Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Space charge dynamics in polyimide based nanocomposites

Polymer nanocomposites have attracted wide interest as a method of enhancing polymer properties and extending their applications. In polymer nanocomposites, chemically dissimilar components are combined at the nanometer scale, and stronger interactions between the polymer and nanoparticles produce markedly improved materials with better electrical, mechanical, thermal, and rheological performances than the conventional filled polymer composites. In recent years, polymer nanocomposites have been extensively studied in optical, thermal and mechanical properties, but there has been relatively little research into dielectric properties. Polyimide is an excellent dielectric material that has a wide range of applications at elevated temperatures. In this paper, space charge in polyimide based nanocomposites has been measured under high dc electric fields using the pulsed electroacoustic technique. Different types and levels of nanoparticles have been studied to understand the interaction between nanoparticles and polyimide matrix. Charge dynamics during “volts on” and “volts off” have shown that the addition of nanoparticles has a significant influence on charge formation and decay processes.
Blame avoidance and policy stability in developing democracies: The politics of public security in Buenos Aires

Author(s): Flom, H; Post, AE | Abstract: Democratization originally inspired hope that new regimes would privilege human rights. However, progressive reforms to the criminal code have been insufficient to stem dramatic increases in incarceration rates, and developing democracies have made little headway reforming their ineffective police forces. How can we explain the stability and enforcement of punitive criminal justice policies and the erosion of police reforms? We offer a novel theoretical explanation of these contrasting patterns through a comparison of these two policy areas in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Incentives to avoid blame for salient crimes discourage politicians from repealing punitive criminal justice policies and incentivize judges to enforce them. Responsibility for failed police reforms, however, is harder to assign, giving the police and their allies opportunities to undermine them.
Correlations of macronutrient-induced functional magnetic resonance imaging signal changes in human brain and gut hormone responses.

BACKGROUND Body energy homeostasis is largely regulated by the interactions between appetite-related brain regions and gut hormones. OBJECTIVE We hypothesized that the sensitivity of appetite-related brain regions [eg, hypothalamus, insula, thalamus, parahippocampal/hippocampal cortex, caudate, putamen, amygdala, and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC)] varies for each macronutrient, and the differential sensitivity is associated with gut hormone concentrations in humans. DESIGN Brain activation responses to ingested fat, glucose, protein, and water in the above-mentioned 8 brain regions of 14 healthy men were investigated by using functional magnetic resonance imaging. Fasting and postprandial plasma glucose, insulin, ghrelin, cholecystokinin (CCK), and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) concentrations were measured. The relation of the blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) signal with plasma glucose and hormone concentrations was assessed by using Pearson's correlation analysis. RESULTS Ingested macronutrients similarly reduced the BOLD signal in the middle insula, thalamus, parahippocampal cortex, caudate, and lateral OFC. Protein ingestion reduced the BOLD signal in the amygdala more effectively than did fat and glucose ingestion. BOLD signal changes were positively correlated with circulating ghrelin concentrations and were negatively correlated with circulating insulin, CCK, and GLP-1 concentrations. The findings indicate variations in the correlation between brain activation and plasma hormone concentrations after ingestion of different macronutrients. CONCLUSIONS The middle insula, thalamus, parahippocampal cortex, caudate, and lateral OFC, but not the amygdala, have similar sensitivities to isocaloric and isovolumetric macronutrient solutions. Differential correlations exist between BOLD signal changes in activated brain regions and postprandial changes in plasma concentrations of different gut hormones in response to the ingestion of different macronutrients. This trial was registered at chictr.org as ChiCTR-TRC-12001945.
Novel Human Gammapapillomavirus Species in a Nasal Swab

ABSTRACT A divergent human gammapapillomavirus (γ-HPV) genome in a nasal swab from an elderly Finnish patient with respiratory symptoms was genetically characterized. The L1 gene of HPV-Fin864 shared <70% nucleotide identity to other reported γ-HPV genomes, provisionally qualifying it as a new species in the Gammapapillomavirus genus.
The Role of Social Media in Libraries

This chapter assesses the role of social media in libraries. Looking at some literature on the topic, the chapter conducts a survey on some articles that have been written on it and then draws conclusions based on the findings of those papers. The chapter also looks at the various facets of social media, as well as the benefits and challenges faced by social media in libraries. The conclusions drawn in this chapter are as a result of the survey of articles relevant to the topic. Various solutions to overcome the challenges faced by the use of social media in libraries are suggested.
Effect of applied field and rate of voltage rise on surface breakdown of oil-immersed polymers

In sub-systems of high-voltage, pulsed-power machines, the introduction of a solid into bulk liquid insulation located between two conductors is often necessary to provide mechanical support. Breakdown events on or around the surface of the solid can result in permanent damage to the insulation system. Described in the present paper are experimental results pertaining to surface breakdown of five different solid dielectrics held between plane-parallel electrodes immersed in mineral oil. The effect of varying level of peak applied field from 200 kV/cm (dV/dt 70 kV/μs) to 1 MV/cm (dV/dt 350 kV/μs) is investigated, and the breakdown voltages and times to breakdown are compared to those for an open oil gap. The time to breakdown is shown to be reduced by the introduction of a solid spacer into the gap. Rexolite and Torlon samples suffered significant mechanical damage, and consistently showed lower breakdown voltage than the other materials ¿ average streamer propagation velocity up to 125 km/s was implied by the short times to breakdown. Although ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene yielded the longest times to breakdown of the five types of liquid-solid gap, breakdown events could be initiated at lower levels of applied field for spacers of this material than those with permittivity closely matched to that of the surrounding mineral oil. Polypropylene and low-density polyethylene are concluded to provide the most stable performance in mineral oil. Due to the similarity of the applied voltage wave-shape (1/6.5 μs) to short-tail lightning impulses, the results may also be of interest to high-voltage system designers in the power industry.
Large but not small intrahepatic bile ducts are involved in secretin-regulated ductal bile secretion.

We have shown that agonist-regulated ductal secretion is limited to large cholangiocytes. To directly study cholangiocyte heterogeneity along the length of the normal biliary tree, we defined the genetic and functional expression of agonist-induced ductal secretion in intrahepatic bile duct units (IBDU) of different sizes. Small IBDU (< 15-microns diam) were separated from large IBDU (> or = 15-microns diam), and then ducts of different sizes were characterized by morphometric analysis, gene expression, secretin-induced adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) synthesis, and secretion by change in luminal size in response to agonists. IBDU diameters ranged from 11 to 65 microns. Secretin increased ductal secretion solely in large IBDU. Forskolin induced a modest increase in ductal secretion in small IBDU but markedly increased ductal secretion in large IBDU. Secretion increased Cl-/HCO3- exchanger activity and cAMP levels in large but not small IBDU. Secretin receptor and Cl-/HCO3 exchanger mRNAs were detected only in large IBDU. We propose that agonist-induced ductal secretion occurs in large (> or = 15-microns diam) but not small (< 15-microns diam) intrahepatic ducts.
Spatial fiscal interactions among French municipalities within inter-municipal groups

ABSTRACT Based on a unique data set of French municipalities and a large number of budgetary variables, we estimate the extent of spatial fiscal interaction among the 33,484 French municipalities in 2008 by accounting for inter-municipal cooperation. Using a spatial autoregressive model with inter-municipal group fixed effects, we show that spatial interactions among French municipalities are inflated by correlated effects that affect similarly municipalities that cooperate together. Removing these confounding effects leads to considerably smaller positive spatial interactions for tax decisions and even negative ones for capital expenditures. In addition, we observe a clear distinction between complementary choices on current budget items and substitutable choices on capital budget items.
Avertive expenditures, endogenous quality perception, and the demand for public goods: An instrumental variable approach

In response to the perceived quality of a public good, households may choose to incur avertive expenditures as a substitute to its aggregate provision, thereby revealing an (inverse) demand function. When unobserved heterogeneity affects both perceived quality and avertive behavior, identification of the demand function is plagued by a problem of endogeneity. In this paper, I propose to use a first stage model of perceived quality as a function of objective quality to recover unbiased and microconsistant estimates of marginal willingness to pay for the provision of the public good. The approach can be applied when people have well-formed perceptions of the quality of the good, a prerequisite for the avertive expenditures method. I illustrate the approach with data on avertive expenditures for two qualitative aspects of household tap water networks: water hardness and aesthetic quality in terms of taste and odor.
Signal Transduction Pathways Mediating CCK-8S-Induced Gastric Antral Smooth Muscle Contraction

Aim: To investigate the functional and molecular mechanisms by which sulfated cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8S) regulates calcium mobilization in gastric antral smooth muscle cells (SMCs) of rats. Methods: Isotonic contraction of antral strips was recorded using a polyphysiograph. Immunoprecipitation was used to determine the regulatory effect of protein kinase C (PKC) on regulating the phosphorylation of the type III inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptor (InsP<sub>3</sub>R3) in gastric SMCs. Alterations in the intracellular calcium ([Ca<sup>2+</sup>]<sub>i</sub>) concentration were assayed using fura-2/AM-loaded microspectrofluorometry, and the L-type calcium current (I<sub>Ca-L</sub>) was recorded by patch-clamp techniques. Results: CCK-8S (5 × 10<sup>–8</sup> mol/l) significantly increased the mean contractile amplitude of circular muscle by 61.85 ± 12.67% and the frequency of longitudinal muscle by 57.91 ± 15.70% in gastric antral strips, which were suppressed by dexloxiglumide or thapsigargin (TG) and BAPTA-AM (BA). Treatment withchelerythrine (5 × 10<sup>–8</sup> mmol/l) significantly inhibited the CCK-8S-increased phosphorylation of InsP<sub>3</sub>R3 in SMCs. The amplitudes of the CCK-8S-triggered [Ca<sup>2+</sup>]<sub>i</sub> concentration oscillations were reduced in a dose-dependent manner when the SMCs were pretreated with increasing concentrations of PMA (from 10<sup>–8</sup> to 10<sup>–5</sup> mol/l). On removal of extracellular calcium or blocking I<sub>Ca-L</sub> by nifedipine, a smaller but significant rise in the [Ca<sup>2+</sup>]<sub>i</sub> concentration was still elicited by CCK-8S. When [Ca<sup>2+</sup>]<sub>i</sub> was depleted by the administration of 10<sup>–5</sup> mol/l TG and 10<sup>–5</sup> mol/l BA or blocked by the calcium-dependent chloride current (I<sub>Cl-Ca</sub>) by giving 5 × 10<sup>–6</sup> mol/l niflumic acid, the CCK-8S-intensified I<sub>Ca-L</sub> (from –56.42 ± 6.57 to –88.54 ± 5.71 pA) was apparently inhibited by 90.34 ± 4.71% and 82.59 ± 4.24%. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that the CCK-8S-evoked [Ca<sup>2+</sup>]<sub>i</sub> concentration increase in gastric antral SMCs depends on the release of [Ca<sup>2+</sup>]<sub>i</sub> stores which are negatively regulated by PKC-mediated phosphorylation of InsP<sub>3</sub>R3. Released calcium in turn activates I<sub>Ca-L</sub> through the activation of I<sub>Cl-Ca</sub>, ultimately resulting in the contraction of the gastric smooth muscle.
Evaluation of the New Chromogenic Medium Candida ID 2 for Isolation and Identification of Candida albicans and Other Medically Important Candida Species

ABSTRACT The usefulness of Candida ID 2 (CAID2) reformulated medium (bioMérieux, France) has been compared with that of the former Candida ID (CAID; bioMérieux), Albicans ID 2 (ALB2; bioMérieux), and CHROMagar Candida (CAC; Chromagar, France) chromogenic media for the isolation and presumptive identification of clinically relevant yeasts. Three hundred forty-five stock strains from culture collections, and 103 fresh isolates from different clinical specimens were evaluated. CAID2 permitted differentiation based on colony color between Candida albicans (cobalt blue; sensitivity, 91.7%; specificity, 97.2%) and Candida dubliniensis (turquoise blue; sensitivity, 97.9%; specificity, 96.6%). Candida tropicalis gave distinguishable pink-bluish colonies in 97.4% of the strains in CAID2 (sensitivity, 97.4%; specificity, 100%); the same proportion was reached in CAC, where colonies were blue-gray (sensitivity, 97.4%; specificity, 98.7%). CAC and CAID2 showed 100% sensitivity values for the identification of Candida krusei. However, with CAID2, experience is required to differentiate the downy aspect of the white colonies of C. krusei from other white-colony-forming species. The new CAID2 medium is a good candidate to replace CAID and ALB2, and it compares well to CAC for culture and presumptive identification of clinically relevant Candida species. CAID2 showed better results than CAC in some aspects, such as quicker growth and color development of colonies from clinical specimens, detection of mixed cultures, and presumptive differentiation between C. albicans and C. dubliniensis.
Analysis of properties of aged mineral oil doped with C60 fullerenes

The objective of the research study presented in this paper is to verify the applicability of C60 fullerenes as inhibitors of aging processes in liquid dielectrics. For this purpose, a set of fullerene doped oil samples were prepared and then these samples were oxidized. Such prepared set of samples was examined for basic electrical and physicochemical properties. In particular, changes in water content, as well as breakdown voltage, electrical permittivity and loss factor were analyzed. During the research studies, it was stated that C60 fullerenes have positive influence on the quality of the mineral oil by reducing effects of the aging processes. However, resistivity value did not exceed the limit values defining the minimum level of oil resistivity.
Regulation and expression of human CYP7B1 in prostate: Overexpression of CYP7B1 during progression of prostatic adenocarcinoma

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 7B1 is involved in many metabolic processes including androgen metabolism. Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 7B1 is expressed within the prostate and may determine the levels of the natural estrogen receptor β (ERβ) ligand 5α‐androstane‐3β,17β‐diol (3βAdiol) available and hence affect the regulation of prostate proliferation. We hypothesized that CYP7B1 expression is increased in prostate tumors and that promoter methylation contributes to the regulation of CYP7B1 expression in human prostate tissue.
Value relevance of financial statements in convergence with IFRS: analyses in the abnormal pricing error method

ABSTRACT We use an econometrically distinct method to test whether the value relevance of financial statements, especially during convergence with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), has improved in Taiwanese firms in 1990–2011. In contrast to a prior study, our results show that given transformation between two high-quality accounting standards, convergence with IFRS will not lead to further increases in value relevance of financial statements. Our findings may provide implications for international standard-setters and regulators, especially countries undecided about adopting or converging with IFRS.
Outcome of percutaneous coronary intervention in HIV‐infected patients

We report the long‐term outcome of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) in 12 HIV‐infected patients. Two patients died from a HIV‐related infection and seven patients suffered from severe clinical and/or angiographic restenosis requiring additional interventions or causing severe angina pectoris. Only three patients remained symptom free. We conclude that HIV‐infected patients should be considered as high risk group and treated routinely with drug‐eluting stents. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
l‐DOPA‐induced dyskinesia and neuroinflammation: do microglia and astrocytes play a role?

In Parkinson's disease (PD), l‐DOPA therapy leads to the emergence of motor complications including l‐DOPA‐induced dyskinesia (LID). LID relies on a sequence of pre‐ and postsynaptic neuronal events, leading to abnormal corticostriatal neurotransmission and maladaptive changes in striatal projection neurons. In recent years, additional non‐neuronal mechanisms have been proposed to contribute to LID. Among these mechanisms, considerable attention has been focused on l‐DOPA‐induced inflammatory responses. Microglia and astrocytes are the main actors in neuroinflammatory responses, and their double role at the interface between immune and neurophysiological responses is starting to be elucidated. Both microglia and astrocytes express a multitude of neurotransmitter receptors and via the release of several soluble molecules modulate synaptic function in neuronal networks. Here we review preclinical and clinical evidence of glial overactivation by l‐DOPA, supporting a role of microglia and astrocytes in the development of LID. We propose that in PD, chronically and abnormally activated microglia and astrocytes lead to an aberrant neuron‐glia communication, which affect synaptic activity and neuroplasticity contributing to the development of LID.
Acclimatization to Hearing Aids

Objective: To investigate acclimatization to hearing aids. Design: Forty‐eight subjects took part in a study in which hearing aid benefit was measured four times over the initial 3 mo of participation. At the start, 24 subjects were experienced hearing aid users and 24 had never worn a hearing aid before. Subjects wore one of three models of hearing aid with one of six different configurations (combination of frequency response and method of output limiting). Hearing aid benefit was measured with CID W‐1 spondees and the Hearing in Noise Test (HINT) test. Testing took place on Days 0 (day of fitting), 30, 60, and 90. Analyses of variance were used to determine whether hearing aid benefit changed over time as a function of hearing aid user status, hearing aid configuration, and hearing aid volume setting. Results: There were small, nonsignificant changes in hearing aid benefit over the test sessions with both sets of test materials. There were no interactions between hearing aid benefit over time and hearing aid user status or hearing aid volume setting. There was an interaction between benefit over time and hearing aid configuration on one test measure only. Conclusions: The data showed little evidence of acclimatization over the 3 mo of hearing aid use. The test materials used here were low‐ to mid‐frequency sensitive, and, therefore, it is concluded that if acclimatization did occur, it did so primarily at high frequencies. Because the HINT test has good face validity to everyday listening situations, it is suggested that the clinical ramifications of acclimatization are probably small.
Stimulation of pulmonary big endothelin-1 and endothelin-1 by antithrombin III: A rationale for combined application of antithrombin III and endothelin antagonists in sepsis-related acute respiratory distress syndrome?

Objectives Antithrombin (AT) III reduces lung damage in animal models of septic acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which is generally attributed to stimulation of endothelial prostacyclin synthesis. However, clinical studies have failed so far to demonstrate mortality reduction by application of AT III. We investigated whether AT III stimulates pulmonary prostacyclin release. In addition, we hypothesized that it may promote pulmonary endothelins, thereby mitigating its own protective effect in the course of ARDS. Design Controlled experiment using isolated organs. Setting Experimental laboratory. Subjects Male Wistar rats. Interventions Isolated lungs were perfused over 120 mins in recirculatory mode in the presence of 50 &mgr;g/mL endotoxin (n = 11), 2 U/mL AT III (n = 10), 5 U/mL AT III (n = 13), endotoxin plus 2 U/mL AT III (n = 5), or vehicle alone (controls, n = 13), respectively. Measurements and Main Results We determined the effects of AT III on vascular release of thromboxane B2, 6-keto-prostaglandin-F1&agr;, big endothelin-1, and endothelin-1. Control lungs released 59 ± 23 pg/mL thromboxane B2, 1480 ± 364 pg/mL 6-keto-prostaglandin-F1&agr;, 15.2 ± 4.5 pg/mL big endothelin-1, and 0.46 ± 0.13 pg/mL endothelin-1. Exposure to endotoxin increased thromboxane B2 release 2.9-fold, 6-keto-prostaglandin-F1&agr; release 1.6-fold, and endothelin-1 1.6-fold (p < .05 each); levels of big endothelin-1 were unchanged. AT III at 2 U/mL elevated production of big endothelin-1 (1.7-fold) and endothelin-1 (1.2-fold) (p < .05 for both). AT III at 5 U/mL enhanced levels of big endothelin-1 (1.6-fold) and endothelin-1 (1.3-fold) (p < .05 for both). Neither dose of AT III affected thromboxane B2 or 6-keto-prostaglandin-F1&agr; concentrations. Application of 2 U/mL AT III plus endotoxin stimulated big endothelin-1 production (2.6-fold) compared with endotoxin or AT III alone (p < .05 for both), but did not further elevate endothelin-1 release. Conclusions AT III does not stimulate pulmonary prostacyclin, but promotes pulmonary release of big endothelin-1 and endothelin-1 under basal and, particularly, under septic conditions, which may blunt the AT III-induced lung protection during ARDS. Therefore, we suggest combined application of AT III and endothelin antagonists in animal models of septic ARDS.
Study on condition constraints of classical camera calibration

Camera Calibration is a crucial task in computer vision. It aims to get internal and external parameters of camera from images. Currently, classical calibration techniques are widely used in measurement and monitor, especially the method proposed by Zhang Z.Y. In this paper, it is demonstrated that classical method is rather inaccurate in some certain conditions-different distance. Experiment results on real images are analyzed. Meanwhile the method is carried out for hundreds times with different numbers of images to point out the inaccuracy of the method involved with iterative algorithm. This work provides the basis for further development in camera calibration, and plays a significant role for close-range calibration in engineering.