Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
X-Band 14W high efficiency internally-matched HFET

An X-Band 14W high efficiency internally-matched HFET has been developed. In order to achieve high efficiency, not only equal combining characteristics but also equal load impedance for each unit FET cell are designed in the input and output matching circuits using EM simulator. In addition to the power splitting and combining characteristics, the large signal load impedance of each FET cell is discussed. The degradation of the efficiency by unequal operation of each FET cell and by mismatch to the optimum load impedance are suppressed within 1% and 2%, respectively in the design. The developed HFET has achieved a power-added efficiency (PAE) of 49.8% and an output power of 41.6dBm(14.5W) in X-band.
The Arithmetic of Elliptic Curves

Our research focuses on 9 specific elliptic curves E over Q, each with complex multiplication by the maximal order in an imaginary quadratic field. Viewed over C, each E gives rise to tori, defined by the generators ω1, ω2 ∈ C of the period lattice. Using SAGE, information and characteristics about the curves and their tori were calculated and compiled. Additionally, the tori were virtually constructed using 3D modeling software. These virtual meshes were converted to G-Code and printed on an Ultimaker2 3D printer.
Effects of Cow Size and Milk Production on Nutrient Requirements

The traditional marketing endpoint for most Florida ranches occurs at weaning. Heavier calf weaning weights are preferred because of their direct effect on the output (pounds of calf sold) of the ranch and their positive, though low, relationship to output/input ratios (profit $) (Davis et. al. 1983 a,b). Factors known to affect weaning weight are nutritional plane, age at weaning, genetic makeup and interactions among these factors. The most common methods to increase the genetic potential for weaning weight in a herd are selection within breeds for heavier weaning weights or the utilization of cross breeding systems that capitalize on breed differences such as growth or milk production (Gregory & Cundiff, 1980). As growth rate becomes increasingly more important to the cow/calf industry, producers have continued to select for increased weaning weights, which has often resulted in the production of brood cows that are larger in weight and frame and produce more milk. Breeds and breed combinations have a major influence on the mature size of the cow as well as the milk production potential. Selection within a breed, however, also can have a direct impact on cow size and milk level. Jenkins et. al. (1991) states that the use of breeds or breed crosses of greater genetic potential for performance to improve output will increase the nutrient requirements (input) of the producing herd. Variation in weaning weights, in association with variable nutrient requirements among breeds and their crosses, suggests that differences exist in the conversion of feed energy to pounds of calf sold. COW SIZE AND MILK PRODUCTION
Association of left ventricular ejection fraction with contrast-induced nephropathy and mortality following coronary angiography or intervention in patients with heart failure

Background Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is the most widely used parameter to evaluate the cardiac function in patients with heart failure (HF). However, the association between LVEF and contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is still controversial. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the association of LVEF with CIN and long-term mortality following coronary angiography (CAG) or intervention in patients with HF. Methods We analyzed 1,647 patients with HF (New York Heart Association [NYHA] or Killip class >1) undergoing CAG or intervention, including 207 (12.57%) patients with reduced LVEF (HFrEF), 238 (14.45%) with mid-range LVEF (HFmrEF) and 1,202 (72.98%) with preserved LVEF (HFpEF). CIN was defined as an absolute increase of ≥0.5 mg/dL or a relative increase of ≥25% from baseline serum creatinine within 48–72 h after contrast medium exposure. Multivariable logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were performed to identify the association between LVEF, CIN and long-term mortality, respectively. Results Overall, 225 patients (13.7%) developed CIN. Individuals with lower LVEF were more likely to develop CIN (HFrEF, HFmrEF and HFpEF: 18.4%, 21.8% and 11.2%, respectively; P<0.001), but without a significant trend after adjusting for the confounding factors (HFrEF vs HFpEF: odds ratio [OR] =1.01; HFmrEF vs HFpEF: OR =1.31; all P>0.05). However, advanced HF (NYHA class >2 or Killip class >1) was an independent predictor of CIN (adjusted OR =1.54, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07–2.22; P=0.019). During the mean follow-up of 2.3 years, reduced LVEF (HFrEF group) was significantly associated with increased mortality (HFrEF vs HFpEF: adjusted hazard ratio =2.88, 95% CI, 1.77–4.69; P<0.001). Conclusion In patients with HF undergoing CAG or intervention, not worsened LVEF but advanced HF was associated with an increased risk of CIN. In addition, reduced LVEF was an independent predictor of long-term mortality following cardiac catheterization.
Association of High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol With Incident Cardiovascular Events in Women, by Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Apolipoprotein B100 Levels

BACKGROUND Prior studies have found inverse associations between high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) or apolipoprotein A-I levels and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Whether this observation is consistent across low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels or total atherogenic particle burden (apolipoprotein B100) is less well-studied, particularly in women. OBJECTIVE To determine the association between HDL-C or apolipoprotein A-I level and CVD across a range of LDL-C and apolipoprotein B100 values. DESIGN Prospective cohort study. SETTING The Women's Health Study, a cohort of U.S. female health professionals. PARTICIPANTS 26,861 initially healthy women, aged 45 years or older at study entry (1992-1995), who were followed for a mean of approximately 11 years. MEASUREMENTS Baseline lipids were measured directly, and apolipoproteins were measured with immunoassays. Outcomes were incident total CVD (n = 929), coronary events (n = 602), and stroke (n = 319). RESULTS In multivariable analyses, HDL-C and apolipoprotein A-I levels were inversely associated with CVD and coronary events but not stroke. Adjusted coronary hazard ratios for decreasing quintiles of HDL-C were 1.00 (reference), 1.23 (95% CI, 0.85 to 1.78), 1.42 (CI, 0.98 to 2.06), 1.90 (CI, 1.33 to 2.71), and 2.19 (CI, 1.51 to 3.19) (P for linear trend < 0.001); corresponding hazard ratios for apolipoprotein A-I were 1.00 (reference), 0.98 (CI, 0.71 to 1.35), 1.02 (CI, 0.72 to 1.44), 1.37 (CI, 0.98 to 1.90), and 1.58 (CI, 1.14 to 2.20) (P for linear trend = 0.005). Consistent inverse associations were found for HDL-C with coronary events across a range of LDL-C values, including among women with low LDL-C levels. No associations were noted for HDL-C or apolipoprotein A-I among women with low apolipoprotein B100 values (<0.90 g/L). LIMITATION Participants were at low risk for CVD, the number of events in the lowest apolipoprotein B100 stratum was small, only a single baseline measurement was obtained, and residual confounding may have occurred. CONCLUSION Consistent inverse associations were found for HDL-C with incident coronary events among women with a range of LDL-C values. Among women with low total atherogenic particle burden (apolipoprotein B100 level <0.90 g/L), few events occurred and no associations were seen. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE Merck & Co. and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health.
Neurocognitive deficits in first‐episode schizophrenic patients and their first‐degree relatives

Some neuropsychological abilities, particularly those affecting memory, attention and executive function, are impaired amongst both schizophrenic patients and their unaffected relatives, implying that these deficits are at least partly genetic in origin. However neuropsychological performance can be altered by medication, and has rarely been examined in first onset, drug naive patients. The objective of this study was to determine whether selected neurocognitive abilities are impaired in first‐onset schizophrenic patients and their relatives compared to controls. We examined attention and speed of information processing, memory and learning, verbal function, visuoconstructive abilities and executive function in 207 first‐episode schizophrenic patients (163 of whom were drug naïve), 322 of their first‐degree relatives and 133 unrelated normal controls. The data were subjected to multilevel modeling to compare neurocognitive performance between schizophrenic probands, relatives and controls while taking into account potential correlations among members of the same family; age, gender, and years of education were included as covariates. Of the three groups, schizophrenic patients performed poorest at all neuropsychological tests, suggestive of a broad range of neurocognitive deficits. Their first‐degree relatives showed a narrower pattern of poor performance at Digit Symbol, Digit Span, Trail Making, Verbal Fluency test, Tower of Hanoi, and WCST‐M tests. Our findings show that selected neurocognitive deficits especially attention and executive function are impaired in the families of schizophrenic patients. These patterns of neurocognitive deficits may represent “endophenotypes” denoting varying degrees of vulnerability to schizophrenia and may be of value in future molecular genetic studies. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Integrated boost-sepic converter for high step-up applications

A general boost converter has limited voltage step-up ratio because of its parasitic resistances. Thus, it is not applicable for high step-up applications. As a solution, combining a boost converter with a series output module can be considered to supplement the insufficient step-up ratio. By applying this concept, a new integrated boost-sepic (IBS) converter, which provides additional step-up ratio with the help of an isolated sepic converter, is proposed in this paper. Since the boost converter and the sepic converter share a boost inductor and a switch, its structure is simple. Moreover, the proposed IBS converter needs no current- snubber for the diodes, since the transformer leakage inductor alleviates the reverse recovery. The operational principle and characteristics of proposed converter are presented, and verified experimentally with a 200-W, 42-Vdc input, 400-Vdc output converter prototype.
The five-hundred-meter aperture spherical radio telescope (FAST) project

Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST) is a Chinese "mega-science" project to build the largest single dish radio telescope in the world. Its engineering concept and design pave a new road to realize a huge single dish in an effective way. Being the most sensitive single dish radio telescope, FAST will enable astronomers to jump-start many science goals, such as surveying the neutral hydrogen in the Milky Way and other galaxies, detecting faint pulsars, hearing the possible signals from other civilizations, etc. The feasibility studies for FAST have been carried out for 14 years, supported by Chinese and international astronomy communities. The National Development and Reform Commission approved the funding proposal of FAST in 2007 with a capital budget close to 700 million RMB. The project time is 5.5 years from the commencement of work in March of 2011 and the first light is expected in 2016.
Quality of mortality statistics' information: garbage codes as causesof death in Belo Horizonte, 2011-2013.

Objective: To assess the quality of mortality information by analyzing the frequency of garbage codes (GC) registered as underlying cause-of-death in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Methods: Data of deaths of residents from 2011 to 2013 were selected. GC causes were classified as proposed by the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) 2015. They were grouped into GCs from ICD-10 Chapter XVIII and GCs excluding codes of Chapter XVIII. Proportions of GC were calculated by sex, age, and place of occurrence. Results: In Belo Horizonte, 30.5% of the total of 44,123 deaths were GC. Higher proportion of these codes was observed in children (1 to 4 years) and in people aged over 60 years. The following leading GCs observed were: other ill-defined and unspecified causes of death (code R99), unspecified pneumonia (J18.9), unspecified stroke (hemorrhagic or ischemic) (I64), and unspecified septicemia (A41.9). The proportions of GC were 28.7% and 36.9% in deaths that occurred in hospitals and at home, respectively. An important difference occurred in the GC group from Chapter XVIII of ICD-10: 1.7% occurred in hospitals and 16.9% at home. Conclusion: The high proportions of GC in mortality statistics in Belo Horizonte demonstrated its importance for assessing the quality of information on causes of death.
Cómo financiar la restauración de los bosques tropicales

urante los ultimos siglos, la actividad humana ha modifi-cado espectacularmente muchos bosques tropicales creando paisajes dominados por la agricultura o por el desarrollo urbano (Bradshaw, Giam y Sodhi, 2010). Esta transformacion ha generado dificultades dado que no solo se ha perdido biodiversidad, sino tam-bien porque ha afectado al suministro de muchos productos forestales y servicios ecosistemicos valiosos.Sin embargo, la perdida y la degradacion generalizadas de los bosques han creado nuevas oportunidades para la restauracion ecologica, la cual debe ahora ir mas alla de una logica meramente conservacionista. Los proyectos de restauracion de bosques tropicales deben no solo contribuir a la recuperacion de los ecosistemas degra-dados, danados o destruidos (segun la definicion de restauracion ecologica mas frecuentemente utilizada – SRE, 2004) en los paisajes que han sido modificados por el hombre en los paises en desarrollo, sino tambien aportar una recompensa eco -nomica a los propietarios de las tierras.
Risk-sensitive filtering for discrete-time systems with time-varying delay

In this paper, the risk-sensitive filtering problem with time-varying delay is investigated. The problem is transformed into Krein space as an equivalent optimisation problem. The observations with time-varying delays are restructured as ones with multiple constant delays by defining a binary variable model with respect to the arrival process of observations, containing the same state information as the original. Finally, the reorganised innovation analysis approach in Krein space allows the solution to the proposed risk-sensitive filtering in terms of the solutions to Riccati and matrix difference equations.
Incorporating the human hearing properties in the signal subspace approach for speech enhancement

The major drawback of most noise reduction methods in speech applications is the annoying residual noise known as musical noise. A potential solution to this artifact is the incorporation of a human hearing model in the suppression filter design. However, since the available models are usually developed in the frequency domain, it is not clear how they can be applied in the signal subspace approach for speech enhancement. In this paper, we present a Frequency to Eigendomain Transformation (FET) which permits to calculate a perceptually based eigenfilter. This filter yields an improved result where better shaping of the residual noise, from a perceptual perspective, is achieved. The proposed method can also be used with the general case of colored noise. Spectrogram illustrations and listening test results are given to show the superiority of the proposed method over the conventional signal subspace approach.
Etude microfluidique de la rigidité leucocytaire liée au syndrome de détresse respiratoire aigue (SDRA)

Le Syndrome de Detresse Respiratoire Aigue (SDRA) est une maladie inflammatoire courante en service de reanimation qui touche environ 10% des patients. Une augmentation pathologique de la rigidite et/ou de l'adhesion des leucocytes des patients atteints du SDRA semble etre un des facteurs declenchants majeurs de la maladie. Nous avons utilise la microfluidique pour mimer le passage des cellules dans les capillaires pulmonaires. L'observation du passage de cellules modeles (lignee monocytaire humaine THP-1) dans des constrictions microfluidiques (H=12µm et W=6µm) a permis de mesurer leur temps d'entree. Ensuite nous avons incube des cellules dans des serums issus de malades et etudie leurs caracteristiques de passage dans des constrictions microfluidiques en fonction du temps d'incubation et de la concentration en serum. Ces resultats sont ensuite compares a la composition des serums en cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17, TNF-α, TGF-β et INF-γ). Des correlations entre l'IL-8, IL-1β, le TNF-α et le temps d'entree ont ete trouves. Ces deux cytokines peuvent jouer un role dans la rigidite cellulaire lors de cette maladie. En incubant ainsi nos cellules avec les recombinants humains (IL-8, IL-1β et Tnf-α), nous avons constate une augmentation de la rigidite des cellules. D'un point de vue medical nous avons montre que l'utilisation d'anticorps bloquants anti IL-8, anti IL-1β et anti TNF-α permet de proteger les cellules.
Wnt9a signaling is required for joint integrity and regulation of Ihh during chondrogenesis

Joints, which separate skeleton elements, serve as important signaling centers that regulate the growth of adjacent cartilage elements by controlling proliferation and maturation of chondrocytes. Accurate chondrocyte maturation is crucial for endochondral ossification and for the ultimate size of skeletal elements, as premature or delayed maturation results predominantly in shortened elements. Wnt9a has previously been implicated as being a player in joint induction, based on gain-of function experiments in chicken and mouse. We show that loss of Wnt9a does not affect joint induction, but results to synovial chondroid metaplasia in some joints. This phenotype can be enhanced by removal of an additional Wnt gene, Wnt4, suggesting that Wnts are playing a crucial role in directing bi-potential chondro-synovioprogenitors to become synovial connective tissue, by actively suppressing their chondrogenic potential. Furthermore, we show that Wnt9a is a temporal and spatial regulator of Indian hedgehog (Ihh), a central player of skeletogenesis. Loss of Wnt9a activity results in transient downregulation of Ihh and reduced Ihh-signaling activity at E12.5-E13.5. The canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway probably mediates regulation of Ihh expression in prehypertrophic chondrocytes by Wnt9a, because embryos double-heterozygous for Wnt9a and β-catenin show reduced Ihh expression, and in vivo chromatin immunoprecipitation demonstrates a direct interaction between the β-catenin/Lef1 complex and the Ihh promoter.
PHYSICS OF ECLIPSING BINARIES. II. TOWARD THE INCREASED MODEL FIDELITY

The precision of photometric and spectroscopic observations has been systematically improved in the last decade, mostly thanks to space-borne photometric missions and ground-based spectrographs dedicated to finding exoplanets. The field of eclipsing binary stars strongly benefited from this development. Eclipsing binaries serve as critical tools for determining fundamental stellar properties (masses, radii, temperatures, and luminosities), yet the models are not capable of reproducing observed data well, either because of the missing physics or because of insufficient precision. This led to a predicament where radiative and dynamical effects, insofar buried in noise, started showing up routinely in the data, but were not accounted for in the models. PHOEBE (PHysics Of Eclipsing BinariEs; http://phoebe-project.org) is an open source modeling code for computing theoretical light and radial velocity curves that addresses both problems by incorporating missing physics and by increasing the computational fidelity. In particular, we discuss triangulation as a superior surface discretization algorithm, meshing of rotating single stars, light travel time effects, advanced phase computation, volume conservation in eccentric orbits, and improved computation of local intensity across the stellar surfaces that includes the photon-weighted mode, the enhanced limb darkening treatment, the better reflection treatment, and Doppler boosting. Here we present the concepts on which PHOEBE is built and proofs of concept that demonstrate the increased model fidelity.
Seed rain, safe sites, competing vegetation, and soil resources spatially structure white pine regeneration and recruitment

We tested the effects of seed rain, safe sites, soil depth, overstory, and shrub layer on the establishment and recruitment of white pine (Pinus strobus L.) in aspen mixedwoods of the western Great Lakes region, U.S.A. Germin- ant and seedling densities were positively related to seed rain and safe site characteristics that indicate moist condi - tions: high overstory basal area, decaying wood, and moss cover. Germinant and seedling densities were highest under dense overstory (>16 m 2 /ha) and were unrelated to shrub cover. Sapling recruitment was greatest under low overstory density ( 5 cm. On deeper soil (~21 cm), overstory white pines occupied the shallowest soils (~18 cm) of all major overstory species, indicating that competition may cause white pine recruitment into the canopy to be lower on deeper soils. White pine populations in the study were initially spatially structured by seed rain and safe sites but sapling growth and recruitment was struc - tured by overstory density, shrub cover, and soil depth.
Human Skin Microcirculation after Brachial Plexus Block Evaluated by Wavelet Transform of the Laser Doppler Flowmetry Signal

Background:The skin microcirculation may be evaluated noninvasively by laser Doppler flowmetry and iontophoresis with acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside. Wavelet transform of the perfusion signal shows periodic oscillations of five characteristic frequencies in the interval 0.0095–1.6 Hz. The aim of the current study was to investigate alterations in skin microcirculation induced by brachial plexus block, with emphasis on the periodic oscillations. Methods:Healthy nonsmokers undergoing hand surgery (n = 13) were anesthetized with brachial plexus block, using bupivacaine, lidocaine, and epinephrine. Skin microcirculation was evaluated by laser Doppler flowmetry and iontophoresis with acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside before and after brachial plexus block. Wavelet transform of the perfusion signal was performed. As a control group, 10 healthy nonsmokers were included. Results:In the anesthetized arm, skin perfusion after brachial plexus block increased from 19 (12–30) to 24 (14–39) arbitrary units (P < 0.01). A significant increase was also seen in the contralateral arm from 17 (14–32) to 20 (14–42) arbitrary units (P < 0.01). After brachial plexus block, spectral analysis revealed a significant reduction in relative amplitude of the oscillatory components within the 0.0095- to 0.021- (P < 0.001) and 0.021- to 0.052-Hz (P < 0.001) intervals in the anesthetized arm. Conclusion:Alterations in skin microcirculation induced by brachial plexus block can be evaluated by wavelet transform of the laser Doppler flowmetry signal. Brachial plexus block reduces the oscillatory components within the 0.0095- to 0.021- and 0.021- to 0.052-Hz intervals of the perfusion signal. These alterations are related to inhibition of sympathetic activity and a possible impairment of endothelial function.