pinecone/core-2020-05-10-deduplication huggingface dataset:
Contextualising change through a common strategy

European universities are currently going through a process of change in order to meet the common goals set for higher education by the European Commission. They are revising their educational models to adjust them to the guidelines of the ‘‘Bologna Process’’ and are devising an institutional strategy for its implementation. In practical terms, this means aligning former national degrees and diplomas to standard European Bachelor and Masters degrees and PhD doctorates, by creating acknowledged professional qualification benchmarks that also include adjusted course lengths and contents. This process, in the end, mostly affects academic staff members who have a fundamental role to play in carrying out the pedagogical reforms on the teaching front. Besides presenting a commentary on the institutional approach of one particular technical university in Spain, the purpose of this paper is to propose, from the authors’ point of view as lecturers, a strategy which has the potential to create a favourable atmosphere for carrying out such a reform. The article’s main objective is to highlight a series of action points which may serve to reinforce and advance the main institutional strategy by relying on the powerful influence of its academic staff member
Meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies identifies 8 novel loci involved in shape variation of human head hair

Shape variation of human head hair shows striking variation within and between human populations, while its genetic basis is far from being understood. We performed a series of genome-wide association studies (GWASs) and replication studies in a total of 28,964 subjects from 9 cohorts from multiple geographic origins. A meta-analysis of three European GWASs identified 8 novel loci (1p36.23 ERRFI1/SLC45A1, 1p36.22 PEX14, 1p36.13 PADI3, 2p13.3 TGFA, 11p14.1 LGR4, 12q13.13 HOXC13, 17q21.2 KRTAP, and 20q13.33 PTK6), and confirmed 4 previously known ones (1q21.3 TCHH/TCHHL1/LCE3E, 2q35 WNT10A, 4q21.21 FRAS1, and 10p14 LINC00708/GATA3), all showing genome-wide significant association with hair shape (P < 5e-8). All except one (1p36.22 PEX14) were replicated with nominal significance in at least one of the 6 additional cohorts of European, Native American and East Asian origins. Three additional previously known genes (EDAR, OFCC1, and PRSS53) were confirmed at nominal significance level. A multivariable regression model revealed that 14 SNPs from different genes significantly and independently contribute to hair shape variation, reaching a cross-validated AUC value of 0.66 (95% CI: 0.62-0.70) and an AUC value of 0.64 in an independent validation cohort, providing an improved accuracy compared to a previous model. Prediction outcomes of 2,504 individuals from a multiethnic sample were largely consistent with general knowledge on the global distribution of hair shape variation. Our study thus delivers target genes and DNA variants for future functional studies to further evaluate the molecular basis of hair shape in humans
A solution method for a two-layer sustainable supply chain distribution model

This article presents an effective solution method for a two-layer, NP-hard sustainable supply chain distribution model. A DoE-guided MOGA-II optimiser based solution method is proposed for locating a set of non-dominated solutions distributed along the Pareto frontier. The solution method allows decision-makers to prioritise the realistic solutions, while focusing on alternate transportation scenarios. The solution method has been implemented for the case of an Irish dairy processing industry’s two-layer supply chain network. The DoE generates 6,100 real feasible solutions after 100 generations of the MOGA-II optimiser which are then refined using statistical experimentation. As the decision-maker is presented with a choice of several distribution routes on the demand side of the two-layer network, TOPSIS is applied to rank the set of non-dominated solutions thus facilitating the selection of the best sustainable distribution route. The solution method characterises the Pareto solutions from disparate scenarios through numerical and statistical experimentations. A set of realistic routes from plants to consumers is derived and mapped which minimises total CO2 emissions and costs where it can be seen that the solution method outperforms existing solution methods
Spectroscopic analysis of optoelectronic semiconductors

Producción CientíficaThis book deals with standard spectroscopic techniques which can be used to analyze semiconductor samples or devices, in both, bulk, micrometer and submicrometer scale. The book aims helping experimental physicists and engineers to choose the right analytical spectroscopic technique in order to get specific information about their specific demands. For this purpose, the techniques including technical details such as apparatus and probed sample region are described. More important, also the expected outcome from experiments is provided. This involves also the link to theory, that is not subject of this book, and the link to current experimental results in the literature which are presented in a review-like style. Many special spectroscopic techniques are introduced and their relationship to the standard techniques is revealed. Thus the book works also as a type of guide or reference book for people researching in optical spectroscopy of semiconductors
Novel avian-origin influenza A (H7N9) virus attaches to epithelium in both upper and lower respiratory tract of humans

Influenza A viruses from animal reservoirs have the capacity to adapt to humans and cause influenza pandemics. The occurrence of an influenza pandemic requires efficient virus transmission among humans, which is associated with virus attachment to the upper respiratory tract. Pandemic severity depends on virus ability to cause pneumonia, which is associated with virus attachment to the lower respiratory tract. Recently, a novel avian-origin H7N9 influenza A virus with unknown pandemic potential emerged in humans. We determined the pattern of attachment of two genetically engineered viruses containing the hemagglutinin of either influenza virus A/Shanghai/1/13 or A/Anhui/1/13 to formalin-fixed human respiratory tract tissues using histochemical analysis. Our results show that the emerging H7N9 virus attached moderately or abundantly to both upper and lower respiratory tract, a pattern not seen before for avian influenza A viruses. With the caveat that virus attachment is only the first step in the virus replication cycle, these results suggest that the emerging H7N9 virus has the potential both to transmit efficiently among humans and to cause severe pneumonia
Retention of data in heat-damaged SIM cards and potential recovery methods

Examination of various SIM cards and smart card devices indicates that data may be retained in SIM card memory structures even after heating to temperatures up to 450oC, which the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has determined to be approximately the maximum average sustained temperature at desk height in a house fire. However, in many cases, and certainly for temperatures greater than 450oC, the SIM card chip has suffered structural or mechanical damage that renders simple probing or rewiring ineffective. Nevertheless, this has not necessarily affected the data, which is stored as charge in floating gates, and alternative methods for directly accessing the stored charge may be applicable
A time-space varying speed of light and the Hubble Law in static
  Universe

We consider a hypothetical possibility of the variability of light velocity
with time and position in space which is derived from two natural postulates.
For the consistent consideration of such variability we generalize
translational transformations of the Theory of Relativity. The formulae of
transformations between two rest observers within one inertial system are
obtained. It is shown that equality of velocities of two particles is as
relative a statement as simultaneity of two events is. We obtain the expression
for the redshift of radiation of a rest source which formally reproduces the
Hubble Law. Possible experimental implications of the theory are discussed.Comment: 7 page
K-models and type IIB superstring backgrounds

A family of type IIB superstring backgrounds involving Ramond-Ramond fields are obtained in ten dimensions starting from a K-model through a generalization of our recent results. The unbroken global SL(2,R) symmetry of the type IIB equations of motion are implemented in this context as a solution generating transfromation. A geometrical analysis, based on the tensor structure of the higher order \alpha^{\prime} terms in the equations of motion, is employed to show that these backgrounds are exact
Reparameterization Invariance for Collinear Operators

We discuss restrictions on operators in the soft-collinear effective theory (SCET) which follow from the ambiguity in the decomposition of collinear momenta and the freedom in the choice of light-like basis vectors $n$ and $\bar n$. Invariance of SCET under small changes in $n$ and/or $\bar n$ implies a symmetry of the effective theory that constrains the form of allowed operators with collinear fields. The restrictions occur at a given order in the power counting as well as between different orders. As an example, we present the complete set of higher order operators that are related to the collinear quark kinetic term
Muonium Spectroscopy

The electromagnetic interactions of electrons and muons can be described to
very high accuracy within the framework of standard theory, in particular
within the hydrogen-like muonium atom. Therefore precision measurements allow
to test basic interactions in physics and to search for yet unknown forces.
Accurate values for fundamental constants can be obtained. Results from
experiments on the ground state hyperfine structure and the 1s-2s intervals in
muonium are described together with their relations to a new measurement of the
muon magnetic anomaly
Time Asymmetric Quantum Theory - I Modifying an Axiom of Quantum Physics

A slight modification of one axiom of quantum theory changes a reversible
theory into a time asymmetric theory. Whereas the standard Hilbert space axiom
does not distinguish mathematically between the space of states (in-states of
scattering theory) and the space of observables (out-``states'' of scattering
theory) the new axiom associates states and observables to two different Hardy
subspaces which are dense in the same Hilbert space and analytic in the lower
and upper complex energy plane, respectively. As a consequence of this new
axiom the dynamical equations (Schr\"{o}dinger or Heisenberg) integrate to a
semigroup evolution. Extending this new Hardy space axiom to a relativistic
theory provides a relativistic theory of resonance scattering and decay with
Born probablilities that fulfill Einstein causality and the exponential decay
law.Comment: 23 page
Learning Teaching Strategies in an Adaptive and Intelligent Educational System through Reinforcement Learning

One of the most important issues in Adaptive and Intelligent Educational Systems (AIES) is to define effective pedagogical policies for tutoring students according to their needs. This paper proposes to use Reinforcement Learning (RL) in the pedagogical module of an educational system so that the system learns automatically which is the best pedagogical policy for teaching students. One of the main characteristics of this approach is its ability to improve the pedagogical policy based only on acquired experience with other students with similar learning characteristics. In this paper we study the learning performance of the educational system through three important issues. Firstly, the learning convergence towards accurate pedagogical policies. Secondly, the role of exploration/exploitation strategies in the application of RL to AIES. Finally, a method for reducing the training phase of the AIES.Publicad
FGF receptor genes and breast cancer susceptibility: results from the Breast Cancer Association Consortium

Background:Breast cancer is one of the most common malignancies in women. Genome-wide association studies have identified FGFR2 as a breast cancer susceptibility gene. Common variation in other fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptors might also modify risk. We tested this hypothesis by studying genotyped single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and imputed SNPs in FGFR1, FGFR3, FGFR4 and FGFRL1 in the Breast Cancer Association Consortium.\ud
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Methods:Data were combined from 49 studies, including 53 835 cases and 50 156 controls, of which 89 050 (46 450 cases and 42 600 controls) were of European ancestry, 12 893 (6269 cases and 6624 controls) of Asian and 2048 (1116 cases and 932 controls) of African ancestry. Associations with risk of breast cancer, overall and by disease sub-type, were assessed using unconditional logistic regression.\ud
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Results:Little evidence of association with breast cancer risk was observed for SNPs in the FGF receptor genes. The strongest evidence in European women was for rs743682 in FGFR3; the estimated per-allele odds ratio was 1.05 (95 confidence interval=1.02-1.09, P=0.0020), which is substantially lower than that observed for SNPs in FGFR2.\ud
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Conclusion:Our results suggest that common variants in the other FGF receptors are not associated with risk of breast cancer to the degree observed for FGFR2. Â© 2014 Cancer Research UK
Global rankings in the Nordic region: challenging the identity of research-intensive universities?

Global university rankings currently attract considerable attention, and it is often assumed that such rankings may cause universities to prioritize activities and outcomes that will have a positive effect in their ranking position. A possible consequence of this could be the spread of a particular model of an ‘‘ideal’’ university. This article tests this assumption through an analysis of a sample of research-intensive universities in the Nordic region. Through document analysis and interviews with institutional leaders and staff from central administration, the study explores whether high-ranked Nordic universities take strategic measures as a response to global rankings, and whether the traditional identities of the universities are changing, as they are influenced and affected by the rankings. The study shows that rankings have a relatively modest impact on decision-making and strategic actions in the Nordic universities studied, and that there are few signs of rankings challenging the existing identities of the universities in this region
An artificial Rb atom in a semiconductor with lifetime-limited linewidth

We report results important for the creation of a best-of-both-worlds quantum hybrid system consisting of a solid-state source of single photons and an atomic ensemble as quantum memory. We generate single photons from a GaAs quantum dot (QD) frequency-matched to the Rb D2-transitions and then use the Rb transitions to analyze spectrally the quantum dot photons. We demonstrate lifetime-limited QD linewidths (1.48 GHz) with both resonant and non-resonant excitation. The QD resonance fluorescence in the low power regime is dominated by Rayleigh scattering, a route to match quantum dot and Rb atom linewidths and to shape the temporal wave packet of the QD photons. Noise in the solid-state environment is relatively benign: there is a blinking of the resonance fluorescence at MHz rates but negligible upper state dephasing of the QD transition. We therefore establish a close-to-ideal solid-state source of single photons at a key wavelength for quantum technologies
Application-specific modified particle swarm optimization for energy resource scheduling considering vehicle-to-grid

This paper presents a modified Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) methodology to solve the problem of energy resources management with high penetration of distributed generation and Electric Vehicles (EVs) with gridable capability (V2G). The objective of the day-ahead scheduling problem in this work is to minimize operation costs, namely energy costs, regarding  he management of these resources in the smart grid context. The modifications applied to the PSO aimed to improve its adequacy to solve the mentioned problem.
The proposed Application Specific Modified Particle Swarm Optimization (ASMPSO) includes an intelligent mechanism to adjust velocity limits during the search process, as well as self-parameterization of PSO parameters making it more user-independent. It presents better robustness and convergence characteristics compared with the tested PSO variants as well as better constraint handling. This enables its use for addressing real world large-scale problems in much shorter times than the deterministic methods, providing system operators with adequate decision support and achieving efficient resource scheduling, even when a significant number of alternative scenarios should be considered.
The paper includes two realistic case studies with different penetration of gridable vehicles (1000 and 2000). The proposed methodology is about 2600 times faster than Mixed-Integer Non-Linear Programming (MINLP) reference technique, reducing the time required from 25 h to 36 s for the scenario with 2000 vehicles, with about one percent of difference in the objective function cost value
High temperature elasticity and viscosity of GexSe1-x glasses in the transition range

International audienceThe viscous-flow behavior and temperature dependence of the elastic moduli of chalcogenide glasses from the germanium-selenium system were studied by means of homemade high-temperature indentation setup and resonant-frequency technique (1-10 kHz), respectively, for temperatures between 0.8 and 1.2×Tg. The softening rates, both in the elastic and in the viscous-flow regimes, were correlated to network destructuration or reorganization events in the light of previously reported high-temperature neutron-scattering data. The concomitant change of Poisson's ratio (ν) and the thermodynamic parameters of the thermally activated viscous-flow process were characterized and provide a new basis for the understanding of the sources for the softening in the transition range. The temperature dependence of ν suggests weak changes of the network cross-linking degree at large Ge contents. On the contrary, in the case of a-Se, a steep fragmentation of the structural units is inferred from the ν(T) data, and the flow process is accompanied by a huge entropy change (activation entropy at saddle point). The entropy contribution at Tg (Tg ×dSa) represents more than 50% of the activation enthalpy for flow (dHa) and increases with the selenium content. Hence the free activation energy (dGa) is much smaller than apparent activation energy as derived from viscosity data
Nisaea denitrificans gen. nov., sp. nov. and Nisaea nitritireducens sp. nov., two novel members of the class Alphaproteobacteria from the Mediterranean Sea

En libre-accès sur Archimer : http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2008/publication-5294.pdfInternational audienceTwo novel Gram-negative bacteria, designated strains DR41_21(T) and DR41_18(T), were isolated from coastal, surface waters of the north-western Mediterranean Sea. The cells were motile, pleomorphic rods, 2.9 microm long and 0.9 microm wide and formed cream colonies on marine agar medium. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 60 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences positioned the isolates in the class Alphaproteobacteria within the family Rhodospirillaceae. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of the two strains was 98.8 % but DNA-DNA hybridization indicated only 55 % relatedness. Strain DR41_21(T) was able to denitrify and possessed nirK and nosZ genes, unlike strain DR41_18(T), which possessed only nirK. These isolates represent two novel species of a new genus, Nisaea gen. nov., for which the names Nisaea denitrificans sp. nov. and Nisaea nitritireducens sp. nov. are proposed. The type strain of Nisaea denitrificans is DR41_21(T) (=DSM 18348(T)=CIP 109265(T)=OOB 129(T)) and the type strain of Nisaea nitritireducens is DR41_18(T) (=DSM 19540(T)=CIP 109601(T)=OOB 128(T))
Characterisation and analytical modeling of GaN HEMT-based varactor diodes

International audienceVaractor diodes fabricated in 0.5 and 0.15 μm GaN HEMT (high-electron-mobility transistor) processes are modelled. The devices were characterised via DC and RF small-signal measurements up to 20 GHz, and fitted to a simple physical equivalent circuit. Approximate analytical expressions containing empirical coefficients are introduced for the voltage dependency of capacitance and series resistance. The analytical solutions agree remarkably well with the experimentally extracted C-V curves and can be used as a general model to represent the nonlinear behaviour of GaN-based varactors devices
Electron-energy-loss function of LiTaO3 and LiNbO3 by x-ray photoemission spectroscopy: Theory and experiment

We report experimental energy-loss structures in x-ray photoemission spectra of single crystalline LiTaO3 and LiNbO3, and then compare these with theoretical electron-energy-loss functions calculated from first principles using the full-potential linearized augmented plane-wave method in the local-density approximation. The energy-loss structure of core electrons can be approximated by a sum of four components: for LiTaO3, the peaks positioned at 8.0, 13.4, 15.8, and 22.6 eV; for LiNbO3, those positioned at 7.0, 12.0, 14.5, and 21.8 eV. The momentum matrix elements between Bloch functions were evaluated to determine the electron energy-loss functions. The theoretical electron-energy-loss functions agreed fairly well with the experimental one. The experimental peaks positioned at 8.0, 13.4, and 15.8 eV for LiTaO3 and those at 7.0, 12.0, and 14.5 eV for LiNbO3 were assigned to the interband transitions from the valence band to the conduction bands. The peaks at 22.6 eV for LiTaO3 and 21.8 eV for LiNbO3 were ascribed to the electron excitation from the O 2s level to the lower conduction band
Etching and optical deterioration of nitrogen-face of wurtzite InN in NH_3 ambient

This paper reports the deterioration of nitrogen (N)-face of wurtzite InN in the NH_3 ambient near the growth temperature. Using an atmospheric-pressure MOVPE system, both In-polar and N-polar InN are grown by controlling the nitridation temperature of a sapphire substrate. The N-face has a much larger etching rate (40 nm/h) compared with that of the In-face (14 nm/h). From the PL measurement from the front surface and the rear surface through the sapphire substrate, it is shown that the N-face of both In- and N-polar films shows a marked intensity reduction and a large blue shift of PL spectrum. These facts show that the N-face of InN is very unstable and deteriorates in the NH_3 ambient. The deterioration becomes severer at a temperature higher than 550 °C. Since such a PL shift is due to the Burstein-Moss effect, the result indicates that the high density of donor-type defects are preferentially introduced on the N-face of InN. Further investigations will be needed to clarify whether such instability of N-face in the NH_3 ambient is related to the poorer quality of MOVPE InN