Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Turn-On Oscillation Damping for Hybrid IGBT Modules

In a hybrid IGBT module with SiC diodes as free-wheeling diodes, high frequency oscillation occurs during turn-on due to the fast switching transient of SiC diode and the resonance between circuit parasitic inductances and the junction capacitance of SiC diode. Such oscillation causes EMI noise which may affect the performance of the system. Methods to mitigate the turn-on oscillation are studied. Firstly, the effect of gate drive parameters on turn-on oscillation is investigated with respect to different gate voltages and gate charging currents. Then a novel turn-on oscillation suppression method is proposed with combination of damping circuit and active gate driver. The proposed oscillation suppression method can achieve the lowest EMI noise while remaining the advantage of lower switching loss brought by SiC diodes. Detailed theoretical analysis of the turn-on oscillation is conducted, and experimental results are given to verify the effectiveness of the proposed oscillation suppression method.
Two way opportunistic MAC protocol for Ad Hoc networks

In this paper, network coding is introduced in relay based MAC protocols for bidirectional traffic to evaluate the performance in terms of throughput and energy. The idea of proposed scheme is to use high data rate nodes to work as relays for the low data rate nodes and to achieve higher throughput and reduce the energy consumption. In addition, this scheme exploits the opportunity for two way communication which is an inherent feature of 802.11 based systems. This is achieved by using network coding at the relay. This results in 1) using relay for two way transmission which lowers overall blocking time and contention due to faster transmission, 2) reducing unnecessary overhead and overhearing to reduce the energy consumption. In this work, throughput and energy gains are quantified by using network coding.
Attitude of antenatal attendees to people living with HIV/AIDS in Uyo, south-south Nigeria.

BACKGROUND Stigmatization and discrimination of people living with HIV/AIDS has a negative impact on the global efforts to control the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Due to fear of stigmatization and discrimination, many people are reluctant to undergo voluntary counseling and testing, infected individuals are often unwilling to disclose their status and some of them still engage in high-risk behaviours leading to increased transmission of the virus. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING A study of the attitudes to people living with HIV/AIDS was carried out among antenatal clinic attendees at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital with the aim of developing site-specific information and counseling interventions to reduce stigmatization and discrimination of people living with HIV/AIDS. Information was elicited from 265 randomly selected women who booked for antenatal care between September and December 2005 with the use of a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS 263 questionnaires were duly completed and analyzed. The mean age of the respondents was 27 ± 5.1 years, majority of them (52.1%) were either unemployed or unskilled workers and 42.9% of them had tertiary education. Awareness and knowledge of HIV/ AIDS was high, (95.8%) and (86.7%) respectively. Majority of the respondents (55.6%) were also assessed as having a positive attitude to people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). There was a statistically significant association between good knowledge of HIV/AIDS and a positive attitude to PLWHA (P=0.000) and a high educational status with a positive attitude to PLWHA (P=0.009). CONCLUSION combating stigma and discrimination is an important process in controlling the epidemic. Specific information and counseling interventions aimed at dispelling misconceptions about HIV/AIDS should be reinforced.
An Ontological Health Cluster Framework

Health is a multidisciplinary domain. We contend that such a domain can benefit by being framed as a knowledge cluster. The objective of this paper is to map out a health research cluster in terms of an ontology. In this way, key relationships and informational exchanges can be captured and which enable more prudent use of critical knowledge assets within the cluster. We proffer an ontology based on our assessment of the healthcare space internationally and distillation of relevant extant literature.
Experimental Characterization of Multiconductor Transmission Lines in Inhomogeneous Media Using Time-Domain Techniques

An effective method for the time-domain characterization of lossless multiconductor transmission lines with cross-sectionally inhomogeneous dielectrics is presented. Lines of this type are characterized by multiple propagation modes having different velocities. Time-domain reflectometry is used to obtain the characteristics impedance and the modal velocities of the line. A pulse or step-function response of the line is used to obtain the modal amplitudes which, in turn, determine the velocity matrix. The appropriate multiconductor transmission-line equations are solved to obtain the per-unit-length inductance and capacitance matrices in terms of the measured characteristic-impedance and velocity matrices. The method is concise and complete and identifies the propagation modes in a way that permits direct physical interpretation of the results. The time-domain experimental results for a four-conductor transmission line are presented and are found to be in good agreement with independent frequency-domain measurements.
Predicting chemotherapy toxicity in older adults with cancer: a prospective multicenter study.

PURPOSE Older adults are vulnerable to chemotherapy toxicity; however, there are limited data to identify those at risk. The goals of this study are to identify risk factors for chemotherapy toxicity in older adults and develop a risk stratification schema for chemotherapy toxicity. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients age ≥ 65 years with cancer from seven institutions completed a prechemotherapy assessment that captured sociodemographics, tumor/treatment variables, laboratory test results, and geriatric assessment variables (function, comorbidity, cognition, psychological state, social activity/support, and nutritional status). Patients were followed through the chemotherapy course to capture grade 3 (severe), grade 4 (life-threatening or disabling), and grade 5 (death) as defined by the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events. RESULTS In total, 500 patients with a mean age of 73 years (range, 65 to 91 years) with stage I to IV lung (29%), GI (27%), gynecologic (17%), breast (11%), genitourinary (10%), or other (6%) cancer joined this prospective study. Grade 3 to 5 toxicity occurred in 53% of the patients (39% grade 3, 12% grade 4, 2% grade 5). A predictive model for grade 3 to 5 toxicity was developed that consisted of geriatric assessment variables, laboratory test values, and patient, tumor, and treatment characteristics. A scoring system in which the median risk score was 7 (range, 0 to 19) and risk stratification schema (risk score: percent incidence of grade 3 to 5 toxicity) identified older adults at low (0 to 5 points; 30%), intermediate (6 to 9 points; 52%), or high risk (10 to 19 points; 83%) of chemotherapy toxicity (P < .001). CONCLUSION A risk stratification schema can establish the risk of chemotherapy toxicity in older adults. Geriatric assessment variables independently predicted the risk of toxicity.
Cloning of Rabbit Cct6 and the Distribution of the Cct Complex in Mammalian Tissues

Cct6 protein is one of the subunits of the Cct complex involved in ATP-dependent folding of cellular proteins. We used the cDNA of the human CCT6 subunit to obtain a full-length cDNA from a rabbit kidney cortex library. Two transcripts of 2 and 2.5 kb were detected in rabbit kidney and liver by Northern analysis. The rabbit CCT6 was 93% identical to the human gene; the deduced amino acid sequence was 97% identical. A phylogenetic analysis of Cct6 proteins from mouse, rabbit, human, and yeast showed greater similarities of Cct6 protein among the species than among other Cct subunits. The ATP-binding sites were perfectly conserved among mammals and yeast, supporting the role of Cct complex in ATP-dependent protein folding. Using a polyclonal antibody to human Cct6 protein and Western analysis, we found expression of this subunit in a variety of rabbit organs and tissues, as well as in bovine testes, human lymphocytes, human and rabbit reticulocytes, and in two cultured kidney cell lines. We also found Cct1 protein by Western analysis in several rabbit organs as well as in bovine testes. These data characterize the rabbit Cct6 subunit and compare it to its homologues. The Western analyses support the concept that Cct complex is widely distributed among tissues and highly conserved among eukaryotes.
The elephant shark methylome reveals conservation of epigenetic regulation across jawed vertebrates

Background: Methylation of CG dinucleotides constitutes a critical system of epigenetic memory in bony vertebrates, where it modulates gene expression and suppresses transposon activity. The genomes of studied vertebrates are pervasively hypermethylated, with the exception of regulatory elements such as transcription start sites (TSSs), where the presence of methylation is associated with gene silencing. This system is not found in the sparsely methylated genomes of invertebrates, and establishing how it arose during early vertebrate evolution is impeded by a paucity of epigenetic data from basal vertebrates. Methods: We perform whole-genome bisulfite sequencing to generate the first genome-wide methylation profiles of a cartilaginous fish, the elephant shark Callorhinchus milii. Employing these to determine the elephant shark methylome structure and its relationship with expression, we compare this with higher vertebrates and an invertebrate chordate using published methylation and transcriptome data. Results: Like higher vertebrates, the majority of elephant shark CG sites are highly methylated, and methylation is abundant across the genome rather than patterned in the mosaic configuration of invertebrates. This global hypermethylation includes transposable elements and the bodies of genes at all expression levels. Significantly, we document an inverse relationship between TSS methylation and expression in the elephant shark, supporting the presence of the repressive regulatory architecture shared by higher vertebrates. Conclusions: Our demonstration that methylation patterns in a cartilaginous fish are characteristic of higher vertebrates imply the conservation of this epigenetic modification system across jawed vertebrates separated by 465 million years of evolution. In addition, these findings position the elephant shark as a valuable model to explore the evolutionary history and function of vertebrate methylation.
Canal transportation and centering ability of protaper and self-adjusting file system in long oval canals: An ex-vivo cone-beam computed tomography analysis

Context and Aims: The purpose of this study was to compare and evaluate the shaping ability of ProTaper (PT) and Self-Adjusting File (SAF) system using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) to assess their performance in oval-shaped root canals. Materials and Methods: Sixty-two mandibular premolars with single oval canals were divided into two experimental groups (n = 31) according to the systems used: Group I – PT and Group II – SAF. Canals were evaluated before and after instrumentation using CBCT to assess centering ratio and canal transportation at three levels. Data were statistically analyzed using one-way analysis of variance, post hoc Tukey's test, and t-test. Results: The SAF showed better centering ability and lesser canal transportation than the PT only in the buccolingual plane at 6 and 9 mm levels. The shaping ability of the PT was best in the apical third in both the planes. The SAF had statistically significant better centering and lesser canal transportation in the buccolingual as compared to the mesiodistal plane at the middle and coronal levels. Conclusions: The SAF produced significantly less transportation and remained centered than the PT at the middle and coronal levels in the buccolingual plane of oval canals. In the mesiodistal plane, the performance of both the systems was parallel.
Brentuximab Vedotin: A CD30‐Directed Antibody‐Cytotoxic Drug Conjugate

Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma (sALCL), which is a subtype of non‐Hodgkin lymphoma, are relatively uncommon lymphoproliferative types of cancer. These malignancies are highly curable with initial treatment. Nonetheless, some patients are refractory to or relapse after first‐ and second‐line therapies, and outcomes for these patients are less promising. Brentuximab vedotin is a CD30‐directed antibody‐cytotoxic drug conjugate that has demonstrated efficacy in response rates (objective response rates and complete response) when given to patients with refractory or relapsed HL and sALCL. Although not compared directly in clinical trials, the response rates with brentuximab vedotin are higher than those of several current treatments for refractory or relapsed HL and sALCL. Adverse effects associated with brentuximab vedotin are considered manageable. Nonetheless, several serious adverse effects (e.g., neutropenia, peripheral sensory neuropathy, tumor lysis syndrome, Stevens‐Johnson syndrome, and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, resulting in death) have been reported with its use. Despite a lack of survival and patient reported outcome data, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted accelerated approval to brentuximab vedotin for the treatment of HL after failure of autologous stem cell transplantation or at least two combination chemotherapy regimens, and for sALCL after failure of at least one combination chemotherapy regimen. With this approval, brentuximab vedotin is the first FDA‐approved agent for the treatment of HL in over three decades and the first agent specifically indicated to treat sALCL. Results of ongoing prospective trials should determine if brentuximab vedotin has a survival benefit when compared directly with standard treatment and if brentuximab vedotin is safe and efficacious when given earlier in the disease process, or when used with other chemotherapy for the treatment of HL and sALCL or other CD30‐positive malignancies.
No association between the ALDH2 promoter polymorphism rs886205, alcohol dependence, and risky alcohol consumption in a German population.

Department of Psychiatry, Socialpsychiatry and Psychotherapy, Center for Addiction Research (CARe), Molecular Neurosciences Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Socialpsychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Department of Addiction and Psychotherapy, LVR-Clinic Bonn, Bonn, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, FriedrichAlexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Research Unit of Molecular Epidemiology, Institute of Genetic Epidemiology, Helmholtz Center Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Institute of Epidemiology II, Helmholtz Center Munich, German Center for Diabetes Research, Neuherberg, Department of Genetic Epidemiology, Institute of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität, Munich, Germany and Department of Neurology, University Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
Additive effects of bovine serum albumin, dithiothreitol and glycerolon PCR

The effects of bovine serum albumin, dithiothreitol, and glycerol on PCR were studied. PCR under standard conditions failed the amplification of an enterohemorrhagic E. coli DNA fragment when the boiled bacterial cell lysate was used as the template. The addition of either one of bovine serum albumin, dithiothreitol, or glycerol in the reaction mixture allowed the specific fragment amplification; and the optimum concentrations were as follows: bovine serum albumin, 1 mg/ml; dithiothreitol, 10 mM; and glycerol, 5%. In addition, when all of the three agents were included at the above concentrations, the PCR yeild was further increased. The effect of the three‐agent mixture was not the template specific. Furthermore, the mixture enabled long PCR over 20 kb when Taq DNA polymerase with 3′‐5′ exnuclease activity was used for the amplification. Our simple PCR method allows robust PCR independent of template purity or amplification length.
The role of pyrimidine dimers as premutagenic lesions: a study of targeted vs. untargeted mutagenesis in the lacI gene of Escherichia coli.

We have employed conjugal transfer of an F' lac episome to examine targeted and untargeted mutagenesis in the lacI gene of Escherichia coli and to determine the relative importance of pyrimidine dimers as premutational UV lesions compared to (6-4) photoproducts that also may have a mutational role. This conjugal system allowed us to assess the premutagenic role of UV lesions independently from any role as inducers of SOS functions. F' DNA was transferred to an SOS-induced recipient strain from: unirradiated donor cells, UV-treated donor cells or donor cells that were irradiated and then exposed to photoreactivating light. The results indicate that SOS-related, untargeted events may account for as much as one-third of the nonsense mutations (i.e., base substitutions) recovered after undamaged F' DNA is transferred to UV-irradiated recipients. When the donor strain also is irradiated, in excess of 90% of the mutations detected following conjugation appear to be targeted. Photoreactivation of the UV-treated donors cells, prior to F' transfer to the SOS-induced recipient strain, demonstrated that in this experimental system virtually all recovered UV-induced mutations are targeted by photoreactivable lesions. We presume that these lesions are pyrimidine dimers because (6-4) photoproducts are not photoreactivable.
Experiments on the ultrathin silicon vapor chamber for enhanced heat transfer performance

The evaporator and condenser of the silicon vapor chamber have been fabricated by photolithograph and deep reactive-ion etching, and they have been bonded hermetically by Au-Si eutectic bonding and soldered with charging tubes for testing. To simulate concentrated heating of a working device and measure its temperature, a Platinum heater and four resistance thermometers have been fabricated by the electron beam deposition and lift-off process. An experimental rig has been built to charge the silicon vapor chamber and test the performance of the designed vapor chamber. And a copper liquid cooler connected to a chiller has been assembled to remove heat. The experimental results of the silicon vapor chamber prototype demonstrated an excellent performance against uncharged control sample with heat flux of 15 W/cm2 under 15°C superheat.
AAEM minimonograph 19: Somatosensory evoked potentials

More than 40 years have elapsed since the first somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) was recorded from humans, and 15 years have passed since the clinical role of SEPs was reviewed as an American Association of Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AAEM) minimonograph. At that time, interest in SEPs was reaching its zenith, and a vast literature had already accumulated. The subsequent development of sophisticated imaging techniques has impacted on the role of SEPs in the clinical setting, making it timely to review this aspect as the end of the century is approached. This minimonograph considers current concepts of the physiologic basis of the SEP, discusses the different techniques available to elicit and record it, and critically analyzes its clinical utility. The peripheral electrical stimulus routinely used to elicit an SEP activates predominantly—if not entirely—the large-diameter, fast-conducting group Ia muscle and group II cutaneous afferent fibers. Selective intrafascicular stimulation has provided evidence for a direct muscle afferent fiber (Ia) projection to the human somatosensory cortex. However, when a mixed nerve is stimulated, both group Ia muscle afferents and cutaneous group II afferents contribute to the resulting SEP. Its amplitude is almost maximal when the peripheral nerve action potential is only 50% of its maximum. This translates into a requisite stimulus intensity of about twice sensory threshold. It is also possible to elicit SEPs using a variety of mechanical stimuli. This allows selective activation of specific sensory modalities, but the SEPs elicited are often of small amplitude and may require many hundreds of responses to be averaged. This limits the clinical utility of mechanically elicited SEPs. The SEP is greatly attenuated or abolished when the dorsal columns are selectively ablated in animals, indicating that within the spinal cord the SEP is mediated predominantly via these tracts. Conversely, cord lesions that do not interrupt the dorsal columns are associated with a relatively normal SEP. Loss of posterior column function in humans is almost invariably accompanied by a grossly abnormal SEP. Some SEP components may, however, reflect extralemniscal activity; they have been evoked in cats after selective dorsal column transection by stimuli that are sufficient to excite small-diameter peripheral fibers, and tourniquet-induced ischemia in humans abolishes short-latency before long-latency SEP components, suggesting that they are mediated by different centrally conducting tracts. Although in general the SEP is best recorded over the somatosensory cortex, topographic mapping indicates that several of its components are widely distributed over the scalp, and some are maximally recorded outside the somatosensory cortex. Because the SEP monitors more than just the somatosensory pathways, abnormalities recorded in certain primary diseases of the motor system (such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) should not cause concern. *Correspondence to: American Association of Electrodiagnostic Medicine, 421 First Avenue S.W. , Suite 300 East, Rochester, MN 55902, USA
Waveguide-Stripline Series–Corporate Hybrid Feed Technique for Dual-Polarized Antenna Array Applications

This paper proposes a waveguide-stripline series–corporate hybrid feed technique to ease the feed-network design for dual-polarized antenna arrays. The hybrid feed network consists of a stripline series feed network and a waveguide-stripline corporate feed network, incorporating both of their advantages in one application. Furthermore, the design can efficiently simplify the manufacturing and packaging process without any bonding postprocess. The proposed technique is realized on an $8 \times 8$ dual-polarized antenna array, and the expected performances are verified by measurement. Experimental results show that the antenna array can operate in a wide bandwidth of 13.2% with more than 40 dB isolation for dual polarization. Cross polarizations at the center frequency of 15.2 GHz are below −27 dB, and the achievable aperture efficiency is 80% for both the polarizations. This hybrid feed approach can be considered as a promising solution for efficient feed-network applications.
A relational model of medical knowledge sharing and medical decision-making quality

Knowledge sharing has been recognised as a key approach in sustaining a competitive advantage. In knowledge-intensive firms like healthcare organisations, expertise is based upon well-developed and reshapeable knowledge networks. Hence, it is believed that in healthcare organisations, knowledge sharing among physicians improves medical decision-making quality. We propose a relational model between the factors influencing knowledge sharing, knowledge sharing outcome, and medical decision-making quality. Three-phased studies were conducted: in-depth interviews with 25 physicians, a case study using a survey approach, and a Delphi investigation. The relationships regarding how individual factors affect the knowledge sharing outcome and decision-making quality are confirmed through the three phases of the study.