Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
New solid-state Marx topology for bipolar repetitive high-voltage pulses

A novel bipolar high-voltage modulator topology, based on the Marx generator concept, is proposed for high-voltage repetitive pulsed power applications. The proposed topology is a generalized version of the negative and positive all-solid-state Marx modulator concepts, which takes advantage of the intensive use of power semiconductor switches to increase the performance of the classical circuit, strongly reducing losses and increasing the pulse repetition frequency. Additionally, the proposed topology enables the use of typical half-bridge semiconductor structures while ensuring that the maximum voltage blocked by the semiconductors is the voltage of the capacitor in each stage. Due to semiconductor topology used the output voltage is very flexible. Hence, it is possible to change from negative to positive unipolar to bipolar pulse, with different duty cycles and different switching patterns. Experimental results are presented and discussed. A laboratory prototype with 10 kW peak power, of this bipolar solid-state modulator circuit, was assembled 1200 V IGBTs and diodes, operating with 1000 V d-c input voltage and 10 kHz frequency, giving 2 kV bipolar pulses, 5 A, with 5 mus into a resistive load.
Wall-associated kinase 1 (WAK1) is crosslinked in endomembranes, and transport to the cell surface requires correct cell-wall synthesis

The Arabidopsis thaliana wall-associated kinases (WAKs) bind to pectin with an extracellular domain and also contain a cytoplasmic protein kinase domain. WAKs are required for cell elongation and modulate sugar metabolism. This work shows that in leaf protoplasts a WAK1-GFP fusion protein accumulates in a cytoplasmic compartment that contains pectin. The WAK compartment contains markers for the Golgi, the site of pectin synthesis. The migration of WAK1-GFP to the cell surface is far slower than that of a cell surface receptor not associated with the cell wall, is influenced by the presence of fucose side chains on one or more unidentified molecules that might include pectin, and is dependent upon cellulose synthesis on the plasma membrane. WAK is crosslinked into a detergent-insoluble complex within the cytoplasmic compartment before it appears on the cell surface, and this is independent of fucose modification or cellulose synthesis. Thus, the assembly and crosslinking of WAKs may begin at an early stage within a cytoplasmic compartment rather than in the cell wall itself, and is coordinated with synthesis of surface cellulose.
Surface functionalization of Cu–Ni alloys via grafting of a bactericidal polymer for inhibiting biocorrosion by Desulfovibrio desulfuricans in anaerobic seawater

A novel surface modification technique was developed to provide a copper nickel alloy (M) surface with bactericidal and anticorrosion properties for inhibiting biocorrosion. 4-(chloromethyl)-phenyl tricholorosilane (CTS) was first coupled to the hydroxylated alloy surface to form a compact silane layer, as well as to confer the surface with chloromethyl functional groups. The latter allowed the coupling of 4-vinylpyridine (4VP) to generate the M-CTS-4VP surface with biocidal functionality. Subsequent surface graft polymerization of 4VP, in the presence of benzoyl peroxide (BPO) initiator, from the M-CTS-4VP surface produced the poly(4-vinylpyridine) (P(4VP)) grafted surface, or the M-CTS-P(4VP) surface. The pyridine nitrogen moieties on the M-CTS-P(4VP) surface were quaternized with hexylbromide to produce a high concentration of quaternary ammonium groups. Each surface functionalization step was ascertained by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and static water contact angle measurements. The alloy with surface-quaternized pyridinium cation groups (N+) exhibited good bactericidal efficiency in a Desulfovibrio desulfuricans-inoculated seawater-based modified Barr's medium, as indicated by viable cell counts and fluorescence microscopy (FM) images of the surface. The anticorrosion capability of the organic layers was verified by the polarization curve and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements. In comparison, the pristine (surface hydroxylated) Cu–Ni alloy was found to be readily susceptible to biocorrosion under the same environment.
In-situ ovenization of Lamé-mode silicon resonators for temperature compensation

This paper reports an inside-encapsulation ovenization method for the temperature compensation of Lamé-mode epi-sealed silicon resonators. With this method, the square Lamé-mode resonator itself acts both as a thermometer and a heater, which allows for simultaneous in situ sensing and control of the operating temperature. In this device, only the resonating element is heated, reducing the power consumption and the thermal time constant, relative to approaches which control the temperature of an entire MEMS chip or system. Preliminary results of real-time frequency compensation achieve a frequency stability of ~5ppm over -40~+80°C without the need for sophisticated control schemes.
Ultrasound Imaging of Bartholin’s Cysts

In a prospective, randomized study, Bartholin’s cysts were depicted in 36 patients by means of ultrasound imaging. Patients were requested to return for a follow-up US examination after surgery. We were able to show that Bartholin’s cysts can easily be expressed with ultrasonographic techniques. In clinical practice, this approach may not only help to improve diagnostics, but may also make therapy measurable and, for the first time, objectifiable.
Food consumption, physical activity and socio-economic status related to BMI, waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio in adolescents

Abstract Objective To examine the association between obesity and food group intakes, physical activity and socio-economic status in adolescents. Design A cross-sectional study was carried out in 2008. Cole's cut-off points were used to categorize BMI. Abdominal obesity was defined by a waist circumference at or above the 90th percentile, as well as a waist-to-height ratio at or above 0·500. Diet was evaluated using an FFQ, and the food group consumption was categorized using sex-specific tertiles of each food group amount. Physical activity was assessed via a self-report questionnaire. Socio-economic status was assessed referring to parental education and employment status. Data were analysed separately for girls and boys and the associations among food consumption, physical activity, socio-economic status and BMI, waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio were evaluated using logistic regression analysis, adjusting the results for potential confounders. Setting Public schools in the Azorean Archipelago, Portugal. Subjects Adolescents (n 1209) aged 15–18 years. Results After adjustment, in boys, higher intake of ready-to-eat cereals was a negative predictor while vegetables were a positive predictor of overweight/obesity and abdominal obesity. Active boys had lower odds of abdominal obesity compared with inactive boys. Boys whose mother showed a low education level had higher odds of abdominal obesity compared with boys whose mother presented a high education level. Concerning girls, higher intake of sweets and pastries was a negative predictor of overweight/obesity and abdominal obesity. Girls in tertile 2 of milk intake had lower odds of abdominal obesity than those in tertile 1. Girls whose father had no relationship with employment displayed higher odds of abdominal obesity compared with girls whose father had high employment status. Conclusions We have found that different measures of obesity have distinct associations with food group intakes, physical activity and socio-economic status.
Fabrication and evaluation of a carbon‐based dual‐electrode detector for poly(dimethylsiloxane) electrophoresis chips

The first carbon‐based dual‐electrode detector for microchip capillary electrophoresis (CE) is described. The poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS)‐based microchip CE devices were constructed by reversibly sealing a PDMS layer containing separation and injection channels to another PDMS layer containing carbon fiber working electrodes. End‐channel amperometric detection was employed and the performance of the chip was evaluated using catechol. The response was found to be linear between 1 and 600 μM with an experimentally determined limit of detection (LOD) of 500 nM and a sensitivity of 30 pA/μM. Collection efficiencies for catechol ranged from 36.0 to 43.7% at field strengths of 260—615 V/cm. The selectivity that can be gained with these devices is demonstrated by the first CE‐based dual‐electrode detection of a Cu(II) peptide complex. These devices illustrate the potential for a rugged and easily constructed microchip CE system with an integrated carbon‐based detector of similar scale.
Effects of lysophospholipid supplementation to lower nutrient diets on growth performance, intestinal morphology, and blood metabolites in broiler chickens

&NA; The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of dietary lysophospholipid (LPL) supplementation on low‐energy, crude protein, and selected amino acids on growth performance, intestinal morphology, blood metabolites, inflammatory response, and carcass traits in broiler chickens. A total of 300 one‐day‐old male chicks (Ross 308) were assigned to 5 treatments, with 6 replications of 10 birds each in a completely randomized design. The 5 treatments were: positive control (PC) without LPL supplementation and adequate in all nutrients, negative control (NC) without LPL, and reduced 150 kcal/kg of metabolizable energy and reduced 5 to 6% of crude protein and selected amino acids including Lys, Met, Thr, and Trp in a calculated amount relative to the PC, NC + 0.05% LPL (LPL05), NC + 0.10% LPL (LPL10), and NC + 0.15% LPL (LPL15). Feeding LPL linearly improved growth performance, feed conversion ratio, ether extract, and protein digestibility. LPL supplementation on low‐energy and nitrogenous diets showed significant enhancements in metabolic profiles of blood glucose, protein utilization, and immune system functions. These improvements influenced carcass composition, especially in relative weights of pancreas and breast muscle. In contrast, LPL addition showed no significant effects on relative weights of immune organs, gizzard, and abdominal fat. The NC birds were more susceptible to inflammation via modulating the secretion of interleukin‐1 (IL‐1) and increasing crypt depth in the jejunal and duodenal segments. However, the inclusion of 0.05% LPL to the NC diet could alleviate inflammation with increased jejunal villi height, ratio of villi height to crypt depth, and decreased IL‐1 level. Overall, LPL promotes growth performance, nutrient utilization, gut health, anti‐inflammation, and muscle yields when applied to diets of broiler chickens with lower levels of energy, crude protein, and selected amino acids.
Reduced electrodermal response to errors predicts poor sustained attention performance in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Research into attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has indicated abnormalities in electrodermal system activity (EDA) and separately, deficits in sustained attention. Here we asked whether reduced EDA in ADHD was consequential for the attention problems associated with this disorder. On a sustained attention task ADHD participants had higher overall error rates and exhibited a marked decrease in skin conductance responses (SCRs) to errors, relative to control children. Further, sustained attention errors were predicted by SCR amplitudes. Evidence of post-error slowing in both groups suggested comparable error awareness. It is proposed that attenuation of the normal autonomic response to errors reflects impairment in ADHD participants' psychological response to error significance and results in decreased behavioural correction and hence poorer sustained attention.
Impact of radio resource allocation policies on the TD-CDMA system performance: evaluation of major critical parameters

This paper investigates the impact of major critical parameters and the effect of some radio resource allocation policies on the TD-CDMA system performance. Critical parameters are related either to the user behavior (e.g., user mobility, activity factors) or to processing techniques and algorithms implemented to control network performance and individual radio link quality (e.g., joint detection imperfection, handover margin, timeout for maintaining alive bad radio links). Network topology (e.g., distance between neighboring base stations) also undoubtedly influences capacity results. Analysis is carried out through accurate modeling of user behavior, interference scenarios, and power budget limitations at both terminals and infrastructure, allowing for proper implementation of radio resource allocation algorithms. Among these algorithms, power management (both at the initial channel assignment and during communication), dynamic channel allocation (DCA), and ongoing calls management are explored. An event-driven simulation approach was considered to model realistic system behavior and address system stability under various events generating traffic/interference fluctuations (e.g., call arrivals and departures, handovers, steps of power control loops). Such an approach is expected to offer a good estimate of the real conditions provided the propagation models are close to real life. As a consequence, measures to be taken to avoid/control overloading in a TD-CDMA (CDMA in general) environment can be naturally derived and tested with this methodology.
Isolation and study of KlLSM4 , a Kluyveromyces lactis gene homologous to the essential gene LSM4 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

We have isolated the KlLSM4 gene as a multicopy suppressor of a Kluyveromyces lactis mutant which shows a rag− phenotype (resistance to antimycin A on glucose). This gene is homologous to the ScLSM4 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which codes for an essential 187 amino acid protein containing Sm‐like domains. These motifs are present in the evolutionarily conserved family of the Sm‐like proteins, which are involved in a large number of cellular processes, including pre‐mRNA splicing and mRNA decapping. We demonstrated that the first 72 amino acids of KlLsm4p, which contain the Sm‐like domains, can restore cell viability in both K. lactis and S. cerevisiae cells lacking the wild‐type protein. However, the absence of the carboxy‐terminal region resulted in a remarkable loss of cell viability in the stationary phase. The KlLSM4 sequence has been deposited in the EMBL Data library under Accession No. AJ311719. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Combating Social Exclusion Of Young People With ICT Applications

Social exclusion of young people is a major socio-economic challenge all over Europe. This paper discusses the development and use of ICT applications to tackle the problem. The paper begins with a review to existing research on the possibilities of the ICT in social inclusion of young people. Secondly, as a way forward, a multidisciplinary approach is suggested, which would combine perspectives from social sciences, information systems, human-computer interaction, information technology and electronic commerce. The suggested approach combines technological and economic parameters of ICT development with social factors related to wellbeing, quality of life, gender, cultural and social conditions, and community values of young people. Particular emphasis is put into involvement of young people themselves in the development and innovation of ICT applications suggesting that a user-driven approach and participatory methodology are crucial in the successful development of ICT based applications for young people.
Siggaard-Andersen algorithm-derived p50 parameters: perturbation by abnormal hemoglobin-oxygen affinity and acid-base disturbances.

The p50 and derived indexes, calculated by using the Siggaard-Andersen algorithm from a single measurement of arterial blood gas tensions and hemoglobin-oxygen saturation, are used to assess tissue oxygen availability in critical illness. We tested the accuracy of the Siggaard-Andersen p50 algorithm over a wide range of pathophysiologic conditions. Blood gases, cooximetry, and calculation of standard and in vivo p50 were performed at multiple saturations, CO2 tensions, and H+ concentrations on blood with normal (standard p50 of 26.1 and 26.7 mm Hg), increased (19.0 and 25.4), and reduced (33.9 and 38.2) hemoglobin-oxygen affinity, as well as on high-affinity blood from two patients with diabetic ketoacidosis (16.7 and 20.8). Log p50 in vivo/pH plots were constructed to determine the Bohr effect. Except in the normal affinity specimens (coefficient of variation < 1.7%), standard p50 values showed high variability (coefficient of variation > 5.9%), with saturation-linked bias and distortion of the Bohr effect. Standard p50 was overestimated by up to 11 mm Hg as saturation approached 97%. Although base deficit correction of the stored specimens (6.9 < pH < 7.1) restored the Bohr effect and improved the accuracy of standard p50 calculations (coefficient of variation = 4.4% and 2.9%), saturation-linked bias persisted. We conclude that Siggaard-Andersen p50 calculations may be misleading when there are disturbances of hemoglobin-oxygen affinity and acid-base balance, owing to changes in shape of the hemoglobin-dissociation curve. When metabolic acidosis occurs with high hemoglobin-oxygen affinity, as can occur in critical illness, indexes derived by the Siggaard-Andersen algorithm on arterial blood may greatly overestimate oxygen availability.
Parental Deployment, Adolescent Academic and Social–Behavioral Maladjustment, and Parental Psychological Well-being in Military Families

Objective: Increases in the frequency and length of military deployments have raised concerns about the well-being of military families. We examined the relationship between a military parent’s deployment and (1) adolescent academic and social–behavioral maladjustment and (2) parental psychological well-being. Methods: We collected data from April 2013 through January 2014 from 1021 families of enlisted US Army personnel with children aged 12 or 13 during the Military Teenagers’ Environments, Exercise, and Nutrition Study. Through online parent surveys, we collected data on deployment, adolescent academic and social–behavioral maladjustment, and parental psychological well-being. We estimated adjusted logistic and linear regression models for adolescents (all, boys, girls), military parents (all, fathers, mothers), and civilian parents. Results: Compared with no or short deployments, long deployments (>180 days in the past 3 years) were associated with significantly higher odds of decreases in adolescent academic performance (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.54), independence (AOR = 2.04), and being responsible (AOR = 1.95). These associations were also significant for boys but not for girls. Among parents, long deployments were associated with significantly higher odds of being depressed (AOR = 2.58), even when controlling for adolescent maladjustment (AOR = 2.54). These associations did not differ significantly between military and civilian parents and were significant for military fathers but not military mothers. Recent deployment (in the past 12 months) was not associated with either adolescent or parent outcomes. Conclusion: Long deployments are associated with adolescents’ academic and social–behavioral maladjustments and diminished parental well-being, especially among boys and military fathers.
On the frequency response symmetry of diode mixers

A mixing process is symmetrical when the conversion loss and group delay are equal between a downconversion and the corresponding upconversion. It is shown here by measurement that diode mixers have some degree of response asymmetry. Simulations show that the response asymmetry is caused by the voltage-variable junction capacitance of the mixer diodes. The response asymmetry sets a limit on the accuracy of three-mixer and other techniques to derive the frequency response of individual mixers.
Robust neural network control of MEMS gyroscope using adaptive sliding mode compensator

SUMMARY A new robust neural sliding mode (RNSM) tracking control scheme using radial basis function (RBF) neural network (NN) is presented for MEMS z-axis gyroscope to achieve robustness and asymptotic tracking error convergence. An adaptive RBF NN controller is developed to approximate and compensate the large uncertain system dynamics, and a robust compensator is designed to eliminate the impact of NN modeling error and external disturbances for guaranteeing the asymptotic stability property. Moreover, another RBF NN is employed to learn the upper bound of NN modeling error and external disturbances, so the prior knowledge of the upper bound of system uncertainties is not required. All the adaptive laws in the RNSM control system are derived in the same Lyapunov framework, which can guarantee the stability of the closed loop system. Comparative numerical simulations for an MEMS gyroscope are investigated to verify the effectiveness of the proposed RNSM tracking control scheme.
A Study of Risk Factors of Esophageal Candidiasis in Non-HIV Infected Immunocompromised Patients

Esophageal Candidiasis is one of the most common opportunistic infections in patients with impaired immunity and the most common cause of esophageal disease in patients with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). It can also occur in debilitated patients who have received broad-spectrum antibiotics, steroids and immunosuppressant drugs. This study was designed to determine risk factors of esophageal candidiasis in non-Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV) infected patients attending a tertiary care, teaching hospital. Clinical records of all patients of Esophageal Candidiasis diagnosed by esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and histopathology over a period of eighteen months were studied. Eighteen patients (10 males, 8 females), aged 21-77 years old (mean age 52.9 years) fulfilled the criteria (0.6% of the EGD). The common predisposing factors were carcinoma and diabetes mellitus. The frequent clinical symptoms were retrosternal discomfort, dysphagia and epigastric abdominal pain with endoscopic appearance of scattered mucosal plaques. The common predisposing factors were carcinoma and diabetes mellitus; other risk factors being corticosteroid and antibiotic therapy. All patients responded to treatment with fluconazole.
A New Dolabrane-type Diterpene from Ceriops tagal

A new dolabrane-type diterpene named tagalsin O 1, together with six known analogues 2-7, were isolated from the aerial part of the mangrove plant Ceriops tagal. The structures and relative configurations were elucidated on the basis of their spectroscopic data. Cytotoxicity of the isolated compounds against HeLa human cervical carcinoma cancer cell line was evaluated.
Segmentation of retinal blood vessels through Gabor features and ANFIS classifier

We introduce a technique for extracting the vessel structure in the fundus image of a retina. Retinal vessel segmentation achieved by categorizing every pixel belonging to vessel structure or not, derived from characteristic vector consisting of the gray level values and coefficients of 2-D Gabor wavelet at various scales. Specific frequency tuning of Gabor wavelet allows vessel segmentation even in the presence of noise in the image. We use Adaptive Network Fuzzy-Inference System (ANFIS) classifier with linguistic expression modeling capability and self-learning, yielding accurate classification. The openly accessible DRIVE database is used for performance evaluation of manually labeled images. In addition, Performance evaluation carried on fundus images provided by the ophthalmologist. The results obtained are quiet promising when inspected visually in both normal as well as pathological images.