Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evidence for a correlation between mass accretion rates onto young stars and the mass of their protoplanetary disks

A relation between the mass accretion rate onto the central young star and the mass of the surrounding protoplanetary disk has long been theoretically predicted and observationally sought. For the first time, we have accurately and homogeneously determined the photospheric parameters, mass accretion rate, and disk mass for an essentially complete sample of young stars with disks in the Lupus clouds. Our work combines the results of surveys conducted with VLT/X-Shooter and ALMA. With this dataset we are able to test a basic prediction of viscous accretion theory, the existence of a linear relation between the mass accretion rate onto the central star and the total disk mass. We find a correlation between the mass accretion rate and the disk dust mass, with a ratio that is roughly consistent with the expected viscous timescale when assuming an interstellar medium (ISM) gas-to-dust ratio. This confirms that mass accretion rates are related to the properties of the outer disk. We find no correlation between mass accretion rates and the disk mass measured by CO isotopologues emission lines, possibly owing to the small number of measured disk gas masses. This suggests that the mm-sized dust mass better traces the total disk mass and that masses derived from CO may be underestimated, at least in some cases.
A space vector PWM modulation scheme for back-to-back three-level diode-clamped converters

This paper proposes a modulation strategy for back-to-back NPC converters. This technique ensures that the low-frequency voltage oscillation in the dc-link capacitors is kept within established limits while minimizing the distortion of the ac side output voltages. Generally, space vector pulse width modulation schemes (SVPWM) to implement a given output voltage vector it is selected the nearest three vectors (N3V) to reduce the output distortion voltages. However this approach can lead to imbalances and oscillations in the dc-link capacitors voltages. To reduce this voltage oscillations the NS3V diagram can be used, although this technique penalize the THD of the converter output voltages. This work proposes the utilization of limits to the voltage imbalances as criterion to combine the N3V and the NS3V for the back-to-back NPC converter configuration. Thereby, it is established a compromise between the capacitor voltage oscillations and the output voltage distortion. This provide a degree of freedom to operate with a reduced THD in the voltages at the grid side while minimizing the imbalance in the dc-link voltages. Simulation results are given to demonstrate the good performance of the proposed technique.
Extrapolating to a More Ancient Past: Ethnohistoric Images of Northeastern Plains Vegetation and Bison Ecology

Abstract Over the past 200 years the northeastern Plains has changed profoundly from an ecological and cultural perspective due to the massive immigration of non-aboriginal populations with new economies and settlement systems. Historical documents are important in exploring these comparatively recent changes and appropriately modeling our expectations about a more ancient past. These records document pre-nineteenth century northeastern Plains ecological dynamism and bison seasonal migration behavior and are used to critically evaluate the utility of current ecological interpretations. Such interpretations must take care to temporally contextualize the historic sources and acknowledge their inherentflaws.
Arabidopsis VASCULAR-RELATED NAC-DOMAIN6 Directly Regulates the Genes That Govern Programmed Cell Death and Secondary Wall Formation during Xylem Differentiation[C][W]

This article reports the identification of the downstream genes regulated by a master regulator of differentiation of tracheary elements, VND6, and of xylem fibers, SND1. VND6 was found to directly regulate several genes involved in programmed cell death and secondary cell wall formation through binding to a specific cis-element. Xylem consists of three types of cells: tracheary elements (TEs), parenchyma cells, and fiber cells. TE differentiation includes two essential processes, programmed cell death (PCD) and secondary cell wall formation. These two processes are tightly coupled. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying these processes. Here, we show that VASCULAR-RELATED NAC-DOMAIN6 (VND6), a master regulator of TEs, regulates some of the downstream genes involved in these processes in a coordinated manner. We first identified genes that are expressed downstream of VND6 but not downstream of SECONDARY WALL-ASSOCIATED NAC DOMAIN PROTEIN1 (SND1), a master regulator of xylem fiber cells, using transformed suspension culture cells in microarray experiments. We found that VND6 and SND1 governed distinct aspects of xylem formation, whereas they regulated a number of genes in common, specifically those related to secondary cell wall formation. Genes involved in TE-specific PCD were upregulated only by VND6. Moreover, we revealed that VND6 directly regulated genes that harbor a TE-specific cis-element, TERE, in their promoters. Thus, we found that VND6 is a direct regulator of genes related to PCD as well as to secondary wall formation.
Inflammation and biomarkers of micronutrient status

Purpose of reviewInvestigations to discover new biomarkers of nutrition highlighted the fact that inflammation and infection were cross-cutting issues complicating interpretation of status. Collaborative groups of nutritionists, immunologists, clinicians and statisticians were set up to investigate the issues, and some are now reporting their findings. Recent findingsRecent work on the vitamins A, D, E and C and the elements iron, zinc and selenium are reported in this review. In clinical settings, experts emphasize the unreliability of nutritional biomarkers to reflect status, but some advocate the use of albumin to assist interpretation. In apparently healthy people with subclinical inflammation, one method to correct data on vitamin A and iron stores using C-reactive protein and alpha-1-acid glycoprotein is available, and two studies report on its use; others methods are currently being investigated. SummaryBiomarkers of most micronutrients are the plasma concentrations of the respective vitamins or minerals and, irrespective of nutritional status, many are reduced by inflammation; the main exception is ferritin which is increased. Different methods are being investigated to better interpret nutritional data in the presence of infection or inflammation, and nutritionists who work with apparently healthy people need to be aware of subclinical inflammation to avoid exaggerating or underreporting nutritional results.
Cirrhosis and its recognition in asymptomatic subjects with aminotransferase elevation

Unexplained chronic aminotransferase elevations of a mild-to-moderate degree in asymptomatic subjects represent a frequent problem for hepatologists. Hay et al. (1) recently reported data on 47 such patients who were negative for HBsAg, alcohol abuse, homosexuality or drug addiction and previous blood transfusions. They found autoantibodies compatible with autoimmune hepatitis were present in 53% and not related to any diagnostic group, that chronic active hepatitis and cirrhosis were found in 72% and 34% of the patients, respectively and that no individual clinical or laboratory findings were helpful in distinguishing patients with cirrhosis from those without cirrhosis. On the basis of a prospective study we do agree with the Mayo study on the high frequency of cirrhosis in asymptomatic patients with moderately raised AST and ALT levels; however, we found that cirrhosis can be confidently diagnosed without biopsy in a sizable proportion of patients in this group (2). Our study was performed on 277 patients selected to undergo liver biopsy from a cohort of 460 consecutive asymptomatic outpatients observed at our unit between 1984 and 1986 with AST and ALT values twice the upper normal level or more for at least 6 mo. The range of AST and ALT values was from two to nine times the upper normal level, and the range of duration of raised AST and ALT values was from 6 to 24 mo.
Effects of Rumen Undegradable Protein and Minerals Proteinate on Early Lactation Performance and Ovarian Functions of Dairy Cows in the Tropics

A 90 d study was designed to investigate the effects of rumen undegradable protein (RUP) and a mixture of Cu, Zn and Mn proteinate (CZMP) on milk yield and composition and ovarian functions during rainy months. Twenty four Holstein× indigenous cows in their 2nd and 3rd lactation were randomly allocated to total mixed rations (TMR) containing soy bean meal (SBM) as a source of rumen degradable protein (RDP), SBM plus CZMP, and formalin treated SBM (FSBM) as a source of RUP. Maximum and minimum temperature humidity index during the experimental period were 83.6-84.7 and 75.4-76.1. There were no differences (p>0.05) in intakes of dry matter, crude protein and net energy and in contents of butterfat, lactose and minerals. Cows on TMR containing FSBM not only lost less weight (-278, -467 and -433 g/d) with more intake of RUP (0.92, 0.58 and 0.59 kg/d) but also produced more milk (19.27, 18.23 and 18.13 kg/d) and 4% fat corrected milk (18.57, 17.57 and 17.51 kg/d) with more protein (3.06, 2.81 and 2.80%), solids-not-fat (8.69, 8.38 and 8.38%) and less milk urea N (9.3, 15.4 and 15.0 mg/dl) compared with those on TMR containing SBM and SBM+CZMP, respectively (p 0.05). Whereas incidence of cystic ovaries at 20 and 90 d pospartum was less (p<0.01) in cows on TMR containing SBM+CZMP (37.3 and 12.5%) than those on TMR containing SBM (62.5 and 25%), it was nil for cows on TMR containing FSBM. Cows in all three group differed (p<0.01) from each other for the recurrence of first observed estrus with those on TMR containing FSBM having least days (22, 36 and 47 d) compared with their counterpart on TMR containing SBM+CZMP and SBM, repectively. The results suggest that RUP is one of the limiting factors affecting milk yield and its composition and ovarian functions during early lactation of dairy cows in the tropics. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2002. Vol 15, No. 6 : 806-811)
Suitability of Wiener process based model for prediction of temperature dependent super capacitor availability

In this paper we focus on the estimation of the essential availability and reliability characteristics of super capacitors. The estimation is based on experimental data calculation using a Wiener process. The experimental data were acquired when performing the accelerated tests of super capacitors in the thermal climatic chamber Vötsch VC3 7034. Three thermal levels were used when performing the accelerated tests. Our approach presented in the paper is predominantly not focused on a failure occurrence but on performance durability and availability assessment such as functional stability. We will assess correct functioning and first hitting time if the super capacitor loses its power capacity.
Genus Picoides ) Based on COI and cyt b Mitochondrial Gene Sequences

tridactylus and P. arcticus (Peters, 1948), both of which Picoides is the largest genus of woodpeckers and member species are found on most major land masses. Current systematic arrangement of this group, based on morphological, behavioral, and plumage characters, suggests that New World species evolved from a single invasion by a Eurasian common ancestor and that all New World species form a monophyletic group. No clear link has ever been established between the relationships of Old World and New World species other than to infer that the most primitive species is Eurasian. This study employs DNA sequences for two protein-coding mitochondrial genes, cytochrome oxidase I and cytochrome b, to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships among all New World species and several Eurasian representatives of the genus Picoides. A well-resolved mitochondrial gene tree is in direct conflict with proposed species relationships based on nongenetic characters; monophyly among New World species is rejected, the evolution of New World species likely resulted from as many as three independent Eurasian invasions, and Picoides is paraphyletic with two other woodpecker genera, Veniliornis and Dendropicos. These results strongly suggest that this large, cosmopolitan genus is in need of systematic revision in order to reflect evolutionary history. © 2002
Nonlinearity in the Dynamic Response of the Flexural Ultrasonic Transducers

Recent studies of the electro-mechanical behavior of flexural ultrasonic transducers have shown that their response can be considered as three distinct characteristic regions, the first building towards a steady state, followed by oscillation at the driving frequency in the steady state, before an exponential decay from the steady state at the transducer's dominant resonance frequency, once the driving force is removed. Despite the widespread industrial use of these transducers as ultrasonic proximity sensors, there is little published information on their vibration characteristics under different operating conditions. Flexual transducers are composed of a piezoelectric ceramic disc bonded to the inner surface of a metallic cap, the membrane of which bends in response to the high-frequency ceramic vibrations of the ceramic. Piezoelectric devices can be subject to nonlinear behavior, but there is no reported detail of the nonlinearity in flexural transducers. Experimental investigation through laser Doppler vibrometry shows strong nonlinearity in the vibration response, where resonance frequency reduces with increasing vibration amplitude.
Exergames Encouraging Exploration of Hemineglected Space in Stroke Patients With Visuospatial Neglect: A Feasibility Study

Background Use of exergames can complement conventional therapy and increase the amount and intensity of visuospatial neglect (VSN) training. A series of 9 exergames—games based on therapeutic principles—aimed at improving exploration of the neglected space for patients with VSN symptoms poststroke was developed and tested for its feasibility. Objectives The goal was to determine the feasibility of the exergames with minimal supervision in terms of (1) implementation of the intervention, including adherence, attrition and safety, and (2) limited efficacy testing, aiming to document possible effects on VSN symptoms in a case series of patients early poststroke. Methods A total of 7 patients attended the 3-week exergames training program on a daily basis. Adherence of the patients was documented in a training diary. For attrition, the number of participants lost during the intervention was registered. Any adverse events related to the exergames intervention were noted to document safety. Changes in cognitive and spatial exploration skills were measured with the Zürich Maxi Mental Status Inventory and the Neglect Test. Additionally, we developed an Eye Tracker Neglect Test (ETNT) using an infrared camera to detect and measure neglect symptoms pre- and postintervention. Results The median was 14 out of 15 (93%) attended sessions, indicating that the adherence to the exergames training sessions was high. There were no adverse events and no drop-outs during the exergame intervention. The individual cognitive and spatial exploration skills slightly improved postintervention (P=.06 to P=.98) and continued improving at follow-up (P=.04 to P=.92) in 5 out of 7 (71%) patients. Calibration of the ETNT was rather error prone. The ETNT showed a trend for a slight median group improvement from 15 to 16 total located targets (+6%). Conclusions The high adherence rate and absence of adverse events showed that these exergames were feasible and safe for the participants. The results of the amount of exergames use is promising for future applications and warrants further investigations—for example, in the home setting of patients to augment training frequency and intensity. The preliminary results indicate the potential of these exergames to cause improvements in cognitive and spatial exploration skills over the course of training for stroke patients with VSN symptoms. Thus, these exergames are proposed as a motivating training tool to complement usual care. The ETNT showed to be a promising assessment for quantifying spatial exploration skills. However, further adaptations are needed, especially regarding calibration issues, before its use can be justified in a larger study sample.
Fuzzy extent analysis: comparison of defuzzification methods

This paper conducts a comparison analysis of some of the most common defuzzification techniques which helps rank fuzzy weights calculated from fuzzy comparison matrices through Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process. Ranking of weights calculated through FAHP algorithms is of critical importance as it directly effects the decision making process. More so ranking of fuzzy numbers is also important in data analysis, artificial intelligence, socioeconomic systems and other areas which utilize fuzzy logic. Many research articles have been published over the past five years solely focusing on this subject. This paper aims to conduct an empirical study on some of the most common defuzzification techniques and identify the best one in terms of accuracy of weights being calculated.
Control of Demagnetizing Field and Magnetostatic Coupling in FeCoV Wires for Zero-Speed Sensor

A fast magnetization reversal in twisted Vicalloy wires is utilized in speed sensor, rotation sensor, and other applications. It has the advantage of generating a constant pulse voltage in a pickup coil which is independent of a changing rate of the applied magnetic field. But the demagnetizing field and magnetostatic coupling at both ends of the wire prevent desirable conditions of excitation magnets and symmetric output voltage in the sensor application. We have achieved improvements in the output voltage and the condition of the exciting magnetic field by using the twisted Vicalloy wire whose outer layer at both ends is etched
Nerve‐mast cell interaction in normal guinea pig urinary bladder

Urinary bladders of normal adult female guinea pigs were analyzed for anatomical evidence of nerve‐mast cell interaction using light microscopy and electron microscopy. Nerves, ganglia, and individual nerve fibers were visualized on paraffin sections using immunohistochemistry with antisera against the neural antigens neurofilament protein and protein gene product 9.5, and sections were also immunoreacted with antisera against the neuropeptides substance P and calcitonin gene‐related peptide. Separate mast cell populations were identified by counterstain ing with toluidine blue and alcian blue; Mast cells of both types were found within nerves and intramural ganglia and were in close contact with individual nerve fibers displaying substance P‐ and calcitonin gene‐related peptide‐like immunoreactivity. Moreover, serotonin‐immunoreactive mast cells were innervated with nerve fibers that reacted with antiserum against vasoactive intestinal polypeptide. At the ultrastructural level, these fibers were almost exclusively identified as unmyelinated primary sensory afferents. Mast cells contacted these fibers with lamellipodia that wrapped around and enclosed the fibers deeply within the cell. Close association between mast cells, nerves, and vessels was common. Ultrastructural evidence suggests that bidirectional communication occurs between nerve fibers and mast cells. These structures may participate in axon reflexes that regulate normal vascular and detrusor smooth muscle function and cause vasodilation, edema, inflammation, and bladder hyperreactivity. In summary, a close relationship exists between mast cells and peptidergic nerve fibers, including primary sensory afferents. Results suggest that bidirectional interaction could occur between nerves and mast cells. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Phonetisaurus-based letter-to-sound transcription for Standard Arabic

Every TTS system must be able to convert graphemic strings into phonological representations for the purpose of pronouncing the input text. Phonetisaurus is a WFST (weighted finite-state transducer)-driven grapheme-to-phoneme (g2p) framework suitable for rapid development of high quality g2p systems. In this paper we present this fully data-driven technique, the preliminary investigations of the applicability of this advanced technique for automated transcription of Arabic text, and discuss the results and experiments of this method apply on a pronunciation dictionary of the Most Commonly used Arabic Words (MCAW-Dict.). Experimental results illustrate the speed and accuracy of the proposed system.
Prevalence of gout and hyperuricemia in the US general population: the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-2008.

OBJECTIVE To estimate the prevalence of gout and hyperuricemia based on the latest nationally representative sample of US men and women (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey [NHANES] 2007-2008). METHODS Using data from 5,707 participants in NHANES 2007-2008, we estimated the prevalence of gout and hyperuricemia. During home interviews for NHANES 2007-2008, all participants were asked about a history of health professional- or physician-diagnosed gout. Our primary definition of hyperuricemia was a serum urate level of >7.0 mg/dl for men and >5.7 mg/dl for women. We explored potential secular trends in these estimates and their possible explanations by comparing them with estimates based on 18,825 participants in NHANES-III (1988-1994). RESULTS The prevalence of gout among US adults in 2007-2008 was 3.9% (8.3 million individuals). The prevalence among men was 5.9% (6.1 million), and the prevalence among women was 2.0% (2.2 million). The mean serum urate levels were 6.14 mg/dl among men and 4.87 mg/dl among women, corresponding to hyperuricemia prevalences of 21.2% and 21.6%, respectively. These estimates were higher than those in NHANES-III, with differences of 1.2% in the prevalence of gout (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.6, 1.9), 0.15 mg/dl in the serum urate level (95% CI 0.07, 0.24), and 3.2% in the prevalence of hyperuricemia (95% CI 1.2, 5.2). These differences were substantially attenuated after adjusting for body mass index and/or hypertension. CONCLUSION These findings from nationally representative samples of US adults suggest that the prevalence of both gout and hyperuricemia remains substantial and may have increased over the past 2 decades, which is likely related to increasing frequencies of adiposity and hypertension.
Persistent Nonmedical Use of Prescription Stimulants Among College Students: Possible Association With ADHD Symptoms

Objective: To investigate the possible association between untreated ADHD symptoms (as measured by the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale) and persistent nonmedical use of prescription stimulants. Method: Multinomial regression modeling was used to compare ADHD symptoms among three groups of college students enrolled in a longitudinal study over 4 years: (1) persistent nonmedical users of prescription stimulants, (2) persistent users of marijuana who did not use prescription stimulants nonmedically, and (3) consistent nonusers of drugs. Results: ADHD symptoms were associated with being a persistent nonmedical user of prescription stimulants after adjustment for race/ethnicity, sex, socioeconomic status, and other illicit drug use. No associations were observed between ADHD symptoms and being a persistent marijuana user or nonuser. Conclusion: ADHD symptoms, and in particular inattention symptoms, appeared to be associated with nonmedical use of prescription stimulants.