Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tantalum as a buffer layer in diamond-like carbon coated artificial hip joints.

The acid resistance of tantalum coated and uncoated human hip joint prostheses was studied with commercial CrCoMo acetabular cups. The samples were exposed to 10% HCl solution and the quantities of dissolved Cr, Co, and Mo were measured with proton-induced X-ray emission (PIXE). The absolute quantities were obtained with the use of Cr and Se solution standards. Tantalum coatings (thicknesses 4-6 microm) were prepared in vacuum with magnetron sputtering. Tantalum coating decreased the corrosion rate by a factor of 10(6). As a spinoff from recent wear tests on artificial hip joints it was shown that tantalum has excellent mechanical properties as an intermediate layer of diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings. When tantalum was tested together with DLC on three metal-on-metal hip joint pairs in a hip simulator, no observable defects occurred during 15 million walking cycles with a periodic 50-300-kg load (Paul curve).
Generating Virtual Scenarios of Multivariate Financial Data for Quantitative Trading Applications

In this article, the authors present a novel approach to the generation of virtual scenarios of multivariate ﬁnancial data of arbitrary length and composition of assets. With this approach, decades of realistic time-synchronized data can be simulated for a large number of assets, producing diverse scenarios to test and improve quantitative investment strategies. The authors’ approach is based on the analysis and synthesis of the time-dependent individual and joint characteristics of real ﬁnancial time series, using stochastic sequences of market trends to draw multivariate returns from time-dependent probability functions that preserve both distributional properties of asset returns and time-dependent correlation among time series. Moreover, new time-synchronized assets can be arbitrarily generated through a principal component analysis–based procedure to obtain any number of assets in the ﬁnal virtual scenario. The validation of such a simulation is tested with an extensive set of measurements and shows a significant degree of agreement with the reference performance of real ﬁnancial series—better than that obtained with other classical and state-of-the-art approaches.
Ruminococcus gnavus E1 modulates mucin expression and intestinal glycosylation

The molecular cross‐talk between commensal bacteria and the gut play an important role in the maintenance of the intestinal homeostasis and general health. Here, we studied the impact of a major Gram‐positive anaerobic bacterium of the human gut microbiota, that is, Ruminococcus gnavus on the glycosylation pattern and the production of intestinal mucus by the goblet cells.
Evolution of Order - An Application of Stable Parallel Looped Networks

The infinite family of physical and chemical systems called stable parallel looped (SPL) networks was shown to have self-replicating and other interesting properties. These SPL systems can be constructed with arbitrary and increasing complexity while guaranteeing overall stability for a sufficiently long time. In this paper, I show that using a collection of special SPL systems called active material-energy looped systems we can create order from disorder reliably, iteratively and naturally. The resulting SPL systems provide a new theoretical framework to explain the creation of order, necessary for the origin of life.
Is Storage an Adaptation to Spatial Variation in Resource Availability?

When individuals store resources acquired while moving through a spatially variable habitat, a form of population structure arises. The theoretical consequences of this process for resource competition are studied for phytoplankton species consuming a single nutrient resource, using a Lagrangian modeling approach. Each competitor population is divided into many subpopulations that move through two model habitats with gradients in nutrient availability: an unstirred chemostat and a partially mixed water column. The results provide little indication that resource storage contributes to competitive fitness in the scenarios analyzed. Superior competitors usually reduce the limiting nutrient to low concentrations at steady state or sometimes have high maximal growth rates. Resource storage enhances competitive fitness in temporally variable habitats where encounters with rich nutrient pulses are strongly periodic. However, in purely spatially variable habitats where encounters with rich nutrient patches are random, resource storage does not appear to provide much benefit, at least for passively moving organisms that cannot control their location.
Development of teaching and tuition in the specialty of neurology in the Netherlands

After a short survey of the early history of neurology and psychiatry in the Netherlands, the development of the specialty of neurology is discussed. During the 20th century the training of neurologists and the certification of specialists evolved from an informal master‐fellow organization towards a strongly reglemented and legally based procedure. A nationwide Specialist Registration Commission supervises the quality of the training of specialists. Registered neurologists in the Netherlands are subject to a re‐certification programme that controls the requirements to be fulfilled by the specialists such as their active involvement in patient care (for at least 16 h a week), attendance of the annual postgraduate courses in neurology (5‐year cycle) and regular participation in international congresses of neurology. The undergraduate training in neurology, the neurology clerkship and the postgraduate training in neurosciences are described. Measures taken in order to maintain the balance between the supply of and the demand for neurological care in the near future are reported.
Survival analysis using primary care electronic health record data: A systematic review of the literature

Purpose: An emerging body of research involves observational studies in which survival analysis is applied to data obtained from primary care electronic health records (EHRs). This systematic review of these studies examined the utility of using this approach. Method: An electronic literature search of the Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, and Cochrane databases was conducted. Search terms and exclusion criteria were chosen to select studies where survival analysis was applied to the data extracted wholly from EHRs used in primary care medical practice. Results: A total of 46 studies that met the inclusion criteria for the systematic review were examined. All were published within the past decade (2005–2014) with a majority (n = 26, 57%) being published between 2012 and 2014. Even though citation rates varied from nil to 628, over half (n = 27, 59%) of the studies were cited 10 times or more. The median number of subjects was 18,042 with five studies including over 1,000,000 patients. Of the included studies, 35 (76%) were published in specialty journals and 11 (24%) in general medical journals. The many conditions studied largely corresponded well with conditions important to general practice. Conclusion: Survival analysis applied to primary care electronic medical data is a research approach that has been frequently used in recent times. The utility of this approach was demonstrated by the ability to produce research with large numbers of subjects, across a wide range of conditions and with the potential of a high impact. Importantly, primary care data were thus available to inform primary care practice.
Antibacterial activity of plant extracts from Brazil against fish pathogenic bacteria

The aim of this work was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of Brazilian plants extracts against fish pathogenic bacteria. Forty six methanolic extracts were screened to identify their antibacterial properties against Streptococcus agalactiae, Flavobacterium columnare and Aeromonas hydrophila. Thirty one extracts showed antibacterial activity.
Cliométrie de l’enseignement supérieur: une analyse expérimentale de la théorie de l’engorgement

L’objectif de cet article est d’analyser les strategies des etudiants dans leurs choix scolaires et de tester experimentalement, le modele de l’engorgement [Diebolt, 2001]. Il reprend l’experience menee lors d’un travail preliminaire paru en document de travail [Jaoul-Grammare, 2007a] et le complete par une analyse des choix selon les caracteristiques individuelles. Si l’experimentation semble confirmer le modele theorique en revelant une sensibilite au gain et au nombre de places disponibles mais une rationalite limitee lors des choix, l’etude menee permet d’affiner ces resultats en soulignant un impact significatif inverse du genre sur la prise en compte du risque ou du gain lors du choix.
Seismocardiography: a technique for recording precordial acceleration

The methodology for obtaining a recording and the initial findings from the seismocardiography (SCG) technique are described. It is shown that the seismocardiogram contains clearly defined points associated with the cardiac cycle that are correlated by analyzing simultaneous SCG and M-mode and Doppler echocardiograms. In the absence of heart disease, the resting seismocardiogram remains stable over a period of at least three months. There is a recognizable normal seismocardiogram that is altered by chronic left ventricular dysfunction, including myocardial infarction and dilated cardiomyopathy. Ventricular pacing produces reversible changes in the ventricular systolic wave component of the seismocardiogram. Thus, the normal seismocardiogram remains stable over time, but becomes altered during both chronic irreversible and acute reversible changes in left ventricular contraction. <<ETX>>
Tunable and dual-band HMSIW resonator using RF MEMS capacitor

This paper presents a novel method to make tunable and multi-banding of resonators both independently and simultaneously. This method is used to RF microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) variable capacitor on the half-mode substrate-integrated-waveguide (HMSIW) which loaded by complementary split ring resonator (CSRR) for the first time. By MEMS of technology, a low-area and low-loss of resonator is presented, too. Also, new approximate electrical circuit model of the structures are presented. The resonator exhibits an insertion loss less than 0.2 dB and a return loss better than 15 dB for all tuning states. The proposed resonator operates in the wireless S-band. A tunability of around 15% for two states has been achieved. The external Q factor is more than 22 for presented structures. The electromagnetic and circuit simulations are done with HFSS and ADS, respectively.
Roles of cofilin in development and its mechanisms of regulation

Reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton is essential for cellular processes during animal development. Cofilin and actin depolymerizing factor (ADF) are potent actin‐binding proteins that sever and depolymerize actin filaments, acting to generate the dynamics of the actin cytoskeleton. The activity of cofilin is spatially and temporally regulated by a variety of intracellular molecular mechanisms. Cofilin is regulated by cofilin binding molecules, is phosphorylated at Ser‐3 (inactivation) by LIM‐kinases (LIMKs) and testicular protein kinases (TESKs), and is dephosphorylated (reactivation) by slingshot protein phosphatases (SSHs). Although studies of the molecular mechanisms of cofilin‐induced reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton have been ongoing for decades, the multicellular functions of cofilin and its regulation in development are just becoming apparent. This review describes the molecular mechanisms of generating actin dynamics by cofilin and the intracellular signaling pathways for regulating cofilin activity. Furthermore, recent findings of the roles of cofilin in the development of several tissues and organs, especially neural tissues and cells, in model animals are described. Recent developmental studies have indicated that cofilin and its regulatory mechanisms are involved in cellular proliferation and migration, the establishment of cellular polarity, and the dynamic regulation of organ morphology.
Spin fluctuation effects on the conductance through a single Pd atom contact

A controversy about the conductance through single atoms still exists. There are many experiments where values lower than the quantum unity G0 = 2e2/h have been found associated to Kondo regimes with high Kondo temperatures. Specifically in the Pd single atom contact, conductance values close to G0/2 at room temperature have been reported. In this work we propose a theoretical analysis of a break junction of Pd where the charge fluctuation in the single atom contact is limited to the most probable one: . The projected density of states and the characteristics of the electron transport are calculated by using a realistic description of the interacting system. A Kondo regime is found where the conductance values and their dependence on temperature are in good agreement with the experimental trends observed in the conduction of single molecule transistors based on transition metal coordination complexes.
[Comparative in vitro activity of ertapenem against aerobic and anaerobic bacteria].

The in vitro activity of ertapenem (MK-0826), a new carbapenem, was studied against 389 aerobic microorganisms (187 Enterobacteriaceae, 15 Aeromonas spp., 42 Staphylococcus spp., 43 Streptococcus spp., 15 Enterococcus spp., 30 Haemophilus spp., 15 Moraxella catarrhalis, 12 Neisseria gonorrhoeae, 15 Pseudomonas aeruginosa and 15 Acinetobacter spp.) and 54 anaerobic isolates (15 Clostridium spp., 12 Peptostreptococcus spp. and 27 fragilis group Bacteroides recovered from four Spanish hospitals. Ertapenem activity was compared with that of imipenem, piperacillin-tazobactam, cefoxitin, ceftriaxone, ceftazidime, cefepime, and norfloxacin. Ertapenem was the most active antibiotic against Enterobacteriaceae (MIC(90) < or =0.5 mg/l) particularly in the case of broad-spectrum, extended-spectrum and chromosomally encoded AmpC betalactamase-producing strains. Ertapenem exhibited less activity, even lower than that of imipenem, against P. aeruginosa, Acinetobacter spp. and enterococci (MIC(90) > or =16 mg/l). Ertapenem was active against methicillin-susceptible S. aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci, beta-haemolytic streptococci, and Streptococcus pneumoniae (MIC(90) < or =1 mg/l). In the case of Haemophilus spp. , M. catarrhalis and N. gonorrhoeae, ertapenem, with a MIC(90) < or =0.06 mg/l resulted the most active antibiotic tested. When considering the anaerobes, ertapenem displayed a broad spectrum of activity, similar to that of imipenem, against Clostridium spp. (MIC(90) 2 mg/l) and was slightly less active against Bacteroides fragilis (MIC(90) 0.5 mg/l). Both carbapenems were the most active among the tested compounds. Due to its activity against almost all pathogens studied, ertapenem appears to be an option for the treatment of mixed bacterial infections.
Filtros para un cabezal de comunicaciones entre vehículos

En este proyecto se presenta un diplexor formado por dos filtros reconfigurables que permiten conmutar entre las bandas de transmision y recepcion de dos estandares: WiFi y Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). Este diplexor ha sido disenado para el uso en comunicaciones entre vehiculos, basandose en un intercambio de informacion que proporciona al conductor mas conocimientos sobre el estado de la via y permite evitar muchas situaciones de riesgo. Los filtros han sido disenados para cumplir con precision las especificaciones de ancho de banda y frecuencia central ya conocidas con antelacion mediante el uso de diodos PIN. Con estos diodos se logra anadir una extension a cada resonador permitiendo controlar la frecuencia central dependiendo del estado en el que nos encontremos (WiFi o UMTS), asi como fijar el ancho de banda mediante el acoplamiento entre resonadores. Ademas, tambien se ha disenado un filtro paso-banda de cuatro polos sintonizable en selectividad usando cuatro resonadores y diodos PIN. Mediante dos pequenos stubs de diferente longitud situados en los resonadores superiores se obtienen cuatro estados distintos haciendo el filtro cada vez mas selectivo. Uno de los aspectos mas importantes de este trabajo consiste en la correcta caracterizacion del diodo PIN. En esta memoria se describiran todas las tecnicas empleadas para desarrollar un modelo correcto que pueda sustituir al diodo PIN en las simulaciones y poder asi asociarlo a un circuito equivalente. Todas las mediciones realizadas sobre los diodos PIN e inductores utilizados en este trabajo han sido realizadas en el Centre Tecnologic de Telecomunicacions de Catalunya (CTTC) situado en el Parc Mediterrani de la Tecnologia (Castelldefels). Finalmente se compararan las simulaciones previas realizadas con el software Advanced Design System (ADS) y las mediciones finales de los filtros fabricados en el laboratorio de microondas del departamento TSC de la UPC, analizando ambos resultados para poder extraer nuestras propias conclusiones sobre el diseno realizado del diplexor.
Stable isotopes in mammalian research: a beginner's guide

Abstract We open this Special Feature on stable isotopes in mammalian research with a beginner's guide, an introduction to the novice and a refresher to the well-versed. In this guide we provide the background needed to understand the more advanced papers that follow. We describe the basic principles of isotopic fractionation and discrimination, briefly explain the processes that govern isotopic incorporation into animal tissues, list some innovative studies, and provide cautionary notes and caveats. In addition to discussing the uses of natural abundance we present the concepts and applications of enriched isotopes and the potential combination of these 2 methodologies. We end with descriptions of analytical and conceptual developments that we believe will be cardinal to the future of isotopic analyses in mammalian research.
Five solar geoengineering tropes that have outstayed their welcome

In the last decade, solar geoengineering (solar radiation management, or SRM) has received increasing consideration as a potential means to reduce risks of anthropogenic climate change. Some ideas regarding SRM that have been proposed have receded after being appropriately scrutinized, while others have strengthened through testing and critique. This process has improved the understanding of SRM's potential and limitations. However, several claims are frequently made in the academic and popular SRM discourses and, despite evidence to the contrary, pose the risk of hardening into accepted facts. Here, in order to foster a more productive and honest debate, we identify, describe, and refute five of the most problematic claims that are unsupported by existing evidence, unlikely to occur, or greatly exaggerated. These are: (A) once started, SRM cannot be stopped; (B) SRM is a right‐wing project; (C) SRM would cost only a few billion dollars per year; (D) modeling studies indicate that SRM would disrupt monsoon precipitation; and (E) there is an international prohibition on outdoors research. SRM is a controversial proposed set of technologies that could prove to be very helpful or very harmful, and it warrants vigorous and informed public debate. By highlighting and debunking some persistent but unsupported claims, this paper hopes to bring rigor to such discussions.
Recording multifocal electroretinogram on and off responses in humans.

PURPOSE To record the on and off responses of the multifocal photopic electroretinogram (ERG) from the human retina and to explore how each ERG component (a-, b-, and d-waves) changes at different retinal eccentricities. METHODS Multifocal ERGs were recorded with the visual evoked response imaging system. Sixty-one densely packed stimulus elements were square wave-modulated between stimulus on and stimulus off, according to a binary m-sequence at a rate of 4.7 Hz under a constant background illumination. The ERGs were recorded with a bipolar Burian-Allen bipolar contact lens electrode from five normal subjects. Response densities (amplitude per retinal area) were calculated for five different eccentric rings. RESULTS The response densities for all components (a-, b-, and d-waves) decreased with increasing retinal eccentricities. The ratio of the d-wave to b-wave amplitudes was minimal in the central retina and increased toward the periphery. The ratio of a-wave to b-wave amplitudes also increased toward the peripheral retina. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate that the on and off responses of the human cone ERGs have different spatial distributions across the human retina, and they suggest a change in the photopic retinal circuitry with increasing retinal eccentricities.
Os diplomados do ensino superior perante o mercado de trabalho: velhas teses catastrofistas, aquisições recentes

Nas ultimas decadas, as teses catastrofistas acerca do processo de insercao profissional dos diplomados tem-se instalado de forma relativamente acritica e indisputada em Portugal. Este artigo pretende sujeita-las ao escrutinio da empiria. Compilando um vasto conjunto de fontes, demonstrar-se-a que esses juizos sao frageis e longe de ser evidentes. Em sequencia, sugerir-se-ao interpretacoes para o facto inesperado de um numero claramente maioritario de diplomados avaliar de forma positiva a sua situacao profissional. Com esse objectivo, destacar-se-a a importância que as “dimensoes intrinsecas”, tendencialmente descuradas pela analise sociologica, adquirem no confronto dos diplomados com o mundo profissional e com o ensino superior.
PV fed flyback DC-AC inverter with MPPT control

This paper proposes a PV fed Flyback based DC-AC inverter with maximum power point tracking. While designing a power electronics interface for solar power extraction the main concern should be about the better utilization of energy. For better utilization, solar energy should be utilized maximum and the energy conversion should be efficient reducing the converter losses. In the proposed Flyback inverter the PV DC voltage is converted to AC within a single stage. The converter has only one switch which is switched with high frequency which minimize the overall switching loss of the converter increasing the efficiency of energy conversion. Though an intermediate stage as in conventional method is absent in this scheme, MPPT control is implemented ensuring the maximum power utilization of solar panel. Also, the converter has an isolation Flyback transformer, which allows the PV grounding and increases the life time of the panel. Steady state analysis of the converter and design of the circuit parameters is carried out.
Using Color Dimensions to Display Data Dimensions

One of the advantages of computer graphics is that it enables an unprecedented degree of control over color. Since color vision is three-dimensional, this provides three additional perceptual dimensions that may be used in addition to the two spatial dimensions available on a flat display to present multidimensional data. This research probes the usefulness of color in enabling human observers to perceive clusters of points in a multidimensional space. Comparing the resolution of clusters in color and in space shows that color is an effective extension of space for conveying information about data dimensions. However, the perceptual space defined by color and space is not homogeneous and resolution is poor in a few specific directions. For this reason, the use of multiple views is advocated whenever color is used as a tool in exploratory data analysis.