Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Oil outlook to 2025

Oil is expected to maintain its leading position in meeting the world's growing energy needs for at least the next two decades. In the reference scenario, oil demand is set to rise by 30 million barrels per day over the next twenty years. However, although developing countries account for most of the rise, energy poverty will remain an important issue. From the supply perspective, the resource base is sufficient to satisfy expected oil demand growth. Non-OPEC supply is eventually expected to reach a plateau, and, therefore, over the longer-term, OPEC will be relied upon to supply most of the incremental barrel. These projections underline the need for substantial investment along the entire hydrocarbon supply chain, although the global scale of upstream investment that this outlook implies is not expected to be greater in magnitude than that witnessed in the past. Nevertheless, oil prices must be sufficient to mobilise the resources to supply the market with the necessary oil. Copyright 2006 Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries.
Design Consideration of an Integrated Induction Motor Drive to Replace Auxillary DC Motors in Locomotives

An application requirement from Indian Railways, one of the largest railways in the world, was replacement of 72 V DC small motors in diesel locomotives with squirrel cage induction motor integrated with 3-phase PWM sinewave compact inverter. The motors/inverters were to be mounted inside the locomotives adjacent to the engine (fuel pump, crank case exhauster etc) or in open air near to the wheel (dust blower). This application was critical in nature because loco-failure is very expensive and disruptive. The equipment is required to be very rugged and reliable. Design for such adverse, environmental conditions and high reliability was a technical challenge. This paper discusses the design approach and reports deployment of the equipment in Indian Railways over the last 6 years
Race-Related Differences in Self-Reported and Validated Turnout in 1986

Black Americans are less likely to participate in politics than white Americans are, but many students of political participation have argued that these differences result solely from racial differences in socioeconomic status. We have questioned these conclusions by analyzing the 1964, 1976, 1978, 1980, and 1984 vote validation studies in which local registration and voting records were used to measure electoral participation. When participation was measured by the vote validation studies, racial differences were reduced after controls were introduced, but whites were still more likely to vote than blacks. The 1986 Survey Research Center-Center for Political Studies (SRC-CPS) vote validation study is used to update our findings. The results are consistent with our previous analyses. The 1986 study does not confirm the finding of U.S. Census Bureau survey that young blacks were more likely to vote than young whites. However, our analyses do support the basic finding of the bureau that racial differences in electoral participation have declined.
Efectos del desarrollo financiero sobre el crecimiento económico de Colombia y Chile 1982-2014

This article analyzes the validity and relevance of the variables proposed by King and Levine (1993) in the specific case of Colombia and Chile; for this effect, it uses a panel data model as a strategy to find possible significant impacts of the financial variables on growth in both countries, not only considering their behavior over time, but also the existence of heterogeneities among them. The results partially show how some of the variables have distinguishable impacts on economic performance and growth.
A Sequential Implementation Model for Workforce Development: A Case Study of Medical Residency Training for Substance Use Concerns

ABSTRACT Problem: In graduate medical education, residency programs are often educationally isolated from each other, with varying needs and patient populations, so strategies are needed when attempting to implement training in evidence-based practices across multiple residencies. Intervention: Using implementation science as a guide, we adapted a community development model to sequentially implement an evidence-based intervention, Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) for alcohol and drug use problems, across internal medicine, pediatrics, emergency medicine, psychiatry, and obstetrics and gynecology residency programs. Context: A grant-funded “executive” team coordinated the implementation, enrolled a new residency program annually, and served as the consultative team to span the programs. The team was attentive to aligning implementation with the needs of each program. To assist in planning, the team included a program champion 1 year prior to SBIRT implementation to provide the opportunity to develop resources and work with peers. We evaluated this model through an implementation science lens using a case study approach that included interviews and quantitative tabulation of products and resident perceptions. Outcome: We successfully instituted SBIRT training in all 5 residency programs through the use of a supported local champion model. Teams developed 90 curricular products and had 57 presentations and publications. Residents reported satisfaction with the SBIRT activities. Champions reported that SBIRT was a useful approach and that they gained valuable knowledge and relationships from working with the executive team when designing learning materials appropriate for their residency. Champions successfully incorporated SBIRT into routine clinical practice. Lessons Learned: Having a strong team to support subsequent SBIRT champions was essential for implementation. The champions needed financial support to have the necessary time to implement training. The strategy of building a peer network across programs was critical for sustaining the implementation. Collecting and sharing resources aided the champions in developing their materials.
Fairness-oriented and location-aware NUCA for many-core SoC

Non-uniform cache architecture (NUCA) is often employed to organize the last level cache (LLC) by Networks-on-Chip (NoC). However, along with the scaling up for network size of Systems-on-Chip (SoC), two trends gradually begin to emerge. First, the network latency is becoming the major source of the cache access latency. Second, the communication distance and latency gap between different cores is increasing. Such gap can seriously cause the network latency imbalance problem, aggravate the degree of non-uniform for cache access latencies, and then worsen the system performance. In this paper, we propose a novel NUCA-based scheme, named fairness-oriented and location-aware NUCA (FL-NUCA), to alleviate the network latency imbalance problem and achieve more uniform cache access. We strive to equalize network latencies which are measured by three metrics: average latency (AL), latency standard deviation (LSD), and maximum latency (ML). In FL-NUCA, the memory-to-LLC mapping and links are both non-uniform distributed to better fit the network topology and traffics, thereby equalizing network latencies from two aspects, i.e., non-contention latencies and contention latencies, respectively. The experimental results show that FL-NUCA can effectively improve the fairness of network latencies. Compared with the traditional static NUCA (S-NUCA), in simulation with synthetic traffics, the average improvements for AL, LSD, and ML are 20.9%, 36.3%, and 35.0%, respectively. In simulation with PARSEC benchmarks, the average improvements for AL, LSD, and ML are 6.3%, 3.6%, and 11.2%, respectively.
Serologic evaluation of human microcystin exposure

Microcystins are among the most commonly detected toxins associated with cyanobacteria blooms worldwide. Two episodes of intravenous microcystin exposures occurred among kidney dialysis patients during 1996 and 2001. Analysis of serum samples collected during these episodes suggests that microcystins are detectable as free and bound forms in human serum. Our goal was to characterize the biochemical evidence for human exposure to microcystins, to identify uncertainties associated with interpretation of these observed results, and to identify research needs. We analyzed serum samples using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods to detect free microcystins, and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) to detect 2‐methyl‐3‐methoxy‐4‐phenylbutyric acid (MMPB). MMPB is derived from both free and protein‐bound microcystins by chemical oxidation, and it appears to represent total microcystins present in serum. We found evidence of free microcystins in patient serum for more than 50 days after the last documented exposure. Serum concentrations of free microcystins were consistently lower than MMPB quantification of total microcystins: free microcystins as measured by ELISA were only 8–51% of total microcystin concentrations as detected by the GC/MS method. After intravenous exposure episodes, we found evidence of microcystins in human serum in free and protein‐bound forms, though the nature of the protein‐bound forms is uncertain. Free microcystins appear to be a small but variable subset of total microcystins present in human serum. Research is needed to elucidate the human toxicokinetics of microcystins, in part to determine how observed serum concentrations can be used to estimate previous microcystin exposure. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 22: 459–463, 2007.
Telomerase activity in thyroid neoplasms evaluated by the expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT).

BACKGROUND The recent availability of a monoclonal antibody against human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) has enabled us to investigate the telomerase activity of tissue specimens more easily than by classical TRAP assay. In this study, we studied teromerase activity in thyroid tumors using this antibody. MATERIALS AND METHODS We immunohistochemically investigated hTERT expression in 166 thyroid neoplasms. RESULTS Normal follicular cells did not express hTERT. In papillary carcinoma, high hTERT expression was observed in 34.5% of cases and it was directly linked to stage and the presence of lymph node metastasis. In follicular carcinoma, 39.2% were classified as the high hTERT expression group, showing a significantly higher incidence than that in follicular adenoma, 9.8%. In anaplastic carcinoma, 73.7% were regarded as the high hTERT expression group, which was larger than the percentages in papillary and follicular carcinomas. We investigated the diagnostic usefulness of hTERT measurement for discriminating follicular carcinoma from adenoma. Its specificity and positive predictive value were high at 90.2% and 83.3%, respectively, while the sensitivity and negative predictive value were low. CONCLUSION These results suggest that: i) telomerase activity contributes to anaplastic transformation of differentiated carcinoma and ii) hTERT measurement may contribute to diagnosing follicular carcinoma, but whether it can be applied to preoperative diagnosis by fine-needle aspiration biopsy specimens remains unclear.
New approach to analyze genetic and clinical data in bisphosphonate-induced osteonecrosis of the jaw.

OBJECTIVES Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) is a major complication associated with long-term use of bisphosphonates (BP). We aimed to investigate the effect of CYP2C8 rs1934951 SNP and its relationship to a number of clinical and biochemical factors in 46 Hungarian subjects with bisphosphonate-induced ONJ. METHODS Blood samples were collected from each subject and genomic DNA was extracted. SNP analysis of CYP2C8 gene was carried out by predesigned TaqMan primer/probe sets. The genetic data together with clinical and biochemical variables were evaluated by chi-square test, logistic regression, and principal component analysis (PCA). RESULTS The risk of mandibular localization of ONJ was 19.2-fold higher in subjects with AG genotype than in normal GG genotype. PCA revealed strong positive correlations between maxillar localization of ONJ and a group of variables including intravenous BP application and serum lipid markers. Mandibular localization of ONJ was correlated positively with serum calcium, 25-hydroxy-vitamin D and PTH levels, oral BP application, and the length of BP therapy. The degree of the disease and the number of recurrences were correlated with the application of hormone-deprivation therapy for breast cancer patients. CONCLUSION The statistical approach applying PCA to our data may contribute to the better understanding of factors playing role in the development of bisphosphonate-induced ONJ.
New imaging techniques for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism

Pulmonary embolism (PE) remains a common cause of illness and death. Appropriate therapy requires timely diagnosis, but the currently available noninvasive diagnostic methods lack adequate sensitivity and specificity. In particular the vast majority of ventilation-perfusion scans are unable to confirm or reliably exclude PE, cannot differentiate between acute and chronic PE, and provide no clues about possible alternate explanations of presenting symptoms (even if PE can be excluded). Although the precise role of these scans in the diagnosis of PE remains to be clarified, recent advances appear to ensure a place for magnetic resonance imaging and helical computed tomography in the diagnostic evaluation of PE in the near future.
On parameter identification of an equivalent circuit model for lithium-ion batteries

This paper focuses on nonlinear parameter identification of an equivalent circuit model for lithium-ion batteries (LiBs). A Thevenin's model is considered, which consists of a voltage source based on the battery's open-circuit voltage (OCV), an Ohmic resistor and two RC circuits connected in series. The objective is to identify all the parameters in the voltage source and circuits at once from the current-voltage data collected from a battery under constant-current discharging. Based on the voltage response, identifiability of the parameters is analyzed using the sensitivity analysis, and it is verified that the parameters are locally identifiable. An optimization problem based on nonlinear least squares is formulated to address identification, to which parameter bounds are imposed to limit the search space. The identification is then achieved by a trust region method. An evaluation based on experimental data illustrates the effectiveness of the proposed results. Differing from the existing work, this approach does not require an explicit relationship between the OCV and the battery's state-of-charge (SoC). Its application hence requires much less effort. Furthermore, the success in parameter identification can potentially contribute to parameter-analysis-based aging prognostics of LiBs.
Identification of a Jasmonate-regulated Allene Oxide Synthase That Metabolizes 9-Hydroperoxides of Linoleic and Linolenic Acids*

Allene oxide synthase (AOS) is a cytochrome P-450 (CYP74A) that catalyzes the first step in the conversion of 13-hydroperoxy linolenic acid to jasmonic acid and related signaling molecules in plants. Here, we report the molecular cloning and characterization of a novel AOS-encoding cDNA (LeAOS3) from Lycopersicon esculentum whose predicted amino acid sequence classifies it as a member of the CYP74C subfamily of enzymes that was hitherto not known to include AOSs. Recombinant LeAOS3 expressed in Escherichia coli showed spectral characteristics of a P-450. The enzyme transformed 9- and 13-hydroperoxides of linoleic and linolenic acid to α-ketol, γ-ketol, and cyclopentenone compounds that arise from spontaneous hydrolysis of unstable allene oxides, indicating that the enzyme is an AOS. Kinetic assays demonstrated that LeAOS3 was ≈10-fold more active against 9-hydroperoxides than the corresponding 13-isomers.LeAOS3 transcripts accumulated in roots, but were undetectable in aerial parts of mature plants. In contrast to wild-type plants, LeAOS3 expression was undetectable in roots of a tomato mutant that is defective in jasmonic acid signaling. These findings suggest that LeAOS3 plays a role in the metabolism of 9-lipoxygenase-derived hydroperoxides in roots, and that this branch of oxylipin biosynthesis is regulated by the jasmonate signaling cascade.
Ovarian Ultrasonography Correlated with Fecal Progestins and Estradiol During the Estrous Cycle and Early Pregnancy in Giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi)1

Fecal and urinary progestin analyses have shown that giraffes express a short reproductive cycle, averaging 15 days, compared with other large ruminants. However, actual ovarian events have not been correlated with the hormonal pattern. In this study, mature cycling female Rothschild giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi) were repeatedly examined by transrectal ultrasonography to correlate ovarian function with changes in fecal progestin (fP4 [nc = 6]) and estradiol (fE2 [nc = 6]) and serum progestin (nc = 2) as measured by enzyme immunoassay. Five females became pregnant and were monitored during early gestation. In this study, we discovered that hormone values for fP4 in cycling giraffes do not correlate with the classic profile of follicular development, ovulation, and luteogenesis. The corpus luteum (CL) and the next dominant follicle were forming simultaneously. A mean ± SD peak in fE2 of 254.92 ± 194.76 ng/g and subsequent ovulation occurred as early as 1 day after the fall in fP4. In pregnant giraffes, the CL reached a diameter significantly larger (mean ± SD, 41.02 ± 2.70 mm; P = 0.0126) than that during the cycle (33.48 ± 2.80 mm), while follicular activity and fluctuating fE2 were still present. With this research, we demonstrated that the progesterone profile typically used to characterize the ovarian cycle does not correlate with luteal development in the ovaries of this species. Furthermore, we conclude that the giraffe could have evolved a short reproductive cycle because of the almost parallel order of ovarian events.
The Effect of High-Flow Nasal Cannula Oxygen Therapy on Mortality and Intubation Rate in Acute Respiratory Failure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective: High-flow nasal cannulae are used in adults with or at risk of acute respiratory failure. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the evidence for their use in this setting. Data Sources: Ovid Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Study Selection: Databases were searched for randomized controlled trials comparing administration of high-flow nasal cannulae with usual care (i.e., conventional oxygen therapy or noninvasive ventilation) in adults with respiratory failure. The primary outcome was hospital mortality; the rate of intubation and assessment of delirium and comfort were secondary outcomes. Data Extraction: One hundred forty-seven nonduplicate citations were screened, 32 underwent full screening and data extraction, and 14 trials were eligible for inclusion in the review. Nine trials were used in the meta-analysis, including a total of 2,507 subjects. Data Synthesis: When high-flow nasal cannulae were compared with usual care, there was no difference in mortality (high-flow nasal cannulae, 60/1,006 [6%] vs usual care, 90/1,106 [8.1%]) (n = 2,112; p = 0.29; I 2, 25%; fixed effect model: odds ratio, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.58–1.17) or rate of intubation (high-flow nasal cannulae, 119/1,207 [9.9%] vs usual care, 204/1,300 [15.7%]) (n = 2,507; p = 0.08; I 2, 53%; random effect model: odds ratio, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.37–1.06). A qualitative analysis of 13 studies on tolerability and comfort suggested that high-flow nasal cannulae are associated with improved patient comfort and dyspnea scores. Trial sequential analyses on primary and secondary outcomes suggested that required information size was not reached. Conclusions: No difference in mortality or intubation was detected in patients with acute respiratory failure treated with high-flow nasal cannulae compared with usual care. High-flow nasal cannulae seem well tolerated by patients. Further large randomized controlled trials are required to evaluate their utility in this setting.
Do Market Segmentation and Preferred Habitat Theories Hold in Japan? : Quantifying Stock and Flow Effects of Bond Purchases

While major central banks confronting the global financial crisis conducted government bond purchases on an unprecedented scale, macroeconomists began re-examining carefully the once-accepted wisdom that long-term government bond purchases by the central bank reduce long-term yields. This paper follows this shift in economic thought and examines if the wisdom holds in Japan by estimating a dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model that features imperfect substitutability of bonds with different maturities, due to market segmentation and preferred habitats, using Japan's data from the 1980s to 2017. We focus specifically on the transmission mechanism, to determine which matters most: the size of the bond purchases at each period (flow effects), or the total amount of bonds taken away from the private sectors (stock effects). We find that, (i) Japan's data accords well with market segmentation and preferred habitat theories, which implies that government bond purchases conducted by the Bank of Japan have compressed the term premium, exerting an expansionary effect on economic activity and prices; (ii) the effect of bond purchases has been most pronounced since Quantitative and Qualitative Monetary Easing was introduced, compressing the term premium about 50 to 100 basis points as of the end of 2017; and (iii) the compression of the term premium has been mainly driven by stock effects, which underscores the importance of the amount outstanding of the Bank's government bond holdings in determining the term premium.
Calcium channel agonists and antagonists: effects of chronic treatment on pituitary prolactin synthesis and intracellular calcium.

PRL synthesis by GH cells in culture has previously been shown to increase when calcium is added to cultures grown in calcium-depleted medium or when cultures are treated for 18 h or longer with the dihydropyridine calcium channel agonist BAY K8644, whereas the antagonist nimodipine inhibits PRL. The experiments described here were designed to test whether differences in PRL synthesis caused by the dihydropyridines are due to changes in PRL mRNA levels, whether structurally different classes of calcium channel blockers alter PRL production, and whether long term treatment with calcium channel agonists and antagonists alters intracellular free calcium, [Ca2+]i. PRL synthesis and PRL mRNA levels were increased similarly by BAY K8644 and decreased in parallel by the dihydropyridine antagonist nimodipine, while overall protein and RNA synthesis were not changed by either the agonist or antagonist. Two calcium channel blockers which act at different sites on L-type channels than the dihydropyridines also inhibited PRL synthesis without affecting GH; 5 microM verapamil reduced PRL by 64% and 15 microM diltiazem by 89%. Partial depolarization with 5-25 mM KCl increased PRL synthesis up to 2-fold. The intracellular free calcium ion concentration was estimated by Quin 2 and averaged 142 nM for control cultures in normal medium, and 128 and 168 nM for cultures treated 72 h with nimodipine or BAY K8644, respectively. Nimodipine totally prevented the calcium rise obtained upon depolarization. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)