Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of transient states in step-down power converter (BUCK) in continuous and discontinuous conduction mode

The object of this paper is a step-down (BUCK) power converter working in the continuous conduction mode (CCM) or discontin- uous conduction mode (DCM). Two types of transient states in a converter have been analyzed and observed experimentally: slow transients, described by averaged models of a converter and fast transients, in the course of a single switching period. The averaged models of converter working in CCM, presented in various sources are similar, with some differences concerning only the description of parasitic effects. The averaged models for DCM depend on the adopted modeling method. Models obtained by the switch averaging approach are second-order models (containing two reactive elements in equivalent circuit representation). Models obtained by the separation of variables approach are first-order models. The experimental results given in this paper show the first-order type of transients. Another group of experiments concern fast transients in the course of a single switching period. The oscillations of inductor voltage in the part of a switching period are observed for DCM.
C6orf203 controls OXPHOS function through modulation of mitochondrial protein biosynthesis

Mitochondria are essential organelles present in the vast majority of eukaryotic cells. Their central function is to produce cellular energy through the OXPHOS system, and functional alterations provoke so-called mitochondrial OXPHOS diseases. It is estimated that several hundred mitochondrial proteins have unknown functions. Very recently, C6orf203 was described to participate in mitochondrial transcription under induced mitochondrial DNA depletion stress conditions. Here, we describe another role for C6orf203, specifically in OXPHOS biogenesis under regular culture conditions. HEK293T C6orf203-Knockout (KO) cells generated by CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing showed both reduced grow in galactose, as a carbon source, and in their oxygen consumption capability, strongly suggesting an OXPHOS dysfunction. C6orf203-KO also provoked a depletion of OXPHOS proteins and decreased the activity of the mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes. C6orf203 was present in high molecular weight complexes compatible with mitoribosomes, and in vivo labelling of de novo mitochondrial proteins synthesis revealed that C6orf203-KO severely but not completely affected the translation of mitochondrial mRNAs. Taken together, we describe herein a new function for C6orf203, making it a potential OXPHOS disease-related candidate.
SNP-based quantitative deconvolution of biological mixtures: application to the detection of cows with subclinical mastitis by whole-genome sequencing of tank milk

Biological products of importance in food (f.i. milk) and medical (f.i. donor blood derived products) sciences often correspond to mixtures of samples contributed by multiple individuals. Identifying which individuals contributed to the mixture and in what proportions may be of interest in several circumstances. We herein present a method that allows to do this by shallow whole genome sequencing of the DNA in mixed samples from hundreds of donors. We demonstrate the efficacy of the approach for the detection of cows with subclinical mastitis by analysis of farms’ tank mixtures containing milk from as many as 500 cows.
Bayesian Network Expert System for Early Diagnosis of Heart Diseases

Heart disease is a deadly disease in the world. Some countries that have a high risk of death are America, Australia and England. It is difficult for a person do a medical checkup not only because of the financial matter but also because they don't care about it. This study is to help people on early diagnose to the risk of heart disease. Expert System is used as the basis of this study which is using Bayesian Network algorithms with datasets from previous studies conducted in Europe. The objective of this research are (1) to design knowledge base, inference engine with Bayesian network for early diagnose of heart diseases, (2) to develop web-based system that help people to get early diagnose of risk heart disease. This study was conducted by the help of a heart disease specialist and internist that helps validate the dataset and the results of research through application testing detection of heart disease risk. This result is consistent with the analysis that can be used by physicians and public. Index Terms—expert system, Bayesian network, heart disease, early diagnose.
Kuwait Corporate Characteristics and Level of Risk Disclosure: A Content Analysis Approach

This study investigated the association between spe cific corporate characteristics - mainly company size, leverage, li quidity, profitability, complexity, auditor type, and industry type - and c orporate risk disclosure (CRD) in the annual reports for a sample of 109 Kuwaiti listed non-financial companies. A manual content analysis approach was used to measure risk disclosure by counting the number of risk-related s entences in annual reports. A multivariate regression analysis was employed to test the association between risk disclosure and the corporate-specific characteristics. The results indicated that the total sentences of risk disclosu re were 1,461 sentences with a mean 19.87. The quantity of risk disclosures for all categories of risks was very limited. The findings showed that the CRD is a ssociated positively with size, liquidity, complexity and auditor type. In ad dition, the results indicated significant differences among industries. However, the findings also showed that the association between CRD and other corporat e-specific characteristics (leverage and profitability) is insignificant. This study concluded that the findings are also consistent with both agency and s ignaling theories.
A General Equilibrium and Preference Free Model for Pricing Options Under Transformed Gamma Distribution

The gamma class of distributions encompasses several important distributions, either as special or limiting cases or through simple transformations. Here we derived closed form and preference free European option pricing formulae for various (transformed) gamma distributions under the general equilibrium RNVR framework. The gamma class of distributions is used historically in hydrology for modelling natural events. Our models can be used to price derivatives associated with these natural phenomena, which will help to encourage greater risk sharing through financial securitization. Our pricing formulae are theoretically sound even if the underlyings and the derivative instruments are not (frequently) traded. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 30:409–431, 2010
Adaptations and maladaptations to island living in the Seychelles Warbler

The Seychelles Warbler (Acrocephalus sechellensis) was an endangered endemic of the Seychelles islands where, until 1988, the entire population of ca. 320 birds was restricted to the one island of Cousin Island (29 ha). Although warblers can breed independently in their first year, some individuals remain in their natal territory as subordinates, and often help by providing nourishment to non-descendent offspring. The frequency of helping is affected by habitat saturation, variation in territory quality (insect prey availability), and the genetic relatedness between the helper and the offspring. Helping results in indirect benefits from enhancing the reproductive success of close relatives, and direct benefits as improved parental skills and the acquisition of parentage. The overall helping benefits are higher for daughters than for sons, and it is therefore no wonder that most helpers are daughters from previous broods. Furthermore, on low-quality territories breeding pairs raising sons gain higher fitness benefits than by raising daughters, and vice versa on high-quality territories. Female breeders adaptively modify the sex of their single-egg clutches according to territory quality: male eggs on low quality and female eggs on high quality. However, despite the saturated nature of the Cousin population, the possibility of obtaining higher reproductive success on new nearby island, and a well developed flight apparatus, inter-island dispersal by Seychelles Warblers is extremely rare. The Seychelles Warbler is a beautiful example of behavioural and life history adaptations and maladaptations to restricted circumstances.
Effect of steaming on the functional compounds and antioxidant activity of Fijian taro (Colocasia esculenta L. Schott) corms

We investigated the effects of steaming Fijian taro (Colocasia esculenta L. Schott) corms on their functional compound contents and antioxidant activities by comparison with those of un-steamed Fijian taro corms. Taro corms from Fiji were washed, peeled, cut, then either steamed or left un-steamed, and freeze-dried. Ten gram of each freeze-dried taro corm sample was extracted with water, methanol, and ethanol. The total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) of the taro corms were determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu’s colorimetric and the aluminum chloride colorimetric methods, respectively. The antioxidant activity was determined using the 2,2-diphenyl1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity. The water-extracted steamed Fijian taro corm showed the greatest extraction yield of 11.58±1.20%, whereas the ethanol-extracted un-steamed Fijian taro corm exhibited the lowest extraction yield of 4.24±0.77%. The TPC (42.77±3.39 mg gallic acid equivalents/g dry weight) and TFC (12.68±4.85 mg catechin equivalents/g dry weight) of the methanol-extracted steamed Fijian taro corms were significantly larger than those of the other extracts (p<0.05). The steamed Fijian taro corms extracted with methanol significantly demonstrated greatest activities in DPPH radical scavenging activity (34.82±2.91%), FRAP (339.08±20.50 mM Trolox equivalents), and ABTS radical scavenging activity (56.34±3.54%) (p<0.05). This study provides the basis for developing a healthy snack food based on steamed Fijian taro.
Optimal Design of Magnetorheological Fluid Damper Based on Response Surface Method

A B S T R A C T In this research, the effect of shape parameters such as number of magnet wire turns, spools, thickness of the gap, and pole length in a Magnetorheological (MR) fluid damper is analytically investigated and the optimization of these parameters is done with response surface method (RSM) which is combined Neuro-Fuzzy method and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm. Since the electromagnetic and mechanical components of a Magnetorheological (MR) fluid damper have a direct effect on the electrical power consumption, time delay, and damped force that are considered as objective functions. Because of the nonlinear behavior of the components, a robust approach is needed to predict their reactions; therefore, Neuro-Fuzzy is utilized to generate a high accurate surface and PSO finds the optimum solution base on the surface. The sensitive analysis is also performed to examine the variation of the objective functions with various input parameters. In this process, the best parameters are obtained by overtaking the appropriate value of the objective functions. The results demonstrate that the optimum MR damper has provided the best configurations, so that damps a maximum force in minimum time and lowest power consumption. On the other hand, the amplitude of vibrations is significantly decreased in the presence of the optimized MR damper. doi: 10.5829/idosi.ije. 2015.28. 09c.14
Evaluation of Teratogenicity Indian Medicine Formulations Nilavembu Kudineer and Mathulai Manapagu using Zebrafish Model

A teratogen is a drug or other substance capable of damaging the DNA and interfering with the development of an embryo and it may lead to birth defects or developmental malformations. The present study is carried out to evaluate the Indian Medicines Nilavembu Kudineer and Madulai Manapagu. In Siddha system, Nilavembu Kudineer is given to treat Dengue fever whereas Madulai Manapagu is to improve the hemoglobin content and the management of hormonal imbalance in women. The results exemplified the overall percentage mortality, hatchability, and deformities were observed as low in Madulai Manapagu than Nilavembu Kudineer. The teratogenic index of Nilavembu Kudineer is higher than 1 (1.33), whereas LC50 EC50 values were observed as 80 μg/ ml and 60 μg/ml respectively. Hence, Nilavembu Kudineer is considered as teratogenic when compared to Madulai Manapagu.
An integrated population model for estimating the relative effects of natural and anthropogenic factors on a threatened population of Pacific trout

Assessing the degree to which at-risk species are regulated by density dependent versus density independent factors is often complicated by incomplete or biased information. If not addressed in an appropriate manner, errors in the data can affect estimates of population demographics, which may obfuscate the anticipated response of the population to a specific action. We developed a Bayesian integrated population model that accounts explicitly for interannual variability in the number of reproducing adults and their age structure, harvest, and environmental conditions. We apply the model to 41 years of data for a population of threatened steelhead trout Oncorhynchus mykiss using freshwater flows, ocean indices, and releases of hatchery-born conspecifics as covariates. We found compelling evidence that the population is under strong density dependence, despite being well below its historical population size. In the freshwater portion of the lifecycle, we found a negative relationship between productivity (offspring per parent) and peak winter flows, and a positive relationship with summer flows. We also found a negative relationship between productivity and releases of hatchery conspecifics. In the marine portion of the lifecycle, we found a positive correlation between productivity and the North Pacific Gyre Oscillation. Furthermore, harvest rates on wild fish have been sufficiently low to ensure very little risk of overfishing. Synthesis and applications. The evidence for density dependent population regulation, combined with the substantial loss of juvenile rearing habitat in this river basin, suggests that habitat restoration could benefit this population of at-risk steelhead. Our results also imply that hatchery programs for steelhead need to be considered carefully with respect to habitat availability and recovery goals for wild steelhead. If releases of hatchery steelhead have indeed limited the production potential of wild steelhead, there are likely significant tradeoffs between providing harvest opportunities via hatchery steelhead production, and achieving wild steelhead recovery goals.
Confinement-induced resonance in quasi-one-dimensional systems under transversely anisotropic confinement

We theoretically investigate the confinement-induced resonance for quasi-one-dimensional quantum systems under transversely anisotropic confinement, using a two-body s-wave-scattering model in the zero-energy collision limit. We predict a single resonance for any transverse anisotropy, whose position shows a slight downshift with increasing anisotropy. We compare our prediction with the recent experimental result by Haller et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 104, 153203 (2010)], in which two resonances are observed in the presence of transverse anisotropy. The discrepancy between theory and experiment remains to be resolved.
AtPR5K2, a PR5-Like Receptor Kinase, Modulates Plant Responses to Drought Stress by Phosphorylating Protein Phosphatase 2Cs

Cell surface receptors perceive signals from the environment and transfer them to the interior of the cell. The Arabidopsis thaliana PR5 receptor-like kinase (AtPR5K) subfamily consists of three members with extracellular domains that share sequence similarity with the PR5 proteins. In this study, we characterized the role of AtPR5K2 in plant drought-stress signaling. AtPR5K2 is predominantly expressed in leaves and localized to the plasma membrane. The atpr5k2-1 mutant showed tolerance to dehydration stress, while AtPR5K2-overexpressing plants was hypersensitive to drought. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays showed that AtPR5K2 physically interacted with the type 2C protein phosphatases ABA-insensitive 1 (ABI1) and ABI2 and the SNF1-related protein kinase 2 (SnRK2.6) proteins, all of which are involved in the initiation of abscisic acid (ABA) signaling; however, these interactions were inhibited by treatments of exogenous ABA. Moreover, AtPR5K2 was found to phosphorylate ABI1 and ABI2, but not SnRK2.6. Taken together, these results suggest that AtPR5K2 participates in ABA-dependent drought-stress signaling through the phosphorylation of ABI1 and ABI2.
Effect of exogenously application selected phytohormonal substances on the physiological and morphological indicators of Philadelphus x hybrid in containers

JONAS, M. , SALAS, P., BALTAZAR, T. : Eff ect of exogenously application selected phytohormonal substances on the physiological and morphological indicators of Philadelphus x hybrid in containers. Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun. , 2012, LX, No. 8, pp. 109–118 The experiment was established in order to eliminate the eff ect of stress factors acting on woody plants cultivated in containers. The timber Philadelphus x hybrid ’Mont Blanc’. The timber was in 1.5 l containers. The experiment was evaluated eff ect of exogenouse application of phytohormonal substances on select physiological indicators (stomatal conductance, chlorophyll fl uorescence and chlorophyll content), were measured three times during the vegetation. Morphological indicators (diameter of root neck, total length of shoots and number of shoots), were evaluated at the end of vegetation. Phytohormones aff ecting the impact of stress on plants were used for the purpose. Abscisic acid, 24- epibrassinolid, kinetin and spermine were applied by spraying the leaf in three concentrations (0.01 mg.l −1 , 0.1 mg.l −1 a 1 mg.l −1 ). In the results were found highly signifi cant diff erences compared to controls with other variants, especially in the evaluation of physiological parameters. The most signifi cant infl uence on the stomatal conductance was observed in the variants treated with abscisic acid. Application 24- epibrassinolid signifi cantly increased the chlorophyll content in comparison with control variant. Morphological parameters reached the best results in variants treated with 24- epibrassinolid and spermine. abiotic stress, phytohormones, Philadelphus x hybrid, physiological indicators, morphological indicators
Intellectual Capital Disclosures in IPO Prospectuses of Indian Companies

The study is based on companies that went through IPO on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and/or National Stock Exchange in the period 2011-2012. The paper applied a disclosure index comprising of 78 items to quantify the amount of information regarding intellectual capital included in the IPO prospectuses of Indian companies. The sum of disclosed score is divided by 78 to arrive at the index. For disclosure index content analysis is used. Multiple regression model and Correlation is used to examine the significance and association between disclosure index with independent variables. The main objective of this paper is to study the extent of intellectual capital disclosures in Initial Public offering (IPO) prospectus of Indian companies and also to examine the factors that influence the intellectual capital disclosure. The regression results reveal that of all the independent variables studied i.e. Board size Board independence Size Age Leverage Managerial ownership and Industry differences; Intellectual capital disclosure is influenced by industry differences. India is considered as knowledge economy and has highest contribution in gross domestic product from services sector wherein intellectual capital plays the most important role. As regards intellectual capital the studies have been insufficient. To our knowledge this is the first research on intellectual capital disclosures in IPO prospectuses of Indian companies. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3126/ijssm.v2i1. 11685 Int. J. Soc. Sci. Manage. Vol-2, issue-1: 40-51
Viewpoint special issue: the role of seed dispersal in plant populations: perspectives and advances in a changing world Advancing an interdisciplinary framework to study seed dispersal ecology

Although dispersal is generally viewed as a crucial determinant for the fitness of any organism, our understanding of its role in the persistence and spread of plant populations remains incomplete. Generalizing and predicting dispersal processes are challenging due to context dependence of seed dispersal, environmental heterogeneity and interdependent processes occurring over multiple spatial and temporal scales. Current population models often use simple phenomenological descriptions of dispersal processes, limiting their ability to examine the role of population persistence and spread, especially under global change. To move seed dispersal ecology forward, we need to evaluate the impact of any single seed dispersal event within the full spatial and temporal context of a plant’s life history and environmental variability that ultimately influences a population’s ability to persist and spread. In this perspective, we provide guidance on integrating empirical and theoretical approaches that account for the context dependency of seed dispersal to improve our ability to generalize and predict the consequences of dispersal, and its anthropogenic alteration, across systems. We synthesize suitable theoretical frameworks for this work and discuss concepts, approaches and available data from diverse subdisciplines to help operationalize concepts, highlight recent breakthroughs across research areas and discuss ongoing challenges and open questions. We address knowledge gaps in the movement ecology of seeds and the integration of dispersal and demography that could benefit from such a synthesis. With an interdisciplinary perspective, we will be able to better understand how global change will impact seed dispersal processes, and potential cascading effects on plant population persistence, spread and differing empirical and modelling approaches used to quantify dispersal and estimate the impacts of dispersal. We suggest that studies combining multiple approaches are likely to provide greater insight into dispersal dynamics.
Assessing Population Responses to Climate in Pinus sylvestris and Larix spp. of Eurasia with Climate-Transfer Models

Weibull regression models were used to relate height and survival of Eurasian populations of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) at age 13 and three species of larch (L. sukaczewii Dylis, L. sibirica Ledeb., and L. gmelinii (Rupr.) Rupr. ) at age 12 to the difference in climate between their provenance and a planting site. Univariate models using five climate variables as predictors all were statistically significant (p < 0.01), and all but the pine survival functions received strong verification with independent data. The models showed that the growth and survival of most populations of the pine and each species of larch are enhanced when populations are transferred from their provenance to warmer climates. The results are consistent with the view that most populations occur in climates that are suboptimal, the degree of which is directly related to the severity of the climate. Because of this, projected responses to a climate-change scenario of the Hadley Centre were highly variable geographically. Short-term plastic responses tended to be strongly negative for the least severe climates and strongly positive for the most severe. Long-term evolutionary responses primarily reflected extirpation and immigration for the species of larch but showed additionally for the pine that the accommodation of global warming will require a redistribution of genotypes throughout the species' range.