Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A multilevel voltage-source converter system with balanced DC voltages

In this paper, a multilevel voltage-source converter system is proposed for high-voltage, high-power applications such as back-to-back interconnection of power systems, large induction motor drives, and electrical traction drives. Multilevel voltage-source converters have a voltage unbalance problem in the DC capacitors. The problem may be solved by use of additional voltage regulators or separate DC sources. However, these solutions are found not to be practicable for most applications. The proposed converter system can solve the voltage unbalance problem of the conventional multilevel voltage-source converters, without using any additional voltage balance circuits or separate voltage sources. The mechanism of the voltage unbalance problem is analyzed theoretically in this paper. The voltage unbalance problem of multilevel converters in the DC capacitors has been solved by the proposed internal connections of the AC/DC and DC/AC converters. The validity of the new converter system is demonstrated by simulation and experiment. <<ETX>>
Heating of large agricultural and industrial buildings

This paper presents the results of the simulation calculations used in the selection and design of an appropriate method of heating of large buildings for agricultural or industrial purposes. These halls are characterized by a large built-up area, large room height and high consumption of energy for heating. The aim of the simulation calculation was to find a way of heating, which leads to a reduction in energy consumption while maintaining the required thermal comfort of indoor environment. The calculations were performed using the CFD software ANSYS-Fluent. For comparison of variants, a 3D model was used, including a heat source, natural convection and heat transfer through surrounding structures. The results of the thermal comfort of the working environment in the level of people or the growing zone of plants or the storage space for goods were mainly studied. The second area of interior space, especially important in terms of heat losses, is the level of the ceiling. The results of the calculations provide a detailed analysis of the vertical temperature profiles and the effect of the surrounding walls surface temperature on the thermal state of an indoor environment. The created model was verified according to the results of experiments in large buildings equipped with different heating systems. Based on the results of the simulation calculations and according to the results of experimental measurements, radiant heating method seems to be the suitable heating system solution for studied types of buildings.
Acoustic modes in combustors with complex impedances and multidimensional active flames

two approaches for solving the corresponding nonlinear eigenvalue problem are proposed. The first one is based on an asymptotic expansion of the solution, the baseline being the acoustic modes and frequencies for a steady (or passive) flame and appropriate boundary conditions. This method allows a quick assessment of any acoustic mode stabilitybutisvalidonlyforcaseswherethecouplingbetweenthe flameandtheacousticwavesissmallinamplitude. The second approach is based on an iterative algorithm where a quadratic eigenvalue problem is solved at each subiteration. It is more central processing unit demanding but remains valid even in cases where the response of the flametoacousticperturbationsislarge.Frequency-dependentboundaryimpedancesareaccountedforinbothcases. A parallel implementation of the Arnoldi iterative method is used to solve the large eigenvalue problem that arises fromthespacediscretization ofthe Helmholtzequation.Several academicandindustrial testcasesareconsideredto illustrate the potential of the method.
Calcium Provision in a Placentotrophic Lizard: Structural Differentiation Reflects Functional Specialization.

Viviparity (live birth) and placentation have evolved in more than 100 lineages of squamate reptiles. However, highly placentotrophic species in which embryos receive the majority of nutrients for development via maternal transport across a placenta are rare. Pseudemoia pagenstecheri is a viviparous Australian scincid lizard with extensive placental transfer of nutrients. For example, 90% of neonate calcium is received via placental transfer. This species has a regionally differentiated chorioallantoic placenta distinguished by an elliptical-shaped region, the placentome. The placentome is characterized by hypertrophied uterine and embryonic epithelial cells supported by dense vascular networks. The remainder of the chorioallantoic placenta is also highly vascularized but epithelia are thin. A yolk sac placenta with hypertrophied epithelia is located in the abembryonic hemisphere of the egg. We used immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting to test the hypothesis that the placenta has regional functional specializations for calcium transport. Calcium uptake by extraembryonic membranes of squamates is correlated with expression of the intracellular calcium binding protein, calbindinD28K. Immunohistochemistry was used to localize calbindin-D28K expressing cells. Immunoblotting for calbindin-D28K and the plasma membrane calcium ATPase (PMCA, an additional marker for active calcium transport) was used to assess changes in protein expression levels through development. We found support for our hypothesis because calbindin-D28K was expressed in the embryonic epithelium of the yolk sac placenta and in the chorionic epithelium of the placentome, but not in the remainder of the chorioallantoic placenta. In addition, calbindin-D28K was expressed the chorioallantoic membrane in all embryonic stages studied, which encompassed both early and late development. Immunoblotting data show that calbindinD28K expression was detectable at low levels in early stages of development and increased
Improvement in image enhancement using recursive adaptive Gamma correction

The “Adaptive Approach for Historical or Degraded Document Binarization” is that in which Libraries and Museums obtain in large gathering of ancient historical documents printed or handwritten in native languages. Typically, only a small group of people are allowed access to such collection, as the preservation of the material is of great concern. In recent years, libraries have begun to digitize historical document that are of interest to a wide range of people, with the goal of preserving the content and making the documents available via electronic media. But for historical documents suffering from degradation due to damaged background, stained paper, holes and other factors, the recognition results drop appreciably. These recognition results can be improved using binarization technique. Binarization technique can differentiate text from background. The simplest way to get an image binarized is to choose a threshold value, and organize all pixels with values greater than this threshold as white, and every other pixels as black. The problem arises, how to select the correct threshold. The selection of threshold is performed by two methods: Global, Local. Our main focus is to effectively binarize the document images suffering from strain & smear, uneven backround, holes & spot and various illumination effect by applying Adaptive Binarization Techniques. Our objectives is to Study various Traditional Binarization Techniques and to develop a hybrid binarization technique which will be more efficient than traditional techniques in term of noise suppression, text extraction and enhance the document to make it better for readability & automatic Document analysis. Result is analyzed and obtains which conclude that. Keyword: Global, Local, Binarization, illumination, hybrid Binarization, historical documents.
Sustained effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of Counselling for Alco- hol Problems, a brief psychological treatment for harmful drinking in men, delivered by lay counsellors in primary care: 12-month follow-

AL; Bhat, B; Katti, B; McCambridge, J; Murthy, P; King, M; Wilson, GT; Kirkwood, B; Fairburn, CG; Velleman, R; Patel, V (2017) Sustained effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of Counselling for Alcohol Problems, a brief psychological treatment for harmful drinking in men, delivered by lay counsellors in primary care: 12-month followup of a randomised controlled trial. PLoS medicine, 14 (9). e1002386. ISSN 1549-1277 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed. 1002386
Management of truck loading weight: A critical review of the literature and recommended remedies

Traffic accidents involving heavy trucks have social and economic effects on society. However, little research has focused on the influence of heavy truck specifications such as weight. Apportioning the maximum permissible gross weight of trucks allows trucking companies/owners to consolidate loads, and therefore reduce the vehicle-kilometres required to collect and distribute a given amount of goods/material. While drivers/managers are responsible for ensuring that trucks are loaded appropriately and in compliance with regulations, some may take chances and overload vehicles. This increases the need for formal and documented inspections, in order to reduce traffic hazards on public roads due to overweight loading. According to a New South Wales Centre for Road Safety report in 2014, crashes involving heavy trucks often result in serious road trauma outcomes. When a heavy truck is involved in a crash, the vehicle mass raises the crash forces involved and hence increases the severity of the crash. Therefore, interventions should be established to mitigate or prevent these crashes from occurring. Currently, weight checks are required for trucks and truck drivers must drive to a weighbridge for a weight check. Since this is a random process, truck drivers may take the risk of driving an over-loaded truck on some occasions. This paper reviews existing studies concerning safe system interventions in relation to truck gross weight management and a framework is presented to effectively manage truck loading weight. The result may be a reduction of injuries and fatalities involving heavy trucks.
Examining how wheelchair basketball players' self-esteem and motivation levels impact on their state and trait anxiety levels.

The purpose of the study was to examine how wheelchair basketball players' self-esteem and motivation levels impact on their state and trait anxiety levels. The Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory, Sport Motivation Scale and STAI (State Trait Anxiety Inventory) were applied to the athletes before a competition. Data were collected from 124 athletes with disabilities. In this study, descriptive statistical techniques, Pearson product moment correlation and multiple regression analysis (enter method) were used. Multiple regression analyses indicated that self-esteem, intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation and amotivation, all of which function as predicting variables, predicted 42% variance in state anxiety and 50% variance in trait anxiety. Motivation and self-esteem are the best predictors of trait and state anxiety among the premier league wheelchair basketball players. Finally, a review of factors that impact on anxiety and quality of performance such as motivation and self-esteem is provided.
Stability of Three Different Sanitary Shoes on Healthcare Workers: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: The main purpose of this research was to determine the stability of three different sanitary shoes on nurses with eyes open and closed with respect to barefoot condition. In addition, the secondary aim was to determine the reliability of stability measurements under these different conditions. Methods: A crossover quasi-experimental study (NCT03764332) was performed. Twenty-six nurses who wore different sanitary shoes (Eva Plus Ultralight®, Gym Step® and Milan-SCL Liso®) were evaluated with respect to barefoot condition for stability measures on the Podoprint® podobarometric and stabilometry tool and with eyes open and closed. Furthermore, the reliability of stability measurements was determined by the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) under these different conditions. Results: Between-groups comparisons of the static and stabilometry podobarometric data with eyes open showed statistically significant differences (p < 0.05). Milan-SCL Liso® sanitary shoes improved podobarometric data of forefoot force and distribution with respect to barefoot condition. Eva Plus Ultralight® and Gym Step® sanitary shoes increased the stroke length mean, stroke surface mean, and anterior speed mean as well as reduced y axis displacement mean with respect to barefoot condition. Similar findings were determined for measurements with eyes closed. ICCs ranged from poor to excellent reliability (ICC = 0.010–0.995). Conclusions: Sanitary shoes improved podobarometric and stabilometry stability with respect to barefoot condition.
Hydrolytic and Transesterification Activities of Thermostable Lipase ITB1.1

oC and pH 9.5. Further, characterization of the enzyme suggested that the enzyme exhibited transesterification activity. GC-MS spectra of the reaction product indicated that the coconut oil (substrate) was converted into methyl esters. The results suggesting that Lipase ITB1.1 is potential enzyme for biodiesel production.
Serum concentrations of oocyte-secreted factors BMP15 and GDF9 during IVF and in women with reproductive pathologies.

Oocyte-secreted factors, bone morphogenetic protein-15 (BMP15) and growth differentiation factor-9 (GDF9) are critical for folliculogenesis and fertility. This study developed ELISAs for the measurement of BMP15 and GDF9 in serum and investigated their usefulness as biomarkers of female reproductive function. Serum samples were obtained from women undergoing infertility treatments (n=154), and from peri- and post-menopausal women (n=28). Serum concentrations of BMP15 and GDF9 in women relative to age, AMH, number of oocytes retrieved, and polycystic ovaries/syndrome (PCO(S)) after superovulation for IVF. BMP15 and GDF9 immunoassays were validated for specificity, sensitivity (24 and 26 pg/ml, respectively) and reproducibility. BMP15 and GDF9 were detectable in 61% and 29% of women, respectively. BMP15 and GDF9 varied 64- and 15-fold respectively between women, but did not change within subjects following ovarian stimulation with gonadotropins. Serum GDF9 concentration, but not BMP15, was associated with oocyte number retrieved in non-PCO(S) patients (p=0.018). GDF9 and BMP15 associations with oocyte number differed significantly (p<0.05) with PCO(S) status. GDF9 concentrations were lower in poor responders (women with <4 oocytes retrieved or cancelled cycles; p=0.020). Serum BMP15, but not GDF9, was lower in women over 55 years, compared to women of reproductive age (p<0.01). This study develops and validates immunoassays to quantitate BMP15 and GDF9 in human serum, and to correlate concentrations with female reproductive potential. Although assay sensitivities require improvement, this study demonstrates the diagnostic potential of oocyte-secreted BMP15 and GDF9 as serum biomarkers in reproductive medicine.
Genetic variation in a newly established population of the Atlantic rock crab Cancer irroratus in Iceland

The Atlantic rock crab Cancer irroratus is native along the east coast of North America. The species was first recorded in Iceland in 2006 and has since rapidly spread throughout the country's southwestern and western coastal waters. The transport of larvae in ballast water is the most probable route by which introduction into Iceland occurred. As this species is commercially valuable, it may be possible to establish a viable industry harvesting rock crabs in Iceland; however, to do this, more information on species-wide genetic diversity and demography is required. In this study, genetic variation at 7 microsatellite markers was analyzed in samples from Iceland and 5 sites in North America, capturing most of the known range of this species. Our results divided samples from the native range into 2 groups, divided by a previously proposed barrier to gene flow, compatible with local hydrographic factors restricting larval-mediated gene flow. The Icelandic population was markedly differentiated from all other samples, but exhibited comparable levels of genetic diversity with no evidence of small population effects or genetic bottlenecks. No single population could be identified as a source for the Icelandic population, though the likely origin could be attributed to the 'northern group' in the native range. Genetic data indicate that the number of founders of the Icelandic population was sufficient to retain genetic variation. As the Icelandic population shows evidence of self-recruitment and population expansion, it may represent a potential harvestable resource in Iceland.
Effects of robot for teaching geometry to fourth graders

The results of the TIMSS 2007 (International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement, 2008) show that in comparison with their academic achievement in mathematics, South Korean students’ interest and efficacy in and self-concept in relation to the discipline rank relatively low. In the effort to help address this issue, this study investigated the effects of the implementation of robot in an elementary-level Korean math class, examining student cognitive and affective domains before, immediately after, and three months after treatment. The participants in this study were 121 fourth graders (11 to 12 years old) at a public elementary school in an urban district in Korea. The participants were randomly selected from four classes and then randomly assigned to either the “Robot” group (58 children) or the “Ruler & Protractor” group (63 children). Our findings are as follows: concerning student achievement in the cognitive domain, no statistically significant result was found. As for the affective domain, after treatment, the Robot group’s levels of interest and curiosity toward mathematics and participation in their mathematics class were statistically higher than those of the Ruler & Protractor group. This remained true at the delayed posttest. A correlation analysis between achievements in cognitive domain, results of the observation test during class, and results of the self-assessment test in affective domain showed that in the case of the Ruler & Protractor group, their instruction in mathematics class only contributed to cognitive domain. However, in the case of the Robot group, treatment contributed to both cognitive and affective domains. In conclusion, robots have potential to replace traditional ruler and protractor use in geometry education from the perspective of their effects on cognitive and affective domains.
Implementing Adaptive Game Difficulty Balancing in Serious Games

The ability to engage and retain players is perceived as a major factor in the success of games. However, the end-goal of retention differs between entertainment and serious contexts. For an entertainment game, engagement and retention are linked to monetization; for a serious game, this needs to persist for as long as is required for learning or behavioral objectives to be met. User engagement is strongest when a balance is achieved between difficulty and skill, leading to a state of “flow. ” Hence, adapting difficulty could lead to increased and sustained engagement. Implementing this requires the identification of variables linked to mechanics, manipulated based upon a player performance model. In some cases, this is possible by adjusting simple properties of objects, though more comprehensive solutions require extending or adapting content applying procedural techniques. This paper proposes a six step plan, validated against two case studies: an existing serious game, with easily manipulated parameters, and a platformer game built from scratch, where additional content is required, showing the process for different mechanics. To explore limitations, the results of two small-scale user evaluations with 45 users in total, are reported, contributing to the understanding of how adaptive difficulty might be implemented and received.
i.Sare: The Future Grid

This paper presents a real implementation of hierarchical control scheme for a smart grid equipped with voltage source converters, attached to renewable and conventional energy generators and storage systems based on ultracapacitors, flywheel and batteries, which is able to assume the demand of domestic, commercial, industrial and electric vehicle demanding current loads up to 400 kw in islanded mode or connected to the main grid. The hierarchical control used is implemented in the central control system and in each of the converters connected to the intelligent grid, in order to distribute the control over all the elements involved in the generation of energy. For this purpose it is used a distributed communication architecture based on EPICS to manage all the information generated. This micro grid, called i-Sare, was developed during the 2012 and beginning of 2013, and will be operational in Donostia (Gipuzkoa) at the end of 2013. In this paper real test results are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the control and the communication architecture used in iSare.
Growth performance of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings fed diets containing varying levels of groundnut oil

The effect of varying levels of groundnut oil was assessed on growth of African catfish. Fingerlings with mean weight 1.87g were stocked at 20 fish per hapa (measuring 1m x 1m x 1m) and fed five 35% Crude protein diets formulated with groundnut oil (GO) included at 0.00%, 2.50%, 5.00%, 7.50% and 10.00%. After eight weeks of feeding, result shows evidence of the fact that increasing lipid level spared dietary protein conversion into energy as GO inclusion significantly performed better than the control without GO, however, performance was optimized at 2.50% GO inclusion in the diet, beyond this growth significantly reduced.
Information Bias Condemning Radical Food Innovators? The Case of Insect-Based Products in the Netherlands

In this paper we analyze whether information bias is affecting consumers’ WTP for radical food innovations. We collect data in the Netherlands on consumers’ WTP for insect-based products. We used product attributes directly affected by information and EU legislation such as the visualization of insects on the products, the use of logo and health claims, different information treatments on positive environmental and social effects of eating insects as meat-substitutes. Results indicate that visualization negatively influenced consumers’ WTP while information treatments do not mitigate this effect. We derive that EU legislators need to move fast in clarifying the status of insect-based foods.
ZERO-POLE APPROACH TO COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN OF IN-LINE SIW FILTERS WITH TRANSMISSION ZEROS

This paper presents a design of a new type of in-line pseudo-elliptic fllters implemented in substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) technology. To realize transmission zeros in in-line topology, frequency-dependent couplings were used. Such dispersive couplings were implemented as shorted stubs. The design process starts with the generation of a suitable starting point. To this end, an approximation of SIW as a rectangular waveguide is used and a fast electromagnetic solver based on mode-matching technique is utilized ("Wave Wizard). The next step is the optimization process of a fllter in a full-wave 3D EM simulator Ansoft HFSS. The Optimization routine employs a cost function involving zeros and poles of the rational functions approximating scattering parameters. To increase the speed of convergence, a built-in derivative calculation feature was used and zeros and poles and their derivatives with respect to design parameters were extracted using the vector fltting algorithm. Experimental validation of the method is demonstrated by a third-order fllter with asymmetric response and a flfth-order fllter with two transmission zeros in addition to an asymmetric response. The experimental results show good agreement between the simulated and measured data.