Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Test-bed implementation of DC microgrid in islanding mode

In order to increase the reliability and response speed of a DC microgrid system, the power management algorithm for autonomous operation is proposed using a DC-bus signaling (DBS) method, instead of the centralized power management system which needs communications among power interfaces. The DC-bus voltage is considered as an information signal of the status of the DC-bus. In addition, DC-bus voltage bands are proposed to classify the scenarios of DC-bus conditions. The DC microgrid components individually operate to achieve the functionality of the system control in the DC-bus voltage band. This paper suggests a control strategy for the power management among independent components in the islanding mode. Its test-bed contains the power management algorithm which consists of a grid-connected AC/DC rectifier, a bidirectional DC/DC converter, a renewable energy simulator, DC loads, and a DC-bus protector. The proposed power management algorithm in the islanding mode is analyzed via simulation result, which is verified from the proposed DC microgrid test-bed.
Substance Use Patterns and Mental Health Diagnosis Among Youth in Mental Health Treatment: A Latent Class Analysis

Abstract This study examines patterns of substance use among youth served in systems of care, and how these patterns relate to diagnosis and other youth characteristics using latent class analysis. Results indicated a four-class solution with the four groups differing in their probabilities of reporting the use of 10 different substances. Class 1 was defined by high probabilities of all drug use. Class 2 had high probabilities of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana use, and low for other drugs. Class 3 had moderate probabilities of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana use, and low probabilities for other drugs. Class 4 had a high probability of tobacco use and no other drug use. Youth who had a mood disorder diagnosis, were male, older, White and had previously run away from home were significantly more likely to be in Class 1 relative to other classes. These differences have implications for prevention and treatment.
The Impact of Overgrazing on Dung Beetle Diversity in the Italian Maritime Alps

ABSTRACT Dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) are undoubtedly the most typical and ecologically relevant insects of grazed alpine habitats because they provide valuable ecological services such as biological pest control and soil fertilization. Despite the great ecological contribution of these insects to pasture ecosystem functioning, little is known about their direct or indirect relationships with pastoral activities. The main aim of the study was to assess whether dung beetle diversity was influenced by different intensities of cattle grazing. Dung beetle communities of two adjacent alpine valleys within the Maritime Alps Natural Park (north-western Italian Alps), representing overgrazed and ungrazed pastures, were studied by pitfall trapping. A hierarchical design (three levels: valleys, transects, and replicates) was established for additive partitioning of γ-diversity and Indicator Species Analysis. Evenness and Shannon diversity were significantly higher at the ungrazed than at the overgrazed site because abundances were much more evenly distributed at the former than at the latter site (where one species was dominant over all the others). Dung beetle abundance and species richness of the overgrazed graminaceous pasture vegetation types were in most cases significantly lower than those of the ungrazed nongraminaceous vegetation type. In the additive partitioning of γ -diversity analysis relative to the whole study area, the randomization procedure indicated that the contribution of β to γ-diversity was significantly different from that expected by chance, suggesting that one or more environmental factors has intervened to change the partition of total diversity in the system considered. The analysis of the preferences and fidelity of species (Indicator Species Analysis) showed that only one species chose overgrazed pastures; all the others positively selected the ungrazed site, or the only ungrazed pasture vegetation type (Rumicetum alpini Beger) occurring at the overgrazed site. Results conformed to evidences that overgrazing represents a serious threat to the conservation of alpine dung beetles. To conserve local dung beetle assemblages, especially in protected areas, cattle overgrazing should be avoided. This does not mean, however, that pastoral activities are incompatible with biodiversity conservation. The contemporaneous presence of wild ungulates and low intensity extensive pastoral activities may be useful to preserve both local dung beetle assemblages and alpine pasture ecosystems.
Intracorporeal Circular Stapled Esophagojejunostomy Using Conventional Purse-String Suture Instrument After Laparoscopic Total Gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND An optimal alimentary tract reconstruction technique after laparoscopic total gastrectomy (LTG) remains controversial. The authors developed a new simple technique for intracorporeal esophagojejunal anastomosis that employs a conventional purse-string suture instrument (PSI) and circular stapler. METHODS From May 2014 to April 2016, 41 consecutive patients with gastric cancer underwent LTG in the author's institution. Intracorporeal esophagojejunal anastomosis using the following method was attempted for all patients. After total gastrectomy was completed laparoscopically, a small vertical incision (about 40 mm) was created at the left midclavicular line and retracted by a wound retractor. An anvil of a 25 mm circular stapler was introduced into the abdominal cavity. Then a previously prepared surgical glove, which was cut open at the thumb and the little finger through which the two hand shafts of the PSI were passed separately and sealed by ties, was attached to the wound retractor to maintain airtightness, and the PSI was introduced into the abdominal cavity. The following procedure was similar to conventional open surgery except that it was performed under laparoscopic vision. RESULTS Intracorporeal esophagojejunal anastomosis was performed successfully for all 41 patients. No case required extension of the initial incision for difficulties during anastomosis. The mean operation time was 245 minutes, and the mean time for the purse-string suture and anvil placement was 15 minutes. Tumor-free margins were achieved in all 41 patients. There were no anastomosis-related complications or other major surgical complications. CONCLUSIONS With the described method, intracorporeal esophagojejunal anastomosis can be performed easily and safely.
Classification of non-Hodgkin lymphomas in Guatemala according to the World Health Organization system

Abstract The aim of this study is to report the relative frequencies of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) subtypes in Guatemala. A panel of five hematopathologists reviewed 226 consecutive biopsies and classified them according to the 2001 World Health Organization (WHO) classification. The 83 cases of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) were further subclassified into germinal center B-cell-like (GCB) and non-GCB subtypes. Of the 226 cases, 194 (86%) were confirmed as NHL, including 169 (87%) B-cell and 25 (13%) T- or natural killer (NK)-cell NHL. The most common subtype was DLBCL (44.3%), and the most frequent subtype among T- and NK-cell NHL was extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type (7.8% of all NHL). A comparison of the frequencies of NHL subtypes between Guatemala and other parts of the world showed that Guatemala is most similar to the Middle East and Asia. However, there is no significant difference in the frequency of the DLBCL subtypes compared to North America and Europe.
The role of trust and religious commitment in Islamic medical tourism

ABSTRACT This study has examined the effect of trust and religiosity on Islamic medical tourists’ attitudes, and consequently, satisfaction by considering age, gender, and education as moderators. A survey was undertaken of 227 Muslim medical tourists who had been treated in Islamic hospitals in Iran, and the data were analysed using partial least squares techniques. The results showed that although trust has a significant effect on Muslim medical tourists’ attitudes, religiosity has no significant effect. The relationship between attitude and satisfaction towards the Islamic medical treatment practised by the healthcare providers is also supported. Gender and education moderate the relationship between religiosity and attitude. In addition, education moderates the relationship between trust and attitude. The results of this research can provide useful insight into the needs of Muslim medical tourists, which would be useful for Islamic hospitals to provide higher quality healthcare services.
Identification of sudden cardiac death using spectral domain analysis of Electrocardiogram(ECG)

Sudden death from cardiac arrest is a major health problem and is responsible for almost half of all heart disease deaths. This paper introduces work that has been done to distinguish the Electrocardiogram (ECG) of a normal healthy human from that of a patient who may suffer from Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD), but this condition has not been detected. In SCD, the cardiac arrest occurs for a very short time which is preceded and followed by normal ECG. In time domain, detection of such condition would involve monitoring the ECG for over 24 hrs which is not at all feasible. Therefore we worked on normal portion of SCD ECG and compared its parameters with those of a healthy person's ECG. The intention is to design an algorithm that may enable doctors to detect chances of myocardial infarction beforehand on the basis of spectral analysis of an ECG. Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) on QRS complex was used to extract information from the ECG signals providing the basis with which a signal suggesting predisposition of the patient to suffer a cardiac arrest can be differentiated from a normal signal. In this way, instead of waiting for over 24 hrs, 4-5 min. of ECG of any patient is enough to detect possibility of SCD. The algorithm was tested on MIT-BIH (Massachusetts Institute of Technology- Beth Israel Hospital) Databases and the results verified our hypothesis that given an individual's ECG signal during normal function of the heart, it is possible to analyze it and predict whether he is susceptible to cardiac arrest. Further research is being carried out by utilizing the concept for analyzing an ECG signal to identify predisposition to other diseases.
Developmental Shifts and the Australian-Peruvian Exchange Rate: A VECM Analysis

In this study we examine the fundamental linkages between a single currency pair. The studied pair is the Australia Dollar and Peru Nuevo Sol from the dates 1994 to 2017. We perform a cointegration analysis and test for structural breaks at an unknown point in time. The results show that during 2002 the pair of currencies become cointegrated. We then perform a fundamental analysis to ascertain what is driving this structural change. We suggest that the growing importance of the export sectors of both economies, particularly the increasing dependence on China as an export destination, is a fundamental driver of this relationship as well as deepening international development.
Examining the Cost Per Caregiver of an Intervention Designed to Improve the Quality of Life of Spousal Caregivers of Stroke Survivors

Background and Purpose: There is a growing consensus among healthcare researchers that, within the field of family caregiving, cost‐effectiveness research is needed to determine which programs have the greatest benefit for family members. This study examines the cost per caregiver of an intervention designed to improve the quality of life of spousal caregivers of stroke survivors. Method: Cost data from the CAReS study were analyzed to determine the cost of the intervention per caregiver. Results: The cost of the intervention per caregiver was $2,500 at the 2009 median wage estimate. It was $1,700 at the 2009 10 percentile wage estimate and $3,500 at the 2009 90 percentile wage estimate. Conclusions: This study provides a prototype cost analysis from which researchers can build. In future analyses, costs should be tracked at a participant level so uncertainty can be calculated using the bias‐corrected percentile bootstrapping method and plotted to calculate cost‐effectiveness acceptability curves, enabling cost‐effectiveness comparisons between interventions.
Protective effects of curcumin and photo‐irradiated curcumin on circulatory lipids and lipid peroxidation products in alcohol and polyunsaturated fatty acid‐induced toxicity

Alcohol is a neurotoxin associated with signiﬁcant morbidity and mortality. Ethanol is found to induce a dose dependent increase in lipid peroxidation (LPO). The elevation in lipid peroxidative products and the loss of antioxidant defense potential are enhanced when alcohol is taken along with polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) or heated PUFA. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of curcumin and photo‐irradiated curcumin on alcohol and PUFA induced LPO and lipid proﬁles in plasma. The levels of vitamin C and E were decreased signiﬁcantly in alcohol + raw as well as heated PUFA groups. The treatment with curcumin and photo‐irradiated curcumin (IC) increased their levels signiﬁcantly. The increase was more signiﬁcant in the IC group than the curcumin group. The levels of cholesterol, phospholipids (PL), triglycerides (TG), free fatty acids (FFA), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and hydroperoxides (HP) were increased signiﬁcantly in alcohol + raw as well as heated PUFA groups and the treatment with curcumin and IC, brought back the levels. But the IC reduced the levels more signiﬁcantly than curcumin. Thus, our results indicate that IC is a more potent antioxidant than curcumin. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
DO PUBLIC SECTOR BANKS PROMOTE REGIONAL GROWTH? EVIDENCE FROM AN EMERGING ECONOMY

A large literature exists on the relationship between financial development and economic growth. However, the role of government and public banks in building this relationship has remained contentious. In a subâ€ national level analysis in the Indian context, we raise the question: What is the relative impact of public banks in economic growth in the lagging regions visâ€ A â€ vis leading regions? Do they matter more than private and foreign banks? To address these problems, we apply a dynamic generalized method of moments panel estimation to an unbalanced panel dataset drawn from 25 Indian states covering the period 1996/97 to 2008/09. Although our study focuses on the Indian context, it is relevant to developing countries for two main reasons: government ownership of banks is prevalent in developing countries; and in many large countries with a federation setâ€ up interâ€ state differences may exist with multiple ownership of the financial sector.
The effects of synbiotic supplementation on some cardio-metabolic risk factors in overweight and obese children: a randomized triple-masked controlled trial

Abstract Recent studies have suggested some beneficial effects of probiotics on controlling excess weight in adults; such experience is limited in the pediatric age group. This study aimed to assess the anti-obesity and lipid-lowering effects of a synbiotic supplement among children and adolescents. We conducted a randomized triple-masked controlled trial among 70 participants aged 6–18 years with body mass index (BMI) equal or higher than 85th percentile. They were randomly assigned to two groups of equal number to receive synbiotic or placebo for 8 weeks. At the end of the trial, decrease in BMI Z-score, waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio were significantly higher in the synbiotic group than in the placebo group. Likewise, synbiotic group had significant decrease in serum triglycerides, total- and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels. The beneficial effects of a synbiotic supplement on controlling excess weight and some cardio-metabolic risk factors among children and adolescents can be considered in clinical practice.
The dynamics of displacement effect in government expenditure

ABSTRACT This study examines the dynamics of the displacement effect. Using government expenditure data from 1972 to 2006, this study finds evidence of the displacement effect in government expenditures immediately following German reunification, along with changes in both the composition of government expenditures and funding allocation authority between local and federal governments. These findings suggest that social disturbances play a significant role in determining the functional composition of government spending and have the potential to reverse the trend of fiscal decentralization.
Factors associated with attrition from a randomized controlled trial of meaning‐centered group psychotherapy for patients with advanced cancer

The generalizability of palliative care intervention research is often limited by high rates of study attrition. This study examined factors associated with attrition from a randomized controlled trial comparing meaning‐centered group psychotherapy (MCGP), an intervention designed to help advanced cancer patients sustain or enhance their sense of meaning to the supportive group psychotherapy (SGP), a standardized support group.
Modelling share prices as a random walk on a Markov chain

In the financial area, a simple but also realistic means of modelling real data is very important. Several approaches are considered to model and analyse the data presented herein. We start by considering a random walk on an additive functional of a discrete time Markov chain perturbed by Gaussian noise as a model for the data as working with a continuous time model is more convenient for option prices. Therefore, we consider the renowned (and open) embedding problem for Markov chains: not every discrete time Markov chain has an underlying continuous time Markov chain. One of the main goals of this research is to analyse whether the discrete time model permits extension or embedding to the continuous time model. In addition, the volatility of share price data is estimated and analysed by the same procedure as for share price processes. This part of the research is an extensive case study on the embedding problem for financial data and its volatility. Another approach to modelling share price data is to consider a random walk on the lamplighter group. Specifically, we model data as a Markov chain with a hidden random walk on the lamplighter group Z3 and on the tensor product of groups Z2 ⊗ Z2. The lamplighter group has a specific structure where the hidden information is actually explicit. We assume that the positions of the lamplighters are known, but we do not know the status of the lamps. This is referred to as a hidden random walk on the lamplighter group. A biased random walk is constructed to fit the data. Monte Carlo simulations are used to find the best fit for smallest trace norm difference of the transition matrices for the tensor product of the original transition matrices from the (appropriately split) data. In addition, splitting data is a key method for both our first and second models. The tensor product structure comes from the split of the data. This requires us to deal with the missing data. We apply a variety of statistical techniques such as ExpectationMaximization Algorithm and Machine Learning Algorithm (C4.5). In this work we also analyse the quantum data and compute option prices for the binomial model via quantum data.
Evaluation of phase I/II clinical trials in prostate cancer with dendritic cells and PSMA peptides

A phase I trial involving patients with advanced prostate cancer was conducted to assess the safe administration of dendritic cells (DC) and HLA‐A0201‐specific prostate‐specific membrane antigen (PSMA) peptides (PSM‐P1 or ‐P2). Thirty‐three of the phase I participants were subsequently enrolled in a phase II trial, which involved six infusions of DC pulsed with PSM‐P1 and ‐P2 peptides.
Comparison of confirmatory tests for the diagnosis of primary aldosteronism.

CONTEXT Primary aldosteronism (PA) is the most frequent form of secondary hypertension, accounting for up to 5-10% of all hypertensive patients, and the diagnosis of PA can present an important challenge for the clinician. After a positive screening test, the diagnosis is confirmed by a suppression test, often an iv saline load test (SLT) or a fludrocortisone suppression test (FST). The FST is considered by many to be the most reliable but is more complex and expensive. OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN Our objective was to compare the specificity of SLT with FST for the diagnosis of PA. PATIENTS AND SETTING The study included 100 hypertensive patients referred to hypertension units with suspected PA after the screening test. INTERVENTION All patients underwent FST and SLT. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES We assessed plasma aldosterone concentrations (PAC) before and after FST and SLT. RESULTS After iv SLT, 10.4% of the PA patients were negative and 16.1% of patients with essential hypertension were positive after SLT; that is, a correct diagnosis with SLT was obtained in 88% of patients compared with FST. PAC after SLT and PAC after FST were highly correlated (P < 0.0001). Receiver operator characteristic curve analysis demonstrated that the best cutoff for PAC after SLT was 5 ng/dl. Patients with aldosterone-producing adenoma displayed a smaller reduction of PAC compared with patients with bilateral adrenal hyperplasia; a PAC after SLT greater than 6 ng/dl identified all patients eventually diagnosed as having aldosterone-producing adenoma. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that the iv SLT is a reasonably good alternative to the more expensive and complex FST for the diagnosis of PA after a positive screening test.
Neurotensin and substance P receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes by messenger RNA from rat brain

Xenopus oocytes were induced to acquire sensitivity to neurotensin and substance P, by injecting them with a fraction of poly(A)+ mRNA from rat brain. Non-injected oocytes, and oocytes injected with other brain mRNAs, failed to show responses, suggesting that receptors to these peptides were expressed by specific brain mRNAs. Responses to substance P and neurotensin comprised an oscillatory chloride current, and a smooth current having different ionic basis. These currents resembled those seen during activation of muscarinic and serotonergic receptors, but were not blocked by the corresponding antagonists atropine and methysergide. The responses to substance P, and to a lesser extent to neurotensin, showed a long-lasting desensitization. Similarities between the oscillatory currents evoked by the peptides acetylcholine and serotonin suggest that all these receptors may ‘link in’ to a common intracellular messenger pathway.
A Lesson in Love: Reviewing Japanese and Indonesian Dating Culture in Academic Literature

Dating practices can be observed across cultures. Many studies have highlighted the differences between Asian and Euro-North American dating cultures. Comparisons between different Asian countries, however, are more limited. This paper aims to address the gap by comparing Japanese and Indonesian dating cultures by reviewing the existing academic literature around the subject. This comparison will highlight the similarities and differences of Japanese and Indonesian dating practices to identify possible challenges they may posit in intercultural dating practiced by people from the two countries.