Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Developed embedded switched-Z-source inverter

In this study, a new topology for switched Z-source inverter is proposed. This inverter in comparison with the conventional Z-source inverter needs higher number of active elements, lower number of capacitors and inductors. Reduction of weight, size and cost are the main advantages of the proposed topology. In addition, this inverter is able to solve the problem of short circuit across the inverter leg and consists of higher value of voltage gain when compared with the conventional switched boost inverter. Moreover, the developed topology of the proposed inverter based on switched-inductor cells is introduced. The performance of the proposed inverter in different operating modes is investigated. The proposed topologies are also compared with the conventional Z-source inverters from different points of view such as number of elements, the voltage gain and capability of tolerate the inverter short circuit. Finally, the accuracy performance of the proposed inverter is reconfirmed by using the simulation results in EMTDC/PSCAD software and also experimental results.
Acid-sensing ion channel 1a regulates the specificity of reconsolidation of conditioned threat responses

Recent research on altering threat memory has focused on a reconsolidation window. During reconsolidation, threat memories are retrieved and become labile. Reconsolidation of distinct threat memories is synapse dependent, whereas the underlying regulatory mechanism of the specificity of reconsolidation is poorly understood. We designed a unique behavioral paradigm in which a distinct threat memory can be retrieved through the associated conditioned stimulus. In addition, we proposed a regulatory mechanism by which the activation of acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) strengthens the distinct memory trace associated with the memory reconsolidation to determine its specificity. The activation of ASICs by CO2 inhalation, when paired with memory retrieval, triggers the reactivation of the distinct memory trace, resulting in greater memory lability. ASICs potentiate the memory trace by altering the amygdala-dependent synaptic transmission and plasticity at selectively targeted synapses. Our results suggest that inhaling CO2 during the retrieval event increases the lability of a threat memory through a synapse-specific reconsolidation process.
SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE AND FACTORS RELATED TO BLOOD DONOR RETENTION: THE CASE OF THE OMAR BONGO ONDIMBA REGIONAL HOSPITAL OF MAKOKOU (CHROBOM), IN THE NORTH-EAST, GABON

Objective: In order to implement a targeted strategy during communication campaigns, this study defines the socio-demographic profile of blood donors and the factors that can promote their loyalty to blood donation in the northeast region of Gabon. Material And Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from March to September 2021 and enrolled 252 blood donors with a mean age of 29.6 Â± 7 years, ranging from 19 to 51 years. After an interview based on a pre-established pre-donation questionnaire, each donor deemed suitable underwent a sampling that was then analyzed through an infectious workup and a blood count (CBC). Data collected from the questionnaire were entered into a spreadsheet in Excel 2016 and processed with R software in its R Commander interface and results were considered significant if p < 0.05. Results: Using Pearsons Chi-square test of independence, this study indicated an association between blood donation and many sociodemographic parameters. Thus, being a former donor was statistically associated with firstly male gender, secondly being a parent, thirdly having a job, and finally being 30 years or older. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was able to establish that: Being a parent, Having a job and Being male, increased the probability of being a faithful blood donor. Conclusion:. The profile of the blood donor at the Omar Bongo Ondimba Regional Hospital of Makokou corresponds to A man of about 30 years old, single, unemployed, with at least one child coming for a family type donation and the factors of loyalty to blood donation are the male sex, the status of worker and that of being a family member.
A Modified CMOS Realization of the Operational Transresistance Amplifier (OTRA)

A modified CMOS realization of the operational transresistance amplifier (OTRA) is presented. A fair comparison with Salama and Soliman OTRA [1] shows that the modified OTRA provides better performance in all parameters. The OTRA is suitable for analog VLSI applications since it does not suffer from constant gain bandwidth product. Hence, it can exhibit wide bandwidth at high gain values. Moreover, an OTRA based variable gain amplifier (VGA) is introduced. A detailed analysis taking the effect of the finite transresistance gain in consideration is provided. Index Terms – CMOS operational transresistance amplifier, analog VLSI applications, variable gain amplifier, wireless communications,
Growth rates in thoroughbred foals

Data of 798 Thoroughbred horses foaled in 1988 to 1992 in Co. Kildare, Ireland were examined in a study to provide detailed information on a range of parameters on normal growth and development from birth to 20 months of age (onset of training). Based on average body weight gain, the pattern of growth in Thoroughbred horses destined for flat racing could be divided into four phases; each was characterized by markedly different growth rate. However, this pattern was not observed for withers height where the rate gradually declined following an initial rapid growth in the first 6 months of age. Differences of body weight and height at the withers between normal and DOD-affected horses were not significant (P>0.05). These investigations appear to indicate that the body weight and withers height and their rates of growth were not critical in causing developmental skeletal problems. This is contrary to most other studies which suggested that the rate of growth is related to many developmental skeletal abnormalities in young Thoroughbred horses.
Young children’s contact with their parents in jail and child behavior problems

Abstract Contact between incarcerated parents and their children can help maintain family relationships. However, links between parent–child contact and child behavior problems are understudied in young children, especially the contexts in which visits and other forms of contact occur. Data were collected from 157 parents incarcerated in one of two jails regarding contact with their young children (age 2–6), as well as children’s behavior problems. Findings indicated that jail site moderated the association between visit frequency and child behavior problems. At the jail that offered both on-site video and Plexiglas visits, with no security procedures for the on-site video visits, more frequent parent–child visits were associated with fewer child externalizing problems; however, in the jail that offered primarily Plexiglas visits, more frequent visits were associated with more child externalizing problems. Additionally, more phone calls related to more child externalizing behavior problems. This research has implications for policies and practices regarding contact between incarcerated parents and their young children.
HIV and Hodgkin Lymphoma Survival: A Prospective Study in Botswana

PURPOSE People living with HIV (PLWH) experience increased risk of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) despite effective initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART). In high-income countries, outcomes following HIV HL have been reported to be non-differential, or inferior for PLWH. We sought to assess the effect of HIV on HL survival in Botswana, an African country with a generalized HIV epidemic and high ART coverage, to describe a context more reflective of global HIV populations. PATIENTS AND METHODS In the Thabatse Cancer Cohort, consenting participants initiating treatment for HL at one of four cancer centers in Botswana were enrolled from 2010 to 2020. Patients were followed quarterly for up to 5 years. The impact of HIV on survival following treatment initiation was assessed using an inverse probability–weighted Cox marginal structural model adjusted for age, performance status, and disease stage. RESULTS Seventy-eight new HL cases were enrolled, 47 (60%) were PLWH and 31 (40%) were HIV-uninfected. Baseline characteristics were similar between groups. The majority (61%) of patients presented with regional disease (stage I or II) with no statistically significant difference by HIV status (P = .38). Nearly all (87%) PLWH participants were on ART before their HL diagnosis (median ART duration 42 months), and median CD4 count was 413 cells/μL (interquartile range 253-691). Survival, in unadjusted analyses, was lower among patients without HIV compared with PLWH (log rank P = .021). In adjusted analysis, HIV infection was not significantly associated with survival in inverse probability–weighted Cox model (hazard ratio 0.43; 95% CI, 0.16 to 1.16; P = .094). CONCLUSION In this cohort of patients treated for HL in Botswana, survival in PLWH (87% on long-standing ART) was at least as good as in individuals without HIV. Cohort study in Botswana comparing HL survival between PLWH and those uninfected shows noninferior survival for PLWH.
In situ hyperspectral characteristics and the discriminative ability of remote sensing to coral species in the South China Sea

ABSTRACT Knowledge about the optical features of benthic objects is essential for quantifying spectral signatures, remote sensing-based mapping, and ecological monitoring in coral reefs. However, the spectral identification of benthic species and the accurate measurement of the in situ reflectance spectra of relevant research objects remain underexplored. An underwater radiation measuring system suitable for coral reef environments was specifically designed to obtain in situ reflectance spectra and match benthic photographs of various substrate targets. This instrument has the advantages of obtaining hyperspectral, dual-channel simultaneous measurements, and automatically adjusting the integration time according to the light intensity. Based on in situ hyperspectral datasets, the linear discriminant analysis (LDA) was used for exploring and discriminating spectral characteristics from three taxonomic ranks, which include typical substrates of six community groups, nine coral families, and six Acroporidae species. In situ full-resolution (1-nm) spectra provided the best discrimination ability with mean accuracies of 97.5%, 90.9%, and 91.6% for typical substrates, coral families, and coral species, respectively. The spectral abilities of remote sensors were assessed by applying the spectral response functions of three multispectral sensors (Landsat 8 OLI, Sentinel-2A, and World View-2) to the full-resolution spectra. Discrimination analyses of the simulated spectra demonstrated that the spectral separations of typical substrates might be apparent, with overall classification accuracies of 89.6%, 88.2%, and 90.4% for the Landsat 8 OLI, Sentinel-2A, and World View-2 sensors, respectively. The spectral separation for different corals, however, may not be effective when using multispectral sensors. The discrimination analyses of families and species produced overall classification accuracies of 67.1% and 69.6%, respectively, for the Landsat 8 OLI, 56.0% and 56.0% for the Sentinel-2A sensor, and 64.5% and 61.8% for the World View-2 sensor. In summary, this method has the potential for identifing substrate targets in communities and taxonomic coral groups by applying in situ hyperspectral datasets. Furthermore, multispectral satellite sensors are currently inadequate for spectrally separate corals, while spectral discrimination is possible and practical for different substrate targets with visual spectral differences.
Validation of the Tinnitus Acceptance Questionnaire: Japanese Version

This study aimed to develop and validate a Japanese version of the Tinnitus Acceptance Questionnaire (TAQ), an instrument that measures the process of intentional acceptance of adverse experiences associated with tinnitus. A total of 125 patients with chronic tinnitus from multiple institutions participated in this study. Participants completed the Japanese versions of the TAQ, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, Valuing Questionnaire, Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. A second TAQ was administered 1–2 weeks later. Because the model fitted poorly in confirmatory factor analysis, exploratory factor analysis was conducted, which yielded a two-factor structure that was divided into forward and reversed item groups. Hypotheses regarding criterion and construct validity were clearly supported. A high Cronbach’s α coefficient value was obtained for the TAQ total score (0.88). The interclass correlation coefficient for test–retest reliability was within the acceptable range (0.95). The results of the exploratory factor analysis were considered to be due to artifacts caused by the characteristics of the Japanese language. The present study confirmed the validity and reliability of the Japanese version of the TAQ in measuring tinnitus-specific receptivity.
Effects of Allelochemicals, Soil Enzyme Activities, and Environmental Factors on Rhizosphere Soil Microbial Community of Stellera chamaejasme L. along a Growth-Coverage Gradient

Allelochemicals released from the root of Stellera chamaejasme L. into rhizosphere soil are an important factor for its invasion of natural grasslands. The aim of this study is to explore the interactions among allelochemicals, soil physicochemical properties, soil enzyme activities, and the rhizosphere soil microbial communities of S. chamaejasme along a growth-coverage gradient. High-throughput sequencing was used to determine the microbial composition of the rhizosphere soil sample, and high-performance liquid chromatography was used to detect allelopathic substances. The main fungal phyla in the rhizosphere soil with a growth coverage of 0% was Basidiomycetes, and the other sample plots were Ascomycetes. Proteobacteria and Acidobacteria were the dominant bacterial phyla in all sites. RDA analysis showed that neochamaejasmin B, chamaechromone, and dihydrodaphnetin B were positively correlated with Ascomycota and Glomeromycota and negatively correlated with Basidiomycota. Neochamaejasmin B and chamaechromone were positively correlated with Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria and negatively correlated with Acidobacteria and Planctomycetes. Allelochemicals, soil physicochemical properties, and enzyme activity affected the composition and diversity of the rhizosphere soil microbial community to some extent. When the growth coverage of S. chamaejasme reached the primary stage, it had the greatest impact on soil physicochemical properties and enzyme activities.
A Model for Multi-View Residual Covariances based on Perspective Deformation

In this work, we derive a model for the covariance of the visual residuals in multi-view SfM, odometry and SLAM setups. The core of our approach is the formulation of the residual covariances as a combination of geometric and photometric noise sources. And our key novel contribution is the derivation of a term modelling how local 2D patches suffer from perspective deformation when imaging 3D surfaces around a point. Together, these add up to an efficient and general formulation which not only improves the accuracy of both feature-based and direct methods, but can also be used to estimate more accurate measures of the state entropy and hence better founded point visibility thresholds. We validate our model with synthetic and real data and integrate it into photometric and feature-based Bundle Adjustment, improving their accuracy with a negligible overhead.
Clinical Management of Chronic Pelvic Pain in Endometriosis Unresponsive to Conventional Therapy

Background: Although several treatments are currently available for chronic pelvic pain, 30–60% of patients do not respond to them. Therefore, these therapeutic options require a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying endometriosis-induced pain. This study focuses on pain management after failure of conventional therapy. Methods: We reviewed clinical data from 46 patients with endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain unresponsive to conventional therapies at Puerta de Hierro University Hospital Madrid, Spain from 2018 to 2021. Demographic data, clinical and exploratory findings, treatment received, and outcomes were collected. Results: Median age was 41.5 years, and median pain intensity was VAS: 7.8/10. Nociceptive pain and neuropathic pain were identified in 98% and 70% of patients, respectively. The most common symptom was abdominal pain (78.2%) followed by pain with sexual intercourse (65.2%), rectal pain (52.1%), and urologic pain (36.9%). A total of 43% of patients responded to treatment with neuromodulators. Combined therapies for myofascial pain syndrome, as well as treatment of visceral pain with inferior or superior hypogastric plexus blocks, proved to be very beneficial. S3 pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) plus inferior hypogastric plexus block or botulinum toxin enabled us to prolong response time by more than 3.5 months. Conclusion: Treatment of the unresponsive patient should be interdisciplinary. Depending on the history and exploratory findings, therapy should preferably be combined with neuromodulators, myofascial pain therapies, and S3 PRF plus inferior hypogastric plexus blockade.
SegContrast: 3D Point Cloud Feature Representation Learning Through Self-Supervised Segment Discrimination

Semantic scene interpretation is essential for autonomous systems to operate in complex scenarios. While deep learning-based methods excel at this task, they rely on vast amounts of labeled data that is tedious to generate and might not cover all relevant classes sufficiently. Self-supervised representation learning has the prospect of reducing the amount of required labeled data by learning descriptive representations from unlabeled data. In this letter, we address the problem of representation learning for 3D point cloud data in the context of autonomous driving. We propose a new contrastive learning approach that aims at learning the structural context of the scene. Our approach extracts class-agnostic segments over the point cloud and applies the contrastive loss over these segments to discriminate between similar and dissimilar structures. We apply our method on data recorded with a 3D LiDAR. We show that our method achieves competitive performance and can learn a more descriptive feature representation than other state-of-the-art self-supervised contrastive point cloud methods.
Detection and Identification Techniques for Multi-PD Source in GIS

A novel detection and identification approach of multi-partial discharge (PD) in gas insulated switchgear (GIS) based on wideband detection technique is presented in this paper. The realization of the approach involves the classification of PD pulse sequence and identification of each sub-group with phase resolved partial discharge (PRPD) based on least squares support vector machine (LS-SVM). The classification module is composed of the time-frequency feature extraction for PD pulses and the competitive learning network (CLN) unsupervisory clustering, which divides PD pulses into sub-groups, in each group PD pulses show homogeneous stochastic features. Then the fingerprints of each sub-group are deduced from PRPD, and the identification is performed with LS-SVM discriminant function trained with the PD fingerprints produced by single insulation defect of GIS. Simulation test results show that the technique is feasible and practical, which provides a good approach for developing the multi-PD detection and identification system for GIS.
A Modified Relevance Vector Machine for PEM Fuel-Cell Stack Aging Prediction

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are considered as a potential candidate in the green-energy applications in the near future. Comparing with other energy options, the PEMFCs need only hydrogen and air during operation. Meanwhile, as a by-product during operation, water is produced. This energy-conversion process is 100% eco-friendly and completely unharmful to the environment. However, PEMFCs are vulnerable to the impurities of hydrogen or fluctuation of operational condition, which could cause the degradation of output performance over time during operation. Thus, the prediction of the performance degradation is critical to the PEMFC system. In this work, a novel PEMFC performance-forecasting model based on a modified relevance vector machine (RVM) has been proposed, followed by a comparison with the approach of classic support vector machine (SVM). First, the theoretical formulation of RVM is briefly introduced, then the implementation steps of RVM using the experimental aging data sets of PEMFC stack output voltage are presented. By considering the specific feature of aging data-prediction problem, an innovative modified RVM formulation is proposed. The results of proposed modified RVM method are analyzed and compared to the results of SVM. The results have demonstrated that the modified RVM can achieve better performance of prediction than SVM, especially in the cases with relatively small training data sets. This novel method based on modified RVM approach has been demonstrated to show its effectiveness on forecasting the performance degradation of PEMFCs.
BEDSIDE LAPAROSCOPY AS DIAGNOSTIC TOOL REVIEW OF ABDOMINAL PATHOLOGIES IN CRITICALLY ILL PATIENTS: REVIEW

Introduction: The diagnosis of abdominal pathologies in critically ill patients is often difficult because of inconclusive laboratory tests or imaging results, or the inability to safely transfer a patient to the radiology room. These causes give a delayed diagnosis of abdominal pathology in the intensive care unit (ICU) and increase rate of morbidity and mortality. The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate the safety and diagnostic accuracy of bedside diagnostic laparoscopy in the identification of intra-abdominal pathology in critically ill patients. Aim: The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate the safety and diagnostic accuracy of bedside diagnostic laparoscopy in the identification of intra-abdominal pathology in critically ill patients. Materials and Methods: A literature research was carried out including PubMed, Medline, Embase, Cochrane and Google Scholar databases to identify articles reporting on importance of diagnostic accuracy of bedside diagnostic laparoscopy in the identification of intra-abdominal pathology in critically ill patients. Conclusions: Bedside diagnostic laparoscopy represents a safe and accurate technique for diagnosing intraabdominal pathology in an ICU setting and should be taken into consideration when patient transfer to radiology or the operating room is considered unsafe or when routine radiological examinations are not conclusive enough to reach a definite diagnosis. Keywords: Bedside laparoscopy, critically ill patients, ultrasonography (US), computed tomography (CT) , emergency surgery