Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Broadband property and time‐domain application of general transmission‐line equations on microstrip low‐pass filter

General transmission‐line equations based on the theory of differential equations [1] were introduced in [2] and [3]. The equations' dispersion characteristic of a microstrip low‐pass filter is studied. The parameters L, C, α, and β of general transmission‐line equations are found to be almost invariant to frequency in the passband of the microstrip low‐pass filter. By restoring current and voltage distributions with the use of equations in both frequency and time domains, the broadband property of these equations on the microstrip low‐pass filter is evident. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 33: 123–126, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.10250
Subfertility in young male mice mutant for chromatin remodeler CECR2.

Defects in spermatogenesis are an important cause of male infertility. Multiple aspects of spermatogenesis are controlled by chromatin remodelers, including regulating transcription. We previously described mutations in chromatin remodeling gene Cecr2 that resulted in the lethal neural tube defect exencephaly in most mutant mice, and subfertility in mice that were non-penetrant for exencephaly. Here, we show that the severity of male subfertility is dependent on age. Cecr2GT/Del males contain two mutant alleles, one of which is hypomorphic and therefore produces a small amount of protein. These males sire the fewest pups just after sexual maturity (88% fewer than Cecr2+/+ at P42-60) but improve with age (49% fewer than Cecr2+/+ at P81-100), although never completely recovering to Cecr2+/+ (wild type) levels. When young, they also have defects in testis histology, in vivo fertilization frequency, sperm number and motility, and testis weight that show similar improvement with age. Immunostaining of staged seminiferous tubules showed CECR2 in type A, In and B spermatogonia, and less in preleptotene and leptotene spermatocytes. Histological defects were first apparent in Cecr2GT/Del testes at P24, and RNA-seq analysis revealed 387 differentially expressed genes. This included 66 genes on the X chromosome (almost double the number on any other chromosome), all more highly expressed in Cecr2GT/Del testes. This inappropriate expression of X chromosome genes could be caused by a failure of effective meiotic sex chromosome inactivation. We identify several abnormally expressed genes that may contribute to defects in spermatogenesis at P24. Our results support a role for Cecr2 in juvenile spermatogenesis.
Modeling, Simulation and Monitoring of Electrical Contacts Temperature in Railway Electric Traction

The paper presents a mathematical modeling approach to determine the permanent regime temperature of an electric contact found in the supply system of the railway electric traction. Mathematical modeling is a basic procedure in the preliminary determination of parameters of interest in various fields of scientific analysis. The numerical modeling method used for determining the electric contact temperature represents the base for developing a finite-element thermal model. The simulation of the electric contact was verified by an experimental infrared investigation of an electric contact realized on a realistic laboratory setup. The results interpretation reveals a good synchronization between the calculated, simulated and measured temperatures.
Stability analysis of concrete block retaining wall based on a scaled laboratory

A concrete block retaining wall is supported by its weight. This block retaining wall structure has some advantages, including lower construction costs, a water-permeable construction that produces less water pressure behind the wall, and a more flexible construction because it can follow the ground's contours. Rankine's theory is usually used to design this block retaining wall. According to this theory, the failure pattern behind the wall forms an angle of 450 + • /2 with the horizontal plane. The laboratory tests indicate that the pattern of failure or the pattern of sand movement behind the wall is similar to the letter S. From the sandy soil of failure pattern curve, look for a functional equation approximating the pattern. The equation of the function obtained is an equation of the third-order function. An analysis of the sliding, overturning, and overall stability block retaining wall is based on this equation of the cube function. Analysis for overall stability using the method of slices, dividing the failure area by several slices. These function equation order three is needed to get the area and length failure.
Strategies for overcoming technological barriers to the increased use of magnesium in cars

Abstract The research strategy followed at Volkswagen to increase the use of magnesium in cars includes new fields of application for the metal. The introduction of already developed and potential future magnesium components into the vehicle modules drive train, interior, body and chassis is described and analysed according to the time-frame and likelihood of realization. Research and development projects are discussed and the need for additional alloys with optimized properties is explained. Results of casting campaigns with the new family of creep-resistant Mg-alloys (MRI 15X) are presented.
Implementation of Tuned Vibration Absorbers for Above Ground Pipeline Vibration Control

An overview of recent developments of tuned vibration absorbers (TVAs) for vibration suppression is presented. The paper summarizes some popular theory for analysis and optimal tuning of these devices, discusses various design configurations, and reviews the recent application of TVAs to control wind-induced oscillations of pipelines above the Arctic Circle. Although the wind-induced pipeline vibrations are relatively small, the accumulation of vibration cycles can cause fatigue at pipeline joints. The TVAs used in this application have reduced the RMS displacements of the pipeline by as much as a factor of seven. Additionally, the paper introduces a new overhead TVA installation on the pipeline for accommodating environmental considerations.
Host specificity and the reproductive strategies of parasites

Abstract Abstract Environmental stability can have profound impacts on life history trait evolution in organisms, especially with respect to development and reproduction. In theory, free-living species, when subjected to relatively stable and predictable conditions over many generations, should evolve narrow niche breadths and become more specialized. In parasitic organisms, this level of specialization is reflected by their host specificity. Here, we tested how host specificity impacts the reproductive strategies of parasites, a subject seldomly addressed for this group. Through an extensive review of the literature, we collated a worldwide dataset to predict, through Bayesian multilevel modelling, the effect of host specificity on the reproductive strategies of parasitic copepods of fishes or corals. We found that copepods of fishes with low host specificity (generalists) invest more into reproductive output with larger clutch sizes, whereas generalist copepods of corals invest less into reproductive output with smaller clutch sizes. The differences in host turnover rates through an evolutionary timescale could explain the contrasting strategies across species observed here, which should still favour the odds of parasites encountering and infecting a host. Ultimately, the differences found in this study reflect the unique evolutionary history that parasites share both intrinsically and extrinsically with their hosts.
SURVEY OF NORTH AMERICAN PORTLAND CEMENTS: 1994

A survey of portland cements marketed in North America was conducted in 1994 by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). The primary purpose of the survey was to acquire new data on cement characteristics and to aid in evaluating standard development needs. The survey includes 387 different cements, with cements from 136 of the 140 cement-producing facilities in the United States and Canada plus several foreign cements from import terminals. The data show that modern cements differ from those produced in the 1950s, with differences in compositional and physical characteristics clearly in evidence. While an overall classification into five basic types is still applicable, the conceptual definitions of those types have changed from previous surveys, and there now are numerous subtypes not previously given officially recognized status. This snapshot of modern cement characteristics should assist ASTM committees in their development of standards relating to portland cement and should provide a basis for consideration of many topics relating to hydraulic cements.
Pedagogical Conditions of Conflict Management Readiness Formation of Border Guard Officers

The article is dedicated to the research of the problem of forming conflict management readiness of future border guard officers. The concept "conflict management readiness of future border guards" has been defined. The structure of conflict management readiness of a border guard officer has been determined, which consists of motivational, operational and predictive components. The main criteria for assessing the motivational component of conflict readiness are motivational and regulatory, for operational - cognitive and operational, for predictive component - communicative and prognostic. The study proves that formation of conflict management readiness of future border guard officers is effective if the educational process at a higher military educational institution encompasses the following pedagogical conditions: creation of a favorable socio-psychological climate for the development of the experience of constructive resolution of conflict situations; the use of incentive measures to develop cadets' motivation for constructive resolution of conflict situations; enrichment of the content of professional training of future border guard officers with special knowledge about the nature, structure, functions of conflicts and mechanisms for their prevention and resolution; gradual acquisition by cadets of knowledge and skills of conflict management; ensuring a high level of psychological and pedagogical competence of teaching staff and leaders of training units of higher military educational institutions. Based on the Sectoral Qualification Framework for border guarding in European Union and Common Core Curriculum for training European border guards was developed a curriculum of the training course "Conflict Management in a Border Guard Unit" at the National academy of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine named after Bohdan Khmelnytskyi. The results of the pedagogical experiment showed effectiveness of the defined pedagogical conditions to form conflict management readiness of future border guard officers. The distribution of cadets by levels of conflict management readiness formation in experimental groups at the end of the forming experiment is characterized by a decrease in the number of cadets with a low level (from 48.81% to 21.01%), as well as an increase in the number of future officers with a high level of conflict management readiness formation (from 4,76% to 26,19%). As for the control group, there were less significant changes regarding the level of conflict management readiness formation.
RoboCupRescue - Robot League Team Team Savior Sphere, RFC Uppsala (Sweden)

Savior Sphere is a semi-autonomous robot system based on an innovative spherical design. During one semester, twelve students have developed a wireless robot system for solving rescue tasks. The robot operates in disaster areas as a reconnaissance unit to explore an unknown and unsafe environment. Thanks to its spherical polycarbonated shell, the robot is able to sustain impact and does not get tangled in loose objects. An operator views a live video feed from the robot. At the same time the operator is presented with an automatically generated map of the surrounding area with indications of possible victims. This is accomplished by automatic fusion of data from dead reckoning, infrared, ultrasonic, CO2 and pyro-electric sensors. The locomotion system uses a pendulum which changes the center of gravity. To make the movement smooth, an automatic control system and predefined advanced maneuvers developed by reinforcement learning are used.
Antioxidant Activities of Eremurus spectabilis M. Bieb. Extracts and Sulfur Compounds

Objective: Eremurus spectabilis M. Bieb. is grown in East and Southeast Mediterranean regions of Turkey, and is commonly used as an edible plant in these regions. The aim of the current study was to determine the antioxidant activities of different E. spectabilis M. Bieb. extracts and some sulfur compounds. Materials and Methods: In this study, the antioxidant activities of aqueous, ethanolic, and ethyl acetate extracts of E. spectabilis M. Bieb. and sulfur compounds (α-lipoic acid, cysteamine, cysteine, diallyl sulfide, glutathione, homocysteine, N-acetyl cysteine, vitamin U and 1,4-dithioerythritol) were assessed in several antioxidant tests. These tests included reducing power, cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity, 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging, N,N-dimethyl-4-phenylenediamine dihydrochloride radical scavenging, superoxide anion radical scavenging, hydroxyl radical scavenging, metal chelating activities and ferric ion reducing antioxidant power. The phytochemical profiles and total phenolic and flavonoid contents of all extracts were investigated. Results: It was found out that the antioxidant activities of all the extracts and sulfur compounds generally increased with concentration increases, the highest antioxidant activity was found in ethyl acetate extract, while the aqueous extract was found to have the lowest antioxidant activity. Diallyl sulfide was found to have the highest antioxidant activity, whereas vitamin U had the lowest antioxidant activity. It was observed that all extracts of E. spectabilis M. Bieb. and the sulfur compounds showed antioxidant activity. Conclusion: The E. spectabilis M. Bieb. and sulfur compounds investigated in this study could be considered as a source of antioxidants.
The Role of Dreams of Ads and Exposure to Ads on Purchase Intention with The Moderation Effect of Price

This study examines dream of ads and exposure to ads on purchase intention, moderated by Price, and Dreams of Ads as mediating variables. This study aims to explore the relationship between these variables to provide additional information in marketing science and to provide information in the field of marketing in creating managerial strategies for companies. The respondents of this research are individuals who have dreamed of their dream products in Indonesia. The analysis test of this research used the method of the Structural Equation Model (SEM). The total sample in this study was 180 respondents. This study shows a positive influence between Exposure to Ads on Dreams of Ads, Dream of Ads on Purchase Intentions, Exposure to Ads on Purchase Intentions, and the moderating role of Price. However, the mediating part of Dreams of Ads between Exposure to Ads and Purchase Intention does not have a significant relationship. The implication of this research is to provide managerial advice to companies in making advertisements that follow the dreams of the company's target market.
LevelMind@JC: Development and evaluation of a community early intervention program for young people in Hong Kong

Hong Kong's existing mental health services are inadequate in addressing young people's needs. The LevelMind@JC project established an early intervention platform of community‐based youth‐specific mental health centres involving youth workers, cross‐disciplinary professionals, and young people. The project intends to (1) pilot a community platform that incorporates a youth‐friendly early screening tool with preventative intervention capabilities, (2) set up a state‐of‐the‐art training system for youth mental health workers, (3) establish a community clinical support team and (4) develop a timely evaluation system to monitor the service and evaluate its outcome and cost‐effectiveness against generic youth services.
EFFECT OF PACLOBUTRAZOL AND POTASSIUM NITRATE ON LEAVES NUTRIONAL STATUS OF EWAIS AND SIDIK MANGO TREES 1- CARBOHYDRATES AND NITROGEN

Paclobutrazol and potassium nitrate were applied for two seasons (2002 and 2003) on Ewais and Sidik mango cultivars to evaluate their effect on leaves content of nitrogen, carbohydrates and C/N ratio. Trees were sprayed with potassium nitrate in October at 1, 2 and 4 % in the two seasons , meanwhile pacloputrazol was used only in the first season as a soil drench at 2.5, 5 and 7.5 g per tree. The treatments were carried out on “on year” trees in the first season. KNO3 and PBZ increased leaves carbohydrates content of both Ewais and Sidik mango cultivars and there was a direct relationship between the used concentrations and this content. Using PBZ at 7.5 g per tree and KNO3 at 4% significantly increase carbohydrates content in the leaves for both tested cultivars. Regardless of treatments the leaves total carbohydrates content increased significantly during Nov. and Dec. as it reached their maximum level, then it decreased sharply from Jan. to Feb. and increased again in Mar. Increasing KNO3 and PBZ concentration increased leaves nitrogen content. The application of PBZ at 7.5 g per tree and KNO3 at 4% significantly increased this content compared to the control. The highest leaves nitrogen content was recorded in Nov. with PBZ at 7.5 g per tree and KNO3 at 4%, then gradually decreased and attained the lowest level in Jan. and Feb., afterwards an increase occurred during March. C/N ratio was significantly increased with the application of KNO3 and PBZ at all tested concentrations, except low levels of PBZ on Sidik cv. at the second season. There was a direct relationship between the used concentration and this ratio.
Design of stable, causal 2-D digital filters using real coefficient 2-D all-pass building blocks

Presented here is a method for the design of 2-D causal quarter-plane recursive digital filters with real coefficients and arbitrary magnitude with/without linear phase characteristics, by using all-pass building blocks. It is shown that in general, cascades of sum or difference of two 2-D all-pass filters with appropriate delay elements are required to guarantee the arbitrary shape of the cutoff boundary of the desired filters. To design a 2-D filter satisfying given specifications the binary parameters of the cascaded all-pass structure are adapted from the given table, and the coefficients of the 2-D all-pass filters are obtained via an iterative technique by using a nonlinear optimization method. Design examples are given to illustrate the usefulness of the proposed technique.
Using emergent outcome controls to manage dynamic software development

Control and flexibility may appear an unlikely pair. However, I propose that effective management of dynamic environments, such as systems development under conditions of uncertainty, must still provide clear control mechanisms to manage the progress and quality of the resulting products. This dissertation presents research to understand the types of control used in the context of flexible software development processes. The dynamic capabilities extension to the resource-based view of the firm is used to understand dynamic environments. Within those environments, control theory is used to understand how activities are guided and controlled to achieve management objectives. Specifically, control theory acts as a lens to contrast the control mechanisms found in plan-driven and flexible processes. I extend current thinking to include emergent outcome controls for team coordination in a taxonomy of control mechanisms. These phenomena are studied through a qualitative field study. The results show that organizations will choose more flexible management approaches as uncertainty increases, and that more controlled-flexible approaches managed with emergent outcome controls will lead to better outcomes than uncontrolled, ad hoc approaches.
Heparan sulfate 3-O-sulfotransferase 4 is genetically associated with herpes zoster and enhances varicella-zoster virus–mediated fusogenic activity

Acute pain that is associated with herpes zoster (HZ) can become long-lasting neuropathic pain, known as chronic post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), especially in the elderly. HZ is caused by the reactivation of latent varicella-zoster virus (VZV), whereas PHN is not attributed to ongoing viral replication. Although VZV infection reportedly induces neuronal cell fusion in humans, the pathogenesis of PHN is not fully understood. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) revealed significant associations between PHN and the rs12596324 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the heparan sulfate 3-O-sulfotransferase 4 (HS3ST4) gene in a previous study. To further examine whether this SNP is associated with both PHN and VZV reactivation, associations between rs12596324 and a history of HZ were statistically analyzed using GWAS data. HZ was significantly associated with the rs12596324 SNP of HS3ST4, indicating that HS3ST4 is related to viral replication. We investigated the influence of HS3ST4 expression on VZV infection in cultured cells. Fusogenic activity after VZV infection was enhanced in cells with HS3ST4 expression by microscopy. To quantitatively evaluate the fusogenic activity, we applied cytotoxicity assay and revealed that HS3ST4 expression enhanced cytotoxicity after VZV infection. Expression of the VZV glycoproteins gB, gH, and gL significantly increased cytotoxicity in cells with HS3ST4 expression by cytotoxicity assay, consistent with the fusogenic activity as visualized by fluorescence microscopy. HS3ST4 had little influence on viral genome replication, revealed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. These results suggest that HS3ST4 enhances cytotoxicity including fusogenic activity in the presence of VZV glycoproteins without enhancing viral genome replication.
Identity resilience, social support and internalised homonegativity in gay men

ABSTRACT Identity resilience, a key concept in identity process theory (IPT), refers to individuals’ capacity to cope with threats to their identity. Identity resilience is based upon four identity principles: self-efficacy; self-esteem; positive distinctiveness; and, continuity. This study investigates whether identity resilience influences how much gay men internalise homonegativity. Given the insidious effects of internalised homonegativity upon psychological well-being, it is important to identify factors affecting its management. Greater identity resilience enables deployment of strategies that may reduce internalisation of homonegativity. These strategies include rejecting the salience of negative social representations of gay men and emphasising the availability of social support. While both these strategies affect how ‘out’ a gay man chooses to be, they are also linked to the experience of everyday discrimination. We predicted identity resilience would have both a direct negative association with internalised homonegativity and an indirect negative effect mediated by higher social support, lower everyday discrimination, and, less perceived negative representations of gay men and greater ‘outness’. Survey data from 333 gay men in the UK supported this model. Fostering the development of identity resilience and its attendant coping strategies may help in managing internalisation of homonegativity.