Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mass Balance of Four Mongolian Glaciers: In-situ Measurements, Long-Term Reconstruction and Sensitivity Analysis

This study describes the in situ observed and modeled mass balances of four representative glaciers in the Mongolian Altai Mountains. Mass-balance stakes and automatic weather stations (AWS) were installed along each glacier to obtain the in situ mass balances and meteorological variables. We calibrate the ERA5 meteorological variables using the observed values, then estimate the precipitation parameters to obtain the observed point mass balances using an energy- and mass-balance model. We evaluate the mass-balance profile and glacier-wide mass balance via a mass-balance model using the calibrated ERA5 data and estimated precipitation parameters to fill in the spatial and temporal gaps in the stake networks and AWS measurements. We demonstrate that almost all of the observed mass balances have been in a negative state since 2003. We also reconstruct the long-term mass balances for the 1980–2018 period, which range from −760 to −160 mm water equivalent under the different climatic conditions (annual precipitation varies from 190 to 860 mm). We further evaluate the mass-balance sensitivities to temperature and precipitation changes. We confirm that both sensitivities correlate significantly with the annual precipitation; increased precipitation yields more negative sensitivity to temperature changes and less positive sensitivity to precipitation changes.
A Socially Assistive Robot for Stroke Patients: Acceptance, Needs, and Concerns of Patients and Informal Caregivers

Stroke patients often contend with long-term physical challenges that require treatment and support from both formal and informal caregivers. Socially Assistive Robots (SARs) can assist patients in their physical rehabilitation process and relieve some of the burden on the informal caregivers, such as spouses and family members. We collected and analyzed information from 23 participants (11 stroke patients and 12 informal caregivers) who participated in a total of six focus-group discussions. The participants responded to questions regarding using a SAR to promote physical exercises during the rehabilitation process: (a) the advantages and disadvantages of doing so; (b) specific needs that they wish a SAR would address; (c) patient-specific adaptations they would propose to include; and (d) concerns they had regarding the use of such technology in stroke rehabilitation. We found that the majority of the participants in both groups were interested in experiencing the use of a SAR for rehabilitation, in the clinic and at home. Both groups noted the advantage of having the constant presence of a motivating entity with whom they can practice their rehabilitative exercises. The patients noted how such a device can assist formal caregivers in managing their workload, while the informal caregivers indicated that such a system could ease their own workload and sense of burden. The main disadvantages that participants noted related to the robot not possessing human abilities, such as the ability to hold a conversation, to physically guide the patient's movements, and to express or understand emotions. We anticipate that the data collected in this study—input from the patients and their family members, including the similarities and differences between their points of view—will aid in improving the development of SARs for rehabilitation, so that they can better suit people who have had a stroke, and meet their individual needs.
Pediatric Restrictive Cardiomyopathies

Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) is the least frequent phenotype among pediatric heart muscle diseases, representing only 2.5–3% of all cardiomyopathies diagnosed during childhood. Pediatric RCM has a poor prognosis, high incidence of pulmonary hypertension (PH), thromboembolic events, and sudden death, is less amenable to medical or surgical treatment with high mortality rates. In this scenario, heart transplantation remains the only successful therapeutic option. Despite a shared hemodynamic profile, characterized by severe diastolic dysfunction and restrictive ventricular filling, with normal ventricle ejection fraction and wall thickness, RCM recognizes a broad etiological spectrum, consisting of genetic/familial and acquired causes, each of which has a distinct pathophysiology and natural course. Hence, the aim of this review is to cover the causes, clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation, treatment, and prognosis of pediatric RCM.
Working Memory Performance for Differentially Conditioned Stimuli

Previous work suggests that threat-related stimuli are stored to a greater degree in working memory compared to neutral stimuli. However, most of this research has focused on stimuli with physically salient threat attributes (e.g., angry faces), failing to account for how a “neutral” stimulus that has acquired threat-related associations through differential aversive conditioning influences working memory. The current study examined how differentially conditioned safe (i.e., CS–) and threat (i.e., CS+) stimuli are stored in working memory relative to a novel, non-associated (i.e., N) stimuli. Participants (n = 69) completed a differential fear conditioning task followed by a change detection task consisting of three conditions (CS+, CS–, N) across two loads (small, large). Results revealed individuals successfully learned to distinguishing CS+ from CS– conditions during the differential aversive conditioning task. Our working memory outcomes indicated successful load manipulation effects, but no statistically significant differences in accuracy, response time (RT), or Pashler’s K measures of working memory capacity between CS+, CS–, or N conditions. However, we observed significantly reduced RT difference scores for the CS+ compared to CS– condition, indicating greater RT differences between the CS+ and N condition vs. the CS– and N condition. These findings suggest that differentially conditioned stimuli have little impact on behavioral outcomes of working memory compared to novel stimuli that had not been associated with previous safe of aversive outcomes, at least in healthy populations.
Nucleopolyhedrovirus Coocclusion Technology: A New Concept in the Development of Biological Insecticides

Nucleopolyhedroviruses (NPV, Baculoviridae) that infect lepidopteran pests have an established record as safe and effective biological insecticides. Here, we describe a new approach for the development of NPV-based insecticides. This technology takes advantage of the unique way in which these viruses are transmitted as collective infectious units, and the genotypic diversity present in natural virus populations. A ten-step procedure is described involving genotypic variant selection, mixing, coinfection and intraspecific coocclusion of variants within viral occlusion bodies. Using two examples, we demonstrate how this approach can be used to produce highly pathogenic virus preparations for pest control. As restricted host range limits the uptake of NPV-based insecticides, this technology has recently been adapted to produce custom-designed interspecific mixtures of viruses that can be applied to control complexes of lepidopteran pests on particular crops, as long as a shared host species is available for virus production. This approach to the development of NPV-based insecticides has the potential to be applied across a broad range of NPV-pest pathosystems.
Long Non-coding RNA MALAT1: A Key Player in Liver Diseases

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) exceed 200 nucleotides in length are considered to be involved in both developmental processes and various diseases. Here, we focus on lncRNA MALAT1 (metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1), which was one of the most important lncRNAs in proliferation, apoptosis, and migration. MALAT1 plays a regulatory role in liver diseases, including hepatic fibrosis, liver regeneration, liver cancer, and fatty liver diseases. In the current review, we summarize the latest literature about the function roles of MALAT1 in liver disorders. Probing the regulatory mechanism and cross talk of MALAT1 with other signaling pathways of pathological processes would improve the prognosis, diagnosis of liver diseases, and offer a promising candidate target for therapeutic interventions.
Estructura del consejo de administración en la empresa familiar versus no familiar: evidencia empírica en España

RESUMEN El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar la influencia de la dimensión cualitativa de la estructura de propiedad, en particular de la identidad familiar del accionista de control mayoritario, sobre la configuración óptima del Consejo de Administración, así como el efecto que dicha configuración tiene en la creación de valor de la organización. La técnica econometrica utilizada, el estimador de sistema del Método Generalizado de los Momentos, aplicada para un panel de empresas españolas familiares y no familiares cotizadas en el período 2001–2007, nos permite solventar el tradicional problema de endogeneidad presente en los estudios de gobierno corporativo. Los resultados obtenidos muestran las diferentes necesidades de supervisión y asesoramiento que tienen las empresas familiares con respecto a las de naturaleza no familiar y el consecuente efecto sobre las características estructurales y funcionales de sus consejos de administración. Entre las principales conclusiones encontramos que, a pesar de la creencia generalizada, los consejos pequeños e independientes no son siempre más eficientes.
Effect of Coolant Injection on Heat Transfer for a Simulated Turbine Airfoil Leading Edge

This paper presents an experimental study of the heat transfer on the leading edge of a simulated film cooled turbine airfoil. Previous studies have shown that use of film cooling on the leading edge of an airfoil can significantly increase the heat transfer coefficients around the leading edge which counter-acts the benefits of the adiabatic effectiveness provided by the coolant film. These heat transfer results complement our earlier study of the adiabatic effectiveness for this leading edge and film cooling hole geometry. Heat transfer and adiabatic effectiveness results were combined to determine the overall performance of the film cooling in terms of the net heat flux reduction. Heat transfer coefficients were found to be significantly increased by the film cooling flow in a narrow region which followed the path of the coolant flow. However, heat transfer coefficients were maximum to one side of the coolant jet, consistent with a streamwise vortex flow which is believed to be generated by the interaction of the mainstream with the coolant jet. Overall performance in terms of the net heat flux reduction was found to be unaffected by the large heat transfer coefficients in the vicinity of the holes, but was significantly diminished farther downstream. © 1998 ASME
Associations between physical activity, left atrial size and incident atrial fibrillation: the Tromsø Study 1994–2016

Aims Left atrial (LA) enlargement is an independent risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF). Interestingly, some athletes have increased risk of AF, which may be linked to LA enlargement; however, little is known about the relationship between LA enlargement and AF risk at moderate-level physical activity (PA). We aimed to explore the associations between PA, LA size and risk of incident AF, and if PA can attenuate the risk of AF with LA enlargement. Methods This prospective study followed 2479 participants (52.4% female), free from known cardiac pathology, for median 20.2 years. Participants were followed up for hospital-diagnosed AF, confirmed by electrocardiography, from 1994-95 through 2016. At baseline, LA size was evaluated by anteroposterior LA diameter, and PA was self-reported by questionnaire. Results We observed a U-shaped relationship between PA and AF, and moderately active had 32% lower AF risk than inactive (HRadjusted 0.68, 95% CI 0.50 to 0.93). Participants with LA enlargement had 38% higher AF risk compared with participants with normal LA size (HRadjusted 1.38, 95% CI 1.12 to 1.69). However, the increased AF risk with LA enlargement was attenuated by PA; compared with inactive participants with LA enlargement, the AF risk was 45% lower among active with LA enlargement (HRadjusted 0.55, 95% CI 0.39 to 0.79). AF risk in active participants with LA enlargement did not differ from active with normal LA size. These patterns were observed in both men and women, and in participants over/under 65 years. Conclusion Moderate PA was associated with reduced AF risk, and PA attenuated the increased risk of AF with LA enlargement in both men and women and all age groups.
Proposed pathway for therapeutic drug monitoring and dose escalation of vedolizumab

Vedolizumab is a gut-selective monoclonal antibody approved for the management of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. The available data demonstrate a favourable response to dose escalation in patients with primary non-response or secondary loss of response to vedolizumab. While therapeutic drug monitoring has a proven clinical utility for tumour necrosis factor antagonists, the available guidance for therapeutic drug monitoring and dose escalation of vedolizumab is rather limited. The present review proposes a practical algorithm to use vedolizumab trough levels in the management of treatment failure. Therapeutic drug monitoring can differentiate underexposed patients from those with mechanistic failure. Underdosed patients can respond to dose escalation instead of unnecessarily switching to other treatment modalities. We also review the safety and potential cost-effectiveness of vedolizumab dose escalation, the role of antidrug antibodies and the possible applicability of this strategy to subcutaneous vedolizumab.
A Low Power and Low LIR Regulator for Passive RFID Tag in 0.18 μm CMOS Technology

ABSTRACT This paper proposes a low power and low output ripple regulator for radio frequency identification tags. The inner blocks of regulator is supplied from elementary stages output of rectifier. The proposed operational amplifier works on AB class and its bias is in adaptive biasing form. The bandgap reference and sampling voltage resistors used in this paper are completely designed with transistors which culminate in low power dissipation. The regulator output voltage is 1.07 V, while the output ripple is ±1.1 mV. The value of line regulation, power supply rejection ratio, and regulator efficiency are 5.5 mV/V, 45.2 dB, and 71.3%, respectively. A 111 µW power consumption has been calculated with 20 KΩ load. The simulation is done with the help of Cadence software in 0.18 µm CMOS technology, while its operational frequency is 960 MHz. The layout of the proposed regulator is 0.00125 mm2.
GaN Schottky diodes for signal generation and control

The aim of this work is to explore the potential of GaN Schottky diodes for high fre- quency signal generation and control, with emphasis on their power handling capability. GaN Schottky diodes are expected to provide superior power handling capability due to the wide band-gap of GaN. Theoretical analysis has been performed analytically and numerically. Devices have been fabricated and their performance has been evaluated experimentally. Demonstration of monolithic integrated circuits utilizing the realized devices was also made. The diode figure of merits e.g. Cj0, Rs , Vbr , have been considered with respect to power handling and harmonic generation to permit evaluation of the diode design requirements for satisfying specific circuit needs. Numerical simulation allowed the prediction of device performance for specific geometry and material properties. Simulation results have shown that GaN Schottky diodes have a power handling capability at least 2 times higher than their GaAs counterparts, while maintaining acceptable losses. Several fabrication technology approaches have been studied and implemented for real- izing GaN-based Schottky diodes. Their key steps include dry etching, metal contacts, as well as interconnects. The surface treatment before metal deposition necessary for good quality Schottky contacts has been thoroughly studied. Three means of intercon- nect methods were demonstrated for on-wafer tests. They allowed rapid evaluation of the electrical characteristics of the diodes and set up the basis for the development of monolithic integrated circuits. High frequency small-signal measurements have been performed for the GaN Schot- tky diodes. The obtained S-parameters were used to extract equivalent circuit models. A parameter extraction procedure was established to de-embed the pad parasitics, and obtaining information about their intrinsic elements permitting in this way diode opti- mization. The large-signal characteristics of the fabricated diodes were measured on-wafer using a large-signal network analyzer. This novel characterization method provided immediate information about diode features such as power handling, loss etc. The time-domain waveforms of the diodes were obtained under various operating conditions allowing a better insight into the diode operation. Large-signal models of the diodes have been obtained by considering the extracted small- signal equivalent circuit characteristics and the large-signal measurement results. GaN- based circuits using diodes have been studied. They include a frequency doubler and an analog phase shifter. Consideration of their large-signal characteristics was possible using the extracted diode large-signal models. Doublers made with this technology are expected to provide an output power of 10 dBm at 94 GHz. MMIC phase shifters were designed, fabricated and characterized. They showed a phase tuning (∆φ) of 45◦ and 6-7 dB insertion loss in the 32-38 GHz range.
Engineering more engineers — bridging the mathematics and careers advice gap

Abstract The popularity of engineering degrees among undergraduates is in decline. There are many barriers affecting the supply of engineering undergraduates and the School of Technology at the University of Glamorgan has identified lack of awareness of what engineering entails and lack of mathematical preparedness as two principal barriers to potential students studying engineering in higher education. To show how the School of Technology overcame these barriers, the role of the Network75 Recruitment and Support Officer will be explained along with the subsequent development of a remedial summer mathematics programme entitled ‘Bridging Technology with Mathematics’. These two initiatives are outlined and their success evaluated in terms of increasing engineering undergraduate enrolments for the academic year 2005/06. This paper would be of interest to anyone working in the field of engineering recruitment and admissions, as this programme can be replicated by other further education or higher education providers.
A Framework of Comprehensive Data Analysis for Hydropower Plants

It is known that electric power information technology of hydropower plants,which is designed to promote the progress from traditional industry to highly intensified,highly educated and advanced technical industry,is the information technology utilized in electric industry.Discussed are some problems in constructing a comprehensive data analysis platform based on a framework that is adapted to comprehensive analysis based on heterogeneous electric information subsystems.In order to improve the effective handling ability and "safe data analysis" of comprehensive data analysis,feasible strategy of data extractor and IEC 61850 standards to implement information modeling based on high capacity database from electric information subsystems is proposed.And enterprise information integration and safe data analysis are the core problems of the analysis framework.
The Focal Locus of a Riemannian 4-Symmetric Space

Abstract compact Riemannian 4-symmetric space M can be regarded as a fibre bundle over a Riemannian 2-symmetric space with totally geodesic fibres isometric to a 2-symmetric space. Here the result of R. Crittenden for conjugate and cut points in a 2-symmetric space is extended to the focal points of the fibres of M. Also the restriction of the exponential map of M up to the first focal locus in the normal bundle of a fibre is proved to yield a covering map onto its image. It is shown that for the noncompact dual M*, the fibres have no focal points and hence the exponential map of M* restricted to the normal bundle of a fibre is a covering map. The classification of the compact simply connected 4-symmetric spaces G/L with G classical simple provides a large class of examples of these fibrations.
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF HARMONIC DISTORTION IN POWER INVERTERS ANÁLISIS COMPARATIVO DE LA DISTORSIÓN ARMÓNICA EN INVERSORES DE POTENCIA

This paper compares the harmonic distortion contained in the wave of voltage and current generated by full bridge inverters. The theoretical description explains the full-bridge inverter topology and multilevel inverters topologies, giving greater emphasis to the last two configurations and based on results of simulations performed in Matlab ® to present a comparison of the harmonic content and quality of power obtained. Particularly to verify the advantages of using multilevel power inverters in applications where you need to convert CD into a high quality AC power.
The ethics of managing and leading health services: A view from the United Kingdom

The financial challenges facing the NHS in England show no signs of abating. The well-publicised events of Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust between 2005-2009 show what can happen when leaders and managers focus on finances at the expense of the health and wellbeing of staff and patients. Leading and managing health services in a financially pressured environment is considerably challenging but those responsible for doing so need to learn from the lessons from Mid Staffordshire and be highly aware of, understand and fulfill the ethical responsibilities expected of them. Expectations of ethical behaviours are well articulated through the NHS Constitution and various professional codes of conduct and standards. Critically, if we want individual leaders and managers, no matter what their professional background, to behave ethically, all the players in the system - professional bodies, regulators, politicians need to create and support the culture and climate in which this can be achieved.
Simulation of sensorless operation of BLDCmotor based on the zero-cross detection fromthe line voltage

This paper presents the simulation of sensorless operation of permanent magnet brushless direct current (BLDC) motor. The position sensorless BLDC drive simulated, in this paper, is based on detection of zero crossing from the terminal voltages differences. This method relies on a difference of line voltages measured at the terminals of the motor. It is shown, in the paper, that this difference of line voltages provides an amplified version of an appropriate back EMF at its zero crossings. The commutation signals are obtained without the motor neutral voltage. The effectiveness of this method is demonstrated through simulation.