Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Design and analysis of a high step‐up single‐switch coupled inductor DC‐DC converter with low‐voltage stress on components for PV power application

This paper presents a single‐switch, high step‐up, non‐isolated DC‐DC converter for photovoltaic (PV) power application. The proposed converter is composed of a coupled inductor, a passive clamp circuit, a voltage multiplier cell, and a voltage lift circuit. The passive clamp circuit recovers the leakage inductance energy of the coupled inductor and limits the voltage spike on the switch. Configuration of the passive clamp and voltage multiplier circuits increases the converter voltage gain. High‐voltage gain without a large duty cycle, low turn ratio of the coupled inductor, low‐voltage stress on the switch and diodes, leakage inductance energy recovery, and high efficiency are the main merits of the suggested DC‐DC converter. Steady‐state operation of the converter in continuous conduction mode (CCM), discontinuous conduction mode (DCM), and boundary condition mode (BCM) is discussed and analyzed in detail. Then, design procedure of the proposed converter is given. The presented DC‐DC converter is compared with similar topologies to verify its advantages. Moreover, theoretical efficiency of the presented converter is calculated in details. Finally, simulation and experimental measurement results of 388 V‐220 W prototype of the proposed DC‐DC converter at 50‐kHz switching frequency are presented to verify its performance.
Insufficient sleep--a population-based study in adults.

STUDY OBJECTIVES Insufficient sleep (sleep deprivation) is a common problem of considerable health, social, and economical impact. We assessed its prevalence and associations, and the role of genetic influences. DESIGN Panel study based on questionnaires administered in 1981 and 1990. SETTING/PATIENTS 12.423 subjects aged 33-60 years included in the Finnish Twin Cohort, representative of the Finnish population. INTERVENTIONS N/A. MEASUREMENTS A difference of 1 hour between the self-reports of the sleep need and the sleep length was considered insufficient sleep. Associations with education, life style, work, psychological characteristics and sleep-wake variables were assessed. Structural equation modelling techniques were used to compare genetic models among monozygotic and dizygotic twin pairs. RESULTS In 1990, the prevalence of insufficient sleep was 20.4% (16.2% in men and 23.9% in women). 44% of those with insufficient sleep in 1981 also had it 9 years later (Spearman correlation for persistence 0.334). In multivariate analyses, the strongest positively associated factors were daytime sleepiness (women: odds ratio 3.87, 95% confidence limits 3.24-4.63/men: 3.77, 2.98-4.75), insomnia (2.48, 1.92-3.19/2.91, 2.17-3.90), not able to sleep without disturbance (1.95, 1.47-2.60/2.54, 1.66-3.89), and evening type (2.10, 1.65-2.69/1.73, 1.25-2.41). Among men, also weekly working hours > or =75 was strongly associated (3.23, 1.54-6.78). "Not working" was negatively associated in both genders (0.68, 0.51-0.89/0.59, 0.42-0.83). Two thirds of the interindividual variability in the liability to insufficient sleep was attributed to non-genetic factors. CONCLUSIONS Insufficient sleep is a common and long-standing condition, most strongly associated with sleep/wake variables. One third of the liability to it is attributed to genetic influences. Sleep sufficiency should be assesssed in health examinations of working adults.
Mobile traffic offloading by exploiting social network services and leveraging opportunistic device-to-device sharing

The ever increasing traffic demand is becomming a serious concern for mobile network operators. In order to solve the traffic explosion problem, there have been research efforts on offloading the traffic from cellular links to local communications among users. In this article, we leverage opportunistic device-to-device sharing, exploit the social impact among users in social network services (SNSs), and propose the novel framework of traffic offloading assisted by SNSs via opportunistic sharing in mobile social networks, called TOSS. In TOSS, initially a subset of mobile users are selected as seeds depending on their content spreading impact on online SNSs and their mobility patterns in offline MSNs. Then users share content objects via opportunistic local connectivity (e.g., WiFi Direct) with each other. Furthermore, the observation of SNS user activities reveals that individual users have distinct access patterns, which allows TOSS to utilize the user-dependent access delays between the content generation time and each user's access time for opportunistic sharing purposes. By trace-driven evaluation, we demonstrate that TOSS can reduce by 63.8-86.5 percent of cellular traffic while satisfying the access delay requirements of all users. Therefore, traffic offloading by leveraging opportunistic deviceto- device sharing based on SNSs can be quite effective and efficient as a promising content delivery service for traffic reduction in future mobile networks.
Effects of olanzapine infusions to the ventral tegmental area on lordosis and midbrain 3alpha,5alpha-THP concentrations in rats.

RATIONALE The progesterone metabolite and neurosteroid 5alpha-pregnane-3alpha-ol-20-one (3alpha,5alpha-THP) facilitates sexual behavior of estradiol-primed rodents through its actions in the ventral tegmental area (VTA). Olanzapine, an atypical antipsychotic, may exert some of its actions by increasing 3alpha,5alpha-THP levels. OBJECTIVE If olanzapine has effects by increasing 3alpha,5alpha-THP levels, then olanzapine administration to the VTA should facilitate feminine sexual behavior of estradiol-primed rodents concomitant with increasing midbrain levels of 3alpha,5alpha-THP. METHODS. In experiment 1, ovariectomized rats with bilateral cannulae to the VTA were primed with estradiol at 0 h, infused with olanzapine (10 or 20 microg) or vehicle at 47 h, and tested for sexual behavior at 47.5 h. In experiment 2, estradiol-primed ovariectomized rats were infused with olanzapine (10 microg) or vehicle, tested for sexual behavior, then tissues were collected for measurement of midbrain progesterone and 3alpha,5alpha-THP, and plasma corticosterone, progesterone, and 3alpha,5alpha-THP. In experiment 3, estradiol-primed, ovariectomized rats were administered progesterone (500 microg, SC), tested for sexual behavior, then tissues were collected for midbrain and plasma progesterone and 3alpha,5alpha-THP levels. RESULTS Infusions of 10 or 20 microg olanzapine to the VTA significantly increased the incidence and intensity of lordosis, and the occurrence of proceptive and aggressive behaviors. Rats infused with olanzapine to the VTA had significantly greater levels of midbrain 3alpha,5alpha-THP than did vehicle-administered rats. Olanzapine did not increase progesterone or corticosterone levels. CONCLUSIONS Olanzapine increases lordosis and midbrain 3alpha,5alpha-THP when infused to the VTA which suggest that olanzapine's behavioral effects may result, in part, through actions of 3alpha,5alpha-THP, independent of progesterone or corticosterone.
Cardiovascular outcomes and all-cause mortality: exploring the interaction between CKD and cardiovascular disease.

BACKGROUND Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Concurrently, CVD may promote CKD, resulting in a vicious cycle. We evaluated this hypothesis by exploring whether CKD and CVD have an additive or synergistic effect on future cardiovascular and mortality outcomes. METHODS Patients were pooled from 4 community-based studies: Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities, Framingham Heart, Framingham Offspring, and Cardiovascular Health Study. CKD is defined by an estimated glomerular filtration rate less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) (<1 mL/s/1.73 m(2)). Baseline CVD included myocardial infarction, angina, stroke, transient ischemic attack, claudication, heart failure, and coronary revascularization. The primary outcome is a composite of cardiac events, stroke, and death. Secondary outcomes included individual components. Multivariable analyses using Cox regression examined differences in study outcomes. The interaction of CKD and CVD was tested. RESULTS The study population included 26,147 individuals. During 10 years, 4% (n = 2,927) of individuals with no CKD or CVD developed the primary outcome, 33% (n = 518) with only CKD, 37% (n = 1,260) with only CVD, and 66% (n = 459) with both. Both CKD (hazard ratio [HR], 1.26; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.16 to 1.35; P < 0.0001) and CVD (HR, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.72 to 1.95; P < 0.0001) were independent risk factors for the primary outcome. The interaction term CKD x CVD was not statistically significant (HR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.85 to 1.13; P = 0.74). Similar results were obtained for secondary outcomes. CONCLUSION CKD and CVD are both strong independent risk factors for adverse cardiovascular and mortality outcomes in the general population. Although individuals with both risk factors are at extremely high risk, there does not appear to be a synergistic effect of CKD and CVD on outcomes.
Managing the State Aid in Romania According to European Union’s Policy

The importance of state aid has gradually increased in the recent decades. Aid allocations in the EU Member States vary depending on the national priorities as they are set by each state. Starting from those facts, this paper presents the trends in Romania, as well as those at the European Union level, as a whole. The research is based on data analysis provided by Scoreboard reporting systems and, as a result, presents authors conclusions and recommendations for managing the State Aid in Romania.
Long- and short-run elasticities of residential electricity consumption in China: a partial adjustment model with panel data

ABSTRACT While it has stabilized in developed world, the per capita residential electricity consumption (REC) in developing countries such as China is growing very rapidly and this trend is very likely to continue. Built upon a provincial level panel data, we employ a partial adjustment model to investigate the future trend of REC in China and factors that affect it. We estimate the income and price short-term and long-term elasticities for urban and rural China, respectively and compare the results with REC studies in other countries or regions. The findings provide useful information to understand how the REC would grow in China as household income increases and how effective that price could be as an intervention tool.
Long-term outcome of percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopic lithotomy for hepatolithiasis

OBJECTIVES:Percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopic lithotomy (PTCSL) for the treatment of hepatolithiasis is particularly suited for those patients who are poor surgical risks or who refuse surgery and those with previous biliary surgery or stones distributed in multiple segments. However, hepatolithiasis is characterized by high rates of treatment failure and recurrence. We examined the long-term results of 245 patients with hepatolithiasis treated by PTCSL.METHODS:This was a retrospective study of 245 patients who underwent PTCSL for hepatolithiasis; the patients were followed for 1–22 yr to evaluate the immediate and long-term results. Sonography was used to search for stone recurrence every year or whenever the patients presented symptoms suggestive of cholangitis. Cholangiography and/or CT were performed to verify recurrence.RESULTS:PTCSL achieved complete clearance of hepatolithiasis in 209 patients (85.3%); the rate of incomplete clearance was higher in patients with intrahepatic duct stricture (29/118, 24.6% vs 7/127, 5.5%; p = 0.002). The rate of major complications was 1.6% (4/245) and included liver laceration (n = 2), intra-abdominal abscess (n = 1), and disruption of the percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage fistula (n = 1). The overall recurrence rate of hepatolithiasis and/or cholangitis was 63.2%. The absolute rate of stone recurrence was not significantly related to the presence of intrahepatic duct stricture (51/89, 56.2% vs 53/120, 44.4%; p = 0.08), although the median time to recurrence was less in those with stricture (11 vs 18 yr; p = 0.007). In the patients without intrahepatic duct stricture, the rate of complete stone clearance was not related to the presence of dilation (34/38, 89.5% vs 86/89, 96.6%; p = 0.196), but the recurrence rate was higher in those with dilation (20/34, 58.8% vs 33/86, 38.4%; p = 0.042). Among the 209 patients with a successful initial PTCSL, the incidence of recurrent cholangitis or cholangiocarcinoma was significantly higher in those with incompletely removed recurrent hepatolithiasis than in those without coexisting hepatolithiasis (44.3%, 27/61 vs 16.2%, 24/148; p < 0.001 and 6.6%, 4/61 vs 0.7%, 1/148; p = 0.026). CONCLUSIONS:PTCSL is a relatively safe and effective procedure for treating hepatolithiasis. Long-term follow-up is required because the overall recurrence rate of hepatolithiasis and/or cholangitis is high. The rate of complete stone clearance and the median time to stone recurrence are less in the presence of stricture, but the absolute rate of stone recurrence is not significantly related to stricture. In the absence of stricture, the rate of stone recurrence is higher in patients with dilated intrahepatic duct. Complete stone clearance is necessary, because the incidence of recurrent cholangitis or cholangiocarcinoma is higher in patients with incomplete clearance of recurrent hepatolithiasis.
The Impact of an Axisymmetric Jet onto a Normal Ground

The impact of an axisymmetric jet onto a ground board is a flow of some interest in VTOL aircraft aerodynamics. This paper presents a simple argument for correlating data obtained in the impact region from different nozzle configurations and for different nozzle heights above ground. The argument is applied, in particular, to the static pressure on the ground board and to the peak dynamic head in the flow over the ground board.
The Experience of Senior Stroke Survivors: Factors in Community Participation among Wheelchair Users

Purpose. This qualitative study investigated the lived experience of senior stroke survivors who used prescribed wheelchairs in their home and community. Methods. The study involved semi-structured, in-depth interviews that were conducted with 10 participants, aged 70 to 80, who had used a wheelchair for a mean of 5.6 years. All participants used manual wheelchairs and two additionally used a power wheelchair and a scooter. Results. A constant comparative inductive method of analysis of the data yielded several themes which are examined within the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health framework of body functions and structure, activity limitations, participation, and contextual factors. Overall, the wheelchair, manual or power, was an enabler of community participation among the participants. However, the wheelchair's use also created problems, such as limiting destinations and creating increased dependence on others. Practice Implications. A balance scale model was proposed to facilitate an understanding of how the factors affecting community participation interact in this population. This model can assist occupational therapists who prescribe wheelchairs for stroke clients for use in the community.
A control strategy of direct driven permanent magnet synchronous generator for maximum power point tracking in wind turbine application

A novel maximum power point tracking (MPPT) strategy is presented in the paper. When wind speed varies, the wind turbine could obtain a big torque difference by adopting the novel strategy to achieve the aim of tracking the optimum turbine speed fleetly. The square wave permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) is adopted in this paper for considering the characteristic of the diode rectifier-Boost circuit-voltage source inverter power transformation structure. The DC-link capacitor voltage is maintained at a constant value by ensuring the balance of the input and output energy of the both sides of the capacitor. The independent control of boost circuit and inverter is achieved. The simulation results indicates that compared with the conventional MPPT strategy, the efficiency of the turbine capturing wind energy by adopting the novel MPPT strategy is enhanced. And the independent electric control mode not only ensures the stability of generation system operation but also strengthen the flexibility and compatibility of system control.
Encapsulated green kiwifruit extract: a randomised controlled trial investigating alleviation of constipation in otherwise healthy adults.

OBJECTIVES Previous clinical trials have shown bowel function is improved through consumption of whole kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa). This study investigated whether encapsulated kiwifruit extract (1 g/day) could alleviate constipation in otherwise healthy adults. METHODS Forty adults with confirmed constipation entered this trial, of which 32 completed with >80% compliance. Two capsules were self-administered morning and evening for 2 periods, each of 3 weeks duration, separated by a 3+ week washout in a double blind, randomised, placebo controlled crossover. Inclusion criteria included constipation with <=3 bowel movements (BM) per week. Daily records of defecation frequency and stool characteristics were obtained throughout treatment, as well as a measurement of gastrointestinal symptoms rating scale (GSRS) and quality of life (QoL) before and after each intervention arm. RESULTS There was no difference in total BM over 3 weeks (p>0.05) or mean BM during each of weeks 1, 2 and 3 (p>0.05) between the kiwifruit extract and placebo when assessed from a faecal diary. There was also no detectable difference in defecation related scores of BM ease of defecation, volume, consistency or BM type assessed using Bristol stool chart scores. Nor was there a significant change in GSRS or QoL between pre and post treatment measures, when compared to placebo (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS This trial showed that improvement in bowel function or comfort was not achieved through supplementation with 1 g/day freeze dried kiwifruit extract. Efficacy from prior kiwifruit powder and whole fruit trials indicate that investigating higher doses of encapsulated kiwifruit extract may be worthwhile.
GENDER COMPOSITION IN OCCUPATION HIEARCHIES AND THE PERSISTENCE OF LABOR MARKET SEGREGATION — NON- MONOTONIC THRESHOLD EFFECTS OF EXOGENOUS CHANGES

Why is labor market segregation so persistent? This study analyzes one possible mechanism, workers’ decisions to quit or stay on as a function of changes in the gender composition of supervisors during mergers and acquisitions. Swedish longitudinal employer-employee matched data for the period 1970-1990 shows that an increase in the share (or number) of female supervisors, within the same occupation and firm, makes both female and male workers more likely to quit. The reverse is not true. Female workers’ relative aversion to female supervisors is significant only in occupations where the average female share is between 10% and 50%, while male aversion is monotonic. The effects varies with birth cohorts and life cycle, younger men are less averse than older across cohorts. Suggestive evidence indicates that these revealed preferences are partly driven by pecuniary effects among males and by social values among
The Repugnant Conclusion on Realistic Choice Sets

Both classical and critical-level generalized utilitarianism (CGU and CLGU) exhibit the repugnant conclusion on an unrestricted choice set when repugnance is defined in terms of the critical level. However, contrary to common belief, the repugnant conclusion is not an inherent feature of utilitarian population principles. Rather, it results from the interaction of the principles with certain choice sets. Choice sets can be assessed in terms of their realism, defined as conformity with universal properties of physics, biology and preferences. It is shown that these properties entail a particular structure of choice set on which CGU and CLGU do not exhibit the repugnant conclusion. (JEL D63, D71; keywords: variable-population social choice, utilitarianism, repugnant conclusion)
Immunocytochemical Analysis of Axonal Outgrowth in Synaptotagmin Mutations

Abstract: Synaptotagmin is a synaptic vesicle specific protein that binds calcium and phospholipids in vitro and is required for calcium‐regulated fusion of synaptic vesicles with the presynaptic membrane. We have examined the possible requirement for synaptotagmin in axonal outgrowth by following neuronal development in Drosophila embryos deficient for the synaptotagmin gene. We find that synaptotagmin is expressed abundantly in axons and growth cones before synapse formation in wild‐type embryos. Using antibodies to the intravesicular domain of synaptotagmin to label live embryos, we demonstrate that vesicle populations containing synaptotagmin actively undergo exocytosis during axonogenesis. We have used immunocytochemical techniques to examine the distribution of the axonal protein Fasciclin II, the presynaptic membrane protein syntaxin, and the synaptic vesicle protein cysteine string protein, in synaptotagmin null mutations. The distribution of these proteins is similar in wild‐type and synaptotagmin mutant embryos, suggesting that synaptotagmin is not required for axonogenesis in the CNS or PNS. Based on these findings, we suggest that the molecular mechanisms underlying vesicular‐mediated membrane expansion during axonal outgrowth are distinct from those required for synaptic vesicle fusion during neurotransmitter release.
Refining worst-case crosstalk models for the next generation broadband over copper

Accurate parametric models capable of describing the electrical characteristics of short twisted-pair cables operating at relatively high frequencies are key elements for design the next generation broadband over copper. In this paper we present an experimental procedure for refining the parameters of a well-known 1% worst-case crosstalk model in order to better characterize these new transmission scenarios.
Intragenic complementation and oligomerization of the L subunit of the sendai virus RNA polymerase.

The RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of Sendai virus consists of two subunits, the L and P proteins, where L is thought to be responsible for all the catalytic activities necessary for viral RNA synthesis. Sequence alignment of the L proteins of a variety of negative-stranded RNA viruses revealed six regions of good conservation, designated domains I-VI, which are thought to correspond to functional domains of the protein. Analysis of a number of site-directed mutants within the six domains of L allowed us to conclude that the activities of the polymerase are not simply compartmentalized and that each domain contributes to multiple steps in viral RNA synthesis. Nevertheless these domains can function in trans since we demonstrate here that intragenic complementation between pairs of coexpressed inactive L mutants can restore viral RNA synthesis on an added template. Although intragenic complementation is typically very inefficient, complementation to restore leader RNA synthesis was surprisingly very efficient for some pairs and complementation of mRNA synthesis and genome replication was less, but still significant. Complementation occurred with L mutants in five of the six domains, the exception being a domain III mutant, and required the cotranslation of the two L mutants. C-terminal truncations deleting up to half of L were capable of restoring transcription of an inactive domain I L mutant at amino acid 379. Oligomerization of L in the polymerase complex was demonstrated directly by the co-immunoprecipitation of differentially epitope-tagged full-length and truncated L proteins. These data are consistent with L protein being an oligomer with multiple independent domains each of which exhibits several functions.