Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Robust Stability Analysis of Active Voltage Control for High-power IGBT Switching by Kharitonov's Theorem

The main idea of active voltage control (AVC) is to employ classic feedback-control methods forcing the IGBT collector voltage transient to follow a predefined trajectory. This feedback control of IGBTs has great advantages in guaranteeing that IGBTs remain in safe operating area (SOA), restricting EMI, mitigating the voltage/current stress, minimizing/predicting their power losses, and balancing voltages of IGBTs in series. Inevitably, however, AVC introduces stability issues. Based on the assumption that accurate IGBT small-signal model parameters are available, an analogue proportional-derivative and multiloop feedback control was proposed to achieve stable performance in previous work. Due to nonlinearities and uncertainties in IGBT parameters, previous stability analysis methods have important limitations. This work uses Kharitonov's theorem during the IGBT controlled turn-off to assess the system's stability and guide the AVC design to account for model uncertainties and varying parameters. We conducted experiments to investigate the system's robust stability due to these uncertainties in the IGBT parameters, which confirm the validity of the proposed theoretical analysis. With the use of wide bandwidth op-amps, it is shown that the feedback design may be simplified.
Changes in rigidity and symptoms among adolescents in psychodynamic psychotherapy

Abstract The present study examined changes in the rigidity of interpersonal patterns and symptoms in adolescents (ages 15–18) in a year-long psychodynamic psychotherapy. Seventy-two adolescents (30 in treatment and 42 in a non-treatment “community group”) underwent Relationship Anecdote Paradigm (RAP) interviews according to the Core Conflictual Relationship Theme method (CCRT; Luborsky & Crits-Christoph, 1998), and completed outcome measures at two time points. Results: Adolescents in the treatment group became less rigid in their interpersonal patterns and improved significantly in their symptoms, whereas no such changes were observed in the community group. Levels of rigidity were not related to initial symptom distress; however, changes in rigidity were related to improvement in symptoms within the treatment group.
Can Catch Shares Prevent Fisheries Collapse?

Recent reports suggest that most of the world's commercial fisheries could collapse within decades. Although poor fisheries governance is often implicated, evaluation of solutions remains rare. Bioeconomic theory and case studies suggest that rights-based catch shares can provide individual incentives for sustainable harvest that is less prone to collapse. To test whether catch-share fishery reforms achieve these hypothetical benefits, we have compiled a global database of fisheries institutions and catch statistics in 11,135 fisheries from 1950 to 2003. Implementation of catch shares halts, and even reverses, the global trend toward widespread collapse. Institutional change has the potential for greatly altering the future of global fisheries.
IMMUNOMODULATORY ACTIVITY OF THE WATER EXTRACT OF Thymus vulgaris, Thymus daenensis, AND Zataria multiflora ON DENDRITIC CELLS AND T CELLS RESPONSES

Thymus vulgaris (thyme), Thymus daenensis, and Zataria multiflora are medicinal plants being used widely for infections and inflammatory diseases in folk medicine. In this study, the effects of the water extract of these plants on the activation of dendritic cells (DCs) and T cells was investigated. Both T. vulgaris and Z. multiflora decreased the proliferation of mitogen-stimulated lymphocytes, whereas T. daenensis induced cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.001). All the three plants increased the CD40 expression on DCs (p < 0.04). The extent of allogenic T cell proliferation in the presence of T. vulgaris and Z. multiflora extracts was significantly decreased (p < 0.02). The effect of the extracts on secretion of IFN-γ and IL-4 cytokines showed that none of the extracts influenced the pattern of cytokine production by T helper (Th) cells toward a Thl or Th2 profile. In conclusion, all the extracts had the ability to activate DCs. Whereas Z. multiflora and T. vulgaris extracts showed immunoihibitory effects on allogenic T cell proliferation, the main effect of T. daenensis was on mitogenic T cell response. These data may partly explain the mechanisms underlying the beneficial immunomodulatory effects of these extracts in infections and immune-related diseases.
Over‐expression of Aurora‐A targets cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding protein and promotes mRNA polyadenylation of Cdk1 and cyclin B1

Aurora‐A is a centrosomal serine‐threonine kinase that regulates mitosis. Over‐expression of Aurora‐A has been found in a wide range of tumors and has been implicated in oncogenic transformation. However, how Aurora‐A over‐expression contributes to promotion of carcinogenesis remains elusive. Immunohistochemical analysis of breast tumors revealed that over‐expressed Aurora‐A is not restricted to the centrosomes but is also found in the cytoplasm. This over‐expressed Aurora‐A appeared to be phosphorylated on Thr288, which is known to be required for its enzymatic activation. In analogy to Aurora‐A's role in oocyte maturation and the early embryonic cell cycle, here we investigated whether ectopically over‐expressed Aurora‐A can similarly stimulate polyadenylation of mRNA in human somatic cultured cells by interacting with a human ortholog of cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding protein, h‐CPEB. In vitro experiments revealed that Aurora‐A binds directly to, and phosphorylates, h‐CPEB. We found that polyadenylation of mRNA tails of cyclin B1 and Cdk1 was synergistically stimulated when Aurora‐A and h‐CPEB were over‐expressed, and they were further promoted in the presence of an Aurora‐A activator Ajuba. Our results suggest a function of ectopically over‐expressed Aurora‐A that might be relevant for carcinogenesis.
Resource allocation in optical wireless networks

In this paper, self-organising interference management for optical wireless networks deployed inside an aircraft cabin is investigated. A user that has successfully received data in a given frame and intends to continue receiving data in the next frame broadcasts a busy burst (BB) in a time-multiplexed BB slot. A neighbouring access point (AP) that intends to reuse the reserved resource listens to the BB slot and infers (prior to transmission) the amount of co-channel interference (CCI) it could cause towards the user that has reserved the resource, provided that channel reciprocity holds. This is a vital information for an AP to decide without any central supervision whether to transmit or to defer the transmission to another time or frequency slot so as to limit CCI caused to the active link to a threshold value. Compared to using static resource partitioning for interference coordination, the proposed approach improves the median system throughput by 17%whilst delivering roughly the same throughput at the cell-edge. Moreover, it is demonstrated that the threshold parameter can be adjusted to tradeoff aggregate system throughput for user throughput at the cell-edge.
Konstruksi Indikator dan Formula Penilaian Kualitas Pemilu di Indonesia

General elections in Indonesia that have been carried out since 1955 have proceeded without having clear election quality indicators and indicators. Improving the quality of elections is one of the keys to realizing quality democracy. Standard indicators and evaluations of the quality of elections in previous studies were not able to represent the principles of Pancasila democratic values, local political cultural values, and heterogeneous conditions of Indonesian society, so special studies were needed to improve election quality standards in accordance with conditions in Indonesia. The purpose of this study is to develop indicators and instruments for assessing the quality of National Elections in Indonesia. The research method used is library research supported by the results of relevant research. Indicators for evaluating the quality of elections are built through all aspects of the pre, post and post-election governance process. All aspects meet the principles of equality, freedom, justice, transparency, professionalism, security, integrity and adjustment of local political culture. Assessment of election quality can be carried out through the opinion trail method and measured by ordinal measurement scale. Standardization The national election quality index established and developed in accordance with the times, guarantees the accuracy of measuring the quality of elections, so that the quality of elections can be improved on an ongoing and consistent basis.
Frequency and Determinants of Diabetes Patient Education Among Adults in the U.S.Population

OBJECTIVE To determine the proportion of adults with diabetesin the U.S. who have received diabetes patient education and to assess factors that determine whether patients receive this education. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A questionnaire on diabetes was administered to a representative sample of 2,405 diabetic individual≥18 years of age in the U.S. population. The questionnaire inquired about whether these individuals had ever attended a diabetes education class or program. Sociodemographic and clinical factors that may influence participation in patient education were also determined. RESULTS Of all people with diabetes, 35.1% had attended a class or program about diabetes at some time during the course of their disease,including 58.6% of individuals with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, 48.9% of insulin-treated individuals with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), and 23.7% of NIDDM individuals not treated with insulin. Younger age, black race, residence in the midwest region of the U.S., higher level of education, and presence of diabetes complications were consistentlyassociated with having had diabetes education for people with NIDDM. Although increasing income was associated with patient education for NIDDM individuals not treated with insulin, it was not an independent determinant for insulin-treated NIDDM individuals. NIDDM individuals not treated with insulin who lived alone were more likely to have had patient education than those who did not live alone. Not having a diabetes physician or not visiting onein the past year was associated with a higher likelihood of patient education for non-insulin-treated NIDDM individuals. CONCLUSIONS A large proportion of patients with diabetes has never received , diabetes education. Patient education has been recognized for its contributions to reducing the morbidity and mortality of diabetes. Consequently, special attention should be directed to the subgroups of individuals, such as those not taking insulin, those with lower socioeconomic status, and those living outside urban areas, in which the frequency of diabetes patient education is particularly low.
Should Bangladesh Export to Countries with Better Institutional or Comparatively Similar Institutional Form?

ABSTRACT Using panel data for the years 2006–2015, this study empirically investigates the effect of rule of law as an institution on Bangladesh's exports to 28 European Union countries (EU28) based on gravity model analysis. Two-step econometric results suggest that institutional rule of law is strongly associated with Bangladesh's exports, and institutional quality provides evidence of this significant effect. Furthermore, exports of Bangladesh are driven by economic size, market size, and the real exchange rate as well as rule of law. These results are suggestive of an important joint role for both trade and institutions in the long run.
Interpretation of Transmissivity Estimates from Single‐Well Pumping Aquifer Tests

Interpretation of single‐well tests with the Cooper‐Jacob method remains more reasonable than most alternatives. Drawdowns from 628 simulated single‐well tests where transmissivity was specified were interpreted with the Cooper‐Jacob straight‐line method to estimate transmissivity. Error and bias as a function of vertical anisotropy, partial penetration, specific yield, and interpretive technique were investigated for transmissivities that ranged from 10 to 10,000 m2/d. Cooper‐Jacob transmissivity estimates in confined aquifers were affected minimally by partial penetration, vertical anisotropy, or analyst. Cooper‐Jacob transmissivity estimates of simulated unconfined aquifers averaged twice the known values. Transmissivity estimates of unconfined aquifers were not improved by interpreting results with an unconfined aquifer solution. Judicious interpretation of late‐time data consistently improved estimates where transmissivity exceeded 250 m2/d in unconfined aquifers.
Magnesium modulates contractile responses of rat aorta to thiocyanate: A possible relationship to smoking-induced atherosclerosis.

Thiocyanate anions (SCN-) as the end products of tobacco smoke and found in the blood of cigarette smokers have been implicated in atherogenesis and heart diseases. Magnesium deficiency has also been implicated in the etiology of atherogenesis. The contractile responses of rat aorta to SCN- and the modulation of extracellular magnesium ions ([Mg2+]o) on the effect of SCN- were, therefore, studied in isolated rat aortic rings. SCN- exposure at a range of concentrations (from 10(-5) to 5 x 10(-2) M) induces contractile responses of isolated rat aortic rings with and without endothelium in a concentration-dependent manner. Significant differences in responsiveness to SCN- were found in rat aortic ring segments with and without endothelial cells. Preincubation of these vessels with low [Mg2+]o markedly shifted the contractile concentration-effect curves to the left, and the contractile effects of SCN- in rat aortic rings were potentiated. In contrast to lowering [Mg2+]o, increasing [Mg2+]o to 2.4 mM was found to dramatically attenuate the contractile responses to SCN-. In the absence of extracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]o), SCN--induced contractions were, however, almost abolished after exposure to Mg2+-free medium. In order to investigate the mechanisms of [Mg2+]o modulation of SCN--induced contractile response of rat aorta, changes in intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) were measured in cultured primary smooth muscle cells isolated from rat aorta. The resting level of [Ca2+]i in the rat aortic smooth muscle cells was 80.6 +/- 6.6 nM. Exposure of these cells to SCN- (5 x 10(-5) to 5 x 10(-3) M) produced rises in [Ca2+]i in a concentration-dependent manner. Preincubation of these cells with low [Mg2+]o (0 or 0.3 mM, the lowest physiological range) for 24 h significantly potentiated increments in [Ca2+]i induced by SCN-. These rises in [Ca2+]i induced by SCN- were completely inhibited by pretreating the cells with 2.4 mM [Mg2+]o for 24 h. These results support a hypothesis whereby cigarette smoking or exposure to smoking can induce cardiovascular diseases, at least partly, probably by causing spasm and thickening of arterial blood vessels as a consequence of large rises in [Ca2+]i in vascular smooth muscle cells. The chronic presence of or exposure to both thiocyanate and low Mg2+ in the blood of smokers can result in rapid flux of Ca2+ into vascular smooth muscle cells, thus accelerating or initiating atherosclerotic processes in smokers.
Legacy: Cecil Rhodes, the Rhodes Trust and Rhodes scholarships

To be chosen as a Rhodes Scholar is to join the company of a highly select group: former scholars include presidents, prime ministers, ambassadors, archbishops, authors, judges, and other important figures. Over 7,000 individuals have received the world's most prestigious scholarship in the century since Cecil John Rhodes, the British-born founder of the De Beers diamond company, established through his will the Rhodes Trust and Rhodes scholarships. This fascinating history traces the evolution of the Trust and its scholarship program from Rhodes's vision in 1902 to the new world of the twenty-first century. Rhodes specified the criteria for selecting scholars, stipulating public service as their highest aim. An avowed imperialist, he dreamed of a white masculine Anglo-Saxon hegemony that would lead to world peace and prosperity. The book explores how the organization changed after the Empire faded and how Rhodes's vision has been made relevant today, particularly through the vital contributions of the Mandela Rhodes Foundation in South Africa. Prominent American Rhodes Scholars include: J. William Fulbright -- Robert Penn Warren -- Bill Bradley -- Wesley Clark -- Bill Clinton -- Strobe Talbott -- David Souter -- George Stephanopoulos
Colorless tunable optical dispersion compensator based on a silica arrayed-waveguide grating and a polymer thermooptic lens

We present a colorless tunable optical dispersion compensator (TODC) comprised of a silica arrayed-waveguide grating (AWG) directly coupled to a polymer thermooptic lens. Using silica for the AWG allows it to be low loss and manufactured by a standard process, and using polymer for the thermooptic lens allows it to have a large tuning range and low electrical power consumption. This hybrid TODC is fully solid-state and scales to a large figure-of-merit (dispersion range times bandwidth squared). We demonstrate a version with 100-GHz free-spectral range and 1300-ps/nm tuning range with a 3-dB bandwidth >39 GHz and a lens power consumption <74 mW
Activated Charcoal Administration in a Pediatric Emergency Department

Objectives: Activated charcoal is the commonest form of gastrointestinal decontamination offered to potentially poisoned children within United States emergency departments. Our aim was to describe this practice with regard to timing, route of administration, use of flavoring agents, and occurrence of adverse events other than vomiting. Methods: Descriptive data were prospectively collected from consecutive administrations of single-dose activated charcoal, within an urban, academic pediatric emergency department, over a period of 2.5 years. Results: Two hundred seventy-five subjects were enrolled. The median time elapsed between ingestion and emergency department arrival was 1.2 hours. Although 55% of children were administered charcoal within 1 hour of emergency department presentation, only 7.8% received charcoal within 1 hour of poisoning exposure. Forty-four percent of children younger than 6 years, 50% of 6-year to 12-year olds, and 89% of 12-year to 18-year olds drank the charcoal voluntarily (P < 0.01). Medical staff chose not to offer charcoal orally to 42 asymptomatic children among the 176 subjects under the age of 6 years. Of the 114 young children offered oral charcoal, 36 (32%) refused or were intolerant. Nurses added flavoring agents to the charcoal in 59% of oral administrations, but this act did not enhance observed palatability. Among children younger than 6 years, the median time from first sip to complete ingestion of charcoal slurry was 15 minutes. One pulmonary aspiration event and a case of constipation were noted. Conclusions: Despite published guidelines, children treated in an emergency department rarely received charcoal within 1 hour of ingestion. Gastric tube administration of charcoal varies by age and is partly subjective in its application. We found no evidence that excipient flavoring of charcoal improved success of administration. Pulmonary aspiration of charcoal, although uncommon, should be considered when assessing the risk of therapy. We offer a report of symptomatic constipation from single-dose charcoal.
MicroRNA-200c mitigates invasiveness and restores sensitivity to microtubule-targeting chemotherapeutic agents

The transcription factor ZEB1 is normally not expressed in epithelial cells. When inappropriately expressed in carcinomas, ZEB1 initiates epithelial to mesenchymal transition due to its ability to repress E-cadherin and other genes involved in polarity. Recently, ZEB1 and ZEB2 have been identified as direct targets of the microRNA-200c family. We find that miR-200c levels are high in well-differentiated endometrial, breast, and ovarian cancer cell lines, but extremely low in poorly differentiated cancer cells. Low or absent miR-200c results in aberrant expression of ZEB1 and consequent repression of E-cadherin. Reinstatement of miR-200c to such cells restores E-cadherin and dramatically reduces migration and invasion. Microarray profiling reveals that in addition to ZEB1 and ZEB2, other mesenchymal genes (such as FN1, NTRK2, and QKI), which are also predicted direct targets of miR-200c, are indeed inhibited by addition of exogenous miR-200c. One such gene, class III β-tubulin (TUBB3), which encodes a tubulin isotype normally found only in neuronal cells, is a direct target of miR-200c. This finding is of particular significance because we show that restoration of miR-200c increases sensitivity to microtubule-targeting agents by 85%. Because expression of TUBB3 is a common mechanism of resistance to microtubule-binding chemotherapeutic agents in many types of solid tumors, the ability of miR-200c to restore chemosensitivity to such agents may be explained by its ability to reduce TUBB3. Because miR-200c is crucial for maintenance of epithelial identity, behavior, and sensitivity to chemotherapy, we propose that it warrants further investigation as a therapeutic strategy for aggressive, drug-resistant cancers. [Mol Cancer Ther 2009;8(5):OF1–12]
Market Risk and Volatility Weighted Historical Simulation after Basel III

Regulatory capital requirements for market risk, also known as the Fundamental Review of the Trading Book (FRTB), were disclosed by the Basel Committee on January 2016. This major overhaul of the Basel 2.5 framework challenges risk model specification and backtesting. Given the prevalence of historical simulation approach within large financial institutions, we focus on the Filtered (Volatility Weighted) Historical Simulation (VWHS) approach associated with a EWMA volatility filter. Volatility dynamics is then directed by a single parameter. We discuss how this decay parameter, chosen within a reasonable range, at banks’ discretion, impacts capital metrics, backtesting statistics, as prescribed by the Basel Committee, and fouls the regulatory benchmarking of internal risk models. We show a trade-off between the resilience of risk models to periods of turmoil and the magnitude of capital metrics. Under the new regulatory rules, this would favour plain historical simulation, as compared with filtered or volatility weighed historical simulation. Understanding why, might be helpful for regulated banks, regarding the management of their market risk models, and supervisors involved in internal model approval.