Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Improved Rotor Flux Space Vector Based MRAS for Field-Oriented Control of Induction Motor Drives

The paper proposes an improved low speed performance of classical rotor flux (RF)-based model reference adaptive system (MRAS) for field oriented controlled induction motor (IM) drives. The improved performance of the RF-MRAS estimator is obtained by using voltage reference vector to compute the rotor flux vector in the reference model instead of actual voltage signal vector in the process of speed estimation. The voltage reference vector is estimated by using proportional integral controller over the error signal vectors obtained from the difference between the reference and the measured current vectors. This modification allows satisfactory low or zero speed estimation of IM drive using RF-MRAS-based estimator. The proposed drive's performance is compared with classical RF-MRAS and its performance for the low-speed operation is also authenticated with ${\vec{V}^ * } \times \vec{I}$ based MRAS in MATLAB/ Simulink. Stability and sensitivity studies are further carried out to ensure the robustness of the drive system. Experimental results as obtained by a dSPACE-1104 based IM laboratory prototype are also presented to validate the simulation study.
Curative effect assessment of bandage contact lens in neurogenic keratitis.

AIM To observe the curative effect of bandage contact lens in neurogenic keratitis. METHODS Twenty cases of neurogenic keratitis were studied at the Department of Ophthalmology, the first Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, between October 2012 and June 2013. These included 13 males and 7 females, aged from 35 to 88y. Patients were voluntarily divided into an experimental group (lens wearing group, n=10) and control group (drug therapy, n=10). In experimental group patients wore silicone hydrogel bandage soft contact lens. Both groups used the following eyedrops: 0.5% levofloxacin TID; 0.5% Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose QID; fibroblast growth factor BID; ganciclovir BID [cases complicated with herpes simplex virus (HSV)]; compound tropicamide BID (cases concurrent hypopyon). The healing time of corneal ulcer and complication rates were observed in the two groups. RESULTS The healing time of corneal ulcer in the experimental group was 10.80±4.44d versus 46.70±13.88d in the control group (P<0.05). No complications occurred in the experimental group, except for the lens falling off twice in one case, the patient recovered eight days after rewearing the lens. While in the control group, all cases vascularized, 2 cases were complicated with descemetocele that recovered with amniotic membrane transplantation and 1 case was complicated with corneal perforation that recovered by autologous conjunctival flap covering. CONCLUSION Bandage contact lens is a safe and effective method of treating neurogenic keratitis and significantly shortened the healing time of corneal ulcer.
Novel α-Tubulin Mutations Conferring Resistance to Dinitroaniline Herbicides in Lolium rigidum

The dinitroaniline herbicides (particularly trifluralin) have been globally used in many crops for selective grass weed control. Consequently, trifluralin resistance has been documented in several important crop weed species and has recently reached a level of concern in Australian Lolium rigidum populations. Here, we report novel mutations in the L. rigidum α-tubulin gene which confer resistance to trifluralin and other dinitroaniline herbicides. Nucleotide mutations at the highly conserved codon Arg-243 resulted in amino acid substitutions of Met or Lys. Rice calli transformed with the mutant 243-Met or 243-Lys α-tubulin genes were 4- to 8-fold more resistant to trifluralin and other dinitroaniline herbicides (e.g., ethalfluralin and pendimethalin) compared to calli transformed with the wild type α-tubulin gene from L. rigidum. Comprehensive modeling of molecular docking predicts that Arg-243 is close to the trifluralin binding site on the α-tubulin surface and that replacement of Arg-243 by Met/Lys-243 results in a spatial shift of the trifluralin binding domain, reduction of trifluralin-tubulin contacts, and unfavorable interactions. The major effect of these substitutions is a significant rise of free interaction energy between α-tubulin and trifluralin, as well as between trifluralin and its whole molecular environment. These results demonstrate that the Arg-243 residue in α-tubulin is a determinant for trifluralin sensitivity, and the novel Arg-243-Met/Lys mutations may confer trifluralin resistance in L. rigidum.
Use of the GlideScope video laryngoscope for intubation during ex utero intrapartum treatment in a fetus with a giant cyst of the 4th branchial cleft

Introduction:In fetuses who are predicted to be at risk of catastrophic airway obstruction at delivery, the ex utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) procedure is useful for securing the fetal airway while maintaining fetal oxygenation via placental circulation. Factors, including poor posture of the fetus and physician, narrow visual field, and issues of contamination in the aseptic surgical field, make fetal intubation during the EXIT procedure difficult. Herein, we report our experience of the usefulness of the GlideScope video laryngoscope (GVL) for intubation during the EXIT procedure. Symptoms and clinical findings:A 28-year-old woman presented with a fetus having a cystic neck mass diagnosed on prenatal ultrasound at 25 weeks of gestation. We planned the EXIT procedure in conjunction with cesarean delivery at 38 weeks of gestation, as the mass enlarged to 4.9 cm × 3.2 cm, protruded externally at the neck, and subsequently resulted in polyhydramnios. Therapeutic intervention and outcomes:After induction of anesthesia using intravenous thiopental (300 mg), adequate uterine relaxation was achieved with sevoflurane (2.0–3.0 vol%) combined with continuous intravenous infusion of nitroglycerin (0.5–1.0 &mgr;g/kg/min) for maintaining uteroplacental circulation. After hysterotomy, the head and right upper limb of the fetus were partially delivered, and fetal heart tones were monitored with a sterile Doppler probe. After oropharyngeal suctioning to improve the visual field, the fetus was intubated successfully using a sterile GVL by an anesthesiologist, and the passage of the endotracheal tube beyond the vocal cords was confirmed on the screen of the GVL system. Immediately after the fetal airway was definitely secured, the fetus was fully delivered with umbilical cord clamping. After delivery, nitroglycerine administration was ceased and sevoflurane administration was reduced to 0.5 minimum alveolar concentration. Additionally, oxytocin (10 units) and carbetocin (100 &mgr;g) were administered for recovery of uterine contraction. Cesarean delivery was successfully performed without any problems, and the neonate successfully underwent surgery for removal of the neck mass under general anesthesia on the 7th day after delivery. The neonate is developing normally. Conclusion:The GVL approach may be a useful noninvasive approach for establishing a clear fetal airway during the EXIT procedure.
Novel autosomal dominant TNNT1 mutation causing nemaline myopathy

Nemaline myopathy (NEM) is one of the three major forms of congenital myopathy and is characterized by diffuse muscle weakness, hypotonia, respiratory insufficiency, and the presence of nemaline rod structures on muscle biopsy. Mutations in troponin T1 (TNNT1) is 1 of 10 genes known to cause NEM. To date, only homozygous nonsense mutations or compound heterozygous truncating or internal deletion mutations in TNNT1 gene have been identified in NEM. This extended family is of historical importance as some members were reported in the 1960s as initial evidence that NEM is a hereditary disorder.
Correlations Between Methionine Cycle Metabolism, COMT Genotype, and Polyneuropathy in L-Dopa Treated Parkinson's Disease: A Preliminary Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND Polyneuropathy (pnp) is recognized as a clinical feature of Parkinson's disease (PD). Whether pnp is a result of the alpha-synucleinopathy or related to treatment is debated. Previous studies support underlying disturbances in the methionine cycle mediated by L-dopa. OBJECTIVE Describe possible relationships between methionine cycle metabolism and the development of pnp in L-dopa treated PD. Furthermore, we aim to investigate possible genetic risk factors by genotyping specific SNPs in enzymes involved in the abovementioned pathways. METHODS In a cross-sectional study design, L-dopa treated PD patients (n = 33) and controls (n = 16) were evaluated with biochemical and genetic analyses. Subjects were assessed clinically and with regards to signs of pnp using established clinical neuropathy rating scales. RESULTS 16/33 patients fulfilled a study diagnosis of pnp compared to 0 age-matched controls. Levels of homocysteine (Hcy) were significantly higher in patients with pnp (n = 16) compared to controls. A significant correlation between neuropathy scores and Hcy was seen in the whole patient group (n = 33). A significant difference in the genotype distribution of the COMT A158G polymorphism was demonstrated, favoring the low activity genotype in patients with pnp compared to both controls and patients without pnp. CONCLUSIONS Pnp is a prevalent condition in L-dopa treated PD and an association may exist with elevated levels of Hcy, possibly reflecting an underlying impaired cellular methylation capacity. Furthermore, an association may exist between the low activity COMT genotype and pnp. These preliminary findings and the suggested pathophysiological mechanisms should be confirmed in future large-scale studies.
Trunk Exercises Improve Gait Symmetry in Parkinson Disease: A Blind Phase II Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective Deficits in step-to-step symmetry and trunk muscle activations have been linked to falls in Parkinson disease. Given such symptoms are poorly managed with anti-parkinsonian medications, alternate therapies are needed. This blind phase II randomized controlled trial sought to establish whether exercise can improve step-to-step symmetry in Parkinson disease. Design Twenty-four Parkinson disease patients with a falls history completed baseline assessments of symptom severity, balance confidence, mobility, and quality of life. Step-to-step symmetry was assessed by deriving harmonic ratios from three-dimensional accelerations collected for the head and trunk. Patients were randomly assigned to either 12 wks of exercise and falls prevention education or falls prevention education only. Both groups repeated the baseline tests 12 and 24 wks after the initial assessment. The Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry number is ACTRN12613001175763. Results At 12 wks, the exercise group had statistically significant and clinically relevant improvements in anterior-posterior step-to-step trunk symmetry. In contrast, the education group recorded statistically significant and clinically meaningful reductions in medial-lateral and vertical step-to-step trunk symmetry at 12 wks. Conclusions Given that step-to-step symmetry improved for the exercise group and declined for the education group after intervention, active interventions seem more suited to increasing independence and quality of life for people with Parkinson disease. To Claim CME Credits Complete the self-assessment activity and evaluation online at http://www.physiatry. org/JournalCME CME Objectives Upon completion of this article, the reader should be able to do the following: (1) Describe the effect deficits in trunk muscle function have on gait in individuals with Parkinson disease; (2) Identify the benefits of targeted trunk exercises on step-to-step symmetry; and (3) Discuss the benefits of improving step-to-step symmetry in individuals with Parkinson disease. Level Advanced Accreditation The Association of Academic Physiatrists is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The Association of Academic Physiatrists designates this Journal-based CME activity for a maximum of 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Refined Best-Response Correspondence and Dynamics

We characterize the smallest faces of the polyhedron of strategy profiles that could possibly be made asymptotically stable under some reasonable deterministic dynamics. These faces are Kalai and Samet's (1984) persistent retracts and are spanned by Basu and Weibull's (1991) CURB sets based on a natural (and, in a well-defined sense, minimal) refinement of the best-reply correspondence. We show that such a correspondence satisfying basic properties such as existence, upper hemi-continuity, and convex-valuedness exists and is unique in most games. We introduce a notion of rationalizability based on this correspondence and its relation to other such concepts. We study its fixed-points and their relations to equilibrium refinements. We find, for instance, that a fixed point of the refined best reply correspondence in the agent normal form of any extensive form game constitutes a perfect Bayesian equilibrium, which is weak perfect Bayesian in every subgame. Finally, we study the index of its fixed point components.
PV Battery Charger Using an $L3C$ Resonant Converter for Electric Vehicle Applications

In electric vehicles with rooftop PV panels, the solar irradiance and surface temperature can affect their performance and output voltages (e.g., <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$V_{\mathrm{ pv}} =24$ </tex-math></inline-formula>–45 <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{V}_{\mathrm{ dc}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>). In these systems, the maximum energy must be extracted from the variable input voltage (PV panel), boosted by different gains, and stored in high-voltage battery packs. Furthermore, depending on the battery state of charge, the charger should operate in constant voltage, constant current, or constant power modes, all the way from complete discharge condition, up to the charged floating voltage phase (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$V_{\mathrm{ bat}}=230$ </tex-math></inline-formula>–430 <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{V}_{\mathrm{ dc}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>). This combination of the variable PV input voltage and different states of charge creates a significant regulation challenge for the converter. In this paper, a high-efficiency fourth-order <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$L3C$ </tex-math></inline-formula> resonant converter is proposed with an extreme voltage regulation capability that can effectively extract the maximum power from the PV panels and respond to the battery states of charge at different voltage and current levels. The experimental results from a 350-W prototype prove the features of the proposed <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$L3C$ </tex-math></inline-formula> resonant converter and demonstrate its ability to track the maximum input power while responding to the battery various states of charge.
Safety and Efficacy of Aneurysm Treatment with the WEB: Results of the WEBCAST 2 Study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Flow disruption with the Woven EndoBridge (WEB) device is an innovative technique for the endovascular treatment of wide-neck bifurcation aneurysms. The initial version of the device (WEB Double-Layer) was evaluated in the WEB Clinical Assessment of IntraSaccular Aneurysm Therapy (WEBCAST) study, whereas the French Observatory study evaluated both WEB Double-Layer and Single-Layer versions of the device. WEBCAST 2 was designed to evaluate the WEB Single-Layer with Enhanced Visualization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with wide-neck bifurcation aneurysms for which WEB treatment was possible were included. Clinical data including adverse events and clinical status at 1 month and 1 year were collected and analyzed. A core laboratory evaluated anatomic results at 1 year following the procedure. RESULTS: Ten European neurointerventional centers included 55 patients (38 women; 27–77 years of age; mean, 54.4 ± 10.0 years) with 55 aneurysms. Aneurysm locations were the middle cerebral artery in 25 aneurysms (45.5%), the anterior communicating artery in 16 (29.1%), the basilar artery in 9 (16.4%), and the internal carotid artery terminus in 5 (9.1%). Procedural morbidity and mortality at 1 month were, respectively, 1.8% (1/55 patients) and 0.0% (0/55 patients). Morbidity and mortality at 1 year were, respectively, 3.9% (2/51 patients) and 2.0% (1/51 patients). At 1 year, complete occlusion was observed in 27/50 aneurysms (54.0%); neck remnant, in 13/50 (26.0%); and aneurysm remnant, in 10/50 (20.0%) (adequate occlusion in 40/50, 80.0%). CONCLUSIONS: WEBCAST 2 confirms the high safety and efficacy of WEB aneurysm treatment demonstrated in the WEBCAST and French Observatory studies.
Effect of the acute general surgical unit: a regional perspective

Acute surgical units have gained favour in Australia and New Zealand. However, there is a lack of evidence regarding their effectiveness in regional centres. We aim to investigate the effect of the introduction of the Acute General Surgical Unit (AGSU) on the outcomes for patients undergoing emergency appendicectomies or cholecystectomies in a regional hospital.
Dense‐core vesicle biogenesis and exocytosis in neurons lacking chromogranins A and B

Chromogranin A and B (Cgs) are considered to be master regulators of cargo sorting for the regulated secretory pathway (RSP) and dense‐core vesicle (DCV) biogenesis. To test this, we analyzed the release of neuropeptide Y (NPY)‐pHluorin, a live RSP reporter, and the distribution, number, and appearance of DCVs, in mouse hippocampal neurons lacking expression of CHGA and CHGB genes. qRT‐PCR analysis showed that expression of other granin family members was not significantly altered in CgA/B−/− neurons. As synaptic maturation of developing neurons depends on secretion of trophic factors in the RSP, we first analyzed neuronal development in standardized neuronal cultures. Surprisingly, dendritic and axonal length, arborization, synapse density, and synaptic vesicle accumulation in synapses were all normal in CgA/B−/− neurons. Moreover, the number of DCVs outside the soma, stained with endogenous marker Secretogranin II, the number of NPY‐pHluorin puncta, and the total amount of reporter in secretory compartments, as indicated by pH‐sensitive NPY‐pHluorin fluorescence, were all normal in CgA/B−/− neurons. Electron microscopy revealed that synapses contained a normal number of DCVs, with a normal diameter, in CgA/B−/− neurons. In contrast, CgA/B−/− chromaffin cells contained fewer and smaller secretory vesicles with a smaller core size, as previously reported. Finally, live‐cell imaging at single vesicle resolution revealed a normal number of fusion events upon bursts of action potentials in CgA/B−/− neurons. These events had normal kinetics and onset relative to the start of stimulation. Taken together, these data indicate that the two chromogranins are dispensable for cargo sorting in the RSP and DCV biogenesis in mouse hippocampal neurons.
Reminiscence functions scale: factorial structure and its relation with mental health in a sample of Spanish older adults

ABSTRACT Background: The reminiscence functions scale (RFS) is a 43-item self-report instrument designed to assess the use of reminiscence for different functions. This study aims, on one hand, to analyze the factorial structure and the psychometric properties of the RFS and, on the other, to examine the relationship between the functions of reminiscence and mental health. Methods: RFS scale and measures of depressive symptomology, despair, and life satisfaction were administered to a sample of persons over the age of sixty (n = 364). Results: After eliminating three conflictive items from the original scale, the confirmatory factor analysis results present a factorial structure comprising eight traditional factors and adequate reliability scores (from 0.73 to 0.87). Using structural equation modeling, we find that these reminiscence factors are organized in three second-order factors (self-positive, self-negative, and prosocial). Results show that the self-positive factor relates negatively and the self-negative factor relates positively with symptoms of mental health problems. Conclusions: These results, on one hand, confirm that the RFS scale is a useful instrument to assess reminiscence functions in a sample of Spanish older adults and, on the other, that the three-factor model of reminiscence is a better predictor of mental health than the alternative four-factor model.
The seating mechanics of head‐neck modular tapers in vitro: Load‐displacement measurements, moisture, and rate effects

The mechanically assisted crevice corrosion performance of head‐neck modular tapers is a significant concern in orthopedic biomaterials. Fretting crevice corrosion processes in modular tapers are thought to be influenced by a wide array of factors including seating mechanics of the junction, hence there is a need for in vitro test methods that can assess their performance. This study presented a test method to directly measure the load‐displacement seating mechanics of modular tapers and used this method to compare the seating mechanics for different tapers, moisture, seating loads and seating rates. Seating mechanics were explored whereby the instantaneous load‐displacement behavior of the head seating onto the neck is captured and used to define the mechanics of seating. Two distinct taper design/material combinations were assembled wet or dry using axially applied loads (500, 1,000, 2,000, and 4,000 N) at two loading rates of 100 and 104 N/s (n = 5 for each condition) using a servohydraulic test frame. The results showed that pull‐off strength scaled with seating load and ranged between 43% and 68% of seating load depending on sample and wetness. Tapers seated wet had higher pull‐off strengths (2,200 ± 300 N) than those seated dry (1,800 ± 200 N, p < 0.05). Seating mechanics (load‐displacement plots) varied due to sample type and due to wetness with differences in seating energy, seating stiffness, and seating displacement. These results show the detailed mechanics of seating during assembly and provide significant insight into the complex interplay of factors associated with even “ideal” seating (axial, quasistatic) loading. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:1164–1172, 2018.
Secure Coding Practices in Java: Challenges and Vulnerabilities

The Java platform and its third-party libraries provide useful features to facilitate secure coding. However, misusing them can cost developers time and effort, as well as introduce security vulnerabilities in software. We conducted an empirical study on StackOverflow posts, aiming to understand developers' concerns on Java secure coding, their programming obstacles, and insecure coding practices. We observed a wide adoption of the authentication and authorization features provided by Spring Security—a third-party framework designed to secure enterprise applications. We found that programming challenges are usually related to APIs or libraries, including the complicated cross-language data handling of cryptography APIs, and the complex Java-based or XML-based approaches to configure Spring Security. In addition, we reported multiple security vulnerabilities in the suggested code of accepted answers on the StackOverflow forum. The vulnerabilities included disabling the default protection against Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) attacks, breaking SSL/TLS security through bypassing certificate validation, and using insecure cryptographic hash functions. Our findings reveal the insufficiency of secure coding assistance and documentation, as well as the huge gap between security theory and coding practices.