Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Requirements of short-circuit detection methods and turn-off for wide band gap semiconductors

This paper adds some new results on the short circuit (SC) robustness of novel wide bandgap (WBG) devices presented in [1-3] for 1.2 kV SiC MOSFETs but also for other voltage classes relevant for traction application. Also different short-circuit (SC) detection methods will be evaluated with regard to their application in traction converters using either conventional Si-based or novel WBG semiconductors. In order to derive the necessary requirements for the best suitable SC detection method the SC robustness of silicon based IGBTs, planar SiC MOSFETs and GaN HEMT was evaluated. For this comparison commercially available devices of different voltage classes ranging from 600 V to 1.7 kV are measured under SC type one in order to find the critical energy, which will destroy the device. The mechanisms of failure were also analysed. Together with further criteria like the gate-oxide stability different SC detection methods are evaluated with regard to whether they meet the derived detection requirements of WBG devices.
Functional analyses of the versicolorin B synthase gene in Aspergillus flavus

Aflatoxin is a toxic, carcinogenic mycotoxin primarily produced by Aspergillus parasiticus and Aspergillus flavus. Previous studies have predicted the existence of more than 20 genes in the gene cluster involved in aflatoxin biosynthesis. Among these genes, aflK encodes versicolorin B synthase, which converts versiconal to versicolorin B. Past research has investigated aflK in A. parasiticus, but few studies have characterized aflK in the animal, plant, and human pathogen A. flavus. To understand the potential role of aflK in A. flavus, its function was investigated here for the first time using gene replacement and gene complementation strategies. The aflK deletion‐mutant ΔaflK exhibited a significant decrease in sclerotial production and aflatoxin biosynthesis compared with wild‐type and the complementation strain ΔaflK::aflK. ΔaflK did not affect the ability of A. flavus to infect seeds, but downregulated aflatoxin production after seed infection. This is the first report of a relationship between aflK and sclerotial production in A. flavus, and our findings indicate that aflK regulates aflatoxin formation.
An entropy-reducing data representation approach for bioinformatic data

Abstract Non-semantic approaches to bioinformatic data analysis have potential relevance where semantic resources such as annotated finished reference genomes are lacking, such as in the analysis and utilisation of growing amounts of sequence data from non-model organisms, often associated with sequence-based agricultural, aqua-cultural and environmental sampling studies and commercial services. Even where rich semantic resources are available, semantic approaches to problems such as contrasting and comparing reference assemblies, and utilising multiple references in parallel to avoid reference bias, are costly and difficult to fully automate. We introduce and discuss a non-semantic data representation approach intended mainly for bioinformatic data called non-semantic labelling. Non-semantic labelling involves tensorially combining multiple kinds of model-based entropy-reducing data representation, with multiple representation models, so as to map both data and models into dual metric representation spaces, with goals of both reducing the statistical complexity of the data, and highlighting latent structure via machine learning and statistical analyses conducted within the dual representation spaces. As part of the framework, we introduce a novel algebraic abstraction of data representation mappings, and present four proof-of-concept examples of its application, to problems such as comparing and contrasting sequence assemblies, utilisation of multiple references for annotation and development of quality control diagnostics in a variety of high-throughput sequencing contexts. Database URL: https://github.com/AgResearch/data_prism
Most Pregnant Women in California Do Not Receive Dental Care: Findings from a Population-Based Study

Objectives. We examined the prevalence of dental care during pregnancy and reasons for lack of care. Methods. Using a population-based survey of 21,732 postpartum women in California during 2002–2007, we calculated prevalence of dental problems, receipt of care, and reasons for non-receipt of care. We used logistic regression to estimate odds of non-receipt of care by maternal characteristics. Results. Overall, 65% of women had no dental visit during pregnancy; 52% reported a dental problem prenatally, with 62% of those women not receiving care. After adjustment, factors associated with non-receipt of care included non-European American race/ethnicity, lack of a college degree, lack of private prenatal insurance, no first-trimester prenatal insurance coverage, lower income, language other than English spoken at home, and no usual source of pre-pregnancy medical care. The primary reason stated for non-receipt of dental care was lack of perceived need, followed by financial barriers. Conclusions. Most pregnant women in this study received insufficient dental care. Odds were elevated not only among the poorest, least educated mothers, but also among those with moderate incomes or some college education. The need for dental care during pregnancy must be promoted widely among both the public and providers, and financial barriers to dental care should be addressed.
Anxiety symptoms and risk of dementia and mild cognitive impairment in the oldest old women

ABSTRACT Objectives: Research is limited and findings conflict regarding anxiety as a predictor of future cognitive decline in the oldest old persons. We examined the relationship between levels of and changes in anxiety symptoms, and subsequent dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in the oldest old women. Method: We conducted secondary analyses of data collected from 1425 community-dwelling women (mean age = 82.8, SD ±3.1 years) followed on average for five years. The Goldberg Anxiety Scale was used to assess anxiety symptoms at baseline, and an expert clinical panel adjudicated dementia and MCI at follow-up. Participants with probable cognitive impairment at baseline were excluded. Results: At baseline, 190 (13%) women had moderate/severe anxiety symptoms and 403 (28%) had mild anxiety symptoms. Compared with those with no anxiety symptoms at baseline, women with mild anxiety symptoms were more likely to develop dementia at follow-up (multivariable-adjusted odds ratio = 1.66, 95% confidence interval 1.12–2.45). No significant association was observed between anxiety symptoms and MCI. Conclusion: In the oldest old women, our findings suggest that mild anxiety symptoms may predict future risk of dementia, but not MCI. Future studies should explore potential biological mechanisms underlying associations of anxiety with cognitive impairment.
Globally increased ultraconserved noncoding RNA expression in pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Transcribed ultraconserved regions (T-UCRs) are a class of non-coding RNAs with 100% sequence conservation among human, rat and mouse genomes. T-UCRs are differentially expressed in several cancers, however their expression in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has not been studied. We used a qPCR array to profile all 481 T-UCRs in pancreatic cancer specimens, pancreatic cancer cell lines, during experimental pancreatic desmoplasia and in the pancreases of P48Cre/wt; KrasLSL-G12D/wt mice. Fourteen, 57 and 29% of the detectable T-UCRs were differentially expressed in the cell lines, human tumors and transgenic mouse pancreases, respectively. The vast majority of the differentially expressed T-UCRs had increased expression in the cancer. T-UCRs were monitored using an in vitro model of the desmoplastic reaction. Twenty-five % of the expressed T-UCRs were increased in the HPDE cells cultured on PANC-1 cellular matrix. UC.190, UC.233 and UC.270 were increased in all three human data sets. siRNA knockdown of each of these three T-UCRs reduced the proliferation of MIA PaCa-2 cells up to 60%. The expression pattern among many T-UCRs in the human and mouse pancreases closely correlated with one another, suggesting that groups of T-UCRs are co-activated in PDAC. Successful knockout of the transcription factor EGR1 in PANC-1 cells caused a reduction in the expression of a subset of T-UCRs suggesting that EGR1 may control T-UCR expression in PDAC. We report a global increase in expression of T-UCRs in both human and mouse PDAC. Commonalties in their expression pattern suggest a similar mechanism of transcriptional upregulation for T-UCRs in PDAC.
VLBA imaging of the 3 mm SiO maser emission in the disk-wind from the massive protostellar system Orion Source I

Context. High-mass star formation remains poorly understood due to observational difficulties (e.g. high dust extinction and large distances) hindering the resolution of disk-accretion and outflow-launching regions. Aims. Orion Source I is the closest known massive young stellar object (YSO) and exceptionally powers vibrationally-excited SiO masers at radii within 100 AU, providing a unique probe of gas dynamics and energetics. We seek to observe and image these masers with Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI). Methods. We present the first images of the 28 SiO v = 1, J = 2−1 maser emission around Orion Source I observed at 86 GHz ( λ 3 mm) with the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA). These images have high spatial (~0.3 mas) and spectral (~0.054 km s -1 ) resolutions. Results. We find that the λ 3 mm masers lie in an X-shaped locus consisting of four arms, with blue-shifted emission in the south and east arms and red-shifted emission in the north and west arms. Comparisons with previous images of the 28 SiO v = 1,2, J = 1−0 transitions at λ 7 mm (observed in 2001–2002) show that the bulk of the J = 2−1 transition emission follows the streamlines of the J = 1−0 emission and exhibits an overall velocity gradient consistent with the gradient at λ 7 mm. While there is spatial overlap between the λ 3 mm and λ 7 mm transitions, the λ 3 mm emission, on average, lies at larger projected distances from Source I (~44 AU compared with ~35 AU for λ 7 mm). The spatial overlap between the v = 1, J = 1−0 and J = 2−1 transitions is suggestive of a range of temperatures and densities where physical conditions are favorable for both transitions of a same vibrational state. However, the observed spatial offset between the bulk of emission at λ 3 mm and λ 7 mm possibly indicates different ranges of temperatures and densities for optimal excitation of the masers. We discuss different maser pumping models that may explain the observed offset. Conclusions. We interpret the λ 3 mm and λ 7 mm masers as being part of a single wide-angle outflow arising from the surface of an edge-on disk rotating about a northeast-southwest axis, with a continuous velocity gradient indicative of differential rotation consistent with a Keplerian profile in a high-mass proto-binary.
The impact of nurse short message services and telephone follow-ups on diabetic adherence: which one is more effective?

AIM To compare the effectiveness of two methods of follow-up: short message service and telephone follow-up on type 2 diabetes adherence for three months. BACKGROUND Using telemedicine approaches may preserve appropriate blood glucose levels and may improve adherence to diabetes control recommendations in diabetic patients. DESIGN A quasi-experimental, two-group, pretest and post-test design was used in this study to evaluate the effectiveness of nurse's follow-up via cellular phones and telephones. METHODS The sample consisted of 77 patients with type 2 diabetes that randomly were assigned to two groups: telephone follow-up (n = 39) and short message service (n = 38). Telephone interventions were applied by a researcher for three months; twice a week for the first month and every week for the second and third month. For three successive months, the short message service group that received messages about adherence to therapeutic regimen was examined. The data gathering instrument included data sheets - to record glycosylated haemoglobin - and the questionnaire related to adherence therapeutic regimen. Data gathering was carried out at the beginning of the study and after three and six months. The data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistic methods with SPSS version 11.5. RESULTS Results showed that both interventions had significant mean changes in glycosylated haemoglobin. For the telephone group (p < 0.001), a mean change of -0.93 and for the short message service group (p < 0.001), a mean change of -1.01. There was no significant difference in diet adherence (p = 0.000), physical exercise (p = 0.000) and medication taking (p = 0.000) adherence in either groups. CONCLUSION Intervention using short message services of cellular phones and nurse-led-telephone follow-up improved HbA1c levels and adherence to diabetes therapeutic regimen for three months in type 2 diabetic patients. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Both of follow-up intervention uses in this study can decrease HbA1c levels and escalate adherence to diabetes control recommendations in people with type 2 diabetes for three months.
Improvement of Electromagnetic Field Distributions Using High Dielectric Constant (HDC) Materials for CTL-Spine MRI: Numerical Simulations and Experiments

This study investigates the use of pads with high dielectric constant (HDC) materials to alter electromagnetic field distributions in patients during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The study was performed with numerical simulations and phantom measurements. An initial proof-of-concept and validation was performed using a phantom at 64 MHz, showing increases of up to 10% in electromagnetic field when using distilled water as the high dielectric material. Additionally, numerical simulations with computational models of human anatomy were performed at 128 MHz. Results of these simulations using barium titanate (BaTiO3) beads showed a 61% increase of $| {\boldsymbol{B}_1^ + } |$ with a quadrature driven RF coil and a 64% increase with a dual-transmit array. The presence of the HDC material also allowed for a decrease of SAR up to twofold (e.g., peak 10 g-averaged SAR from 54 to 22 W/kg with a quadrature driven RF coil and from 27 to 22 W/kg with a dual-transmit array using CaTiO3 powder at 128 MHz). The results of this study show that the use of HDC pads at 128 MHz for MRI spine applications could result in improved magnetic fields within the region of interest, while decreasing SAR outside the region.
Clinical and molecular features of treatment‐related neuroendocrine prostate cancer

Treatment‐related neuroendocrine prostate cancer is a lethal form of prostate cancer that emerges in the later stages of castration‐resistant prostate cancer treatment. Treatment‐related neuroendocrine prostate cancer transdifferentiates from adenocarcinoma as an adaptive response to androgen receptor pathway inhibition. The incidence of treatment‐related neuroendocrine prostate cancer has been rising due to the increasing use of potent androgen receptor pathway inhibitors. Typically, treatment‐related neuroendocrine prostate cancer is characterized by either low or absent androgen receptor expression, small cell carcinoma morphology and expression of neuroendocrine markers. Clinically, it manifests with predominantly visceral or lytic bone metastases, bulky tumor masses, low prostate‐specific antigen levels or a short response duration to androgen deprivation therapy. Furthermore, although the tumor initially responds to platinum‐based chemotherapy, the duration of the response is short. Based on the poor prognosis, it is imperative to identify novel molecular targets for treatment‐related neuroendocrine prostate cancer. Recent advances in genomic and molecular research, supported by novel in vivo models, have identified some of the key molecular characteristics of treatment‐related neuroendocrine prostate cancer. The gain of MYCN and AURKA oncogenes, along with the loss of tumor suppressor genes TP53 and RB1 are key genomic alterations associated with treatment‐related neuroendocrine prostate cancer. Androgen receptor repressed genes, such as BRN2 and PEG10, are also necessary for treatment‐related neuroendocrine prostate cancer. These genetic changes converge on pathways upregulating genes, such as SOX2 and EZH2, that facilitate lineage plasticity and neuroendocrine differentiation. As a result, on potent androgen receptor pathway inhibition, castration‐resistant prostate cancer transdifferentiates to treatment‐related neuroendocrine prostate cancer in a clonally divergent manner. Further understanding of the disease biology is required to develop novel drugs and biomarkers that would help treat this aggressive prostate cancer variant.
Systems Biology Approaches to Redox Metabolism in Stress and Disease States.

SIGNIFICANCE All cellular metabolic processes are tied to the cellular redox environment. Therefore, maintaining redox homeostasis is critically important for normal cell function. Indeed, redox stress contributes to the pathobiology of many human diseases. The cellular redox response system is composed of numerous interconnected components, including free radicals, redox couples, protein thiols, enzymes, metabolites, and transcription factors. Moreover, interactions between and among these factors are regulated in time and space. Owing to their complexity, systems biology approaches to the characterization of the cellular redox response system may provide insights into novel homeostatic mechanisms and methods of therapeutic reprogramming. Recent Advances: The emergence and development of systems biology has brought forth a set of innovative technologies that provide new avenues for studying redox metabolism. This article will review these systems biology approaches and their potential application to the study of redox metabolism in stress and disease states. CRITICAL ISSUES Clarifying the scope of biological intermediaries affected by dysregulated redox metabolism requires methods that are suitable for analyzing big datasets as classical methods that do not account for multiple interactions are unlikely to portray the totality of perturbed metabolic systems. FUTURE DIRECTIONS Given the diverse redox microenvironments within cells, it will be important to improve the spatial resolution of omic approaches. Futures studies on the integration of multiple systems-based methods and heterogeneous omics data for redox metabolism are required to accelerate the development of the field of redox systems biology. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 29, 953-972.
The tunable electrical properties of graphene nano-bridges

Reduced graphene oxide nano-bridges and tunable electrical transport properties of reduced graphene oxide based transistors are achieved by using tip-based nanolithography. The polarity dependence of the reduction is revealed with a threshold reduction bias of −6 V on the nano-scale tip. The best carrier mobilities up to now for holes and for electrons in reduced-graphene-oxide-based nano-scale transistors are about 5.6 cm2 V−1 s−1 and 3.2 cm2 V−1 s−1 at room temperature. Moreover, the tunable output and transport properties have been realized for the first time by the controlled nano-tip electrochemical reaction with different reduction nano-tip biases. These tunable electrical properties of graphene based transistors will be extended to develop various novel optoelectronic and microelectronic applications. It opens a possible way to mass production of a graphene oxide based device, representing a significant step forward for electrical applications.
LDPC-coded cooperative relay systems: performance analysis and code design

We treat the problem of designing low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes to approach the capacity of relay channels. We consider an efficient analysis framework that decouples the factor graph (FG) of a B-block transmission into successive partial FGs, each of which denotes a two-block transmission. We develop design methods to find the optimum code ensemble for the partial FG. In particular, we formulate the relay operations and the destination operations as equivalent virtual MISO and MIMO systems, and employ a binary symmetric channel (BSC) model for the relay node output. For AWGN channels, we further develop a Gaussian approximation for the detector output at the destination node. Jointly treating the relay and the destination, we analyze the performance of the LDPC-coded relay system using the extrinsic mutual information transfer(EXIT) chart technique. Furthermore, differential evolution is employed to search for the optimum code ensemble. Our results show that the optimized codes always outperform the regular LDPC codes with a significant gain; in the AWGN case, when Protocol-II is employed and the relay is close to the source, the optimized code performs within 0.1dB to the capacity bound.
Microstructural properties and local atomic structures of cobalt oxide nanoparticles synthesised by mechanical ball-milling process

Abstract In this study, facile preparation of pure and nano-sized cobalt oxides particles was achieved using low-cost mechanical ball-milling synthesis route. Microstructural and morphological properties of synthesised products were characterised by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. XRD results indicated that the fabricated samples composed of cubic pure phase CoO and Co3O4 nanocrystalline particles with an average crystallite size of 37.2 and 31.8 nm, respectively. TEM images showed that the resulting samples consisted of agglomerates of particles with average diameter of about 37.6 nm for CoO and 31.9 nm for Co3O4. Phase purity of the prepared samples was further investigated due to their promising technological applications. Local atomic structure properties of the prepared nanoparticles were probed using synchrotron radiation-based X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) including X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS). EXAFS data analysis further confirmed the formation of single-phase CoO and Co3O4 nanoparticles. In addition, structural properties of cobalt oxide nanoparticles were investigated by performing density functional theory calculations at B3LYP/TZVP level and Born–Oppenheimer molecular dynamics. Theoretical calculations for both prepared samples were found to be consistent with the experimental results derived from EXAFS analysis. Obtained results herein reveals that highly crystalline and pure phase CoO and Co3O4 nanoparticles can be synthesised using simple, inexpensive and eco-friendly ball-milling method for renewable energy applications involving fuel cells and water splitting devices.
Impact of Tobacco Quitlines on Smoking Cessation in Persons With Mental Illness: A Systematic Review

Persons with mental illness smoke at rates two to four times higher than do persons without mental illness and comprise 30.9% of the U.S. tobacco market. Given the prevalence of mental illness and the known detrimental effects of tobacco, concerted efforts are needed to promote the use of evidence-based treatment options. We conducted a systematic review of studies that examined the impact of tobacco quitline interventions in this population. Results revealed an overall positive impact of cessation services delivered via a tobacco quitline. More research is needed to determine intervention components and patient characteristics that are associated with cessation success.