Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nanoparticle assemblies as memristors.

Recently a memristor ( Chua, L. O. IEEE Trans. Circuit Theory 1971 , 18 , 507 ), the fourth fundamental passive circuit element, has been demonstrated as thin film device operations ( Strukov, D. B.; Snider, G. S.; Stewart, D. R.; Williams, R. S. Nature (London) 2008 , 453 , 80 ; Yang, J. J.; Pickett. M. D. ; Li, X. ; Ohlberg, D. A. A. ; Stewart, D. R. ; Williams, R. S. Nat. Nanotechnol. 2008 , 3 , 429 ). A new addition to the memristor family can be nanoparticle assemblies consisting of an infinite number of monodispersed, crystalline magnetite (Fe(3)O(4)) particles. Assembly of nanoparticles that have sizes below 10 nm, exhibits at room temperature a voltage-current hysteresis with an abrupt and large bipolar resistance switching (R(OFF)/R(ON) approximately 20). Interestingly, observed behavior could be interpreted by adopting an extended memristor model that combines both a time-dependent resistance and a time-dependent capacitance. We also observed that such behavior is not restricted to magnetites; it is a general property of nanoparticle assemblies as it was consistently observed in different types of spinel structured nanoparticles with different sizes and compositions. Further investigation into this new nanoassembly system will be of importance to the realization of the next generation nanodevices with potential advantages of simpler and inexpensive device fabrications.
Different dimensions, different mechanisms? Distinguishing relationship status and quality effects on desistance.

This study follows from a long line of research aimed at understanding the effects of romantic relationships on desistance from crime. We expanded this work by testing the differential effects of relationship status (i.e., single, dating, cohabiting, married) and relationship quality on crime and the different mechanisms explaining these effects. We drew upon longitudinal data on African American young adults, and utilized a fixed effects approach to examine intraindividual change in relationship status, relationship quality, and offending. Results suggested that, for men, relationship status was directly associated with crime, in that coresidential unions reduced offending independent of their quality. High-quality relationships, however, were found to deter crime for both men and women no matter their form. The effect of relationship status was largely accounted for by social control processes, whereas the relationship quality effect was explained by cognitive transformation, particularly a change in the "criminogenic knowledge structure. " These findings demand greater attention to multiple dimensions of relationships and the unique mechanisms through which they may foster desistance.
Appraisal of Fluid Dynamic Efficiency of Retreated-Blade and Turbofoil Impellers in Industrial-Size CSTRs

In this work, we examine the performances of two different impellers produced for glass-lined industrial vessel installations. Starting from an experimental evaluation of the power number−Reynolds number curve, we exploit fully three-dimensional, time-dependent fluid dynamic simulations to identify the optimal operating conditions for the widely used retreated-blade impeller and the newer turbofoil turbine. We calculate the power consumption, stirring capability, and pumping efficiency with the final aim of finding guidelines to select the best impeller/vessel configuration. Results show that the turbofoil turbine is more efficient than the retreated-blade impeller in terms of pumping capability and pumping efficiency for operating conditions corresponding to Reynolds numbers larger than 3000. A detailed description of the fluid dynamic field is used to explain and justify the macroscopic evidence.
0 MARKER-ASSISTED FOREGROUND SELECTION ( MAFS )

Marker-assisted recurrent backcrossing (MARS), the combined use of marker-assisted selection (MAS) and recurrent backcrossing, is a versatile method for plant breeding and genetic studies. The benefits of MARS are well demonstrated and documented in theoretical and simulation studies, and confirmed by empirical applications. In MARS, markers are used during recurrent backcrossing to select for the presence of the target gene (foreground selection), to select against the donor genome contribution (background selection) to reduce the introgressed segment's size and thus potential linkage drag. MARS reduces the number of backcrossing needed to recover most of the recurrent parent genome in 3-4 generations, while one or two target genes are introgressed from the donor. For foreground selection markers are most useful for traits that are expensive and/or difficult to measure. Linkage drag associated with the target genets), when present, is difficult if not impossible to remove by phenotypic selection. In this chapter, we summarised some of the theoretical and simulation results of MARS, and provided comprehensive summary of the use of MARS in practical crop breeding.
Improving the Management of Chronic Kidney Disease in Uruguay: A National Renal Healthcare Program

Background: Uruguay has implemented a chronic kidney disease (CKD) prevention program. Aims: The objectives of the study are to assess the results of the National Renal Healthcare Program (NRHP). Methods: This study is a cohort study of nondialysis-registered patients from October 2004 to March 2008. We made a comparison between patients under nephrology care (NC) or the care of a primary care physician (PCP; prereferral). In the outcome analysis, the primary endpoint was end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and the secondary endpoints were progression of CKD, compliance with the therapeutic goals and death. ESRD/mortality predictors were determined by Cox analysis. Results: The study comprised 2,219 patients aged 67.4 ± 13.5 years, of whom 52.5% were male, 42.1% hypertensive, 16.9% had diabetic nephropathy, and 61.3 and 21.4% were in CKD stages III and IV, respectively. At baseline, NC patients showed a better control than patients under the care of a PCP: systolic blood pressure ≧160 mm Hg (22.4 vs. 31.1%); total cholesterol <5.8 mmol/l (56.6 vs. 42.5%); and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol <2.9 mmol/l (41.2 vs. 29.1%). Control improved in patients under the care of a PCP according to years of enrollment. Outcome analysis (1,188 patients) showed a significant improvement in targets, with 56% of the patients stabilizing. CKD stage IV, diabetic nephropathy, proteinuria and hypertension increased the risk of ESRD; angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers and age <65 years decreased the risk. Conclusions: Our results highlight the best management of CKD patients in both groups and the impact of the NC and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockers.
Hemicraniectomy and Durotomy Upon Deterioration From Infarction-Related Swelling Trial: Randomized Pilot Clinical Trial

Background and Purpose— Hemicraniectomy and Durotomy Upon Deterioration From Infarction-Related Swelling Trial (HeADDFIRST) was a randomized pilot study to obtain information necessary to design a Phase III trial to evaluate the benefit of surgical decompression for brain swelling from large supratentorial cerebral hemispheric infarction. Methods— All patients with stroke were screened for eligibility (age 18–75 years, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale ≥18 with Item 1a<2 [responsive to minor stimulation], and CT demonstrating unilateral, complete middle cerebral artery territory infarction by specific imaging criteria). All enrolled patients were treated using a standardized medical treatment protocol. Those with both ≥4 mm of pineal shift and deterioration in level of arousal or ≥7.5 mm of anteroseptal shift within 96 hours of stroke onset were randomized to continued medical treatment only or medical treatment plus surgery. Death at 21 days was the primary outcome measure. Results— Among 4909 screened patients, only 66 (1.3%) patients were eligible for HeADDFIRST. Forty patients were enrolled, and 26 patients developed the requisite brain swelling for randomization. All who failed to meet randomization criteria were alive at 21 days. Mortality at 21 and 180 days was 40% (4/10) in the medical treatment only and 21% (3/14) and 36% (5/14) in the medical treatment plus surgery arms, respectively. Conclusions— HeADDFIRST randomization criteria effectively distinguished low from high risk of death from large supratentorial cerebral hemispheric infarction. Lower mortality in the medical treatment only group than in other published trials suggests a possible benefit to standardizing medical management. These results can inform the interpretation of recently completed European trials concerning patient selection and medical management. Clinical Trial Registration— This trial was not registered because enrollment began before July 1, 2005.
The in vitro antioxidant properties of Bacillus simplex XJ-25 isolated from sand biological soil crusts

XJ-25, a strain with strong antioxidant activity was isolated from sand biological soil crusts in Gurban Tonggut Desert, Xinjiang, China. Strain XJ-25 is closely related to Bacillus simplex through the 16s rDNA sequencing combined with morphological, physiological and biochemical analysis. The medium for optimal antioxidant activity was NB with 1.5 g/L glucose. Based on the kinetic assay, antioxidant activity began at early exponential growth phases; maximum activity was reached at the stationary phase. Scavenging effects on 2, 2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), the hydroxyl and superoxide radicals, T-AOC capacity and protection against lipid damage were evaluated. The main antioxidant compounds were in the extracellular secreted supernatant of XJ-25. The active compounds were very stable at a pH range of 2 to 12, and temperature from 40 to 121°C, as well as in some organic solvents. Thin layer chromatography assay by DPPH scavenging assay showed two active spots with a Rf values of 0.35 and 0.47, and both of them were ninhydrin positive.
Historical Vegetation of Seasonally Moist Depressions in the South Fork of the Palouse River Watershed

This study is part of a larger study of past wetlands in the watershed of the South Fork of the Palouse River. This watershed lies within the region known as the Palouse Prairie in western Latah County, Idaho, and eastern Whitman County, Washington. Rolling hills created by deposition of wind-blown loess characterize the landscape. The soils of the hills are typically deep and well drained. In the nineteenth century, perennial caespitose grasses, often associated with forbs and low shrubs, dominated uplands, but parts of the landscape where surface water accumulated in winter and spring developed distinctive vegetation. Dense stands of common camas (Camassia quamash), an important food plant for the region’s native people, were the most obvious feature of this association. Aggregations of camas also covered much of the Camas Prairie of eastern Nez Perce, western Lewis, and northwestern Idaho Counties. On this fairly level plateau above the Clearwater River, the soils are loessal in origin, but they tend to be shallower and less well drained than those of the Palouse Prairie (Barker et al. 1983; Lichthardt and Moseley 1997). During the last 130 years, agricultural drainage, soil erosion, stream downcutting, and invasions of exotic species have eliminated or drastically altered the seasonally moist meadow communities of topographic depressions in the Palouse Prairie. Because of the extensive modification of this landscape and biota, little is known about the species composition of these wetlands prior to Euroamerican settlement. The purpose of this study was to obtain information from historical records on the plant species composition of these communities. It focuses on communities typical of places where flow accumulates on the landscape in deep, well drained or moderately well drained soils. It does not address other types of wetlands that occurred in the Palouse Prairie, such as those associated with ponds, flowing water in channels, or perched water tables.
The Sociology of Conspiracy: A Cultural Commentary on Structural Adjustment

„Conspiracy theory‟ as a convenient rhetorical rebuttal has been culturally constructed as quick refutation of otherwise distasteful, never mind factual ideas by the elite. All social interventions that seek structural adjustment, adjustments that have not yet been institutionalized and made „automatic‟, involve some form of conspiracy, a coordinated intervention for structure maintenance. In this essay I examine the antiaffirmative action „movement‟ in the U.S. that levels the charge of reverse discrimination, to conclude that every extra institutional adjustment involves conspiracy and leads to unintended consequences which require further conspiratorial action by the elite. It is within such elite inspired adjustments to conspiratorial „side-effects‟ that trajectories for enhancing human rights can be located.
Optimized Resource Sharing for Federated Cloud Services with Desired Performance and Limited OpEx

The provision of cloud resources to meet user demands in 5G wireless networks is a challenging task due to the high workload predicted to be experienced by cloud service providers (CSPs). Cloud federation has emerged as a paradigm to support CSPs with resource limitations by borrowing surplus resources of other CSPs in periods of high demands. The major concern of each CSP with resource limitations is to borrow resources from other federation participants in such a way that cloud services are provided to the end-users with a desired grade of service (GoS) as well as the overall profit is maximized. This paper proposes an efficient mechanism based on the merchant mode to dynamically facilitate optimal allocation of cloud resources, maximizing the profit of CSPs as well as improving the GoS. The robustness of the proposed optimal scheme is evaluated by comparing it with the heuristic algorithm. The simulation results demonstrate that at each trading window, the proposed optimal scheme outperforms its heuristic counterpart. Moreover, after 50 trading windows, the proposed approach results in 43.5% gain in net profit to CSPs as well as facilitating 3.35% of additional resource.
Viscous Cahn–Hilliard Equation II. Analysis

The viscous Cahn–Hilliard equation may be viewed as a singular limit of the phase-field equations for phase transitions. It contains both the Allen–Cahn and Cahn–Hilliard models of phase separation as particular cases; by specific choices of parameters it may be formulated as a one-parameter (sayα) homotopy connecting the Cahn–Hilliard (α=0) and Allen–Cahn (α=1) models. The limitα=0 is singular in the sense that the smoothing property of the analytic semigroup changes from being of the type associated with second order operators to the type associated with fourth order operators. The properties of the gradient dynamical system generated by the viscous Cahn–Hilliard equation are studied asαvaries in [0, 1]. Continuity of the phase portraits near equilibria is established independently ofα∈[0, 1] and, using this, a piecewise, uniform in time, perturbation result is proved for trajectories. Finally the continuity of the attractor is established and, in one dimension, the existence and continuity of inertial manifolds shown and the flow on the attractor detailed.
Isolation and identification of hydrocarbons degrading bacteria in soil around Shiraz Refinery

Petroleum hydrocarbons are species of dangerous contaminants in nature. Scientists are looking for many years to find solution for removing contaminants from the soil and water environments. Today, the use of microorganism, for removing crude oil pollution from contaminated sites (bioremediation) is considered by scientists. The purpose of this research is to isolate and identify hydrocarbons degrading bacteria from Shiraz Refinery soil. In this study, nutrient agar (NA) and mineral salt agar (MM2) were used as basic cultures. Using the Techniques Replica plating, we transferred colonies on NA surface to the MM2 agar. For spraying hydrocarbons on the MM2 agar surface, we used spray plating technique. Finally we have identified different bacterial genera by using biochemical tests and morphological study. Upon examination on morphological studies and biochemical tests, it is determined that these strains belong to bacterial genera as follows: Bacillus, Corynebacterium, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Klebsiella, Escherichia, Acinetobacter, Alcaligenes, Shigella. Enterobacter. It is also discovered that these bacteria can break down Biphenyl, Naphthalene, Camphor and Phenenthrene. The results showed that Biphenyl, Naphthalene, Camphor and Phenanthrene were decomposed by 22, 23, 34 and 23%, respectively. Bacillus was 69% of the bacterial population and accounted as the most dominant bacterial genus. Statistical analysis showed that there is a significant relationship with the level of 0.05 among the station, the numbers, and the diversity of Gram-positive bacteria. Key words: Degrading bacteria, camphor, bioremediation, Bacillus, Shiraz Refinery.
Clinically isolated syndrome suggestive of multiple sclerosis: voxelwise regional investigation of white and gray matter.

PURPOSE To quantify white matter (WM) and gray matter (GM) damage in patients who presented with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), which is suggestive of multiple sclerosis (MS), by combining volume-based morphometry (VBM) and tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS). MATERIALS AND METHODS This prospective HIPAA-compliant study was approved by the institutional review board. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants. In this study, 34 consecutive patients (21 women, 13 men; mean age, 31.7 years +/- 7.7 [standard deviation]) who presented with CIS were recruited. The magnetic resonance (MR) examination included dual-echo fast spin-echo, three-dimensional T1, and diffusion-tensor imaging. Sixteen matched healthy volunteers served as control subjects. T2 lesion volumes were assessed with a semiautomatic technique. VBM and TBSS were used for the GM and WM analyses, respectively, to compare regional GM volumes and fractional anisotropy (FA) values in the two groups. RESULTS TBSS analysis revealed a pattern of diffuse FA reductions in patients with CIS at the cluster level (P < .05). Regions of decreased FA involved most of the WM pathways, including the corticospinal tracts, corpus callosum, and superior and inferior longitudinal fasciculi. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of global GM, WM, or cerebrospinal fluid volume or in terms of regional GM volume. CONCLUSION Diffuse WM damage not accompanied by any change in GM or WM volume is observed in patients with CIS. This suggests that WM involvement plays a relevant role in the early phases of MS. Subsequently detected GM damage may be secondary to WM alterations.
Characterization of magneto-electric composites: product properties and multiscaling

Coupling between electric and magnetic fields enables smart new devices and may find application in sensor technology and data storage [1]. Materials showing magneto-electric (ME) coupling properties combine two or more ferroic characteristics and are known as multiferroics. Since singlephase materials show an interaction between polarization and magnetization at very low temperatures and at the best a too small ME coefficient at room temperature, composite materials become important. These ME composites consist of magnetically and electrically active phases and generate the ME coupling as a strain-induced product property. It has to be emphasized that for each of the two phases the ME coupling modulus is zero and the overall ME modulus is generated by the interaction between both phases. Here we distinguish between the direct and converse ME effect. The direct effect characterizes magnetically induced polarization, where an applied magnetic field yields a deformation of the magneto-active phase which is transferred to the electro-active phase. As a result, a strain-induced polarization in the electric phase is observed. On the other hand, the converse effect characterizes electrically activated magnetization. Several experiments on composite multiferroics showed remarkable ME coefficients that are orders of magnitudes higher than those of single-phase materials [2]. Due to the significant influence of the microstructure on the ME effect, we derived a two-scale finite element (FE) homogenization framework, which allows for the consideration of microscopic morphologies [3,4]. A further major influence on the overall ME properties is the polarization state of the ferroelectric phase. With this in mind, a material model is implemented that considers the switching behavior of the spontaneous polarization [5] and enables a more exact comparison to experimental measurements in [6].
Molecular Imaging of the Failing Heart: Assessment of Cardiac Sympathetic Nerve and Mitochondrial Function

Patients with heart failure have a high morbidity and mortality despite the advancement of recent heart failure treatment. It is important to evaluate the mechanism of the failing myocardium for decision making appropriate managements or the prediction of prognosis in patients with heart failure. Myocardium mainly utilizes fatty acid or glucose as the energy substrate of oxidative regeneration of ATP in the mitochondria. Intracellular calcium handling, that needs an amount of ATPs in several processes, induces myocardial contraction and relaxation by the sliding of the actin-myosin filament. Moreover, beta adrenal-stimulus also regulates intracellular calcium handling. In the failing myocardium, these components related to the myocardial work are variedly impaired, by various etiologies, including ischemia, inflammation, oxidative stress, metabolic or structural disorder, mechanical stress, or various other factors, and could become the imaging targets. In this review article, we focus on the clinical usefulness of 2 radionuclide imaging in evaluating sympathetic nerve function using myocardial 123I-MIBG SPECT and mitochondrial function using myocardial 99mTc-sestamibi SPECT in the failing heart. We summarize the relationship between each scintigraphic finding derived from the above mentioned tracers and myocardial functional properties of force frequency relations, the molecular mechanism of mitochondrial function, calcium handling, or beta-adrenal signaling in patient with cardiomyopathy.
Application of Penicillium sp as Entomopathogenic Fungi to Control the Red Rust Beetle Tribolium castaneum ( Hbst . ) ( Coleoptera : Tenebrionidae )

Environmental concern issues controlled the chemical pesticides usage since residue might cause a health problem. An alternative safe way for pest control is the main objective of this investigation. The recent study was conducted to evaluate the effect of some Entomopathogenic Fungi (Penicillium sp) to control the rust red beetle (Tribolium castaneum). different concentrationsof fungal extract (10, 30, 50%) were appliedbeside,40 % application of the whole fungal organ against insects.Results from this investigation showed that, the treatment withEntomopathogenic fungus Penicilliumsp. affected significantly (P <0.05) the numberof living insects. Higher effect on the number of the living treated insects was observed by the third concentrations (50%)compared with other concentration (10% and 30%) in the first treatment.The treatment with the whole fungus organs showed high effect on the number of the live insects where after 7 days all the insects were dead. Generally the concentration of the extract, the days of exposture and the interaction between days and concentration had significant effect on the live number of insects.Furthermore, metabolomics study of extracts by the means of GC-MS must be studied for determination of the active compounds by means of chromatographic techniques.