Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optimal Design of Gearless Flux-Switching Generator with Ferrite Permanent Magnets

In this paper, the optimal design of the Flux-Switching Generator with ferrite magnets based on a two-mode substituting load profile for a gearless wind generator is considered. A one-criterion Nelder-Mead method is used to optimize the generator design. The optimization function is constructed mainly so as to minimize the average losses in the generator and the required AC–DC converter power. Also, the Flux-Switching Generator torque-ripple and the ferrite magnets volume are minimized. Using substituting profiles instead of initial ones reduces the calculation efforts substantially. The paper contains the analysis of the optimal design of the Flux-Switching Generator with ferrite magnets.
Separação de sinais de áudio através da densidade de potência espectral direcional

Sound sources separation is a main concern for many applications such as communication systems, hearing aids, speech recognition, etc. Frequently, the number of sources to be separated exceeds the number of microphones, and it is important to deal with the so-called underdetermined cases. This work proposes new methods for separating audio signals based on the Power Spectral Density (PSD) estimation using the directivity of the beamformers to estimate the PSD of each sound source. The first proposed method uses the combination of non-negative constraint with least squares solution to obtain the spectral power density in the direction of interest. The second method tolerates correlation between the sources, differently from previous approaches in the literature that address only the separation of signals from uncorrelated sources. Additionally, a third approach where the number of sources exceeds the number of microphones is proposed. The Acoustic Transfer Functions (ATFs) between sound sources and microphones are assumed to be known in the proposed methods. Since ATFs are often unavailable and are hard to obtain in real cases, the Relative Transfer Functions (RTFs), which can be obtained directly from the microphone signals, are used with similar results. In this work, we also propose methods to estimate the RTFs when there are several sources. One uses peak detection in smoothed histograms weighted by the PSD estimates. Another uses a weighted Fuzzy C-Means (wFCM) algorithm to emphasize reliable clues in the clustering process employing weights based on the speech probability distribution, which is well described by Laplacian Distribution (LD). The simulation results show that the proposed methods outperform other approaches and, also, support signal correlation and can handle underdetermined configurations.
The association between intraplaque hemorrhage and plaque ulceration

Poster: "ECR 2013 / C-1407 / The association between intraplaque hemorrhage and plaque ulceration" by: "A. van Dijk1, M. Truijman2, B. Hussain1, A. de Rotte3, J. Hendrikse3, M. E. Kooi2, A. van der Lugt1; 1Rotterdam/NL, 2Maastricht/NL, 3Utrecht/NL"
Influence of Mothers-in-Law on Infant Feeding Practices of Mothers Living With HIV in Rural Cameroon

Mothers living with HIV (MLHIV) face complex challenges regarding infant feeding practices, which often restrict their ability to adhere to their chosen or medically recommended feeding behaviors. Mothers-in-law (MIL) enjoy significant influence and participate actively in the rearing of grandchildren in Cameroon. However, the extent to which MIL influence infant feeding behaviors of their daughters-in-law have not been studied. The theory of planned behavior (TPB) was used in this phenomenological study to explore how attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control influenced infant feeding practices of 9 MLHIV in rural communities of the North West Region of Cameroon. The five steps of data explicitation detailed by Groenewald were used to analyze the data. Findings indicated that MLHIV who were in close contact with their MIL experienced strong influence towards infant feeding practices of their babies. While MLHIV who were practicing exclusive breastfeeding received support for appropriate infant feeding practices, those giving their babies artificial milk were influenced to adopt inappropriate feeding practices, specifically mixed feeding. The study results may be used to promote positive social change by improving on the infant feeding practices of MLHIV. This could lead to a reduction of mother to child transmission of HIV. Influence of Mothers-in-Law on Infant Feeding Practices of Mothers Living With HIV in Rural Cameroon
Wrażliwość baroreceptorów tętniczych u osób zdrowych

Odruch baroreceptorow u osob zdrowych Wstep: Pomimo faktu, ze badanie wrazliwości baroreceptorow tetniczych (BRS, baroreflex sensitivity) stanowi jedną z podstawowych metod oceny czynności autonomicznego ukladu nerwowego u chorych kardiologicznych, niewiele jest w piśmiennictwie informacji opisujących grupe ludzi zdrowych, stanowiących dla nich punkt odniesienia. Cel pracy: Ocena wartości BRS w populacji ludzi zdrowych, z uwzglednieniem roznych metod badania tego parametru. Material i metody: Badaniami objeto grupe 74 osob w wieku 22–55 lat (śr. 38 ± 19), zlozoną z 32 mezczyzn i 42 kobiet, na podstawie wywiadu i badania fizykalnego uznanych za zdrowe. U wszystkich wykonano ocene BRS za pomocą testu fenylefrynowego (Phe-BRS), metody sekwencyjnej (Seq-BRS) z rozbiciem na sekwencje dodatnie (PosSeq-BRS) i ujemne (NegSeq-BRS) oraz trzech roznych sposobow analizy spektralnej — Robbe-BRS, LF-BRS, HF-BRS. W analizie danych brano pod uwage wiek oraz plec badanych osob. Wyniki: Test fenylefrynowy oraz rejestracje spontanicznych zmian SBP i dlugości cyklu serca wykonano u wszystkich badanych osob. U zadnej z nich nie zaobserwowano niekorzystnych dzialan niepoządanych związanych z podawaniem fenylefryny. W grupie osob ≤ 40 rz. stwierdzono znamiennie wyzsze średnie wartości Phe-BRS, Robbe-BRS, LF-BRS, HF-BRS i Seq-BRS niz w grupie osob > 40 rz. (odpowiednio w ms/mm Hg: 18,9 ± 6,7; 17 ± 9,5; 20,5 ± 14,8; 25,2 ± 15,7; 25,6 ± 13,3 i 13,6 ± 3,8; 11,3 ± 5,6; 13,5 ± 4,5; 15,2 ± 11; 16,7 ± 8,7, wszystkie p Wnioski: Uzyskane wartości średnie BRS oceniane za pomocą wszystkich zastosowanych metod mogą stanowic orientacyjny punkt odniesienia dla wynikow badania tych parametrow uzyskanych u chorych kardiologicznych po uwzglednieniu podzialu na grupy wiekowe.
Uses of periodontal status for assessment of alveolar boneloss by clinical and radiographic analysis in smokers andnon smokers

Background: The measurement was done by liner measurement from CEJ to AC by choosing the virnia. The radiographic land marks the CEJ and AC mere identified. CEJ can be defined as the bounder between the enamel and the cementum of root. The study were carried on in Oral Surgery and Radiology department in dentistry school of Alyarmouk University College Material and Methods: Forty patients with in20-24 years of age were selected for this study that attended to Surgery and Radiology department in dentistry school of Alyarmouk University College Results: The plaque index: in group 1 (the smokers) in both plaque index 1.023 + 0.308 GI = 1.004 +0.091. Compared with group 2 (nonsmokers) = 1.264 +2.407 in PI and GI = 1.023 +1.445. Conclusions: Dental Plaque, Gingival Index, Bleeding on Probing and Probing Pocket Depth was highly elevated in smokers group compared with nonsmokers group
TÜRKİYE’DE SINIRLI YAYILIŞA SAHİP BİR MEŞE TÜRÜ: QUERCUS ILEX (PIRNAL MEŞESİ)

Quercus ilex which is the natural evergreen oak species occurs in the very limited very areas in the coastal regions of Turkey. It grows within Pinus brutia forests and macciha formations in the humid habitats. This oak species begins at the sea level and rises up to 1100 m altitude in which Mediterranean climatic conditions prevail. In this area Qaercus ilex is mostly composed of macchia elements such as Arbutus andrachne, A. unedo, Phillyrea latifolia, Laurus nobilis, Styrax officinalis, Cercis siliquastrum, and Quercus coccifera. Palinological studies on Tertiary flora of Turkey have revealed that Quercus ilex had a wider dispersal area then, and it formed associations in some areas which today do not carry suitable ecological conditions for their growth.
Prävalenz der pulmonalen Hypertonie bei Dialysepatienten mit terminaler Niereninsuffizienz

Zusammenfassung Hintergrund Bei Patienten mit terminaler Niereninsuffizienz ist die pulmonale Hypertonie (PH) eine häufig beschriebene Komplikation mit unterschiedlicher Ätiologie. Die Prävalenzangaben liegen zwischen 17 – 56 %. Ein Zusammenhang mit einer Volumenüberladung bei Dialysepatienten und der PH wird vermutet. Methoden Allen Patienten des Dialysezentrums des Universitätsklinikums Gießen wurde ein nichtinvasives Screening auf PH angeboten. Bei Verdacht auf eine PH erfolgte die Korrektur der Flüssigkeitsretention anhand der Bioimpedanzspektroskopie mit dem Ziel der Normovolämie. Bei weiterem V. a. PH im erneuten Screening erfolgte eine invasive Abklärung durch Rechtsherzkatheter. Ergebnisse 52 Patienten stimmten der Untersuchung zu. Im nichtinvasiven Screening wurde eine PH bei 12 Patienten vermutet (23 %). Nach Einstellung auf Normovolämie bestand noch bei 4 Patienten der V. a. PH (7,7 %), der sich in 2 Fällen im Rechtsherzkatheter bestätigte (3,8 %). Diskussion Bei Patienten mit terminaler Niereninsuffizienz ist der Verdacht auf PH im nichtinvasiven Screening signifikant mit Überwässerung assoziiert. Nach Korrektur des Flüssigkeitsstatus anhand der Bioimpedanzspektroskopie wurde in unserer Erhebung eine invasiv bestätigte PH in ca. 4 % gefunden.
Decreased Cord Blood Albumin: A Predictor of Neonatal Jaundice -

Objective: To determine the significance of cord blood albumin estimation as a predictor of neonatal jaundice. Study Design: It was a prospective observational study. Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out in Gynae/OBS department, neonatal intensive care unit and pathology laboratory at Railway Hospital Rawalpindi in collaboration with the Biochemistry Department of Islamic International Medical College from June 2015 to March 2016. Materials and Methods: Ninety full term neonates were divided into three groups based on their cord blood albumin concentration. Group I, with albumin less than 2.8 gm/dl, Group II with albumin between 2.8 ‐ 3.3 gm/dl and Group III greater than 3.3 gm/dl. Serum Bilirubin level more than 1mg/dl was taken as standard for all the groups. Follow up was done for those neonates who had albumin less than 3 gm / dl and bilirubin more than th th 1 mg/dl. The babies were followed up on 7 and 15 day for the appearance of jaundice. Depending upon the extent, and delayed recovery from jaundice they were followed up to 20th post delivery day. Results: It was found that all neonates of group I and II who had albumin levels less than 3.3gm/dl, developed jaundice. Out of these 16.75% from group I received phototherapy and only 3% needed exchange transfusion. Whereas 10% jaundice neonates from group II received phototherapy. Out of 30 neonates in group III, 60% neonates developed jaundice but none required phototherapy or exchange transfusion. Conclusion: It is concluded that low albumin levels in the cord blood taken after birth is a good predictors of neonatal jaundice.
Molecular Characterization of Staphylococcus aureus Isolates Obtained from Hemodialysed Patients at the Hospital de Clinicas of Paraguay: A pilot study

Background: Patients undergoing hemodialysis are susceptible to the nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus , increasing the risk of developing infections that are associated with higher morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to describe the frequency of S. aureus carriage in hemodialysis patients and to perform molecular analysis of isolates by applying Multiple-Locus Variable Analysis. Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study with non-probabilistic sampling of consecutive cases was performed. In October 2013, 28 hemodialysis patients attending to the Nephrology Department of Hospital de Clinicas, Paraguay were included. All patients voluntarily agreed to participate. Reviews of medical history, microbiological and molecular analysis as patient interviews were made. Results: The frequency of S. aureus carriage was 50% (14/28), 92.9% of which (13/14) were methicillin resistant S. aureus , 57.1% (6/14) were gentamicin resistant and 35.7% (5/14) were resistant to more than 4 families of antibiotics. S. aureus carriers showed higher frequency of rhinitis (p=0.022 OR=6.6 (1.2-34.4)). Seven methicillin resistant S. aureus isolates were analyzed by Multiple-Locus Variable Analysis and two showed identical pattern bands. Conclusion: According to the results we found a high frequency of methicillin resistant S. aureus colonization and the presence of two isolates with identical profiles Multiple-Locus Variable Analysis, could denote the possibility of a transmission between patients. Key Words: Staphylococcus aureus , Hemodialysis, Antibiotic resistance, bacterial typing (Source: MeSH-NLM).
Soft Crawling Robots: Design, Actuation, and Locomotion

Soft crawling robots have attracted great attention due to their anticipated effective interactions with humans and uncertain environments, as well as their potential capabilities of completing a variety of tasks encompassing search and rescue, infrastructure inspection, surveillance, drug delivery, and human assistance. Herein, a comprehensive survey on recent advances of soft crawling robots categorized by their major actuation mechanisms is provided, including pneumatic/hydraulic pressure, chemical reaction, and soft active material‐based actuations, which include dielectric elastomers, shape memory alloys, magnetoactive elastomers, liquid crystalline elastomers, piezoelectric materials, ionic polymer–metal composites, and twisted and coiled polymers. For each type of actuation, the prevalent modes of locomotion adopted in representative robots, the design, working principle and performance of their soft actuators, and the performance of each locomotion approach, as well as the advantages and drawbacks of each design are discussed. This review summarizes the state‐of‐the‐art progresses and the critical knowledge in designing soft crawling robots and offers a guidance and insightful outlook for the future development of soft robots.
Effect of patient satisfaction with a health care facility on HIV outcomes: A facility-level study in eastern Africa

Effect of patient satisfaction with a health care facility on HIV outcomes: A facility-level study in eastern Africa Carly E. Levitz Chair of the Supervisory Committee: Adjunct Assistant Professor Herbert C. Duber Department of Global Health Data from Uganda and Kenya were used to investigate the relationship between patient satisfaction and the outcome measures of retention and HIV viral load suppression. First, we explore the determinants of patient satisfaction. Second, we look for an association between patient satisfaction and retention in care. Third, we investigate the relationship between patient satisfaction and viral load suppression for those currently in care. Clarity of health care providers’ explanations and length of wait time were both significantly associated with patient satisfaction. Patient satisfaction was related to facility retention in HIV care, but it was not related to HIV viral load suppression for those who were currently in care. Better patient experiences in health care facilities could potentially improve HIV treatment retention in eastern sub-Saharan Africa, a key step in the HIV treatment continuum of care.
Clinical Implication of Atypical Glandular Cells; a Five Years Experience of a Single Institution in Portugal

Objective: The study aimed to evaluate the clinical significance of atypical glandular cells (AGC) in cervical cytological reports and its correspondent subtypes. Material and methods: Retrospective study of AGC cervical cytological diagnoses, from January 2009 to December 2013, at a tertiary centre. A global analysis of AGC and its correspondent subtypes was performed, according to age, onset of sexual life, Human Papilloma Virus deoxyribonucleic acid (HPV-DNA) status, diagnostic procedures and follow-up histological outcomes. Results: Cervical AGC cytology had a prevalence of 0.3% among women with an average age of 46.8 ± 14.5 years. The distribution showed 81% of AGC-not otherwise specified (AGC-NOS) and 10.7% of AGC-favor neoplastic (AGC-FN). AGC-NOS had a higher prevalence of benign pathology. AGC-FN showed an association to in situ adenocarcinoma, a superior incidence of endometrial carcinoma and a tendency towards a higher prevalence of squamous cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. Glandular and squamous coexisting cytological abnormalities accounted for 8.3% and were mostly associated with squamous lesion. HPV-DNA testing demonstrated a sensitivity of 50% with a specificity of 100% for detection of cervical lesions. Discussion: Close follow-up of AGC is required once pre-malignancy and malignant disease was identified in 20.8% of patients. A precise study of cervix and endometrium assumes equal importance, significant pathology was found in both locations.
Impact of ACL Injury on Patellar Cartilage Thickness

ACL injury has been shown to have long-lasting and severe consequences on the different structures of the knee such as the articular cartilage and meniscus. Cartilage thickness changes in particular are indicative of osteoarthritic changes in the tibiofemoral joint. While there has been significant research focused on cartilage changes of the tibia and femur following severe joint trauma, there has been little work focused on patellar cartilage. The following goals were set forth for this study. First, to establish a robust coordinate system to accurately determine the location and orientation of the patella relative to the femur and establish the distribution of articular cartilage thickness on the patella. Second, to determine the effects of ACL injury on patellar cartilage thickness. Twenty-one individuals (10 males, 11 females) were studied. All individuals had suffered their first ACL injury. MRI data from both the healthy and injured knees were collected an average of 4 ± 0.9 years following the initial injury and ACL reconstruction surgery. Using MRI data, the bone and cartilage surfaces were manually segmented and imported into MATLAB for study. The difference in cartilage thickness between the healthy and injured knees within individuals was the primary measure of analysis. Analysis revealed both decreases and increases in cartilage thickness of the injured knee in comparison to the normal knee. When considering males as a group, four square millimeters of the cartilage of the ACL injured knee underwent significant thinning compared to the normal side, and this occurred in the medial superior aspect of the patellar, (mean thickness difference = -0.381 mm, with SD = 0.084mm). Analysis of the females as a group revealed that five square millimeters of cartilage of the ACL injured knee underwent significant thickening compared to the normal side, and this occurred in the medial inferior aspect of the patella (mean thickness difference = 0.551 mm, SD = 0.015mm). The findings from this study indicate that directional, regional and sex specific cartilage thickness changes occur following ACL injury, surgery, and 4 year follow-up.
Making graduation matter: initial evidence and implications for policy and research

ABSTRACT This study employs a quantitative method to understand the qualities of college experience that impact timely degree attainment. We specifically focus on how low socio-economic background students transition to and navigate the academic and social environment of a selective pubic research university. The study applies a longitudinal analysis to the institutional-level data from academic years 2006–2007 through 2012–2013 to examine college experiences germane to timely degree completion and level of academic performance. By focusing on student academic and social experiences transitioning into college, the study critically examines institutional policies and practices that influence degree attainment and the quality of further education outcomes. Implications of the results for institutional policies and practices are discussed.
Synthesis and Processing of Melt Spun Materials from Esterified Lignin with Lactic Acid

In this study, the carbon fiber manufacturing process is investigated, using high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and esterified lignin either with lactic acid (LA) or with poly(lactic acid) (PLA) as precursors. More specifically, lignin was modified using either LA or PLA in order to increase its chemical affinity with HDPE. The modified compounds were continuously melt spun to fibrous materials by blending with HDPE in order to fabricate a carbon fiber precursor. The obtained products were characterized with respect to their morphology, as well as their structure and chemical composition. Moreover, an assessment of both physical and structural transformations after modification of lignin with LA and PLA was performed in order to evaluate the spinning ability of the composite fibers, as well as the thermal processing to carbon fibers. This bottom–up approach seems to be able to provide a viable route considering large scale production in order to transform lignin in value-added product. Tensile tests revealed that the chemical lignin modification allowed an enhancement in its spinning ability due to its compatibility improvement with the commercial low-cost and thermoplastic HDPE polymer. Finally, stabilization and carbonization thermal processing was performed in order to obtain carbon fibers.
Methods for Assessing the Quality of Biomedical Cell Products for Skin Replacement

The aim of the study was the development of methods to assess the quality of biomedical cell products (BMCPs) intended to replace skin defects. Materials and Methods. The proposed equivalent of the skin BMCP-1 (developed at the N.K. Koltsov Institute of Developmental Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences) and the BMCP-2 equivalent of the skin (developed at the Privolzhsky Research Medical University) were studied. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from human adipose tissue served as the cellular components of both BMCPs. MSCs in suspensions and in BMCPs were tested for cell counts and cell viability. The BMCPs were studied in their entirety without destruction using fluorescence microscopy with vital dyes for staining the cytoplasm and Hoechst 3334 (BD Pharmingen, USA) — for nuclei (imager Cytation 5; BioTek, USA). The MSC function was evaluated by their ability to produce VEGF-A. The MSC phenotype was determined by cytometry. Results. Using the above methods, we found that MSCs in BMCP retained their original morphology and viability. On the surface of BMCP-1, cells are organized in colonies, whereas in the structure of BMCP-2, they are scattered throughout the matrix. The number of cells in BMCP-1 depends on the transportation conditions; and in the structure of BMCP-2 — on the timing of cultivation. The secretory activity of MSCs is maintained throughout the entire observation period. While within the BMPC structures, the MSCs had their CD90 expression decreased; it was then restored after the cells were isolated from the products and cultivated on the plastic surface. Conclusion. The proposed method is feasible for the BMCP quality assessment; it incorporates the requirements for production and transportation based on the characteristics of the cellular and non-cellular components. Given the optical non-transparency and complex physical-chemical structure of the product, it is advisable to select the quality control methods that ensure minimal manipulation and enzymatic damage.