Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A New Modulation Scheme for a Four-Level Single Flying Capacitor Converter

This article proposes a four-level single flying capacitor converter (4L-SFCC) topology along with a new modulation technique. The proposed four-level single flying capacitor converter (4L-SFCC) topology has only one flying capacitor in each phase. This results in no redundant switching states associated with each voltage levels, and thus conventional modulation techniques cannot fulfill the capacitor voltage balancing requirement. Therefore, a new modulation technique is also proposed in this article in which the average capacitor current is set to zero during each sampling time, resulting in no net capacitor voltage change and hence voltage balancing during each sampling period. The proposed modulation scheme does not significantly increase the switching frequency and has equal switching frequency for all semiconductor switches, which is an advantage in terms of equalized switching losses. Simulation results are used to further evaluate the performance of the proposed converter. A laboratory-type experimental setup is used to validate the theoretical results.
An investigation into the impact of career guidance on career choice of secondary students in Botswana

This is a qualitative study undertaken through a case study design. The study was carried out to investigate into the impact of career guidance on career choice of secondary students in Botswana. Data was collected from form 5 students, guidance & counselling teachers and principals at four (4) private senior secondary schools in Gaborone using a focus group interview, individual interviews and a qualitativequestionnaire. The study was inspired by the quest to understand the impact of career guidance and information provided in secondary in determining career choice of students in schools. The Systems Theory Framework (STF) was used as a guide the study. The findings reveal the absence of a robust career guidance programmes and practices in most of the schools. In schools with career guidance programmes, these were found wanting. Students show their awareness on subject combination and requirements for entry into higher institution in their responses. However, majority of the participants did not have enough career information as expected of students at their final stage of secondary education. The study concludes that due to the dynamic nature of career choice and planning process, career decision of students are influenced by various factors and that as such students need career guidance and information in order to make informed and wise decisions. Thus, in light of findings from this study we recommend that systematic guidance programmes which will adequately address the career needs of learners be developed and provided in schools.
Cosmological and astrophysical observables from field theory in curved backgrounds

The framework of effective field theory has provided valuable insights needed to understand the evolution of physical systems at different energy scales. In particular, when comparing the near-equilibrium phenomena at astrophysical scales with effects at cosmological distances. The objective of this thesis is to introduce useful tools for the evaluation of (a) the observational consistency of an effective field theory of gravity, and (b) the potential modifications of theories, equipped with diffeomorphism invariance. We calculate the evolution of gravitational observables relevant in early universe field configurations, and also in effective theories modified by contributions from higher curvature terms or semiclassical effects testable at astrophysical scales. To do so, we develop efficient numerical routines to resolve the dynamic two-point correlation functions of primordial fluctuations in inflationary and bouncing cosmologies, the accretion of scalar fields and spacetime curvature in modified gravity, and the evolution of scattering processes involving scalar and gravitational radiation. Additionally, we investigate the viability of defining gauge-invariant quantities in theories of gravity, where the canonical coordinates are deformed to incorporate extra degrees of freedom.
Applicable Solutions in Non-Linear Dynamical Systems

In ensembles of coupled oscillators, intrinsic fluctuations often enable nontrivial dynamics in seemingly simple situations. We investigate one of such effects on the example of two coupled FitzHugh-Nagumo oscillators subjected to external noise. At the considered parameter values, the unique global attractor of the deterministic system is the state of rest. Additive white noise of low or moderate intensity leads to the onset of transient bursting regime: series of intermittent bursts (patches of spikes), followed by the abrupt decay to the state of rest. Depending on the noise strength and the initial conditions, the number of bursts before the ultimate decay displays strong variations. Our numerical studies disclose that in the sufficiently large ensembles of realizations, the statistics of lifetimes for the transient bursting states follows the exponential distribution. The distribution slope (i.e. the mean duration of the bursting regime) depends on the noise intensity, being small for very weak noise and asymptotically diverging when the noise becomes stronger. Observations on the statistics of transient bursting regimes have been qualitatively and quantitatively confirmed by our experiments with the coupled analog electronic circuits, modeling the FitzHugh-Nagumo dynamics. We relate the exponential character of the distribution to the probability that the trajectory of the system, under the action of noise, escapes the local attraction basin of the state of rest.
Gut Microbiota Mediates the Protective Effects of Andrographolide Inhibits Inflammation and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease(NAFLD) in High-Fat Diet induced ApoE(-/-) Mice

Mechanisms relating the gut bacteria to Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) have been proposed containing the dysbiosis-induced dysregulation of hepatic lipid metabolism that allows for the translocation of microbial components and leads to hepatic inflammation and steatosis. Andrographolide (AG) regulates inflammation mediated by NF-κB pathway which also play a key role in reduction of inflammation and fibrosis in experimental nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), yet the mechanisms linking this effect to gut microbiota remain obscure. Here we show that ApoE knockout (Apoe -/-) mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) supplemented with AG regulates levels of biochemical index and inflammatory cytokines associated with gut microbe. Moreover, HEPG2 cells induced by ox-LDL were used as validation in vitro. H&E staining and Oil-Red staining were respectively used for tissue and cells morphology. Gut microbiota were examined by 16S rRNA sequencing. Expression of NF-κB, C/EBPβ and PPAR-γ in liver and HEPG2 cells were detected by western blot and qRT-PCR. The results showed, among others, that AG alleviate hepatic steatosis and fat content in HEPG2 cells, while it induced decreased levels of Bacteroides, and increased levels of Faecalibaculum, Akkermansia. We further identified that inhibition of NF-κB/C/EBPβ/PPAR-γ pathway of hepatic steatosis model in vivo and vitro by AG also contributes to prevention of HFD-induced inflammation and dislipidemia. Importantly, as result of pearson correlation, Bacteroides may be the most relevant one fundamentally involved in the mechanism of AG attenuates NAFLD. Together, our findings uncover an interaction between AG and gut microbiota as a novel mechanism for the anti-NAFLD effect of AG acting through prevention of microbial dysbiosis, dislipidemia and inflammation. Importance HFD due to gut microbial dysbiosis is a major contributor to the pathogenesis of dislipidemia and inflammation, which primarily mediates the development of NAFLD. A treatment strategy to reduce both dislipidemia and inflammation appears to be an effective approach for addressing the issue of NAFLD. Andrographolide (AG) is the major effect component in traditional Chinese medicine Chuan-xin-lian (Andrographis). Little is known about the role of gut microbiota in the anti-NAFLD effect of AG. 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that AG significantly decreased Bacteroides and increased Faecalibaculum, Akkermansia. By using vivo and vitro experiment, we prove that gut microbiota plays a key role in AG-induced protective against high-fat-diet-induced dislipidemia and inflammation. Moreover, NF-κB/C/EBPβ/PPAR-γ pathway inhibition was partially involved in the beneficial effect of AG. Together, these data suggest that the gut microbiome is a critical factor for the anti-NAFLD effects of AG.
The Evolution of Core Curriculum in Medical Schools

Medical education has undergone an evolution from passive, lecture-based learning environments to curricula that accentuate an active and dynamic system. Stemming from technological innovation, a greater amount of responsibility has been placed on students during clerkships and residency. In addition, a shift in USMLE assessment focuses on interpretation and application as compared to the former memorization-heavy approach. Therefore, learning has been modified to prepare students for the future medical landscape. Through the use of Team-Based, Problem-Based, and/or Case-Based Learning, medical students are taught to understand content rather than memorize it. The authors elucidate the rationale behind active learning and present a guide for medical educators to adopt this style of learning in every part of the undergraduate medical school training process. The Evolution of Core Curriculum in Medical Schools: From Passive to Active Learning
Systematic Coarse-Grained Models for Molecular Systems Using Entropy

The development of systematic coarse-grained mesoscopic models for complex molecular systems is an intense research area. Here we first give an overview of different methods for obtaining optimal parametrized coarse-grained models, starting from detailed atomistic representation for high dimensional molecular systems. We focus on methods based on information theory, such as relative entropy, showing that they provide parameterizations of coarse-grained models at equilibrium by minimizing a fitting functional over a parameter space. We also connect them with structural-based (inverse Boltzmann) and force matching methods. All the methods mentioned in principle are employed to approximate a many-body potential, the (n-body) potential of mean force, describing the equilibrium distribution of coarse-grained sites observed in simulations of atomically detailed models. We also present in a mathematically consistent way the entropy and force matching methods and their equivalence, which we derive for general nonlinear coarse-graining maps. We apply, and compare, the above-described methodologies in several molecular systems: A simple fluid (methane), water and a polymer (polyethylene) bulk system. Finally, for the latter we also provide reliable confidence intervals using a statistical analysis resampling technique, the bootstrap method.
The psychologisation conversation: An introduction

As part of this issue of Human Resource Management Journal , we present a collection of four articles that represent a conversation around the “psychologisation” of the human resource management (HRM) and employment relations (ER) fields of study. The first article is a provocation arguing “The case for psychology in human resource management research” co‐authored by Ashlea Troth and David Guest. This is followed by the first of two commentaries in response to this provocation, “The psychologisation of employment relations, alternative models of the employment relationship, and the OB turn” authored by John Budd. The second is authored by Bruce Kaufman and pronounces “The real problem: The deadly combination of psychologising, scientism, and normative promotionalism take strategic HRM down a thirty‐year dead end. ” The final article in this conversation is a short response by John Godard, “Psychologisation revisited,” responding to Troth and Guest as well as building from his original article “The psychologisation of employment relations? ” published in HRMJ in 2014 (volume 24, issue 1).
Effects of bulk viscosity in relativistic heavy ion collisions

Hirvonen, Henry Master’s thesis Department of Physics, University of Jyväskylä, 2019, 118 pages. In relativistic heavy ion collisions substance called quark-gluon plasma (QGP) is created. The Quark gluon plasma is a matter which consists from a weakly coupled quarks and gluons and it can only be created on extreme temperatures or pressures. After QGP cools down it experiences phase transition to the hadron gas. The evolution of QGP and hadron gas can be modeled using the relativistic hydrodynamics, which is effective theory describing dynamics of the fluids. In this thesis we are particularly interested about effects of the bulk viscosity in Pb+Pb collisions with √ sNN = 2.76 TeV. Initial state for hydrodynamic evolution was calculated using the EKRT-model and freeze-out was done using Cooper-Frye procedure. We found out that the bulk viscosity caused expansion of the system to slow down which evidently decreased average transverse momentum of the final state particles.
Clinical value of neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio in predicting postoperative complications, lymph node positivity and prognosis in gastric cancer patients who underwent curative surgical resection

Aim: In this study, we aimed to determine the clinical value of neutrophil / lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in predicting postoperative complications, lymph node positivity and prognosis in patients who underwent curative surgical resection. Material and Methods: Patients who underwent total gastrectomy for gastric adenocarcinoma between 2015 and 2018 were included in the study. Two groups, Group 1 (LowNLR) and Group 2 (HighNLR), were formed. Demographic and clinical characteristics, intraoperative and postoperative outcomes, and mean survival were compared. The value of NLR in predicting lymph node positivity and postoperative complications was evaluated at the cutoff value determined for NLR. Results: Patients were divided into two groups according to the cutoff value of 2.14. Group 1 consisted of 36 patients and Group 2 consisted of 68 patients. Female sex was higher in Group 2 (72% vs 52%) (p:0.41). Postoperative complication rates according to Clavien Dindo classification were similar (p:0.9). The number of dissected positive lymph nodes was higher in Group 2 than in Group 1 (9 vs 6) (p:0.041). Pathological stage (p:0.188), and overall survival (24.61vs21.12,p:0.206) were similar between the groups. We found NLR as a risk factor for survival in multivariate analysis (HR=0.255, 95%CI: 0.024–0.427, p:0.029). If the NLR value was less than 2.14, the patient had According to Clavien Dindo classification Grade 2 and above complications, with a sensitivity of 46.3% and specificity of 76.0%. A positive lymph node was detected with 44.26% sensitivity and 65.12% specificity. Conclusion: Preoperative high NLR is a risk factor for survival in patients with gastric cancer. High NLR is also closely associated with the risk of postoperative complications.
Mechanistic Modeling of Microtopographic Impacts on CO2 and CH4 Fluxes in an Alaskan Tundra Ecosystem Using the CLM‐Microbe Model

Spatial heterogeneities in soil hydrology have been confirmed as a key control on CO2 and CH4 fluxes in the Arctic tundra ecosystem. In this study, we applied a mechanistic ecosystem model, CLM‐Microbe, to examine the microtopographic impacts on CO2 and CH4 fluxes across seven landscape types in Utqiaġvik, Alaska: trough, low‐centered polygon (LCP) center, LCP transition, LCP rim, high‐centered polygon (HCP) center, HCP transition, and HCP rim. We first validated the CLM‐Microbe model against static‐chamber measured CO2 and CH4 fluxes in 2013 for three landscape types: trough, LCP center, and LCP rim. Model application showed that low‐elevation and thus wetter landscape types (i.e., trough, transitions, and LCP center) had larger CH4 emissions rates with greater seasonal variations than high‐elevation and drier landscape types (rims and HCP center). Sensitivity analysis indicated that substrate availability for methanogenesis (acetate, CO2 + H2) is the most important factor determining CH4 emission, and vegetation physiological properties largely affect the net ecosystem carbon exchange and ecosystem respiration in Arctic tundra ecosystems. Modeled CH4 emissions for different microtopographic features were upscaled to the eddy covariance (EC) domain with an area‐weighted approach before validation against EC‐measured CH4 fluxes. The model underestimated the EC‐measured CH4 flux by 20% and 25% at daily and hourly time steps, suggesting the importance of the time step in reporting CH4 flux. The strong microtopographic impacts on CO2 and CH4 fluxes call for a model‐data integration framework for better understanding and predicting carbon flux in the highly heterogeneous Arctic landscape.
A Case Study of Moral Disengagement on the Juvenile Sex Offenders

Abstract This study aims to explore the moral disengagement in juvenile sex offenders and how their social environment relates to moral disengagement. Cognitive processes have a role in encouraging adolescents to fornicate a girl. The theory of moral disengagement can explain why adolescents do sexual offenses. This research used a qualitative method of a case study. The number of participants was seven adolescents aged 16-18 years and had been found guilty of forcibly by the court. The interview method was used to collect the data. The results showed that the juvenile sex offenders used seven forms of moral disengagement of Bandura’s theory: moral justification, euphemistic labeling, displacement of responsibility, diffusion of responsibility, distortion of consequences, dehumanization, and attribution of blame. The result also showed that juvenile sex offenders used active avoidance to minimize their guilty feeling. This was a different form of early moral disengagement form of Bandura. The social environments identified in this research were the family condition, permissive environmental, peer group, pornographic exposure, lack of appreciation of religion, and the absence of adverse reaction from the victim. Keywords : moral disengagement, The juvenile sex offenders, social environment, case study
Brain breaks in elementary schools: A self-regulation intervention program

It is well-established in research that childhood is a critical stage of development when students are susceptible to anxiety symptoms and the onset of anxiety disorders, due to the neuroplasticity of the brain from the ages of 5 to 13 years old. This is concerning to educational staff in elementary schools because of the negative effects anxiety symptoms have on children’s learning processes, on their feelings of self-efficacy in coping with anxiety and on their wellbeing. Common strategies in education to intervene and foster optimal learning for children with anxiety have been through physical movement, relaxation or games-oriented brain breaks, but there have not been ones that combine mindfulness, breathing exercises, stretching and physical movement. The commonly used term ‘brain breaks’ in the proposed intervention merges mindfulness with physical movement and is referred to as mindful movement (MM), with yoga-like stretching and breathing exercises that follow, all with explicit self-regulation instruction. To a new and greater extent, this structured intervention, rooted in research and referred to as brain breaks, is designed to promote self-regulation skills for children to cope with their anxiety symptoms through a complete mindfulness strategy. The goal of this is to foster optimal learning, coping strategies and well-being for elementary children, regardless of the nature of individual anxiety symptoms.
Big Data Driven Marketing

The transformation of many areas of activity occurs during the economy digitalization. One of these popular areas of activity is marketing. Marketing is an integral part of any business. The main trend of the economy digitalization is Big Data or Data Science. The capacity of Big Data in marketing is tremendous because data are always generated and collected in real-time, and now the marketing industry can identify what the users buy, which goals, problems and interests they have. Business with these data can clearly define the effective advertising campaigns and sales channels, and also can get rid of the inefficient ones. The author gives the definition of Big Data, digital marketing, and Big Data Marketing in this article. The new concept of 5E interaction (result marketing) which processes will be based on knowledge acquired as a result of data analysis and not on marketers’ subjective assessments is reflected. The trends of digital marketing such as predictive marketing, marketing of visualization, and personalized one are highlighted. Finally, in conclusion, the author considers not only the possibilities of the new marketing era but also problems of Russian business encountered in dealing with digital marketing such as the problem of failure to use of Big Data, data centralization, data depersonalization, and also the problem of understanding of the Big Data possibilities by top-managers.
NeatSkin: A Discrete Impedance Tomography Skin Sensor

In this paper we present NeatSkin, a novel artificial skin sensor based on electrical impedance tomography. The key feature is a discrete network of fluidic channels which is used to infer the location of touch. Change in resistance of the conductive fluid within these channels during deformation is used to construct sensitivity maps. We present a method to simulate touch using this unique network-based, low output dimensionality approach. The efficacy is demonstrated by fabricating a NeatSkin sensor. This paves the way for the development of more complex channel networks and a higher resolution soft skin sensor with potential applications in soft robotics, wearable devices and safe human-robot interaction.
Average cost optimal control under weak ergodicity hypotheses: Relative value iterations.

We first study the well-posedness of Bellman equation, or what is commonly known as the average cost optimality equation, for the ergodic control problem for a controlled Markov chain in a Polish space with state-dependent action space which is not necessarily compact. We deviate from the usual approach which is based on the vanishing discount method and instead map the problem to an equivalent one for a controlled split chain. We employ a stochastic representation of the Poisson equation to derive the Bellman equation. Next, under suitable assumptions, we establish convergence results for the `relative value iteration' algorithm which computes the solution of the Bellman equation recursively. In addition, we present some results concerning the stability and asymptotic optimality of the associated rolling horizon policies.
Politicization and Polarization in Climate Change News Content, 1985-2017

Despite concerns about politicization and polarization in climate change news, previous work has not been able to offer evidence concerning long-term trends. Using computer-assisted content analyses of all climate change articles from major newspapers in the United States between 1985 and 2017, we find that media representations of climate change have become (a) increasingly politicized, whereby political actors are increasingly featured and scientific actors less so and (b) increasingly polarized, in that Democratic and Republican discourses are markedly different. These findings parallel trends in U.S. public opinion, pointing to these features of news coverage as polarizing influences on climate attitudes.