Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antimycobacterial activity of the ethanolic extract of the wood of Bulnesia Sarmientoi Lorentz Ex. Griseb

In this work the in vitro antimycobacterial activity of the ethanolic extract obtained from the wood of Bulnesia sarmientoi Lorentz ex. Griseb and its chemical composition were studied. The preliminary phytochemical analysis of the extract showed the presence of steroids and/or triterpenes and tannins, and a GC/MS fingerprint analysis identified guaiol and bulnesol as main volatile components of the extract, based on their retention index and the comparison of their mass spectra with those contained in NIST libraries. The extract showed activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv strain with a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 50 µg/mL, using the microplate Alamar Blue assay. These results suggest that the extract could be a source of antimicrobial substances against M. tuberculosis. www.relaquim. com
Measurement of Brand Equity - An Empirical Evidence of Indian Car Industry

In the dynamic scenario of competitive market and with the increasing concern for quality, brand and brand management have become a core element of the corporate policy. Brand is a distinguishing name and a symbol, logo, trademark, package, and design intended to identify the goods or services of either one seller or a group of sellers and to differentiate these goods and services from those of competitors. Brand Loyalty is the psychic allegiance to the combination of attributes of a branded product focusing on the valuation of a brand. A brand is an index of how strong and successful a firm is. Hence Brand Valuation has become important in the current business environment. This paper vividly describes the Interbrand Method of Brand Valuation and evaluates the Brand Equity of selected car manufacturing units. The analytical result reveals that Maruti has scored the maximum brand equity, followed by Hyundai and Tata.
Spectroscopic binaries in the Solar Twin Planet Search program: From substellar-mass to M dwarf companions

Previous studies on the rotation of Sun-like stars revealed that the rotational rates of young stars converge towards a well-defined evolution that follows a power-law decay. It seems, however, that some binary stars do not obey this relation, often by displaying enhanced rotational rates and activity. In the Solar Twin Planet Search program we observed several solar twin binaries, and found a multiplicity fraction of $42\% \pm 6\%$ in the whole sample; moreover, at least three of these binaries (HIP 19911, HIP 67620 and HIP 103983) clearly exhibit the aforementioned anomalies. We investigated the configuration of the binaries in the program, and discovered new companions for HIP 6407, HIP 54582, HIP 62039 and HIP 30037, of which the latter is orbited by a $0.06$ M$_\odot$ brown dwarf in a 1-month long orbit. We report the orbital parameters of the systems with well-sampled orbits and, in addition, the lower limits of parameters for the companions that only display a curvature in their radial velocities. For the linear trend binaries, we report an estimate of the masses of their companions when their observed separation is available, and a minimum mass otherwise. We conclude that solar twin binaries with low-mass stellar companions at moderate orbital periods do not display signs of a distinct rotational evolution when compared to single stars. We confirm that the three peculiar stars are double-lined binaries, and that their companions are polluting their spectra, which explains the observed anomalies.
Dispersion engineering of Quantum Cascade Lasers frequency combs

Quantum cascade lasers are compact sources capable of generating frequency combs. Yet key characteristics - such as optical bandwidth and power-per-mode distribution - have to be improved for better addressing spectroscopy applications. Group delay dispersion plays an important role in the comb formation. In this work, we demonstrate that a dispersion compensation scheme based on a Gires-Tournois Interferometer integrated into the QCL-comb dramatically improves the comb operation regime, preventing the formation of high-phase noise regimes previously observed. The continuous-wave output power of these combs is typically $>$ 100 mW with optical spectra centered at 1330 cm$^{-1}$ (7.52 $\mu$m) with $\sim$ 70 cm$^{-1}$ of optical bandwidth. Our findings demonstrate that QCL-combs are ideal sources for chip-based frequency comb spectroscopy systems.
Study of Needle Insertion Parameters of Human Body Tissue for Surgical Operations

The thesis introduces the study on needle insertion during the laboratory experiment. The percutaneous needle insertion is performed several times in day to day life. Manually placement of needle in the tissue may cause damage inside the body sothe thesis presents the existing methodology of needle insertion and researched methodology in our laboratory. It shows the proper way of needle placement and which parameters are necessary to keep in mind when perform the needle insertion. It deals with the proper way of needle insertion, minimise the deflection of needle inside the tissue and gives an idea of reduction in deformation of tissue. The test procedures and experimental setup provide an understanding on the mechanics of needle placement and the design improvement of insertion instruments.The experimental analysis optimize the results of operative parameters of needle when it insert in the tissue like needle translation motion during the insertion, needle rotational motion during insertion, angle of needle insertion and force acting on the needle when it inserted in the tissue. The optimize results provide a brief knowledge for the surgeons about the needle behaviour during the insertion in soft tissue so surgeons are pre imagined the situations by which they would going through during the operation. The model enhances the quality of insertion by presenting the optimize model for parameters of needle insertion. In most of the insertion operations accuracy and precision is important parameters which must be kept in mind by the surgeons when they performed the insertion of needle inside the tissue so this is study is relevant for them to get the accuracy and precision in work. The aim of this research is to present standard methodology for needle insertion which can be possible by experimental analysis of needle insertion in laboratory
Metallic phase in the two-dimensional ionic Hubbard model

We investigate the phases of the ionic Hubbard model in a two-dimensional square lattice using determinant quantum Monte Carlo (DQMC). At half-filling, when the interaction strength or the staggered potential dominate we find Mott and band insulators, respectively. When these two energies are of the same order we find a metallic region. Charge and magnetic structure factors demonstrate the presence of antiferromagnetism only in the Mott region, although the externally imposed density modulation is present everywhere in the phase diagram. Away from half-filling, other insulating phases are found. Kinetic energy correlations do not give clear signals for the existence of a bond-ordered phase.
High-Speed Passenger and Intercity Train Aerodynamic Computer Modeling

With the onset of high-speed passenger train service in the United States, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and railroad agencies are concerned with the aerodynamic effects these trains will have on lightweight freight equipment, such as empty double stack container cars. This paper presents the results of a research project that evaluated this interaction. In this study we conducted a series of computational fluid dynamic (CDF) calculations to characterize the aerodynamic loads on a container consist passed by a high-speed train. A train motion simulation program was used to determine resultant motion and risk of overturning or derailment of the container consist. Numerous cases were studied in which train speed and wind speed and direction were varied.
APPLICATION OF GENERALIZED MULTIPOLE TECHNIQUE TO THE ANALYSIS OF DISCONTINUITIES IN SUBSTRATE INTEGRATED WAVEGUIDES

In this work, complex propagation constant of substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) with lossy dielectric is determined with the help of the generalized multipole technique (GMT). We then apply the GMT to compute scattering parameters of some discontinuities in SIW. The obtained results are compared with the results generated by a commercial finite-element solver.
Enhancing Skin-Effect Using Surface Roughening and its Potential to Reduce RF Heating from Implant Leads

Patients wearing Deep Brain Stimulators or Spinal Cord Stimulators implants experience heating at radio frequencies when subjected to an Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan that operates at a frequency of 128MHz. One technique to mitigate this heating is applying the concept of loss due to skin-effect on an implant lead wire at MRI frequency. A coaxial resonator of quarter-wavelength with copper conductors was constructed to test the insertion loss using a Vector Network Analyser. The smooth inner copper rod was compared with rough inner copper rod to determine the difference between the qualityvalue of the resonator. Roughening the surface does enhance the skin-effect loss but the loss is insufficient to translate it to an implant lead which is inserted in a patient.
Shortcut method for multicomponent batch distillation considering a variable reflux policy

A Shortcut method for batch distillation has proposed considering a variable reflux policy. The method is based on the work of Sundaram and Evans (1993) and considered an overall material balance, as well as a partial material balance. The functional relationship between the concentrations of the bottom and the dome is calculated using the Fenske, Underwood and Gilliland equations (FUG). The solution to the proposed mathematical model has been compared with the rigorous method using Class I and Class II mixtures. The proposed shortcut method is very simple and it can be used for preliminary design, simulation and optimization work.
Integrated nutrient management for orange-fleshed sweet potato in south eastern Nigeria

In the rainforest of south eastern Nigeria, new varieties of orange-fleshed sweet potatoes (Ipomea batatas Lam) have been introduced but appropriate soil nutrient management for these cultivars is lacking. The present study evaluated the response of two varieties of orange-fleshed sweet potatoes (Umuspo 1 and Umuspo 3) to different fertilizer combinations (Poultry manure, NPK and agrolyser). The experiment was a split plot laid out in a randomised complete block design with three replications. Results obtained showed that weed dry matter was lower with the control or with application of 2.5t/ha poultry manure + 200kg NPK than with application of poultry manure at 10t/ha. Storage root yields obtained from 400kg/ha NPK(the check) or 2.5t/ha poultry manure + 200kg NPK were comparable but significantly higher than the yields from the control or agrolyser or from 200kg/ha NPK + agrolyser. Umuspo 1 variety gave higher shoot biomass and lower weed density than Umuspo 3. There was no interaction between the fertilizer combinations and variety, suggesting that the orange-fleshed sweet potato varieties responded similarly to nutrient management strategies.
Expression of CD105 Antigen in Patients with Acute Leukemia, Malignant Lymphoma, and Multiple Myeloma in Active Phase of the Disease Wysoka ekspresja antygenu CD105 w aktywnej fazie choroby u chorych na ostre białaczki, chłoniaki złośliwe i szpiczaki

Background. CD105 (endoglin) is a proliferation−associated protein abundantly expressed in angiogenic endothe− lial cells. CD105 is a receptor for TGF (transforming growth factor)−β1 and −β3. It is important for the develop− ment of normal vascular architecture and may be associated with tumor angiogenesis. CD105 was strongly expressed in the endothelium of various tumor tissues compared with normal tissues and has been shown to be a useful marker to identify tumor angiogenesis. Objectives. Determining the expression of CD105 in blood of patients with acute leukemia, malignant lymphoma and multiple myeloma using the cytofluorimetric method. This should help to evaluate the role of CD105 in the development of hematopoietic malignancies. There are few available data in medical literature on this topic. Material and Methods. The study group consisted of three subgroups of patients with hematopoietic malignan− cies (20 with acute leukemia, 21 with malignant lymphoma, and 20 with multiple myeloma) and a control group of 30 healthy people. Blood samples were obtained from consecutive patients admitted to the clinic with the newly diagnosed disease before cytostatic treatment was introduced. Cells were prepared, stained with monoclonal anti− bodies, and analyzed by flow cytometry. Results. High expression of CD105 was present in patients with ALL (acute lymphoblastic leukemia) and AML (acute myelogenous leukemia) and was significantly higher than in the control group. In the patients with LM (lym− phoma malignum) and MM (multiple myeloma) the mean expression was higher than in healthy individuals, but not statistically significantly. No statistically significant correlations were observed between CD105 expression and age, gender, LDH concentration, chromosomal aberrations typical for patients with acute leukemia, or the number of blasts. In blood of patients with acute leukemia, CD105 expression was present on leukemic blast cells. In patients with LM an MM, CD105−positive cells were identified mainly within the population of neoplastic lym− phocytes. Conclusions. These results may suggest a connection between CD105 expression and the pathogenesis of blood neoplasms. The finding of a very high endoglin expression especially in patients with ALL was limited to a small group of patients and needs to be confirmed in a larger group. The mechanisms underlying the role of CD105 action in hematological malignancies still need to be fully elucidated (Adv Clin Exp Med 2006, 15, 6, 1023–1028).
Limiting configurations for solutions of Hitchin's equation

We review recent work on the compactification of the moduli space of Hitchin's self-duality equation. We study the degeneration behavior near the ends of this moduli space in a set of generic directions by showing how limiting configurations can be desingularized. Following ideas of Hitchin, we can relate the top boundary stratum of this space of limiting configurations to a Prym variety. A key r\^ole is played by the family of rotationally symmetric solutions to the self-duality equation on $\mathbb C$, which we discuss in detail here.
TiO2 nanotubes enriched with calcium, phosphorous and zinc: Promising bio-selective functional surfaces for osseointegrated titanium implants

The lack of osseointegration and implant-related infections are two major complications leading to failure of dental and orthopedic implants. Therefore, the development of effective titanium (Ti) implant surfaces able to display enhanced osteogenic activity and antimicrobial properties is required. In particular, titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanotubes (NTs) have demonstrated promising features to modulate biological responses, as they may be easily tailored to achieve multiple functions. This work aims to study the ability of bio-functionalized TiO2 NTs to induce osseointegration, and concomitantly, to avoid infection. TiO2 NTs were bio-functionalized with calcium (Ca), phosphorous (P) and zinc (Zn), by reverse polarization anodization. Morphological and topographical features of NTs were observed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), while surface chemistry was investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Biocompatibility studies were conducted with MG-63 and human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) through MTT assay. Furthermore, cell morphology and cytoskeleton organization were observed by SEM and laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM). The osteoblastic differentiation capacity of hMSCs was studied by real-time PCR, as well as their angiogenesis ability by measuring the total release of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Finally, viability of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) was assessed by live/dead bacterial viability assay. Results show that bio-functionalized TiO2 nanotubular surfaces are biocompatible and modulated cell morphology. In particular, NTs enriched with Ca, P, and Zn, induced to significantly up-regulated levels of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) and osteopontin (OPN) genes of hMSCs, when compared to conventional NTs. TiO2 nanotubular surfaces induced hMSCs to release a higher amount of VEGF, and significantly reduced the bacterial viability, both when compared to adequate Ti controls. In conclusion, the superimposition of TiO2 nanotubular-textured surfaces and their enrichment with Ca, P, and Zn, is a very promising approach for the development of novel bio-selective implant surfaces able to improve osseointegration and avoid infection.
The evaluation of the impact of financial technologies innovations on CEECs capital markets

Although there is a number of researchers studying innovations in general specifically pointing out the risky nature of financial innovations, and the necessity to study their impact the empiric studies describing the effect of the innovations in financial technologies upon capital markets are scarce. There is no credible evidence leading to an unambiguous conclusion as to the impact of innovation in financial technologies upon the development of capital markets in Central and East European countries (CEECs). Thus, the main scientific problem of this article is the lack of reliable quantitative evidence of the impact of innovations in financial technologies on capital market development in CEECs. According to that, the aim of this article is to assess the impact of the financial technologies innovations upon the capital markets of the CEECs on the basis of the most recent available data (2006–2017). The study methods employed by the authors included an analysis of the relevant scientific literature, comparative dynamic analysis, panel data models (constant, fixed and random effects) and other statistical methods. As a result, the panel model of the impact upon the capital markets in CEECs is developed based on the analysis of the data from 9 Central and Eastern European countries for a period of 12 years (2006-2017). The model suggested by the authors explains almost four fifths of the changes in the capital market expressed in the capitalisation indicator.The panel models of constant, fix and variable effects is an evidence of a negative statistically significant impact of the summary innovation index reflecting the level and the scope of financial technologies upon the development of capital markets in the Central European States when the other selected macroeconomic variables remain in control. The panel model of development of capital markets also showed that a statistically significant positive impact upon the capital market development in CEECs was produced by forecasted GDP growth, inflation and capital investment factors (variables). On the other hand, foreign direct investment, unemployment, interest rate, public debt, government budget deficit do not have a statistically significant impact upon the development of capital markets in the selected CEECs. The model constructed by the author is characterised by fairly high reliability and determination indicators, therefore, may be used for the purpose of a further assessment and projecting of the impact of financial technologies and other actions upon the development of the capital markets.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BMI, SELF-ASSESSMENT OF HUNGER, AND BRAIN PROCESSING OF FOOD IMAGES

Several studies have focused on cognitive processing of food-related stimuli in response to the rising obesity rates. Previous research has examined the potential connection between brain responses to pictures of food and body mass index (BMI) using an electroencephalogram (EEG). Findings from these studies are conflicting and may be a result of differences in methodologies. The purpose of this study was to clarify and extend the knowledge about the relationship between BMI, brain activity (specifically, event-related potentials [ERPs]) elicited by food-related stimuli, and self-report of food cravings and hunger. The Late Positive Potential (LPP), the ERP of interest, was chosen as previous studies have supported its use as an index of perception of affective stimuli.
Asset Securitizations and Credit Default Swaps

This study examines the effects of off-balance sheet versus on-balance sheet securitizations on the originator's credit risk in the default swap (CDS) market across the recent business cycle from 2002 to 2009. I find that on-balance sheet securitizations demonstrate greater effects on the originator's CDS premium than off-balance sheet securitizations in the business cycle. While off-balance sheet securitizations’ effects on the originator's CDS premium become significantly stronger after 2007 when the economy declines, on-balance sheet securitizations’ effects on the originator's CDS premium do not experience a significant change with the onset of the recession. The results suggest that the CDS market views originators as having greater probabilities not to honour their implicit guarantees for off-balance sheet securitizations during the economic downturn. The results also indicate that on balance sheet and off-balance sheet securitizations have distinctly different risk properties. It would be beneficial to investors if regulations take into considerations the changing credit risks of off-balance sheet securitizations and the different structures of asset securitizations.
On the Gelfand-Hille theorems

Let T be a bounded linear operator on a complex Banach space X, with smallest possible spectrum, say, σ(T ) = {1}. Thus, the resolvent (T −λI)−1 is an analytic function of λ on C \ {1}, vanishing at infinity, and the point 1 is either a pole or an essential singularity. More precisely, it is a pole of order r if and only if r is the least exponent such that (T − I) = 0, because (T − λI)−1 = −I(λ− 1)−1− (T − I)(λ− 1)−2− . − (T − I)(λ− 1)−(n+1)− .
The effects of first exposure to an unknown language at different ages

Wir konfrontierten 152 Schweizerdeutsch sprechende 10-90-Jährige mit einem 7-minütigen kontrollierten, aber natürlich gesprochenen Wetterbericht auf Mandarin-Chinesisch, um zu testen, ob sie phonotaktisches Wissen nach minimaler Exposition ableiten können. Mit einer lexikalischen Entscheidungsaufgabe wurde untersucht, ob die ProbandInnen Wörter von Nicht-Wörtern unterscheiden können und aus der Exposition abgeleitetes phonotaktisches Wissen auf neue Einheiten der Sprache anwenden können. ProbandInnen lehnten Konsonanten-Cluster leichter ab als unmögliche CVC-Silben. Dabei bemerkenswert ist, dass die CVC-Struktur sowohl in der Erstsprache der Teilnehmenden, als auch im Chinesischen möglich ist, und somit die Erkenntnis, dass die spezifischen Silben (CV_nasal/plosive) im Chinesischen nicht möglich sind, aus dem kurzen Fremdsprach-Input abgeleitet werden musste. Es gab keinen Alterseffekt für die korrekte Ablehnung der CVC-Silben, was darauf hinweist, dass sich die getestete Fähigkeit nicht mit dem Alter verändert. Diese Resultate bestätigen Ergebnisse aus der Forschung zur Lernbarkeit künstlicher Sprachen und belegen eine starke menschliche Fähigkeit zum Erwerb abstrakter Information nach minimalem Kontakt, nicht nur mit künstlicher, sondern auch mit natürlicher gesprochener Sprache. Ausserdem scheint diese Fähigkeit über die Lebensspanne konstant zu bleiben, was herkömmliche Annahmen bezüglich Alterseffekten im Zweitspracherwerb in Frage stellt.