julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Adaptation of an Analytical Procedure for Concurrent Determination of Np and Pu in clay samples
2019-06-01

Abstract Np and Pu are two important actinides of concern for the safe long-term disposal of nuclear waste. Both actinides are, in addition, constituents of global nuclear fallout. Investigation of their environmental behavior requires ultra-sensitive analytical methods, but current methods for a concurrent determination in clay minerals are lacking. In the present study, a Pu isotope was investigated for use as a non-isotopic yield tracer for Np in extraction, purification, and mass spectrometric determination of Np and Pu isotopes in clay materials. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was used in this developmental study, but the method is intended for future ultra-trace analysis of global-fallout Np and Pu in clay-rich soil materials by the more sensitive accelerator mass spectrometry. Another field of application may be the investigation of diffusion patterns of actinides in compacted clay liners and potential host rocks for radioactive waste disposal. The analytical procedure includes the following steps: (1) extraction of Np and Pu from clay samples; (2) adjustment of Np and Pu to Np(IV) and Pu(III); (3) pre-concentration of Np and Pu by co-precipitation with iron hydroxide; (4) adjustment of Pu to Pu(IV); (5) extraction chromatographic separation of Pu and Np from iron and matrix elements; and (6) determination of Np and Pu by mass spectrometry. The analytical procedure was applied successfully to spiked montmorillonite and illite test portions of up to 1 g. High chemical yields near 90% were obtained for both Np and Pu. The suitability of Pu as a non-isotopic tracer for Np was indicated by Np/Pu chemical yield ratios close to unity. Accurate pH adjustment during the reductive co-precipitation and short processing times are vital to obtain high chemical yields and Np/Pu yield ratios close to unity.
Combinatorial Persistency Criteria for Multicut and Max-Cut
2019-06-01

In combinatorial optimization, partial variable assignments are called persistent if they agree with some optimal solution. We propose persistency criteria for the multicut and max-cut problem as well as fast combinatorial routines to verify them. The criteria that we derive are based on mappings that improve feasible multicuts, respectively cuts. Our elementary criteria can be checked enumeratively. The more advanced ones rely on fast algorithms for upper and lower bounds for the respective cut problems and max-flow techniques for auxiliary min-cut problems. Our methods can be used as a preprocessing technique for reducing problem sizes or for computing partial optimality guarantees for solutions output by heuristic solvers. We show the efficacy of our methods on instances of both problems from computer vision, biomedical image analysis and statistical physics.
External Labeling Techniques: A Taxonomy and Survey
2019-06-01

Abstract External labeling is frequently used for annotating features in graphical displays and visualizations, such as technical illustrations, anatomical drawings, or maps, with textual information. Such a labeling connects features within an illustration by thin leader lines with their labels, which are placed in the empty space surrounding the image. Over the last twenty years, a large body of literature in diverse areas of computer science has been published that investigates many different aspects, models, and algorithms for automatically placing external labels for a given set of features. This state‐of‐the‐art report introduces a first unified taxonomy for categorizing the different results in the literature and then presents a comprehensive survey of the state of the art, a sketch of the most relevant algorithmic techniques for external labeling algorithms, as well as a list of open research challenges in this multidisciplinary research field.
Power-Gating Models for Rapid Design Exploration
2019-06-01

Power gating (PG) is an effective method to reduce leakage currents in an SoC design during run-time. It dynamically shuts down components using a network of sleep transistors but requires a detailed analysis to scale this network appropriately with respect to area wake-up time in-rush currents voltage drops and transition energies. In this paper we present a method to efficiently determine these key parameters for any SoC design and sleep transistor network at gate-level to enable the rapid exploration of power design alternatives while providing sufficient accuracy for high-level design exploration. Compared to SPICE our approach achieves a speed-up of up to 11457x for two ISCAS circuits a 32-bit multiplier and a RISC-V core each build for a 90nm PDK. The average error compared to SPICE is 2.6% for peak current and 10% for wake-up energy and delay.
Expression patterns and functional evaluation of RGMa during the early phase of peripheral nerve regeneration using the mouse median nerve model
2019-06-01

Background: In this study, we evaluate the role of RGMa (Repulsive Guidance Molecule a) during peripheral nerve regeneration using the mouse median nerve model. Methods: By real-time PCR and Western Blot analysis, we examined expression changes of RGMa mRNA and RGMa protein in neural tissue after transection and microsurgical repair of the mouse median nerve distal to the transection site. We evaluated histomorphometrical changes in neural tissue distal to the injury site and functional recovery of the grasping force after median nerve transection and repair in wild-type mice and RGMa +/– heterozygous mice. Results: RT-PCR revealed a 1,8 fold increase of RGMa mRNA two weeks and a 4,4 fold increase of RGMa mRNA 3 weeks after nerve transection and repair in the nerve segment distal to the injury site. In Western blot analysis, we could show a high increase of RGMa in the nerve segment distal to the injury site at day 14. Histomorphometrical analysis showed significant differences between wild-type animals and heterozygous animals. The absolute number of myelinated fibres was significantly higher in operated heterozygous RGMa +/– animals compared to operated wildtye animals. Using the functional grasping test, we could demonstrate that peripheral nerve regeneration is significantly diminished in heterozygous RGMa +/ – mice. Conclusions: Employing the mouse median nerve model in transgenic animals, we demonstrate that RGMa plays an important role during peripheral nerve regeneration.
Attention through Distraction
2019-06-01

This article aims to shed light on the relation between multimodality and mediality in television. Taking the US TV comedy show Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO, 2014–) as an example, it argues that, by mixing a variety of “modal ensembles” (Gunther Kress), the show succeeds in creating different “medialities,” oscillating between a rather classic if somewhat dated late-night show TV mediality and a comparatively more up-to-date online mediality. Last Week Tonight thus establishes both a unique look and a hybrid communicative strategy to address a wide audience and answer to a broad variety of viewer needs and expectations. Anchor John Oliver often establishes a complex political argumentation that requires the entire attention and concentration of the TV audience. Paradoxically, this is why he almost constantly interrupts the argument with funny or satirical digressions. His show therefore integrates TV-and Internet-specific modes of address, presentation, and appeal to enable new possibilities for identification.
Rare-Earth Based Chemoresistive CO2 Sensors
2019-06-01

This study demonstrates that depending on the preparation method and the element, both oxycarbonates and oxides of rare earths can show significant gas sensing responses when exposed to CO <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sub> . This is valid for Sm, Gd, Dy, Er, and Yb but not for Ce and Nd. We have synthesized the rare-earth oxycarbonates and the rare-earth oxides by the heat treatments in air of the oxalate hydrate or the acetate hydrate and made evaluations focused on their performance in application conditions.
Tailoring Second-Harmonic Generation in Plasmonic Radial Trimers using Cylindrical Vector Beams
2019-06-01

Collective effects in assemblies of plasmonic nanostructures are attracting widespread interest. Such effects are governed by the interactions among the constituents of the overall structure, providing an alternative path to modify plasmon resonances [1]. A particularly interesting collective effect in these structures is the so-called dark plasmon mode, which has a net zero dipole moment and cannot be accessed using plane waves or linearly polarized light under normal incidence. An emerging way to excite collective dark modes in such structures is through the use of cylindrical vector beams (CVB) that exhibit inhomogeneous states of polarization such as azimuthal or radial polarizations [2,3]. The use of CVBs to excite collective nonlinear optical effects such as second-harmonic generation (SHG) in oligomers has started only recently [4]. Here, we demonstrate a similar possibility by tailoring SHG in plasmonic radial trimers using CVBs.
Shifting Spaces and Constant Patriarchy: The Characterizations of Offred and Claire in The Handmaid’s Tale and Outlander
2019-06-01

Abstract Starz’s Outlander and Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale follow the stories of two women as they come to terms with the new spaces they are forced to enter. In the series Claire Randall of Outlander and Offred of The Handmaid’s Tale are taken from one space and placed in a new, oppressive space dominated more heavily by patriarchal norms than the one they stem from. Offred and Claire display similarities when dealing with women’s issues such as motherhood and female sexuality. The series also highlight how women must deal with shifting times and discourses regarding societal expectations of women. Due to the complexities that Offred and Claire project when confronting challenges, both women are represented as ‘difficult’ women who defy hegemonic gendered norms of female representation on television. As they experience oppression, subjugation, empowerment, and rebellion, they develop as individuals, are far from perfect, have complicated pasts, and represent how women come to terms with convoluted identities.
“Trust no one”: Narrative Complexity and Character Opacity in Damages
2019-06-01

Abstract This article analyzes the first season of Damages (2007) as an early example of the representation of ‘difficult’ women on television. More specifically, I investigate the relationship between the show’s character conception and its complex narration. I argue that all the major male and female characters on the show are ‘difficult’ in the sense that the audience experiences close alignment but troubled allegiance to them. However, the two female protagonists – top-notch lawyer Patty Hewes and her young and initially idealistic associate Ellen Parsons – are also opaque characters about whose thoughts and plans the audience is largely left in the dark. This opacity is mirrored and enhanced by the narration, which constantly teases the audience by withholding information about the plot, suggests inferences that then turn out to be wrong, and generally provides far more insight into the male characters than into the female characters.
GENOME WIDE‐ANALYSIS OF T(14;18)‐NEGATIVE FOLLICULAR LYMPHOMA
2019-06-01

Introduction: Follicular lymphoma (FL) represents about 20% of adult non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) in Western countries. About 90% of FL carries the t(14;18)(q32;q21) translocation resulting in BCL2 overexpression. FL lacking the t(14;18) translocation and BCL2 protein expression are less well characterized and their pathogenesis remains largely unknown. The aim of this study was to genetically characterize a group of bona-fide t(14;18)-negative FL. Methods: We analyzed 44 t(14;18)-negative, BCL2 protein negative, nodal FL cases grade 1-3A. PCR IGH clonality and FISH analysis for BCL2, BCL6 and IGH breaks were performed. The NGS analysis was based on a custom AmpliSeq panel (TNFRSF14, KMT2D, EP300, MEF2B, FOXO1, GNA13, HIST1H1B-E, CREBBP, EZH2, TNFAIP3, STAT6, SOCS1, XPO1, NOTCH2, MYD88, MAP2K1 and NOTCH2 [3'UTR]). The Ion Torrent sequencing platform was used. Copy number analyses were performed using the Oncoscan FFPE assay. Gains and losses and copy number neutral loss of heterozygosity (CNN-LOH) regions were evaluated and visually inspected using Nexus Biodiscovery version 9.0 software. Conclusions: BCL2-negative FLs are genetically and clinically a heterogeneous disease. Three different genetic profiles were identified that correlated with some clinical features. Groups 1 and 2 had in common the frequent occurrence of STAT6 and CREBBP mutations; however, they differed in the extent of 1p and 16p CNN-LOH and deletions. Group 3 showed low mutational level and different clinical features. MAP2K1 mutations were not identified in any of the cases indicating that BCL2-negative FL and pediatric-type FL are two different entities. Keywords: follicular lymphoma (FL).
PF343 CRISPR/CAS9 MEDIATED ELANE KNOCKOUT ENABLES NEUTROPHILIC MATURATION OF HSPCS AND IPSCS OF SEVERE CONGENITAL NEUTROPENIA PATIENTS
2019-06-01

Background: Autosomal‐dominant ELANE mutations are the most common cause of severe congenital neutropenia (CN). Although the majority of CN patients respond to daily granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G‐CSF), approximately 15 % do not respond to this cytokine at doses up to 50 μg/kg/day and approximately 15% of G‐CSF treated patients will develop myelodysplasia (MDS) or acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Aims: “Maturation arrest,” the failure of the marrow myeloid progenitors to form mature neutrophils, is a consistent feature of ELANE associated CN. Because mutant neutrophil elastase is the cause of this abnormality, we hypothesized that ELANE associated neutropenia could be treated and “maturation arrest” corrected by CRISPR/Cas9 mediated gene editing. Methods: We applied CRISPR/Cas9‐sgRNA ribonucleoprotein (RNP) mediated ELANE knockout ( ELANE KO) in induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) and primary hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC). Results: We used iPSC from 2 CN patients and HSPC from 4 CN patients harboring ELANE mutations as well as HL60 cells expressing mutant ELANE . We observed that granulocytic differentiation of ELANE KO iPSC and HSPCs was comparable to healthy individuals and phagocytic function of the ELANE KO neutrophils was also normal. Knock down of ELANE in the mutant ELANE expressing HL60 cells also allowed full maturation and formation of abundant neutrophils. Summary/Conclusion: These observations suggest that ex vivo CRISPR/Cas9 RNP based ELANE knockout of patients’ HSPCs followed by autologous transplantation may be an alternative therapy for CN.
Insulin Resistance AdaptationsTo High-Intensity Interval Versus Moderate-Continuous Training In Health And Disease: A Meta-Analysis
2019-06-01

Besides the well-known physical fitness benefits of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) over moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT), the effect on other cardiometabolic risk factors, such as insulin resistance, is not yet well defined. PURPOSE: to investigate the overall effects of HIIT and MICT on insulin resistance as well as subgroups analyses in i) population: healthy (H), overweight/obese (O), metabolic syndrome (MetS), type-2 diabetes (T2D); ii) age: < 30 y, 30-50 y, > 50 y; iii) training duration: < 5 wk, 5-10 wk, > 10 wk; iv) men ratio: < 0.4, 0.4-0.6, > 0.6; and v) type of exercise: cycling vs running. METHODS: randomized controlled trails were identified through a systematic search in PubMed. After the selection, 17 studies were included. Small-study effects were analyzed through countour-enhanced funnel plots and the Egger's test. The standardized mean difference (Cohen's d) was the outcome used, it was calculated with the random-effects model, applying the DerSimonian-Laird estimator for the between-study variance (τ2). Effect sizes (ES) were classified as trivial (d < 0.2), small (d = 0.2 - 0.5), medium (d = 0.5 - 0.8), and large (d > 0.8). A sensitivity analysis was performed using the leave-one-out cross-validation method. Positive and negative ES represent a favorable effect for HIIT and MICT, respectively. RESULTS: the overall effect presented a medium ES (d = 0.53, p = 0.035), with a τ2 = 0.85 and significant small-study effect (p = 0.01). The population subgroup had a large ES for O (d = 1.77, p = 0.02), trivial ES for H (p = 0.8), and MetS (p = 0.7), and small ES for T2D (p = 0.6). The age subgroup had a large ES for 30-50y (d = 0.87, p = 0.09), and trivial ES for < 30 y (p = 0.5) and > 50 y (p = 0.5). The training duration subgroup had a large ES for < 5 wk (d = 0.97, p = 0.055), trivial ES for 5-10 wk (p = 0.6), and small ES for > 10 wk (p = 0.6). The men ratio subgroup had a large ES for > 0.6 (d = 1.43, p = 0.03), and trivial ES for <0.4 (p = 0.9) and 0.4-0.6 (p = 0.8). The type of exercise subgroup had a large ES for cycling (d = 0.83, p = 0.02) and trivial ES for running (p = 0.5). CONCLUSIONS: despite a medium overall ES, the effects of HIIT and MICT on insulin resistance vary considerably. HIIT may be superior to MICT in improving cardiometabolic health in an overweight/obese population, men, and cycling exercise.
Device for wideband ratio pyrometry
2019-06-01

Abstract In this article we present procedures of creation, verification, and application of a device for contactless measurement of object’s temperature in vacuum. In contrast to conventional dual-wavelength pyrometers, it does not rely on spectral filtering and makes use of the intrinsic bandwidth parameters of photodetectors. In theory the device is capable of measuring values of temperature ranging from room temperature to several thousands kelvins. The verification was performed using a reference thermometer. Also, in-field measurements of the sample’s temperature in vacuum were conducted, which show efficiency of the proposed system.
Inferential Reasoning Driving Clinical Diagnosis: Suggestions for New Assessment Approaches
2019-06-01

Experimental research investigating the processes or influencing factors of diagnostic reasoning or diagnostic success is predominantly conducted with case descriptions spanning no more than one A4 page. In this paper, we argue for a more authentic task setting in the form of multiple documents case descriptions, and make suggestions how to design them to suit different research questions. We further review methods used in previous studies, such as think-aloud protocols and written justifications of diagnoses, and discuss how they can be used in order to assess the cognitive processes underlying diagnostic reasoning in more detail. Additionally, based on findings from the field of multiple documents comprehension, we outline how participants' gaze behavior on and their interaction with the documents might also be used to assess processes of information comparison and corroboration during reading as part of participants' diagnostic reasoning process.
Exploration of Artifical Intelligence Approaches for the Integration of E-Mobility Energy Storage Systems into Virtual Power Plants
2019-06-01

As a side effect to the mobility aspect, the steadily increasing proportion of electric vehicles provides a decentralized electrical storage network which can be used as an alternative to traditional central storage systems for buffering fluctuations in power generation and balancing the stability of the power grid. The systematic optimization of such energy-technical scenarios towards multiple objectives provides a complex optimization problem, which is addressed in this paper by using mechanisms of Artificial Intelligence (AI). A methodology for an optimized energy exchange between a network of e-mobility energy storages (ES) and a virtual power plant (VPP) will be presented, which improves the stability of the power grid and at the same time charges the storage systems of the electric vehicles for their further use. To validate the developed methodology, the results of two metaheuristics are explored: Simulated Annealing (SA) and Particle Swarm optimization (PSO).
La voce di Omero. Tecniche della citazione nei dialoghi filosofici di Luciano
2019-06-01

The paper aims to examine selected Homeric quotations within Lucian’s philosophical dialogues. The Homeric hypotext serves as an instrument for the philosophical satire variously arranged by the author, who explores a wide range of formal solutions in order to integrate the epic text into his own works.
Standardization of Light Transmission Aggregometry for Diagnosis of Platelet Disorders: An Inter-Laboratory External Quality Assessment
2019-06-02

Abstract Several in vitro platelet function tests are available for the diagnosis of inherited platelet function disorders. Currently, the light transmission aggregometry (LTA) is recommended as one of the first-step tests. LTA is available in most specialized hemostasis laboratories. Although the LTA is accepted as a ‘gold standard’ assay for the evaluation of platelet function, its standardization in the clinical practice is still challenging. The GTH-based THROMKID-Plus Study Group has performed an inter-laboratory trial in Germany and Austria. Five different agonists were selected according to the Scientific and Standardization Committee/International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis recommendations and shipped in 3 different sets (one should represent a healthy control and two should simulate platelet function disorders) to 15 specialized laboratories in Germany and Austria. Agonists were analyzed by APACT or PAP4/8 aggregometer using platelet-rich plasma from healthy donors. In addition, laboratory-internal platelet agonists were tested in platelet-rich plasma from a healthy donor. All laboratories (9 used APACT, 6 used PAP4/PAP8) showed very consistent data regarding the maximum percentage of aggregation induced by the tested agonists and identified the differential diagnosis of the simulated platelet function disorders with one exception, which was due to technical problems. In contrast, there was a high variability of the laboratory-internal inductors regarding reagent type, concentrations and pathological cut-off values. Our study showed that the shipment of agonists is suitable for an inter-laboratory survey of LTA. However, there is still a remarkable need for standardization of agonist reagents and their concentration as well as for definition of reference ranges.