Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A New Fast-Response Current-Mode Buck Converter With Improved  $I^{2}$ -Controlled Techniques

A new fast-response current-mode buck converter with improved <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$I^{2}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-controlled techniques is presented in this paper. First, the proposed converter uses the improved <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$I^{2}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-controlled techniques to design a new current-mode buck converter. The current-sensing circuit can fully sense the inductor current. The sensing current is divided into two paths; one is flown through the dynamic-acceleration circuit, and the other is transferred to hysteretic comparator to compare with dynamic-acceleration output. The <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$I^{2}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-controlled techniques increase the bandwidth of the converter’s closed-loop gain that will speed up the converter’s transient response. Second, the converter uses the phase–frequency-controlled techniques to lock the switching frequency of the adaptive on-time generator of the proposed converter and reduce the difficulty of the output filter. Third, the circuit does not need slope compensation, so that it is very simple to implement. Fourth, the proposed buck converter was implemented with TSMC 0.35-<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mu \text{m}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> CMOS 2P4M processes, which is a low-cost process. The experimental results show that the maximum load current can be up to 600 mA, the input voltage range is 2.6–4 V, the output voltage is regulated at 1.8 V, the maximum power efficiency is up to 90%, and the transient response times are 2.5 and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$2.8~\mu \text{s}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> at rising and falling edges, respectively.
Emotion Based Image Retrieval

Images express opinions and emotions in the process of communication. Since the usage of emotions in images has increased in various scenarios, the area of opinion mining, Human Computer Interaction (HCI), sentiment analysis, fashion design, and design of web pages has recently received a huge burst of interest. Particularly, in social web the ability of identifying different emotions in images might help providing diversification of results, thus proposing different views to users. The emotional content of the picture and the impression it makes on a human is considered and is called EBIR (Emotion Based Image Retrieval). Firstly, feature extraction is done using 3 feature descriptors such as Dominant Color Descriptor (DCD), Color Structure Descriptor (CSD) and Dominant Color Structure Descriptor (DCSD). Then classification is performed by Genetically Optimized Support Vector Machine (GOSVM) and images can be classified into 5 basic emotional categories proposed by Ekman such as Disgust, Fear, Happiness, Sad, and Surprise. Images from the NAPS (Nencki Affective Picture System) database are used for training and testing the images. Further, the proposed method is compared with the results of Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Least Squares SVM (LSSVM) classifiers. Experimental results demonstrate the efficiency and the supremacy of the approach using measures of precision and recall ratio.
New Encoding Methods for SAT-Based Temporal Planning

Although satisfiability checking is known to be an effective approach in classical planning, it has scarcely been investigated in the field of temporal planning. Most notably, the usage of E-step semantics for encoding the problem into a SAT formula, while being demonstrably quite efficient for decreasing the size of the encodings in classical planning, has not yet been employed to tackle temporal planning problems. In this paper, we define temporal versions of classical A-step and E-step plans. We show that when the casual and temporal reasoning phases of a SAT-based temporal planner are separated, these semantics can be used to translate a given temporal planning problem into a SAT formula. We introduce two different types of E-step encodings in temporal planning. The first encoding method is a temporal version of the classical E-step encoding. Like its classical counterpart, in the new encoding we suppose a few restrictive simplifying assumptions. On the other hand, by relaxing one of these assumptions, the second type of E-step encodings, which is often more compact than the first one, is introduced. However, if a temporal planning problem possesses the property that we call required causal simultaneity, neither of our proposed encodings will be expressive enough to represent a valid temporal plan. Nevertheless, we show that this property is rather rare and can be detected in polynomial time. Our experiments indicate that by embedding the proposed encodings into ITSAT, a SAT-based temporal planner based on the A-step encoding, a considerable improvement is achieved in terms of both speed and memory usage of the planner. The resulting planner significantly outperforms POPF, which is currently the state-of-the-art of temporally expressive planners.
Calculation of optimal rotor permanent magnet dimensions for RPMFS machine

In this paper, the analytical model for the rotor magnetic circuit of a RPMFS (Rotor Permanent Magnet Flux-Switching) machine is developed. A simple analytical method is proposed for calculating the optimum dimensions of rotor permanent magnets (PMs) with the aim of achieving maximum value of machine electromagnetic torque at constant PM volume and constant dimensions of the stator magnetic circuit. It is shown that the optimum values of PM width and height depend to a large extent on the value of the leakage flux between rotor poles, and the saturation in stator teeth and yoke. The results of the analytical calculation are verified by computer simulations using finite element analysis (FEA).
Identification and characterization of a freshwater Pyrococcus sp. strain PK 5017 and identification of pfu-like IS elements in Thermococcus sibiricus MM 739

A strictly anaerobic, hyperthermophilic Pyrococcus sp. strain PK 5017 (PK 5017) was isolated from a freshwater hot spring in Thailand. Cells of strain PK 5017 are irregular cocci arranging singly and in pairs with a diameter range of 0.7-1.2 μm. Temperature, pH and NaCl concentration ranges for growth are 75-105 o
Aminoglycoside exposure and renal function before lung transplantation in adult cystic fibrosis patients

Background Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) are at risk of kidney injury even before undergoing lung transplantation, because of prolonged exposure to aminoglycosides (AGs), chronic dehydration and complications of diabetes mellitus. The usual equations estimating the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), such as Cockcroft-Gault and Modification of Diet in Renal Disease, are not adapted to the CF population due to patients' low body weight and reduced muscle mass. The aim of this study was to precisely measure GFR in adult CF patients and to see whether repeated AG treatment would impair renal function before lung transplantation. Methods Inulin or iohexol clearances were performed in 25 adult CF patients when they entered the lung transplant waiting list. No patient was treated with AGs at the time of GFR measurement. Body mass index (BMI), history of diabetes mellitus and blood pressure were recorded. Exposure to intravenous (IV) AGs within 5 years prior to the GFR measurement was obtained from the patient's medical files. Urine samples were collected to check for albuminuria and proteinuria. Results The population was predominantly female (67%). The mean age was 32 years, the mean BMI was 19 kg/m2 and 28% had CF-related diabetes. Median exposure to IV AG within 5 years before GFR measurement was 155 days with a mean dosage of 7.7mg/kg/day. The mean measured GFR was 106 mL/min/1.73 m2 and the mean estimated GFR according to the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration formula was 124 mL/min/1.73 m2. Conclusion Despite prolonged exposure to high-dose IV AG, no decline in GFR was observed in these patients.
Searching over Public Administration Legal Documents Using Ontologies

A printed circuit board modification and repair system is presented which functions under computer control. Modification is accomplished by securing the printed circuit board to an X-Y positioning fixture mounted on a work station table. After indexing to a reference point, the X-Y positioning fixture can be moved fore, aft and sideways by computer command to bring a specific location on the printed circuit board under any one of a plurality of heads mounted above the work station surface. One head will contain an etch cutting bit for making cuts in printed circuit connections. A second head has mounted thereon a laser beam discharge device for removing conformal coatings and wire insulation. A third head mounts a wire dispenser for making new conductive paths and a glue dispenser for securing the newly positioned wire to the board. A fourth head contains an ultra-violet lamp for achieving quick cures of glues and epoxy. Solder paste is dispensed from another head and new solder connections made between the wire ends and printed circuit strips by the laser. All operations are controlled by the computer whose commands are sequenced from an operator control console. Programs for modifying or changing various types of printed circuit boards are stored on disks which can be inserted in the disk drive system of the computer.
Development of the Chinese Big Five Personality Inventory(CBF-PI) II:Validity Analysis

Objective:To test the validity of Chinese Big Five Personality Inventory(CBF-PI). Methods:A total of 1221 students who came from six universities administered the CBF-PI.Results:The results of 22 personality facet scales in the CBF-PI were factored using principal component analysis showed good factor structure.All of the communities of facets were above 0.4,the maximum was 0.75. Five factors explained 62.41% of the total variance.The findings of Criterion-Related Validity were excellent.The factors of CBF-PI brief version correlated strongly with relevant dimensions of NEO-PI-R and BFI,ranging from 0.36(Agreeableness) to 0.85(Conscientiousness) and 0.58(Agreeableness) to 0.83(Neuroticism),respectively.Conclusion:The CBF-PI was a valid assessment of big five personality dimensions and facets.
Impact of a communication skills audiovisual package on medical students' knowledge.

INTRODUCTION Over the last decade more emphasis is being put on teaching communication skills (CS). Use of videos and role-play was suggested to improve CS. This article will present the impact of an audiovisual package on promoting the knowledge of medical students in CS. METHODS Seventy-five second year medical students--distributed into eight groups led by four facilitators--critiqued a video clip immediately before and after the introduction of a communication skills audiovisual package. The skills taught included opening the interview, questioning, facilitation, clarification, reflection, confrontation, summarizing, and preparation of the patient for the physical exam. The students, also, role-played the reviewed scenario. The students' pre- and post-intervention responses were analyzed using a standardized grading form. RESULTS There was a significant improvement in students' knowledge (p < 0.000) after the introduction of the intervention in all the CS taught except closed ended questioning. This improvement was consistent among the four facilitators. CONCLUSION Reviewing video scenarios and role-playing improved the knowledge in core communication skills among second-year medical students assessed by a video-based written examination.
Exploring the Relationship Between Leaders’ Core Self-Evaluations and Subordinates’ Perceptions of Servant Leadership

Recent developments in servant leadership theory exposed a gap in the research literature regarding traits that are important to servant leaders. Our study partially addresses this gap by examining the trait of core self-evaluations and its relationship to servant leadership and leader effectiveness. The results of our study indicate that leader’s core self-evaluations are positively related to followers’ perceptions of servant leadership and leader effectiveness, and the relationship between leaders’ core self-evaluations and leader effectiveness is fully mediated by servant leadership. The results add support to current servant leadership theory by confirming the role that core self-evaluations play in servant leader emergence, and extend the research on core self-evaluations as it relates to leader performance.
A role for anterior thalamic nuclei in affective cognition: Interaction with environmental conditions

Damage to anterior thalamic nuclei (ATN) is a well‐known cause of diencephalic pathology that produces a range of cognitive deficits reminiscent of a hippocampal syndrome. Anatomical connections of the ATN also extend to cerebral areas that support affective cognition. Enriched environments promote recovery of declarative/relational memory after ATN lesions and are known to downregulate emotional behaviors. Hence, the performance of standard‐housed and enriched ATN rats in a range of behavioral tasks engaging affective cognition was compared. ATN rats exhibited reduced anxiety responses in the elevated plus maze, increased activity and reduced corticosterone responses when exploring an open field, and delayed acquisition of a conditioned contextual fear response. ATN rats also exhibited reduced c‐Fos and phosphorylated cAMP response element‐binding protein (pCREB) immunoreactivity in the hippocampal formation and the amygdala after completion of the contextual fear test. Marked c‐Fos hypoactivity and reduced pCREB levels were also evident in the granular retrosplenial cortex and, to a lesser extent, in the anterior cingulate cortex. Unlike standard‐housed ATN rats, enriched ATN rats expressed virtually no fear of the conditioned context. These results show that the ATN regulate affective cognition and that damage to this region may produce markedly different behavioral effects as a function of environmental housing conditions. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Analysing Dialogue to Support Detection of Alzheimer’s Disease

As well as memory loss and linguistic impairment, changes in behaviour and decreased interactional skills in conversation are also symptoms for Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Recent work has shown that linguistic features can be used within natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning (ML) methods to provide computational tools with potential for automatic detection of AD [1]; however, few studies have applied these techniques to investigate the predictive power of interactional symptoms. Automatic diagnosis of AD aids assessment and allows for earlier diagnosis. Interactional features are linguistically and culturally independent, allowing the automation to be applied across languages and borders
Automated Extraction of Paper Watermarks

The aim of this paper is to outline the issues involved in the application of machine vision to the automatic extraction of watermarks from paper samples. The correct identi cation and localisation of watermarks is a key issue in paper manufacturing. As well as requiring the position of the watermark for defect detection and classi cation, it is necessary to insure its position on the paper prior to the cutting process. Two paper types are discussed, with and without laid and chain lines (these lines appear as a complex periodic background to the watermark and further complicate the segmentation process). We will examine both morphological and Fourier approaches to the watermark segmentation process, concentrating speci cally on those images with complex backgrounds. Finally we will compare and contrast these approaches.
Role of a gamma‐aminobutryic acid (GABA) receptor mutation in the evolution and spread of Diabrotica virgifera virgifera resistance to cyclodiene insecticides

The western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera, is a damaging pest of cultivated corn that was controlled by applications of cyclodiene insecticides from the late 1940s until resistance evolved ∼10 years later. Range expansion from the western plains into eastern USA coincides with resistance development. An alanine to serine amino acid substitution within the Rdl subunit of the gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor confers resistance to cyclodiene insecticides in many species. We found that the non‐synonymous single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) G/T at the GABA receptor cDNA position 838 (G/T838) of D. v. virgifera resulted in the alanine to serine change, and the codominant SNP allele T838 was genetically linked to survival of beetles in aldrin bioassays. A phenotypic gradient of decreasing susceptibility from west to east was correlated with higher frequencies of the resistance‐conferring T838 allele in the eastern‐most populations. This pattern exists in opposition to perceived selective pressures since the more eastern and most resistant populations probably experienced reduced exposure. The reasons for the observed distribution are uncertain, but historical records of the range expansion combined with the distribution of susceptible and resistant phenotypes and genotypes provide an opportunity to better understand factors affecting the species' range expansion.
Quantum Interference and the Spin Orbit Interaction in Mesoscopic Normal-Superconducting Junctions

We calculate the quantum correction to the classical conductance of a disordered mesoscopic normal-superconducting (NS) junction in which the electron spatial and spin degrees of freedom are coupled by an appreciable spin orbit interaction. We use random matrix theory to describe the scattering in the normal part of the junction and consider both quasi-ballistic and diffusive junctions. the dependence of the junction conductance on the Schottky barrier transparency at the NS interface is also considered. We find that the quantum correction is sensitive to the breaking of spin rotation symmetry even when the junction is in a magnetic field and time reversal symmetry is broken. We demonstrate that this sensitivity is due to quantum interference between scattering processes which involve electrons and holes traversing closed loops in the same direction. We explain why such processes are sensitive to the spin orbit interaction but not to a magnetic field. Finally we consider the effect of the spin orbit interaction on the phenomenon of “reflectionless tunnelling”.
Prognostic significance of placenta growth factor expression in patients with multiple cancers: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND Placenta growth factor (PLGF) is a member of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family which is associated with the progression and metastasis of cancer. However, whether it can be used to predict prognosis in multiple cancer is still inconsistent. METHODS A meta-analysis was performed by searching electronic databases updated to December 2014. Eligible studies which evaluated the relationship between PLGF expression level and survival of patients with multiple cancers were conducted. Overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), hazard ratio (HR), and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. RESULTS Nineteen studies with a variety of cancers were included for the meta-analysis. Combined HR suggested that high expression of PLGF significantly associated with a poor OS (HR=1.69, 95% CI, 1.32-2.16), and PFS (HR=1.8, 95% CI, 1.33-2.44) in patients with different cancers. Moreover, a subgroup analysis based on cancer type demonstrated that high expression level of PLGF predict poor OS in both digestive system carcinoma (HR=1.63, 95% CI, 1.21-2.19; I(2)=80.7%, P<0.001) and respiratory system tumor (HR=1.75, 95% CI, 1.28-2.41; I(2)=0.0%, P=0.394). For PFS, the similar result was found in respiratory system tumor (HR=1.64, 95% CI, 1.23-2.19; I(2)=0.0%, P=0.807), but not in digestive system carcinoma (HR=1.81, 95% CI, 0.93-3.52; I(2)=80.2%, P<0.001). CONCLUSION Our meta-analysis demonstrates that PLGF might be regarded as a poor prognostic fact for multiple cancers. More large-scale and well-designed studies are still needed to strengthen our findings.
Integration of fluctuation spectroscopy into a microfluidic platform for novel cellular viscoelastic measurement

This paper demonstrates the integration of fluctuation spectroscopy into a microfluidic platform, which enables a novel high-throughput measurement of viscoelastic parameters for μm-sized soft objects such as red blood cells (RBCs) flowing in a microfluidic channel. Utilizing high-speed/precise feedback position control of a RBC inside a narrow microfluidic channel, we successfully performed fluctuation spectroscopy, which is called flicker spectroscopy, sequentially combined with the conventional constriction-passage method. The result shows implicit correlations between mechanical parameters obtained from these two different measurements, providing indications to full information of viscosity and elasticity of a RBC.
Biometric gait recognition based on wireless acceleration sensor using k-nearest neighbor classification

Due to the explosive growth in the number of users who rely on their phones and tablets for more and more of their daily interactions, protecting user's private information in mobile devices is extremely important in these days. To address the limitations of conventional authentication methods such as PIN or password-based security schemes, there has been a growing interest in developing authentication methods based on characteristic biometric features such as fingerprint, iris, face, voice, and gait. In particular, much attention has been devoted to the use of human gait patterns as a biometric due to its unobtrusive nature. In this paper, we propose six new gait signature metrics to represent characteristics of the gait of a user. These new metrics derive from the rate of changes of acceleration data (jerk). They consist of two parts: dynamic and static portions. We identified that the dynamic part clearly illustrates the characteristic of body movement from walking. After storing all users' reference gait metrics in the mobile device, the system applies a k-Nearest Neighbor (KNN) algorithm to find out the best match of the current gait signature metrics from the list of reference gait metrics. To validate the usefulness of the proposed metrics, we conducted a number of experiments and measured the accuracy of the gait signature authentication system. The results of our experimental study show that the proposed metrics are quite effective and the system can identify or authenticate individuals.
Mimicking the Binding Motifs Found in the Crystal Structures of Protein–Carbohydrate Complexes: An Aromatic Analogue of Serine or Threonine Side Chain Hydroxyl/Main Chain Amide

An aromatic analogue of the side chain hydroxyl/main chain amide of Ser or Thr was used for the construction of artificial receptors for N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac), the most common occurring sialic acid. The acyclic receptors, incorporating only neutral recognition sites, are able to bind Neu5Ac with an overall binding constant β2 of 105M–2 in a competitive solvent, such as water-containing [D6]DMSO. Both receptors show remarkable selectivity for Neu5Ac over D-glucuronic acid (GlcA). (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)