Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysis and Design of Zero-Current Switching Switched-Capacitor Cell Balancing Circuit for Series-Connected Battery/Supercapacitor

To overcome the problem that the balancing performance of existing switched-capacitor (SC) cell balancing systems drops along with the increase in the number of series-connected battery cells, a novel SC cell balancing circuit is presented in this paper. The same as other SC balancing systems, only a pair of complementary square-wave signals is required to control the proposed circuit. With resonant SC design, all switches employed in the proposed balancing circuit operate under zero-current switching. The equivalent model is derived to reveal the balancing performance of the proposed balancing circuit. The system feasibility and theoretical analysis are verified by both of simulation and experimental results.
Electric field assembled anisotropic alumina composite for thermal dissipation applications

A composite material with anisotropic microstructure was fabricated by DC electric field. Alumina was used as filler for thermal conductivity and polysiloxane resin was used as matrix. According to the alumina morphology and loading amount, various anisotropic microstructures were assembled. The thermal properties of the composite material were investigated parallel to the direction of the applied electric field accordingly. For plate-like alumina with 20 vol% loading, a thermal conductivity of 0.44 W/mK was achieved. With spherically shaped alumina, with an equal loading of 20 vol%, a higher thermal conductivity of 0.46 W/mK was achieved. The increase in the thermal conductivity of the fabricated alumina composites with anisotropic microstructure was attributed to increased filler-to-filler connectivity.
Health promotion behaviors and physical dependence in people with clinical diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Objective: To describe health promotion behaviors and the degree of physical dependence in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) diagnosed. Methodology: This study employed a quantitative correlational approach in which a probabilistic sample of 125 people was obtained. A health-promoting lifestyle Profile II Spanish version and the Barthel Index scale were applied. Findings: The 68.8% of the participants were females. The most prevailing diagnostic was unspecified COPD 67.2%. As exposition factors several aspects as tobacco use 35.2%, this factor along with the exposition to the biomass smoke were identified at 32.8%. Regarding the health promotion behaviors, there was evidence of a low average in the dimensions related to physical activity and nutrition; a high average in their spiritual growth, in both, men and women. The 92.8% of the sample population were independent regarding basic activities of their daily life. Some statistically meaningful associations were identified in some dimensions of the health-promoting lifestyle Profile II with: age groups, supplementary oxygen use and biomass smoke exposition. Conclusion: At the end of this study, there was indication of unhealthy behaviors in a population who still presented a good level of physical independence despite their clinical diagnosis and the predominant of exposition factors. The analysis of other factors, which predict health promotion behaviors, is imperative.
Spouses' experience of caregiving for cancer patients: a literature review.

BACKGROUND The spouse is generally the primary informal caregiver for cancer patients. Many studies have explored the experience of caregiving for cancer patients, but it is unclear whether there are gender differences in the spousal caring experience for cancer patients. AIM This review describes the recent published research on the stress process of spousal caregiving experience for cancer patients, and aims to identify any gender differences in the caregiving experience. METHODS Electronic, manual and author's searches were conducted. Articles included were published in English and Chinese, from January 2000 to March 2012. Study population is couples coping with cancer. Focus is on caregiving experience for spouse with cancer, and findings include both male and female spousal caregivers in quantitative studies. The databases searched included MEDLINE, CINAHL, Science Citation Index Expanded, Scopus, PsycINFO and the China Academic Journal Full-text Database. The key search terms used were 'cancer' or 'oncology' or 'carcinoma' AND 'caregiver' or 'caregiving' or 'carer' AND 'gender differences' or 'gender' AND 'spouse' or 'couple' or 'partner'. Spousal caregiving experiences of cancer patients were explored by adopting the 'stress process' of the Cancer Family Caregiving Experience Model from the gender perspective. RESULTS Twenty-five articles were identified and included in this review. It was revealed that female spousal caregivers perceived higher level negative experience in caregiving, such as lower mental health, lower physical health, poorer health-related quality of life, lower life satisfaction and decreased marital satisfaction than male spousal caregivers. However, female spousal caregivers are more likely to experience personal growth than male spousal caregivers. CONCLUSION This review identified that female spousal caregivers for cancer patients had higher levels of negative experience in caregiving. A better understanding of the spousal caregiving experience will provide healthcare professionals with the information needed to develop interventions to support and prepare spousal caregivers to care for their loved ones with cancer.
The potential of phototherapy to reduce body fat, insulin resistance and “metabolic inflexibility” related to obesity in women undergoing weight loss treatment

The metabolic flexibility is often impaired in diseases associated with obesity, and many studies are based on the hypothesis that dysfunction in peripheral tissues such as skeletal muscle, liver and adipose tissue represent the etiology of development of metabolic inflexibility. Experimental evidence shows that the use of phototherapy combined with exercise was effective in controlling the lipid profile, reducing the mass of adipose tissue, suggesting increased metabolic activity and changes in lipid metabolism. However, we found few data in the literature involving the use of phototherapy in association to physical training in the obese population. Thus, our objective was to evaluate the effects of exercise training (aerobic plus resistance exercises) plus phototherapy (laser, 808 nm) on metabolic profile and adiponectinemia in obese women.
Android Rooting: An Arms Race between Evasion and Detection

We present an arms race between rooting detection and rooting evasion. We investigate different methods to detect rooted device at both Java and native level and evaluate the counterattack from major hooking tools. To this end, an extensive study of Android rooting has been conducted, which includes the techniques to root the device and make it invisible to the detection of mobile antimalware product. We then analyze the evasion loopholes and in turn enhance our rooting detection tool. We also apply evasion techniques on rooted device and compare our work with 92 popular root checking applications and 18 banking and finance applications. Results show that most of them do not suffice and can be evaded through API hooking or static file renaming. Furthermore, over 28000 Android applications have been analyzed and evaluated in order to diagnose the characteristics of rooting in recent years. Our study shows that rooting has become more and more prevalent as an inevitable trend, and it raises big security concerns regarding detection and evasion. As a proof of concept, we have published our rooting detection application to Google Play Store to demonstrate the work presented in this paper.
Toll-Like Receptors: Regulators of the Immune Response in the Human Gut

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are powerful molecular regulators by which the immune system may “sense” the environment and protect the host from pathogens or endogenous threats. In mammalian cells, several TLRs were identified with a tissue and cell type-specific distribution. Understanding the functions of specific TLRs is crucial for the development and discovery of compounds useful to maintaining or re-establishing homeostasis in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Due to their relevance in regulating the inflammatory response in the GIT, we will focus here on TLR2, TLR4, and TLR5. In particular, we describe (a) the molecular pathways activated by the stimulation of these receptors with their known bacterial ligands; (b) the non-bacterial ligands known to interact directly with TLR2 and TLR4 and their soluble forms. The scope of this minireview is to highlight the importance of bacterial and non-bacterial compounds in affecting the gut immune functions via the activation of the TLRs.
Blood-brain barrier disruption induced by diagnostic ultrasound combined with microbubbles in mice

Objective To investigate the effects of the microbubble (MB) dose, mechanism index (MI) and sonication duration on blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption induced by diagnostic ultrasound combined with MBs as well as to investigate the potential molecular mechanism. Results The extent of BBB disruption increased with MB dose, MI and sonication duration. A relatively larger extent of BBB disruption associated with minimal tissue damage was achieved by an appropriate MB dose and ultrasound exposure parameters with diagnostic ultrasound. Decreased expression of ZO-1, occludin and claudin-5 were correlated with disruption of the BBB, as confirmed by paracellular passage of the tracer lanthanum nitrate into the brain parenchyma after BBB disruption. Conclusions These findings indicated that this technique is a promising tool for promoting brain delivery of diagnostic and therapeutic agents in the diagnosis and treatment of brain diseases. Methods The extent of BBB disruption was qualitatively assessed by Evans blue (EB) staining and quantitatively analyzed by an EB extravasation measurement. A histological examination was performed to evaluate tissue damage. Expression of tight junction (TJ) related proteins ZO-1, occludin and claudin-5 was determined by western blotting analysis and immunohistofluorescence. Transmission electron microscopy was performed to observe ultrastructure changes of TJs after BBB disruption.
CA 19-9 Response as an Early Indicator of the Effectiveness of Gemcitabine in Patients with Advanced Pancreatic Cancer

Background: The CA 19-9 decline 8 weeks after gemcitabine administration has been shown to be a useful prognosticator of survival in patients with pancreatic cancer. We assessed the prognostic value of changes in CA 19-9 levels 4 weeks after treatment initiation on overall survival (OS) and time to progression (TTP). Methods: We evaluated 72 patients who received gemcitabine for advanced pancreatic cancer. The serum CA 19-9 level was measured routinely at baseline (CA 19-9_Pre) and after the first (4 weeks; CA 19-9_A1) and second (8 weeks; CA 19-9_A2) courses. CA 19-9 responses were categorized into quartiles using the proportional change in CA 19-9. Results: The rates of decrease in CA 19-9_A1 and CA 19-9_A2 were strongly correlated with each other (r = 0.8981, p < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis revealed that an early CA 19-9 response was prognostic of OS and TTP in addition to CA 19-9_Pre and performance status. Compared with the first quartile of an early CA 19-9 response, hazard ratios for the second, third and fourth quartiles were 0.91 (95% confidence interval, CI, 0.59–1.34), 0.71 (95% CI, 0.45–1.08), and 0.63 (95% CI, 0.41–0.94) for TTP, respectively (p for trend = 0.002), and 0.98 (95% CI, 0.61–1.49), 0.68 (95% CI, 0.40–1.08) and 0.79 (95% CI, 0.50–1.21) for OS (p for trend = 0.036). Conclusion: CA 19-9 response after the first course of gemcitabine was a prognosticator of OS and TTP in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.
Metformin should be considered in the treatment of gestational diabetes: a prospective randomised study

Please cite this paper as: Ijäs H, Vääräsmäki M, Morin‐Papunen L, Keravuo R, Ebeling T, Saarela T, Raudaskoski T. Metformin should be considered in the treatment of gestational diabetes: a prospective randomised study. BJOG 2011;118:880–885.
Instant Sound Scattering

Real-time sound rendering engines often render occlusion and early sound reflection effects using geometrical techniques such as ray or beam tracing. They can only achieve interactive rendering for environments of low local complexity resulting in crude effects which can degrade the sense of immersion. However, surface detail or complex dynamic geometry has a strong influence on sound propagation and the resulting auditory perception. This paper focuses on high-quality modeling of first-order sound scattering. Based on a surface-integral formulation and the Kirchhoff approximation, we propose an efficient evaluation of scattering effects, including both diffraction and reflection, that leverages programmable graphics hardware for dense sampling of complex surfaces. We evaluate possible surface simplification techniques and show that combined normal and displacement maps can be successfully used for audio scattering calculations. We present an auralization framework that can render scattering effects interactively thus providing a more compelling experience. We demonstrate that, while only considering first order phenomena, our approach can provide realistic results for a number of practical interactive applications. It can also process highly detailed models containing millions of unorganized triangles in minutes, generating high-quality scattering filters. Resulting simulations compare well with on-site recordings showing that the Kirchhoff approximation can be used for complex scattering problems.
Kernelised Rényi Distance for Localization and Mapping of Autonomous Vehicle

Accurate locating is an important task for autonomous vehicles' safely driving. In order to realize the precise locating autonomous vehicles without Global Positioning System(GPS) signal, a Kernelized Rényi Distance(KRD) based simultaneous localization and mapping(SLAM) algorithm is proposed in this paper. In our Algorithm, pose estimation are computed by optimizing KRD between two groups of laser point(in odometry process) or between laser points and the local map(in mapping process). The experimental results indicate that the proposed algorithm can accurately locate autonomous vehicle and build the traveled environment map.
Integrating Ecological and Social Knowledge: Learning from CHANS Research

Scientists are increasingly called upon to integrate across ecological and social disciplines to tackle complex coupled human and natural system (CHANS) problems. Integration of these disciplines is challenging and many scientists do not have experience with large integrated research projects. However, much can be learned about the complicated process of integration from such efforts. We document some of these lessons from a National Science Foundation-funded CHANS project (Forests, People, Fire) and present considerations for developing and engaging in coupled human and natural system projects. Certainly we are not the first to undertake this endeavor, and many of our findings complement those of other research teams. We focus here on the process of coming together, learning to work as an integrated science team, and describe the challenges and opportunities of engaging stakeholders (agency personnel and citizen communities of interests) in our efforts. Throughout this project our intention was to foster dialogue among diverse interests and, thus, incorporate this knowledge into uncovering primary social and ecological drivers of change. A primary tool was an agentbased model, Envision, that used this information in landscape simulation, visualization models, and scenario development. Although integration can be an end in itself, the proof of value in the approach can be the degree to which it provides new insights or tools to CHANS, including closer interaction among multiple stakeholders, that could not have been reached without it.
Channel Estimation for Overlay Coding in Multibeam Satellite Systems

We investigate the effect of channel estimation inaccuracy in multibeam satellite system forward link, with dense frequency reuse, using our previously proposed overlay coding technique. We have shown overlay coding to be the capacity achieving multi user detection (MUD) technique, by transmitting over non-orthogonal channels. The overlay coding scheme is based on cooperation of transmitting beams by targeting one user terminal at a time. The jointly reception of data streams features multiple access channel (MAC), where both data will be recovered by devising successive interference cancellation (SIC). However, in case of channel estimation error, though it might result in slight errors at the beginning, the propagation of error through SIC causes huge loss of data frames and throughput degradation. So, we propose a strategy based on a back-off algorithm to mitigate the problem. Our simulation results show that significant drop in frame error rate (FER) can be achieved, and overlay coding can reach expected data throughput gain almost the same as the cases with perfect channel estimation.
Fingerprint Indexing Approaches for Biometric Database: A Review

to the uniqueness and persistent properties of the biometric fingerprint characteristics, large scale in border control and governmental applications such as the Aadhaar project in India, the Visa Information System (VIS) in Europe and US-VISIT / IDENT system in the USA are based on fingerprint recognition and generally contain millions of fingerprint samples. The study of fingerprint indexing techniques is inevitable, to improve the effectiveness in searching for satisfactory candidate reference list in such large biometric databases. In systems using biometric identification, the identity associated with the input data is decided by its comparison against every single entry in the database. This matching process is exhaustive which leads to increase in the rate of erroneous identification and the response time of the system. This paper presents a survey on the fingerprint indexing methods that are currently available and some of them are presented. Fingerprint indexing is based on the local ridge line orientation, global feature, minutiae and other features. KeywordsIndexing, Fingerprint, minutiae
The third National Food Consumption Survey, INRAN-SCAI 2005–06: major dietary sources of nutrients in Italy

Abstract Introduction: To promote healthy food consumption patterns, information is required on the contribution of food groups to total nutrient intake. The objective of this paper is to identify the main dietary sources of nutrients in the diet of the population in Italy. Methods: Data collected through individual food records within the INRAN-SCAI 2005–06 survey were required. The final sample included 3323 subjects aged 0.1–97.7 years. Results: The percentage contributed by each food category to the intake of energy, dietary fibre and of 26 nutrients was calculated. Above 3 years of age, the main contributors to macro- and micro-nutrient intakes were similar among the various age-sex groupings with few exceptions. Conclusion: These data might be used to develop specific strategies for Italy in order to increase the intake of dietary fibre and to decrease that of total fats and of sugars in the population.
Abdominal Exploration in Captive Collared Peccaries (Tayassu tajacu) by Ultrasonography

This study determines the morphology and ultrasound features of the abdominal organs in male, nestling and healthy collared peccaries. The bladder wall is hyperechogenic, with a thickness of 0.2 ± 0.08 cm. The kidneys present a well‐defined cortex, medulla and pelvis, and the dimensions are 2.56 ± 0.3 × 4.6 ± 0.8 cm for the left and 2.51 ± 0.4 × 4.86 ± 1.1 cm for the right kidney. The spleen has a uniform echotexture over its entire surface. The largest dimensions of the liver are 2.0 ± 0.57 cm for the left lobe and 1.42 ± 0.66 cm for the caudate lobe. The liver presents a homogeneous echotexture in the majority of cases, but sometimes some hyperechoic spots are present. The stomach wall has a thickness of 0.42 ± 0.28 cm. The bowel loops show alternate hyperechoic and hypoechoic layers with a uniform diameter and a wall thickness of 0.19 ± 0.07 cm.
Jatropha cultivation in Malawi and Mozambique: impact on ecosystem services, local human well-being, and poverty alleviation

Jatropha-based biofuels have undergone a rapid boom-and-bust cycle in southern Africa. Despite strong initial support by governments, donors, and the private sector, there is a lack of empirical studies that compare the environmental and socioeconomic impacts of Jatropha's two dominant modes of production: large plantations and smallholder-based projects. We apply a rapid ecosystem services assessment approach to understand the impact of two Jatropha projects that are still operational despite widespread project collapse across southern Africa: a smallholder-based project (BERL, Malawi) and a large plantation (Niqel, Mozambique). Our study focuses on changes in provisioning ecosystem services such as biofuel feedstock, food, and woodland products that can have important effects on human well-being locally. Qualitative information is provided for other regulating and cultural ecosystem services. Although at this stage no impact is tremendously positive or negative, both projects show some signs of viability and local poverty alleviation potential. However, their long-term sustainability is not guaranteed given low yields, uncertain markets, and some prevailing management practices.
Rep‐Seq: uncovering the immunological repertoire through next‐generation sequencing

Recent scientific discoveries fuelled by the application of next‐generation DNA and RNA sequencing technologies highlight the striking impact of these platforms in characterizing multiple aspects in genomics research. This technology has been used in the study of the B‐cell and T‐cell receptor repertoire. The novelty of immunosequencing comes from the recent rapid development of techniques and the exponential reduction in cost of sequencing. Here, we describe some of the technologies, which we collectively refer to as Rep‐Seq (repertoire sequencing), to portray achievements in the field and to present the essential and inseparable role of next‐generation sequencing to the understanding of entities in immune response. The large Rep‐Seq data sets that should be available in the near future call for new computational algorithms to segue the transition from ‘classic’ molecular‐based analysis to system‐wide analysis. The combination of new algorithms with high‐throughput data will form the basis for possible new clinical implications in personalized medicine and deeper understanding of immune behaviour and immune response.
Polymer Solar Cells with 90% External Quantum Efficiency Featuring an Ideal Light‐ and Charge‐Manipulation Layer

Rapid progress in the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of polymer solar cells (PSEs) is beneficial from the factors that match the irradiated solar spectrum, maximize incident light absorption, and reduce photogenerated charge recombination. To optimize the device efficiency, a nanopatterned ZnO:Al2O3 composite film is presented as an efficient light‐ and charge‐manipulation layer (LCML). The Al2O3 shells on the ZnO nanoparticles offer the passivation effect that allows optimal electron collection by suppressing charge‐recombination loss. Both the increased refractive index and the patterned deterministic aperiodic nanostructure in the ZnO:Al2O3 LCML cause broadband light harvesting. Highly efficient single‐junction PSCs for different binary blends are obtained with a peak external quantum efficiency of up to 90%, showing certified PCEs of 9.69% and 13.03% for a fullerene blend of PTB7:PC71BM and a nonfullerene blend, FTAZ:IDIC, respectively. Because of the substantial increase in efficiency, this method unlocks the full potential of the ZnO:Al2O3 LCML toward future photovoltaic applications.