Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Scanning Probe Recognition Microscopy Investigation of Nanoscale Mechanical and Surface Roughness Properties Along Nanofibers

Scanning Probe Recognition Microscopy is a new scanning probe microscopy technique which enables selective scanning along individual nanofibers within a tissue scaffold. The Scanning Probe Recognition Microscopy system can automatically detect the nanofiber region of interest and collect a series of force curves and surface roughness measurements inside just this region, which saves operation time. More importantly, the nanofibers are curved surfaces while conventional AFM surface roughness and elasticity analyses are designed for flat surfaces. Deconvolution is used identify a true curvature region. A Kasa circle fit method is then used to project the true nanofiber curvature. In a conventional surface roughness analysis of a nonplanar object, the variation of height data would include the (false) variation caused by the shape in addition to the (true) variation in its surface roughness. In the present work, this inaccuracy is resolved. Furthermore, through development of an algorithm that identifies the top (center line) of the nanofiber, force curves are taken with the tip at its most normal to the nanofiber surface during elasticity measurements. The region of interest auto tracking capability of Scanning Probe Recognition Microscopy results in the acquisition of far more data points that is typical in scanning probe investigations. Statistical methods were developed and used for surface roughness and elasticity measurements along the nanofiber surfaces. Surface roughness and elasticity maps were generated. Histograms showing mean values, ranges and variances were generated and used for analysis of nanoscale mechanical and tribological properties. The Scanning Probe Recognition Microscopy approach can be extended to other systems with non planar regions of interest.
Do We Have the Right Performance Indicators for the Circular Economy?: Insight into the Swiss Waste Management System

A material flow analysis of the 2012 Swiss waste management system is presented, highlighting the material content available from waste. Half of municipal solid waste (MSW) is materially recycled and the other half thermally treated with energy recovery. A key component of an industrial ecosystem is increasing the resource efficiency through circulating materials. Recycling rates (RRs), an indicator for the circulating behavior of materials, are often used as measure for the degree of circularity of an economy. This study provides an in‐depth analysis of the recycling of paper, cardboard, aluminum, tinplate, glass, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) from MSW in Switzerland by splitting the RRs into closed‐ and open‐loop collection rate (CR) and RRs. Whereas CR refers to collected material that enters the recycling process, RRs measure the available secondary resources produced from recycling processes. For PET, the closed‐loop CR of 45% and the open‐loop CR of 40% compare to an RR of 31% and 37%, respectively (including exports and recycling of polyethylene and metals from collection). Official collection rates for paper and cardboard are very high (97%), whereas CR of 74% and 89% and RR of 59% and 81% for paper and cardboard, respectively, were found in the present study (including export). For a majority of the separately collected materials investigated, the rates that are determined are substantially lower than those that are officially communicated. Furthermore, given that official rates often do not provide information on the availability of secondary materials, the improvement potential for increased resource recovery is hidden.
Cloning and functional expression of dipeptidyl peptidase IV from the ruminal bacterium Prevotella albensis

Received 11 November 2002 Accepted 26 March 2003 Ruminal bacteria of the genus Prevotella play a crucial role in peptide breakdown in the rumen, a component of protein catabolism that leads to the inefficient use of dietary protein by ruminant animals. This is the first report of the cloning of a peptidase gene from a ruminal bacterium. Part of the dipeptidyl peptidase type IV (DPP-IV) gene from Prevotella albensis M384 was cloned using degenerate primers designed from conserved regions found within other known DPP-IV sequences. Flanking regions were determined by genomic walking. The DPP-IV gene was expressed in Escherichia coli. The cloned enzyme required a free N terminus and catalysed the removal of X-Pro dipeptide from proline-containing oligopeptides, where proline was the second residue from the N terminus. It was inhibited by serine protease inhibitors and the substrate analogue for mammalian DPP-IV, diprotin A. The properties of the cloned enzyme were similar to those of the native form inP. albensis and, in general, DPP-IVs from other organisms. The enzyme contained a conserved motif which is associated with the S9 class of prolyl oligopeptidases. The DPP-IV gene appeared not to be part of a contiguous operon. Regions with similarity to other putative promoters of Prevotella spp. were also identified. Construction of a phylogenetic tree demonstrated that the DPP-IV of P. albensis clusters with other DPP-IVs found in bacteria of the Cytophaga–Flexibacter–Bacteroidaceae (CFB) phylum, which are more closely related to eukaryotic DPP-IVs than the DPP-IV-like enzyme (PepX) of the lactic acid bacteria.
A Syntactic Analysis of Interference in Subject–Verb Agreement

The research presented uses theoretical constructs of formal syntax as tools to capture performance data in agreement production. The phenomenon examined is interference in subject–verb agreement. A general overview of our experimental findings which highlights the different syntactic factors involved in interference is provided. A fine-grained characterization of the hierarchical structure is presented that involves 1) the structural definition of intervention, 2) the distinction between precedence and ccommand, 3) the role of intermediate traces, and 4) the role of subject movement. New data are presented that fit the theoretically motivated gradient of computational complexity proposed (Franck et al. 2006).
Mathematical Modeling of the Propagation of Democratic Support of Extreme Ideologies in Spain: Causes, Effects, and Recommendations for Its Stop

This paper deals with the construction of a discrete population mathematical model for the short-term forecast until January 2016 of the electoral support of extreme ideology parties in Spain. Firstly, the nontrivial concept of extreme ideology is stated. Then, the electoral register is split in three subpopulations: supporters of extremist parties, abstentions/blank voters, and supporters of establishment parties. The model takes into account the following variables: economy measured throughout the Spanish unemployment rate; demography quantified in terms of birth and death rates and emigration; sociopolitical situation measured by the Spanish poverty indicator, trust on the Government labor indicator (GLI), and the indicator of political trust. By considering the dynamic subpopulations transits built throughout data obtained from public and private prestigious institutions and sociopolitical analysis, a system of difference equations models the electoral population behavior in Spain allowing us to compute the expected electoral support in the time horizon of January 2016. Sensitivity analysis versus uncertain parameters is performed in order to improve the reliability of the model results.
Control System Development and Test for the Operation of a Micro-Grid System — PART I

This paper presents design, analysis and simulation performance of an active power controller for stable and reliable operation of a micro-grid system. Power balance between generation and consumer is a critical issue for stable and reliable operation of the micro-grid systems. This issue becomes more critical when a micro-grid system contains stochastic nature distributed generations such as wind and solar because their output power changes non-uniformly. In order to achieve accurate and fast power balance in such a micro-grid system, power in the system has to be regulated continuously. Such an objective can be achieved using droop based alternating current control technique. Because the droop characteristic employed into the developed controller initiates determining the power deviation in the system which is continuously regulated by controlling the current flow into dump power resistors. The designed controller is simulated for the operation of a micro-grid system in stand-alone mode under various operating conditions. The simulated results show the ability of the developed controller for stable and reliable operation of the microgrid that contains renewable sources. The experimental development of the micro-grid system and the testing of the developed active power controller are presented in PART II of this paper.
Correction of artificial jumps in the historical geomagnetic measurements of Coimbra Observatory, Portugal

Abstract. The Coimbra Magnetic Observatory (International Association of Geomagnetism and Aeronomy code COI) in Portugal has a long history of observation of the geomagnetic field, spanning almost 150 yr since the first geomagnetic measurements in 1866. These long instrumental geomagnetic records provide very important information about variability of geomagnetic elements and indices, their trends and cycles, and can be used to improve our knowledge on the sources that drive variations of the geomagnetic field: liquid core dynamics (internal) and solar forcing (external). However, during the long life of the Coimbra Observatory, some inevitable changes in station location, instrument's park and electromagnetic environment have taken place. These changes affected the quality of the data collected at COI causing breaks and jumps in the series of geomagnetic field components and local K index. Clearly, these inhomogeneities, typically shift-like (step-like) or trend-like, have to be corrected or, at least, minimized in order for the data to be used in scientific studies or to be submitted to international databases. In this study, the series of local K index and declination of the geomagnetic field are analysed: the former because it allows direct application of standard homogenization methods and the latter because it is the longest continuous series produced at COI. For the homogenization, visual and statistical tests (e.g. standard normal homogeneity test) have been applied directly to the local geomagnetic K index series (from 1951 to 2012). The homogenization of the monthly averages of declination (from 1867 to 2012) has been done using visual analysis and statistical tests applied to the time series of the first differences of declination values, as an approximation to the first time derivative. This allowed not only estimating the level of inhomogeneity of the studied series but also detecting the highly probable homogeneity break points. These points have been cross-checked with the metadata, and the COI series have been compared with reference series from the nearest geomagnetic stations and, in the case of declination series, from the recent geomagnetic field model COV-OBS to set up the required correction factors. As a result, the homogenized series measured in COI are considered to be essentially free of artificial shifts starting from the second half of the 20th century, and ready to be used by the scientific community.
How Elephants Learn the New Dance When Headquarters Changes the Music: Three Case Studies on Innovation Strategy Change

Does a product innovation strategy change at company headquarters resonate the same way at different strategic business units (SBUs)? What factors play a role in differing implementation of new innovation strategies? A collective case study was conducted at three SBUs of an international conglomerate to investigate why the SBUs implement the same corporate innovation charter in vastly different manners, both in strategic processes and in organizing for new product development (NPD). This study’s contribution to the literature is twofold. First, it develops initial insights into how three SBUs implement diverse SBU-level innovation strategies in response to the same product innovation charter. Second, it extends the findings of previous studies on NPD strategy by presenting how three SBUs reshape their structure and resource allocation, changing various dimensions of their innovation strategy while also fitting the competitive structure in their individual, non-high-tech, traditional manufacturing industries as they respond to the corporate mandate. In this study, several factors were observed to influence a firm when formulating a new product innovation strategy. First, past performance and strategic typology constrain the innovation paths available. Poor past performance limits available resources whereas the strategic typology managers use limits their ability to recognize other opportunities. Next, capacity constraints provide a catalyst in moving toward process improvements. Third, management involvement in the day-to-day implementation of change is necessary to ensure that the new processes are implemented. Finally, corporate performance metrics are quite influential in how SBUs adapt to change. This study identifies that even with the immense power corporate has over these SBUs, some still dance to their own tune, ignorant of their deviation from the corporate mandate because the metric is not sufficient to detect these deviations. This study suggests the use of multiple types of metrics to minimize the likelihood of nearsighted responses to innovation charter changes.
An analysis of the involvement-commitment relationship across product categories

An involvement-commitment-loyalty model is proposed and tested with AMOS. The results for fast-moving-consumer-goods (fmcg) are consistent with the theory. Ego involvement influences purchase involvement, which influences brand commitment, which influences customer loyalty. The results for the more ego-involved service of hair stylists, however, showed a different result. Purchase loyalty did not mediate the relationship between ego involvement and brand commitment, but instead ego involvement had a direct relationship with brand commitment.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND QUALITY OF LIFE OF HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS WITH AND WITHOUT DIABETES: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

ABSTRACT Background: Physical activity is associated with health-related quality of life in general population with and without chronic conditions, but little is known, whether and how, this relationship exists in hypertensive and diabetes patients, especially in Malaysia. Thus, this cross-sectional study was primarily to determine if and how physical activity was related to hypertensive patients with and without diabetes. Materials and Methods: The sample consisted of 260 hypertensive patients receiving treatment in Hospital Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia. Participants completed measures of physical activity and quality of life questionnaires. The multiple analysis of covariance was used to examine the effects of physical activity on the quality of life scores. Result: Subjects were divided into physically active group (n=139) and a physically inactive group (n=121). Of these, 40% were diagnosed without diabetes mellitus and 60% were patients with diabetes. Respondents in the hypertension with diabetes group were older, had lower educational level, and more were unemployed than those hypertensive without diabetes. The quality of life scores were significantly different comparing physically active and inactive subjects. The presence of diabetes contributed to higher differences in quality of life scores. Higher physical activity was positively associated with higher quality of life measures in both physical and mental domains. Conclusion: Higher levels of physical activity may improve quality of life in both hypertensive patients with and without diabetes. Therefore, incorporating more physical activities into the lifestyle of hypertensive patients, may improve their quality of life and prevent complications. Keywords: Physical activity, Quality of life, Hypertension, Diabetes, Malaysia
Remote facade surveying

Unfortunately for those studying topics ranging from the history of architecture to the potential for cites to improve their energy efficiency, there is no worldwide inventory of our built environment. This paper helps to solve this problem by showing how by using publicly available satellite and street level views it is possible to remotely and accurately measure the dimensions of buildings and their main components such as width-height ratios or the fraction of a facade that is glazed. This novel approach is applied to the question of fenestration by remotely completing a survey of 124 randomly selected buildings in 6 cities. The accuracy of the method is verified using a subset of buildings for which the dimensions are known. The results provide the first estimate of how glazing ratios vary with location. The approach is transformative and shows that with a combination of publicly available images and the use of crowdsourcing it is now possible to accurately and remotely survey complete cites and obtain the dimensions of major retrofit elements, or make studies of the evolution in time of various architectural elements
Effects of Three Type Exercise Training Programs on FBS and HbA1C of Elderly Men with Type 2 Diabetes

ype 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a serious chronic illness related to hyperglycemia, overweight and metabolic syndrome (1-3). The prevalence of T2DM increases continuously. The sedentary lifestyle and overweight are identified as key risk factors of T2DM (4). The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends that adults with T2DM accumulate at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity endurance training and 3 sessions of resistance training per week (5,6). The effect of exercise training program was identified in T2DM treatment (1,7,8). Regular T 1. Department of Exercise Physiology, Sport Science Faculty, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamadan, Iran
Chile¿s Economic Growth

Chile's average per capita GDP growth of 4.1% during 1991-2005 was significantly higher than average world growth during the same period and was a strong break from its own past. How much of Chile's recent growth is trend growth and how much is cyclical, influenced largely by external conditions? Which are the main determinants of Chile's long-term growth and cyclical fluctuations, according to the recent empirical literature? Which are the country's main growth strengths and weaknesses, and, based on the latter, which are the policy reforms advocated by recent technical studies and campaign proposals? This review article addresses the latter questions, starting with the facts about Chile's average growth and growth volatility at the aggregate, regional, and economic-sector level. Then the paper surveys trend growth studies for Chile that range from decomposition by sources of growth to econometric and simulation studies of deep growth determinants, based on international panel-data and national time-series evidence, and on research focused on individual reforms. Studies on short-term output fluctuations and cyclical recoveries in Chile, also comprising cross-country and national time-series evidence, are presented next. This issue of Cuadernos publishes six new, relevant research papers on Chile's growth, which are briefly introduced. Then the paper reviews selectively growthenhancing policy proposals that have been put forward by academic authors, international organizations, and presidential candidates in their 2005 campaign programs. An epilogue with brief thoughts about Chile's growth potential and policy reform challenges closes the paper.
Analysis of EM Scattering from 3 D Bi-Anisotropic Objects above a Lossy Half Space Using FEBI with UV Method

In this paper, the finite-element boundary integral (FE-BI) method with UV method is applied to analyze the electromagnetic scattering from arbitrary three-dimensional bianisotropic objects located above a lossy half space. The form of electric field in bi-anisotropic materials is provided and cast into linear equations by finite element method (FEM), which is valid for any complex materials. The boundary integral equation (BI) is used to truncate the computational domain by using a half-space dyadic Green's function via the discrete complex image method (DCIM). A fast numerical approach, the UV method, is employed to decrease the memory requirement and the total CPU time for FE-BI solution. Numerical results are carried out so as to validate our developed algorithm. Further, the effects of different material parameters on the scattering characteristics of typical bi-anisotropic object in half space are examined and compared. Index Terms Bi-anisotropic media, electromagnetic scattering, FE-BI, half-space, and UV method.
Detection of purkinje images for automatic positioning of fixation target and interferometric measurements of anterior eye chamber

In cataract surgery, the eye’s natural lens is removed because it has gone opaque and doesn’t allow clear vision any longer. To maintain the eye’s optical power, a new artificial lens must be inserted. Called Intraocular Lens (IOL), it needs to be modelled in order to have the correct refractive power to substitute the natural lens. Calculating the refractive power of this substitution lens requires precise anterior eye chamber measurements. An interferometry equipment, the AC Master from Zeiss Meditec, AG, was in use for half a year to perform these measurements. A Low Coherence Interferometry (LCI) measurement beam is aligned with the eye’s optical axis, for precise measurements of anterior eye chamber distances. The eye follows a fixation target in order to make the visual axis align with the optical axis. Performance problems occurred, however, at this step. Therefore, there was a necessity to develop a new procedure that ensures better alignment between the eye’s visual and optical axes, allowing a more user friendly and versatile procedure, and eventually automatizing the whole process. With this instrument, the alignment between the eye’s optical and visual axes is detected when Purkinje reflections I and III are overlapped, as the eye follows a fixation target. In this project, image analysis is used to detect these Purkinje reflections’ positions, eventually automatically detecting when they overlap. Automatic detection of the third Purkinje reflection of an eye following a fixation target is possible with some restrictions. Each pair of detected third Purkinje reflections is used in automatically calculating an acceptable starting position for the fixation target, required for precise measurements of anterior eye chamber distances.
TIDIABETIC ACTIVITY OF HF O ALLOXA I DUCED DIABETIC RATS

The antidiabetic activity of the HF consisting of three well-known herbs for diabetes namely, Piper betel, Butea monosperma and Trigonella foenum graecum was investigated in normal and alloxan induced diabetic rats. Effect of herbal formulation (HF) (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg, p.o) for 12 days on the level of serum glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, serum SGPT/SGOT levels and body weight in diabetic rats were evaluated. The short term study including Glucose tolerance test, determination of blood glucose level of normal rats and diabetic rats were also evaluated. Treatment for 12 days with formulation alleviated body weight loss in diabetic rats. Administration of the formulation for 12 days significantly (p<0.01and p<0.05) decreased serum glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides and SGPT/SGOT levels. In short term study, both normal and diabetic rats significantly (p<0.01) lowered blood glucose level at both doses in dose dependant manner. In glucose tolerance test, both the doses significantly (p<0.01) reduced the external glucose load. A comparison was also made between the action of HF and glibenclamide (STD) (4 mg/kg, p.o), the standard antidiabetic drug. The antidiabetic activity of the formulation was similar to that observed for STD, confirming its antidibetic potential.