Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Topology Key to Power Density in Isolated DC-DC Converters

E fficiency and density (Watts/Volume) have long been the metrics used to compare the performance of isolated DC-DC power converters. When designing an isolated dc-dc power converter, the first and most critical choice is selection of the topology. Historically, topology selection was based upon the desired output power level. For the basic topologies, the order from lower power to higher power was usually Flyback, Forward, Push-Pull, Half-Bridge and Full-Bridge. While this basic power order still remains true, for designers to push to new heights in power density, topologies that were once used in much higher power applications are now finding their way into relatively lower power, small form factor high density power converters. Power management IC manufacturers are enabling this trend by adding not only more features but also by integrating high voltage gate drivers within the controllers. While clearly subjective, historically, the output power range has often been used as the primary guide when selecting a topology. However, there are many other factors that play into the topology selection for an isolated dc-dc power converter such as cost, size, electrical stress, output noise and input voltage range. The size of an isolated power converter primarily depends on the transformer size and the number of active switches employed. The utilization of the power transformer affects the size of the power converter. Isolated power converter topologies can be classified as either single-ended or double-ended depending on the usage of the B-H curve. During the operation, if the flux swings in only one quadrant of the B-H curve, then the topology is classified as single-ended. If the flux swings in two quadrants of the B-H curve, then the topology is classified as double-ended. For a given set of requirements, a double-ended topology requires a smaller core than a single-ended topology and does not need an additional reset winding. Table 1 lists several of the most popular isolated topologies and the power range these topolo-gies had been historically employed. The Flyback may be the most commonly used isolated topol-ogy. It is generally found in low cost, low power applications. Flyback topology requires only a single active switch and does not require a separate output inductor in addition to the transformer. This makes the topology easy to use and low cost. The disadvantages of the flyback topology are poor transformer utilization, as it is a single-ended topology, and extra capaci-tors are required at both …
Ancestral Processes in Population Genetics -the Coalescent

A special stochastic process, called the coalescent or more precisely the n-coalescent, is of fundamental interest in population genetics. For a large class of population models this process is the appropriate tool to analyze the ancestral structure of a sample of n individuals (or genes), if the total number of individuals in the population is suuciently large. A corresponding convergence theorem was rst proved by Kingman in 1982 for the Wright-Fisher model and the Moran model. Generalizations to a large class of exchangeable population models and for example to models with some overlying mutation processes followed shortly later. One speaks of the "robustness" of the coalescent, as this process appears in a lot of quite diierent models as the total population size tends to innnity. This publication can be considered as an introduction to the theory of the coalescent as well as a review of the most important "convergence-to-the-coalescent-theorems". Convergence theorems are not only presented for the classical exchangeable haploid models but also for larger classes of population models, for example for diploid, two-sex or non-exchangeable models. A review-like summary of further examples and applications of convergence to the coalescent is given including the most important biological forces like mutation, recombination and selection.
Narrative preaching : theory and praxis of a new way of preaching

Introduction: Perhaps the title is misleading. It may create the impression that narrative preaching is a never-before-discovered new method of communicating the gospel of salvation. Of course, stories have been used in sermons for a very long time. Narrative preaching as an art form is in itself a much-discussed and -published theme in the field of homiletics. Yet, in many ways, it is new. Compared to other forms of preaching such as expository preaching, thematic preaching and the homily, the narrative sermon is less used. As such, it does represent a new way of preaching for many. Furthermore, it is also new because it is only now receiving the attention it deserves in the South African context, and particularly in the Dutch Reformed Church. While narrative preaching has been acknowledged in academic circles for some time, a handful of preachers have only recently become aware of the many possibilities of this form of preaching. The author is one example. He has been a minister for over thirty years, and although he used stories as illustrations, he never once preached a narrative sermon (per definition). From an academic point of view, he had read about the narrative, but only when he was asked to give a seminar on narrative preaching did serious research follow. This research had two important consequences. First, it led to the preparation of a scientific article, then it got “out of hand” and ended up as a book. Secondly, the research forced the author to prepare and deliver narrative sermons in order to test the basic theory in practice. This adventure brought new dimensions to the author’s repertoire and method of preaching. It is hoped that the reader will be inspired to become aware of the possibilities presented by narrative sermons, and that the book will also make the reader aware of the fact that narrative preaching is a difficult art form. Much dedication and practice will make narrative sermons strikingly effective. Last, but not least, it is hoped that the book will assist preachers in their discovery of how to preach narrative sermons. May God bless your preaching ministry! Johan Janse van Rensburg Faculty of Theology University of the Free State Bloemfontein
PHYLOGENY, ADAPTIVE RADIATION, AND HISTORICAL BIOGEOGRAPHY OF BROMELIACEAE INFERRED FROM ndhF SEQUENCE DATA

Cladistic analysis of ndhf sequences identifies eight major bromeliad clades arranged in ladderlike fashion. The traditional subfamilies Tillandsioideae and Bromelioideae are monophyletic, but Pitcairnioideae are paraphyletic, requiring the description of four new subfamilies, recircurnscription of Pitcairnioideae and Navioideae, the sinking of Ayensua, and description of the new genus Sequencia. Brocchinioideae are basalmost, followed by Lindmanioideae, both restricted to the Guayana Shield. Next is an unresolved trichotomy involving Hechtioideae from Central America, Tillandsioideae, and the remaining bromeliads in subfamilies Navioideae, Pitcairnioideae, Puyoideae, and Bromelioideae. Bromeliads arose as C 3 terrestrial plants on moist infertile sites in the Guayana Shield roughly 70 Mya, spread centripelally in the New World, and reached tropical West Africa (Pitcairnia feliciana) via long-distance dispersal about 10 Mya. Modern lineages began to diverge from each other 19 Mya and invaded drier areas in Central and South America beginning 15 Mya, coincident with a major adaptive radiation involving the repeated evolution of epiphytism, CAM photosynthesis, impounding leaves, several features of leaf/trichome anatomy, and accelerated diversification at the generic level. This "bromeliad revolution" occurred after the uplift of the northern Andes and shift of the Amazon to its present course. Epiphytism may have accelerated speciation by increasing ability to colonize along the length of the Andes, while favoring the occupation of a cloud-forest landscape frequently dissected by drier valleys. Avian pollination (mainly by hummingbirds) evolved at least twice ca. 13 Mya; entomophily was ancestral. Hechtia, Abromeitiella-Deuterocohnia-Dyckia-Encholirium, and Puya exhibit a remarkable pattern of concerted convergence in six anatomical and physiological leaf traits adapted to drought.
Adversarial Scheduling in Evolutionary Game Dynamics

Consider a system in which players at nodes of an underlying graph G repeatedly play Prisoner's Dilemma against their neighbors. The players adapt their strategies based on the past behavior of their opponents by applying the so-called win-stay lose-shift strategy. This dynamics has been studied in (Kittock 94), (Dyer et al. 2002), (Mossel and Roch, 2006). With random scheduling, starting from any initial configuration with high probability the system reaches the unique fixed point in which all players cooperate. This paper investigates the validity of this result under various classes of adversarial schedulers. Our results can be sumarized as follows: 1. An adversarial scheduler that can select both participants to the game can preclude the system from reaching the unique fixed point on most graph topologies. 2. A nonadaptive scheduler that is only allowed to choose one of the participants is no more powerful than a random scheduler. With this restriction even an adaptive scheduler is not significantly more powerful than the random scheduler, provided it is "reasonably fair". The results exemplify the adversarial scheduling approach we propose as a foundational basis for the generative approach to social science (Epstein 2007).
Changes in Daily Steps and Body Mass Index and Waist to Height Ratio during Four Year Follow-Up in Adults: Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study

Aims: Over the study years, there was a significant increase in body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-height ratio (WtHR) in middle aged Finnish adults. Methods: Data were obtained from 1033 Finnish adults from the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study in 2007 and 2011. Cohort study participants wore an Omron Walking Style One (HJ-152R-E) pedometer for five days and were grouped into those who increased, maintained and decreased their steps between 2007 and 2011. Paired samples t-test was used to compare body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-height ratio (WtHR) change values between the change groups in study years. Results: Among study population BMI and WtHR increase between study years was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Only those, who increased their total steps for at least 2000 steps, maintained their BMI in the same level, while people who decreased or maintained their total steps in the same level, BMI and WtHR increased during four years follow-up. Conclusions: This data suggests that increasing steps in middle age is associated with maintaining BMI at the same level.
Fatty Acid-binding Proteins (FABPs) Are Intracellular Carriers for Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD)*

Background: Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) modulate endocannabinoid tone in vivo through unknown mechanisms. Results: THC and CBD bind to fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs) and reduce endocannabinoid metabolism. Neither THC nor CBD inhibit human fatty acid amide hydrolase activity. Conclusion: FABPs are intracellular transporters of THC and CBD. Significance: These findings identify a new mechanism by which phytocannabinoids influence endocannabinoid signaling. Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) occur naturally in marijuana (Cannabis) and may be formulated, individually or in combination in pharmaceuticals such as Marinol or Sativex. Although it is known that these hydrophobic compounds can be transported in blood by albumin or lipoproteins, the intracellular carrier has not been identified. Recent reports suggest that CBD and THC elevate the levels of the endocannabinoid anandamide (AEA) when administered to humans, suggesting that phytocannabinoids target cellular proteins involved in endocannabinoid clearance. Fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs) are intracellular proteins that mediate AEA transport to its catabolic enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH). By computational analysis and ligand displacement assays, we show that at least three human FABPs bind THC and CBD and demonstrate that THC and CBD inhibit the cellular uptake and catabolism of AEA by targeting FABPs. Furthermore, we show that in contrast to rodent FAAH, CBD does not inhibit the enzymatic actions of human FAAH, and thus FAAH inhibition cannot account for the observed increase in circulating AEA in humans following CBD consumption. Using computational molecular docking and site-directed mutagenesis we identify key residues within the active site of FAAH that confer the species-specific sensitivity to inhibition by CBD. Competition for FABPs may in part or wholly explain the increased circulating levels of endocannabinoids reported after consumption of cannabinoids. These data shed light on the mechanism of action of CBD in modulating the endocannabinoid tone in vivo and may explain, in part, its reported efficacy toward epilepsy and other neurological disorders.
General, Group and Special Size Factors.

INTRODUCTION . 603 . 604 Analysis of a rabbit population. 607 Heterogonic growth. 610 Analysis of F1 and F1 from a wide cross. , . 611 Analysis of measurements of fowls. 615 Analysis of variance. 617 SUMMARY. 617 LITERATURE CITED . 619
Use of Homeopathy in Pediatric Oncology in Germany

Homeopathy is a frequently used complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatment. We present results comparing responses of homeopathy users (HUs) and users of other forms of CAM (NHUs) in pediatric oncology (PO) in Germany. Differences between these two groups (usage, associated demographic characteristics, previous experience with CAM) are investigated. 186 (45.2%) of the 367 CAM users were exposed to homeopathy. The treatment duration amounted to a median of 601 days for HUs and 282 days for NHUs. Parents with p (127; 76.5%) also used homeopathy for their child's cancer. Nonmedical practitioners played a considerably greater role as source of information than did treating physician. In the majority HUs received their prescriptions from nonmedical practitioners (56%; 29.4% of NHUs). HUs communicate more frequently with their physicians about the CAM-use (77.7% versus 65.2%) and recommend CAM more often than NHUs (94% versus 85.6%). Homeopathy is the most frequently used CAM treatment in PO in Germany. HUs sustain treatment and therapies considerably longer than NHUs. Most families who had used homeopathy before their child was diagnosed with cancer also used homeopathy for the treatment of their child's cancer. Compared to other CAM treatments, patient satisfaction with homeopathy appears to be very high.
Application of Content-Based Approach in Research Paper Recommendation System for a Digital Library

Recommender systems are software applications that provide or suggest items to intended users. These systems use filtering techniques to provide recommendations. The major ones of these techniques are collaborative-based filtering technique, content-based technique, and hybrid algorithm. The motivation came as a result of the need to integrate recommendation feature in digital libraries in order to reduce information overload. Content-based technique is adopted because of its suitability in domains or situations where items are more than the users. TF-IDF (Term Frequency Inverse Document Frequency) and cosine similarity were used to determine how relevant or similar a research paper is to a user's query or profile of interest. Research papers and user's query were represented as vectors of weights using Keyword-based Vector Space model. The weights indicate the degree of association between a research paper and a user's query. This paper also presents an algorithm to provide or suggest recommendations based on users' query. The algorithm employs both TF-IDF weighing scheme and cosine similarity measure. Based on the result or output of the system, integrating recommendation feature in digital libraries will help library users to find most relevant research papers to their needs.
The effect of high dose rate on tissue equivalent proportional counter measurements in mixed neutron-gamma fields

Tissue equivalent proportional counters (TEPCs) are commonly used for radiation monitoring in areas where a mixture of neutron and photon radiations may be present, such as those commonly encountered in nuclear power plants. In such radiation fields, the dose rate of each component can vary drastically from extremely low to very high. Among these possible combinations of radiation fields with very different dose rates, a mixed field of an intense photon and a weak neutron dose component is the more commonly encountered. This study describes the measurement of lineal energy spectra carried out with a 5.1 cm (2 inch) diameter spherical TEPC simulating a 2 ? m diameter tissue site in low energy (33 ? 330 keV neutrons) mixed photon-neutron fields with varying dose rates generated by the McMaster University 1.25 MV double stage Tandetron accelerator. The Tandetron accelerator facility was employed to produce neutrons using thick 7Li targets via the 7Li(p, n)7Be reaction. A continuous spectrum of neutrons is generated at any selected proton beam energy which is very narrow at beam energies very close to the threshold of the reaction 1.88 MeV and becomes wider as the proton beam energy moves further away from the threshold energy of the reaction. Dose rates which resulted in dead times as high as 75% for the data acquisition system were employed to study the effect of dose rate on the measured quality factors, microdosimetric averages (y ? _f and y ? _D)absorbed dose and dose equivalent. The dose rate at a given beam energy was varied by changing the accelerator beam current. A variety of mixed neutron gamma fields was generated using neutron beams with mean energies extending approximately from 33 keV to 330 keV with the 7Li target using proton beam energies ranging from 1.89 to 2.5 MeV. In direct beams, 478 keV photons which are produced in the 7Li target via inelastic scattering interaction 7Li(p, p'? )7Li dominate the low LET component of the mixed field of radiation. When a 2 cm thick polyethylene moderator was inserted between the neutron producing target and the counter, the low LET component of the mixed radiation field also contained 2.20 MeV gamma rays originating from 1H(n, ? )2H capture interactions in the moderator. We have observed that high dose rates due to both photons and neutrons in a mixed field of radiation result in pile up of pulses and distort the lineal energy spectrum measured under these conditions. The pile up effect and hence the distortion in the lineal energy spectrum becomes prominent with dose rates which result in dead times larger than 25% for the high LET radiation component. In intense neutron fields, which may amount to 75% dead time, a 50% or even larger increase in values for the measured microsdosimetric averages and the neutron quality factor was observed. This study demonstrates that moderate dose rates which do not result in dead times of more than 20-25% due to either of the component radiations or due to both components of mixed field radiation generate results which are…
Psychometrics : An Introduction

1. Psychometrics and the Importance of Psychological Measurement Observable Behavior and Unobservable Attributes Psychological Tests: Definition and Types Psychometrics Challenges to Measurement in Psychology Theme: The Importance of Individual Differences 2. Scaling Fundamental Issues and Numbers Units of Measurement Additivity and Counting Four Scales of Measurement Summary Suggested Readings 3. Individual Differences and Correlations The Nature of Variability Importance of Individual Differences Variability and Distribution of Scores Distribution Shapes and Normal Distributions Quantifying the Association Between Distributions Variance of "Composite Scores" Interpreting Test Scores Test Norms Summary Suggested Readings 4. Test Dimensionality and Factor Analysis Test Dimensionality Factor Analysis: Examining the Dimensionality of a Test Summary Suggested Readings 5. Reliability: Conceptual Basis Overview of Reliability and Classical Test Theory Observed Scores, True Scores and Measurement Error Variances in Observed Scores, True Scores and Error Scores Four Ways to Think of Reliability Reliability and the Standard Error of Measurement Parallel Tests Summary 6. Empirical Estimates of Reliability Alternate Forms Reliability Test-Retest Reliability Internal Consistency Reliability Factors Affecting the Reliability of Test Scores Sample Homogeneity and Reliability Generalization Reliability of Difference Scores Summary 7. Importance of Reliability Behavioral Research Applied Behavioral Practice: Evaluation of an Individual's Test Score Test Construction and Refinement Summary Suggested Readings 8. Validity: The Conceptual Basis What is Validity? Validity Evidence: Test Content Validity Evidence: Internal Structure of the Test Validity Evidence: Response Processes Validity Evidence: Associations with Other Variables Validity Evidence: Consequences of Testing Other Perspectives on Validity Contrasting Reliability and Validity The Importance of Validity Summary Suggested Readings 9. Validity: Estimating and Evaluating Convergent and Discriminant Validity Methods for Evaluating Convergent and Discriminant Validity Factors Affecting a Validity Coefficient Interpreting a Validity Coefficient Summary Suggested Readings 10. Response Biases Types of Response Biases Methods for Coping with Response Biases Response Biases, Response Sets, and Response Styles Summary Suggested Readings 11. Test Bias Why Worry about Test Score Bias Detecting Construct Bias: Internal Evaluation of a Test Detecting Predictive Bias: External Evaluation of a Test Summary Suggested Readings 12. Generalizability Theory Multiple Facets of Measurement Generalizability and Variance Components G Studies and D Studies Conducting and Interpreting Generalizability Theory Analysis: A One-facet Design Conducting and Interpreting Generalizability Theory Analysis: A Two-facet Design Other Measurement Designs Summary Footnote Suggested Readings 13. Item Response Theory and Rasch Models Basics of IRT IRT Measurement Models An Example of IRT: A Rasch Model Item and Test Information Applications of IRT Summary Suggested Readings
The Stellar Velocity Dispersion of the Lens Galaxy in MG 2016+112 at z = 1.004

We present a direct measurement of the stellar velocity dispersion of the early-type lens galaxy D in the system MG 2016+112 (z = 1.004), determined from a spectrum obtained with the Echelle Spectrograph and Imager on the W. M. Keck II Telescope, as part of the Lenses Structure and Dynamics Survey. We find a velocity dispersion of σap = 304 ± 27 km s-1 inside an effective circular aperture with a radius of 0. ″65, corresponding to a central velocity dispersion of σ = 328 ± 32 km s-1. From a Hubble Space Telescope F160W-band image, we measure the effective radius and effective surface brightness in order to determine the offset of the lens galaxy with respect to the local fundamental plane (FP). The offset corresponds to an evolution of the rest-frame effective mass-to-light ratio of Δ log(M/LB) = -0.62 ± 0.08 from z = 0 to z = 1.004. By interpreting colors and offset of the FP with two independent stellar population synthesis models, we obtain a single-burst equivalent age of 2.8 ± 0.8 Gyr (i.e., zf > 1.9) and a supersolar metallicity of log(Z/Z☉) = 0.25 ± 0.25. The lens galaxy is therefore a massive elliptical dominated by an old and metal-rich stellar population at z > 1. The excellent agreement of the stellar velocity dispersion with that predicted from recent lens models confirms that the angular separation of the multiple images of the background QSO is predominantly due to the lens galaxy and not to a massive "dark cluster," in agreement with recent weak-lensing and X-ray observations. However, the significant overdensity of galaxies in the field might indicate that this system is a protocluster, in formation around galaxy D, responsible for the ~10% external shear inferred from the strong-lens models.