Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tuning stubs for microstrip-patch antennas

A practical method for the simultaneous tuning, of both the resonant frequency and reflection coefficient, of a coaxially fed rectangular-microstrip patch is described. The use of two tuning stubs allows independent adjustment of the effective patch length and the effective position of the feed point. The effective length determines the resonant frequency of the patch, while the effective position of the feed point determines the input impedance. It is demonstrated that the method allows the adjustment of the feedpoint reflection coefficient of a patch to less than -60 dB, at a frequency which is within 0.005% of specification. <<ETX>>
Modélisation et optimisation d'un système de stockage couplé à une production électrique renouvelable intermittente

L'objectif de cette these est la gestion et le dimensionnement optimaux d'un Systeme de Stockage d'Energie (SSE) couple a une production d'electricite issue d'Energies Renouvelables Intermittentes (EnRI). Dans un premier temps, un modele technico-economique du systeme SSE-EnRI est developpe, associe a trois scenarios types d'injection de puissance au reseau electrique : lissage horaire base sur la prevision J-1 (S1), puissance garantie (S2) et combine (S3). Ce modele est traduit sous la forme d'un programme d'optimisation non lineaire de grande taille. Dans un deuxieme temps, les strategies heuristiques elaborees conduisent a une gestion optimisee - selon les criteres de fiabilite, de productivite, d'efficacite et de profitabilite du systeme - de la production d'energie avec stockage, appelee “charge adaptative” (CA). Comparee a un modele lineaire mixte en nombres entiers (MILP), cette gestion optimisee, applicable en conditions operationnelles, conduit rapidement a des resultats proches de l'optimum. Enfin, la charge adaptative est utilisee dans le dimensionnement optimise du SSE - pour chacune des trois sources : eolien, houle, solaire (PV). La capacite minimale permettant de respecter le scenario avec un taux de defaillance et des tarifs de revente de l'energie viables ainsi que les energies conformes, perdues, manquantes correspondantes sont determinees. Une analyse de sensibilite est menee montrant l'importance des rendements, de la qualite de prevision ainsi que la forte influence de l'hybridation des sources sur le dimensionnement technico-economique du SSE.
Chromosomal superkiller mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Yeast strains carrying a 1.5 X 10(6)-dalton double-stranded RNA in virus-like particles secrete a protein toxin which is lethal to strains not carrying this species of double-stranded RNA. We find that recessive mutations in any of four chromosomal genes result in the superkiller phenotype, i.e., increased secretion of killer toxin activity by strains carrying the killer genome. These genes are designated ski1 through ski4 (for superkiller), ski3 and ski4 are located on chromosome XIV, and ski1 is on chromosome VII. A ski1 mutation results in a decreased rate of cell growth. The kex1 and kex2 mutations are epistatic to each ski mutation.
The Immunochromatography Use in Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis in Brazil : A “ Quick Solution ” of a Complex Diagnostic ? Rapid Test in Dogs with Leishmaniasis Aldair

Diagnosis of Canine Leishmaniasis is complex, once there is no test able to detect infection period / disease. Serological methods can have different results when performed by different methods and misinterpretations may result in hasty diagnosis. Rapid tests can be considered attractive, from a clinical point of view, because of its easy carrying and reading these results. However, the use of rapid testing alone for the diagnosis of canine leishmaniasis in Brazil should be considered dangerous, especially in asymptomatic dogs. In addition, knowledge of the technique and the different commercial assays available (which differ in the composition) must be considered essential for better performance and interpretation of results. The objective of this study is to show the main characteristics of rapid tests for diagnosis of canine visceral leishmaniasis, used in Brazil, and demonstrate the effectiveness of these in previous studies associated with other methods of serological diagnosis and evaluating the sensitivity and specificity of these tests.
On-line load sensitivity identification in LV distribution grids

This letter proposes a new on-line load sensitivity identification by means of power electronics-based devices. Applying a voltage and frequency perturbation and measuring the consumed power of the loads, the proposed method computes in real time the voltage and frequency dependency of the load active and reactive power. In this work a Smart Transformer application has been proposed, but the method is general for any power electronics converter able to influence dynamically the voltage and frequency in the grid.
Measuring cosmic distances with galaxy clusters

In addition to cosmological tests based on the mass function and clustering of galaxy clusters, which probe the growth of cosmic structure, nature offers two independent ways of using clusters to measure cosmic distances. The first uses measurements of the X-ray emitting gas mass fraction, which is an approximately standard quantity, independent of mass and redshift, for the most massive clusters. The second uses combined millimeter (mm) and X-ray measurements of cluster pressure profiles. We review these methods, their current status and the prospects for improvements over the next decade. For the first technique, which currently provides comparable dark energy constraints to type Ia supernova studies, improvements of a factor of 6 or more should be readily achievable, together with tight constraints on the mean matter density that are largely independent of the cosmological model assumed. Realizing this potential will require a coordinated, multiwavelength approach, utilizing new cluster surveys, X-ray, optical and mm facilities, and a continued emphasis on improved hydrodynamical simulations.
Electrodes for in vivo localised subcutaneous electropulsation and associated drug and nucleic acid delivery

Background: Drug and nucleic acids can be delivered in vivo by an injection of the product followed by the application of a train of electric pulses. Objective: The success of the method is linked to the proper distribution of the electric field in the target tissue. This is under the control of the design of the electrodes. Methods: The field distribution can be obtained by computer simulation mainly by using numerical methods and simplifying hypothesis. The conclusions are validated by comparing the computed current and its experimental values on phantoms. A good agreement is obtained. Results/conclusion: Targeting the delivery to the skin can be obtained by using an array of very short needle electrodes, by pinching the skin between two parallel plate electrodes, or by using contact wire electrodes.
Polarimetrie RotoSAR

Ground-Based Inteferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (GB-SAR) systems are popular remote sensing instruments able to provide radar images and to detect small displacements at great distance. Their working principle is based on the synthesis of a large aperture by exploiting the movement of a radar head along a linear mechanical guide. Recently a rotating antenna GB-SAR, named RotoSAR, has been proposed by the Author of this paper. The basic idea is to exploit the movement of a radar head fixed at a rotating arm, as a sort of windmill, to synthesize a large aperture. The aim of this paper is to explore the polarimetric capability of this novel radar configuration.
Effect of Amino Acid L-leucine On the MusculoSkeletal Changes during Cast-Immobilization in Adult Male Albino Rats . Physiological and Histological study

The relation between muscle atrophy and bone osteoporotic changes due to immobilization are still not completely understood. This study tried to throw more light on this association and to probe the ability of amino acid Lleucine, to limit these changes in a trial to accelerate rehabilitation. Adult male Albino rats weighing 180-210 g were used and classified into three groups, I-control group, II-cast-immobilized group and III-immobilized-L-leucine treated group. Right hind-limb cast immobilization was performed for 15 days in groups II&III, while L-leucine, was given by oral gavage in a dose 0.7g/kg/day concomitant with immobilization in group III. The initial and final body weights were determined. Blood samples were used for determination of serum levels of total calcium, CPK, ADH, TNFα and Cortisol as well as for plasma MDA and glucose level. In the immobilized right hind-limb after removing the cast, the gastrocnemius muscle was identified, dissected, weighed. Then the right gastrocnemius muscle was prepared for light and transmission electron microscopic studies and the right tibia was prepared for both decalcified and un-decalcified light microscopic studies. Cast-immobilized group II showed significantly increased serum calcium, LDH, CPK, cortisol, TNFα and plasma MDA with non-significant change in blood glucose level. Also immobilization resulted in significantly reduced body weight, reduced gastrocnemius body weight ratio and resulted microscopically in both skeletal muscle atrophy in the gastrocnemius muscle and osteoporosis in the tibia cancellous bone compared with control group. Immobilized -Leucine treated group-III exhibited significantly reduced LDH, CPK, MDA and glucose levels but the levels of calcium was non-significantly altered compared to immobilized non treated group. Although serum cortisol and TNFα levels in leucine treated group were reduced non-significantly compared to immobilized non treated group, microscopically Leucine administration to cast-immobilized rats of group III markedly prevented skeletal muscle atrophy and partially prevented cancellous bone osteoporosis. It is concluded that increased MDA, Cortisol, TNFα with immobilization may explain in part the associated changes in muscle and bone. Leucine prevented these changes which could be attributed to its direct anabolic effect or its ability to reduce oxidative stress and /or its ability to counteract the effect of Cortisol and TNFα rather than reducing their levels. Overall, these data suggesting that leucine intake may represent a nutritional strategy for limiting muscle and bone protein loss as a consequence of immobilization. [Bataa, M.A.EL-Kafoury, Nagwa Kostandy Kalleny and Ghada Galal Hamam. Effect of Amino Acid L-leucine On the Musculo-Skeletal Changes during Cast-Immobilization in Adult Male Albino Rats. Physiological and Histological study. Life Science Journal,. 2011; 8(2):776-892] (ISSN: 1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite. com.
The genes for benzene catabolism in Pseudomonas putida ML2 are flanked by two copies of the insertion element IS1489, forming a class-I-type catabolic transposon, Tn5542.

Two directly repeated sequences of the IS elements IS1489v1 and IS1489v2 flank the benzene dioxygenase (bedC1C2BA) and the cis-benzene dihydrodiol dehydrogenase (bedD) genes on the catabolic plasmid pHMT112 in Pseudomonas putida ML2, forming a Class-I-type composite transposon, Tn5542. Both IS1489v1 and IS1489v2 contain an identical 1371-bp open reading frame, tnpA, that is preceded by a possible ribosome binding site. The tnpA gene of IS1489v1 is bound by a pair of 40-bp imperfect inverted repeats while that of IS1489v2 is flanked only by the left inverted repeat. The tnpA gene codes for a putative 53-kDa polypeptide of 456 amino acids bearing similarity to transposases encoded on IS elements of P. alcaligenes, P. aeruginosa, P. stutzeri, and Serratia marcescens. The basic nature of the putative TnpA protein with a deduced pI of 8.93 is typical of IS-encoded transposases. Similar to other IS elements, an outward facing promoter was detected at the right end of IS1489v1. Experiments involving the suicide vector, pKNG101, failed to show transposition of Tn5542.
INTERCULTURALIDADE NO LIVRO DE PLE: ANÁLISE DO LIVRO “ESTAÇÃO BRASIL: PORTUGUÊS PARA ESTRANGEIROS”

O livro didatico e um componente que integra o processo de construcao do imaginario da cultura do “outro” em aulas de uma lingua estrangeira, alem de favorecer a sensibilizacao do aprendiz no reconhecimento de concepcoes relativas ao mundo, contribuindo com as interacoes em situacoes reais de uso da lingua-alvo. Assim, este trabalho apresenta uma analise relativa a colecao Estacao Brasil: Portugues para estrangeiros (2017), na tentativa de constatar de que forma o componente cultural e posto, uma vez que as autoras do material pontuam ter sido elaborado considerando a complexidade cultural brasileira. Com base em criterios de analise derivados dos estudos de Kramsch (2002) em torno da interculturalidade, observou-se que o livro esta associado a abordagem comunicativa de ensino, uma vez que reserva uma parte consideravel de atividades voltadas as questoes sociais que fazem parte de algumas das vivencias dos brasileiros .
Cubely: virtual reality block-based programming environment

Block-based programming languages are successfully being used as an alternative way of teaching introductory programming concepts. The success is in part due to the low barrier of entry and the visual game-like appeal fostering experimentation and creativity. Virtual reality (VR) presents a step further to an even more immersive and engaging experience. In this demo, we showcase our project Cubely, an immersive VR programming environment in which novice programmers solve programming puzzles within a virtual world. The puzzles are similar to Code.org exercises and solutions to the exercises are assembled by the programmer within the same virtual world using the cubes representing program instructions. The whole environment is templated to a theme of the popular Minecraft video game.
Regulation of PTEN Function as a PIP3 Gatekeeper Through Membrane Interaction

PTEN, one the most frequently mutated genes in human cancer, acts as a tumor suppressor by dephosphorylating the plasma membrane lipid second messenger phosphoinositide-3,4,5-trisphosphate (PIP3) generated by the action of PI3Kinases. PTEN activity to prevent elevated levels of PIP3 and tumorigenesis depends on its interaction with the lipid bilayer. PTEN binds dynamically to the plasma membrane through a complex mix of protein-lipid and protein-protein interactions and the translocation is regulated by several mechanisms including C-terminal tail phosphorylations. Here we have summarized our current view of the interaction of PTEN with the plasma membrane and what the implications are for cancer biology.
Instantaneous venous oxygenation estimation using the Photoplethysmograph (PPG) waveform

In this study oesophageal photoplethysmograph data from eight patients under positive pressure ventilation were analysed in order to test the hypothesis that the modulations created by the ventilation in the AC Photoplethysmograph (PPG) signal could be used to estimate venous oxygen saturation. In order to estimate the instantaneous arterial and venous oxygen saturation Smoothed-pseudo Wigner-Ville Distribution (SPWVD) was utilised. The result from this study showed that there was no significant different in the conventional (time domain) arterial saturation and the instantaneous arterial saturation. However, the instantaneous venous oxygen saturation estimated with the ventilator modulation were significantly lower then the conventional arterial saturation (P = 0.008) and also from the instantaneous arterial saturation (P = 0.008).
La conception d'observateur d'un système mécanique dans le domaine d'automobile par l'approche graphique

Le role d'un observateur permettre de reconstituer ou d'estimer en temps reel l'etat courant d'un systeme a partir des mesures disponibles, qui n'a pas besoin de connaitre les conditions initiales, qui permet d'avoir deternimer toutes les informations sur l'etat du systeme. En outre, il permet d'estimer les etats non mesurables d'un systeme, et egalement remplacer des capteurs couteux ou difficiles a maintenir. Par exemple, le capteur de glissement . Pour cela, nous allons concevoir un observateur de luenberger (observateur proportionnel) d'ordre complet sur un systeme mecatronique lineaire en utilisant une approche graphique, les proprietes causaux et l'analyse structurel de l'outil bond graph sont implementes pour la synthese de l'observateur, en consequence le calcul du gain de l'observateur de luenberger est fonde sur des procedures graphique. Des essais de simulation sur un systememecanique dans le domaine d'automobile montre la performance de l'observateur de luenberger lineaire graphique developpee dans le but de mesurer et estimer l'etat non mesurable.
W342F Mutation in CCaMK Enhances Its Affinity to Calmodulin But Compromises Its Role in Supporting Root Nodule Symbiosis in Medicago truncatula

The calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CCaMK) is regulated by free Ca2+ and Ca2+-loaded calmodulin. This dual binding is believed to be involved in its regulation and associated physiological functions, although direct experimental evidence for this is lacking. Here we document that site-directed mutations in the calmodulin-binding domain of CCaMK alters its binding capacity to calmodulin, providing an effective approach to study how calmodulin regulates CCaMK in terms of kinase activity and regulation of rhizobial symbiosis in Medicago truncatula. We observed that mutating the tryptophan at position 342 to phenylalanine (W342F) markedly increased the calmodulin-binding capability of the mutant. The mutant CCaMK underwent autophosphorylation and catalyzed substrate phosphorylation in the absence of calcium and calmodulin. When the mutant W342F was expressed in ccamk-1 roots, the transgenic roots exhibited an altered nodulation phenotype. These results indicate that altering the calmodulin-binding domain of CCaMK could generate a constitutively activated kinase with a negative role in the physiological function of CCaMK.
Allograft tissue irradiation and failure rate after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: A systematic review.

AIM To evaluate whether anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) allograft irradiation is effective for sterility without compromising graft integrity and increasing failure rate. METHODS A literature search was conducted using PubMed, Cochrane, and Google. The following search terms were used: "Gamma irradiation AND anterior cruciate ligament AND allograft" with a return of 30 items. Filters used included: English language, years 1990-2015. There were 6 hits that were not reviewed, as there were only abstracts available. Another 5 hits were discarded, as they did not pertain to the topic of interest. There were 9 more articles that were excluded: Three studies were performed on animals and 6 studies were meta-analyses. Therefore, a total of 10 articles were applicable to review. RESULTS There is a delicate dosing crossover where gamma irradiation is both effective for sterility without catastrophically compromising the structural integrity of the graft. Of note, low dose irradiation is considered less than 2.0 Mrad, moderate dose is between 2.1-2.4 Mrad, and high dose is greater than or equal to 2.5 Mrad. Based upon the results of the literature search, the optimal threshold for sterilization was found to be sterilization at less than 2.2 Mrad of gamma irradiation with the important caveat of being performed at low temperatures. The graft selection process also must include thorough donor screening and testing as well as harvesting the tissue in a sterile fashion. Utilization of higher dose (≥ 2.5 Mrad) of irradiation causes greater allograft tissue laxity that results in greater graft failure rate clinically in patients after ACL reconstruction. CONCLUSION Allograft ACL graft gamma irradiated with less than 2.2 Mrad appears to be a reasonable alternative to autograft for patients above 25 years of age.
Acting with technology: Activity theory and interaction design

Activity theory holds that the human mind is the product of our interaction with people and artifacts in the context of everyday activity. Acting with Technology makes the case for activity theory as a basis for understanding our relationship with technology. Victor Kaptelinin and Bonnie Nardi describe activity theory's principles, history, relationship to other theoretical approaches, and application to the analysis and design of technologies. The book provides the first systematic entry-level introduction to the major principles of activity theory. It describes the accumulating body of work in interaction design informed by activity theory, drawing on work from an international community of scholars and designers. Kaptelinin and Nardi examine the notion of the object of activity, describe its use in an empirical study, and discuss key debates in the development of activity theory. Finally, they outline current and future issues in activity theory, providing a comparative analysis of the theory and its leading theoretical competitors within interaction design: distributed cognition, actor-network theory, and phenomenologically inspired approaches. Acting with Technology series
Diesel exhaust particulates affect cell signaling, mucin profiles, and apoptosis in trachea explants of Balb/C mice

Particulate matter from diesel exhaust (DEP) has toxic properties and can activate intracellular signaling pathways and induce metabolic changes. This study was conducted to evaluate the activation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) and c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) and to analyze the mucin profile (acid (AB+), neutral (PAS+), or mixed (AB/PAS+) mucus) and vacuolization (V) of tracheal explants after treatment with 50 or 100 μg/mL DEP for 30 or 60 min. Western blot analyses showed small increases in ERK1/2 and JNK phosphorylation after 30 min of 100 μg/mL DEP treatment compared with the control. An increase in JNK phosphorylation was observed after 60 min of treatment with 50 μg/mL DEP compared with the control. We did not observe any change in the level of ERK1/2 phosphorylation after treatment with 50 μg/mL DEP. Other groups of tracheas were subjected to histological sectioning and stained with periodic acid‐Schiff (PAS) reagent and Alcian Blue (AB). The stained tissue sections were then subjected to morphometric analysis. The results obtained were compared using ANOVA. Treatment with 50 μg/mL DEP for 30 min or 60 min showed a significant increase (p < 0.001) in the amount of acid mucus, a reduction in neutral mucus, a significant reduction in mixed mucus, and greater vacuolization. Our results suggest that compounds found in DEPs are able to activate acid mucus production and enhance vacuolization and cell signaling pathways, which can lead to airway diseases. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 30: 1297–1308, 2015.