Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Anti-Biofilm Effects of Torilis japonica Ethanol Extracts against Staphylococcus aureus

The spread of antibiotic-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus, a gram-positive opportunistic pathogen, has increased due to the frequent use of antibiotics. Inhibition of the quorum-sensing systems of biofilm-producing strains using plant extracts represents an efficient approach for controlling infections. Torilis japonica is a medicinal herb showing various bioactivities; however, no studies have reported the anti-biofilm effects of T. japonica extracts against drug-resistant S. aureus. In this study, we evaluated the inhibitory effects of T. japonica ethanol extract (TJE) on biofilm production in methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) KCTC 1927, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) KCCM 40510, and MRSA KCCM 40511. Biofilm assays showed that TJE could inhibit biofilm formation in all strains. Furthermore, the hemolysis of sheep blood was found to be reduced when the strains were treated with TJE. The mRNA expression of agrA, sarA, icaA, hla, and RNAIII was evaluated using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction to determine the effect of TJE on the regulation of genes encoding quorum sensing-related virulence factors in MSSA and MRSA. The expression of hla reduced in a concentration-dependent manner upon treatment with TJE. Moreover, the expression levels of other genes were significantly reduced compared to those in the control group. In conclusion, TJE can suppress biofilm formation and virulence factor-related gene expression in MSSA and MRSA strains. The extract may therefore be used to develop treatments for infections caused by antibiotic-resistant S. aureus.
Dynamic analysis of class E resonant DC-DC converter regulated under fixed switching frequency

An averaging circuit model is developed for the class-E resonant DC-DC converter regulated at a fixed switching frequency. The regulation is achieved by use of an auxiliary switch. The model is obtained based on the circuit analysis using the Fourier series expansion, with only DC and fundamental components considered. Small-signal dynamic analysis is presented, which reveals that there exists a right-half-plane zero in the control-to-output transfer function. The analytical results are verified by experiments. <<ETX>>
Impact detection and analysis/health monitoring system for composites

This manuscript includes information from test evaluations and development of a smart event detection system for use in monitoring composite rocket motor cases for damaging impacts. The primary purpose of the system as a sentry for case impact event logging is accomplished through; implementation of a passive network of miniaturized piezoelectric sensors, logger with pre-determined force threshold levels, and analysis software. Empirical approaches to structural characterizations and network calibrations along with implementation techniques were successfully evaluated, testing was performed on both unloaded (less propellants) as well as loaded rocket motors with the cylindrical areas being of primary focus. The logged test impact data with known physical network parameters provided for impact location as well as force determination, typically within 3 inches of actual impact location using a 4 foot network grid and force accuracy within 25%of an actual impact force. The simplistic empirical characterization approach along with the robust / flexible sensor grids and battery operated portable logger show promise of a system that can increase confidence in composite integrity for both new assets progressing through manufacturing processes as well as existing assets that may be in storage or transportation.
Effects of Diacritics on Web Search Engines' Performance for Retrieval of Yoruba Documents

This paper aims to find out the possible effect of the use or nonuse of diacritics in Yoruba search queries on the performance of major search engines, AOL, Bing, Google and Yahoo! , in retrieving documents. 30 Yoruba queries created from the most searched keywords from Nigeria on Google search logs were submitted to the search engines. The search queries were posed to the search engines without diacritics and then with diacritics. All of the search engines retrieved more sites in response to the queries without diacritics. Also, they all retrieved more precise results for queries without diacritics. The search engines also answered more queries without diacritics. There was no significant difference in the precision values of any two of the four search engines for diacritized and undiacritized queries. There was a significant difference in the effectiveness of AOL and Yahoo when diacritics were applied and when they were not applied. The findings of the study indicate that the search engines do not find a relationship between the diacritized Yoruba words and the undiacritized versions. Therefore, there is a need for search engines to add normalization steps to pre-process Yoruba queries and indexes. This study concentrates on a problem with search engines that has not been previously investigated.
A General Approach to Sampled-Data Modeling for Ripple-Based Control—Part II: Constant ON-Time and Constant OFF-Time Control

This part is the second part of this article and mainly presents the sampled-data modeling method for the dc–dc converters with the constant on-time (COT) and constant off-time (COFT) controls. Compared with the constant frequency control in the first part, the duty cycle perturbation signal in the COT/COFT control is found to have two sets of narrow pulse signals in each switching period. Then, by establishing the relationship between the two sets of signals and using Shannon's sampling theorem, the transfer functions of the modulator and the loop gain are derived. Based on the theoretical results, the phenomenon that a current-mode constant on/off time controlled buck converter is stable at any duty cycle, and the instability of a voltage-mode constant on/off-time controlled buck converter with the smaller time constant of the output capacitor could be predicted. Moreover, the sampled-data modeling method is further extended to the digital control by taking a digitally current-mode controlled buck converter as an example. Simulation results are provided to confirm the validity of the proposed modeling method.
Combining loss and cost objectives in daily hydro-thermal economic scheduling

A formulation of optimal hydro-thermal power flow in electric power systems combining the minimum loss objective with the more conventional minimum feel cost objective is considered. The implementation is based on a Newton's iterative procedure, with special initial guess and sparsity-based matrix manipulations to obtain improved convergence properties. The strategies are developed using three standard test systems. The authors discuss the question of assigning an equivalent cost to the loss objective component and compare results obtained using two proposed mechanisms. The first is based on results of conventional dispatch using Kron's loss formula and the second uses the bus incremental costs involved in the optimal power flow solution. The effects of varying the relative weights assigned to each objective component on pertinent system variables such as active and reactive power generations as well as voltages are explored. >
Expresión génica en células de granulosa bovinas de folículos en crecimiento

Objetivo. Comparar la expresión génica en células de granulosa de folículos en crecimiento en dos diferentes especies de bovinos (búfalos y vacas). Materiales y métodos. El RNA obtenido de las células de granulosa de 10 vacas y búfalas vacías fue secuenciado con Novaseq y se analizó la expresión génica diferencial usando EdgeR en Bioconductor y su función de acuerdo con los términos de ontología génica Resultados. El análisis de expresión diferencial mostró grandes diferencias entre las especies, fundamentalmente, la poca participación de los genes asociados a los fenómenos reproductivos del desarrollo folicular, poniendo de manifiesto la importancia del control paracrino del ovario. Se encontró que, entre búfalos y vacunos, no hay correspondencia en la expresión génica de los estados fisiológicos evaluados y aunque se pudieron identificar 6137 genes que tienen expresión diferencial entre las dos especies, no se encontró significancia en genes asociados directamente sobre el desarrollo folicular. Conclusiones. Cada especie tiene su forma de realizar el mismo proceso, aunque son evidentes las diferencias en la expresión de genes asociados a la fosforilación oxidativa. Se requieren nuevas formas de analizar los resultados para poder entender el significado biológico de los hallazgos.
Multi-Objective Thermoeconomic Optimization of Coupling MSF Desalination With PWR Nuclear Power Plant

Thermodynamic simulation programs are widely used for designing complex thermal systems but most of them don’t incorporate second law optimization techniques. In this study, an efficient optimization strategy is presented, which integrates a well-known Evolutionary Algorithms optimization technique with a professional power plant and cogeneration simulator, so as perform exergoeconomic optimization of complex thermal systems and generating combined pinch and exergy representations. This paper deals with the application of an evolutionary algorithm to multi-objective thermoeconomic optimization of coupling desalination plant with pressurized water reactor. The thermodynamic simulation of this plant has been performed in THERMOFLEX simulator. An Excel Add-in called THERMOFLEX Link has been developed to calculate the exergy of each stream from a THERMOFLEX simulation results. In addition, computer code has been developed for thermoeconomic and improved combined pinch-exergy analysis in MATLAB environment. Both design configuration and the process variables are optimized simultaneously. The optimization algorithm can choose among several design options included in a superstructure of the feed water heaters and MSF desalination in dual purpose plant. For the assumptions and simplifications made in this study, a 3000 MWth PWR power plant similar to Bushehr power plant has been considered.
Comparative analysis and evaluation of current antidiarrheal prescribing trends with representative brand in pediatric population of Pakistan

Background: Prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) among pregnant women is very much common among the Background: Inappropriate management of diarrhea is the main cause of morbidity and mortality in the pediatric population worldwide, more especially in developing countries including Pakistan. Method: The sample size was calculated using World Health Organization (WHO) and Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) info calculator. 240 prescriptions were collected from eight hospitals including four public hospitals (Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Polyclinic Hospital, Holy family Hospital and Benazir Hospital) and four private hospitals (Hearts International Hospital, Maroof Hospital, Railway hospital, Bilal Hospital) of twin cities of Pakistan (Islamabad and Rawalpindi). Objectives: The purpose of this study was to analyze current prescribing trends of diarrheal management followed by comparative pharmaceutical evaluation of representative brands Parameters recorded from prescriptions were demographics (age and gender), presenting complaints and medications prescribed. Prescriptions were evaluated by their comparison with standard treatment guidelines. Results: Data were evaluated using a statistical package for social sciences (SPSS version 16.0) for descriptive statistics and cross-tabulations along with Chi square test. Diarrhea was presenting complaint in 106 (44%) of peads among age group 0-2 years. Out of 106 (44%) cases of diarrhea, 52 (20%) cases have prescribed an antibiotic in combination with other medications, which was not indicated according to standard guidelines. The use of oral rehydration solutions (ORS) was also limited. Zinc supplementation with ORS is indicated treatment for diarrhea and was prescribed to 21 (9%) cases. Conclusion: Hence, it has been concluded that standard treatment guidelines were not followed thoroughly which leads to increased morbidity, complications and cost.
Improved power quality bridgeless cuk converter fed brushless DC motor drive for air conditioning system

This study presents a bridgeless Cuk converter-fed brushless DC (BLDC) motor drive for an air conditioning system. A new approach of speed control of BLDC motor is proposed by controlling the voltage at DC bus using a single voltage sensor. The proposed drive utilises a bridgeless Cuk converter operating in discontinuous inductor current mode (DICM) for the power factor correction (PFC) and improved power quality (PQ) at the AC mains for a wide range of speed control. The bridgeless Cuk converter operating in a DICM gives an inherent PFC and requires a simple voltage follower approach for the voltage control. The bridgeless converter topology is designed for obtaining the low conduction losses and requirement of low size of heat sink for the switches. The proposed system is designed and its performance is simulated for an air conditioning system to operate over a wide range of speed control with near unity power factor at AC mains. Finally, the performance of the proposed drive obtained in simulation is validated with test results on a developed drive for its operation over a wide range of speed control with improved PQ at AC mains.
Antibiotic Consumption Patterns in European Countries Might Be Associated with the Prevalence of Diabetes Type-1-2 (T1D, T2D)

Abstract: Several publications have raised the issue that the development of diabetes is preceded by alteration of the microbiome (dysbiosis) and hence, the role of environmental factors, triggering dysbiosis, should be considered. Antibiotics are powerful agents inducing dysbiosis and the authors wanted to explore the possible relationship between the consumption of different major classes of antibiotics and the prevalence of diabetes (type-1, /T1D/, type-2 /T2D/) in thirty European countries. According to our hypothesis, if such association exists, the dominant use of certain major antibiotic classes might be reflected in the prevalence of T1D and T2D in different countries. Comparisons were performed between the prevalence of diabetes (T1D and T2D) estimated for 2019 and featured in the Diabetes Atlas with the average yearly consumption of major antibiotic classes of the previous 10 years (2010-19) extracted from the ECDC yearly reports on antibiotic consumption in Europe. Pearson correlation and variance analysis were used to estimate the possible relationship. Strong, positive (enhancer) associations were found between the prevalence of T1D and the consumption of tetracycline (J01A /p: 0.001/) and the narrow spectrum penicillin (J01CE /p: 0,006/, CF /p: 0.018/). Strong negative (inhibitor) association was observed with broad-spectrum, beta-lactamase resistant penicillin (J01CR /p: 0.003/), macrolide (J01F /p: 0.008/) and quinolone (J01M /p: 0.001/). T2D showed significant positive associations with cephalosporin (J01D /p: 0.048/) and quinolone (J01M /p: 0.025/), and a non-significant negative association was detected with broad-spectrum, beta-lactamase-sensitive penicillin (J01CA /p: 0.67/). Countries with the highest prevalence of diabetes (first 10 positions) showed concordance with the higher consumption of “enhancer” and the lower consumption of “inhibitor” antibiotics (first 10 positions) as indicated by variance analysis. Countries with high prevalence of T1D showed high consumption of tetracycline (p: 0.015), and narrow spectrum, beta-lactamase sensitive penicillin (p: 0.008), and low consumption of “inhibitor” antibiotics (broad-spectrum, beta-lactamase resistant, combination penicillin (p: 0.005), cephalosporin (p: 0.036), and quinolone (p: 0.003). Countries with a high prevalence of T2D consumed more cephalosporin (p: 0.084), quinolone (p: 0.54), and less broad-spectrum, beta-lactamase sensitive penicillin (p: 0.012) than other countries. Conclusion/Interpretation: The development of diabetes-related dysbiosis might be attached to higher consumption of specific classes of antibiotics, showing positive (enhancer) associations with the prevalence of diabetes, and the low consumption of other classes of antibiotics shoving negative (inhibitory) associations. Those groups of antibiotics are different in T1D and T2D
An adaptive echo canceller

A novel method is presented for echo-cancellation in long distance telephone connections. In contrast with conventional echo suppressors, the device described achieves echo-cancellation without interrupting the return path. A replica of the echo is synthesized and subtracted from the return signal. The replica is synthesized by means of a filter which, under the control of a feedback loop, adapts to the transmission characteristic of the echo path and tracks variations of the path that may occur during a conversation. The adaptive control loop is described by a set of simultaneous, nonlinear, first-order differential equations. It is shown that under ideal conditions, the echo converges to zero. Estimates of the rate of convergence are obtained. Effects of noise are discussed. The results of computer simulations of various alternative configurations of the system are described.
A four channel, input-level-tunable data acquisition chip, realized with an analog/digital array for research and education

Presents a student design of a data acquisition chip. The basic array was designed in a 4 mu m, single-poly, single-metal CMOS technology. The goal is to provide short fabrication terms to reduce project durations in research and education. In contrast to other approaches the authors use transistor array cells in the digital and analog part. For the analog part this was achieved through a basic transistor layout where different W/L sizes can be chosen by different metalization of the same transistor. The complete array is preprocessed without the metalization layer. To show the capabilities of such an array, a data acquisition chip was developed during a one-man student project. This circuit contains four analog input channels, one analog MPX, and an 8-bit A/D converter in successive approximation technique with on-chip channel control. <<ETX>>
USING SWARM APPROACHES FOR STUDENT SELECTION PROCESS

Swarm intelligence has been extensively used in research area because swarm systems are highly scalable, respond well to rapidly changing environments, work collectively without central control and consists of simple agents or particles. Swarm intelligence helps to design optimal solution scape and best results. A large number of applications have been proposed using swarm intelligence for different research area such as ant colony optimization (ACO), bee colony optimization (BCO), particle swarm optimization (PSO), bacterial foraging optimization (BFO), cat swarm optimization (CSO) and many more. In this paper,
A Whole-Body Musculoskeletal Model of the Mouse

Neural control of movement cannot be fully understood without careful consideration of interactions between the neural and biomechanical components. Recent advancements in mouse molecular genetics allow for the identification and manipulation of constituent elements underlying the neural control of movement. To complement experimental studies and investigate the mechanisms by which the neural circuitry interacts with the body and the environment, computational models of motor behaviors in mice need to incorporate the corresponding model of the mouse musculoskeletal system. Here, we present the first fully articulated musculoskeletal model of the mouse. The mouse skeletal system has been developed from anatomical references and includes the sets of bones in all body compartments, including four limbs, spine, head and tail. Joints between all bones allow for simulation of full 3D mouse kinematics and kinetics. Hindlimb and forelimb musculature has been implemented using Hill-type muscle models. We analyzed the mouse whole-body model and described the moment-arms for different hindlimb and forelimb muscles, the moments applied by these muscles on the joints, and their involvement in limb movements at different limb/body configurations. The model represents a necessary step for the subsequent development of a comprehensive neuro-biomechanical model of freely behaving mice; this will close the loop between the neural control and the physical interactions between the body and the environment.
Simple narrow-linewidth 1.5 μm InGaAsP DFB external-cavity laser

An external-cavity laser consisting of a 1.5 μm-wavelength antireflection-coated DFB laser chip, a microscope objective and a mirror provides a stable, single-frequency, narrow-linewidth (Δf=40 kHz) output. Because the laser operates in the strong feedback regime, it is immune to external optical perturbations. Single-longitudinal-mode operation is maintained by the DFB grating, and the linewidth is reduced by the extended passive cavity.
An ethical perspective on information systems evaluation

The evaluation of information systems (IS) is a major concern of business, and a variety of approaches have been developed to tackle the issue. These approaches vary in their use and usefulness, yet few consider or incorporate ethical aspects of the process and the outcomes. A framework for assessing the ethics of information systems evaluation approaches is developed and investigated. It is argued that ethical issues are an important and unavoidable feature of IS evaluation, despite their lack of consideration. A framework is developed that demonstrates that ethical considerations are implicit in the concept of evaluation in terms of its purposes, its processes and its involvement of people. Concludes by considering how evaluation approaches might be extended to include a more substantial ethical content.
Effects of Sargassum thunbergii Extract on Skin Whitening and Anti-Wrinkling through Inhibition of TRP-1 and MMPs

Sargassum thunbergii has been traditionally used as an edible and medicinal material in oriental countries. However, the skin-whitening and anti-wrinkling effects of S. thunbergii have not yet been investigated. This study was conducted to establish optimal extraction conditions for the production of bioactive compounds with antioxidant activity as well as skin-whitening and anti-wrinkle effects using ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) in S. thunbergii. The extraction time (5.30~18.7 min), extraction temperature (22.4~79.6 °C), and ethanol concentration (0.0~99.5%), which are the main variables of the UAE, were optimized using a central composite design. Quadratic regression equations were derived based on experimental data and showed a high coefficient of determination (R2 > 0.85), demonstrating suitability for prediction. The optimal UAE condition for maximizing all dependent variables, including radical scavenging activity (RSA), tyrosinase inhibitory activity (TIA), and collagenase inhibitory activity (CIA), was identified as an extraction time of 12.0 min, an extraction temperature of 65.2 °C, and ethanol of 53.5%. Under these conditions, the RSA, TIA, and CIA of S. thunbergii extract were 86.5%, 88.3%, and 91.4%, respectively. We also confirmed S. thunbergii extract had inhibitory effects on the mRNA expression of tyrosinase-related protein-1, matrix metalloproteinase-1, and matrix metalloproteinase-9, which are the main genes of melanin synthesis and collagen hydrolysis. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to identify the main phenolic compounds in S. thunbergii extract, and caffeic acid was identified as a major peak, demonstrating that high value-added ingredients with skin-whitening and anti-wrinkling effects can be produced from S. thunbergii and used for developing cosmetic materials.