Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An integrated charger with central-tapped winding switched reluctance motor drive

In this paper, an on-board integrated battery charger based on central-tapped winding switched reluctance motor of electric vehicle is presented. All the components used for driving mode are employed in the charging process, and there is no need for hardware reconfiguration between charging and driving modes of operation. The solution can be connected directly to single-phase grid to perform charging by central-tapped winding node. Compared with independent electric vehicle chargers, the proposed charger integrates charging and driving functions to optimize the circuit structure, to reduce the cost and weight, and to improve utilization elements. The topology based on a three-phase full-bridge topology and motor windings is rebuilt as the rectifier circuit and buck-boost circuit, without additional AC/DC and DC/DC converter. Simulation results in MATLAB/Simulink and experiments on a three phase 6/4 poles SRM have validated the effectiveness of the correctness and feasibility of the topology.
Comparison of PCR, Culture, and Serological Tests for Diagnosis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae Respiratory Tract Infection in Children

ABSTRACT For diagnosis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection we compared two rapid tests, PCR and the immunoglobulin M immunofluorescence assay (IgM IFA), with culture and the complement fixation test (CFT), in a prospective study among 92 children with respiratory tract infection and 74 controls. Based on positivity of culture and/or CFT as the diagnostic criterion, nine patients (10%) were diagnosed with M. pneumoniae infection. All patients positive by culture were also positive by PCR. In all controls cultures, PCRs, and serological assays were negative, except in one with a positive IgM IFA. The IgM IFA had a low positive predictive value of 50%. Only a combination of PCR (seven patients) and CFT (seven patients) allowed diagnosis of all cases.
Next Generation Infrastructure Interdependencies: An economic deterministic model of transport interdependencies in the United Kingdom

The role of infrastructure interdependencies is challenging due to the complexity and dynamic environment of all infrastructures and vital for critical infrastructure systems. There is an ongoing debate about the value of the benefits of the five national infrastructure sectors (energy, water, transport, waste and communication) in the UK and how they interact in terms of social, economic and environmental wellbeing , . This study focuses only on one of the three aforementioned values, the economic value. The hypothesis tested is whether the transport sector is economically complemented by the energy, water and waste sectors and economically substituted by the communication sector1. The authors use the process analysis “networks and cohorts”, an analysis that uses tables, diagrams, models and networks of interactions along with organizational linkages . Of interest for this study in particular is the grand total of all revenues (capital value) which create incomes into other sectors and creates dependencies. This, by definition, is the Gross Value Added. The last five symmetric (product by product) Input-Output tables of gross value added are used: 2010, 2005, 1995, 1990 and 1984 . The theory underpinning the hypothesis was verified and one mathematical equation was developed based on the historical data of the gross value added by the value created in millions of pounds (£m) from the other critical sectors to transport.
Functionally distinct ERAP1 allotype combinations distinguish individuals with Ankylosing Spondylitis

Significance The immune system performs surveillance to identify infected or cancerous cells through recognition of small protein fragments called antigenic peptides on their surface. To do this, the peptides must be cut to a specific length by an enzyme called endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 1 (ERAP1). Variation in this enzyme has recently been linked to the inflammatory rheumatic disease Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS). We have found that ERAP1 is highly polymorphic in humans and that specific combinations of ERAP1 are found in people with AS. These disease-associated combinations have a reduced ability to generate peptides for presentation at the cell surface by MHC class I molecules, including HLA-B27. Understanding this finding may allow easier identification of individuals with AS and allow stratification into prognostic groups. For more than 40 y, expression of HLA-B27 has been strongly associated with the chronic inflammatory disease Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS); however, the mechanisms underlying this association are still unknown. Single nucleotide polymorphisms within the aminopeptidase endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 1 (ERAP1), which is essential for trimming peptides before they are presented to T cells by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules, have been linked with disease. We show that ERAP1 is a highly polymorphic molecule comprising allotypes of single nucleotide polymorphisms. The prevalence of specific ERAP1 allotypes is different between AS cases and controls. Both chromosomal copies of ERAP1 are codominantly expressed, and analysis of allotype pairs provided clear stratification of individuals with AS versus controls. Functional analyses demonstrated that ERAP1 allotype pairs seen in AS cases were poor at generating optimal peptide ligands for binding to murine H-2Kb and -Db and the AS-associated HLA-B*2705. We therefore provide strong evidence that polymorphic ERAP1 alters protein function predisposing an individual to AS via its influence on the antigen processing pathway.
Efficacy of interlaminar vs transforaminal epidural steroid injection for the treatment of chronic unilateral radicular pain: prospective, randomized study.

UNLABELLED OBJECTIVE, DESIGN AND SETTINGS: The purpose of this randomized, prospective study is to compare the efficacy of two different routes in administering epidural steroid injections interlaminar (IL) vs transforaminal (TF) in patients with unilateral radicular pain. PATIENTS We randomly enrolled and followed 64 patients with chronic radiculopathy. RESULTS Significant improvements were maintained throughout 6 months (24 weeks) of follow-up (P<0.001, respectively). The average visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores at 24 weeks improved to 4.0 ± 2.2 cm in the IL group and 3.8 ± 2.1 cm in the TF group (P=0.717). Baseline functional capacity was comparable for the IL and the TF group (52% vs 53%) when assessed using Oswestry (P=0.647). At 6 months, both groups improved, 39% for the IL group and 38% for the TF group, suggesting change from severe to moderate disability scoring range. There were 24 out of the 32 (75%) patients in the IL group at 24 weeks who improved more than 2 cm on the VAS scale and 17 patients (53%) had >50% of the pain relief. In the TF group, there were 27 out of the 32 (84%) patients with >2 cm improvement on VAS pain scale, and 20 of 32 (63%) with >50% improvement at 24 weeks. Functional capacity changes were similar, 16 out of the 32 patients (50%) improved 10 points or more on the Oswestry scale in the IL group and 21 out of the 32 in the TF group (66%). CONCLUSIONS Using either route of epidural injections to deliver steroids for unilateral chronic radiculopathy secondary to herniated intervertebral disc provided significant improvements in patients function and pain relief. However, we could not find a statistically significant difference between two indicated groups either in functional improvement or in reduction in pain, although half-dose of steroids delivered via TF route provided somewhat better long-term pain relief and functional capacity improvements.
In-capillary self-assembly of quantum dots and histidine containing peptide

Herein, we developed an in-capillary assay for detecting the self-assembly between histidine containing peptide labeled with ATTO 590 (H4-ATTO) and quantum dots (QDs) using fluorescence coupled capillary electrophoresis (CE-FL). QDs and H4-ATTO were sequentially injected into the capillary, which yielded a new Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) signal. The efficiency of the self-assembly was affected by the molar ratio and injection interval time. This assay could further expand the application of FRET in the field of QDs-based online bioanalysis.
A novel stack PCB structure for X-band cavity bandpass filter implementation

A novel printed-circuit-board (PCB) structure is used to construct a 2nd-order annular cavity bandpass filter and a novel packaging technology are presented in this letter. The PCB has the treatment of shaped-cut, copper-deposition, and stack-management to generate the air cavity structure. A 2nd-order bandpass air-filled cavity filter with two transmission zeros at lower- and upper-stopband is designed, which has a central frequency at 9.88 GHz and a bandwidth of 1.8%. To validate the proposed concept, the proposed 2nd-order bandpass filter is fabricated. The measured insertion loss is around 1.6dB. The measured result has a reasonably good agreement with the simulated result in X-band frequency.
The Role of Branding on Educational Performance in the Egyptian Private Universities

This paper aims to investigate the role of branding in achieving a good perfor-mance level for Egyptian universities. It explains the value of impact of each dimension of the Branding, which are: Design, Communication and Feedback, on Performance, represented in Alumni, Employment and Learning Efficiency. Regression analysis and SEM were conducted and results show that none of the Branding dimensions significantly affects Learning Efficiency. On the other hand, all Branding dimensions are significantly affecting Alumni. It could be concluded that there should be some enhancements regarding the programs provided for post graduates to be able to achieve the required level of learning efficiency.
Association between the 1188 A/C polymorphism in the human IL12B gene and Th1‐mediated infectious diseases

gene andtuberculosis and salmonellosis in Russians. Both case-control and family-based association studies data suggestthat this gene variant is a risk factor of common suscepti-bility to infection due to intracellular bacteria.Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is the key cytokine of Th1-mediated immunity in humans. It is secreted by antigen-presenting dendritic cells and phagocytes and activatesCD4+ T cells to differentiate to Th1, IFN- γ-secreting cells,associated with cellular immune responses. IL-12 plays acrucial role in immunity to intracellular bacteria, such as
When Companies Use Their Wiggle Room, Which Investors Care?

This paper investigates whether certain investors either prefer or dislike holding firms that exploit more of the available regulatory wiggle room and if such a strategy pays off. Exploited wiggle room (WR) is captured by relatively aggressive tax planning, financial reporting, and earnings management practices. I find that long-term, low-turnover investors hold firms with 3% higher exploited WR than those held by short-term, high- turnover investors. After experiencing misconduct that breaches their trust, investors significantly reduce the exploited WR of their holdings. Overall, investors seem to have heterogeneous preferences for WR exploitation and a liking for cautious firms that cannot be explained by a prot maximization motive alone.
Development of a CMOS-MEMS gyroscope using pure-oxide and symmetric metal-oxide stacking structures

This study exploits the concepts of pure-oxide and symmetric metal-oxide films to design and implement a CMOS-MEMS gyroscope. Features of this approach include: (1) the main structure of gyroscope is formed by the CMOS pure-oxide layers, (2) the drive and sense electrodes are formed by the symmetric metal-oxide stacking layers. Thus, the unwanted after-process deformation due to the thin film residual stresses and the unwanted in-use thermal deformation due to the CTE mismatch of metal-dielectric films are significantly reduced. Preliminary result shows a flat structure (radius of curvature, ROC> 80mm) with 500μm×470μm footprint is achieved. Moreover, the angular rate sensitivity is 4μV/°/s when measured at atmosphere, and can be further improved using vacuum sealing.
Influence of FFM/NEO PI-R personality traits on the rational process of autonomous agents

In this paper, we present an approach based on the principle that psychological capacities, especially personality traits, influence the decision making process of rational agents. Using a three-level trait, facet, scheme extension of the FFM/NEO PI-R taxonomy facilitating its computational implementation, we propose a model for the expression of personality traits in terms of so-called influence operators that add meta control rules to the cycle of rational BDI agents. We distinguish eight different classes of influence operators, depending on the step of the deliberation cycle that they influence and on the operand to which they are applied goals, actions, plans or functions. Concrete examples are provided through a complete definition of the operators necessary to express one of the personality traits of the Five Factor Model, Conscientiousness, resulting in a set of 30 operators. Finally, we discuss the way to design a specific character through the use of an activation matrix, providing values for each scheme and operator.
Real-time transient elastography on standard ultrasound using mechanically induced vibration: System design and initial results

Tissue elasticity can be deduced from the study of the propagation of shear waves. Transient elastography by means of mechanical vibration has been well established in the literature as a means of assessing the elasticity of the soft tissue and shown to be useful in different clinical applications. Previous studies have focused mainly on custom single element ultrasound transducers and ultrafast ultrasound scanners. In this work, we report the design and implementation of a transient elastography system on a standard ultrasound scanner that enables quantitative assessment of tissue elasticity in real-time. We presents the actuator design as well as the proposed data acquisition schemes that enable imaging of transient shear waves both in 1D and 2D in addition to the reconstruction algorithms for estimating the Young's modulus from these 1D and 2D wave images. The performance of the system is validated experimentally using a commercial elasticity phantom. In both 1D and 2D imaging modes, a good agreement was observed between the Young's modulus reported by the phantom manufacturer and the Young's modulus estimated by our system.
A method for decision making with the OWA operator

A new method for decision making that uses the ordered weighted averaging (OWA) operator in the aggregation of the information is presented. It is used a concept that it is known in the literature as the index of maximum and minimum level (IMAM). This index is based on distance measures and other techniques that are useful for decision making. By using the OWA operator in the IMAM, we form a new aggregation operator that we call the ordered weighted averaging index of maximum and minimum level (OWAIMAM) operator. The main advantage is that it provides a parameterized family of aggregation operators between the minimum and the maximum and a wide range of special cases. Then, the decision maker may take decisions according to his degree of optimism and considering ideals in the decision process. A further extension of this approach is presented by using hybrid averages and Choquet integrals. We also develop an application of the new approach in a multi-person decision-making problem regarding the selection of strategies.
A Study on the Effects of Information Systems Quality and Emotional Labors on the Organizational Performance for the Airline Call Centers

The perception that call center operators’ interactions with customers make effects on service quality or customer satisfaction is getting proliferated. Accordingly, emotional labor of call center operators attracts attentions. Call Center Information System plays very important role in interactions between call center operators and customers, and call center operators can reduce their stress when they can use information system effectively. It would decrease emotional labor of call center operators and increase performances of individuals and organization. Accordingly, in this study a hypothesis is made that call center information systems quality and emotional labors make effects on the organizational performance. In test of hypothesis, it is verified that the information systems quality makes effects on emotional labor of call center operators, and emotional labor makes effects on organizational performance, in other words it makes effects on customer-orientedness and organizational satisfaction
An Investigation of the Stochastic Hodgkin-Huxley Models Under Noisy Rate Functions

The effects of ion channel fluctuations on the transmembrane voltage activity are potentially profound in small-size excitable membrane patches. Different groups have extended Hodgkin-Huxley equations into stochastic differential equations to capture the effects of ion channel noise analytically (Fox & Lu, 1994; Linaro, Storace, & Giugliano, 2011; Güler, 2013). Studies have shown that the accuracy of spiking statistics by Fox and Lu's model does not match well with the corresponding statistics from the exact microscopic simulations. The models of both Linaro et al. and Güler, however, were found to produce highly accurate statistics. Here we extend the examination of these models to the case in which the rate functions for the opening and closing of gates are under the influence of noise. For that purpose, the usual rate functions are accompanied additively by Ornstein-Uhlenbeck–type stochastic angular variables. Moreover, we argue that the existence of such noise in the rate functions is a plausible physiological phenomenon for finite-size membranes. It is observed that the presence of noise in the rates is not effective on the degree of inaccuracies within the Fox and Lu model. Güler model's accuracy is found to remain high as in the case of noise free rates. But the performance of Linaro et al.’s model is seen to degrade seriously with the increasing strength of the introduced rate function noise. We attribute this failure of Linaro et al.’s model to the use of the covariance function of open channels at the steady state, in its derivation.
Integrating the Huff Model and Floating Catchment Area Methods to Analyze Spatial Access to Healthcare Services

Analysis of spatial access to healthcare services is critical for effective health resource planning. Gravity‐based spatial access models have been widely used to estimate spatial access to healthcare services. Among them, the floating catchment area (FCA) methods have been proved to be informative and helpful to the designation of Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs). This article integrates the Huff Model with the FCA method to articulate population selection on services. Through the proposed approach, population demand on healthcare services is adjusted by a Huff Model‐based selection probability that reflects the impacts of both distance impedance and service site capacity. The new approach moderates the over‐ or under‐estimating of population demand that occurred with previous methods. Furthermore, the method uses a continuous distance impedance weight function instead of the arbitrarily defined subzones of previous studies. A case study of spatial access to primary care in Springfield, MO, showed that the proposed method can effectively moderate the population demand on service sites and therefore can generate more reliable spatial access measures.
The SEC Comment Letter Process and Its Effects on the Quality of Disclosure for IPO Firms

The SEC reviews all initial registration filings for disclosure quality enhancements and compliance with securities laws. The results of these reviews are documented in publicly-available comment letters from the SEC to the issuers. We study these comment letters for 95 firms that completed initial public offerings from 2004-2005. We analyze the letters to understand the content, frequency, and duration of the comment letter process. We examine the determinants of comment letter process attributes, focusing on managerial expertise and corporate governance explanations. We find that when the IPO firm has a CFO with prior public company experience, the firm receives fewer comments from the SEC that address fewer disclosure and financial reporting issues. Corporate governance structures appear to affect the overall IPO process, but not necessarily the comment letter process. Finally, we link our comment letter process measures to the IPO firms' information environment without results in our initial tests.
Relationship between growth of Suffolk rams on central performance test and growth of their progeny.

Eighteen Suffolk rams, purchased from three central test stations, were singles i r e mated to both Suffolk and 1/2 Dorset, 1/4 Suffolk, 1/4 Rambouillet ewes at the University of I l l in o is , Dixon Springs Agricultural Center, Simpson, I l l in o is , U.S.A. Rams had been tested for growth over a 63-day period starting when they were approximately two months of age. Progeny lambs were weaned at 56+4 days of age and males were l e f t intact. Lambs were fed a high energy ration ad libitum in confinement postweaning. Lamb body weights were taken at b irth , 28+4 days of age, at weaning, and fortn igh tly postweaning until reaching 50 kg l iv e weight. Progeny performance (b ir th , 60 and 120 day weights and gains between these ages) was regressed on s i r e 's central test performance (average da ily gain on test and weight per day of age at end of t e s t ) . None of the part ia l regression c o e f f i ­ c ien ts were s ign if ican t ly d if feren t from zero. These data suggest that central t e s t performance o f Suffolk rams, measured on a 63 day test starting when rams are approximately two months of age, is not an accurate indicator of breeding value for growth.
Immune Suppression via Glucocorticoid-Stimulated Monocytes: A Novel Mechanism To Cope with Inflammation

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are used as first-line therapies for generalized suppression of inflammation (e.g., allergies or autoimmune diseases), but their long-term use is limited by severe side effects. Our previous work revealed that GCs induced a stable anti-inflammatory phenotype in monocytes, the GC-stimulated monocytes (GCsMs) that we exploited for targeted GC-mediated therapeutic effects. We demonstrate that GCsMs interact with T cells in suppressing proliferation, as well as cytokine release of CD8+ and, especially, CD4+ T cells in vitro, and that they support generation of Foxp3+ cells. Therefore, we tested their immunosuppressive potential in CD4+ T cell–induced colitis in vivo. We found that injection of GCsMs into mice with severe colitis abolished the inflammation and resulted in significant clinical improvement within a few days. T cells recovered from GCsM-treated mice exhibited reduced secretion of proinflammatory cytokines IFN-γ and IL-17. Furthermore, clusters of Foxp3+ CD4+ T cells were detectable at local sites of inflammation in the colon. Thus, GCsMs are able to modify T cell responses in vitro and in vivo, as well as to downregulate and clinically cure severe T cell–mediated colitis.