Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hybrid resonant half-bridge DC/DC converter with wide input voltage range

Photovoltaic power conditioning systems (PCSs) requires a high-boost ratio over wide-input-range along with the isolation. This paper presents a hybrid resonant half-bridge dc/dc converter for photovoltaic power applications. This converter operates in a resonant half-bridge converter (RHBC) mode when the input voltage is higher than nominal input voltage. When the input voltage is lower than the nominal input voltage, the converter operates in a resonant boost (RB) mode in which the resonant half-bridge circuit on the secondary side boosts the secondary side resonant inductor current to achieve high boost-ratio. As a result, the proposed converter achieves high boost-ratio over wide-input-range with simple circuit structures. Detailed analysis of the converter operation is discussed along with the experiment using 600-W prototype to confirm the theoretical analysis and validity of the proposed converter.
Optical stimulated emission in AlGaN/InGaN ultraviolet multi-quantum-well structures

Two different structures of AlGaN/InGaN ultraviolet (UV) multiple quantum wells (MQWs) were grown in a metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) system, and their performance under optically pumped stimulated emission were experimentally investigated. During the MOCVD epitaxial growth of the AlGaN/InGaN MQWs, the growth rate of the AlGaN quantum barriers (QBs) was intentionally reduced to improve the surface morphology. Atomic-force microscopy (AFM) images show that the AlGaN QBs have a smooth surface with clear step flow patterns. The surface morphology of InGaN QWs was improved by thermal annealing effect when the growth temperature rose to the one of the AlGaN QBs. With optical confinement layers on both the n- and p-sides, the threshold pumping power density of optical stimulated emission for AlGaN/InGaN MQWs was determined to be 168 kW/cm2. In order to reduce the negative effect of the interface between AlGaN QBs and InGaN QWs, another MQW structure with a larger quantum well thickness was designed and epitaxial grown. The optical investigation of sample B showed a threshold pumping power density of 124 kW/cm2, which is 26% lower than sample A.
Enhancing Transparency and Control When Drawing Data-Driven Inferences About Individuals

Abstract Recent studies show the remarkable power of fine-grained information disclosed by users on social network sites to infer users' personal characteristics via predictive modeling. Similar fine-grained data are being used successfully in other commercial applications. In response, attention is turning increasingly to the transparency that organizations provide to users as to what inferences are drawn and why, as well as to what sort of control users can be given over inferences that are drawn about them. In this article, we focus on inferences about personal characteristics based on information disclosed by users' online actions. As a use case, we explore personal inferences that are made possible from “Likes” on Facebook. We first present a means for providing transparency into the information responsible for inferences drawn by data-driven models. We then introduce the “cloaking device”—a mechanism for users to inhibit the use of particular pieces of information in inference. Using these analytical tools we ask two main questions: (1) How much information must users cloak to significantly affect inferences about their personal traits? We find that usually users must cloak only a small portion of their actions to inhibit inference. We also find that, encouragingly, false-positive inferences are significantly easier to cloak than true-positive inferences. (2) Can firms change their modeling behavior to make cloaking more difficult? The answer is a definitive yes. We demonstrate a simple modeling change that requires users to cloak substantially more information to affect the inferences drawn. The upshot is that organizations can provide transparency and control even into complicated, predictive model-driven inferences, but they also can make control easier or harder for their users.
Glycemia in Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage: Clinical Implications

Abstract Spontaneous cerebral hemorrhage or intracranial hemorrhage accounts for 10-15% of all strokes. Intracranial hemorrhage is much less common than ischemic stroke, but has higher mortality and morbidity, one of the leading causes of severe disability. Various alterations, among these the endocrine were identified when an intracerebral hemorrhage, these stress-mediated mechanisms exacerbate secondary injury. Deep knowledge of the injuries which are directly involved alterations of glucose, offers insight as cytotoxicity, neuronal death and metabolic dysregulations alter the prognosis of patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage.
Brentuximab vedotin for relapsed or refractory Hodgkin’s lymphoma

: Brentuximab vedotin is a promising antibody–drug conjugate (ADC) targeting CD30 of tumor cells. It selectively delivers monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE) into CD30-expressing cells and induces tumor cell apoptosis. Various clinical trials have provided evidence that it is effective in relapsed or refractory Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL), and it has also shown its advantages in other CD30-positive lymphomas. In this review, we focus on the structure, mechanisms, and pharmacokinetics of brentuximab vedotin. We also summarize clinical trials with brentuximab vedotin and make recommendations for brentuximab vedotin in the treatment of relapsed or refractory HL.
Participation in screening colonoscopy in first-degree relatives from patients with colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND Current guidelines recommend screening colonoscopy in first-degree relatives of patients with colon cancer. The aim of this state-wide study was to investigate the compliance for colonoscopic in first-degree relatives, who were younger than 60 years of age. METHODS A total of 602 patients were identified from the tumor registry of the public health insurance of Lower Saxony. A questionnaire was sent to these patients, which included a number of different questions regarding their knowledge about the risk of colon cancer for their family members, as well as their participation in screening colonoscopy. RESULTS Data from 442 patients and their first-degree relatives (1005 siblings and 354 parents) were available; 178 parents had undergone screening colonoscopy and 344 siblings. Interestingly, the percentage of siblings who underwent screening colonoscopy was significantly higher (27%) among those siblings where the index patients were aware of the increased risk for the first-degree relatives, in contrast to the siblings of the index patients who were not aware of this risk (20%). CONCLUSION This study demonstrates that only a minority of first-degree relatives undergo screening colonoscopy and that informing patients about the potential risk for their relatives will increase participation in screening colonoscopy in first-degree relatives of the patients.
Alzheimer’s Disease, Brain Injury, and C.N.S. Nanotherapy in Humans: Sonoporation Augmenting Drug Targeting

Owing to the complexity of neurodegenerative diseases, multiple cellular types need to be targeted simultaneously in order for a given therapy to demonstrate any major effectiveness. Ultrasound-sensitive coated microbubbles (in a targeted nanoemulsion) are available. Versatile small-molecule drug(s) targeting multiple pathways of Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis are known. By incorporating such drug(s) into the targeted lipid-coated microbubble/nanoparticle-derived (LCM/ND) lipid nanoemulsion type, one obtains a multitasking combination therapeutic for translational medicine. This multitasking therapeutic targets cell-surface scavenger receptors (mainly scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI)), making it possible for various Alzheimer’s-related cell types to be simultaneously sought for localized drug treatment in vivo. Besides targeting cell-surface SR-BI, the proposed LCM/ND-nanoemulsion combination therapeutic(s) include a characteristic lipid-coated microbubble (LCM) subpopulation (i.e., a stable LCM suspension); such LCM substantially reduce the acoustic power levels needed for accomplishing temporary noninvasive (transcranial) ultrasound treatment, or sonoporation, if additionally desired for the Alzheimer’s patient.
From Community to Meta-Community Mental Health Care

Since the 1960s, we have witnessed the development and growth of community mental health care that continues to dominate mental health policy and practice. Several high-income countries have implemented community mental health care programmes but for many others, including mostly low- and middle-income countries, it remains an aspiration. Although community mental health care has been positive for many service users, it has also had severe shortcomings. Expectations that it would lead to fuller social integration have not been fulfilled and many service users remain secluded in sheltered or custodial environments with limited social contacts and no prospect of work. Others receive little or no service at all. In today’s complex landscape of increasingly specialised services for people with mental health problems, the number of possible interfaces between services is increasing. Together with existing uneven financing systems and a context of constant change, these interfaces are challenging us to develop effective care pathways adjusted to the needs of service users and their carers. This discussion paper reviews the developments in community mental health care over the recent years and puts forward the concept of “Meta-Community Mental Health Care”. “Meta-Community Mental Health Care” embraces pluralism in understanding and treating psychiatric disorders, acknowledges the complexities of community provision, and reflects the realities and needs of the current era of care.
Modeling contacts in a physically based simulation

In this paper we present a model for polyhedral contact that may be llsed in a physically based simulation. The model is based on a geometric analysis formulated as a static problem in three-dimensional space. The geometric contact analysis between a pair of objects determines the set of surface areas which are in contact and their associated normals. From these areas and normals the dynamics simulator can formulate equations that model the physical consequences of the contact. For areas that come into contact with high relative velocity, these equations model the collision impulse force. The pushing and sliding behavior of low relative velocity contact is modeled by the addition of kinematic constraints over the areas in contact. The geometric analysis consists mainly of collecting adjacent contact points into separate regions which share the same normals. Since non-convex polyhedra are allowed, the intersection can produce surface areas which have more than one associated normal The geometric modeler can provide this entire set of normals or any small subset which spans the same space, whichever the dynamics modeler requires. When a contact region persists from time step to time step in the simulation, the contact analysis can return the normals for that region from the previous time step rather than recalculating them. This temporal coherence of the normals can resolve certain cases where the normals of a region are indeterminate. The interpretation of the contact requires a full set-theoretic intersection of the two objects. The objects in question are assumed to be already in contact or in close proximity. An efficient and robust implementation of the intersection is achieved by nsing the brep-index data structnre in conjunction with a back-face culling technique based on relative velocities at surface points.
Exploiting Paraphrases in a Question Answering System

We present a Question Answering system for technical domains which makes an intelligent use of paraphrases to increase the likelihood of finding the answer to the user's question. The system implements a simple and efficient logic representation of questions and answers that maps paraphrases to the same underlying semantic representation. Further, paraphrases of technical terminology are dealt with by a separate process that detects surface variants.
A novel and simple hybrid DC-DC converter of resonant forward and PWM flyback

A novel single switch, hybrid DC-DC converter is proposed in this paper, where an unregulated resonant forward converter is cascoded with a PWM regulated flyback converter. The converter output is formed by resonant forward circuit utilizing transformer leakage inductance and a resonant capacitor. It transfers the energy fully to the output and is only dependent with transformer turns ratio. Zero current turn off is realized at secondary forward diode without reverse recovery loss. Both forward part and flyback part share the same primary transformer winding. The output of the flyback part, instead of delivering magnetizing flux energy to the load directly, is moved to the primary side and connected in series with input source. With fixed transformer turns ratio, a PWM regulated flyback part is employed to regulate the output voltage. The proposed topology maximizes the capability of energy delivering and is able to ensure both high efficiency and simple control methodology with a wide operating range and high output current. To verify the concept, a high frequency 400V to 20V/65W DC-DC converter for adapter power supply at 200 KHz switching frequency is designed and tested with the proposed architecture.
Green synthesis of graphene and its cytotoxic effects in human breast cancer cells

Background: This paper describes an environmentally friendly (“green”) approach for the synthesis of soluble graphene using Bacillus marisflavi biomass as a reducing and stabilizing agent under mild conditions in aqueous solution. In addition, the study reported here investigated the cytotoxicity effects of graphene oxide (GO) and bacterially reduced graphene oxide (B-rGO) on the inhibition of cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and membrane integrity in human breast cancer cells. Methods: The reduction of GO was characterized by ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy. Size distribution was analyzed by dynamic light scattering. Further, X-ray diffraction and high-resolution scanning electron microscopy were used to investigate the crystallinity of graphene and the morphologies of prepared graphene, respectively. The formation of defects further supports the bio-functionalization of graphene, as indicated in the Raman spectrum of B-rGO. Surface morphology and the thickness of the GO and B-rGO were analyzed using atomic force microscopy, while the biocompatibility of GO and B-rGO were investigated using WST-8 assays on MCF-7 cells. Finally, cellular toxicity was evaluated by ROS generation and membrane integrity assays. Results: In this study, we demonstrated an environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and simple method for the preparation of water-soluble graphene using bacterial biomass. This reduction method avoids the use of toxic reagents such as hydrazine and hydrazine hydrate. The synthesized soluble graphene was confirmed using various analytical techniques. Our results suggest that both GO and B-rGO exhibit toxicity to MCF-7 cells in a dose-dependent manner, with a dose > 60 μg/mL exhibiting obvious cytotoxicity effects, such as decreasing cell viability, increasing ROS generation, and releasing of lactate dehydrogenase. Conclusion: We developed a green and a simple approach to produce graphene using bacterial biomass as a reducing and stabilizing agent. The proposed approach confers B-rGO with great potential for various biological and biomedical applications.
Biogeosciences Estimation of NH 3 emissions from a naturally ventilated livestock farm using local-scale atmospheric dispersion modelling

Agricultural livestock represents the main source of ammonia (NH3) in Europe. In recent years, reduction policies have been applied to reduce NH 3 emissions. In order to estimate the impacts of these policies, robust estimates of the emissions from the main sources, i.e. livestock farms are needed. In this paper, the NH 3 emissions were estimated from a naturally ventilated livestock farm in Braunschweig, Germany during a joint field experiment of the GRAMINAE European project. An inference method was used with a Gaussian-3D plume model and with the Huang 3-D model. NH3 concentrations downwind of the source were used together with micrometeorological data to estimate the source strength over time. Mobile NH 3 concentration measurements provided information on the spatial distribution of source strength. The estimated emission strength ranged between 6.4±0.18 kg NH3 d−1 (Huang 3-D model) and 9.2 ±0.7 kg NH3 d−1 (Gaussian-3D model). These estimates were 94% and 63% of what was obtained using emission factors from the German national inventory (9.6 kg d −1 NH3). The effect of deposition was evaluated with the FIDES-2D model. This increased the emission estimate to 11.7 kg NH 3 d−1, showing that deposition can explain the observed difference. The daily pattern of the source was correlated with net radiation and with the temperature inside the animal houses. The daily pattern resulted from a combination of a temperature effect on the source concentration together with an effect of variations in free and forced convection of the building ventiCorrespondence to: A. Hensen (hensen@ecn.nl) lation rate. Further development of the plume technique is especially relevant for naturally ventilated farms, since the variable ventilation rate makes other emission measurements difficult.
Sudden Cardiac Death with Clozapine and Lorazepam Combination

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of sudden cardiac death in a patient taking a combination of clozapine and lorazepam. CASE SUMMARY: A 31-year-old white man with schizophrenia was found dead at his apartment. His medication regimen included clozapine 500 mg at bed time, lorazepam 0.5 mg three times daily and levothyroxine 75 mcg once a day. Autopsy studies revealed cardiac hypertrophy, pulmonary congestion and edema. DISCUSSION: Clozapine therapy may cause cardiomyopathy and reduction in heart rate variability (HRV) indices. Benzodiazepines can reduce vagal tone and increase sympathetic activity. This combination can have an enhanced potential for sudden cardiac death. CONCLUSIONS: Clozapineinduced cardiomyopathy and arrhythmias from clozapine and/or lorazepam use may have contributed to this man's death.
Diffraction of bulk waves on phononic crystals

Phononic crystals have attracted much research interest in the last decade due to their unique properties (band gaps, etc.) and potential applications in acoustic filtering and novel transducer design, among others. Many studies have examined the acoustic wave propagation that occurs inside (infinite) phononic crystals. However, in order for phononic crystals to find application in actual devices, they must be of finite size and the diffraction that may occur on the surface of the crystal becomes important. This work presents the results of experiments performed on a 2D phononic crystal consisting of steel cylinders in a water matrix. The diffraction of bulk waves that occurs on the exterior surface of the crystal will be examined, and the surface of the crystal will be shown to function as an acoustic diffraction grating. In addition, angular scans of the diffracted fields will examine the possibility of surface wave generation along the exterior surface of the crystal. It is expected that these results will contribute to a better understanding of finite-size phononic crystals and aid in the development of devices employing such crystals.
The influence of bias magnetic field on the frequency of magnetoelectric composite materials

This paper presents an speed measurement method based on the magnetoelectric (ME) materials which response to the magnetic field. A theoretical analysis was conducted on the principle of rotation speed measurement and a numerical analysis on the ME device response the magnetic field using different material size is performed. Numerical calculation results show that when the Young's modulus varies with the magnetic field, the characteristic frequency of ME materials response varies periodically. The rotation speed counting method develops by searching the maximum output voltage of ME device. The ME rotation speed measurement system is set up and ME device with high performance is fabricated on the ME materials. Experimental results verify the validity and feasibility of presented rotation speed measurement method.
Sap salinity effects on xylem conductivity in two mangrove species

Xylem sap salinity and conductivity were examined in two mangrove ecosystem tree species . For Avicennia germinans , extracted xylem sap osmotic potentials ranged from 0.24 to - - 1.36 MPa versus - 0.14 to - 0.56 MPa for Conocarpus erectus. Xylem sap of Conocarpus did not vary in osmotic potential between sites nor between predawn and midday. In Avicennia , values were more negative at midday than predawn, and also more negative at hypersaline than hyposaline sites. After removing embolisms, specific conductivity ( K s ) was measured as a function of salinity of the artificial xylem sap perfusion. For both species the lowest K s values, about 70% of the maximum K s , were obtained when stems were perfused with deionized water (0 m M ; 0.0 MPa) or with a 557-m M saline solution ( - - 2.4 MPa). Higher K s values were obtained in the range from - 0.3 to - - 1.2 MPa, with a peak at - 0.82 ± 0.08 MPa for Avicennia and - - 0.75 ± ± ± 0.08 MPa for Conocarpus . The variations in K s values with minima both at very low and very high salt concentrations were consistent with published results for swelling and shrinking of synthetic hydrogels, suggesting native hydrogels in pit membranes of vessels could help regulate conductivity.
What cochlear implants can tell us about pitch perception in normal hearing

Temporal models of pitch perception postulate that pitch depends on auditory nerve inter-spike interva ls. Such models were assessed with cochlear implant recipients by stimulating via a single electrode with two dist inct pulse timing patterns. Pitch-ranking results using on-off modula ted pulse trains were not consistent with a publish ed autocorrelation model, but were consistent with an alte rnative model that analyses first-order inter-spike intervals. Place of stimulation cues were investigated by choosing a fixed pulse rate, high enough to avoid temporal cu es (1800 pps), and then varying the electrodes that were activated . Pitch-ranking results suggested that when a group of neighbouring electrodes was activated, the percept depended on the centroid of the stimulation pattern. This is similar to a model of brightness (timbre) perception in normal h earing. Cochlear implant recipients performed a melo dy perception test with melodies presented by (i) varying th e pulse rate on a single electrode (temporal cues o nly), and (ii) varying the centroid of the stimulation pattern (pl ace cues only). Scores were worse than those of nor mal-hearing subjects listening to tones containing only resolve d harmonics, but similar to those obtained with unr esolved harmonics. Such tones contain only temporal cues to pitch and evoke a weak pitch sensation. Given the dissim ilarities in the neural firing patterns, it is surprising that place cues alone and temporal cues alone can each provid e useful information about melodic pitch.