behalf of a variety of constituencies. It is under this shift to influence policy formulation and decision making that the objective of the present study is to assess the role of the National Council for Economic and Social Planning (CONPES) as a venue for Nicaraguan CSOs to participate in the policy process. Created in 1999 by presidential degree, CONPES is comprised of members from a wide variety of CSOs, business organizations, national labor unions, national trade and professional organizations, and networks of national NGOs. It was envisaged as a consultative body to advise the President of the Republic (PR) on the formulation, monitoring and evaluation of social and economic policies, programs and plans. In order to achieve its objective, the study begins with an analysis of the concept of participation, civil society and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and the policy process. Based on the stages of the policy process, an analysis is made of the advantages and challenges for CSOs to influence the policy process within the context of CONPES.
Simultaneous 3-/4-Hydroxybenzoates Biodegradation and Arsenite Oxidation by Hydrogenophaga sp. H7

Aromatic compounds and arsenic (As) often coexist in the environment. As(III)-oxidizing bacteria can oxidize the more toxic As(III) into the less toxic As(V), and As(V) is easily removed. Microorganisms with the ability to degrade aromatic compounds and oxidize arsenite [As(III)] may have strong potential to remediate co-contaminated water. In this study, a Gram-negative bacterium Hydrogenophaga sp. H7 was shown to simultaneously degrade 3-hydroxybenzoate (3-HBA) or 4-HBA (3-/4-HBA) and oxidize arsenite [As(III)] to arsenate [As(V)] during culture. Notably, the addition of As(III) enhanced the degradation rates of 3-/4-HBA, while the addition of 3-/4-HBA resulted in a slight delay in As(III) oxidation. Use of a 1% bacterial culture in combination with FeCl3 could completely degrade 250 mg/L 3-HBA or 4-HBA and remove 400 μM As(III) from simulated lake water within 28 h. Genomic analysis revealed the presence of As(III) oxidation/resistance genes and two putative 3-/4-HBA degradation pathways (the protocatechuate 4,5-dioxygenase degradation pathway and the catechol 2,3-dioxygenase degradation pathway). Comparative proteomics suggested that strain H7 degraded 4-HBA via the protocatechuate 4,5-dioxygenase degradation pathway in the absence of As(III); however, 4-HBA could be degraded via the catechol 2,3-dioxygenase degradation pathway in the presence of As(III). In the presence of As(III), more NADH was produced by the catechol 2,3-dioxygenase degradation pathway and/or by As(III) oxidation, which explained the enhancement of bacterial 4-HBA degradation in the presence of As(III). In addition, the key gene dmpB, which encodes catechol 2,3-dioxygenase in the catechol 2,3-dioxygenase degradation pathway, was knocked out, which resulted in the disappearance of As(III)-enhanced bacterial 4-HBA degradation from the dmpB mutant strain, which further confirmed that As(III) enhancement of 4-HBA degradation was due to the utilization of the catechol 2,3-dioxygenase pathway. These discoveries indicate that Hydrogenophaga sp. H7 has promise for the application to the removal of aromatic compounds and As co-contamination and reveal the relationship between As oxidation and aromatic compound degradation.
A TR(i)P to Cell Migration: New Roles of TRP Channels in Mechanotransduction and Cancer

Cell migration is a key process in cancer metastasis, allowing malignant cells to spread from the primary tumor to distant organs. At the molecular level, migration is the result of several coordinated events involving mechanical forces and cellular signaling, where the second messenger Ca2+ plays a pivotal role. Therefore, elucidating the regulation of intracellular Ca2+ levels is key for a complete understanding of the mechanisms controlling cellular migration. In this regard, understanding the function of Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) channels, which are fundamental determinants of Ca2+ signaling, is critical to uncovering mechanisms of mechanotransduction during cell migration and, consequently, in pathologies closely linked to it, such as cancer. Here, we review recent studies on the association between TRP channels and migration-related mechanotransduction events, as well as in the involvement of TRP channels in the migration-dependent pathophysiological process of metastasis.
Latitudinal Variation in the Molecular Diversity and Community Composition of Symbiodiniaceae in Coral From the South China Sea

Coral reefs are continuing to decline worldwide due to anthropogenic climate change. The study of the molecular diversity and biogeographical patterns of Symbiodiniaceae, is essential to understand the adaptive potential and resilience of coral–algal symbiosis. Next generation sequencing was used to analyze the Symbiodiniaceae rDNA internal transcribed spacer 2 marker genes from 178 reef-building coral samples in eight coral habitats across approximately 13° of latitude in the South China Sea (SCS). A total of three Symbiodiniaceae genera, Cladocopium, Durusdinium, and Gerakladium, as well as 31 dominant Symbiodiniaceae types, were identified. Symbiodiniaceae richness, diversity, and community composition varied according to latitude; intermediate and low latitude coral reefs (IR and LR) have higher Symbiodiniaceae richness and diversity than high latitude coral habitats (HC and HR). A PERMANOVA analysis found significant differences in the Symbiodiniaceae community composition in the SCS (F = 14.75, R2 = 0.20, p = 0.001 < 0.01). The major dominant Symbiodiniaceae types were C1 in the HC and the HR, C1/Cspc/C50/C15 and D1 in the IR, and C3u and C15 in the LR. Canonical correspondence analysis showed that the relative abundance of different Symbiodiniaceae types is affected by multiple environmental factors. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the Symbiodiniaceae type Cladocopium, which shared common ancestors, shows similar environmental adaptability. Based on these results, we suggest that coral host species played a relatively small role in the identity of the dominant Symbiodiniaceae type. Therefore, the biogeographical patterns of Symbiodiniaceae may be mainly affected by environmental factors. Our research provides a comprehensive overview of the biogeography of Symbiodiniaceae in the SCS, where coral communities and reefs are widely distributed across different latitude regions and have variable environmental conditions. Our data will provide support for further study of the regional diversification of Symbiodiniaceae and the ecological resilience of the coral-Symbiodiniaceae symbioses.
A numerical model for elastoplastic rough contact

Pressure distributions calculated in the simulation of rough contacts show high values and induce high stresses just beneath the surface. These stresses often exceed the yield strength of the material, therefore, a purely elastic contact model is restrictive. Plastic flow occurs and modifies the surface shape and consequently modifies the surface pressure. This paper presents a numerical model for 3Delastoplastic rough contact. It allows the determination of real pressure and permanent surface displacement (flattening of asperities) as well as residual stresses and plastic strains useful in fatigue analysis. The material is assumed to follow the Von-Mises yield criterion with isotropic hardening. The use of FFT in the numerical procedure allows a large number of meshing points so real surfaces obtained from a measurement can be considered. keyword: Contact, plasticity, FFT, boundary integral
Evidence that estrogen mediates the positive feedback effect on GnRH.

Kisspeptin (Metastin), a protein encoding by the KiSS-1 gene, is a ligand for the G protein-coupled receptor GPR54. To investigate the molecular consequences of estrogen secretion on brain, estradiol benzoate was intravenously injected to sheep, and the expression of kisspeptin and Fos-like protein were scanned in the neurons of arcuate nucleus (ARC) by immunohistochemistry. In the case of Fos, the results showed that the number of immunopositive-Fos cells in ARC was significantly greater in the estradiol benzoate-treated OVX ewes 1 h after the injection. Similarly, estrogen injection activated the expression of kisspeptin within 1 h of injection. The results suggest an acute effect of estrogen -through kisspeptin, initiating the events leading to the positive feedback effect on pulsatile secretion of gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH).
Examining the relationships between colour, Teff, and [M/H] for APOGEE K and M dwarfs

NSF [AST-0807997]; Alfred P. Sloan Foundation; National Science Foundation; US Department of Energy Office of Science; University of Arizona; Brazilian Participation Group; Brookhaven National Laboratory; Carnegie Mellon University; University of Florida; French Participation Group; German Participation Group; Harvard University; Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias; Michigan State/Notre Dame/JINA Participation Group; Johns Hopkins University; Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory; Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics; Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics; New Mexico State University; New York University; Ohio State University; Pennsylvania State University; University of Portsmouth; Princeton University; Spanish Participation Group; University of Tokyo; University of Utah; Vanderbilt University; University of Virginia; University of Washington; Yale University; National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Mechanical properties of fly ash reinforced aluminium alloy (Al6061) composites

The results of an experimental investigation of the mechanical properties of fly ash reinforced aluminium alloy (Al 6061) composites samples, processed by stir casting route are reported in this paper. Three sets of composites with fly ash particle sizes of 4-25, 45-50 and 75-100 µm were used. The particle size ranges chosen as the said particle sizes were available more by weight fraction when sieve analysis was conducted on the sample collected for experiments and also the ones for which results are not reported. Each set had three types of composite samples with the reinforcement weight fractions of 10, 15 and 20%. The mechanical properties studied were the tensile strength, compressive strength, ductility and hardness. Unreinforced Al6061 samples were also tested for the same properties. It was found that the tensile strength, compressive strength and hardness of the aluminium alloy (Al 6061) composites decreased with the increase in particle size of reinforced fly ash. Increase in the weight fractions of the fly ash particles increases the ultimate tensile strength, compressive strength, hardness and decreases the ductility of the composite. The scanning electron micrographs of the samples indicated uniform distribution of the fly ash particles in the matrix without any voids.
Fruit abscission in Acer saccharinum with reference to seed dispersal

Winged fruits and seeds travel approximately twice as far as predicted by micrometeorological models of seed dispersal by the wind. We hypothesize that seeds preferentially abscise at higher velocities because the motive force for abscission is drag (proportional to the square of the wind velocity). A 3-year study of fruit abscission in Acer saccharinum L. , supplemented by experimental studies, demonstrates that for this species (i) separation layers develop rapidly when relative humidity is low (the early afternoon in a typical diurnal relative humidity cycle), and (ii) the exponents in power law equations relating abscission rate to wind speed are somewhat higher than the expected value of 2.0. Consequently, micrometeorological models of dispersal must be modified to account for the nonrandom nature of abscission. Key words: seed dispersal, abscission, Acer saccharinum.
A Placement Web-Service for Lifelong Learners

This contribution introduces a placement web-service which has been developed in the context of the TENCompetence Integrated Project. The web-service uses Latent Semantic Analysis (LSA) to calculate similarity between documents in learner portfolios and content in the current learning network of the learner. In the first part of the paper the placement problem in learning networks is introduced. Next we discuss the architecture of the current web-service prototype and describe our evaluation approach. Several limitations and future developments are discussed at the end of the paper.
IEEE Transactions on Broadcasting Special Issue on: 5G for Broadband Multimedia Systems and Broadcasting

The upcoming fifth-generation ( 5G ) of wireless communications technologies is expected to revolutionize society digital transformation thanks to its unprecedented wireless performance capabilities, providing speeds of several Gbps, very low latencies well below 5 ms, ultra-reliable transmissions with up to 99.999% success probability, while being able to handle a huge number of devices simultaneously connected to the network. The first version of the 3GPP specification (i.e., Release 15) has been recently completed and many 5G trials are under plan or carrying out worldwide, with the first commercial deployments happening in 2019.
Multi-Agent Deep Reinforcement Learning for Connected Vehicles (poster)

The vehicles take a role of mobile devices so that resource management issue among them in cellular networks is getting highlighted. In addition, the millimeter-wave (mmWave) base station is expected to be included in existing heterogeneous networks. In this regard, we present a multi-agent deep reinforcement learning (MADRL) based resource allocation strategy for mobile devices in heterogeneous vehicular networks, which suffer from shortage issue of shared frequency band. The downlink throughput of each mobile device is cooperatively enhanced by the proposed MADRL method, and thus each mobile device associates with a base station and uses a frequency band within low delay.
Orientation and symmetry control of inverse sphere magnetic nanoarrays by guided self-assembly

Inverse sphere shaped Ni arrays were fabricated by electrodeposition on Si through the guided self-assembly of polystyrene latex spheres in Si/SiO2 patterns. It is shown that the size commensurability of the etched tracks is critical for the long range ordering of the spheres. Moreover, noncommensurate guiding results in the reproducible periodic triangular distortion of the close packed self-assembly. Magnetoresistance measurements on the Ni arrays were performed showing room temperature anisotropic magnetoresistance of 0.85%. These results are promising for self-assembled patterned storage media and magnetoresistance devices.
Journal of Biotech Research [ISSN: 1944-3285]

A variety of human solid tumors, including breast cancer, are considered to embrace a hierarchical organization in which only rare tumor-initiating cancer stem cells are truly responsible for tumor formation. Cultivation of tumorspheres in non-adherent conditions is widely employed for enriching these putative cancer stem cells in vitro. However, the absence of a defined culture medium has handicapped further characterization and isolation of this cell population. In this study, we used mouse mammary tumor virus MMTV-HER2/neu transgenic mice that mimic the HER2/Neu-positive subtype of human breast cancer as a model system, and cultured primary tumor cells and tumorspheres from these mice under non-adherent conditions. In addition to essential growth factors, we found that B27 supplement played an important role in promoting tumorsphere formation and maintaining cultures through passaging. A tumorsphere-formation assay and measurements of average tumorsphere size provided insight into the characteristics of the putative breast cancer stem cells. Tumorspheres were enriched for cancer stem cells through serial passaging, while sphere size was determined by the innate properties of cancer stem cells and independent of the culture condition. Our study identifies B27 as an essential component of culture medium necessary for sustained propagation and enrichment of breast cancer stem cells in vitro.