Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Co-work between University Teachers from Different Fields: Is it Possible to Build a Common Language?

Some of the ideas/categories that resulted from this work suggest a common language should be built between different professionals that work together: i) consider the human side of technology; ii) important behaviours for team work are complementarity, cohesion and synchronization; iii) attention to details motivates students; iv) stimulate new experiences/new thoughts; v) master four different abilities: inform, educate, inspire and entertain; vi) the essential will always remain, although times are changing and new fields of science are coming; vii) the web changed the way we work and learn and thats more important than the way we interact with the contents of the web; viii) technology should improve teaching skills; ix) working together can be painful, so eliminating personnel barriers could result in a good cooperation/collaboration; x) team building; xi) create relevant contents; xii) build channels to reach all over the world; xiii) bridging programs can be very useful after a 1st graduation course where the main abilities from one area are already consolidated; xiv) Commitment to the team goals; xv) Psychologists are needed in teams and xv) dream university is the one that has pleasant and large spaces to be used by people and to inspire them.
Chloroquine Potentiates the Anticancer Effect of Pterostilbene on Pancreatic Cancer by Inhibiting Autophagy and Downregulating the RAGE/STAT3 Pathway

The treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains a huge challenge, because pro-survival signaling pathways—such as the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway—are overexpressed in PDAC cells. Moreover, PDAC cells are highly resistant to chemotherapeutic agents because of autophagy induction. Therefore, autophagy and its modulated signaling pathways are attractive targets for developing novel therapeutic strategies for PDAC. Pterostilbene is a stilbenoid chemically related to resveratrol, and has potential for the treatment of cancers. Accordingly, we investigated whether the autophagy inhibitor chloroquine could potentiate the anticancer effect of pterostilbene in the PDAC cell lines MIA PaCa-2 and BxPC-3, as well as in an orthotopic animal model. The results indicated that pterostilbene combined with chloroquine significantly inhibited autophagy, decreased cell viability, and sensitized the cells to pterostilbene-induced apoptosis via downregulation of the RAGE/STAT3 and protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathways in PDAC cells. The results of the orthotopic animal model showed that pterostilbene combined with chloroquine significantly inhibited pancreatic cancer growth, delayed tumor quadrupling times, and inhibited autophagy and STAT3 in pancreatic tumors. In summary, the present study suggested the novel therapeutic strategy of pterostilbene combined with chloroquine against the growth of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma by inhibiting autophagy and downregulating the RAGE/STAT3 signaling pathways.
Quality costing in process industries through QCAS: a practical case

The paper aims to describe a structured framework to implement, sustain and manage a quality-costing program in a process industry. After briefing about the advantages and disadvantages of various cost accounting approaches practiced by the industries, the authors described the need for attaching fuzziness to the notion of ‘quality’. The proposed approach is discussed with the help of a case from paper industry. After obtaining expert elicitation, the imprecise, vague, and complex information related to quality cost items (under four key cost segments, i.e. prevention [P], appraisal [A], Internal failure [IF], and external failure [EF]) is synthesized using well-established principles of fuzzy set theory. To help the management in successful implementation of quality cost accounting system (QCAS) five alternatives for each cost category were considered. By obtaining the priority values with respect to various alternatives the implementation program was revived. The comparative analysis carried out after collecting the information under PAF cost segments showed a progressive and significant change in quality costs.
Can the Combined Use of the Mirid Predator Nesidiocoris tenuis and a Braconid Larval Endoparasitoid Dolichogenidea gelechiidivoris Improve the Biological Control of Tuta absoluta?

Simple Summary Combining natural enemies may lead to synergistic, additive, or antagonistic effects on the control of insect pests. An investigation into the nature and outcome of the interaction between a generalist mirid predator, Nesidiocoris tenuis, and a specialist koinobiont larval endoparasitoid, Dolichogenidea gelechiidivoris, in the control of a co-shared host/prey, Tuta absoluta, was undertaken under laboratory conditions. We found that the presence of N. tenuis did not affect oviposition performance or progeny production by D. gelechiidivoris. When both natural enemies were combined, the efficacy in reducing T. absoluta populations was significantly higher than that of either natural enemy used alone. Nesidiocoris tenuis preferentially reduced the densities of T. absoluta eggs, while D. gelechiidivoris reduced the larval stages of the pest. The combined use of N. tenuis and D. gelechiidivoris could potentially help reduce the overall infestation level of T. absoluta in tomato agroecosystems. Abstract The koinobiont solitary larval endoparasitoid Dolichogenidea gelechiidivoris (Marsh) (Syn.: Apanteles gelechiidivoris) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and the predatory bug Nesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter) (Hemiptera: Miridae) are important natural enemies of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), a serious pest of tomato. Although N. tenuis preferentially feeds on T. absoluta eggs, it is also recorded as a predator of first and second instar larval stages. Dolichogenidea gelechiidivoris preferentially seeks these early larval stages of T. absoluta for oviposition. The occurrence of intraguild predation between N. tenuis and D. gelechiidivoris and the consequences on the oviposition performance of D. gelechiidivoris were investigated in the laboratory. Regardless of the manner of introduction (i.e., the sequence of combinations with D. gelechiidivoris) or density (i.e., number of N. tenuis combined with D. gelechiidivoris), the presence of N. tenuis did not affect the oviposition performance of D. gelechiidivoris or the parasitoid’s progeny. Combination assays revealed that the efficacy of the combined use of N. tenuis and D. gelechiidivoris in controlling T. absoluta populations was significantly higher than that of either natural enemy alone. Our results highlight the potential of combining mirid predators and koinobiont larval endoparasitoids to control T. absoluta. The findings further contribute to data supporting the release of D. gelechiidivoris in tomato agroecosystems for the control of T. absoluta in Africa, where N. tenuis is widespread and abundant.
History and impact of a bean (Phaseolus spp., Leguminosae, Phaseoleae) collection

This work explains the reasons why a bean collection was established in 1973 at the International Center of Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) near Palmira in Colombia. It shows the impact of the collection on plant breeding and in agricultural development through the distribution of germplasm to the center’s bean breeding program, to successively ﬁnd resistances to pests and diseases, adaptation to low phosphorus and drought, and more recently higher content of iron and zinc in seeds. The collection was also used to progress knowledge in biological sciences, as shown by a dozen of examples. A reason behind these successes was foresight and focus on diversity per se in the collection. The paper ends with a number of suggestions for the way ahead for the genetic resources conservation and management of these bean crops, and possible take-home lessons for curators in charge of other similar collections.
Examining the Impacts of Economic, Social, and Environmental Factors on the Relationship between Urbanization and CO2 Emissions

This study examines the relationship between urbanization, economic growth, industrial transformation, technological change, public services, demographical change, urban and natural environmental changes, and carbon emissions using a dataset of 182 prefecture-level cities in China between 2001 and 2010. Specifically, this paper differs from previous studies in two aspects. First, the extant literature has focused on how economic processes accompanying rapid urbanization affect carbon emissions in urban areas but gives little attention to the other dimensions of urbanization, including social and environmental changes, which may have important effects on carbon emissions. We assessed the effects of 17 key processes accompanying urbanization in a full range of economic, social, and environmental dimensions on carbon dioxide emissions in urban areas. The results showed that social processes accompanied with rapid urbanization had distinct effects on carbon emissions, compared to economic and environmental processes. Specifically, improvement in public services, indicated by education and cultural developments, reduces the increase in carbon emissions during urbanization, while economic growth and urban construction reinforces the growth in carbon emissions. Second, we examined the impact of various urbanization processes on carbon dioxide emissions using a unique dataset of 182 prefecture-level cities that covers a wide span of regions in China. The results of our analyses on the city level have important implications for the formulation of comprehensive policies aimed at reducing carbon dioxide emission in urban areas, focusing on different urbanization processes in economic, social, and environmental phases.
Using Entropy to Evaluate the Impact of Monetary Policy Shocks on Financial Networks

We analyze the changes in the financial network built using the Dow Jones Industrial Average components following monetary policy shocks. Monetary policy shocks are measured through unexpected changes in the federal funds rate in the United States. We determine the changes in the financial networks using singular value decomposition entropy and von Neumann entropy. The results indicate that unexpected positive shocks in monetary policy shocks lead to lower entropy. The results are robust to varying the window size used to construct financial networks, though they also depend on the type of entropy used.
A Clamped Folded Cascode Amplifier for Analog-to-Digital Converter Applications

The performance demands on analog-to-digital converters for high speed, high accuracy, low power, and small die area are continuously increasing. Overdrive recovery time of the comparator is a speed-limiting factor in high bit accuracy successive approximation analog-to-digital converters. The bottleneck is most severe when a large input is followed by a small input of the opposite polarity. Output clamping is one way of improving overdrive recovery time. A single stage, folded cascode amplifier with clamping and auto-zeroing is presented. Active clamping is explored in detail and an auto-zeroing scheme is presented for a 12 bit analog-to-digital converter in a 0.8 micron technology. The optimized clamped folded cascode amplifier is then compared with existing comparator gain stages. MIT Thesis Advisor: James K. Roberge Company Supervisor: William T. Mayweather, III
Putative Role of Monoaminergic Systems in Antidepressant and Anxiolytic Effects of Naringin in Mice: An Interaction Study with Receptor Antagonists

Aim: Stress-related disorders like depression and anxiety represent one of the greatest therapeutic challenges globally. Although previous studies have revealed the antidepressant-like potentials of naringin, the neurotransmitter receptor interaction mechanisms of action have not been studied, hence, this study was carried out to evaluate the role of neurotransmitter-receptor antagonists in the antidepressant-like effects of naringin in mice. Method: Male Swiss mice were subjected to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) apart from mice in the control group. The mice were then pretreated with different neurotransmitter antagonists; metergoline (4 mg /kg i.p.), a 5-HT1 - and 5-HT2 -receptor antagonist; propranolol; (0.2 mg/kg i.p.), β1,2-noradrenoceptor antagonist or haloperidol (0.2 mg/kg i.p.), D 2 -dopaminergic receptor antagonists prior to the administration of naringin or vehicle (10 mL/kg). The antidepressant-like and anxiolytic effects of naringin were evaluated 30 min later using the tail suspension test (TST), open-field test (OFT), sucrose preference test (SPT) and elevated plus maze (EPM) tests paradigms. Results: Administration of naringin following CUMS significantly decrease immobility time and locomotion activity in TST and OFT respectively, relative to control while increasing preference to sucrose in SPT, open arm entries as well as time spent in open arm in EPM, relative to control suggesting antidepressant-like property. Pretreatment with metergoline, propranolol, and haloperidol following CUMS increased immobility time in TST, locomotor activity in OFT and IOAA in the EPM. Reduced preference for sucrose in SPT, open arm entry and duration in EPM relative to control (p < 0.05), however, these effects were attenuated by naringin. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the antidepressant-like activity exhibited by naringin might be mediated via interactions with 5-HTergic, noradrenergic, and dopaminergic receptors, while the anxiolytic effect might involve interaction with both 5-HTergic and noradrenergic receptors.
Performance study of two different compensating devices in a custom power park

Simulation study of a custom power park (CPP) is presented. It is assumed that the park contains unbalanced and nonlinear loads in addition to a sensitive load. Two different types of compensators are used separately to protect the sensitive load against unbalance and distortion caused by the other loads. It has been shown that a shunt compensator can regulate the voltage of the CPP bus, whereas the series compensator can only regulate the sensitive load terminal voltage. Additional issues such as the load transfer through a static transfer switch, detection of sag/fault etc. are also discussed. The concepts are validated through PSCAD/EMTDC simulation studies on a sample distribution system.
Design Issues in Radio Frequency Energy Harvesting System

Emerging self powered systems challenge and dictate the direction of research in energy harvesting (EH). State of the art in energy harvesting is being applied in various fields using different single energy sources or a combination of two or more sources. In certain applications like smart packaging, radio frequency (RF) is the preferred method to power the electronics while for smart building applications, the main type of energy source used is solar, with vibration & thermal being used increasingly. The main differences in these power sources is the power density; for example RF (0.01 ~ 0.1 W/cm2), Vibration (4 ~ 100 W/cm2), Photovoltaic (10 W/cm2 ~ 10mW/cm2) and Thermal (20 W/cm2 ~ 10mW/cm2). Obviously RF energy though principally abundant, is the most limited source on account of the incident power density metric, except when near the base stations. Therefore, in general, RF harvesting circuits must be designed to operate at the most optimal efficiencies.
Unified embedding and clustering

In this paper, we introduce a novel algorithm that unifies manifold embedding and clustering (UEC) which efficiently predicts clustering assignments of the high dimensional data points in a new embedding space. The algorithm is based on a bi-objective optimisation problem combining embedding and clustering loss functions. Such original formulation will allow to simultaneously preserve the original structure of the data in the embedding space and produce better clustering assignments. The experimental results using a number of real-world datasets show that UEC is competitive with the state-of-art clustering methods.
The Acute Phase Proteins Reaction in Children Suffering from Pseudocroup

The aim of the study was to evaluate the inflammatory reaction in children with pseudocroup and compare it with other laryngological diseases according to the available literature data. The study group included 51 children hospitalized because of pseudocroup. The measurements of the acute phase proteins (APP), such as C-reactive protein (CRP), alpha-1-antitrypsin (AT), alpha-1-antichymotrypsin (ACT), alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), ceruloplasmin (Cp), transferrin (Tf), alpha-2-macroglobulin (A2M), and haptoglobin (Hp) were obtained at 3 time points. The glycosylation profiles of AGP, ACT, and Tf were completed. An increased AGP level was observed in girls. The AGP glycosylation revealed the advantage of the W0 variant over the W1 variant. W1 and W2 were decreased in boys. W3 emerged in boys. The Tf concentration and T4 variant were lower compared to the control group. The A2M level was lower after treatment. The Hp and AT levels were decreased a few weeks later. The ACT glycosylation revealed a decrease of the A4 variant in boys. In conclusion, the inflammatory reaction during pseudocroup was of low intensity. The APP glycosylation suggested a chronic process. In a follow-up investigation, no normalization of the parameters was noted, but signs of persistent inflammation were observed.
Axial flux machine design for hybrid traction applications

Now a days, hybrid traction seam s to be one of the best ways in order to reduce fuel consumption for vehicles. It consists of associating an electric motor next to the classical thermal machine. Bi such an embedded system , the efficiency and the torque per unit mass are very important. So it seem s to be a good idea to use the permanent magnet synchronous machine, which is recognized for satisfying these two objectives. Since the allocated volume is rather flat, axial flux topologies are interesting [1] . This papers goal is to propose an optimal first design method for such structures, given the allocated volume and the machine requirements. Then we study the flux weakening capabilities of the machine, which is always an important point for traction applications.
COMPARISON OF DRIP-FLOW/LOW-FLOW MEASURING DEVICES FOR INFILTROMETER RUNOFF MEASUREMENTS

Runoff is generated on landscapes in a deterministic and random, but unquantifiable manner, and measurements of the spatial variability of infiltration and seepage under natural-precipitation conditions are highly desirable. Runoff from small natural-precipitation infiltrometer plots (0.25 m 2 ) under natural conditions can be merely drip flows, or they can be larger flows when runoff is produced simultaneously from high-intensity rains and seepage. A study of a drip-flow/low-flow nozzle/rotor flow-measuring system that met design requirements for runoff measurement is presented. Comparison of different nozzle configurations led to the selection of the rotor of a Price current meter, in combination with a unique nozzle that incorporated a drip diverter, an internal flow baffle, and drip-control silicone beads. The best nozzle/rotor combination yielded a rating curve with a resolution less than design requirements, and worked well with flows as high as ~6 L min –1 , greater than design requirements. A combined function using linear segments for low flows, and a 4th degree polynomial for high flows, comprised the rating curve. The average residual error about the function was 0.113 L min –1 . Unsteady flow tests with the nozzle showed that the rating curve and nozzle/rotor assembly worked well, with the median error in volume of –21 mL for 12 synthesized “events”. The device is a standalone measuring system that can be placed anywhere on the landscape, and only electrical pulses, representing rotor-rotation speed require measurement. The nozzle/rotor system can be used for other applications in which drip and low flows need to be measured, such as for rain gauges, percolation flows from lysimeters, spring flows, etc.
An overall study of the half-bridge complementary-control DC-to-DC converter

The half-bridge complementary-control power converter has been recently proposed as a low-output voltage DC-to-DC power converter due to its excellent features (efficiency around 90% at as low an output voltage as 3.3 volts). A study of the statics and dynamics of this power converter is proposed in this paper. Thus, DC voltage conversion ratio both in continuous and discontinuous conduction mode, the boundary between both modes, the DC current level in the transformer and a small-signal average model have all been obtained. From the latter, transfer functions between duty cycle and output voltage and between input and output voltages have been also obtained, and some simplifications and design rules have been proposed to facilitate the design of the feedback loop. <<ETX>>
MIMO application UWB antenna doublet incorporating a sinusoidal decoupling structure

In this article, a miniaturized multiple input and multiple output antenna doublet is proposed for the ultrawideband communication. Two semielliptical antenna elements having semicircular parasitic patches/defected ground planes, sine‐curve based meander‐line parasitic structures, and smoothly tapered feed lines are proposed in this article. Moreover, a sine‐curve based nested T‐shaped decoupling structure is used to achieve a decoupling/isolation of at least 20 dB over most of the frequency band. More importantly, the proposed design has a compact size of 30 × 50.5 mm2. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:1547–1553, 2014