Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Converter structure-based power loss and static thermal modeling of the press-pack IGBT-based three-level ANPC and HB VSCs applied to Multi-MW wind turbines

The wind turbine converters demand high power density due to nacelle space limitation and high reliability due to high maintenance cost. Once the converter topology with the semiconductor switch technology is selected, the converter power density and reliability are dependent on the component count and the switch thermal performance which is determined by the converter load profile and the converter structure. In this study, the converter-structure based power loss and thermal models are developed for the medium voltage full-scale 3L-ANPC-VSC and 3L-HB-VSC utilizing press-pack IGBT-diode pairs and interfacing a 6MW wind turbine to a medium voltage grid. The switching power loss models are built using the experimentally obtained switching power loss data from a full-scale 3L-ANPC-VSC leg. The static thermal models are developed considering the double-sided cooling of the switches by the cooling plates. For the experimental model verifications, a test setup with a single-phase full-scale 3L-ANPC-VSC is introduced. Using the power loss and thermal models, the switch junction temperatures are obtained on simulation for the wind turbine grid interface. The power density and reliability of the VSCs are discussed and compared with respect to these junction temperatures as well as the counts of press-pack switches, gate driver, and cooling plate.
SMS Security: An Asymmetric Encryption Approach

As Short Message Service (SMS) is now widely use as business tool, it security has become a major concern for business organizations and customers. There is a need for an end to end SMS Encryption in order to provide a secure medium for communication. This paper evaluates RSA, ELGamal and Elliptic curve encryption techniques using random SMS messages of various sizes to measure their encryption and decryption time. The experimental results are presented to show the effectiveness of each algorithm and to choose the most suitable algorithm for SMS encryption.
Macroeconomic Volatility and Welfare in Developing Countries

Macroeconomic Volatility and Welfare in Developing Countries: An Introduction Norman V. Loayza, Romain Ranciere, Luis Serven, ` and Jaume Ventura Macroeconomic volatility, both a source and a reflection of underdevelopment, is a fundamental concern for developing countries. This article provides a brief overview of the recent literature on macroeconomic volatility in developing countries, highlighting its causes, consequences, and possible remedies. to reduce domestic policy-induced macroeconomic volatility by controlling the level and variability of fiscal expenditures, by keeping inflation low and stable, and by avoiding price rigidity (including that of the exchange rate), which eventually leads to drastic adjustments. The ability to conduct countercyclical fiscal policies is crucial, and it depends largely on the ability of the authorities to reduce public indebtedness to internationally acceptable levels, establish a record of saving in good times to provide for bad times, and develop credibility tha.
Convergence at Last? : Evidence from Transition Countries

This article reexamines the hypotheses of absolute and conditional convergence for a sample of twenty-five transition countries over the period from 1990 to 2002. After splitting the sample into three four-year periods, the hypotheses are confirmed only for the latest period of transition. For the early transition stage, we find a negative relation between productivity growth, on one hand, and the pace of price liberalization and initial conditions, measured by initial market distortions, on the other hand. In addition, past/ lagged institutional reforms are found to enhance productivity growth in the intermediate and advanced stages of transition. The confirmation of convergence for the latest stage of transition, however, should not yet be considered as a sign of a permanent return to convergence in these countries as it could be the result of differences in the transition cycles.
Quantitative texture analysis: robustness of radiomics across two digital mammography manufacturers’ systems

Abstract. The robustness of radiomic texture analysis across different manufacturers of mammography imaging systems is investigated. We quantified feature robustness across mammography manufacturers using a dataset of 111 women who underwent consecutive screening mammography on both general electric and Hologic systems. In each mammogram, a square region of interest (ROI) directly behind the nipple was manually selected. Radiomic features describing parenchymal patterns were automatically extracted on each ROI. Feature comparisons were conducted between manufacturers (and breast densities) using newly developed robustness metrics descriptive of correlation, equivalence, and variability. By examining the distribution of these metric values, we propose the following selection criteria to guide feature evaluation in this dataset: (1) 0.80. 5, and (4) p<0.05. Statistically significant correlation coefficients ranged from 0.13 to 0.68 in comparisons between the two mammographic systems tested. Features describing spatial patterns tended to exhibit high correlation coefficients, while intensity- and directionality-based features had comparatively poor correlation. Our proposed robustness metrics may be used to evaluate other datasets, for which different ranges of metric values may be appropriate.
Merchants of Debt: KKR and the Mortgaging of American Business

Showing how pride, jealousy, fear and ambition fueled Wall Street's debt mania - with consequences that affected hundreds of thousands of people, this book takes the reader behind closed board-room doors to show how ambitious young bankers and ruthless dealmakers changed one another's lives - and the whole American economy. At its peak in the 1980s, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR) was a firm that had awesome power. The author shows how KKR dominated the Wall Street scene, acquiring one Fortune 500 company after another, including Safeway, Beatrice Foods, Duracell, Motel 6, and RJR Nabisco. That dominance allows the history of this single firm to tell the story of the undermining of the prudence of American businessmen and the fundamental soundness of the economy. Bankers and money managers stopped financing highways and factories and instead lent billions to KKR to pay for high-debt acquisitions. As companies then laboured to pay off their debt loads, growth suffered, vital capital investments were deferred and technological innovation was foreclosed. In short, the flirtation with daredevil debt, Anders argues, silently took its toll on US economic strength.
Predictors of referral uptake in children with disabilities in Bangladesh – Exploring barriers as a first step to improving referral provision

Purpose: Making services available to children with disabilities in low- and middle-income countries does not guarantee their use. This study aims to identify factors associated with the uptake of referrals in order to investigate barriers to service use. Methods: Children with impairments identified in two districts of Bangladesh were invited to attend screening camps where their condition was confirmed; they were provided with referrals for rehabilitation and treatment services. Predictors of referral uptake were identified using logistic regression. Results: Overall referral uptake was 47%, 32% in Sirajganj and 61% in Natore. There was no association between age or gender and referral uptake. Factors predictive of referral uptake were higher income in Sirajganj (OR = 2.6 95%CI 1.4–5.0), and the districts combined (OR = 1.6 95%CI 1.1–2.1); maternal literacy in Natore (OR = 1.6 95%CI 1.0–2.5); and epilepsy in all three models (Sirajganj: OR = 2.6 95%CI 1.7–4.0; Natore: OR = 13.5 95%CI 6.5–28.3; Combined: OR = 4.6 95%CI 3.3–6.5). Physical impairment was associated with increased odds of uptake in Sirajganj and in the combined model (OR = 2.7 95%CI 1.8–4.1; OR = 3.34 95%CI 2.2–5.2). Conclusions: Even when some logistical and financial assistance is available, children with impairment from low-income families may require additional support to take up referrals. There may be greater willingness to accept treatment that is locally provided, such as medication for epilepsy or therapy at village level. Implications for Rehabilitation Providing a referral for treatment or rehabilitation is often not enough to ensure access to service for children with disabilities in low and middle income countries. Uptake of referral can be influenced by many factors, and individuals face different types of barriers. Financial and logistical support can help increase referral uptake. Low monthly income and maternal illiteracy is associated with lower uptake even when assistance is provided.
Effects of oral electrolyte supplementation on endurance horses competing in 80 km rides.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY There is no evidence that use of oral electrolyte pastes enhances performance in competing endurance horses. OBJECTIVE To ascertain whether oral administration of a high dose (HD) of sodium chloride (NaCl) and potassium chloride (KCl) to endurance horses would differentially increase water intake, attenuate bodyweight (bwt) loss and improve performance when compared to a low dose (LD). METHODS A randomised, blinded, crossover study was conducted on 8 horses participating in two 80 km rides (same course, 28 days apart). Thirty minutes before and at 40 km of the first ride 4, horses received orally 02 g NaCl/kg bwt and 0.07 g KCl/kg bwt. The other 4 received 0.07 g NaCl/kg bwt and 0.02 g KCl/kg bwt. Horses received the alternate treatment in the second ride. Data were analysed with 2-way ANOVA for repeated measures (P<0.05). RESULTS Estimated water intake was significantly greater with HD both at the 40 km mark and as total water intake; however, differences in bwt loss and speed between HD and LD were not found. Treatment significantly affected serum Na+, Cl-, HCO3, pH and water intake, but not serum K+ or bwt. Serum Na+ and Cl- were significantly higher at 80 km when horses received HD, but no differences were found in early recovery. Venous HCO3- and pH were significantly lower throughout the ride and in early recovery when horses received HD. CONCLUSIONS AND POTENTIAL RELEVANCE Other than enhancing water intake, supplementing endurance horses with high doses of NaCI and KCl did not provide any detectable competitive advantage in 80 km rides. Further, the elevated serum electrolyte concentrations induced with HD might not be appropriate for endurance horses.
La formation de l’objet du travail médical. L’exemple de la médecine générale et de la gynécologie obstétrique

L’objet du travail peut etre defini par ce qui donne du sens a une activite, compris a la fois comme sa direction et sa signification. Est-il possible de caracteriser un objet commun du travail medical pour l’ensemble de la profession, dans un contexte ou tous les medecins sont specialistes et exercent des metiers tres differents ? Apres une interrogation sur l’objet du travail et les differentes facons de l’interroger, l’auteure tente de se saisir de la partie commune de cet objet, celle qui s’enseigne durant les six premieres annees d’etudes. Dans un second temps, l’etude de deux specialites medicales, la medecine generale et la gynecologie obstetrique, montre deux formes d’evolutions differentes des objets du travail medical, fortement articulees a leur formation. Cela permet une problematisation de l’articulation entre formation pratique et formation theorique qui pourrait s’appliquer a l’ensemble des metiers de la sante, voire au-dela.
A J-Linkage Based Approach for Vanishing Direction Estimation in Catadioptric Images

This paper presents a new method for the extraction and clustering of Catadioptric Line Images (CLIs) from a single catadioptric image. The estimation of vanishing directions is also achieved simultaneously. With the mirror parameters provided, the central catadioptric system can be fully calibrated using the projected mirror boundary. Once the system is fully calibrated, the problem of conic fitting is reduced from five parameters to two parameters. This method requires the central catadioptric system to be vertically aligned i.e. the mirror axis is orthogonal to the floor. In a man-made environment where lots of parallel and orthogonal lines are presented, placing the catadioptric system in such a way allows us to obtain some degenerate CLIs, e.g. projections of lines orthogonal or parallel to the mirror axis. In this paper, we integrate the geometric properties associated with the degenerate CLIs into a J-linkage based algorithm for CLIs clustering and Vanishing Points (VPs) estimation. An exhaustive analysis on the influence of arc occlusion and noise to CLI fitting and grouping is also performed. The proposed approach is targeted to tackle the problem of occlusion and noise. The evaluation of the method is carried out on both synthetic and real data.
Role of empirical evidence in US|Canadian dispute on US imports of wheat, wheat flour, and semolina

This article summarizes the 1994 US|Canadian wheat dispute, and critically compares the analyses of the USDA and Canadian Wheat Board (CWB), with the analysis done by the staff of the US International Trade Commission (USITC staff). The USDA and CWB studies are shown to have primarily relied on “expert opinion,” with the result that data and evidence were not given adequate analytical roles in the analyses. The USDA and CWB studies provided a range of estimates of US wheat program cost effects from Canadian imports that was excessively wide. The USITC staff's empirical model is shown to be a more balanced mix of theory and evidence than the other two analyses, and suggests that such program cost effect estimates fell well between the extreme USDA and CWB estimates. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Beyond economic sustainability: embedding social and environmental values in the governance of responsible investment

The transition of global financial markets towards investment models that incorporate environmental and social dimensions is now well underway. This paper discusses the evolution of contemporary responsible investment (RI) and its relationship to sustainable development and environmental social governance(ESG). In the conception of ESG presented here, various well-known institutional arrangements, most notably interest representation, accountability and transparency, decision-making, and implementation are linked to the structures and processes of governance. Using a hierarchical framework of principles, criteria and indicators (PC&I), the paper presents a means for evaluating RI by way of an analysis of stakeholder perceptions regarding the sector’s governance quality. It concludes with some observations on the challenges confronting RI, notably the need for universally consistent quality of governance standards.
Fostering in mice induces cardiovascular and metabolic dysfunction in adulthood

Non‐technical summary Cross‐fostering of newborn pups to different dams is a method widely used in rodent studies of developmental ‘programming’ to determine whether pregnancy or the suckling period is more important in determining adult characteristics following changes to the maternal environment. We have investigated whether the process of fostering per se influences cardiovascular and metabolic development in mice. Compared with mice reared by their biological mother, fostered mice showed increased appetite, body weight, abdominal fatness and altered blood sugar metabolism. A marked increase in blood pressure was also apparent. This study demonstrates that the process of fostering can lead to profound effects in cardiovascular and metabolic function in otherwise normal mice. The findings have implications both for the interpretation of previous cross‐fostering studies in mice and for studies investigating the hypothesis of developmental programming, in which early postnatal manipulation of litters is common practice.
The Price-Adjustment Process for Rental Housing and the Natural Vacancy Rate

Institute of A University of II Business and California, Economic Research Berkeley CENTER FOR REAL ESTATE AND URBAN ECONOMICS WORKING PAPER SERIES “ WORKING PAPER 82-53 THE PRICE ADJUSTMENT PRocEss FOR RENTAL HOUSING AND THE NATURAL VACANCY RATE BY KENNETH T. RosEN LAWRENCE B. SMITH These ers are preliminary in natu ; heir purpose ' to stimulate discussion comm . Therefore. t are n ted or q d in any pub’ ‘on wit the express permissi the author. GRADUATE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Science Assessments for Students with Disabilities in School Year 2006-2007: What We Know about Participation, Performance, and Accommodations. Synthesis Report 77.

A report documenting the inclusion of students with disabilities in state science assessments in 2006-2007, the period just before the required implementation of statewide science assessments. The success of all students, including students with disabilities, on statewide assessments in mathematics and reading/English language arts has been examined closely, partly due to the role of these content areas in school accountability for the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) known as "No Child Left Behind" (NCLB). States also were expected to establish science content standards by 2005-2006, and to develop assessments in science by 2007-2008.
Anatomy of a Merger

The 1993 merger between Jordanhill College of Education and the University of Strathclyde is analysed by the Principals of the two institutions. They examine such factors as the nature of the merger itself, the importance of the timing of the proposal, the influence exercised by prior experiences, and the attitude of the key players - Senate, Academic Board, Court and Governors, students, academic and non-academic trade unions, the Funding Council and the Scottish Office Education Department. The authors then proceed to compare their merger with mergers which have occurred in higher education in the Netherlands and in Australia. While there was a major difference, in that there was no government pressure to merge, there were other significant ways in which the process was similar. Many of the lessons learned in those countries apply equally in the UK.
Short- and long-term population dynamical consequences of asymmetric climate change in black grouse

Temporal asymmetry in patterns of regional climate change may jeopardize the match between the proximate and ultimate cues of the timing of breeding. The consequences on short- and long-term population dynamics and trends as well as the underlying mechanisms are, however, often unknown. Using long-term data from Finland, we demonstrate that black grouse (Tetrao tetrix) have responded to spring warming by advancing both egg-laying and hatching. However, early summer (the time of hatching) has not advanced, and chicks have to face colder post-hatching conditions. Demonstrating that these conditions are critical to post-hatching survival, we show that chicks are increasingly suffering higher mortality because they hatch too early. Consequently, breeding success and population size has severely declined over the past four decades. Finally, we modelled the impact of this particular climate change scenario on population dynamics and show that the mismatch can further explain the observed collapse of cyclic fluctuations. Because the evolutionary response of grouse is lagging behind the novel selective pressures, seasonally asymmetric climate change is likely to constitute an important determinant of future short- and long-term changes in the dynamics of black grouse populations.
Wage Levels and Method of Pay

The traditional research on method of pay and wages compares those paid piece rates with those paid by the hour, and finds (as predicted by the theory) that those paid piece rates earn more. In this paper, those paid by the hour are divided into those paid standard rates (wage does not vary with performance) and those paid by merit pay plans. An extension of the standard theory predicts that those paid piece rates would have the highest earnings, and those paid standard rates the lowest, with merit pay an "in between" status. The evidence, however, from the Industry Wage Surveys is that those under merit pay receive lower wages than those in the other two groups.
Startup Costs and the Decision to Switch from Firewood to Gas Fuel

Firewood remains a key source of energy for households in developing countries, contributing to forest degradation and deforestation. The adoption of alternative fuels may be hindered by high startup costs, and this problem may be compounded by restrictions in credit availability. We use survey data to examine how credit access affects firewood consumption in Guatemala. Our results suggest that access to credit plays a statistically significant role in determining firewood consumption through its effect on the ability to purchase a gas stove. However, simulations suggest that these effects are small and that subsidizing stoves would be a more promising policy for reducing firewood consumption. (JEL O13, Q23, Q48)
Effectiveness of Skill-Based Substance Abuse Intervention among Male Adolescents in an Islamic Country: Case of the Islamic Republic of Iran

The prevalence of substance abuse among adolescents from low- and middle-income countries is increasing drastically and requires immediate intervention. The objective of this longitudinal quasi-experimental panel study was to design and implement a skill-based intervention to prevent and reduce substance use among urban adolescents who attended 2 randomly selected high-schools in Tehran, Iran. One-year post intervention data show that substance abuse, knowledge, attitudes, peer resistance skills, level of self-control, self-efficacy, and perceived susceptibility among intervention group were significantly improved, whereas level of self control and attitudes against substance abuse among the control group deteriorated. To efficiently prevent substance abuse among youth primary preventive interventions should be implemented before onset of substance abuse to improve resistance skills and provide adolescents with information and skills needed to develop anti-drug norms.
Histological observation for needle-tissue interactions

We histologically investigated tissue fractures and deformations caused by ex vivo needle insertions. The tissue was formalin-fixed while the needle remained in the tissue. Following removal of the needle, the tissue was microtomed, stained, and observed microscopically. This method enabled observations of cellular and tissular conditions where deformations caused by needle insertions were approximately preserved. For this study, our novel method presents preliminary findings related with tissue fractures and the orientation of needle blade relative to muscle fibers. When the needle blade was perpendicular to the muscle fiber, transfiber fractures and relatively large longitudinal deformations occurred. When the needle blade was parallel to the muscle fiber, interfiber fractures and relatively small longitudinal deformations occurred. This made a significant difference in the resistance force of the needle insertions.
Biofilms on Medical Devices

Biofilm consists of microorganisms with altered phenotypes living in a self-organized, cooperative community attached to surfaces and each other and embedded in a self-produced matrix of exopolymer saccharides. Biofilms are relevant for home care and hospice clinicians because they are related to the majority of infectious diseases. Colonization of medical devices plays a key role in the problem of healthcare-associated infections. This article aims to provide an overview of the science of biofilms. Understanding biofilms and the risks associated with them is the first step toward prevention of biofilm formation and the potentially serious outcomes of infections.