Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Energy mix and social implications in Gorj County, Romania

ABSTRACT A traditional energy systems model cannot assess the actual market of Gorj County, Romania, yet now that a transition to a renewable energy system is under serious consideration, it provides classic energy but causes pollution and affects human health implicitly. Energy systems modeling is changing by various methods addressing these challenges, and it describes how existing models and well-established models are adapting. As a result, future energy systems will implement the principles of sustainable development and environmental protection. Renewable energy can be highly variable in time, and energy demand may become much more actively managed in future energy systems with possibilities for creating new alternative economic sectors. In conclusion, with their rising importance, resolving time and space becomes important to accurately answer questions about the energy system in Gorj, Romania, to reevaluate from the point of view of the environment and human health.
Effects of Exercise on Gene-Expression Profile in the Rat Hippocampus

Exercise has beneficial effects on brain function, including the promotion of plasticity and the enhancement of learning and memory performance. Previously we found that exercise increases the expression of certain neurotrophic factors including brain derived neurotrophic factor in the rat hippocampus. To further explore the molecular mechanisms underlying these changes, we used high-density oligonucleotide microarrays containing probe sets representing approximately 5000 genes to analyze the level of gene transcripts in the hippocampus of rats voluntary running for 3 weeks in comparison with sedentary animals. An improved statistical approach for the analysis of DNA microarray data, Cyber-T, was utilized in data analysis. Here we show that exercise leads to changes in the level of a large number of gene transcripts, many of which are known to be associated with neuronal activity, synaptic structure, and neuronal plasticity. Our data indicate that exercise elicits a differential gene expression pattern with significant changes in genes of relevance for brain function.
Cross-spectral image patch similarity using convolutional neural network

The ability to compare image regions (patches) has been the basis of many approaches to core computer vision problems, including object, texture and scene categorization. Hence, developing representations for image patches have been of interest in several works. The current work focuses on learning similarity between cross-spectral image patches with a 2 channel convolutional neural network (CNN) model. The proposed approach is an adaptation of a previous work, trying to obtain similar results than the state of the art but with a low-cost hardware. Hence, obtained results are compared with both classical approaches, showing improvements, and a state of the art CNN based approach.
Wideband Sharp-Rejection Signal Interference Bandstop Filter Using Branch-Line Coupler

A novel design of micostrip bandstop filter (BSF) based on branch-line coupler structure is presented. The present BSF is obtained by modifying the branch-line coupler with open-circuits at the coupled and isolated ports. The usefulness of the present topology is demonstrated by comparing the filter performances with a standard two transmission line (TTL) signal interference BSF of same total electrical length. The proposed structure does not increase the physical dimension of the BSF, but improves the performance significantly. For given impedance ratio, the transmission zero separation bandwidth of the proposed BSF is always larger than the TTL-BSF. Measured prototype at 1.0 GHz validates the design approach.
The Inclusion of LGBTQ Youth in Catholic Schools: Opportunities to facilitate their well-being

Students who may or may not openly identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, or queer (LGBTQ) face institutionalized heterosexism and victimization in schools. These experiences can be amplified for those students attending Catholic schools. Watered down discrimination policies and lack of inclusive supports can encourage these students to find ways to hide their gender or sexual nonconformity. While the Minister of Education in Alberta announced that all schools need to support students in the form of GSAs (GAY STRAIGHT ALLIANCES or GENDER AND SEXUALITY ALLIANCES), some Christian schools are outright opposing the formation of these clubs in their schools. Literature in the area of LGBTQ education points to the necessity of school supports as these students are some of the most at-risk youth. The purpose of this literature review is to explore the factors needed to develop a fully inclusive and supportive school environment for LGBTQ students attending Catholic schools.
Do Trustful Leadership, Organizational Justice, and Motivation Influence Whistle-Blowing Intention? Evidence From Federal Employees

Organizational and societal mechanisms that ensure whistle-blowing in the public sector are required. Although many studies have explored a set of whistle-blowing determinants, few have explored the relationship and role of individual and attitudinal factors in influencing whistle-blowing in the public sector. To close this gap, this study considers the theoretical lenses of social exchange and self-determination theories, proposing that trustful leadership and organizational justice are the most likely factors to predict whistle-blowing intention when it is mediated by public service motivation (PSM) and extrinsic motivation. Using the Merit Principles Survey 2010 by the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board, the study tests a partial mediation model employing structural equation modeling. The results suggest that PSM and extrinsic motivation partially mediate the relationship of trust in leadership and organizational justice and whistle-blowing intention. Finally, the study’s limitations and theoretical, empirical, and practical implications, as well as directions for future research, are discussed.
Drug development for the management of organophosphorus poisoning

Introduction: The continuous application of organophosphate pesticides in developing countries, in addition to the remaining stock piles of chemical warfare nerve agents and their possible use is a significant threat to the public. Yet, today's options for a treatment of organophosphorus poisonings are still inadequate. Areas covered: This article provides a concise overview of current and future research trying to improve both prophylaxis and treatment of organophosphorus intoxications. The authors provide a summary of current oxime therapy and highlight several new concepts to overcome existing gaps. This overview of therapeutic options is accompanied by two sections on cyclodextrins, related compounds and bioscavengers, which may be used for either prophylaxis or treatment. For both groups, the authors review current drug design and screening approaches, the resulting developments and future challenges. Expert opinion: While the search for one multipotent oxime has been a fruitless endeavor, combination of multiple oximes with complemental and systemic reactivity appears as a valuable concept. Development of potential scavengers, be it cyclodextrins or bioscavengers, is still hampered by insufficient efficacy of these compounds. Future strategies will aim at improving their catalytic efficacy while minimizing immunogenicity.
Intrinsic gamma aminobutyric acid receptors modulate the release of catecholamine from canine adrenal gland in situ.

Immunohistochemical analysis documented the presence of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-containing fibers and GABA-containing chromaffin cells in canine adrenal glands. A dense network of fibers was visualized at the boundary between medullary and cortical cells, and, in the medullary tissue, GABA-containing fibers surrounded chromaffin cells. Some of these fibers enter the adrenal medulla together with splanchnic cholinergic nerves. The functional role of the GABAergic system in the regulation of catecholamine release from adrenal chromaffin cells was studied in canine adrenal glands in situ, using an autoperfusion system for the adrenal gland that was designed to eliminate indirect central effects of drugs or their metabolites on catecholamine release. The present study documents that GABA modulates the spontaneous release of catecholamines and the release elicited by electrical stimulation of the splanchnic nerve. GABAA receptor agonists such as THIP or muscimol increased the catecholamine content in adrenal effluent blood, whereas bicuculline (0.05 mmol/2 ml min-1), a GABAA receptor antagonist, reduced it. Baclofen (0.094 mmol/2 ml min-1), a GABAB receptor agonist, failed to alter the catecholamine content in adrenal effluent blood. The increased release of catecholamines elicited by 4,5,6,7-tetrahydroisoxazolo[5,4-c]pyridin-3[2H]-one (THIP; 0.143 mmol/2 ml min-1) was prevented by bicuculline (0.05 mmol/2 ml min-1) but not by hexamethonium (2.48 mmol/2 ml min-1) or naloxone (0.122 mmol/2 ml min-1). Furthermore, denervation of the adrenal glands failed to prevent the THIP-elicited release of catecholamines. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
An Exact Test of the Improvement of the Minimum Variance Portfolio

I propose an exact finite sample test of the risk reduction of the global minimum variance (GMV) portfolio. The GMV test statistic is proportional to the reduction in the variance of the GMV portfolio and has a straightforward geometric and portfolio interpretation and complements the celebrated GRS test in Gibbons et al. (1989). In practical applications, the GMV test leads to a rejection of the null hypothesis of no improvement in the GMV portfolio more often than the GRS test rejects the null hypothesis of no improvement in the risk‐return profile of the tangent portfolio. The power of the GMV test increases with the variance reduction of the GMV portfolio. Using test asset returns scaled by predetermined predictive variables is equivalent to increasing the overall number of test assets and leads to substantial power gains.
Administration of Panobinostat Is Associated with Increased IL-17A mRNA in the Intestinal Epithelium of HIV-1 Patients

Intestinal CD4+ T cell depletion is rapid and profound during early HIV-1 infection. This leads to a compromised mucosal barrier that prompts chronic systemic inflammation. The preferential loss of intestinal T helper 17 (Th17) cells in HIV-1 disease is a driver of the damage within the mucosal barrier and of disease progression. Thus, understanding the effects of new therapeutic strategies in the intestines has high priority. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors (e.g., panobinostat) are actively under investigation as potential latency reversing agents in HIV eradication studies. These drugs have broad effects that go beyond reactivating virus, including modulation of immune pathways. We examined colonic biopsies from ART suppressed HIV-1 infected individuals (clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01680094) for the effects of panobinostat on intestinal T cell activation and on inflammatory cytokine production. We compared biopsy samples that were collected before and during oral panobinostat treatment and observed that panobinostat had a clear biological impact in this anatomical compartment. Specifically, we observed a decrease in CD69+ intestinal lamina propria T cell frequency and increased IL-17A mRNA expression in the intestinal epithelium. These results suggest that panobinostat therapy may influence the restoration of mucosal barrier function in these patients.
An Observer for Time Lag Systems

An observer is presented for time lag systems described by state variable differential delay equations which dualizes a previously developed reducing transformation technique for state feedback stabilization. A system with delay in the state variables is shown to possess two characteristic matrix equations: a "left" matrix equation which arises in the feedback stabilization problem, and a "right" characteristic matrix equation which is shown to be central to the dualized observer problem. The resulting observer equation is similar in form to those developed in the literature using the spectral decomposition theory, but differs in constructive detail owing to the fact that its specification utilizes well known finite dimensional system techniques once the unstable pole set has been delineated.
Effects of Rural Infrastructure on Agricultural Development

The present study analysed the effect of rural infrastructure on agricultural development in the southern Indian state of Karnataka. The study used district-level data for 30 years period and employed infrastructure availability and utilisation framework to examine the relationship between the rural infrastructure and agricultural development. The regression analysis showed that infrastructure availability index and infrastructure utilisation index had positive and significant effect on agricultural productivity growth. The effect of infrastructure utilisation on productivity growth seemed to be higher than that of infrastructure availability. Further, the combined effect of availability and utilisation of infrastructure had larger effect on agricultural productivity. The analysis of spatial convergence of agricultural productivity growth showed that districts converge in land productivity over time.
Experimental analysis of the switching behavior of an IGBT using a three-stage gate driver

In this work, a gate driver with multiple stages based on switched resistors is presented. The influence of the different stages on the turn-on and on the turn-off behaviour is investigated using experimental measurements conducted on a double pulse test bench. It is shown that, compared to a single-stage reference driver, switching loss improvements are possible while maintaining the same voltage overshoot and the same reverse recovery current, thus the same device utilization. As the switching loss determination is not trivial, a dedicated section is devoted to the turn-on and turn-off loss energy calculation. The paper concludes with measurements showing switching loss improvements of 9% and 26% for a turn-on and a turn-off event, respectively, using the same voltage overshoot and reverse recovery current peaks compared to an optimized single-stage driver.
Maternal and Infant Factors Associated with Child Growth in the First Year of Life

Aim: To assess the predictors associated with infant length-for-age Z-score (LAZ) in the first year of life. This paper presents the relative contribution of maternal and child factors to child growth among children aged 6-12 months in an urban area of Northern Region of Ghana. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study design in which systematic random sampling technique was used to select study participants, who sought post natal care services in selected hospitals within Tamale Metropolis. The association between LAZ and explanatory variables (maternal height, birth weight, infant and child feeding practices) was assessed using both bivariate and multiple linear regression analyses. Results: The mean age of the children was 8.6±1.9 months and 53.8 % were in the 6-8 months age group. The mean dietary diversity score (DDS) was 4.18±1.69 for children aged 6-12 months. Nearly 70.0 % of the children had adequate meal frequency, 73.0 % met the minimum dietary diversity (≥ 4 food groups) and 57.5 % of the children met the minimum acceptable diet. The greatest predictors of mean LAZ were maternal height, low birth weight (LBW), whether child is wasted or not and the consumption of specific foods groups by the child. A 1-unit increase in weight for length z-score (WLZ) was associated with 0.156 decrease in length for age z-score (LAZ) [beta = -0.156 (95% CI: -0.26, -0.03)] among infants 6 to 8 months of age after controlling for LBW and maternal height. Among children 9-12 months, a unit increase in weight for length z-score (WLZ) was associated with 0.182 decrease in length for age z-score (LAZ) [beta = -0.182 (95% CI: -0.32, -0.04)]. The nature and strength of association between LBW and mean LAZ was different according to the age group of the child. Among children aged 6-8 months, the mean LAZ of LBW children were significantly higher than that of children whose birth weight was normal. For children aged 9-12 months, LBW children had lower mean LAZ compared to children with birth weight of at least 2.5 kg (beta coefficient = -0.320, p Conclusion: In conclusion, the effect of birth weight and maternal height on LAZ depended on the age of the child. The data do suggest that between the ages of 6-8 months, LBW babies may be growing faster in length than non-LBW babies. However, from 9-12 months non-LBW babies grow faster than LBW babies.
NADP‐Dependent enzymes. I: Conserved stereochemistry of cofactor binding

The ubiquitous redox cofactors nicotinamide adenine dinucleotides [NAD and NADP] are very similar molecules, despite their participation in substantially different biochemical processes. NADP differs from NAD in only the presence of an additional phosphate group esterified to the 2′‐hydroxyl group of the ribose at the adenine end and yet NADP is confined with few exceptions to the reactions of reductive biosynthesis, whereas NAD is used almost exclusively in oxidative degradations. The discrimination between NAD and NADP is therefore an impressive example of the power of molecular recognition by proteins. The many known tertiary structures of NADP complexes affords the possibility for an analysis of their discrimination. A systematic analysis of several crystal structures of NAD(P)‐protein complexes show that: 1) the NADP coenzymes are more flexible in conformation than those of NAD; 2) although the protein‐cofactor interactions are largely conserved in the NAD complexes, they are quite variable in those of NADP; and 3) in both cases the pocket around the nicotinamide moiety is substrate dependent. The conserved and variable interactions between protein and cofactors in the respective binding pockets are reported in detail. Discrimination between NAD and NADP is essentially a consequence of the overall pocket and not of a few residues. A clear fingerprint in NAD complexes is a carboxylate side chain that chelates the diol group at the ribose near the adenine, whereas in NADP complexes an arginine side chain faces the adenine plane and interacts with the phosphomonoester. The latter type of interaction might be a general feature of recognition of nucleotides by proteins. Other features such as strand‐like hydrogen bonding between the NADP diphosphate moeties and the protein are also significant. The NADP binding pocket properties should prove useful in protein engineering and design. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss Inc.
Hemodynamic Effects of Ventricular Assist Device Implantation on Norwood, Glenn, and Fontan Circulation: A Simulation Study.

The growing population of failing single-ventricle (SV) patients might benefit from ventricular assist device (VAD) support as a bridge to heart transplantation. However, the documented experience is limited to isolated case reports. Considering the complex and different physiopathology of Norwood, Glenn, and Fontan patients and the lack of established experience, the aim of this work is to realize and test a lumped parameter model of the cardiovascular system able to simulate SV hemodynamics and VAD implantation effects to support clinical decision. Hemodynamic and echocardiographic data of 30 SV patients (10 Norwood, 10 Glenn, and 10 Fontan) were retrospectively collected and used to simulate patients' baseline. Then, the effects of VAD implantation were simulated. Simulation results suggest that the implantation of VAD: (i) increases the cardiac output and the mean arterial systemic pressure in all the three palliation conditions (Norwood 77.2 and 19.7%, Glenn 38.6 and 32.2%, and Fontan 17.2 and 14.2%); (ii) decreases the SV external work (Norwood 55%, Glenn 35.6%, and Fontan 41%); (iii) decreases the pressure pulsatility index (Norwood 65.2%, Glenn 81.3%, and Fontan 64.8%); (iv) increases the pulmonary arterial pressure in particular in the Norwood circulation (Norwood 39.7%, Glenn 12.1% and Fontan 3%); and (v) decreases the atrial pressure (Norwood 2%, Glenn 10.6%, and Fontan 8.6%). Finally, the VAD work is lower in the Norwood circulation (30.4 mL·mm Hg) in comparison with Fontan (40.3 mL·mm Hg) and to Glenn (64.5 mL·mm Hg) circulations. The use of VAD in SV physiology could be helpful to bridge patients to heart transplantations by increasing the CO and unloading the SV with a decrement of the atrial pressure and the SV external work. The regulation of the pulmonary flow is challenging because the Pap is increased by the presence of VAD. The hemodynamic changes are different in the different SV palliation step. The use of numerical models could be helpful to support patient and VAD selection to optimize the clinical outcome.
Several distinct localization patterns for penicillin‐binding proteins in Bacillus subtilis

Bacterial cell shape is determined by a rigid external cell wall. In most non‐coccoid bacteria, this shape is also determined by an internal cytoskeleton formed by the actin homologues MreB and/or Mbl. To gain further insights into the topological control of cell wall synthesis in bacteria, we have constructed green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusions to all 11 penicillin‐binding proteins (PBPs) expressed during vegetative growth of Bacillus subtilis. The localization of these fusions was studied in a wild‐type background as well as in strains deficient in FtsZ, MreB or Mbl. PBP3 and PBP4a localized specifically to the lateral wall, in distinct foci, whereas PBP1 and PBP2b localized specifically to the septum. All other PBPs localized to both the septum and the lateral cell wall, sometimes with irregular distribution along the lateral wall or a preference for the septum. This suggests that cell wall synthesis is not dispersed but occurs at specific places along the lateral cell wall. The results implicate PBP3, PBP5 and PBP4a, and possibly PBP4, in lateral wall growth. Localization of PBPs to the septum was found to be dependent on FtsZ, but the GFP–PBP fluorescence patterns were not detectably altered in the absence of MreB or Mbl.
Specific investment, relational governance and cooperation risk: from the perspective of farmers in China’s “Company+Farmers” alliance

ABSTRACT The ‘Company+ Farmers’ alliance is the main organization for China’s agricultural industrialization management. Based on the survey data of farmers cooperating with companies in Guangdong and Jiangxi Provinces, this article explores the relationship among farmers’ specific investment, the relational governance of the alliance and farmers’ cooperation risk. The results show that the relational governance of the alliance can be divided into cognitive relational governance and coordinated relational governance. Among these types, cognitive relational governance can significantly promote farmers’ specific investment. However, with the increase in farmers’ specific investment, farmers’ cooperation risk is significantly improved, and the coordinated relational governance can significantly enhance the role of farmers’ material-specific investment in promoting cooperation risk. Therefore, agricultural enterprises can use cognitive relational governance to encourage farmers’ specific investment, and the specific investment of farmers must rely on a contract governance mechanism.