Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Maximizing the Power Generation of a Partially Shaded PV Array

As per energy efficiency of a photovoltaic (PV) system is concerned, partial shading is an important issue. Under partial shading condition, the modules of a PV array receive different levels of solar irradiation, so the power generation of a PV system decreases. The power-voltage characteristic of a partially shaded PV array contains multiple local maxima, and the global maximum power point is one of them. The losses in a PV array depend on the shading pattern and the physical location of shaded modules. This paper presents the Futoshiki puzzle pattern for the arrangement of the modules of a PV array under partial shading condition, ensuring the enhancement of the power generation with respect to totally crossed tired (TCT) structure. In this method, the physical locations of modules in a TCT structure PV array are rearranged without changing the electrical connection of the modules. A comparison between the power generation in TCT and Futoshiki puzzle pattern configuration is presented. It is demonstrated that the power generated by a PV array in the Futoshiki configuration method is enhanced, and mismatch loss (ML) is minimized under different shading patterns by theoretical, simulation, and experimental results.
Analysis of temporal wear patterns of porous-coated acetabular components: distinguishing between true wear and so-called bedding-in.

BACKGROUND Standard radiographic assessment of penetration by the femoral head into a polyethylene liner does not enable clinicians to distinguish between the two processes that cause movement of the head: true wear (the removal of polyethylene particles) and so-called bedding-in (other factors, such as creep and settling-in of the liner). By analyzing radiographs made over time, researchers can distinguish true wear from the bedding-in process. The purpose of the current study was to compare the wear performance of the initial modular acetabular cup design (so-called first-generation components) of three different manufacturers with that of a so-called second-generation component made by one of the manufacturers. METHODS A two-dimensional computerized radiographic method was used to analyze 1300 radiographs of 315 hips that were followed for 3.0 to 10.5 years. Temporal penetration by the head in the three groups of first-generation cups was compared with penetration in the group of second-generation cups. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to model penetration-versus-time data as a line for each group. The slope of each regression line indicated the true rate of wear, and the intercept of the regression line indicated the amount of bedding-in. RESULTS Modifications in the design of the second-generation components, including thicker polyethylene and an improved locking mechanism, led to a decrease in the mean penetration by the head; however, the second-generation component did not have a lower true rate of wear than two of the first-generation components. Rather, the decreased penetration by the head into the second-generation component resulted from decreased bedding-in of the liner. CONCLUSIONS These findings and this technique of analysis are clinically relevant to surgeons who evaluate polyethylene wear radiographically. First, penetration by the head in the early postoperative years might not be due entirely to abrasive wear of the polyethylene liner but, rather, to a change in the position of the head resulting from the bedding-in process. The inclusion of bedding-in in calculations of wear artificially inflates the rate of wear and may result in a misrepresentation of the potential risk of wear-related complications. This is especially true with regard to comparisons of different designs of modular cups, in which conformity and tolerances between the polyethylene liner and the metal shell can vary greatly. Second, analysis of penetration by the head at multiple time-intervals can be used to distinguish true polyethylene wear from the bedding-in process. Such an analysis allows more accurate determination of the true rates of wear of different designs of modular cups and, therefore, of potential wear-related complications.
Cleanliness Policy Implementation: Evaluating Retribution Model to Rise Public Satisfaction

This research is based on the principal issues concerning the evaluation of cleanliness retribution policy which has not been optimally be able to improve the Local Revenue of Pekanbaru City and has not improved the cleanliness of Pekanbaru City. It was estimated to be caused by the performance of Garden and Sanitation Department are not in accordance with the requirement of society of Pekanbaru City. The research method used in this study is a mixed method with sequential exploratory strategy. The data collection used are observation, interview and documentation for qualitative research as well as questionnaires for quantitative research. The collected data were analyzed with interactive model of Miles and Huberman for qualitative research and multiple regression analysis for quantitative research. The research result indicated that the model of cleanliness policy implementation that can increase of PAD Pekanbaru City and be able to improve people’s satisfaction divided into two (2) which are the evaluation model and the society satisfaction model. The evaluation model influence by criteria/variable of effectiveness, efficiency, adequacy, equity, responsiveness, and appropriateness, while the society satisfaction model influence by variables of society satisfaction, intentions, goals, plans, programs, and appropriateness of cleanliness retribution collection policy.
[The effect of low frequency transcranial magnetic stimulation on neuropeptide-Y expression and apoptosis of hippocampus neurons in epilepsy rats induced by pilocarpine].

OBJECTIVE To analyze the effect of low frequency transcranial magnetic stimulation (LF-TMS) on changing neuropeptide-Y (NPY) expression and apoptosis of hippocampus neurons in epilepsy rats induced by pilocarpine (PLO). METHODS Thirty male Sprague Dawley rats (240 g +/- 20 g) were randomly divided into 2 groups. I group simply celiac injected pilocarpine. II group celiac injected PLO after LF-TMS. Pathological item included HE staining, NPY immunohistochemical staining and apoptosis staining. RESULTS HE staining revealed neurons of hippocampus were obviously death and cell's structure was destroyed in PLO group. The PLO + LF-TMS group was less injured and destroyed. Using One-Way ANOVA, NPY immunohistochemical staining shown the positive cell number was increased at all areas of hippocampus in PLO group contrasting with the low positive cell number in the PLO + LF-TMS group. In PLO group the number of apoptosis cell at hippocampus areas was significant higher than the PLO + LF-TMS group. CONCLUSIONS Using the PLO evoked epilepsy model, LF-TMS alleviated neurons injury at hippocampus area, so LF-TMS might playing an important role in resisting the progressing of epilepsy. The positive cell number of NPY increased at all areas of hippocampus, which indicated the close relation between NPY and epilepsy. NPY might have some function on resisting epilepsy.
Replication-Competent Rhabdoviruses with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Coats and Green Fluorescent Protein: Entry by a pH-Independent Pathway

ABSTRACT We describe a replication-competent, recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) in which the gene encoding the single transmembrane glycoprotein (G) was deleted and replaced by anenv-G hybrid gene encoding the extracellular and transmembrane domains of a human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) envelope protein fused to the cytoplasmic domain of VSV G. An additional gene encoding a green fluorescent protein was added to permit rapid detection of infection. This novel surrogate virus infected and propagated on cells expressing the HIV receptor CD4 and coreceptor CXCR4. Infection was blocked by SDF-1, the ligand for CXCR4, by antibody to CD4 and by HIV-neutralizing antibody. This virus, unlike VSV, entered cells by a pH-independent pathway and thus supports a pH-independent pathway of HIV entry. Additional recombinants carrying hybrid env-G genes derived from R5 or X4R5 HIV strains also showed the coreceptor specificities of the HIV strains from which they were derived. These surrogate viruses provide a simple and rapid assay for HIV-neutralizing antibodies as well as a rapid screen for molecules that would interfere with any stage of HIV binding or entry. The viruses might also be useful as HIV vaccines. Our results suggest wide applications of other surrogate viruses based on VSV.
Centrin deficiency in Chlamydomonas causes defects in basal body replication, segregation and maturation

Centrin, a 20 kDa calcium-binding protein, is a constituent of contractile basal body-associated fibers in protists and of various centrosomal structures. A construct inducing centrin RNAi was used to study the effect of centrin deficiency in Chlamydomonas. Transformants contained variable amounts of residual centrin (down to 5% of wild-type) and lacked centrin fibers. They displayed a variable flagellar number phenotype with mostly nonflagellate cells, suggesting that centrin is required for basal body assembly. Furthermore, basal bodies often failed to dock to the plasma membrane and to assemble flagella, and displayed defects in the flagellar root system indicating that centrin deficiency interferes with basal body development. Multiple basal bodies caused the formation of additional microtubular asters, whereas the microtubular cytoskeleton was disordered in most cells without basal bodies. The number of multinucleated cells was increased, indicating that aberrant numbers of basal bodies interfered with the cytokinesis of Chlamydomonas. In contrast to wild-type cells, basal bodies in centrin-RNAi cells were separated from the spindle poles, suggesting a role of centrin in tethering basal bodies to the spindle. To test whether an association with the spindle poles is required for correct basal body segregation, we disrupted centrin fibers in wild-type cells by over-expressing a nonfunctional centrin-GFP. In these cells, basal bodies were disconnected from the spindle but segregation errors were not observed. We propose that basal body segregation in Chlamydomonas depends on an extranuclear array of microtubules independent of the mitotic spindle.
Prosthecae of Asticcacaulis biprosthecum: system for the study of membrane transport

Prosthecae removed from cells of Asticcacaulis biprosthecum were examined for their ability to accumulate proline, alanine, aspartate, glutamate, and glucose against a concentration gradient. The transport of all of these compounds into prosthecae was stimulated by the nonphysiological electron donors phenazine methosulfate and N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-p-phenylene diamine dihydrochloride. Reduced pyridine nucleotides caused very slight stimulation of transport of proline and glucose. Other physiological electron donors did not stimulate uptake. Evidence is presented indicating that the failure of certain potential electron donors to drive respiratory chain-linked transport is due to the inabilityof these compounds to enter prosthecae rather than to the absence of enzymes for their oxidation in prosthecae. Inhibition of respiration and uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation, with the exception of arsenate, inhibit active transport systems of prosthecae.
Predicting Metabolic Control in Diabetes: A Pilot Study Using Meta‐Analysis To Estimate a Linear Model

The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the feasibility of using data from implicated descriptive studies to test a four-variable model designed to explain metabolic control in diabetes. Predictors of metabolic control selected for this analysis were knowledge; health beliefs (and the subscales of barrier, commitment, cues, expectancies, impact on lifestyle, support, and susceptibility); and compliance/adherence. A total of 17 studies, published between 1982 and 1991, were located that met inclusion criteria. Findings indicated that health beliefs have direct and indirect effects on diabetes metabolic control, depending on the individual health belief subscale analyzed. For example, commitment to the benefits of therapy was found to have a statistically significant direct effect on metabolic control; barriers had a statistically significant indirect effect through compliance. The effects of knowledge were consistent throughout the five path models explored. An inverse direct effect was noted on metabolic control and a positive indirect effect was noted on metabolic control through compliance.
The Disconnect Between Electrical Safety and Electrical Accident Prevention: Copyright Material IEEE, Paper No. PCIC-2018-52

The electrical safety climate in the United States was different twenty years ago. Many companies did not have well-developed electrical safety programs and written electrical work procedures. Electrical workers were not trained in arc flash hazards and were not provided arc flash PPE. Unprotected workers were expected to perform work on and near energized circuits and equipment. Today, most companies have established electrical safety programs and provide arc flash training and PPE to their employees. Yet electrical injuries still occur. Electrical injuries today can be attributed to 1) well-intended electrical safety programs falling short in their implementation; and/or 2) workers failing to recognize the severe injury potential in a situation perceived as a low-level hazard. This paper addresses some reasons why electrical safety programs fail to protect workers. It also discusses the potential arc flash hazards that are associated with low-magnitude fault currents, which are illustrated through calculations.
A compact low-power flash ADC using auto-zeroing with capacitor averaging

This paper proposes efficient methods to reduce the cost and power consumption of flash analog-to-digital converters (ADCs). An auto-zeroing technique is incorporated with a low-complexity low-power capacitor averaging network for efficient offset cancellation and signal interpolation. Therefore, the cost and power consumption of flash ADCs can be efficiently reduced. A compact low-power 8-bit 500MS/s flash ADC with the above features is fabricated with 0. 18μm CMOS process. The active area occupies 0.35mm2 and its measured power at 500MS/s is 160mW from a 1.8V supply. Measured signal-to-noise-plus-distortion ratio (SNDR) of the ADC is 40dB with 200MHz input frequency sampled at 500MS/s. The figure-of-merit (FOM) is 4.17pJ/conversion-step, which is the best compared to published 0. 18μm 8-bit flash ADCs. Further, the power consumption and active area are the smallest compared with state-of-the-art 0. 18μm 8-bit high-speed ADCs.
Assessment of Partial Sequencing of the 65-Kilodalton Heat Shock Protein Gene (hsp65) for Routine Identification of Mycobacterium Species Isolated from Clinical Sources

ABSTRACT We assessed the ability of an in-house database, consisting of 111 hsp65 sequences from putative and valid Mycobacterium species or described groups, to identify 689 mycobacterial clinical isolates from 35 species or groups. A preliminary assessment indicated that hsp65 sequencing confirmed the identification of 79.4% of the isolates from the 32 species examined, including all Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex isolates, all isolates from 13 other species, and 95.6% of all M. avium-M. intracellulare complex isolates. Identification discrepancies were most frequently encountered with isolates submitted as M. chelonae, M. fortuitum, M. gordonae, M. scrofulaceum, and M. terrae. Reexamination of isolates with discrepant identifications confirmed that hsp65 identifications were correct in a further 40 isolates. This brought the overall agreement between hsp65 sequencing and the other identification methods to 85.2%. The remaining 102 isolates had sequence matches below our acceptance criterion, had nondifferential sequence matches between two or more species, were identified by 16S rRNA sequencing as a putative taxonomic group not contained in our database, or were identified by hsp65 and 16S rRNA gene sequencing as a species not in our biochemical test database or had conflicting identifications. Therefore, to incorporate the unconfirmed isolates it was necessary to create 29 additional entries in our hsp65 identification database: 18 associated with valid species, 7 indicating unique sequences not associated with valid or putative species or groups, and 4 associated with unique, but currently described taxonomic groups. Confidence in the hsp65 sequence identification of a clinical isolate is best when sequence matches of 100% occur, but our data indicate that correct identifications can be confidently made when unambiguous matches exceeding 97% occur, but are dependent on the completeness of the database. Our study indicates that for hsp65 sequencing to be an effective means for identifying mycobacteria a comprehensive database must be constructed. hsp65 sequencing has the advantage of being more rapid and less expensive than biochemical test panels, uses a single set of reagents to identify both rapid- and slow-growing mycobacteria, and can provide a more definitive identification.
Multi-objective Optimal Design of Brushless PM Motor for Maximum Power Density and Efficiency

In this paper, a multi-objective optimal design of brushless permanent magnet (PM) motor is presented in terms of power density and efficiency. In this regard, the sizing equation of the design and motor dimensions is investigated. Then, an optimum design based on genetic algorithm (GA) with the purpose of increasing combination of power density and efficiency is introduced. Results obtained from optimization process of brushless PM motor are evaluated using a 3D numerical program based on finite element analysis (FEA). Finally, the comparative study with Bat algorithm (BA) has been done to show the applicability of the design.
Self-regulated learning and learning style — A longitudinal research in the area of vocational education

A common feature of theories of learning style is that students are classified according to their cognitive characteristics along one- or multi-dimensional bipolar (usually cognitive) scales. Conclusions as to the efficient learning styles, forms and means of the student may be drawn from the preferred strategies related to learning style. Teaching strategies which produce the most preferred learning strategies can also be specified, and these in turn serve as a starting point for designing the learning environment. The common feature of all learning style theories is that only certain cognitive individual characteristics are integrated into their system, which, however, reduces to a great extent the scope of validity of the given approach. From this it also obviously follows that neither theory is capable of typifying all the learning characteristics of the individual in the proper way and in proper detail. In our paper an attempt is made to explore the learning characteristics of vocational school students in Budapest, applying a version of Kolb's Learning Style Inventory.
The Multifunctional Growth Factor Midkine Promotes Proliferation and Migration in Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has a devastating prognosis among solid tumors and despite increased knowledge of the molecular mechanisms contributing to progression and metastasis, minimal progress has been done in establishing new targeted therapies for this deadly disease. The expression of the multifunctional growth/differentiation factor midkine (MK) promotes a variety of cellular functions leading to increased angiogenesis, proliferation, migration, and survival. Moreover, MK is intensively discussed as a potential new-therapy target and as biomarker for cancer progression and chemotherapeutic resistance in multiple cancers. Therefore, the present study investigated the molecular role of MK in pancreatic cancer. It was found that MK is elevated in PDAC and differentially expressed in other histologic subtypes of pancreatic cancer, whereas normal pancreatic cells did not express MK, thus making it an attractive candidate for targeted therapies. As a secreted growth/differentiation factor, MK was investigated as a biomarker in clinical serum specimens using ELISA. In addition, knockdown studies of MK revealed a link to proliferation and migration status in vitro. Finally, upstream signaling pathways were analyzed, with TNF-α and EGF being the main inductors of MK expression in PDAC. Implications: This study presents novel MK functions and new upstream signaling effectors that induce its expression to promote PDAC and therefore defines an attractive new therapeutic target in pancreatic cancer. Mol Cancer Res; 12(5); 670–80. ©2014 AACR.
Treatment of toxoplasmic encephalitis in mice with recombinant gamma interferon

The effect of exogenous gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) on toxoplasmic encephalitis in a murine model was evaluated. The brains of CBA/Ca mice chronically infected with the ME49 strain of Toxoplasma gondii have a remarkable inflammatory cell infiltrate. Intravenous administration of six doses (5 x 10(5) U each) of recombinant IFN-gamma (rIFN-gamma) resulted in a remarkable decrease in numbers and foci of inflammatory cells in murine brain parenchyma and perivascular areas 1 day after the last injection of IFN-gamma. Immunoperoxidase staining revealed the presence of tachyzoites only on areas of acute focal inflammation, suggesting that the focal inflammation was caused by the proliferation of tachyzoites. The remarkable reduction in number of foci of acute focal inflammation in the brains of the IFN-gamma-treated mice indicates that the treatment resulted in diminished numbers of tachyzoites in the brains of the infected mice. The effect of rIFN-gamma was dose dependent; injection of 5 x 10(5) U every other day for a total of six doses was effective; injection of either 5 x 10(4), 5 x 10(3), or 5 x 10(2) U was not. This therapeutic effect of rIFN-gamma on encephalitis was not present 2 weeks after the last injection of rIFN-gamma. At that time, mice again had severe inflammation in their brains. Toxoplasma antibody production was not affected by treatment with rIFN-gamma. These results offer support for the value of injection of IFN-gamma in the treatment of toxoplasmic encephalitis in immunosuppressed patients, although its effect appears to be transient.