Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
FOAM FRACTIONATION AS A MEANS TO RECOVER AND FRACTIONATE BIOACTIVES

In this research, the optimum conditions for the separation of polyphenols from apple juice (AJ) and the separation of BSA from a BSA/water solution were found by looking at the enrichment ratio (ER) and recovery. A mixture of the AJ and BSA was also studied to see how the different conditions affect separation of either compound. For AJ only, maximum ER was achieved at a feed concentration of 0.00184mg/mL of polyphenols (10.9˚Brix), air flowrate of 10mL/min, pH of 6.03 and temperature of 4.1˚C. For the BSA only solution, maximum ER was achieved at a feed concentration of 2.5g/L, air flowrate of 7mL/min, pH of 5-6 and temperature either above or below 20˚C. For the mixture, maximum polyphenol ER was at a feed polyphenol concentration of 0.0018mg/mL, feed BSA concentration of 5g/L and a pH of 3.7. Whereas maximum BSA ER was achieved when the feed polyphenol concentration was again 0.00184mg/mL, but a minimum was seen at 5g/L BSA feed concentration and pH of 3.7. These results show that there are interactions between the polyphenol and proteins that affects the separation of compounds. The bubble size distribution and gas hold-up of the AJ and BSA solutions were then compared and the BSA solution had larger bubbles present and a greater gas hold-up, which is attributed to the greater surface activity of BSA protein. Finally basic modelling – linear regression, was performed to link the ER to the different conditions tested. The models were judged by comparing R 2 values, the F-statistic and the p-value and all showed weak relationships between the ER and the independent variables. Further data is required to improve the model as from previous literatures these variables have been seen to contribute to adsorption, which in turn affects the ER.
Retrieving Social Flooding Images Based on Multimodal Information

This paper presents the participation of the RU-DS team at the MediaEval 2017 Multimedia Satellite Task. We design a system for retrieving social images that show direct evidence of flooding events using a multimodal approach based on visual features from images and the corresponding metadata. Specifically, we implement preprocessing operations including image cropping and test-set pre-filtering based on image color complexity or textual metadata, as well as re-ranking for fusion. Tests on the YFCC100M-Dataset show that the fusion-based approach outperforms the methods based on only visual features or metadata.
A Location-Context Awareness Mobile Services Collaborative Recommendation Algorithm Based on User Behavior Prediction

Nowadays, location based services (LBS) has become one of the most popular applications with the rapid development of mobile Internet technology. More and more research is focused on discovering the required services among massive information according to the personalized behavior. In this paper, a collaborative filtering (CF) recommendation algorithm is presented based on the Location-aware Hidden Markov Model (LHMM). This approach includes three main stages. First, it clusters users by making a pattern similarity calculation of their historical check-in data. Then, it establishes the location-aware transfer matrix so as to get the next most similar service. Furthermore, it integrates the generated LHMM, user's score and interest migration into the traditional CF algorithm so as to generate a final recommendation list. The LHMM-based CF algorithm mixes the geographic factors and personalized behavior and experimental results show that it outperforms the state-of-the-art algorithms on both precision and recall.
Medicaid Waivers and Public Sector Mental Health Service Penetration Rates for Youth

To assist families of youth with serious emotional disturbance in financing youth’s comprehensive care, some states have sought and received Medicaid waivers. Medicaid waivers waive or relax the Medicaid means test for eligibility to provide insurance coverage to nonpoor families for expensive, otherwise out-of-reach treatment for youth with Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED). Waivers promote treatment access for the most troubled youth, and the present study investigated whether any of several Medicaid waiver options—and those that completely omit the means test in particular—are associated with higher state-wide public sector treatment penetration rates. The investigators obtained data from the U.S. Census, SAMHSA’s Uniform Reporting System, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Analysis employed random intercept and random slope linear regression models, controlling for a variety of state demographic and fiscal variables, to determine whether a relationship between Medicaid waiver policies and state-level public sector penetration rates could be observed. Findings indicate that, whether relaxing or completely waiving Medicaid’s qualifying income limits, waivers increase public sector penetration rates, particularly for youth under age 17. However, completely waiving Medicaid income limits did not uniquely contribute to penetration rate increases. States offering Medicaid waivers that either relax or completely waive Medicaid’s means test to qualify for health coverage present higher public sector treatment rates for youth with behavioral health care needs. There is no evidence that restricting the program to waiving the means test for accessing Medicaid would increase treatment access.
A Framework for Separating Individual Treatment Effects from Spillover, Interaction, and General Equilibrium Effects

This paper suggests a causal framework for disentangling individual level treatment effects and interference effects, i.e., general equilibrium, spillover, or interaction effects related to treatment distribution. Thus, the framework allows for a relaxation of the Stable Unit Treatment Value Assumption (SUTVA), which assumes away any form of treatment-dependent interference between study participants. Instead, we permit interference effects within aggregate units, for example, regions or local labor markets, but need to rule out interference effects between these aggregate units. Borrowing notation from the causal mediation literature, we define a range of policy-relevant effects and formally discuss identification based on randomization, selection on observables, and difference-in-differences. We also present an application to a policy intervention extending unemployment benefit durations in selected regions of Austria that arguably affected ineligibles in treated regions through general equilibrium effects in local labor markets.
An enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay to quantify 14‐3‐3 proteins in the cerebrospinal fluid of suspected Creutzfeldt‐Jakob disease patients

The detection of 14‐3‐3 protein by Western immunoblot is a sensitive and specific cerebrospinal fluid marker of Creutzfeldt‐Jakob disease (CJD). We developed a quantitative enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) that reliably detects 14‐3‐3 in cerebrospinal fluid. In a prospective study of 147 cerebrospinal fluid samples, the mean 14‐3‐3 concentration among pathologically confirmed CJD patients (28.0 ± 20.6 ng/ml, n = 41) is significantly higher than the mean in the cerebrospinal fluid of those with other neurological disorders (3.1 ± 2.9 ng/ml, n = 84). At a cutoff value of 8.3 ng/ml, the ELISA has a sensitivity of 92.7% and a specificity of 97.6%. The 14‐3‐3 ELISA supports a diagnosis of CJD in patients who fulfill clinical criteria for possible CJD. Ann Neurol 2000;48:395–398
More accurate complex multiplication for embedded processors

This paper presents some work in progress on the development of fast and accurate support for complex floatingpoint arithmetic on embedded processors. Focusing on the case of multiplication, we describe algorithms and implementations for computing both the real and imaginary parts with high relative accuracy. We show that, in practice, such accuracy guarantees can be achieved with reasonable overhead compared with conventional algorithms (which are those offered by current implementations and for which the real or imaginary part of a product can have no correct digit at all). For example, the average execution-time overheads when computing an FFT on the ARM Cortex-A53 and -A57 processors range from 1.04x to 1.17x only, while arithmetic costs suggest overheads from 1.5x to 1.8x.
Direct Detection of Non-Random X Chromosome Inactivation by Use of a Transcribed Polymorphism in the XIST Gene

As a result of X chromosome inactivation, females are mosaic for cell lineages in which either the paternal or the maternal X chromosome is active, and, if inactivation were random, each lineage should be present at approximately the same frequency. Detection of instances of non-random X inactivation can be important both clinically and for the study of X chromosome inactivation. Identification of a single-base polymorphism in an expressed region of the human XIST gene has permitted the development of a direct PCR-based assay for randomness of X inactivation. Oligonucleotide primers were designed, incorporating the variant base, and conditions established that allowed allele-specific PCR amplification. As the XIST gene is expressed only from the inactive X chromosome, differential amplification of the alleles in cDNA from heterozygotes can be used as an indicator of non-random inactivation. Using this assay, non-random X chromosome inactivation has been demonstrated in chromosomally abnormal cell lines and in lymphocytes from heterozygous, normal females. Virtually complete non-random X inactivation was also shown in a mother and her daughter, suggesting the existence of some familial factor affecting X chromosome inactivation.
High gain DC-DC boost converter with a coupling inductor

This paper presents a design, mathematical modeling, simulation results and laboratory implementation of a 300 W high gain dc-dc boost converter with a coupled inductor, to step up the 24 V of a battery bank to 311 Vdc, aiming to supply residential loads with dc voltage in an off-grid PV system. The converter can supply most of the residential ac loads which input stage is a single-phase rectifier. Laboratory tests with the 300 W converter supplying electronic lights, mobile charger and audio-video system ac showed the viability of the proposed idea.
EFFECTS OF ANTI‐HYPERTENSIVE DRUGS ON PRODUCTION OF SOLUBLE FMS‐LIKE TYROSINE KINASE 1 AND SOLUBLE ENDOGLIN FROM HUMAN NORMAL AND PRE‐ECLAMPTIC PLACENTAS IN VITRO

1 Increases in soluble fms‐like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt‐1) and soluble endoglin (sEng) contribute to the pathogenesis of pre‐eclampsia. Soluble Flt‐1 binds to circulating free vascular endothelial growth factor and placenta growth factor and this is associated with endothelial dysfunction. Soluble endoglin, a transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β coreceptor, was reported to synergize with sFlt‐1 to amplify endothelial dysfunction by inhibiting TGF‐β1‐mediated vasorelaxation. 2 The aim of the present study was to examine whether the antihypertensive drugs clonidine (0.08–1.3 µg/mL), diazoxide (25–300 µg/mL), frusemide (60–1000 µg/mL) and hydralazine (6.3–100 µg/mL) have any effect on placental production of sFlt‐1 and sEng in placentas from normal and pre‐eclamptic pregnancies. 3 Explants were taken from non‐laboured term placentas of normal pregnancy (n = 5) and women with pre‐eclampsia (n = 5). Villous explants were cultured with increasing doses of antihypertensive drugs. Placental sFlt‐1 and sEng production was examined using ELISA. 4 Baseline sFlt‐1 production was higher in placentas from women with pre‐eclampsia than from normal pregnancy (4.5 ± 1.4 vs 3.2 ± 0.6 ng/mg of total protein, respectively; P < 0.001), as was sEng production (9.0 ± 2.3 vs 4.1 ± 0.6 ng/mg of total protein, respectively; P < 0.001). With the exception of frusemide, none of the antihypertensive drugs tested had any effect on sFlt‐1 and sEng production from placental explants of normal pregnancy and women with pre‐eclampsia. Increasing frusemide concentrations were correlated with increased sEng production in normal pregnancy (P < 0.005). 5 In conclusion, placental sFlt‐1 and sEng production was higher in pre‐eclampsia and antihypertensive drugs had no effect on placental production of sFlt‐1 and sEng in vitro.
FEA-Based Design Study of 12-Slot 14-Pole Outer-Rotor Dual Excitation Flux Switching Machine for Direct Drive Electric Vehicle Applications

This paper presents an investigation into feasibilities design of 12-Slot 14-Pole outer-rotor dual excitation flux switching machine (ORDEFSM) for direct drive electric vehicle (EV) applications. The stator of the proposed machine consists of iron core made of electromagnetic steels, armature coils, permanent magnet (PM) and field excitation coils (FECs). The FECs in this proposed machine is used as a secondary field mmf source to support the main flux source from PM. Therefore, the proposed machine has extra advantage of variable flux control capability as compared with the conventional flux switching machines (FSMs). The rotor is composed of only stack of iron and hence, it is robust and suitable for high speed operation. The design target for the maximum torque and power density, and the maximum speed are more than 333 Nm, 3.5 kW/kg, and 20,000 r/min, respectively. The results obtained from two-dimensional (2-D) FEA study show that the initial design of the proposed machine has achieved the maximum torque, power density and maximum speed of 244.76 Nm, 3.47 kW/kg, and 20,000 r/min, respectively. Thus, it is expected that the proposed machine potentially to achieve the target performances by implementing optimization process using deterministic optimization method.
GaN-based Gate Injection Transistors for power switching applications

GaN-based Gate Injection Transistors (GITs) with p-type gate over AlGaN/GaN heterojunction serve normally-off operations with low on-state resistances owing to the conductivity modulation by injection of holes. Established basic technologies on the GIT have shown promising features for switching applications. Further improvement of the performances would extend the applications and lead to the widespread use. In this paper, recent technologies on the GITs to improve the performances and extract the full potential are described. These include extension of the wafer diameter of Si up to 8 inch, InAlGaN quaternary alloy to reduce the series resistances, shortening the gate length to improve the device performances, integration of the gate driver and flip-chip assembly for faster switching.
A novel interleaved LLC resonant converter with phase shift modulation

This paper presents a novel interleaved LLC resonant converter using phase shift modulation (PSM). The LLC resonant converters can achieve zero voltage switching (ZVS) of primary switches and zero current switching (ZCS) of secondary switches. However, the peak of secondary current is large due to the discontinuous current in secondary side. The PFM controlled interleaved LLC resonant converter has difficulty in synchronizing switching of phases owing to the parameter mismatches of resonant circuits. In the proposed method, the current unbalance caused by the parameter mismatches is compensated by the PSM. It is simulated and experimentally verified that the proposed method achieves lower peak current compared to conventional interleaved LLC resonant converters using only PFM control.
Partial Hepatectomy With Wide Versus Narrow Resection Margin for Solitary Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Prospective Randomized Trial

Objective:To compare the efficacy and safety of partial hepatectomy aiming grossly at a narrow (1 cm) and a wide (2 cm) resection margin in patients with macroscopically solitary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Summary Background Data:For HCC treated with partial hepatectomy, the extent of the margin of liver resection remains controversial despite extensive studies. Methods:We conducted a prospective randomized trial in patients with solitary HCC. From January 1999 to February 2003, 169 patients with solitary HCC were stratified according to tumor size and randomized to undergo partial hepatectomy aiming grossly at either a narrow (1 cm) (n = 84) or a wide resection margin (2 cm) (n = 85). Analyses were done on an intention-to-treat basis. Results:The demographic and pathologic data were similar in the 2 groups. The mean ± SD for the final resection margin of the narrow and the wide margin groups were 0.7 ± 0.4 cm and 1.9 ± 0.6 cm, respectively. There was no significant difference in the morbidity and in-hospital mortality between the 2 groups of patients. The 1-, 2-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates for the narrow and the wide margin groups were 92.9%, 83.3%, 70.9%, and 49.1% and 96.5%, 91.8%, 86.9%, and 74.9%, respectively. The difference was significant (stratified log-rank test, P = 0.008). Multivariate analysis identified the presence of micrometastases and the treatment allocation were independent risk factors for tumor-related death. At the time of censor, 75 (44.4%) patients had developed tumor recurrence. All recurrences at the margins of liver resection were observed in the narrow margin group. Multiple tumor recurrence was also significantly higher in the narrow margin group (&khgr;2 test, P = 0.018). Survival after tumor recurrence was significantly better in the wide margin group than the narrow margin group (log-rank test, P = 0.017). Conclusion:For macroscopically solitary HCC, a resection margin aiming grossly at 2 cm efficaciously and safely decreased postoperative recurrence rate and improved survival outcomes when compared with a gross resection margin aiming at 1 cm, especially for HCC ≤2 cm.
An Improved Bagging Neural Network Ensemble Algorithm and Its Application

For aggregation to be effective the component artificial neural networks (ANNs) must be as accurate and diverse as possible, an improved Bagging neural network ensemble algorithm is proposed to cope with this problem. The Euclidean distances between two arbitrary samples of the original training set are analyzed, the training subsets of component ANNs are distilled from this set then. The subsets elements have good properties of ergodicity and representativeness in sample space. The outputs of component ANNs are combined via weighted averaging and the optimal weights are determined by particle swarm optimization. Experimental studies on four typical regression datasets show that this approach has improved the quality of training subsets. Thus, the ensemble generalization ability is improved. Finally the improved algorithm is applied to construct an ANN-based soft sensor model for real-time measuring the ethylene yield. Application results show that this model has high measuring precision as well as good generalization ability.
Identification of Residues in the Translocation Pathway of EmrE, a Multidrug Antiporter from Escherichia coli*

EmrE is a small, 12-kDa, highly polyspecific antiporter, which exchanges hydrogen ions with aromatic cations such as methyl viologen. EmrE-mediated transport is inhibited by the sulfhydryl-reactive reagent 4-(chloromercuri)benzoic acid (PCMB) but not by a variety of other sulfhydryl reagents. This differential effect is due to the fact that the organic mercurial is a substrate of the transporter and can reach domains otherwise inaccessible to the different reagents. To find out which of the three cysteine residues in EmrE is reacting with PCMB, each was replaced with serine and it was shown that none of them is essential for transport activity. A protein completely devoid of Cys residues (CL) is also capable of substrate accumulation albeit at a slower rate. Mutated proteins in which only one of the native cysteines was left whereas the other changed to serine were also constructed. The use of these proteins demonstrated that two of the three Cys in EmrE, Cys-41 and Cys-95, but not Cys-39, react with PCMB. A related mercurial, 4-(chloromercuri)benzenesulfonic acid (PCMBS), is only a very poor inhibitor, probably because of the negative charge it bears. PCMBS reacts with EmrE in an asymmetric and unique way. It reacts with the mutant bearing a single Cys residue in position 95 (CL-C95) only when the reagent is present in the outside face of the membrane and with the mutant CL-C41 only when allowed to permeate to the cell interior; as expected, it does not react with the mutant protein bearing a single Cys at position 39 (CL-C39). It is concluded that PCMB permeates through the substrate pathway of EmrE and covalently reacts with the two exposed residues, Cys-95 and Cys-41, but not with Cys-39, located on the opposite face of the helix relative to residue 41. In addition, because of the asymmetric reactivity to PCMBS, an inhibitor that does not permeate through the protein, it is concluded that Cys-41 is closer to the cytoplasmic face than Cys-95. The results demonstrate the existence of a domain accessible only to substrates and provide a unique tool for studying the substrate permeation pathway of an ion-coupled transporter.
Job Strain among Post Office Mailhandlers

A sample of 4,018 U.S. Post Office mailhandlers nationwide completed a questionnaire assessing job demands, decision latitude, hazardous conditions, supervisory support, physical exertion, physical/psychological strain, sleeping problems, muscle strain, and job dissatisfaction. Scales were obtained from Karasek's Job Content Questionnaire. Comparative data were available from the U.S. Quality of Employment Surveys (for “mail carriers and handlers”) and two samples of contemporary working populations. Hierarchical multiple regressions controlled for age, sex, education, length of postal service, Vietnam veteran status, and marital status. Mailhandlers reported significantly higher levels of negative job characteristics than both the national and contemporary samples, and their levels of job demands and decision latitude place them in the “high strain” quadrant of Karasek's model. Women not only reported higher strain, job dissatisfaction, and sleeping problems than men, but also higher levels of negative job characteristics. While other demographic variables, particularly Vietnam veteran status, were associated with stress-related outcomes, structural aspects of the work environment were more strongly associated with outcome. The authors conclude that postal mailhandlers face a highly stressful work environment.
An Efficient Hybrid Method for Clustering Problems

This paper presents a hybrid efficient method based on ant colony optimization (ACO) and genetic algorithms (GA) for clustering problems. This proposed method assumes that agents of ACO has life cycle which is variable and changes by a special function. We also apply three local searches on the basis of heuristic rules for the given clustering problem. This proposed method is implemented and tested on two real datasets. Further, its performance is compared with other well-known meta-heuristics, such as ACO, GA, simulated annealing (SA), and tabu search (TS). At last, paired comparison t-test is also applied to proof the efficiency of our proposed method. The associated output gives very encouraging results; however, the proposed method needs longer time to proceed.