Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Integrated life-cycle assessment of electricity-supply scenarios confirms global environmental benefit of low-carbon technologies

Significance Life-cycle assessments commonly used to analyze the environmental costs and benefits of climate-mitigation options are usually static in nature and address individual power plants. Our paper presents, to our knowledge, the first life-cycle assessment of the large-scale implementation of climate-mitigation technologies, addressing the feedback of the electricity system onto itself and using scenario-consistent assumptions of technical improvements in key energy and material production technologies. Decarbonization of electricity generation can support climate-change mitigation and presents an opportunity to address pollution resulting from fossil-fuel combustion. Generally, renewable technologies require higher initial investments in infrastructure than fossil-based power systems. To assess the tradeoffs of increased up-front emissions and reduced operational emissions, we present, to our knowledge, the first global, integrated life-cycle assessment (LCA) of long-term, wide-scale implementation of electricity generation from renewable sources (i.e., photovoltaic and solar thermal, wind, and hydropower) and of carbon dioxide capture and storage for fossil power generation. We compare emissions causing particulate matter exposure, freshwater ecotoxicity, freshwater eutrophication, and climate change for the climate-change-mitigation (BLUE Map) and business-as-usual (Baseline) scenarios of the International Energy Agency up to 2050. We use a vintage stock model to conduct an LCA of newly installed capacity year-by-year for each region, thus accounting for changes in the energy mix used to manufacture future power plants. Under the Baseline scenario, emissions of air and water pollutants more than double whereas the low-carbon technologies introduced in the BLUE Map scenario allow a doubling of electricity supply while stabilizing or even reducing pollution. Material requirements per unit generation for low-carbon technologies can be higher than for conventional fossil generation: 11–40 times more copper for photovoltaic systems and 6–14 times more iron for wind power plants. However, only two years of current global copper and one year of iron production will suffice to build a low-carbon energy system capable of supplying the world's electricity needs in 2050.
Genetic Admixture and Risk of Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy Among Latinas in Los Angeles County

Background: Latinos are a heterogeneous population in terms of demographics, culture, and genetic admixture from three racial groups (white, African, and Native American). This study examines the role of genetic ancestry and environmental risk factors in the risk of hypertensive disorder of pregnancy among Latinas in Los Angeles County. Methods: Gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, eclampsia, or hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets (HELLP) syndrome cases (n = 125), plus unaffected controls (n = 161), were recruited from Los Angeles County + University of Southern California Women’s and Children’s Hospital from 1999 through 2008. Diagnoses were confirmed with extensive chart review. Personal information, demographics, and biospecimens were collected from all participants. Ancestry informative markers were used to estimate genetic ancestry proportions. Results: After adjusting for European ancestry and key risk factors, African ancestry was positively associated with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy risk for the highest vs. the lowest quartiles of African ancestry (odds ratio = 2.6 [95% confidence interval = 1.1–6.1]). This association was stronger among women born in Mexico with parents born in Mexico (4.3 [1.4–13]). The results from generalized additive models showed a positive association between joint European/African ancestry and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy risk and an inverse association between Native American ancestry and risk. These associations were stronger among women of Mexican origin. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that higher Native American ancestry among Latinas may protect against hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Further studies are needed to determine whether this protective effect is driven by specific alleles present in this population or by other risk factors that correlate with Native American ancestry.
The Maximum Latency and Identification of Positive Boolean Functions

Consider the problem of identifying min T(f) and max F(f) of a positive (i.e., monotone) Boolean function f, by using membership queries only, where min T(f) (maxF(f)) denotes the set of minimal true vectors (maximal false vectors) of f. It is known that an incrementally polynomial algorithm exists if and only if there is a polynomial time algorithm to check the existence of an unknown vector for given sets MT\(\subseteq \) min T(f) and MF\(\subseteq \) max F(f). Unfortunately, however, the complexity of this problem is still unknown. To answer this question partially, we introduce in this paper a measure for the difficulty of finding an unknown vector, which is called the maximum latency. If the maximum latency is constant, then an unknown vector can be found in polynomial time and there is an incrementally polynomial algorithm for identification. Several subclasses of positive functions are shown to have constant maximum latency, e.g., 2-monotonic positive functions, Δ-partial positive threshold functions and matroid functions, while the class of general positive functions has maximum latency not smaller than [n/4]+1 and the class of positive k-DNF functions has Ω(√n) maximum latency.
The Thermal and Gravitational Energy Densities in the Large-scale Structure of the Universe

As cosmic structures form, matter density fluctuations collapse gravitationally and baryonic matter is shock-heated and thermalized. We therefore expect a connection between the mean gravitational potential energy density of collapsed halos, , and the mean thermal energy density of baryons, Ωth. These quantities can be obtained using two fundamentally different estimates: we compute using the theoretical framework of the halo model, which is driven by dark matter statistics, and measure Ωth using the Sunyaev–Zeldovich (SZ) effect, which probes the mean thermal pressure of baryons. First, we derive that, at the present time, about 90% of originates from massive halos with M > 1013 M ⊙. Then, using our measurements of the SZ background, we find that Ωth accounts for about 80% of the kinetic energy of the baryons available for pressure in halos at z ≲ 0.5. This constrains the amount of nonthermal pressure, e.g., due to bulk and turbulent gas motion sourced by mass accretion, to be about Ωnon‐th ≃ 0.4 × 10−8 at z = 0.
Changes in bone histomorphometry after long‐term treatment with intermittent, cyclic etidronate for postmenopausal osteoporosis

Intermittent, cyclic etidronate therapy (400 mg/day for 2 weeks followed by 13 weeks free from study drug administration) resulted in a significant increase in lumbar bone mineral content and a significant decrease in the rate of new vertebral fractures in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis. To investigate the effect of the treatment on bone histomorphometry, transiliac crest bone biopsy samples were obtained in this study before treatment and after 60 and 150 weeks of treatment with either intermittent, cyclic etidronate (n = 33) or placebo (n = 33). After 60 weeks of etidronate therapy, significant decreases in activation frequency (from 0.55 to 0.09 year,−1 P < 0.01) and resorption depth (from 53.2 to 37.8 μm, P < 0.05) were observed, leading to a positive balance per remodeling cycle. In the placebo group, no significant changes were seen. The 150 week bone biopsy samples were suboptimal for analysis, probably as a result of a regional acceleratory phenomenon. Our results suggest that, as a result of reductions in both activation frequency and resorption depth, intermittent, cyclic etidronate therapy may protect the trabecular network against fortuitous perforations and thereby maintain the strength of the bony tissue.
How Many Nodes are Effectively Accessed in Complex Networks?

The measurement called accessibility has been proposed as a means to quantify the efficiency of the communication between nodes in complex networks. This article reports results regarding the properties of accessibility, including its relationship with the average minimal time to visit all nodes reachable after h steps along a random walk starting from a source, as well as the number of nodes that are visited after a finite period of time. We characterize the relationship between accessibility and the average number of walks required in order to visit all reachable nodes (the exploration time), conjecture that the maximum accessibility implies the minimal exploration time, and confirm the relationship between the accessibility values and the number of nodes visited after a basic time unit. The latter relationship is investigated with respect to three types of dynamics: traditional random walks, self-avoiding random walks, and preferential random walks.
A Unique Case of Acute Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis Secondary to Primary Varicella Zoster Virus Infection

Primary varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection, predominantly in the pediatric population, presents with pyrexia and a classic pruritic vesicular rash. In adults, although less common, it is more severe and linked to more complications. Neurological complications, which account for less than 1% of all VZV complications, include meningitis, encephalitis, arterial vasculopathy, and venous thrombosis. We present a case of a 39-year-old male who developed extensive cerebral venous sinus thrombosis following primary VZV infection. Venous thrombosis in VZV has been suggested to be caused by autoantibodies against protein S, pre-existing hypercoagulability, or endothelial damage. The patient was acutely managed using intravenous acyclovir and heparin. Long-term anticoagulation therapy with warfarin was continued after discharge. We concluded that clinicians should be aware of the rare complications of this common pathology so that a timely diagnosis can be made, followed by prompt management. Further studies need to be done to better understand acute cerebral venous sinus thrombosis secondary to VZV.
Community Spirit and Local Bias

This paper studies how community spirit influences the tendency to overweight stocks of local companies. Combining individual-level data on stock holdings with regional proxies of community spirit, I find that investors are significantly more locally biased in high community spirit areas. Results on trading activity and performance suggest that this effect is likely to be driven by loyalty toward local companies, as opposed to private information or competence. The return loss from inefficient diversification in high community spirit areas is at least 0.9-1.4 percentage points in annual terms.
Integrated solid waste management: decentralised service delivery case study of Nakuru municipality, Kenya

Effective Solid Waste Management (SWM) in Kenya is a major challenge facing responsible Local Authorities (LAs) across the country. The challenge is more serious in urban centres, where solid waste generation rate outstrips the ability of LAs to manage the same effectively. In Nakuru town, the fourth largest urban centre in Kenya, daily solid waste generation is approximated at 250 tonnes. Before changes were introduced in 2006, the average daily collection rate was less than 30%. To resolve this challenge on domestic solid waste handling, the Municipal Council of Nakuru (MCN) enacted 2006 Nakuru Environmental Management by-laws that paved the way for decentralized service delivery of domestic solid waste management. This article outlines the legal changes that were made, and the opportunities it has opened for both cleaning up the town and generating incomes for small private waste entrepreneurs and community-based groups. It includes a case study of a successful community-based waste enterprise. It ends by highlighting some of the remaining challenges.
Opini Audit Going Concern Dan Faktor–Faktor Yang Mempengaruhinya Pada Perusahaan Manufaktur Yang Terdaftar Di Bursa Efek Indonesia Periode Tahun 2011-2015

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menguji pengaruh leverage, profitabilitas, ukuran perusahaan¸audit tenure, reputasi auditor¸ dan opinion shopping terhadap opini audit going concern.Populasi penelitian yang digunakan adalah perusahaan manufaktur yang terdaftar di Bursa Efek Indonesia periode 2011-2015. Metode yang digunakan adalah purposive sampling, terpilih 120 perusahaan sebagai sampel. Teknik analisis data yang digunakan adalah analisis regresi logistik. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa audit tenure berpengaruh negatif signifikan terhadap opini audit going concern. Leverage, profitabilitas, ukuran perusahaan¸reputasi auditor¸ dan opinion shopping tidak berpengaruh terhadap opini audit going concern
A Rapid and Sensitive Radioimmunoassay for the Measurement of Proinsulin in Human Serum

RIA methodology is used widely to measure proinsulin in human serum. However, some RIAs lack the sensitivity necessary to quantify proinsulin in unextracted serum and require long incubation periods. We developed an RIA with a sensitivity of 3.5 in <48 h. This was accomplished by using a nonequilibrium binding reaction at room temperature and PEG-assisted second antibody precipitation as the method for separating bound and free proinsulin. We obtained a specific antiproinsulin antibody by adsorbing the initial goat antiserum with human C-peptide–agarose. Proinsulin produced 50% displacement of tracer at 25.6 pM, whereas both human insulin and C-peptide failed to displace tracer at concentrations as high as 1 μM. We evaluated several cleaved derivatives of proinsulin for cross-reactivity with the antibody. B-chain–C-peptide cleaved derivatives (≤50% cross-reactivity) were more potent than A-chain–C-peptide cleaved derivatives (<5% cross-reactivity). However, all derivatives cleaved in the region from 56–60 failed to cross-react with the antiserum. These data indicate that a major antigenic determinant is present on the C-peptide region of proinsulin adjacent to the A-chain–C-peptide junction. After administration of an oral glycemic challenge, the mean fasting serum concentration of proinsulin in normal adults rose from 4.1 ± 0.28 to 23.6 ± 3.8 pM. We found a significant difference in the proinsulin concentrations in 6 adults before and after aglycemic challenge when two different antibodies were used in the RIA. Based on the antibodies different specificity for proinsulin, we concluded that B-chain-C-peptide junctional split forms of proinsulin comprise a significant portion of circulating proinsulin material after a glycemic challenge.
A control circuit for a microsensor hybrid power supply

This paper presents a simple low-power control circuit intended to manage the power within a remote autonomous microsystem hybrid power supply. A hybrid power supply has only recently been discussed in the literature as a microsystem power source solution. The power management circuitry, which is a key component within a hybrid power supply, has not been adequately explored. Although a variety of components could have been implemented, the control circuit in this paper was designed for a hybrid power supply that utilizes a Ni/Zn microbattery and silicon solar cell. The circuit also employs a shunt architecture powered only by the solar cell to minimize the overall energy consumption of the hybrid power supply. The control circuit consumes a maximum of 7 /spl mu/A and appropriately manages power even when the hybrid power supply is connected to a microsystem and is experiencing environmental variations. Details of the control circuit are discussed and simulations combined with experimental results demonstrate its performance.
Antifibrinolytic therapy in subarachnoid hemorrhage caused by ruptured intracranial aneurysm

There are 25 published studies on the treatment with antifibrinolytic agents of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) caused by ruptured intracranial aneurysm. Twelve of these studies were uncontrolled and, except for one, all reported reduced incidence of rebleeding. Of 13 controlled studies, 9 were randomized, and 3 were also double-blind. In 7, reported decrease in rebleeding was reported, but only 4 showed decreased mortality. Three studies showed no effect, and three reported a higher incidence of rebleeding in treated patients. Discrepancies may be due to the multiple clinical variables of SAH and to flaws in methodology; nevertheless, the data fail to demonstrate that antifibrinolytic therapy alters the natural history of the disease.
A Planar Balanced Power Divider With Tunable Power-Dividing Ratio

This paper reports on, for the first time, the design and implementation of planar balanced tunable power dividers. The wide power-dividing tuning range is obtained by using two tuning capacitors and a single control voltage. The differential-mode operation, common-mode rejection, and cross-mode conversion suppression are realized for all tuning states. Closed-form equations for design parameters are derived. For verification, a power divider operating at 1 GHz with power-dividing tuning ratio of 0.01–3.61 is designed based on the given closed-form design equations. Finally, a microstrip tunable power divider with two varactor diodes MA46H202 is fabricated and measured. The measured results are in good agreement with the simulated ones.
CEO Characteristics and Performance of Indonesian State-Owned Enterprise in Indonesia Period Year 2013-2015

This paper examines the effect of CEO characteristics on State Owned Enterprise’s performance measured by ROA (Return on Asset). Previous paper mostly focused on private firm rather than state owned enterprise (SOEs). We apply panel data regression on 168 SOEs in Indonesia within the period of 20132015. We only find, that age of the CEO has a positive significant effect on the performance of SOEs. This result suggests that having an older CEO can mitigate risk in the company.
Portfolio approach to project management in creation of the organization’s value

The composition and structure of the project portfolio were analysed and the importance of the links between particular projects and with the organization’s strategy in creating of its value were emphasised in the article. As regards the information projects, profoundly analysed were the subprocesses of identification, categorization, evaluation of components, and balancing of the whole portfolio, besides the tools were proposed for them which involve the specificity of ICT undertakings, optimise the use of the organisation’s resources and enable economically justified choice of projects for the portfolio. The applied research methods comprise a cross-sectional analysis of literature and analytical method. In result of the presented considerations a growing role of the portfolio approach to project management was shown along with its importance in creation of the contemporary organization’s values, and the need to continue the research in the selected area was demonstrated.
Deletion Analysis of the Large Subunit p140 in Human Replication Factor C Reveals Regions Required for Complex Formation and Replication Activities*

Replication factor C (RFC) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) are processivity factors for eukaryotic DNA polymerases δ and ε. RFC contains multiple activities, including its ability to recognize and bind to a DNA primer end and load the ring-shaped PCNA onto DNA in an ATP-dependent reaction. PCNA then tethers the polymerase to the template allowing processive DNA chain elongation. Human RFC consists of five distinct subunits (p140, p40, p38, p37, and p36), and RFC activity can be reconstituted from the five cloned gene products. To characterize the role of the large subunit p140 in the function of the RFC complex, deletion mutants were created that defined a region within the p140 C terminus required for complex formation with the four small subunits. Deletion of the p140 N-terminal half, including the DNA ligase homology domain, resulted in the formation of an RFC complex with enhanced activity in replication and PCNA loading. Deletion of additional N-terminal amino acids, including those constituting the RFC homology box II that is conserved among all five RFC subunits, disrupted RFC replication function. DNA primer end recognition and PCNA binding activities, located in the p140 C-terminal half, were unaffected in this mutant, but PCNA loading was abolished.
Depression, Anxiety Levels and General Psychological Profile in Behçet’s Disease

Background: Behçet’s disease (BD) is a multisystem disease with unknown etiology. Until today, the role of emotional stress and the real incidence of psychiatric symptoms in this disease have not been clarified yet. Objective: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the general psychological profile of the patients diagnosed as having BD as well as their depression and anxiety levels in order to investigate the psychiatric aspects of this disease. Material and Methods: Twenty-three patients with BD and 17 patients with chronic plaque-type psoriasis who made up the control group were examined by the Beck Depression (BDI), Beck Anxiety (BAI) and Brief Symptom Inventories (BSI). Results: The mean BDI score of the BD group was 11.69 ± 6.93, and the corresponding value was 9.11 ± 7.34 for the psoriasis group. The mean BAI score of the BD group was 21.39 + 13.68 and this level was 12.41 ± 10.70 for psoriasis patients. The mean BSI score of the BD group was 61.30 ± 43.66 and it was 30.41 ± 28.77 for the control group. The mean BDI, BAI and BSI scores of the patients diagnosed as having BD were significantly higher than those of the control group (F = 0.234, F = 0.508, F = 0.549 and p < 0.05). Conclusion: BDI, BAI and BSI scales are useful to evaluate the psychiatric aspects of BD. The results of our study revealed that the collaboration of a dermatologist and psychiatrist is essential for the follow-up of patients with BD.
SNP profile within the human major histocompatibility complex reveals an extreme and interrupted level of nucleotide diversity.

The human major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is characterized by polymorphic multicopy gene families, such as HLA and MIC (PERB11); duplications; insertions and deletions (indels); and uneven rates of recombination. Polymorphisms at the antigen recognition sites of the HLA class I and II genes and at associated neutral sites have been attributed to balancing selection and a hitchhiking effect, respectively. We, and others, have previously shown that nucleotide diversity between MHC haplotypes at non-HLA sites is unusually high (>10%) and up to several times greater than elsewhere in the genome (0.08%-0.2%). We report here the most extensive analysis of nucleotide diversity within a continuous sequence in the genome. We constructed a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) profile that reveals a pattern of extreme but interrupted levels of nucleotide diversity by comparing a continuous sequence within haplotypes in three genomic subregions of the MHC. A comparison of several haplotypes within one of the genomic subregions containing the HLA-B and -C loci suggests that positive selection is operating over the whole subgenomic region, including HLA and non-HLA genes. [The sequence data for the multiple haplotype comparisons within the class I region have been submitted to DDBJ/EMBL/GenBank under accession nos. AF029061, AF029062, and AB031005-AB031010. Additional sequence data have been submitted to the DDBJ data library under accession nos. AB031005-AB03101 and AF029061-AF029062. ]