Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Energy Efficient Design, Retrofit and Control of Evaporative Condensers in Ammonia Refrigeration Systems

Ammonia refrigeration systems typically offer many energy efficiency opportunities because of their large power-draw, long runtimes and dynamic operation. Ammonia refrigeration system energy use is highly dependent upon condensing head pressure, which in turn is a function of evaporative condenser capacity and control. This paper investigates the relationship between system energy use, condenser capacity and condenser control. It begins by developing a methodology to determine condenser performance and then to simulate the annual energy use of the compressors and condenser fans. The simulation model, which uses both engineering fundamentals and empirical data, accurately captures synergistic effects between the compressors, the condenser and ambient wet-bulb temperature. Energy savings are then calculated for three cases: installing VFDs on condenser fans, using wet-bulb approach control strategy and increasing condenser performance. To illustrate the effect of climate, these simulations are performed for two different ASHRAE climate zones, Miami, FL and Minneapolis, MN, which are hot and cold climates respectively. The results show that improving the performance of an underperforming condenser is the most cost effective energy conservation measure irrespective of location. However energy savings from installing VFDs on condenser fans and utilizing wet-bulb approach strategy depends on the ambient weather conditions. Next, the internal rate of return is calculated for installing additional condenser capacity beyond standard practices in new construction applications for the same two ASHRAE climate zones. The results indicate that the internal rate of return exceeds 20% for installing twice the baseline condenser capacity. In summary, the paper presents an integrated approach for design, retrofit and control of evaporative condensers in ammonia refrigeration systems. Energy savings derived through the use of this approach can significantly improve energy efficiency of ammonia refrigeration systems.
Uteroplacental Insufficiency and Lactational Environment Separately Influence Arterial Stiffness and Vascular Function in Adult Male Rats

Early life environmental influences can have lifelong consequences for health, including the risk of cardiovascular disease. Uteroplacental insufficiency causes fetal undernutrition and impairs fetal growth. Previously we have shown that uteroplacental insufficiency is associated with impaired maternal mammary development, compromising postnatal growth leading to hypertension in male rat offspring. In this study we investigated the roles of prenatal and postnatal nutritional environments on endothelial and smooth muscle reactivity and passive wall stiffness of resistance arteries of male rat offspring. Fetal growth restriction was induced by maternal bilateral uterine vessel ligation (restricted) on day 18 of pregnancy. Control offspring were from mothers that had sham surgery (control) and another group from mothers with their litter size reduced (reduced; litter size reduced to 5 at birth, equivalent to the restricted group). On postnatal day 1, offspring (control, restricted, and reduced) were cross-fostered onto control or restricted mothers. At 6 months, mesenteric and femoral arteries were studied using wire and pressure myography. In restricted-on-restricted rats, wall stiffness was increased, and sensitivity to phenylephrine and relaxation evoked by endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor and sodium nitroprusside were impaired in mesenteric arteries. In femoral arteries, relaxation to sodium nitroprusside was reduced, whereas wall stiffness was unaltered. Cross-fostering restricted offspring onto control mothers alleviated deficits in vascular stiffness and reactivity. Control or reduced offspring who suckled a restricted mother had marked vascular stiffening. In conclusion, prenatal and early postnatal environments separately influence vascular function and stiffness. Furthermore, the early postnatal lactational environment is a determinant of later cardiovascular function.
What makes British general practitioners take part in a quality improvement scheme?

Objectives: To understand the reasons for the apparent success of a quality improvement scheme designed to produce widespread changes in chronic disease management in primary care. Methods: Purposeful sample of 36 primary care staff, managers and specialists. Qualitative analysis of 27 interviews in East Kent Health Authority area, where, over a three-year period, more than three-quarters of general practitioners (GPs) had enrolled in a quality improvement programme which required them to meet challenging chronic disease management targets (PRImary Care Clinical Effectiveness - PRICCE). Results: Major changes in clinical practice appeared to have taken place as a result of participation in PRICCE. The scheme was significantly dependent on leadership from the health authority and on local professional support. Factors that motivated GPs to take part in the project included: a desire to improve patient care; financial incentives; maintenance of professional autonomy in how to reach the targets; maintenance of professional pride; and peer pressure. Good teamworking was essential to successful completion of the project and often improved as a result of taking part. The scheme included a combination of interventions known to be effective in producing professional behavioural change. Conclusions: When managerial vision is aligned to professional values, and combined with a range of interventions known to influence professional behaviour including financial incentives, substantial changes in clinical practice can result. Lessons are drawn for future quality improvement programmes in the National Health Service.
Symptomatic Depression in Elderly Medical Outpatients

The authors assessed the prevalence and demography of depressive symptoms, their association with specific chronic diseases, and their influence on health service use in a large sample of elderly men seen in a primary care setting. Twenty‐four percent of respondents reported clinically significant depressive symptoms; the prevalence of major depressive disorders was estimated at 10%, but only 1 % reported receiving mental health treatment by a specialist. Self‐reported marital separation or divorce and physical disability affecting employment were strongly associated with high depression scores, whereas the normative stresses of aging (widowhood, retirement, social isolation) were not. Only chronic lung disease was differentially associated with high depression scores, and this effect was weak. The authors discuss the implications of these findings for the design of comprehensive health services for the elderly with chronic disease.
Crystallographic snapshots of eukaryotic dimethylallyltransferase acting on tRNA: Insight into tRNA recognition and reaction mechanism

Hypermodifications near the anticodon of tRNA are fundamental for the efficiency and fidelity of protein synthesis. Dimethylallyltransferase (DMATase) catalyzes transfer of a dimethylallyl moiety from dimethylallyl pyrophosphate to N6 of A37 in certain tRNAs. Here we present the crystal structures of Saccharomyces cerevisiae DMATase–tRNACys complex in four distinct forms, which provide snapshots of the RNA modification reaction catalyzed by DMATase. The structures reveal that the enzyme recognizes the tRNA substrate through indirect sequence readout. The targeted nucleotide A37 flips out from the anticodon loop of tRNA and flips into a channel in DMATase, where it meets its reaction partner di methylallyl pyrophosphate, which enters the channel from the opposite end. Structural changes accompanying the transfer reaction taking place in the crystal result in disengagement of DMATase–tRNA interaction near the reaction center. In addition, structural comparison of DMATase in the complex with unliganded bacterial DMATase provides a molecular basis of ordered substrate binding by DMATase.
Towards a distributed crisis response communication system

Reliable communication systems are one of the key success factors for a successful first response mission. Current crisis response communication systems suffer from damaged or destroyed infrastructure or are just overstressed in the case of a large scale disaster. We provide an outline for a distributed communication approach, which fulfills the requirements of first responders. It is based on a layered network topology and current technology used in research projects or already established products. In addition, we propose a testing framework for the evaluation of a crisis response communication system.
Hip and Knee Strength Is Not Affected in 12-16 Year Old Adolescents with Patellofemoral Pain - A Cross-Sectional Population-Based Study

Background One of the rationales behind using strength training in the treatment of adolescents with Patellofemoral Pain (PFP) is that reduced strength of the lower extremity is a risk factor for PFP and a common deficit. This rationale is based on research conducted on adolescents >15 years of age but has never been investigated among young adolescents with PFP. Objectives To compare isometric muscle strength of the lower extremity among adolescents with PFP compared to age- and gender-matched pain-free adolescents. Methods In 2011 a population-based cohort (APA2011-cohort) consisting of 768 adolescents aged 12–15 years from 8 local schools was formed. In September 2012, all adolescents who reported knee pain in September 2011 were offered a clinical examination if they still had knee pain. From these, 20 adolescents (16 females) were diagnosed with PFP. Pain-free adolescents from the APA2011-cohort (n = 20) were recruited on random basis as age- and gender-matched pairs. Primary outcome was isometric knee extension strength normalized to body weight (%BW) and blinded towards subject information. Secondary outcomes included knee flexion, hip abduction/adduction and hip internal/external rotation strength. Demographic data included Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and symptom duration. Results Adolescents with PFP reported long symptom duration and significantly worse KOOS scores compared to pain-free adolescents. There were no significant differences in isometric knee extension strength (Δ0.3% BW, p = 0.97), isometric knee flexion strength (Δ0.4% BW, p = 0.84) or different measures of hip strength (Δ0.4 to 1.1% BW, p>0.35). Conclusion Young symptomatic adolescents with PFP between 12 and 16 years of age did not have decreased isometric muscle strength of the knee and hip. These results question the rationale of targeting strength deficits in the treatment of adolescents with PFP. However, strength training may still be an effective treatment for those individuals with PFP suffering from strength deficits.
Journal of Modern Applied Statistical Methods Conover' S F Test as an Alternative to Durbin' S Test Recommended Citation Conover's F Test as an Alternative to Durbin's Test

Data consisting of ranks within blocks are considered for balanced incomplete block designs. An F test statistic from ANOVA is better approximated by an F distribution than the Durbin statistic is approximated by a chi-squared distribution. Indicative powers demonstrate that the F test is generally superior to Durbin's test.
Individual myeloma‐specific T‐cell clones eliminate tumour cells and correlate with clinical outcomes in patients with multiple myeloma

Despite novel treatment strategies, multiple myeloma (MM) remains an incurable disease with low immunogenicity and multiple immune defects. We developed an ex vivo strategy for inducing myeloma‐specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and demonstrate the possibility of identification and long‐term in vivo monitoring of individual myeloma‐specific T‐cell clones using the most sensitive clonotypic assay that is able to detect low frequencies of T‐cell clones (1 clonotypic cell in 106 cells). Ten patients with MM were examined for the presence of tumour‐reactive T cells using dendritic cells loaded with autologous tumour cells. All patients had detectable myeloma‐reactive T cells in vitro. Expanded myeloma‐reactive T cells demonstrated specific cytotoxic effects against autologous tumour cells in vitro (median 39·6% at an effector:target ratio of 40:1). The clonality of myeloma‐specific T cells was studied with a clonotypic assay, which demonstrated both oligoclonal and monoclonal populations of myeloma‐specific T cells. CD8+ CTLs were the most immunodominant myeloma‐specific T‐cell clones and clinical responses were closely associated with the in vivo expansion and long‐term persistence of individual CD8+ T‐cell clones, usually at very low frequencies (10−3–10−6). We conclude that the clonotypic assay is the most sensitive tool for immunomonitoring of low‐frequency T cells.
Simultaneous online estimation of junction temperature and current of IGBTs using emitter-auxiliary emitter parasitic inductance

A novel method is presented for online estimation of the junction temperature (Tj) of semiconductor chips in IGBT modules, based on the voltage drop (VEE') across the parasitic inductor that exists between the main emitter (E) and auxiliary emitter (E) terminals. The peak amplitude of the voltage drop (VEE') was found to depend on the junction temperature at a known current and DC link voltage. Also, the collector current can be estimated simultaneously, by integrating VEE' without the use of any additional sensors. Measurement circuits were implemented to estimate Tj and the current, and their results are discussed. The results of these measurement circuits when implemented in a real power electronic (PE) converter to estimate Tj and current in real time are also presented. This method opens up a full set of new opportunities for engineers and designers to better understand the behavior and performance of high power modules in real PE applications.
The Association Between Clusterin and APOE Polymorphisms and Late-Onset Alzheimer Disease in a Turkish Cohort

Previous studies have demonstrated that clusterin (CLU), which is also known as apolipoprotein J, is involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease (AD). In this study, we investigated the association between rs2279590, rs11136000, and rs9331888 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in CLU and apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotypes in a cohort of Turkish patients with late-onset AD (LOAD). There were 183 patients with LOAD and 154 healthy controls included in the study. The CLU and APOE polymorphisms were genotyped using the LightSNiP assay. The “GG” genotype of rs9331888 was significantly more frequent in patients with LOAD. The “CC” genotype of the SNP was significantly more frequent in controls. The rs9331888 “GG” genotype in patients and the “CC” genotype in controls were significantly higher in non-∊4 allele carriers of APOE. The haplotype analysis showed the CLU “GCG” haplotype was a risk haplotype. Our findings indicate the rs9331888 SNP of CLU is associated with LOAD independent of APOE.
Robust task-based control policies for physics-based characters

We present a method for precomputing robust task-based control policies for physically simulated characters. This allows for characters that can demonstrate skill and purpose in completing a given task, such as walking to a target location, while physically interacting with the environment in significant ways. As input, the method assumes an abstract action vocabulary consisting of balance-aware, step-based controllers. A novel constrained state exploration phase is first used to define a character dynamics model as well as a finite volume of character states over which the control policy will be defined. An optimized control policy is then computed using reinforcement learning. The final policy spans the cross-product of the character state and task state, and is more robust than the conrollers it is constructed from. We demonstrate real-time results for six locomotion-based tasks and on three highly-varied bipedal characters. We further provide a game-scenario demonstration.
Using Optical Coherence Tomography to Assess Corneoscleral Morphology After Soft Contact Lens Wear

Purpose. To evaluate the use of optical coherence tomography (OCT) for assessing the effect of different soft contact lenses on corneoscleral morphology. Methods. Ten subjects had anterior segment OCT B-scans taken in the morning and again after 6 h of soft contact lens wear. For each subject, three different contact lenses were used in the right eye on non-consecutive days, including a hydrogel sphere, a silicone hydrogel sphere, and a silicone hydrogel toric. After image registration and layer segmentation, analyses were performed of the first hyper-reflective layer (HRL), the epithelial basement membrane (EBL), and the epithelial thickness (HRL to EBL). A root mean square difference (RMSD) of the layer profiles and the thickness change between the morning and afternoon measurements were used to assess the effect of the contact lens on the corneoscleral morphology. Results. The soft contact lenses had a statistically significant effect on the morphology of the anterior segment layers (p < 0.001). The average amounts of change for the three lenses (average RMSD values) for the corneal region were lower (3.93 ± 1.95 &mgr;m for the HRL and 4.02 ± 2.14 &mgr;m for the EBL) than those measured in the limbal/scleral region (11.24 ± 6.21 &mgr;m for the HRL and 12.61 ± 6.42 &mgr;m for the EBL). Similarly, averaged across the three lenses, the RMSD in epithelial thickness was lower in the cornea (2.84 ± 0.84 &mgr;m) than the limbal/scleral (5.47 ± 1.71 &mgr;m) region. Post hoc analysis showed that ocular surface changes were significantly smaller with the silicone hydrogel sphere lens than both the silicone hydrogel toric (p < 0.005) and hydrogel sphere (p < 0.02) for the combined HRL and EBL data. Conclusions. In this preliminary study, we have shown that soft contact lenses can produce small but significant changes in the morphology of the limbal/scleral region and that OCT technology is useful in assessing these changes. The clinical significance of these changes is yet to be determined.
Cardiovascular Effects of 1 Year of Alagebrium and Endurance Exercise Training in Healthy Older Individuals

Background—Lifelong exercise training maintains a youthful compliance of the left ventricle (LV), whereas a year of exercise training started later in life fails to reverse LV stiffening, possibly because of accumulation of irreversible advanced glycation end products. Alagebrium breaks advanced glycation end product crosslinks and improves LV stiffness in aged animals. However, it is unclear whether a strategy of exercise combined with alagebrium would improve LV stiffness in sedentary older humans. Methods and Results—Sixty-two healthy subjects were randomized into 4 groups: sedentary+placebo; sedentary+alagebrium (200 mg/d); exercise+placebo; and exercise+alagebrium. Subjects underwent right heart catheterization to define LV pressure–volume curves; secondary functional outcomes included cardiopulmonary exercise testing and arterial compliance. A total of 57 of 62 subjects (67±6 years; 37 f/20 m) completed 1 year of intervention followed by repeat measurements. Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and LV end-diastolic volume were measured at baseline, during decreased and increased cardiac filling. LV stiffness was assessed by the slope of LV pressure–volume curve. After intervention, LV mass and end-diastolic volume increased and exercise capacity improved (by ≈8%) only in the exercise groups. Neither LV mass nor exercise capacity was affected by alagebrium. Exercise training had little impact on LV stiffness (training×time effect, P=0.46), whereas alagebrium showed a modest improvement in LV stiffness compared with placebo (medication×time effect, P=0.04). Conclusions—Alagebrium had no effect on hemodynamics, LV geometry, or exercise capacity in healthy, previously sedentary seniors. However, it did show a modestly favorable effect on age-associated LV stiffening. Clinical Trial Registration—URL: http://www.clinicaltrials. gov. Unique identifier: NCT01014572.
Stellar dynamo driven wind braking versus disc coupling

Star-disc coupling is considered in numerical models where the stellar field is not an imposed perfect dipole, but instead a more irregular self-adjusting dynamo-generated field. Using axisymmetric simulations of the hydromagnetic mean- field equations, it is shown that the resulting stellar field configuration is more complex, but significantly better suited for driving a stellar wind. In agreement with recent findings by a number of people, star-disc coupling is less efficient in braking the star than previously thought. Moreover, stellar wind braking becomes equally important. In contrast to a perfect stellar dipole field, dynamo-generated stellar fields favor field-aligned accretion with considerably higher velocity at low latitudes, where the field is weaker and originating in the disc. Accretion is no longer nearly periodic (as it is in the case of a stellar dipole), but it is more irregular and episodic.
Cop and Robber Games When the Robber Can Hide and Ride

In the classical cop and robber game, two players, the cop $\mathcal{C}$ and the robber $\mathcal{R}$, move alternatively along edges of a finite graph $G=(V,E)$. The cop captures the robber if both players are on the same vertex at the same moment of time. A graph $G$ is called cop win if the cop always captures the robber after a finite number of steps. Nowakowski and Winkler [Discrete Math., 43 (1983), pp. 235-239] and Quilliot [Problemes de jeux, de point fixe, de connectivite et de representation sur des graphes, des ensembles ordonnes et des hypergraphes, These de doctorat d'etat, Universite de Paris VI, Paris, 1983] characterized the cop-win graphs as graphs admitting a dismantling scheme. In this paper, we characterize in a similar way the class $\mathcal{CWFR}(s,s')$ of cop-win graphs in the game in which the robber and the cop move at different speeds $s$ and $s'$, $s'\leq s$. We also establish some connections between cop-win graphs for this game with $s' 1$. In particular, we characterize the graphs which are cop-win for any value of $k$.