Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
High Voltage Gain Interleaved Boost Converter With Neural Network Based MPPT Controller for Fuel Cell Based Electric Vehicle Applications

Due to the more vigorous regulations on carbon gas emissions and fuel economy, Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV) are becoming more popular in the automobile industry. This paper presents a neural network-based maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controller for 1.26-kW proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), supplying electric vehicle powertrain through a high voltage-gain dc–dc boost converter. The proposed neural network MPPT controller uses a radial basis function network (RBFN) algorithm for tracking the maximum power point of the PEMFC. High switching-frequency and high voltage-gain dc–dc converters are essential for the propulsion of FCEV. In order to attain high voltage-gain, a three-phase high voltage-gain interleaved boost converter is also designed for FCEV system. The interleaving technique reduces the input current ripple and voltage stress on the power semiconductor devices. The performance analysis of the FCEV system with RBFN-based MPPT controller is compared with the fuzzy logic controller in MATLAB/Simulink platform.
Differential involvement of optineurin in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with or without SOD1 mutations.

BACKGROUND Mutations in optineurin have recently been linked to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). OBJECTIVE To determine whether optineurin-positive skeinlike inclusions are a common pathologic feature in ALS, including SOD1 -linked ALS. DESIGN Clinical case series. SETTING Academic referral center. SUBJECTS We analyzed spinal cord sections from 46 clinically and pathologically diagnosed ALS cases and ALS transgenic mouse models overexpressing ALS-linked SOD1 mutations G93A or L126Z. RESULTS We observed optineurin-immunoreactive skeinlike inclusions in all the sporadic ALS and familial ALS cases without SOD1 mutation, but not in cases with SOD1 mutations or in transgenic mice overexpressing the ALS-linked SOD1 mutations G93A or L126Z. CONCLUSION The data from this study provide evidence that optineurin is involved in the pathogenesis of sporadic ALS and non- SOD1 familial ALS, thus supporting the hypothesis that these forms of ALS share a pathway that is distinct from that of SOD1-linked ALS.
The phage‐host arms race: Shaping the evolution of microbes

Bacteria, the most abundant organisms on the planet, are outnumbered by a factor of 10 to 1 by phages that infect them. Faced with the rapid evolution and turnover of phage particles, bacteria have evolved various mechanisms to evade phage infection and killing, leading to an evolutionary arms race. The extensive co‐evolution of both phage and host has resulted in considerable diversity on the part of both bacterial and phage defensive and offensive strategies. Here, we discuss the unique and common features of phage resistance mechanisms and their role in global biodiversity. The commonalities between defense mechanisms suggest avenues for the discovery of novel forms of these mechanisms based on their evolutionary traits.
Factors related to community ambulation in patients with chronic stroke

Abstract Background: The focus of gait rehabilitation for walking in real-life settings should vary according to different aspects of gait performance. Investigation of factors related to impairments specific to community ambulation or activity participation may be helpful in determining and targeting appropriate treatment for gait rehabilitation. Objective To investigate the relationship between community ambulation and factors determining gait ability. Methods Forty-six outpatients with a previous stroke participated in a cross-sectional assessment. Community ambulation was assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. Outcome measures included impairments (strength, sensation, muscle tone, and balance) and ambulatory activity limitations (self-paced and maximum 10-m gait speed, 6-minute walking test, and concurrent manual/cognitive dual-task walking speed). Ability to increase speed and the dual-tasks cost were calculated. Multivariate analysis of variance and multiple regression analyses were used to determine differences in walking and identify important factors related to community ambulation. Results Pearson and Spearman analyses revealed that impairments (balance, r = .665; muscle strength, r = 0.653) and ambulatory activity limitation (gait speed, r = 0.684; walking distance, r = 0.654; ability to increase speed, r = 0.413) were significantly positively correlated with community ambulation level. Balance was an important factor in predicting increasing speed (P < 0.001). Muscle strength and tone were positive contributors to gait speed (P = 0.001 for both) and distance (P = 0.019 and P = 0.002, respectively). Cognitive and manual dual tasks showed no significant relationship to other variables. Stepwise multivariate regression analysis showed that important determinants of community ambulation level were strength (P < 0.001) and gait endurance (P = 0.001). Conclusions Muscle strength and walking distance are contributing factors in community ambulation for patients with chronic stroke.
Pharmacologic Considerations for Preexposure Prophylaxis in Transgender Women

Abstract:Studies of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)-emtricitabine (FTC)–based preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) have not focused on transgendered women who are at disproportionate risk of HIV acquisition. Concerns exist for drug interactions between cross-sex therapy (estradiol, progestins, and spironolactone) with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate–emtricitabine. This review assessed the experimental and theoretical risk for such drug interactions. It was found that none of these medications are implicated as major perpetrators of drug interactions, and the classes use different metabolic pathways for clearance, suggesting a low likelihood for interactions in either direction. Subanalyses of transgender women in Preexposure Prophylaxis Initiative suggested PrEP efficacy if adherence was high. Nevertheless, several research gaps were identified, particularly the need for controlled interaction studies in transgendered women, including effects on renal clearance, intracellular tenofovir diphosphate and emtricitabine triphosphate in target cells, as well as hormone effects on HIV susceptibility and immunity. PrEP should continue to be offered to transgender women while additional research is planned or pending.
Effect of Age on Blood Glucose and Plasma Insulin, Glucagon, Ghrelin, CCK, GIP, and GLP-1 Responses to Whey Protein Ingestion

Protein-rich supplements are used widely to prevent and manage undernutrition in older people. We have previously shown that healthy older, compared to younger, adults have less suppression of energy intake by whey protein—although the effects of age on appetite-related gut hormones are largely unknown. The aim of this study was to determine and compare the acute effects of whey protein loads on blood glucose and plasma gut hormone concentrations in older and younger adults. Sixteen healthy older (eight men, eight women; mean ± SEM: age: 72 ± 1 years; body mass index: 25 ± 1 kg/m2) and 16 younger (eight men, eight women; 24 ± 1 years; 23 ± 0.4 kg/m2) adults were studied on three occasions in which they ingested 30 g (120 kcal) or 70 g (280 kcal) whey protein, or a flavored-water control drink (~2 kcal). At regular intervals over 180 min, blood glucose and plasma insulin, glucagon, ghrelin, cholecystokinin (CCK), gastric inhibitory peptide (GIP), and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) concentrations were measured. Plasma ghrelin was dose-dependently suppressed and insulin, glucagon, CCK, GIP, and GLP-1 concentrations were dose-dependently increased by the whey protein ingestion, while blood glucose concentrations were comparable during all study days. The stimulation of plasma CCK and GIP concentrations was greater in older than younger adults. In conclusion, orally ingested whey protein resulted in load-dependent gut hormone responses, which were greater for plasma CCK and GIP in older compared to younger adults.
Predicting Magnetoelectric Coupling in Layered and Graded Composites

Magnetoelectric (ME) interaction in magnetostrictive-piezoelectric multiferroic structures consists in inducing the electric field across the structure in an applied magnetic field and is a product property of magnetostriction and piezoelectricity in components. ME voltage coefficient that is the ratio of induced electric field to applied magnetic field is the key parameter of ME coupling strength. It has been known that the ME coupling strength is dictated by the product of the piezoelectric and piezomagnetic coefficients of initial phases. As a result, using the laminates with graded piezoelectric and piezomagnetic parameters are a new pathway to the increase in the ME coupling strength. Recently developed models predict stronger ME interactions in composites based on graded components compared to homogeneous ones. We discuss predicting the ME coupling strength for layered structures of homogeneous and compositionally graded magnetostrictive and piezoelectric components based on the graphs of ME voltage coefficients against composite parameters. For obtaining the graphs, we developed equations for ME output in applied magnetic field for possible modes of operation and layered structure configurations. In particular, our studies have been performed on low-frequency ME coupling, enhanced ME effect in electromechanical resonance (EMR) region for longitudinal and bending modes. Additionally, ME coupling at magnetic resonance in magnetostrictive component and at overlapping the EMR and magnetic resonance is investigated. We considered symmetric trilayers and asymmetric bilayers of magnetostrictive and piezoelectric components and multilayered structures based on compositionally stepped initial components.
Intermediate Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Development

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are high efficiency energy conversion devices. Present materials set, using yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrolyte, limit the cell operating temperatures to 800 C or higher. It has become increasingly evident however that lowering the operating temperature would provide a more expeditious route to commercialization. The advantages of intermediate temperature (600 to 800 C) operation are related to both economic and materials issues. Lower operating temperature allows the use of low cost materials for the balance of plant and limits degradation arising from materials interactions. When the SOFC operating temperature is in the range of 600 to 700 C, it is also possible to partially reform hydrocarbon fuels within the stack providing additional system cost savings by reducing the air preheat heat-exchanger and blower size. The promise of Sr and Mg doped lanthanum gallate (LSGM) electrolyte materials, based on their high ionic conductivity and oxygen transference number at the intermediate temperature is well recognized. The focus of the present project was two-fold: (a) Identify a cell fabrication technique to achieve the benefits of lanthanum gallate material, and (b) Investigate alternative cathode materials that demonstrate low cathode polarization losses at the intermediate temperature. A porous matrix supported,more » thin film cell configuration was fabricated. The electrode material precursor was infiltrated into the porous matrix and the counter electrode was screen printed. Both anode and cathode infiltration produced high performance cells. Comparison of the two approaches showed that an infiltrated cathode cells may have advantages in high fuel utilization operations. Two new cathode materials were evaluated. Northwestern University investigated LSGM-ceria composite cathode while Caltech evaluated Ba-Sr-Co-Fe (BSCF) based pervoskite cathode. Both cathode materials showed lower polarization losses at temperatures as low as 600 C than conventional manganite or cobaltite cathodes. « less
We combined data sets of measured sedimentary calcium carbonate ( CaCO 3 ) and satellite-derived pelagic primary production to parameterize the relation between CaCO 3 content on the Antarctic shelves and primary production in the overlying water column . CaCO

[1] We combined data sets of measured sedimentary calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and satellite-derived pelagic primary production to parameterize the relation between CaCO3 content on the Antarctic shelves and primary production in the overlying water column. CaCO3 content predicted in this way was in good agreement with the measured data. The parameterization was then used to chart CaCO3 content on the Antarctic shelves all around the Antarctic, using the satellite-derived primary production. The total inventory of CaCO3 in the bioturbated layer of Antarctic shelf sediments was estimated to be 0.5 Pg C. This quantity is comparable to the total CO2 uptake by the Southern Ocean in only one to a few years (dependent on the uptake estimate and area considered), indicating that the dissolution of these carbonates will neither delay ocean acidification in this area nor augment the Southern Ocean CO2 uptake capacity.
Tau Rather than TDP-43 Proteins are Potential Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarkers for Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration Subtypes: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a heterogeneous disease both at the clinical, genetic, and pathobiological level. The underlying pathological spectrum (termed FTLD, frontotemporal lobar degeneration) is in most cases defined by accumulation of either tau (FTLD-tau) or TDP-43 proteins (FTLD-TDP). Biomarkers to differentiate these subtypes are not yet available, whereas these are essential requirements to study the natural course of disease and for homogeneous inclusion of patients in clinical studies. OBJECTIVE To study if a combination of total (t-) and phosphorylated (p-)tau, and t-TDP-43 and p-TDP-43 proteins in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is suitable to discriminate FTLD-tau and FTLD-TDP subtypes. METHODS We developed immunoassays for the quantification of t-TDP-43 and p-TDP-43 proteins and used commercially available assays for the quantification of t-tau and p-tau proteins. We quantified these proteins in ventricular CSF samples from neuropathologically defined FTLD-tau and FTLD-TDP cases to study the reflection of underlying brain pathology in CSF composition, and in lumbar CSF samples from FTLD-tau and FTLD-TDP patients to study the diagnostic potential of CSF biomarkers. RESULTS In ventricular CSF, t-TDP-43 and t-tau levels, when combined into one model, were significantly different between neuropathologically-defined FTLD-tau and FTLD-TDP cases. In a pilot study using lumbar CSF, the p-tau/t-tau ratio, but not t-TDP-43 levels, were significantly different between FTLD-TDP and FTLD-tau patients. CONCLUSION We conclude that with current available methods, CSF tau, rather than TDP-43 proteins, may have diagnostic value in the differentiation of FTLD patients with either tau or TDP-43 pathology.
Potential to explain climate from tree rings in the south of the Iberian Peninsula

Detecting and extracting the dominant climatic signal from tree-ring records derived from Mediterranean areas remains challenging because the relation between climate and tree- growth are usually characterized by a complex interplay of temperature and precipitation signals, with high spatial and temporal variability. Although several studies have established climate� growth relationships in old forests on the Iberian Peninsula (IP), a reliable calibration level be - tween tree-ring data and the instrumental records making possible the inference of past climate has not yet been established, mainly due to low correlation coefficients (i.e. r ≤ 0.4) and/or insta- bility over time of the climategrowth relationships. We tested for spatial significance and tempo- ral stability of climatic signals in a collection of tree-ring proxies at the Cazorla Range (NCZ), located in the southeast of the IP. The aim was to identify suitable proxies for further use in climate reconstructions. The tree-ring variables under investigation included tree-ring width (TRW), late- wood width (LWw), maximum latewood density (MXD) and stable carbon (δ 13 C) and oxygen (δ 18 O) isotopes. Our results show how the strength and temporal stability of the relationship between tree-ring proxies and selected seasonal climate variables largely depend on the climate data used. Moreover, imprecise identification of the climate signal may lead to erroneous evalua- tions of temporal stability. Overall, from the set of proxies measured at NCZ, TRW is suitable to reconstruct summer to autumn temperature while δ 13 C can potentially be used as a proxy for sum- mer precipitation reconstructions. The calibrationverification trials using both regression and scaling techniques revealed how scaling retains more inter-annual variability but decreases the values of the reduction of error (RE).
Mounier-Kuhn syndrome

A 95-year-old man with hypertension presented with altered mental status and progressive weight loss for 8 months. Chest radiograph from a prior admission showed a large trachea (figure 1A, dotted arrows). A chest CT confirmed tracheobronchomegaly (figure 1B,C arrow, trachea measuring 31 mm), pneumomediastinum (figure 1B,C arrowheads), right lower lobe bronchiectasis and opacities in the right lower lung concerning for pneumonia. …
The stories we tell: how age, gender, and forgiveness affect the emotional content of autobiographical narratives

ABSTRACT Objectives: Researchers have been attempting to understand the variables that predict differences in autobiographical narratives, given that these differences often reveal important information about the psychological characteristics of the person providing the narrative. Method: A sample of young adults (n = 80) and older adults (n = 80) completed a battery of self-report measures in addition to an autobiographical narrative task in which they described a negative emotional experience. These narratives were transcribed and entered into a text analysis program. Results: Results indicated a significant three-way interaction (age × gender × forgiveness) for negative emotion words. Results also indicated two significant two-way interactions (age × forgiveness and gender × forgiveness) and one significant main effect for anger words. There were no significant findings related to anxiety or sad words. Discussion: Results are discussed in the context of Socioemotional Selectivity Theory, which asserts that social and emotional goals shift throughout the lifespan such that older adults are more motivated to regulate their emotions than young adults. Clinical applications and future directions are discussed.
Gastrointestinal protists and helminths of habituated agile mangabeys (Cercocebus agilis) at Bai Hokou, Central African Republic

Infectious diseases including those caused by parasites can be a major threat to the conservation of endangered species. There is thus a great need for studies describing parasite infections of these species in the wild. Here we present data on parasite diversity in an agile mangabey (Cercocebus agilis) group in Bai Hokou, Dzanga‐Sangha Protected Areas (DSPA), Central African Republic. We coproscopically analyzed 140 mangabey fecal samples by concentration techniques (flotation and sedimentation). Agile mangabeys hosted a broad diversity of protistan parasites/commensals, namely amoebas (Entamoeba spp., Iodamoeba buetschlli), a Buxtonella‐like ciliate and several parasitic helminths: strongylid and spirurid nematodes, Primasubulura sp. , Enterobius sp. , and Trichuris sp. Importantly, some of the detected parasite taxa might be of potential zoonotic importance, such as Entamoeba spp. and the helminths Enterobius sp. , Trichuris sp. , and strongylid nematodes. Detailed morphological examination of ciliate cysts found in mangabeys and comparison with cysts of Balantioides coli from domestic pigs showed no distinguishing structures, although significant differences in cyst size were recorded. Scanning or transmission electron microscopy combined with molecular taxonomy methods are needed to properly identify these ciliates. Further studies using molecular epidemiology are warranted to better understand cross‐species transmission and the zoonotic potential of parasites in sympatric non‐human primates and humans cohabiting DSPA.
Permeability and Pore Structure of Cement Pastes Containing Fly Ash, Slag, and Silica Fume

As part of research to develop a highly durable concrete container for radioactive waste disposal in chloride and sulfate bearing granite groundwaters, a variety of cement pastes were studied. A sulfate resisting portlandcement was used with various replacement levels of Class F fly ash and pelletized blast furnace slag at a water to solids ratio (W/S) = 0.36. Blends with fly ash, slag, and silica fume were also combined with a super water reducer at W/S = 0.25. Results are presented for strength development, permeability to water, and pore size distribution after 7, 28, 91, and 182 days moist curing. As a direct measure of durability, after 91 days moist curing, paste prisms were immersed in both de-ionized water and a synthetic chloride and sulfate bearing groundwater at 70°C. While all three supplementary cementing materials (mineral admixtures) reduced ultimate permeabilities, silica fume was more effective in reducing permeability at early ages. Silica fume was also the most effective in reducing calcium hydroxide contents of the pastes while slag was the least effective; only reducing calcium hydroxide levels by dilution of the portland cement. From preliminary analysis, there does not appear to be a way of accurately predicting permeability from porosity or pore size parameters alone.
Maternal obesity, fish intake, and recurrent spontaneous preterm birth

Abstract Objective: Moderate fish intake in early pregnancy is associated with decreased risk of preterm birth (PTB). Obesity during pregnancy is characterized by inflammation and insufficiency of essential fatty acids. The objective of this study was to measure the association between fish intake during pregnancy and risk of recurrent spontaneous (s) PTB among lean, overweight, and obese women. Design: This is secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation for recurrent PTB prevention, 2005–2006. The primary exposure was fish intake at time of enrollment (16–22.9-week gestation). The primary outcomes were sPTB <37 weeks and sPTB <35 weeks. Maternal prepregnancy body mass index was treated as an effect modifier. Subjects: Eight hundred and fifty-two women were included, 47% were lean, 25% overweight, and 28% obese. Results: In this cohort, among lean, but not overweight or obese women, ≥1 serving of fish per week was associated with decreased frequency of sPTB <37 weeks compared with <1 serving of fish per week (45.1% versus 27.5%, p = .001) and spontaneous PTB <35 (21.4% versus 11.6%, p = .01). In adjusted models, as fish intake increased, the predicted probability of sPTB decreased in lean women but increased in overweight and obese women (p for interaction < .10). Conclusion: Fish intake was associated with lower probability of sPTB in lean women and higher probability in obese women. These findings warrant further investigation to understand the dietary or metabolic factors associated with obesity that may modulate benefit of fish intake during pregnancy.