Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Corrosion Behavior of a Ti-Based Bulk Metallic Glass and Its Crystalline Alloys

The structure, thermal stability and corrosion behavior of the Ti40Zr10Cu36Pd14 bulk metallic glass and its crystalline alloys have been investigated in this paper. The results of potentiodynamic polarization measurements revealed that the Ti-based bulk metallic glass and its crystalline counterparts examined were spontaneously passivated by anodic polarization with the passive current density about 10 � 2 A/m 2 . The higher corrosion resistance for the Ti-based bulk metallic glass and partly crystalline alloys was attributed to stable and protective passive films enriched with titanium and zirconium. The Ti40Zr10Cu36Pd14 bulk metallic glass and its partial crystalline alloys produced recently without toxic elements are expected to be applied as biomaterials. [doi:10.2320/matertrans.MJ200713]
Long Swings in the Dollar and the Exchange Rate Exposure of Stock Returns

Theoretical models predict that firm behavior will differ under a depreciating relative to an appreciating currency regime. Consequently, the exchange rate exposure of a firm's stock return should also depend on the currency regime. We assess these theoretical predictions by examining the exchange rate exposure of stock returns using an econometric model that allows for stock returns to switch between two different regimes. We find that the two implied stock return regimes correspond to periods of depreciation and appreciation of the dollar. Consistent with the theory, we find that exchange rate exposures of industry stock returns are different in depreciations relative to appreciations. Over half of our sample of 30 industries have a statistically significant exposure coefficient and these exposures are double the size of those estimated from single regime models. Almost all of the industries that are exposed have extensive international trade. Evidence is also presented that is consistent with theoretical predictions that the size of the exchange rate change is important in determining exposure.
Performance of Modified Hodge Test and Combined Disc Test for Detection of Carbapenemases in Clinical Isolates of Enterobacteriaceae

Carbapenems are often the antimicrobials of last resort to treat multi-drug resistant gram negative bacilli. Although during the last few years carbapenem resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) has been increasingly reported. Their identification is of primary importance because carbapenemase producers are resistant to almost all β-lactams and also other class of antibiotics. Mainly, three types of carbapenemases are now commonly identified in Enterobacteriaceae. They are the Ambler class A (KPC), class B (MBL) and class D (OXA) types (Ambler et al., 1991; Nordman et al., 2011; Walsh et al., 2005). They have become widespread in International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 4 Number 5 (2015) pp. 255-261 http://www.ijcmas. com
Bacteriophages: Their Structural Organisation and Function

Viruses are infectious particles that exist in a huge variety of forms and infect practically all living systems: animals, plants, insects and bacteria. Viruses that infect and use bacterial resources are classified as bacteriophages (or phages) and represent the most abundant life form on Earth. A phage can be described as a specific type of nano-machine that is able to recognise its environment, find a host cell, start infection, self-assemble and safeguard its genome until the next cycle of replication is initiated. Remarkable results have been obtained by combining cryo-EM, X-ray analysis and bioinformatics in structural studies of these nano-machines. In this review we will describe results of structural studies of phages that uncover their organisation in different conformations, thus facilitating our understanding of the functional mechanisms in supramolecular assemblies and helping us understand the usage of phages in medical treatments. Currently, antibiotic resistance is an enormous challenge that we face. The tailed phages could be used in place of antibiotics due to their high specificity to host cells, but more knowledge of their organisation and function is required.
A Flow-based Distributed Intrusion Detection System Using Mobile Agents

In recent decade, computer networks have grown in popularity. So, network security measures become highly critical to protect networks against different kind of cyber attacks. One of the security measures is using intrusion detection system (IDS). An IDS aims to detect behaviors that compromise network integrity, availability and confidentiality, by continuously capturing and analyzing events occurring in the network. A challenging problem for current IDSs is that their performance decreases in today’s high speed and large scale networks. A centralize IDS cannot process such high volume of data and there is a high possibility that it discards some attacks. In this paper we propose a flow-based distributed IDS using mobile agents (MA), which performs both data capturing and data analyzing in a distributed fashion. Our distributed IDS provides a framework for deployment of a scalable and high performance IDS, which by using a grouping mechanism and help of mobile agents, effective collaboration can be established between all network members. We simulated our method in NS2. Then we compared our proposed system with a general network-based IDS and a distributed IDS. Experimental results showed its superiority using several metrics of network load, detection rate and flow loss rate. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.11591/ijece.v3i6. 3936
Testing for Asymmetry in British, German and Us Unemployment Data

Not only the level of aggregate unemployment but also the properties of its dynamics are an important topic in macroeconomics and labor economics. Several models like e.g. matching models with endogenous job destruction explicitly predict an asymmetric pattern in the evolution of unemployment, whereas linear models with Gaussian innovations preclude such dynamics. This paper applies several tests for asymmetry to aggregate British, German and US unemployment data to assess the relevance of asymmetries and compare the testing procedures. The results indicate that unemployment increases more quickly than it decreases, which is consistent with the pattern implied by matching models with endogenous job destruction.
In vitro impact of macrolide antibiotics on the viability of selected mammalian cell lines

The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro cytotoxicity of different concentrations of macrolide antibiotics (tilmicosin-TILM, tylosin-TYL and spiramycin-SPI) on selected animal cell cultures. VERO cells (kidney cells from Macacus rhesus ), FE cells (feline embryonal cells) and BHK 21 cells (cell line from young hamster kidneys) were used in the study and subjected to concentrations of macrolides ranging 50-1000 µg/mL, depending on the specific antibiotic and cell line. The cell viability expressed as the mitochondrial activity of living cells was assessed using the metabolic mitochondrial MTT test. The effect of tilmicosin: FE cells were the most sensitive with a significant decrease of mitochondrial activity at 100-150 µg/mL (P<0.001) TILM. VERO cells were the most resistant, as no significant decrease of viability was observed at any TILM dose. The effect of tylosin: FE cells showed the highest sensitivity to TYL, as 1000 µg/mL reduced the cell viability to a half (P<0.001) when compared to the untreated control. Similarly, a decreased viability of BHK 21 cells was observed following the supplementation of 1500 (P<0.001) and 900 (P<0.05) µg/mL TYL. VERO cells exhibited the highest resilience to the TYL treatment, with no significant differences of viability in comparison to the control. The effect of spiramycin: BHK 21 cells exhibited the highest sensitivity to the antibiotic, as all concentrations (150, 200, 300 µg/mL SPI) led to a significant decrease (P<0.001) of the mitochondrial activity. Similarly, the viability of FE cells significantly (P<0.05) decreased after the administration of 350 and 540 µg/mL SPI. On the other hand, VERO cells revealed the highest resistance to the antibiotic, with no significant effects in comparison to the control. Our data reveal that macrolides have a significant adverse negative effect on the cell viability, and may provide more information to our knowledge on the specific effects medication has on the organism.
Katja Anttila SWIMMING MUSCLES OF WILD , TRAINED AND REARED FISH ASPECTS OF CONTRACTION MACHINERY AND ENERGY METABOLISM

Billions of reared fish are released to the wild to compensate e.g. for the loss of natural populations. However, the efficiency of the releases is low. It has been proposed that one of the factors affecting the low survival rate of reared fish is their low swimming capacity. The molecular, metabolic and structural characters of muscle fiber define the swimming capacity of fish. Swimming capacity is related to the ecological competence of the fish, including the ability to complete long migrations and catch pray. One of the aims of the current study is to compare the properties of muscles of reared and wild salmon. The second aim of the study is to alter the muscular parameters of reared fish closer to those of wild fish by means of training. The muscular differences between wild, reared and trained fish are analyzed with immunological, histochemical and electron microscopic methods. The main focus is on the dihydropyridine and ryanodine receptors. These receptors are involved for example in the initiation, force and velocity of muscle contraction. According to the results, the level of receptors is higher in the muscles of wild as compared to reared fish. The aerobic ATP production capacity is also higher in the wild fish. However, with training both the level of receptors and oxidative capacity of reared fish increase. Moreover, the swimming capacity is enhanced in trained fish, and there is a connection between the level of receptors and swimming capacity of fish. Training also affects the migration pattern of fish which starts to resemble more that of wild fish. In conclusion, the results of the current study show that the performance of fish as a whole depends on functional parameters at cellular level. For the first time, it is shown that the level of receptors involved in muscular contraction is low in muscles of reared fish. However, the muscular properties are not definite. It is now shown that with training, both the muscular and migration parameters of reared fish approach those of wild fish. This will most probably increase the survival probability of trained, reared fish in the future.
Foreign direct investment, domestic sales and exports of local firms: a regional perspective from China

ABSTRACT Using a simultaneous equations model, this paper investigates how/whether the presence of foreign direct investment (FDI) affects the performance of local firms in China's (1) leather shoe manufacturing and (2) textile and garment manufacturing industries. We use the value of sales (total revenue) as a measure of firm performance in domestic and export markets. The distinguishing feature of this paper is the use of an FDI presence measure that takes the regional dimension into account. The empirical analysis presented in this paper reveals that the presence of FDI leads to a significant positive impact on the domestic sales and export intensity of local firms in both industries. This result is found to be robust to alternative measures of FDI. Based on the result, it is recommended that, in order to maximize the benefits from inward FDI, Chinese policy-makers must encourage domestic and foreign-invested firms to locate in close geographical proximity.
The Tenasserim Lutung, Trachypithecus barbei (Blyth, 1847) (Primates: Cercopithecidae): Description of a live specimen, and a reassessment of phylogenetic affinities, taxonomic history, and distribution

The Tenasserim lutung Trachypithecus barbei was previously known from museum specimens and field observations only. We discovered a zoo specimen and present the first confirmed evidence for the continued existence of the species since 1967. We describe the cranial pelage and coloration characteristics of this species which were previously unknown. We present first molecular evidence for recognizing T. barbei as a distinct species and for assessing its phylogenetic affinities relative to other members of the genus Trachypithecus. We document the taxonomic history of T. barbei and present a distribution map based on a compilation of all known locality records.
A molybdenum and a tungsten isoenzyme of formylmethanofuran dehydrogenase in the thermophilic archaeon Methanobacterium woljei

We have recently reported that the thermophilic archaeon Methanohucterium woCfei contains two formylmethanofuran dehydrogenases, I and 11. E'ormylmethanofuran dehydrogenase 11, which is preferentially expressed in tungsten-grown cells, has been purified and shown to be a tungsten-ironsulfur protein. We have now purified and characterized formylmethanofuran dehydrogenase I from molybdenum-grown cells and shown that it is amolybdenum-iron-sulfur protein. The purified enzyme, with a specific activity of 27 U/mg protein, was found to be composed of three subunits of apparent molecular mass 64 kDa, 51 kDa, and 31 kDa and to contain per moll4h-kDa molecule approximately 0.23 mol molybdenum, 0.46 mol molybdopterin guanine dinucleotide, and 6.6 mol non-heme iron but no tungsten (< 0.01 mol). The molybdenum enzyme differed from the tungsten enzyme (8 Ujmg) in that it catalyzed the oxidation of N-furfurylformamide and formate and was inactivated by cyanide. The two enzymes also differed significantly in the pH optimum, in the apparent K, for the electron acccptor, and in the chromatographic behaviour. The molybdenum enzyme and the tungsten enzyme were similar, however, in that the N-terminal amino acid sequences determined for the CI and f l subunits were identical up to residue 23, indicating that the two proteins are isoenzymes. The molybdenum enzyme, as isolated, was found to display an EPR signal derived from molybdenum as evidenced by isotope substitution.
Early development, adult mass, and reproductive success in bighorn sheep.

Despite considerable empirical and theoretical work on the individual and population consequences of early development, little is known about the correlations between early mass and adult size or lifetime reproductive success of free-ranging mammals. Using a 26-year study of bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis), we examined how mass as a lamb and mass gain as a yearling affected adult mass for both sexes, horn length of males and lifetime reproductive success of females at different population densities. Mass as a 3-week-old lamb was either weakly or not correlated with adult mass, horn length of adult males, or the number of lambs weaned over a ewe’s lifetime. Weaning mass was correlated with most of these variables when the number of ewes in the population was taken into account. When weaning mass was controlled through partial correlation, mass as a yearling was correlated with adult mass of ewes but not with ewe reproductive success or with adult mass or horn length of rams. Lamb mass and number of ewes explained more of the variance in adult characteristics for males than for females. Our results suggest that mass gain during lactation, possibly but not necessarily related to the amount of maternal care received, affects adult mass and reproductive success. Females appear better able than males to compensate for poor early development, likely by postponing their first reproduction. Mass gain over several years and the number of ewes in the population strongly affect adult mass of both sexes and therefore can have profound effects on reproductive success of this long-lived species with a multi-year growth period.
Towards real-time visual biometric authentication using human face for healthcare telepresence mobile robots

Telepresence Mobile Robots have prominent attributes in many fields as it provides virtual presence for human robot interaction. The deployment of this robot in healthcare sector has improved patient care and health. The vision system in a telepresence robot allows two way audiovisual communication between people at different location. In spite of such advancement, the manual way of controlling a robot to recognise and track people during an emergency is not favourable for a long duration. To circumvent this problem, biometric method using human face is proposed in this research which is implemented on Medical Telediagnosis Robot. This paper details the design of the face recognition and tracking system with four automated modules which are motion detection, face detection, face recognition and face tracking. The modules are developed with different algorithm and tested individually to ensure the stability of the system. Artificial Intelligence technique was applied at the face recognition stage while a two degree of freedom mechanism for actuator control was used at face tracking stage. A sequential mode operation is proposed to reduce the execution time in a real-time environment. To achieve this, only one module is operated at each time. A Graphical User Interface was developed to ease the users at the local and robot environment. The system is designed in LabVIEW platform. The biometric system proposed with hybrid algorithm at each module adapts for face images detected at different distances, poses and lighting condition. This system was tested in real-time and has an execution time of 55ms and 98% accuracy. The stand alone system designed for Medical Telediagnosis Robot can be will be very fruitful for various biometric system using facial technology.
CASPT2015: Train unit scheduling with bi-level capacity requirements

This dataset is used for storing relevant data for the paper "Train unit scheduling with bi-level capacity requirements" to be presented in Conference on Advanced Systems in Public Transport (CASPT) 19-23 July 2015. Information on the trains served by class 334 units from the December 2011 ScotRail timetable as the input data for our experiments is provided, whose attributes include: headcode, departure time, operational day, origin, destination, arrival time and historic capacity provision in terms of number of units. The passenger count survey (PAX) data is not included for confidentiality reasons.
Photosynthesis and Carbon Metabolism

Photosynthesis takes place in chloroplasts of green plants and algae and results in the conversion of radiant energy into chemical energy. Water and carbon dioxide are the raw materials; plants can produce sugars by using chlorophyll and light energy. During the first reaction of photosynthesis, ATP and NADPH are produced from light energy. Oxygen and hydrogen are released from water broken during the light reaction. In the dark reaction, CO 2 is converted into glucose by consuming energy that comes from first step of photosynthesis.
A Loewner-based Approach for the Approximation of Engagement-related Neurophysiological Features

Currently, in order to increase both safety and performance of human-machine systems, researchers from various domains gather together to work towards the use of operators' mental state estimation in the systems control-loop. Mental state estimation is performed using neurophysiological data recorded, for instance, using electroencephalography (EEG). Features such as power spectral densities in specific frequency bands are extracted from these data and used as indices or metrics. Another interesting approach could be to identify the dynamic model of such features. Hence, this article discusses the potential use of tools derived from the linear algebra and control communities to perform an approximation of the neurophysiological features model that could be explored to monitor the engagement of an operator. The method provides a smooth interpolation of all the data points allowing to extract frequential features that reveal fluctuations in engagement with growing time-on-task.
Structure and formation mechanism of blue-light-emitting centers in silicon and silica-based nanostructured materials

We propose a model of the blue-light-emitting center in silicon and silica-based materials on the basis of the density functional theory calculations. It has been shown that the dehydroxylation reaction involved in the annealing process of surface hydroxyl groups results in the formation of a defect pair consisting of a dioxasilirane, $\mathrm{Si}({\mathrm{O}}_{2})$, and a silylene, $\mathrm{Si}$:, center. The resulting defect pair has the allowed electronic transition energies of $\ensuremath{\sim}3.5$ and $\ensuremath{\sim}5\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{eV}$, in agreement with the peak positions of the photoluminescence excitation spectra of the blue-light-emitting materials.
A population on the edge: genetic diversity and population structure of the world's northernmost harbour seals (Phoca vitulina)

It is crucial to examine the genetic diversity and structure of small, isolated populations, especially those at the edge of their distribution range, because they are vulnerable to stochastic processes if genetic diversity is low and the isolation level is high, and because such populations provide insight into the consequences of population declines in a broader conservation context. The harbour seal (Phoca vitulina) population in Svalbard is the world's northernmost P. vitulina population. Nothing is known about the genetic diversity, distinctiveness, or origin of this small, marginalized mammalian population. Thus, the present study investigated its genetic status in the context of nearby P. vitulina in Iceland, south-east Greenland, and northern Norway: this species is depleted/threatened in all of these regions. A total of 174 samples distributed between the four locations were analysed using 15 polymorphic microsatellites and variation in the displacement loop region (D-loop). Each of the four locations was a genetically distinct population. The Svalbard population was highly genetically distinct, had reduced genetic diversity, received limited gene flow, had a rather low effective population size, and showed an indication of having experienced a bottleneck resulting from a recent population decline. The significant heterozygote excess observed in the Svalbard sample might be attributed to the low effective population size, which could initiate future population inbreeding effects. This phenomenon has not been reported earlier from other P. vitulina populations, but if the Svalbard population is experiencing inbreeding, this could reduce its resilience to climate change, disease outbreaks, or other perturbations. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 102, 420–439.
FPGA Based High Accuracy Synchronous Acquisition Design for Binocular Vision System

This paper proposes a coarse-to-fine two-level synchronous data acquisition and transmission system for binocular stereo vision, which satisfies strict synchronous requirement of stereo vision. Specifically, this synchronization system design contains: coarse level synchronous based on hardware circuit design and the fine level synchronous based on hardware description language (HDL) design. The former includes the synchronization design of clock and external trigger. The latter utilizes a multi-level synchronous control strategy from field-level to pixel-level, which consists of field-synchronous acquisition of the two-channel video inputs, two-channel Ping-pong buffers switch control module, and pixel-synchronous bitsplicing and PCI transmission module. The experiments of synchronous acquisition and display demonstrate the high reliability and great performance of this synchronous system.