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Affirmative action continues to divide. My aim in this article is to present participants in the debate with a new distinction, namely one between negative and positive affirmative action. Whereas positive affirmative action has to do with certain goods, such as a place at a prestigious university or a job at a prestigious company, negative affirmative action has to do with certain bads, such as a firing or a sentence. I then argue that some of the most prominent arguments in favor of affirmative action speak at least as much in favor of negative as positive affirmative action. At the same time, at least one of the most prominent arguments put forward against affirmative action speaks less against negative affirmative action. Thus, the article should redraw the battle lines in the affirmative action debate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evolutionary perspectives have yielded profound insights in health and medical sciences. A fundamental recognition is that modern diet and lifestyle practices are mismatched with the human physiological constitution, shaped over eons in response to environmental selective pressures. This Darwinian angle can help illuminate and resolve issues in nutrition, including the contentious issue of fat consumption. In the present paper, the intake of saturated fat in ancestral and contemporary dietary settings is discussed. It is shown that while saturated fatty acids have been consumed by human ancestors across time and space, they do not feature dominantly in the diets of hunter-gatherers or projected nutritional inputs of genetic accommodation. A higher intake of high-fat dairy and meat products produces a divergent fatty acid profile that can increase the risk of cardiovascular and inflammatory disease and decrease the overall satiating-, antioxidant-, and nutrient capacity of the diet. By prioritizing fiber-rich and micronutrient-dense foods, as well as items with a higher proportion of unsaturated fatty acids, and in particular the long-chain polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids, a nutritional profile that is better aligned with that of wild and natural diets is achieved. This would help prevent the burdening diseases of civilization, including heart disease, cancer, and neurodegenerative conditions. Saturated fat is a natural part of a balanced diet; however, caution is warranted in a food environment that differs markedly from the one to which we are adapted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) aims to achieve early vascular recanalization and reperfusion of the penumbra. However, the effect of early penumbral imaging within 6 h on clinical outcomes remains unclear. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of magnetic resonance-guided (MR-guided) perfusion imaging within 6 h after symptom onset on endovascular thrombectomy outcomes in AIS patients. Methods: We prospectively collected the clinical information of consecutive AIS patients undergoing endovascular thrombectomy based on MR-guided perfusion imaging within 6 h after symptom onset from AISRNA and EVTRNA studies. The primary outcome was defined as the poor outcome (mRS > 2 within 90 days). The perfusion-weighted imaging/diffusion-weighted imaging (PWI/DWI) mismatch was assessed by an automated software. Results: We enrolled 84 patients (25 in the mismatch ≤ 1.8 group and 59 in the mismatch > 1.8 group). Significant difference was found between the mismatch > 1.8 group and the mismatch ≤ 1.8 group for the incidence of disabling stroke (mRS > 2) within 90 days (40.7% vs. 68.0%, OR: 3.099, 95% CI: 1.154–8.323, P = 0.025). Intracranial hemorrhage occurred in 8 patients (13.6%) in the mismatch > 1.8 group and 10 patients in the mismatch ≤ 1.8 group (40.0%) (P = 0.010). The risk of severe cerebral edema was 2/59 (3.4%) vs. 7/25 (28.0%) (P = 0.004). These findings remained stable after adjustment. Conclusions: MR-guided perfusion imaging mismatch profiles within 6 h after symptom onset may be feasible to predictclinical outcomes and reduce clinically ineffective reperfusion after endovascular thrombectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper shows how important it is to consider the requirement level when measuring mismatch unemployment. While the mismatch between occupations decreases over time, the imbalances in the distribution of unemployed workers and vacant jobs across requirement levels increased, which, in sum, led to a stagnation of mismatch on the combined occupation-requirement level. Furthermore the paper shows that mismatch unemployment emerges especially at the level of un- and semi-skilled activities, as there is excess supply regardless of the occupations. And, more importantly, the excess supply is rising recently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have successfully achieved efficient recognition of mismatched sites in double-stranded DNA through the formation of an invasion complex by using partially noncomplementary peptide nucleic acids (PNAs). Owing to mismatches between 2 PNAs used for invasion, the undesired PNA/PNA duplex, which inhibits invasion complex formation, was destabilized. This approach overcame an inherent challenge in PNA invasion, in particular, undesired PNA/PNA duplex formation resulting from PNA complementarity, thereby enhancing overall invasion efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prolonged sitting with awkward posture during sewing results in musculoskeletal disorders among sewing operators. This study aimed to identify the compatibility of the sewing furniture with operators' anthropometry. Therefore, 13 anthropometric measurements of 368 sewing operators were collected and compared with sewing furniture dimensions. The results showed that all anthropometric measurements other than hip breadth were larger for male participants. In addition, statistical analysis performed on the collected data showed significant variation compared to the existing dimensions of sewing machines. Results also indicated a high mismatch for different dimensions of the sewing table and chair, such as seat height, seat width, seat depth, table depth, etc. For this reason, sewing operators often experience musculoskeletal disorders. Finally, this study recommends some guidelines for designing the sewing workstation, which might act as a basis for manufacturers or importers to set provisions for sewing machines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reasons for the emerging mismatch between education and the labor market, its impact and the resolving mechanisms have been well studied. However, mismatch continues to be very problematic. Moreover, the new era of digitalization and artificial intelligence is accelerating this crisis. Acknowledging this tenet, we investigate further—whether a mismatch finds a match in the digitalized era. An individualist approach to answer each research question was considered so descriptive statistics, multinomial logistic regression and interviews are adopted under were implemented using the framework of both quantitative and qualitative methods. Findings suggest that the overall performance of the fully mismatched group (Science graduates) is comprehensively better compared to their counterpart (Business graduates). Digitalization has further generated a mismatch since business graduates are now increasingly irrelevant. This paper supplements the discourse on education and job market mismatch by using a distinct measurement strategy. We argue that digitalized skills are now the required competence to do jobs in any sector. Hence, all types of schools (business, science, social sciences) should equip their graduates with digitized skills in order to prevent them being replaced by science graduates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article proposes a new mathematical model that accurately predicts statistical margin characteristics of bit-line sense amplifiers (BLSAs) with offset calibration (OC) and pre-sensing (PS), while providing techniques to improve sensing margins. In particular, threshold voltage mismatch caused by reduced transistor sizes introduces sensing offsets, further degrading the already limited sensing margins under low-voltage conditions. While various BLSAs incorporating OC and PS techniques have been proposed to address these challenges, and studies have been conducted on models predicting statistical offset, previous research has not adequately considered OC timing ( $t_{OC}$ ) and transistor size effects. We independently model the OC, charge sharing (CS), and PS operations of DRAM BLSAs to accurately predict both deterministic and stochastic offsets resulting from various operation combinations. Notably, our model incorporates $t_{OC}$ dependency, which was not considered in previous models, and accurately analyzes transistor size effects through integration with Pelgrom’s equation. The primary advantage of the proposed model lies in its design optimization efficiency. While HSPICE simulations combining Monte Carlo (MC) and binary search methods require numerous iterations for single design point verification, our model significantly reduces design time by effectively narrowing the region of interest through pre-optimization using statistical characteristics. Furthermore, the model’s general form demonstrates high practicality through easy application to various BLSA types based on OC scheme types and PS operation presence. In conclusion, this article presents optimal design guidelines by accurately predicting deterministic and stochastic offset characteristics according to $t_{OC}$ and transistor size ratios, showing high correlation with HSPICE MC simulation results.

Thermostatically controlled loads (TCLs) aggregated into a generalized virtual battery (VB) offer a systematic approach to optimally manage such devices. However, challenges arise when operational conditions are oversimplified or overlooked, leading to a mismatch between expected and actual outcomes. This paper delves into the demand response mismatch (DRM) challenge within the context of peak load management, exploring the implications of power reductions stemming from external management and aggregator control. A customer satisfaction index has been introduced to assess the impact of such reductions on customer comfort. A comprehensive VB model is employed to govern the aggregator, ensuring adherence to all operational constraints. The DRM percentage is evaluated under both standard operating conditions and peak shaving strategies. The study also investigates the different types of customer discomfort according to device operation and cost. A predictive analysis of the percentages of load DRM serves as a valuable tool for future peak shaving planning. This research further analyzes the impacts of voltage variation on a distribution network that ends with customer loads.

In this research, a 16-bit multi-mode second-order Delta-Sigma Modulator-Digital-to-Analog Converter (DSM-DAC) with a time-interleaved (TI) structure operating at a center frequency of 4 GHz and a bandwidth of 20 MHz has been implemented using VHDL on an FPGA platform. The proposed architecture utilizes a single clock frequency for generating RF signals. The second-order DSM is reconfigurable, offering three filter modes: LP, BP at Fs/4, and HP for signal synthesis. Since the coefficients remain simple for all modes, multiplication operations can be achieved using a shifter block. To investigate the effect of duty-cycle-error (DCE) and its compensation, various error values are applied to the modulator and compensation is performed. A novel solution is proposed to overcome the DCE by adjusting the filter and unilaterally narrowing the signal passband without adding extra hardware complexity. This approach significantly enhances the SNDR and SFDR of the DSM output, even for the BP mode. Another challenge is the mismatch error in DAC cells. This error is simulated and compensated using two methods: DWA and SDEM. Simulation results in ISE demonstrate that the SNDR values for LP, BP, and HP modes are 106.10, 105.65, and 104.95 dB, respectively.

Abstract The paper shows how important it is to consider the requirement level when measuring mismatch unemployment. While the mismatch between occupations decreases over time, the imbalances in the distribution of unemployed workers and vacant jobs across requirement levels increased, which, in sum, led to a stagnation of mismatch on the combined occupation-requirement level. Furthermore the paper shows that mismatch unemployment emerges especially at the level of un- and semi-skilled activities, as there is excess supply regardless of the occupations. And, more importantly, the excess supply is rising recently.

Background: Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) has shown promise in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for large ischemic core stroke patients, yet variability in core definition and onset-to-imaging time creates heterogeneity in outcomes. This study aims to clarify the prevalence and implications of core-perfusion mismatch (MM) versus no mismatch (No MM) in such patients, utilizing established imaging criteria. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted including patients from 7/29/2019 to 1/29/2023, with data extracted from a continuously maintained database. Patients were eligible if they met criteria including multimodal CT imaging performed within 24 h from last known well (LKW), AIS-LVO diagnosis, and ischemic core size defined by specific rCBF thresholds. Mismatch was assessed based on different operational definitions from the EXTEND and DEFUSE 3 trials. Results: Fifty-two patients were included, with various time windows from LKW. Using EXTEND criteria, a significant portion of early window patients exhibited MM; however, fewer patients met MM criteria in the late window. Defining MM using DEFUSE 3 criteria yielded similar patterns, but with overall lower MM prevalence in the late window. When employing rCBF <38% as a surrogate for ischemic core, a higher percentage of patients were classified as MM across both time windows compared to rCBF <30%. Conclusion: The prevalence of MM in large ischemic core patients varies significantly depending on the imaging criteria and time from LKW. Notably, MM was more prevalent in the early time window across all criteria used. Additional RCTs are needed to determine if this definition of MM identifies patients who will benefit most from EVT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract-: Partial shading deteriorates the overall performance of photovoltaic (PV) arrays by reducing the power output. Various shading mitigation strategies have been proposed in the literature with vulnerabilities of limited applications, switches, sensor counts, design, cost, and complexities. In this paper, a multi-string differential power processing (MS-DPP) based voltage equalizer is proposed for power output improvement in the PV arrays during shading. The equalizer is utilized for the series-parallel array which is equipped with a shading detection system achieved from the optimal placement of minimum sensor counts. The technique uses the concept of a switching capacitor that balances the voltage ratio between the modules of individual strings to ensure higher power generation and convex power curves during shading. The system is simulated and validated in MATLAB simulation and further verified on the OPAL-RT 4510 hardware-in-loop FPGA-based real-time platform. The technique is executed on three array sizes and compared with existing techniques under static and dynamic partial shading cases. The analysis shows that MS-DPP enhances the array power output with a conversion efficiency higher than 99 % during shading with lower system size and 98.38 % and 95.05 % reduced counts of switches and sensors than dynamic reconfigurations.

Objective: This study aims to ascertain the extent of the gap between the human resources presently available in the Republic of Indonesia (the number of study programs classified into fields of science existing in Indonesian higher education) and those required in the future to realize the Visi Indonesia Emas 2045. Furthermore, it seeks to identify how resource orchestration can narrow this gap through the lens of Resource Orchestration Theory (ROT). Design/Methods/Approach: The study employs a qualitative research methodology utilizing secondary data sources, namely higher education statistical data issued by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology, and gross domestic product industrial data issued by the Indonesian Central Statistics Agency. Findings: This study finds a mismatch between the sector and study program by field of study both nationally and regionally. Nationally, some top sectors are not supported by specific study programs in accordance with their needs. Regionally, there is a mismatch between the distribution of study programs by field of study and the top industries in some region Originality/Value: This research contributes to the existing body of literature on ROT by exploring its applicability to the country’s human resources. While previous studies have employed ROT in organisational settings, this is one of the first to examine the theory in the country-level analysis. Furthermore, research on ROT has typically relied on surveys that are vulnerable to bias. This study, however, employs a distinctive and more comprehensive approach, namely the secondary data analysis. Practical/Policy implication: It is imperative that higher education institutions adopt a resource orchestration theory, which entails discontinuing study programs that fail to reflect the current and future priorities of the industrial sector. This necessitates the establishment of future-oriented programs of study that are aligned with the evolving requirements of the industry and the development of curricula that equip human capital with the skills and knowledge that are required in the future.

Photovoltaic (PV) modules are often connected in series to achieve the desired voltage level in practical applications. A common issue with this setup is module mismatch, which can be either permanent or temporary and is caused by various factors. The differential power processing (DPP) concept has emerged as a prominent solution to address this problem. However, a significant drawback of current DPP topologies is their reduced performance under certain conditions, particularly in cases of permanent mismatch. As a result, applications involving the DPP concept for permanent mismatches remain underexplored. In this context, the goal of this work is to develop and implement a novel DPP topology capable of increasing energy harvesting in PV systems under permanent mismatch. The proposed hybrid architecture combines features from both bidirectional buck–boost (BBB) and resonant switched capacitor (ReSC) converters. The ReSC converter operates under soft-switching conditions, minimizing undesirable losses. Key advantages of the proposed converter include fewer switches, lower voltage stress, and soft-switching operation, making it suitable for PV systems with mismatched modules. Experimental tests showed an energy harvesting improvement under the assessed conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: A current‐mode (CM) bandgap voltage reference (BGR) with second‐order curvature compensation is presented in this paper. The proposed CM BGR offers a simple compensation structure that requires only six additional transistors compared with traditional BGR designs, making it an attractive solution for low temperature coefficient (TC) voltage references. Proportional to absolute temperature (PTAT) current digital‐to‐analog converters (DACs) are used to suppress the effect of process variation and device mismatch on TC. The compensation signal is generated using the voltage difference of two bipolar junction transistor (BJT) emitter–bases whose currents are the sum and difference of the PTAT current and the zero to absolute temperature (ZTAT) current, respectively. The proposed CM BGR is designed with 0.18‐μm BIPOLAR CMOS DMOS process. A TC is 2.41 ppm/°C over a wide temperature range of −40°C to 150°C. The linear sensitivity of the supply voltage from 1.2 to 2 V is 0.027%/V. With an active area of 0.0721 mm2, it consumes 68 μA at room temperature. The integrated output noise from 0.1 to 10 Hz is 21.9 μV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High altitude is a natural setting in which to study human acclimatization and adaptation. Here, I identify where and in whom high‐altitude physiology research has occurred. There has been a mismatch between countries with large high‐altitude populations vs. where high‐altitude research has been conducted. From 1970 to 2020, 83% of high‐altitude physiology research took place in just seven countries: Nepal, China, USA, Peru, India, Bolivia and Italy. Collectively, these countries account for only 35% of the global population living above 2500 m. Furthermore, high‐altitude physiology research has predominantly studied low‐altitude residents visiting high altitude and female participants are under‐represented. Accordingly, the included populations are not necessarily a proportional representation of high‐altitude residents. Here, I discuss how this influences our understanding of high‐altitude adaptation. Finally, I highlight past initiatives to increase diversity in high‐altitude research. By identifying the broad gaps in high‐altitude physiology research, I propose exciting, inclusive opportunities to study human high‐altitude physiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have immunomodulatory properties and are therefore considered promising tools in kidney transplantation. Although most studies have been conducted with autologous MSCs, using allogeneic MSCs as an off-the-shelf product is more feasible in clinical settings. However, allogeneic MSCs could potentially induce an immune response, which might eventually be directed towards the kidney allograft because of shared human leukocyte antigen (HLA) epitope mismatches between the kidney and MSC donor. In this study, we performed in-depth analyses of two cohorts (n = 20) that received third-party MSC therapy after kidney transplantation. While the Neptune Study from Leiden University Medical Center specifically selected MSC to avoid repeated HLA antigen mismatches between kidney and MSC donors, the study from the University of Liège did not perform specific MSC selection. The comparative analyses of amino acid mismatches between these cohorts showed that MSC selection to avoid repeated HLA mismatches at the split antigen level was not sufficient to prevent repeated mismatches at the amino acid level. However, repeated amino acid mismatches were not associated with the occurrence of donor-specific antibodies (DSAs). Thus, the clinical relevance of repeated amino acid mismatches seems to be limited with regard to the risk of DSA formation. Since DSA formation was limited (3 of 20 patients) in this study, larger studies are required to investigate the relevance of preventing repeated HLA mismatches in allogeneic MSC therapy in kidney transplantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unemployment and the challenges of hiring processes are often attributed to a lack of skills, indicating the persistent mismatch between educational preparation and industry demands. The focus on Technical Vocational and Livelihood (TVL) programs, with an emphasis on practical skills and work readiness, serves as a potential bridge to this gap. The learning-by-doing approach, facilitated through both school-based workshops and on-the-job training, offers a promising avenue to equip students with practical skills relevant to their chosen industries. This study not only seeks to describe this prevalent issue but also aims to provide valuable insights for bridging the gap between the skills expected by employers and those acquired by students. Existing literature, including works by Leite et al. (2016) and Mahasneh and Thabet (2015), underscores the discrepancy between industry expectations and graduate preparedness, especially in non-technical skills like communication, teamwork, and adaptability to real-world changes. Adopting a descriptive and developmental research design, this study conducted a comprehensive survey among 130 Technical Vocational and Livelihood-Home Economics SY graduates from Malvar Senior High School in the Batangas province between 2016 and 2022. The findings highlight the significance of foundational skills in effectively managing the dining area, addressing customer inquiries, and maintaining a welcoming ambiance, all crucial elements for ensuring exceptional customer experiences within the food service industry. While the study indicates a strong alignment between the competencies taught in the Food and Beverage Services (FBS) program and the industry's requirements, it also recognizes a gap in the coverage of certain essential competencies needed in the Food and Beverage Services NC II. As a response, the study endeavors to develop supplementary materials aimed at enhancing the overall competency framework and ensuring a more comprehensive and relevant educational experience for future students in this sector. Through its findings, this research contributes to the ongoing dialogue surrounding the optimization of educational programs to meet industry demands, offering valuable insights for policymakers, educators, and stakeholders invested in the advancement of technical education and workforce preparedness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medical image registration is a preprocessing stage in a variety of applications such as change detection and mosaicking. Matching is one of the essential steps in image registration. The Scale invariant feature transform (SIFT) is an applicable algorithm used in image matching problems. In all matching methods, including the SIFT algorithm, incorrect matches are created due to the soft-tissue and similar patterns in medical images. Various methods have been suggested to eliminate incorrect matches, each of which has its drawbacks. For example, the Mean-based adaptive RANSAC (MAR) uses the adaptive transformation model to eliminate incorrect matches. This method effectively eliminates incorrect matches against geometric deviations, but it cannot remove incorrect matches of soft-tissue images. The Graph Transformation Matching (GTM) method, on the other hand, is another important and common method in eliminating incorrect matches. This uses the spatial relationships of the image to eliminate incorrect matches, but is not suitable for removing incorrect matches in images with geometric and noise distortions. However, the literature suggests no method that alleviates these problems simultaneously and that works well in all image types. In this paper, a new method based on the hybrid GTM-Mean-based adaptive RANSAC is suggested. In the proposed method, MAR and GTM algorithms are combined innovatively to maintain the advantages of both methods and to eliminate their weaknesses. In this strategy, if two methods have the same result, it is considered as the final decision. In the opposite case, the final decision is made based on the root mean square error between candidate matching points. Simulation results confirm the suggested method's superiority over standard medical databases such as those of retina and brain compared to classic methods in terms of RMSE and precision. The proposed method has increased matching precision by 37% in average, and reduced RMSE by 40% in average. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Appropriate seating environments and comfort during educational activities at worktables are prerequisites for educational institutions in general. In this regard, special attention should be given to children enrolling in early childhood and kindergarten education within the pertinent institutions. Many researchers have concluded that a bad posture among children can be indicative of health problems and stagnation in the education process. The main purpose of this study is to determine whether the chairs and tables are suitable ergonomically for children aged 3 to 6. Also, in the study, the dimensions of children were analyzed and calculated to design ergonomic chairs and tables for this age group. The research was carried out within early childhood and kindergarten institutions in the southwest region of the Republic of Kosovo. Measurements were taken of 210 children in public and private institutions. According to (ISO 7250-1: 2017), field measurements include 12 body parts needed to determine furniture dimensions. The study's findings indicate a significant mismatch between anthropometric measurements and the dimensions of furniture across all the institutions examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to quantify and evaluate morphology of intervertebral space between neighboring cervical units using radiographic imaging indices, to help spine surgeons when performing anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) surgery on the Chinese population. Methods: The background and imaging parameters of the subjects were assessed. Cervical lateral radiographs were employed to measure the intervertebral height (IH), intervertebral height index (IHI), and segmental lordosis (SL). Endplate parameters measurements were conducted on sagittal T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including endplate sagittal diameter (ESD), and endplate concavity depth (ECD). All individuals were divided into three age groups: individuals aged 20–35 were in group A, individuals aged 36–50 were in group B, and individuals aged over 50 were in group C. A comparison of the variables was conducted among the three groups. Additionally, these radiographic parameters were also compared between males and females. Results: A total of 102 individuals were included in this study. IH was greater at C6/7 than those at other segmental levels (p < 0.001). The largest SL values were found at C6/7, while the least were found at C3/4. The superior ESD (ESDs) and ECD (ECDs) of the intervertebral space were significantly greater than those of the inferior endplates (p < 0.05). The ESD and ECD values were the largest at C6/7, while the least at C3/4. Additionally, age and gender had an influence on several parameters. IH was significantly lower in group A compared to group B (p < 0.05) and group C (p < 0.05) from C3/4 level to C6/7 level. ECDs were lower in group A compared to group B (p < 0.05) and group C (p < 0.05) at each level. IH and ESD in males were generally significantly greater than those in females at all levels (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The current study found that C6/7 had the greatest IH, SL, ESD, and ECD values in asymptomatic Chinese. SL gradually increased from C3/4 to C6/7 levels. IH and ECD were significantly associated with age. Males had greater IH and ESD values than females. These findings provide baseline information for planning for selection of anterior screws and intervertebral implants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Partial shading deteriorates the overall performance of photovoltaic (PV) arrays by reducing the power output. Various shading mitigation strategies have been proposed in the literature with vulnerabilities of limited applications, switches, sensor counts, design, cost, and complexities. In this paper, a multi-string differential power processing (MS-DPP) based voltage equalizer is proposed for power output improvement in the PV arrays during shading. The equalizer is utilized for the series-parallel array which is equipped with a shading detection system achieved from the optimal placement of minimum sensor counts. The technique uses the concept of a switching capacitor that balances the voltage ratio between the modules of individual strings to ensure higher power generation and convex power curves during shading. The system is simulated and validated in MATLAB simulation and further verified on the OPAL-RT 4510 hardware-in-loop FPGA-based real-time platform. The technique is executed on three array sizes and compared with existing techniques under static and dynamic partial shading cases. The analysis shows that MS-DPP enhances the array power output with a conversion efficiency higher than 99 % during shading with lower system size and 98.38 % and 95.05 % reduced counts of switches and sensors than dynamic reconfigurations. • A multi-string differential power processing (MS-DPP) voltage equalizer for PV arrays is proposed. • MS-DPP ensures higher power generation with smoother power curves during partial shading. • Validated in MATLAB and OPAL-RT environment under shading cases for multiple arrays. • Compared with conventional systems, power optimizer, static and dynamic reconfigurations. • Power conversion efficiency of higher than 99 % with 98.38 % and 95.05 % less switches and sensors than dynamic reconfiguration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context modulates sensory neural activations enhancing perceptual and behavioral performance and reducing prediction errors. However, the mechanism of when and where these high-level expectations act on sensory processing is unclear. Here, we isolate the effect of expectation absent of any auditory evoked activity by assessing the response to omitted expected sounds. Electrocorticographic signals were recorded directly from subdural electrode grids placed over the superior temporal gyrus (STG). Subjects listened to a predictable sequence of syllables, with some infrequently omitted. We found high-frequency band activity (HFA, 70-170 Hz) in response to omissions, which overlapped with a posterior subset of auditory-active electrodes in STG. Heard syllables could be distinguishable reliably from STG, but not the identity of the omitted stimulus. Both omission- and target-detection responses were also observed in the prefrontal cortex. We propose that the posterior STG is central for implementing predictions in the auditory environment. HFA omission responses in this region appear to index mismatch-signaling or salience detection processes.

Little is known about brain aging or dementia in nonindustrialized environments that are similar to how humans lived throughout evolutionary history. This paper examines brain volume (BV) in middle and old age among two indigenous South American populations, the Tsimane and Moseten, whose lifestyles and environments diverge from those in high-income nations. With a sample of 1,165 individuals aged 40 to 94, we analyze population differences in cross-sectional rates of decline in BV with age. We also assess the relationships of BV with energy biomarkers and arterial disease and compare them against findings in industrialized contexts. The analyses test three hypotheses derived from an evolutionary model of brain health, which we call the embarrassment of riches (EOR). The model hypothesizes that food energy was positively associated with late life BV in the physically active, food-limited past, but excess body mass and adiposity are now associated with reduced BV in industrialized societies in middle and older ages. We find that the relationship of BV with both non-HDL cholesterol and body mass index is curvilinear, positive from the lowest values to 1.4 to 1.6 SDs above the mean, and negative from that value to the highest values. The more acculturated Moseten exhibit a steeper decrease in BV with age than Tsimane, but still shallower than US and European populations. Lastly, aortic arteriosclerosis is associated with lower BV. Complemented by findings from the United States and Europe, our results are consistent with the EOR model, with implications for interventions to improve brain health.

Accurate diagnosis in the Emergency Department (ED) is critical for appropriate, timely treatment. Discrepancies between admission diagnosis by the ED team and discharge diagnosis by the admission team may lead to suboptimal care and have important implications on patient outcomes, resource utilization and hospital quality measures. This study aimed to explore the extent of such discrepancies in a tertiary center in Saudi Arabia and their impact on patient outcomes. This retrospective study at a tertiary medical center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (July--August 2019), using electronic medical record (EMR) review, included patients aged ≥14 years old admitted through the adult emergency department. Patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) or cardiac care unit (CCU), or triaged to the obstetrics and gynaecology (OBGYN) or psychiatric areas of the emergency department were excluded from the study. ED and discharge diagnoses were checked by three physicians and classified into three categories: full, partial and mismatch. A partial match was defined when the ED diagnosis correlated with the final diagnosis to a certain extent and the final diagnosis could not be revealed in the ED setting. Of 771 patients, 692 (89.8%) had matched initial and final diagnoses, 52 (6.7%) had a partially matched diagnosis, and 27 (3.5%) had a complete mismatch between their ED diagnosis and discharge diagnosis. Among partial matches (n = 52), the most frequently observed reason was Magentic Resonance Imaging (MRI) performed during admission (48.08%) and endoscopy/colonoscopy (15.39%). Duration of hospital stay was not significantly associated with diagnosis mismatch. Although the discrepancy between admission and discharge diagnoses was relatively low, careful evaluation of patient complaints, medical history and laboratory and imaging results is critical for accurate diagnosis and management. Future research is needed to explore the impact of discrepancies in diagnosis on patient outcomes and to identify strategies to minimize them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genomic selection (GS) is changing plant breeding by significantly reducing the resources needed for phenotyping. However, its accuracy can be compromised by mismatches between training and testing sets, which impact efficiency when the predictive model does not adequately reflect the genetic and environmental conditions of the target population. To address this challenge, this study introduces a straightforward method using binary-Lasso regression to estimate β coefficients. In this approach, the response variable assigns 1 to testing set inputs and 0 to training set inputs. Subsequently, Lasso, Ridge, and Elastic Net regression models use the inverse of these β coefficients (in absolute values) as weights during training (WLasso, WRidge, and WElastic Net). This weighting method gives less importance to features that discriminate more between training and testing sets. The effectiveness of this method is evaluated across six datasets, demonstrating consistent improvements in terms of the normalized root mean square error. Importantly, the model's implementation is facilitated using the glmnet library, which supports straightforward integration for weighting β coefficients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aims to ascertain the extent of the gap between the human resources presently available in the Republic of Indonesia (the number of study programs classified into fields of science existing in Indonesian higher education) and those required in the future to realize the Visi Indonesia Emas 2045. Furthermore, it seeks to identify how resource orchestration can narrow this gap through the lens of Resource Orchestration Theory (ROT). Design/Methods/Approach: The study employs a qualitative research methodology utilizing secondary data sources, namely higher education statistical data issued by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology, and gross domestic product industrial data issued by the Indonesian Central Statistics Agency. Findings: This study finds a mismatch between the sector and study program by field of study both nationally and regionally. Nationally, some top sectors are not supported by specific study programs in accordance with their needs. Regionally, there is a mismatch between the distribution of study programs by field of study and the top industries in some region Originality/Value: This research contributes to the existing body of literature on ROT by exploring its applicability to the country's human resources. While previous studies have employed ROT in organisational settings, this is one of the first to examine the theory in the country-level analysis. Furthermore, research on ROT has typically relied on surveys that are vulnerable to bias. This study, however, employs a distinctive and more comprehensive approach, namely the secondary data analysis. Practical/Policy implication: It is imperative that higher education institutions adopt a resource orchestration theory, which entails discontinuing study programs that fail to reflect the current and future priorities of the industrial sector. This necessitates the establishment of future-oriented programs of study that are aligned with the evolving requirements of the industry and the development of curricula that equip human capital with the skills and knowledge that are required in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: During shading, the mismatch between the panels in the photovoltaic (PV) array mitigates the global maximum power (GMP). Besides, the mismatch in the irradiation levels of distinct rows of the PV array instigates multiple power peaks (MPPs) in the array characteristics. Distinguishing the local and global peaks among MPPs for tracking the GMP is highly challenging for maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controllers. So, to mitigate the MPPs and enhance the GMP, array reconfiguration is preferred. Nevertheless, most existing reconfiguration techniques exhibit poor shade dispersal, distorted electrical characteristics, multiple MPPs, increased mismatch, scalability issues, etc. To overcome these challenges, this paper proposes a new Padovan transform‐based encryption strategy for array reconfiguration. The proposed method was evaluated for both symmetric and unsymmetrically sized arrays. Its performance has also been compared to that of 23 other strategies. The proposed reconfiguration strategy integrated with MPPT is validated experimentally using a prototype model. A nonparametric statistical hypothesis test with a p‐value of 0.05 has been used for a pairwise fair comparison study among the examined approaches. The proposed approach constantly outperforms the current methods because of its unique shade dispersion generated through intelligent reconfiguration offering the GMP improvement of 34.429%, 12.51%, 5.05%, and 37.40%, 22.93%, 16.51% for 9 × 9 and 4 × 8 PV arrays, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biological control programs provide simplified systems in which to investigate the influence of temperature on trophic interactions. We investigated the interaction between the invasive thistle Carduus nutans and its specialist herbivore, the biological control agent weevil Rhinocyllus conicus, along a temperature gradient spanning an urban-to-rural urbanization gradient in central Pennsylvania. As expected, more urbanized sites were warmer than rural sites. Nevertheless, C. nutans phenology was only slightly earlier at warmer sites, and the timing of observations of adult R. conicus on thistles did not shift earlier, leaving synchrony apparently unchanged. Despite unchanged phenological matching, seasonal patterns in weevil damage varied with temperature: early-appearing capitula at warmer sites were more heavily damaged than early capitula at cooler sites, yet overall a lower proportion of capitula was damaged at warmer sites. Rising temperatures may therefore reduce effectiveness of R. conicus for C. nutans control, as more capitula escape damage. Biological control systems and naturally occurring temperature gradients are useful systems in which to investigate climate change impacts, but a focus on the phenology of organisms' presence or absence may not be sufficient; our study demonstrates that consideration of the interaction itself may be necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding and predicting population responses to climate change is a crucial challenge. A key component of population responses to climate change are cases in which focal biological rates (e.g., population growth rates) change in response to climate change due to non‐compensatory effects of changes in the underlying components (e.g., birth and death rates) determining the focal rates. We refer to these responses as non‐compensatory climate change effects. As differential responses of biological rates to climate change have been documented in a variety of systems and arise at multiple levels of organization within and across species, non‐compensatory effects may be nearly ubiquitous. Yet, how non‐compensatory climate change responses combine and scale to influence the demographics of populations is often unclear and requires mapping them to the birth and death rates underlying population change. We provide a flexible framework for incorporating non‐compensatory changes in upstream rates within and among species and mapping their consequences for additional downstream rates across scales to their eventual effects on population growth rates. Throughout, we provide specific examples and potential applications of the framework. We hope this framework helps to enhance our understanding of and unify research on population responses to climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Lynch syndrome is a hereditary cancer predisposition syndrome caused by germline mutations in DNA mismatch repair genes, which lead to high microsatellite instability and frameshift mutations at coding mononucleotide repeats in the genome. Recurrent frameshift mutations in these regions are thought to play a central role in the increased risk of various cancers, but no biomarkers are currently available for the surveillance of high microsatellite instability-associated cancers. Methods A frameshift mutation-based biomarker panel was developed and validated by targeted next-generation sequencing of supernatant DNA from cultured high microsatellite instability colorectal cancer cells. This panel supported selection of 122 frameshift mutation targets as potential biomarkers. This biomarker panel was then tested using matched tumor, adjacent normal tissue, and buffy coat samples (53 samples) and blood-derived cell-free DNA (cfDNA) (38 samples) obtained from 45 high microsatellite instability and mismatch repair-deficient patients. We also sequenced cfDNA from 84 healthy participants to assess background noise. Results Recurrent frameshift mutations at coding mononucleotide repeats were detectable not only in tumors but also in cfDNA from high microsatellite instability and mismatch repair-deficient patients, including a Lynch syndrome carrier, with a varying range of target detection (up to 85.2%), whereas they were virtually undetectable in healthy participants. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed high sensitivity and specificity (area under the curve = 0.94) of the investigated panel. Conclusions We demonstrated that frameshift mutations can be detected in cfDNA from high microsatellite instability and mismatch repair-deficient patients and asymptomatic carriers. The 122-target frameshift mutation panel described here has promise as a tool for improved surveillance of high microsatellite instability and mismatch repair-deficient patients, with the potential to reduce the frequency of invasive screening methods for this high-cancer-risk cohort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness and safety of utilizing the arterial spin-labeling (ASL) combined with diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) combined with DWI double mismatch in the endovascular treatment of patients diagnosed with wake-up stroke (WUS). Methods: In this single-center trial, patients diagnosed with WUS underwent thrombectomy if acute ischemic lesions were observed on DWI indicating large precerebral circulation occlusion. Patients with no significant parenchymal hypersignal on FLAIR and ASL imaging showing a hypoperfusion tissue to infarct core volume ratio of at least 1.2 were included. The participants were divided into groups receiving endovascular thrombectomy plus medical therapy or medical therapy alone, based on their subjective preference. Functional outcomes were assessed using the ordinal score on the modified Rankin scale (mRs) at 90 days, along with the rate of functional independence. Results: In this study, a total of 77 patients were included, comprising 38 patients in the endovascular therapy group and 39 patients in the medical therapy group. The endovascular therapy group exhibited more favorable changes in the distribution of functional prognosis measured by mRs at 90 days, compared to the medical therapy group (adjusted common odds ratio, 3.25; 95% CI, 1.03 to 10.26; P < 0.01). Additionally, the endovascular therapy group had a higher proportion of patients achieving functional independence (odds ratio, 4.0; 95% CI, 1.36 to 11.81; P < 0.01). Importantly, there were no significant differences observed in the incidence of intracranial hemorrhage or mortality rates between the two groups. Conclusion: Guided by the ASL-DWI and FLAIR-DWI double mismatch, endovascular thrombectomy combined with standard medical treatment appears to yield superior functional outcomes in patients with WUS and large vessel occlusion compared to standard medical treatment alone. Highlights: Provided a completely non-invasive evaluation method for ischemic penumbra in acute ischemic stroke without the need for injection of contrast agents. The new concept of double mismatch between ASL-DWI and FLAIR-DWI balances the effectiveness and safety of reperfusion therapy. For stroke after awakening or beyond the time window, there may be more convenient and scientific imaging evaluation methods in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A general overview of Noise-Shaping Successive Approximation Register (SAR) analog-to-digital converters is provided, encompassing the fundamentals, operational principles, and key architectures of Noise-Shaping SAR (NS SAR). Key challenges, including inherent errors in processing circuits, are examined, along with current advancements in architecture design. Various issues, such as loop filter optimization, implementation methods, and DAC network element mismatches, are explored, along with considerations for voltage converter performance. The design of dynamic comparators is examined, highlighting their critical role in the SAR ADC architecture. Various architectures of dynamic comparators are extensively explored, including optimization techniques, performance considerations, and emerging trends. Finally, emerging trends and future challenges in the field are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A mismatch in the output power of photovoltaic (PV) modules in a PV array can occur due to partial shading or a module replacement. Substitution of a module in a PV array with a new one might lead to different current and voltage characteristics between the new and existing modules and result in power losses. The amount of power loss might be increased more if the PV array experiences partial shading. For this reason, this study aims to investigate the effect of partial shadings on the power output of photovoltaic arrays with different current and voltage characteristics. The PV array under test consists of 25 units of solar modules with a total cross-tied (TCT) configuration. There are five shading conditions applied to the test PV array, i.e., the short narrow (ShN), the short wide (ShW), the long narrow (LnN), the long wide (LnW), and the diagonal. A magic square method is applied to reduce the power loss when the PV modules experience partial shading conditions. The results show that the power loss due to partial shadings, either on all identical modules or partially identical, is the same. The most significant power loss occurs in the long comprehensive shading scenario, where 80% of the modules experience shading, which is 41.30%.

Evolutionary medicine - i.e. the application of insights from evolution and ecology to biomedicine - has tremendous untapped potential to spark transformational innovation in biomedical research, clinical care and public health. Fundamentally, a systematic mapping across the full diversity of life is required to identify animal model systems for disease vulnerability, resistance, and counter-resistance that could lead to novel clinical treatments. Evolutionary dynamics should guide novel therapeutic approaches that target the development of treatment resistance in cancers (e.g., via adaptive or extinction therapy) and antimicrobial resistance (e.g., via innovations in chemistry, antimicrobial usage, and phage therapy). With respect to public health, the insight that many modern human pathologies (e.g., obesity) result from mismatches between the ecologies in which we evolved and our modern environments has important implications for disease prevention. Life-history evolution can also shed important light on patterns of disease burden, for example in reproductive health. Experience during the COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has underlined the critical role of evolutionary dynamics (e.g., with respect to virulence and transmissibility) in predicting and managing this and future pandemics, and in using evolutionary principles to understand and address aspects of human behavior that impede biomedical innovation and public health (e.g., unhealthy behaviors and vaccine hesitancy). In conclusion, greater interdisciplinary collaboration is vital to systematically leverage the insight-generating power of evolutionary medicine to better understand, prevent, and treat existing and emerging threats to human, animal, and planetary health.

BackgroundLittle published data currently exist regarding the potential relationships between spondylolisthesis, mismatch deformity, and clinical outcomes following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). We hypothesize that preexisting spondylolisthesis will result in decreased functional outcomes after TKA.MethodsThis retrospective cohort comparison of 933 TKAs was performed between January 2017 and 2020. TKAs were excluded if they were not performed for primary osteoarthritis (OA) or if preoperative lumbar radiographs were unavailable/inadequate to measure the degree of spondylolisthesis. Ninety-five TKAs were subsequently available for inclusion and divided into two groups: those with spondylolisthesis and those without. Within the spondylolisthesis cohort, pelvic incidence (PI) and lumbar lordosis (LL) were calculated on lateral radiographs to determine the difference (PI-LL). Radiographs with PI-LL > 10° were then categorized as having mismatch deformity (MD). The following clinical outcomes were compared between the groups: need for manipulation under anesthesia (MUA), total postoperative arc of motion (AOM) both pre-MUA or post-MUA/revision, incidence of flexion contracture, and a need for later revision.ResultsForty-nine TKAs met the spondylolisthesis criteria, while 44 did not have spondylolisthesis. There were no significant differences in gender, body mass index, preoperative knee range of motion (ROM), preoperative AOM, or opiate use between the groups. TKAs with spondylolisthesis and concomitant MD were more likely to have MUA (p = 0.016), ROM

Abstract Candidates for prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeted radioligand therapy (RLT) of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) frequently have “mismatch” lesions with pronounced 18-fluorodeoxyglucose ([18F]FDG) but attenuated PSMA ligand uptake on positron emission tomography (PET). However, no quantitative criteria yet exist to identify mismatch lesions and predict their response to RLT. To define such criteria, we retrospectively analyzed 267 randomly-selected glucometabolic mCRPC metastases from 22 patients. On baseline PET, we determined [18F]FDG and [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), and calculated the [18F]FDG SUVmax/[68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 SUVmax quotient (FPQ). From follow-up [18F]FDG PET after two lutetium-177-PSMA-617 RLT cycles, we evaluated the treatment response and categorized the lesions into three subgroups (partial remission, stable disease, progression) based on change in [18F]FDG SUVmax. Lastly, we compared the baseline PET variables in progressing versus non-progressing lesions. Variables differing significantly, and a score incorporating them, were assessed via receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, regarding ability to predict lesional progression, with area under the curve (AUC) as metric. Cut-offs with optimal sensitivity and specificity were determined using the maximum value of Youden's index. Fifty-one of 267 lesions (19.1%) progressed, 102/267 (38.2%) manifested stable disease, and 114/267 (42.7%) partially responded after two RLT cycles. At baseline, median [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 SUVmax was significantly lower (p