Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
OPTIMISATION OF THE GATE VOLTAGE IN SiC MOSFETS: EFFICIENCY VS RELIABILITY

This paper presents a comprehensive study of the impact of the gate voltage on the switching and ON-state performance of SiC MOSFETs. It is well known that the gate oxide in SiC MOSFETs is not as reliable as that in silicon MOSFETs due to increased fixed oxide and interface traps. Numerous studies have shown reduced performance on time-dependent dielectric breakdown (TDDB) and oxide robustness in SiC MOSFETs compared to silicon devices. On the one hand, a high ON-state gate-source voltage VGS is required for proper channel inversion, low ON-state loss and fast switching while on the other hand, a lower ONstate VGS reduces the electrical stress on the gate oxide and improves long term reliability. Understanding the implications of the selected gate voltage on the operation of the power device will be fundamental for achieving an optimal balance between electrical performance and gate oxide reliability. This paper shows that reducing the maximum gate driver supply voltage VGG only affects turn-ON losses while turn-OFF losses are independent of VGG. The experimental characterisation is complemented with electrothermal simulations to evaluate the impact of the gate voltage on the operation of a converter. The paper shows that reducing VGG by 10% causes an increase of 7.6% in the device losses and 1.4 °C in junction temperature in simulated converter operation. Furthermore, if the switching speed is increased by means of reducing the gate resistance, the impact of the conduction losses can be compensated. These results are fundamental for balancing system efficiency and reliability in SiC MOSFETs.
Effectiveness of Ayurveda intervention on growth and development in Indian infants

Background: Ayurveda is a traditional system of medicine. This system of medicine is having many practices to promote and preserve health. There are certain folklore practices that are promoting for healthy living of the children. The ingredients of Kumarabharana prasha (Bhasmas Swarna, Rajata, Pravala and Choorna of Yastimadhu, Amalaki, Ashwagandha, Shunti, Pippali, Harithaki, Vacha) has been collected from one such folklore practice called Uramarunnu/ Suttumadhu. Aim: To assess, whether 300 mg once daily administration of Kumarabharana Prasha from birth to 6 months has a role in growth and development in healthy infants. Materials and methods: Total 44 healthy infants from birth to 1 week fulfilling the inclusion criteria were recruited. The subjects were randomized into two groups. 21 received 300 mg of Madhu and Ghrita once daily and 23 received 300 mg of Kumarabharana Prasha once daily served as control and study group respectively. Subjects in both the groups were assessed for anthropometrical/growth parameters (length, weight, head circumference, chest circumference) and development (motor age, development quotient of motor age, mental age and development quotient of metal age). Development was assessed using Development Assessment Scale for Indian infants (DASII). Result: The mean growth and development both were found significantly higher in study group as compared to control group. Conclusion: Kumarabharana Prasha can be considered as a positive health care initiative in infants, which may enhance the growth and development in infants.
A web survey to evaluate the thermal stress among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy

COVID 19 is a major planetary emergency and intense workloads and the potential heat stress create critical conditions for healthcare workers. A web survey was carried out in Italy during summer 2020 as part of WORKLIMATE project with the aim of assessing the interaction between Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and heat stress in healthcare workers. Preliminary results on 191 questionnaires show an increase of heat stress perception in the areas covered by PPE determining symptoms such as thirst, sweating and general distress. This information could be useful to allow preventive measure to safeguard health and productivity of these workers.
Logistics of essential oil production

The purpose of this article was to investigate and justify the need for the introduction of logistics management in the essential oil production industry. We have identified the main problems of using logistics by economic (business) entities. Specific characteristics that must be taken into account when implementing logistic management into essential oil production were analyzed. The main logistic tasks of economic (business) entities involved in the process of essential oil production have been described. Furthermore, we offer a one-product deterministic model of inventory management that is the basis for making economically sound logistics decisions when managing resources of essential oil production.
Improving Food Detection For Images From a Wearable Egocentric Camera

Diet is an important aspect of our health. Good dietary habits can contribute to the prevention of many diseases and improve overall quality of life. To better understand the relationship between diet and health, image-based dietary assessment systems have been developed to collect dietary information. We introduce the Automatic Ingestion Monitor (AIM), a device that can be attached to one’s eye glasses. It provides an automated hands-free approach to capture eating scene images. While AIM has several advantages, images captured by the AIM are sometimes blurry. Blurry images can significantly degrade the performance of food image analysis such as food detection. In this paper, we propose an approach to pre-process images collected by the AIM imaging sensor by rejecting extremely blurry images to improve the performance of food detection.
State-of-Charge Estimation for Lithium-ion Batteries Based on Fuzzy Information Granulation and Asymmetric Gaussian Membership Function

For power batteries used in the electric vehicle, accurate state-of-charge estimation is important. However, as one of the most commonly used estimation method, the least square support vector regression is hard to balance the accuracy and efficiency. To solve this problem, the fuzzy information granulation based on asymmetric Gaussian membership function is proposed to improve the utilization efficiency of the effective data and enhance the prediction accuracy of battery states. In addition, the performance of the proposed method is compared with that of other commonly used membership functions. In experiments, the dynamic stress test condition and the urban dynamometer driving schedule condition are used to verify the effectiveness. Compared with the most commonly used triangle membership function, the proposed method improves the accuracy of estimation by 6.47% and 2.18% under two current conditions, respectively.
Fast Curing Bio-Based Phenolic Resins via Lignin Demethylated under Mild Reaction Condition

Demethylation technique has been used to enhance lignin reactivity for preparation of phenolic resins. However, the demethylation efficiency and the demethylated lignin (DL) reactivity were still unsatisfactory. To improve the demethylation efficiency, alkali lignin was demethylated under different mild conditions using sodium sulfite as a catalyst. Lignin and DL were characterized by 1H-NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy to determine the demethylation mechanism. With the demethylation of lignin, the methoxyl group content decreased from 1.93 m mol/g to 1.09 m mol/g, and the phenolic hydroxyl group content increased from 0.56 m mol/g to 0.82 m mol/g. These results revealed that methoxyl groups were attacked by SO32−, and some methoxyl groups were converted to phenolic hydroxyl groups by a nucleophilic substitution reaction, generating DL with high reactivity. The chemical properties of lignin-based phenolic resins were studied by 13C-NMR and FT-IR spectroscopy, and their physical properties were also investigated. The results indicated that lignin-based phenolic resins exhibited faster curing rate and shorter gel time. In addition, the bonding strength increased from 0.92 MPa to 1.07 MPa, and the formaldehyde emission decreased from 0.58 mg/L to 0.22 mg/L after lignin demethylated at the optimum condition.
Image Inpainting Using Channel Attention and Hierarchical Residual Networks

: Existing deep-learning-based inpainting methods may have some shortcomings in perceiving and presenting image information at multi-scales. For this problem, we proposed an image inpainting model based on multi-scale channel attention and a hierarchical residual backbone network. Firstly, we adopted a U-Net architecture as the generator backbone of our inpainting model to encode and decode the damaged image. Secondly, we built multi-scale hierarchical residual structures in the encoder and decoder respectively, which can improve the ability of the model to extract and express occluded image features. Finally, we designed a dilated multi-scale channel-attention block and inserted it into the skip-connection of the generator. This block can improve the utilization efficiency of low-level features in the encoder. Experimental results show that our model outperforms other classical inpainting approaches in the face, street-view in-painting tasks, both qualitatively and quantitatively.
The importance of NT proBNP in hypertensive patients management for preventing heart failure

Purpose. NT proBNP is routinely used in the diagnosis and prognosis of HF. The study aimed to determine whether the value of NT proBNP can be used in hypertensive patients to detect patients at risk of developing HF and whether in these patients medical management guided by NT proBNP can prevent the development of HF. Material and methods. We included 275 hypertensive patients who presented to the Bagdasar-Arseni Emergency Hospital for cardiological consultation for a period of 3 years. Patients diagnosed with heart failure or left ventricular systolic dysfunction and patients with symptoms of heart failure at enrollment were excluded. We divided the patients into 2 groups, a control group and an intervention group. Patients in the intervention group were managed according to the NT proBNP value, and patients in the control group received standard treatment. Results. The objectives pursued at 3 years were: diagnosis of heart failure, systolic or diastolic dysfunction of the left ventricle and hospitalization for cardiovascular pathology. After 3 years, in the control group there were 34 patients (25.4%) who developed HF, compared to 24 patients (17.0%) in the intervention group. In the control group, 51 patients (38.1%) were diagnosed with LV systolic dysfunction compared to 37 patients (26.2%) in the intervention group. Regarding diastolic LV dysfunction, in the control group there were 83 patients (61.9%), and in the intervention group there were 73 patients (51.8%). Also, the rate of hospitalizations for cardiovascular pathology was higher in the control group 47 patients (35.1%) compared to 27 patients (19.1%) in the intervention group. Discussions. Hypertensive patients in the intervention group, who were managed according to the NT proBNP value, had a lower incidence rate of heart failure, LV systolic or diastolic dysfunction, or hospitalizations for cardiovascular events than in the control group. Conclusions. The value of NT proBNP may be useful for detecting hypertensive patients at risk of developing HF, and NT proBNP-guided medical management may prevent or delay the onset of HF.
Azole Antifungal Resistance in Candida albicans and Candida glabrata Isolated from Vulvovaginal Candidiasis Patients

Background: Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is the most frequent fungal disorder in healthy and normal women. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro antifungal susceptibility of clinical isolates Candida albicans and Candida glabrata, the two most common candida species in Iranian patients with VVC. Methods: One hundred and eight clinical isolates of candida, including; C. albicans (n = 77) and C. glabrata: (n = 31) were isolated from the 108 patients with VVC. The in vitro activity of caspofungin (CAS), amphotericin B (AMB), voriconazole (VRC), itraconazole (ITC), fluconazole (FLC), and nystatin (NYS) were determined according to the CLSI M27-A3 and CLSI M27-S4. Results: Our results were shown 8 (25.8 %) and 6 (7.8 %) C. glabrata and C. albicans isolates resistance to FLU, respectively. Furthermore, resistance to VRC and ITC were observed in 8.4%, and 3.7% of all isolates, and six isolates (5.6%) had intermediate MIC to CAS. Conclusions: We reported 8 (25.8 %) and 6 (7.8 %) C. glabrata and C. albicans isolates resistance to FLU, respectively. Furthermore, resistance to VRC and ITC were observed in 8.4% and 3.7% of all isolates, respectively.
Calcium phosphate formation on anodized commercially pure titanium in simulated body fluid solution

Objective To investigate the surface characteristics of anodized commercially pure titanium grade 2 prepared in different electrolytes and the relationship between surface properties and calcium phosphate formation immersed in simulated body fluid solution. Materials and methods Commercially pure titanium grade 2 plates sized 10 x 15 x 0.5 mm3 were divided into three groups, 10 specimens for each group, including control. Potentiostatic anodization was performed for 30 minutes at room temperature. Group I specimens were anodized in 0.5 M H3PO4 with potential of 200 V and Group II specimens were anodized in 1 M NaOH solution with potential of 20 V. All specimens were then immersed in simulated body fluid (SBF) solution for 7, 14 and 28 days at 36.5°C, pH 7.4. The x-ray diffraction, SEM and EDS analysis were used to investigate the surface characteristics of anodized titanium before and after immersion in SBF. Results After anodic oxidation, the uniform structure consisting of numerous pores was observed on the surface of titanium specimens in H3PO4 solution, while irregular surface consisting of pores and elevated surface on titanium specimens in NaOH solution. Using XRD analysis, anatase crystalline structure was found on titanium anodized in H3PO4, but rutile crystalline structure was observed on titanium anodized in NaOH. After immersion in SBF, only titanium prepared in electrolyte of NaOH immersed in SBF for 28 days showed calcium phosphate formation. However, no calcium phosphate formation could be observed in any group of titanium specimens anodized in H3PO4 including control group. Conclusion Crystalline structure of anodized titanium surface may influece partly on the ability of calcium phosphate formation after immersion in simulated body fluid solution. (CU Dent J. 2013;36:97-106) Key words: anodization; simulated body fluid; surface characteristics; titanium
Lesion-associated microglia and macrophages react with massive phagocytosis for debris clearance and wound healing after LPS-induced dopaminergic depletion

Background Neuroinflammation contributes to neuronal degeneration in Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, how brain inflammatory factors mediate the progression of neurodegeneration is still poorly understood. Experimental models of PD have shed light on the understanding of this phenomenon, but the exploration of inflammation-driven models is necessary to better characterize this aspect of the disorder. The use of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce a neuroinflammation-mediated neuronal loss is useful to induce reliable elimination of dopaminergic neurons. Nevertheless, how this model parallels the PD-like neuroinflammation is uncertain.Methods In the present work, we used the direct LPS stereotactic injection as a model inductor to eliminate dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) in rats and reevaluated the microanatomy of inflammatory reaction three and seven days after the insult. For this, we analyzed the tissue with high resolution confocal microscopy to assess the neuronal loss, the vulnerability of dopaminergic neurons, as well as the activation of lesion-associated microglia and macrophages (LAMMs) together with the visualization of their phagocytic capacity. In addition, we set up a co-culture of BV2 microglia and PC12 dopaminergic cells to understand the role of LPS-mediated neuroinflammatory toxicity versus phagocytosis.Results High-resolution 3D histological examination revealed that, although LPS induced a reliable elimination of SNpc dopaminergic neurons, it also generated a massive neuroinflammatory response. This inflammation-mediated injury was characterized by a damaged parenchyma occupied by a vast population of LAMMs undertaking wound compaction and scar formation. LAMMs tiled the entire lesion and engaged in long-standing phagocytic activity to resolve the injury. Additionally, modeling LPS inflammation in a cell culture system helped to understand the role of phagocytosis and cytotoxicity in dopaminergic degeneration and indicated that LAMM-mediated toxicity and phagocytosis coexist during LPS-mediated dopaminergic elimination.Conclusions This type of severe inflammatory-mediated injury appears to be different from the ageing-related PD scenario where the architectural structure of the parenchyma is preserved. Thus, the necessity to explore new experimental models to properly mimic the inflammatory compound observed in PD degeneration.
Current Scenario of Solar Energy Production in Bangladesh and Future Potentiality

As a developing country, Bangladesh is undergoing a huge expansion in industrial and commercial infrastructures which is resulting in the acceleration of energy demand exponentially and it will continue in the same trend in the coming future. These growing demands have necessitated the approaches to generate energy from the sustainable resources, not only to meet the energy requirements but also to reduce GWP (Global Warming Potential), decrease CO2 emissions, and ensure cost effectiveness in the long run.
A Study of failure Multi-Term Central HVDC Conductors In Wind Power Transmission Systems

Wind power is developing quickly all throughout the planet as a methods for managing the world energy deficiency and related natural issues. Adaptable direct current (DC) transmission network innovation is a viable strategy for huge limit clean energy admittance to control grids, however the DC cut off identification for it is a troublesome issue for wind structure. The multiterminal dc wind farm is a promising geography with a voltage-source inverter (VSI) association at the coastal matrix. Voltage-source converters (VSCs) are robust to ac-side shortcoming conditions. Be that as it may, they are defenseless against dc deficiencies on the dc side of the converter. For the modular multilevel converter HVDC (MMC-HVDC) systems, when a solitary pole to-ground deficiency happens, the flaw current is little, and it is hard to recognize the issue rapidly. Two variable-speed age frameworks are thought of: doubly-fed induction generators (DFIGs) and perpetual magnet simultaneous generators (PMSGs) in light of their ubiquity these days for wind turbines scaling to a few MW frameworks. The impact of the wind power plant control technique in the short out conduct of the HVDC connect has likewise been contemplated. Results show that the elements of the wind power plant commitment to post to-ground shortcomings are somewhat more slow than those of the wind turbines current control circles. Consequently, the wind turbine front end converters can be utilized to diminish the pinnacle and normal estimation of the issue current in such a system.
Small municipal wastewater treatment plants in Greece

Data from 147 small municipal wastewater treatment plants (MWTP), with a population equivalent (p.e.) less than 10,000, have been collected and analysed. Extended aeration plants are the most common (75%), followed by natural systems - waste stabilisation ponds (9%) and hydroponic silviculture (6%). Only 71 MWTP (out of the 147) were operational in 1997; the performance of only 15 of these was good, for 36 was moderate and for 20 it was poor. It was found that the reasons for poor performance, for the plant failure and for delays in commissioning were managerial and institutional, rather than purely technical.
Évaluation in vitro et in vivo des perturbateurs endocriniens chez le poisson zèbre : cas de substances seules et en mélanges

L’objectif de ce travail de these est d’evaluer le potentiel de nouveaux bio-essais in vitro et in vivo bases sur le poisson zebre pour la biosurveillance de la contamination chimique de l’eau par les xeno-estrogenes. Pour cela, les bio-essais ont ete appliques pour evaluer les effets de polluants aquatiques environnementaux seuls, mais aussi en melanges simples (reconstitues) et complexes (echantillons environnementaux). L’evaluation d’echantillons d’eau a travers les bioessais in vitro humain (MELN) et poisson zebre (ZELH-zfERβ2) a montre des differences qualitatives et quantitatives de reponse, non expliquees par les molecules estrogeniques detectees. Afin de mieux comprendre ces differences, l’activite de polluants aquatiques a ete caracterisee sur les differents modeles, individuellement et au sein de melanges de 2 a 12 polluants, combinant molecules estrogeniques et non estrogeniques pour simuler des situations environnementales.Les resultats obtenus montrent que les bio-essais bases sur le poisson zebre repondent differemment, et parfois de maniere opposee, au modele humain MELN aux melanges reconstitues. Ces differences s’expliquent par des sensibilites differentes a certaines molecules entrainant des interactions avec la reponse aux xeno-oestrogenes specifiques a chaque modele biologique. Dans son ensemble, ce travail montre que les particularites biologiques de chaque bioessai peuvent influencer la reponse des xeno-estrogenes quand presents au sein de melange avec d’autres polluants. Ces resultats sont discutes au regard de l’utilisation de bio-essais dans l’evaluation de la contamination chimique des masses d’eau.
A Pointwise Conservative Method for Thermochemical Convection Under the Compressible Anelastic Liquid Approximation

In prior work we found that precise approximation of the continuity constraint is crucial for accurate propagation of tracer data when advected through a background incompressible velocity field (Sime et al., 2021, https://doi.org/10.1029/2020gc009349). Here we extend this investigation to compressible flows using the anelastic liquid approximation (ALA) and address four related issues: (a) Exact conservation of tracer discretized fields through a background compressible velocity; (b) Exact mass conservation; (c) Addition and removal of tracers without affecting (exact) conservation to preserve a consistent number of tracers per cell; and (d) the diffusion of tracer data, for example, as induced by thermal or chemical effects. In this process we also present an abstract formulation of the interior penalty hybrid discontinuous Galerkin (HDG) finite element formulation for diffusion problems and apply it to the advection‐diffusion and compressible Stokes systems. Finally we present numerical experiments exhibiting the HDG compressible Stokes momentum formulation's superconvergent compressibility approximation and reproduce examples of a community benchmark for the ALA.