Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Au-Free AlGaN/GaN Power Diode on 8-in Si Substrate With Gated Edge Termination

High-performance AlGaN/GaN diodes are realized on 8-in Si wafers with Au-free CMOS-compatible technology. The diodes are cointegrated on the same substrate together with the AlGaN/GaN metal-insulator-semiconductor high electron mobility transistors and with only one extra lithographic step. The diode anode and the transistor gate are processed together and the same metallization is used for both, avoiding extra metal deposition dedicated to the Schottky junction. A gated edge termination allows obtaining low reverse leakage current (within 1 μA/mm at -600 V), which is several orders of magnitude lower than the one of conventional Schottky diodes processed on the same wafer. Recess is implemented at the anode, resulting in low diode turn-on voltage values.
Higher-level Composition Control in Music Sketcher: Modifiers and Smart Harmony

There is a fundamental tension between working with high-level abstractions which often provide intuitive conceptual manipulations but hide details, and working with low-level data which, while quite powerful, can also be quite tedious. To help balance this tension, we have been developing technologies and higher-level abstractions designed to enhance the composer’s ability to create music, focusing on the compositional concepts of shape, structure, and tension-release. This paper discusses our ongoing efforts in this area, as demonstrated in the Music Sketcher program, with particular focus on the Smart Harmony and Modifier technologies.
CD44: A Multifunctional Mediator of Cancer Progression

CD44, a non-kinase cell surface transmembrane glycoprotein, has been widely implicated as a cancer stem cell (CSC) marker in several cancers. Cells overexpressing CD44 possess several CSC traits, such as self-renewal and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) capability, as well as a resistance to chemo- and radiotherapy. The CD44 gene regularly undergoes alternative splicing, resulting in the standard (CD44s) and variant (CD44v) isoforms. The interaction of such isoforms with ligands, particularly hyaluronic acid (HA), osteopontin (OPN) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), drive numerous cancer-associated signalling. However, there are contradictory results regarding whether high or low CD44 expression is associated with worsening clinicopathological features, such as a higher tumour histological grade, advanced tumour stage and poorer survival rates. Nonetheless, high CD44 expression significantly contributes to enhanced tumourigenic mechanisms, such as cell proliferation, metastasis, invasion, migration and stemness; hence, CD44 is an important clinical target. This review summarises current research regarding the different CD44 isoform structures and their roles and functions in supporting tumourigenesis and discusses CD44 expression regulation, CD44-signalling pathways and interactions involved in cancer development. The clinical significance and prognostic value of CD44 and the potential of CD44 as a therapeutic target in cancer are also addressed.
Flavonols Mediate Root Phototropism and Growth through Regulation of Proliferation-to-Differentiation Transition

Light locally induces the accumulation of flavonols to promote cell elongation and asymmetric growth in the root transition zone, suggesting that flavonols serve as positional signals. Roots normally grow in darkness, but they may be exposed to light. After perceiving light, roots bend to escape from light (root light avoidance) and reduce their growth. How root light avoidance responses are regulated is not well understood. Here, we show that illumination induces the accumulation of flavonols in Arabidopsis thaliana roots. During root illumination, flavonols rapidly accumulate at the side closer to light in the transition zone. This accumulation promotes asymmetrical cell elongation and causes differential growth between the two sides, leading to root bending. Furthermore, roots illuminated for a long period of time accumulate high levels of flavonols. This high flavonol content decreases both auxin signaling and PLETHORA gradient as well as superoxide radical content, resulting in reduction of cell proliferation. In addition, cytokinin and hydrogen peroxide, which promote root differentiation, induce flavonol accumulation in the root transition zone. As an outcome of prolonged light exposure and flavonol accumulation, root growth is reduced and a different root developmental zonation is established. Finally, we observed that these differentiation-related pathways are required for root light avoidance. We propose that flavonols function as positional signals, integrating hormonal and reactive oxygen species pathways to regulate root growth direction and rate in response to light.
Analysis of prenatal spinal reflex activity in sheep.

An electrophysiological analysis was made of the prenatal development of the reflex muscular response to stretch in 17 non-anaesthetized sheep fetuses (calculated gestational age 53 -132 days) kept in placental contact with the decerebrate ewe. Electrical muscle activity recorded with needle electrodes in the gastrocnemius muscle in response to stretch of the muscle appeared around the 60th day and was shown to be of reflex order. Antagonistic inhibition and inhibition evoked by skin stimulation were not found until later on, there being a short period in which no signs of central inhibition were obtained. Decerebrate rigidity was not obtained until the end of the gestation period, the total length of which is about 150 days in sheep.
Effects of phosphorous supply on growth, phosphate distribution and expression of transporter genes in tomato plants

Phosphorus (P) is absorbed only as phosphate ions (Pi), which are often lower than the plant needs in cultivated soils. In this research, we have used various amounts of Pi for four weeks to feed hydroponically young tomato plants. Pi treatments influenced growth, biomass production, P levels in different tissues and the expression pattern of two Pi transporter genes, LePT1and LePT2. In a low Pi concentration density and length of root hairs, total root length, specific root length and root to shoot ratio increased while biomass, leaf area, and root density decreased. Root morphology was not changed significantly when the Pi supply was 0.5 mM or higher. The P level in roots or shoots did not increase significantly, when Pi level was above 1 mM. Correlation between roots, P content and two Pi transporter activities showed that transcription of LePT2 is induced at 0.2 g P/100g-1 dry weight in roots while LePT1expression remains high, up to 0.5 g P/100g-1 of dry weight. In total, these results showed that the P content of roots and shoots are strongly correlated with supplied Pi concentrations. Allocating more P in shoots than in roots indicated that leaves are cumulating organ for P distribution at high Pi condition.
A Framework for the MR3 Algorithm: Theory and Implementation

This paper provides a streamlined and modular presentation of the $\mbox{MR}^{3}$ algorithm for computing selected eigenpairs of symmetric tridiagonal matrices, thus disentangling the principles driving $\mbox{MR}^{3}$ and the (recursive) “core” algorithm from the specific (e.g., twisted) decompositions used to represent the matrices at different recursion depths and from the (dqds) transformations converting between them. Our approach allows a modular full proof for the correctness of the $\mbox{MR}^{3}$ algorithm. This proof is based on five requirements concerning the interplay between the core algorithm and its subcomponents. These requirements can also guide in implementing the algorithm, because they expose quantities that can and should be monitored at runtime. Our new implementation XMR, which is based on the above analysis, is described and compared to STEMR from Lapack 3.2. 2. Numerical experiments comparing the robustness and performance of both implementations are given.
Characterization of Finite Photonic Crystals With Defects

A simple computational approach is proposed to obtain the dispersion characteristics that could be observed outside of general finite-extent photonic crystals with defects. Since introducing and tailoring defects in photonic crystals are crucial for designing practical devices, the proposed method may play an important role in characterization and optimization of such defects. The method uses reflection data, due to an incident plane wave at a given frequency, collected at the front interface of a photonic crystal. It is simple and applicable for general photonic crystals, that is, photonic crystals with any periodicity, 1D, 2D, and 3D, and even with any kind of defects. The validity of the method was tested and verified on 1D and 2D finite photonic crystals, for which the reflection coefficient data at the front interface can be easily obtained by analytical means and numerical simulations, respectively. In addition, different types of defects, like random and periodic defects, were studied and it has been shown that the method is capable of providing information pertinent to the outside world on the defect modes.
LAS ORQUÍDEAS DEL PARQUE NACIONAL BARRA HONDA, GUANACASTE, COSTA RICA

Los trabajos floristicos constituyen fuentes de informacion de suma importancia pues entre otros aspectos, determinan el numero de especies presentes en una region y permiten su correcta identificacion (Atwood 1987, Pupulin 1998). La carencia de este tipo de trabajos dificulta futuras investigaciones en los diversos planos de la biologia, la conservacion y la educacion ambiental. Costa Rica posee uno de los sistemas de areas de conservacion mas importantes a nivel mundial.
Biomarker MicroRNAs for Diagnosis of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Identified Based on Gene Expression Data and MicroRNA-mRNA Network Analysis

Oral squamous cell carcinoma is one of the most malignant tumors with high mortality rate worldwide. Biomarker discovery is critical for early diagnosis and precision treatment of this disease. MicroRNAs are small noncoding RNA molecules which often regulate essential biological processes and are good candidates for biomarkers. By integrative analysis of both the cancer-associated gene expression data and microRNA-mRNA network, miR-148b-3p, miR-629-3p, miR-27a-3p, and miR-142-3p were screened as novel diagnostic biomarkers for oral squamous cell carcinoma based on their unique regulatory abilities in the network structure of the conditional microRNA-mRNA network and their important functions. These findings were confirmed by literature verification and functional enrichment analysis. Future experimental validation is expected for the further investigation of their molecular mechanisms.
Greedy by Chance - Stochastic Greedy Algorithms

For many complex combinatorial optimization problems, obtaining good solutions quickly is of value either by itself or as part of an exact algorithm. Greedy algorithms to obtain such solutions are known for many problems. In this paper we present stochastic greedy algorithms which are perturbed versions of standard greedy algorithms, and report on experiments using learned and standard probability distributions conducted on knapsack problems and single machine sequencing problems. The results indicate that the approach produces solutions significantly closer to optimal than the standard greedy approach, and runs quite fast. It can thus be seen in the space of approximate algorithms as falling between the very quick greedy approaches and the relatively slower soft computing approaches like genetic algorithms and simulated annealing.
A Systematic Review of Computational Drug Discovery, Development, and Repurposing for Ebola Virus Disease Treatment

Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a deadly global public health threat, with no currently approved treatments. Traditional drug discovery and development is too expensive and inefficient to react quickly to the threat. We review published research studies that utilize computational approaches to find or develop drugs that target the Ebola virus and synthesize its results. A variety of hypothesized and/or novel treatments are reported to have potential anti-Ebola activity. Approaches that utilize multi-targeting/polypharmacology have the most promise in treating EVD.
Observational tests of FRW world models

Observational tests for the cosmological principle are reviewed. Assuming the FRW metric we then summarize estimates of cosmological parameters from various datasets, in particular the cosmic microwave background and the 2dF galaxy redshift survey. These and other analyses suggest a best-fit Λ-cold dark matter model with Ωm = 1 − Ωl ≈ 0.3 and H0 ≈ 70 km s−1 Mpc−1. It is remarkable that different measurements converge to this 'concordance model', although it remains to be seen if the two main components of this model, the dark matter and the dark energy, are real entities or just 'epicycles'. We point out some open questions related to this fashionable model.
We are European Citizens. Jugar para aprender a ser europeos.

A pesar de los esfuerzos realizados por los sistemas educativos de los diferentes paises en los ultimos anos, informes europeos coinciden en afirmar que el alumnado de los centros educativos de Primaria y Secundaria de Europa todavia debe incrementar su grado de conocimiento sobre las cuestiones basicas de la Union Europea. Para ello, la formacion inicial y permanente del profesorado sigue siendo una cuestion clave, como tambien lo es el introducir en las aulas materiales y recursos educativos mas innovadores y atractivos para el alumnado. En este trabajo presentamos el proceso de diseno y desarrollo de dos videojuegos educativos dirigidos a alumnado de Primaria y Secundaria de Europa, a fin de mejorar el conocimiento de la Union Europea a traves de la experiencia de juego. Nuestro trabajo se desarrollo en el curso 2013-14 en 11 centros educativos de la ciudad de Vigo (Pontevedra), en el marco de un proyecto mas amplio, “We are European Citizens”, financiado por la UE dentro de su programa Jean Monnet “Learning Europe at School”. Pretendiamos con ello responder a las siguientes cuestiones: ? Es posible que con nuevos recursos, como los videojuegos educativos con la UE como tema principal, los alumnos de Primaria y Secundaria de Europa muestren mas interes por adquirir los conocimientos basicos sobre la misma? ; ? mejorarian con ese videojuego su nivel de conocimiento sobre la UE? A fin de conocer el estado de la cuestion en las aulas viguesas, hicimos un diagnostico inicial sobre actitudes y conocimientos previos de los alumnos de Primaria y Secundaria y materiales y recursos educativos que estan utilizando habitualmente profesores y alumnos para la ensenanza y aprendizaje de estos contenidos. Una vez establecida la linea base, un equipo multidisciplinar adapto los contenidos academicos para el aprendizaje de las cuestiones europeas, puso en marcha cursos de formacion teorico-practicos para el profesorado y diseno y desarrollo un proyecto de entretenimiento interactivo para el alumnado que consistio en dos videojuegos multilingues (una aventura grafica y una simulacion). Finalmente evaluamos el nivel de satisfaccion de alumnos y profesores con respecto a los cursos de capacitacion y las nuevas herramientas disenadas. En el presente curso 2014-15 estamos evaluando los conocimientos adquiridos por los alumnos de los centros participantes despues de mejorar el nivel de formacion del profesorado y del uso y disfrute de los videojuegos desarrollados. En el trabajo que presentamos ahora nos centramos en la fase de creacion y validacion de dichos videojuegos y en la metodologia de aprendizaje basada en la experiencia en el diseno de los productos de entretenimiento interactivos. Las conclusiones a las que hemos llegado tras este trabajo han sido que el uso de videojuego para el aprendizaje de materias tan teoricas como puede ser el conocimiento de la Union Europea pueden ser herramientas muy motivantes y efectivas para su uso en el aula.
Anterolateral Thigh Flap for the Reconstruction of Head and Neck Defects: Alternative or Replacement of the Radial Forearm Flap?

This paper presents our clinical experience with head and neck reconstruction using radial forearm flap and our preliminary experience with anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap. We analyze the advantages and disadvantages of these 2 flaps from the complications we have encountered. From 1993 to 2006, the radial forearm flap has been used in 75 patients, whereas we began using the ALT flap in 2006. Since this time, we have used the ALT flap in 10 patients. One flap partial loss was observed in a patient who underwent reconstruction of the ethmoid region and nasal bones with an osteofasciocutaneous radial flap. In one patient who underwent reconstruction with ALT flap, inadequate venous outflow was discovered, and the flap was salvaged with reexploration, removing of the cutaneous component of the flap and using antithrombotic agents. Donor-site complications were experienced in 8 of 75 patients who underwent reconstruction with radial forearm flap, whereas all donor thighs healed uneventfully. Anterolateral thigh flap gives optimal results either at the donor site or at the accepting site, being easy to harvest and providing an ideal reconstructive option. Nevertheless, radial forearm flap remains a valuable alternative in case of a thin soft tissue reconstruction because of its thinness and versatility; furthermore, it can provide a long and constant pedicle of large caliber. However, since we began using the ALT flap, we had only performed this flap with respect to radial forearm flap because of its lower donor-site morbidity.
Prophylactic corticosteroids for preterm birth.

BACKGROUND Respiratory distress syndrome is a serious complication of prematurity causing significant immediate and long-term mortality and morbidity. OBJECTIVES The objective of this review was to assess the effects of corticosteroids administered to pregnant women to accelerate fetal lung maturity prior to preterm delivery. SEARCH STRATEGY The Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group trials register was searched. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised and quasi-randomised trials of corticosteroid drugs capable of crossing the placenta compared with placebo or no treatment in women expected to deliver preterm as a result of either spontaneous preterm labour, prelabour rupture of the membranes preterm, or elective preterm delivery. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Eligibility and trial quality were assessed by one reviewer. MAIN RESULTS Eighteen trials including data on over 3700 babies were included. Antenatal administration of 24 milligrams of betamethasone, of 24 milligrams of dexamethasone, or two grams of hydrocortisone to women expected to give birth preterm was associated with a significant reduction in mortality (odds ratio 0.60, 95% confidence interval 0.48 to 0.75), respiratory distress syndrome (odds ratio 0.53, 95% confidence interval 0.44 to 0.63) and intraventricular haemorrhage in preterm infants. These benefits extended to a broad range of gestational ages and were not limited by gender or race. No adverse consequences of prophylactic corticosteroids for preterm birth have been identified. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS Corticosteroids given prior to preterm birth (as a result of either preterm labour or elective preterm delivery) are effective in preventing respiratory distress syndrome and neonatal mortality. However there is not enough evidence to evaluate the use of repeated doses of corticosteroids in women who remain undelivered, but who are at continued risk of preterm birth. (This abstract has been prepared centrally.)
Memantine for dementia.

BACKGROUND Alzheimer's disease, vascular and mixed dementia are the three commonest forms of dementia affecting older people. There is evidence that the excitatory activity of L-glutamate plays a role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease and in the damage from an ischaemic stroke. A low affinity antagonist to N-Methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) type receptors, such as memantine, may prevent excitatory amino acid neurotoxicity without interfering with the physiological actions of glutamate required for memory and learning. OBJECTIVES To determine the clinical efficacy and safety of memantine for people with Alzheimer's disease, or vascular or mixed dementia. SEARCH STRATEGY Trials were identified from a search of the Trial-based Specialized Register of the Cochrane Dementia and Cognitive Improvement Group on 7 April 2004 using the terms: memantin*, namenda*, ebixa*, axura*, D-145, DMAA, DRG-0267. All major health care databases and many ongoing trial databases are searched regularly to keep this Register up to date. SELECTION CRITERIA Double-blind, parallel group, placebo-controlled, randomised and unconfounded trials in which memantine was administered to people with dementia. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Data were extracted, pooled where possible, and weighted mean differences, standardized mean differences or odds ratios were estimated. Intention-to-treat (ITT) and observed cases (OC) analyses are reported, where data were available. MAIN RESULTS The evidence suggests that memantine has a positive effect on cognition, mood and behaviour and the ability to perform activities of daily living in patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease. The results in patients with mild to moderate vascular dementia, suggest a beneficial effect of 20mg/day of memantine on cognitive function measured at 28 weeks. However, these results are neither supported by an effect on ability to perform activities of daily living nor by an effect on the clinical impression of change. This suggests that, in patients with mild to moderate vascular dementia, the effect on cognitive function is not translated into clinically detectable changes. REVIEWERS' CONCLUSIONS :Memantine 20 mg/day caused a clinically noticeable reduction in deterioration over 28 weeks in patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer disease. This was supported by less functional and cognitive deterioration. Patients taking memantine were less likely to become agitated. The effect in mild to moderate AD is unknown. Patients with mild to moderate vascular dementia receiving memantine 20 mg/day had less cognitive deterioration at 28 weeks but the effects were not clinically discernible. There is an early beneficial effect on cognition, mood, behaviour and clinical impression for memantine at 6 weeks. The drug is well tolerated in general and the incidence of adverse effects is low.
Fomento de la Participación del Alumnado con Herramientas Libres de Trabajo Colaborativo Web 2.0

Este articulo presenta tres experiencias llevadas a cabo en la Universidad de Cadiz (Espana) durante los cursos 2008-2009 y 2009-2010. En ellas se emplean herramientas Web 2.0 para facilitar el trabajo en grupo de los alumnos, tanto en clase como fuera de ella. Se persigue este objetivo en dos frentes: creacion de documentos con tecnologias wiki y desarrollo colaborativo de proyectos de software. Como consecuencia, todo el trabajo que se realiza esta disponible publicamente y se usan herramientas automaticas para su medicion, lo que facilita proporcionar retroalimentacion a los alumnos y hace mas transparente la evaluacion. Los resultados muestran que estas tecnologias facilitan la deteccion de problemas en el aprendizaje y en el trabajo interno de los grupos. Ademas, los alumnos valoran positivamente este tipo de iniciativas en las que son protagonistas. Sin embargo, ese mayor grado de participacion hace necesario el uso de herramientas automaticas para su seguimiento.