Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Active Power Filter Control Strategy With Implicit Closed-Loop Current Control and Resonant Controller

Novel simple indirect control concepts for an active power filter (APF) application are proposed here. The concepts are exemplarily presented to control a modified APF structure. The main advantage over other control strategies is the achieved excellent simplicity-to-performance ratio. The proposed control strategies are based on the concept of virtual impedance emulation to provide high power factor in a system. To validate the operating principle, a single-phase low-power prototype has been built and experimentally tested. This prototype operates at a remarkably low switching frequency of 5 kHz and is digitally controlled by a digital signal processor.
Nitric Oxide Metabolites, Prostaglandins and Trigeminal Vasoactive Peptides in Internal Jugular Vein Blood During Spontaneous Migraine Attacks

Despite evidence emerging from the experimental model of nitroglycerin-induced headache, the endogenous increase in nitric oxide (NO) production during migraine attacks is only speculative. It has been hypothesized that there is a close relationship between activation of the l-arginine/NO pathway and production of certain vasoactive and algogenic prostaglandins during spontaneous migraine attacks, but this suggestion also needs to be confirmed. In the present study the levels of nitrites, the stable metabolites of NO, were determined with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in the internal jugular venous blood of five patients affected by migraine without aura examined ictally. These samples were taken within 30 min, 1, 2, and 4 h from the onset of the attack and at the end of the ictal period. At the same time, the plasma levels of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), neurokinin A (NKA), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and 6 keto PGF1α, the stable product of PGI2, were assessed with radioimmunoassay (RIA) kits in the same samples. The levels of the intracellular messengers, cGMP and cAMP, were also measured with the RIA method. Nitrite, cGMP, CGRP and NKA levels reached their highest values at the first hour, then they tended to decrease progressively and returned, after the end of attacks, to values similar or below those detected at the time of catheter insertion (anova, statistical significance: P < 0.001; P < 0.002; P < 0.002; P < 0.003, respectively). PGE2 and 6 keto PGF1α, as well as cAMP levels also significantly increased at the first hour but reached a peak at the 2nd hour and remained in the same range until the 4th and 6th hours. Then their values tended to decrease after the end of attacks, becoming lower than those measured immediately after catheter positioning for internal jugular venous blood drawing (anova: P < 0.002, P < 0.004, P < 0.001, respectively). Our results support early activation of the l-arginine/NO pathway which accompanies the release of vasoactive peptides from trigeminal endings and a late rise in the synthesis of prostanoids with algogenic and vasoactive properties which may intervene in maintaining the headache phase.
Electrophysiological Alterations After Mechanical Circulatory Support in Patients With Advanced Cardiac Failure

Background—Recognizing that mechanical circulatory support with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) induces changes in myocardial structure and contractile function, we examined whether there are changes in ventricular conduction and/or repolarization among failing human hearts after LVAD implantation. Methods and Results—We examined 12-lead electrocardiograms before surgery, immediately after LVAD placement, and at a delayed (>1 week) postoperative time point in 23 patients who were receiving LVAD support for refractory heart failure. The immediate effects of hemodynamic unloading via LVAD placement included a decrease in QRS duration from 117±6 to 103±6 ms (P <0.01), an increase in absolute QT duration from 359±6 to 378±8 ms (P <0.05), and an increase in the heart rate-corrected QT interval (QTc) from 379±10 to 504±11 ms (P <0.01). None of these immediate changes were observed among 22 patients undergoing routine coronary artery bypass grafting. With sustained cardiac unloading via LVAD support, there was a marked decrease in the QTc from 504±11 to 445±9 ms (P <0.001). Studies in isolated cardiac myocytes, obtained at the time of transplantation, confirmed that delayed decreases in heart rate-adjusted QTc were the result of decreases in action potential duration after LVAD support. Conclusions—Acute electrocardiogram responses to LVAD placement demonstrate the dependence of QRS and QT duration on load in the failing human heart. Delayed decreases in QTc and action potential duration reflect reversal of electrophysiologic remodeling in the failing heart. Shortening of the action potential duration likely contributes to the improved cellular contractile performance observed after sustained LVAD support.
A Novel Relational Database Watermarking Algorithm Based on Clustering and Polar Angle Expansion

Digital watermarking has been widely applied to relational database for ownership protection and information hiding. But robustness and reversibility are two key challenges due to the frequently database maintaining operators on those tuples. This paper proposes a novel relational database watermarking scheme based on a fast and stable clustering method on database tuples, which adopts Mahalanobis distance as the similarity measurement. Before the process of watermark embedding and detecting, the databases tuples are adaptively clustered into groups according to the length of binary watermark. Moreover the watermark segments are respectively embedded into or detected from those groups according to the numeric field's Lowest Significant Bit (LSB) and polar angle expansion. The majority decision strategy is used to determine the value of watermark bit in blind detection process. The experiment results indicate that the proposed watermarking scheme has higher robustness and reversibility under blind detection against the database maintaining operators.
KCa Channels as Therapeutic Targets in Episodic Ataxia Type-2

Episodic ataxia type-2 (EA2) is an inherited movement disorder caused by mutations in the gene encoding the Cav2. 1α1 subunit of the P/Q-type voltage-gated calcium channel that result in an overall reduction in the P/Q-type calcium current. A consequence of these mutations is loss of precision of pacemaking in cerebellar Purkinje cells. This diminished precision reduces the information encoded by Purkinje cells and is thought to contribute to symptoms associated with this disorder. The loss of the precision of pacemaking in EA2 is the consequence of reduced activation of calcium-dependent potassium channels (KCa) by the smaller calcium current and in vitro can be pharmacologically restored by KCa activators. We used a well established mouse model of EA2, the tottering (tg/tg) mouse, to examine the potential therapeutic utility of one such Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved compound, chlorzoxazone (CHZ). Compared with wild-type Purkinje cells, we found the firing rate of tg/tg Purkinje cells in acutely prepared cerebellar slices to be very irregular. Bath application of CHZ successfully restored the precision of pacemaking in a dose-dependent manner. Oral administration of CHZ to tg/tg mice improved their baseline motor performance and reduced the severity, frequency, and duration of episodes of dyskinesia without producing any adverse effects. We propose the use of CHZ, which is currently FDA approved as a muscle relaxant, as a safe and novel treatment of EA2.
Intraocular pressure and pulse rate measurements by the OBF tonograph — comparison to reference instruments

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of intraocular pressure (IOP) and ocular pulse rate (OPR) measurements obtained by the Ocular Blood Flow (OBF) tonograph (OBF Labs, Wiltshire, UK). Measurements of IOP and OPR by the OBF tonograph were compared to those of reference instruments. For IOP evaluation, measurements were obtained on patients with normal and abnormal pressures using the OBF tonograph and the Goldmann applannation tonometer in random alternate order. For the OPR evaluation, measurements were obtained using the OBF tonograph with simultaneous heart rate monitoring by ECG on patients with normal IOP. The validity of the OBF tonograph measurements was quantified in terms of 95% limits of agreement and their relationships to measurements by reference instruments was determined by linear regression analyses. 102 patients were recruited for IOP measurements. Mean IOP obtained by the Goldmann tonometer was 20.7 mmHg (7–42 mmHg, SD 6.98) whilst mean IOP obtained by the OBF tonograph was 20.1 mmHg (8.1–40.2, SD 6.1). Goldmann IOP and OBF tonograph IOP readings were well correlated (r=0.945). Analysis of the difference in IOP measurements between two instruments (tonograph minus Goldmann tonometer) showed the mean bias to be 0.26 mmHg (−7.8 to +6.1 mmHg) and the 95% limits of agreement to be −4.35 to +4.87 mmHg. Agreement between two instruments appeared to be dependent on the IOP; at IOP lower than 20.6 mmHg there was an overall tendency for the tonograph IOP to be higher than Goldmann IOP and vice versa when IOP was above 20.6 mmHg. 47 patients were recruited for OPR and ECG measurements. Mean pulse rates were 74.8 beats per min (mean 43–110) by ECG and 73.9 beats per min (43–110) by tonography. Analysis of the difference in pulse rate between instruments (tonograph OPR minus ECG pulse rate) against the average pulse rate showed the mean bias to be −0.8 beats and the 95% limits of agreement to be between −7 to +5 beats. Ocular pulse rate values obtained by the OBF tonograph were very accurate when compared to ECG pulse rate. This indicates that there is unlikely to be a systematic lag in continuous ocular pulse waveform recording. Intraocular pressure measurements by the OBF tonograph correlated very well with Goldmann readings over a wide range of pressures and should be valid in the clinical setting.
WEB-BASED SHOPPING: CONSUMERS' ATTITUDES TOWARDS ONLINE SHOPPING IN NEW ZEALAND

The growing use of Internet in New Zealand provides a developing prospect for E-marketers. If E-marketers know the factors affecting online New Zealand buyers’ behaviour, and the relationships between these factors and the type of online buyers, then they can further develop their marketing strategies to convert potential customers into active ones, while retaining existent online customers. This paper is part of larger study, and focuses on factors which online New Zealand buyers keep in mind while shopping online. It also investigates how different types of online buyers perceive websites differently. This research found that website design, website reliability/fulfilment, website customer service and website security/privacy are the four dominant factors which influence consumer perceptions of online purchasing. The four types of online New Zealand buyers; i.e., trial, occasional, frequent and regular online buyers; perceived the four website factors differently. These buyers have different evaluations of website design and website reliability/fulfilment but similar evaluations of website security/privacy issues, which implies that security/privacy issues are important to most online buyers. The significant discrepancy in how online purchasers perceived website design and website reliability accounts for the difference in online purchase frequencies.
Rotation invariant face recognition using optical neural networks

In this paper, we present an optical neural network based face detection system. Unlike similar systems which are limited to detecting upright, frontal faces, this system detects faces at any degree of rotation in the image plane. The system employs multiple networks; the first is an orientation network which processes each input window to determine its orientation and then uses this information to prepare the window for identifier network. We present the training methods for both types of networks. We also perform analysis on the networks, and present empirical results on a large test set. Finally, we recognize the face using Principal Component Analysis approach.
Adding the dimension of knowledge trading to source impact assessment: Approaches, indicators, and implications

The objective of this paper is to systematically assess sources' (e.g., journals and proceedings) impact in knowledge trading. While there have been efforts at evaluating different aspects of journal impact, the dimension of knowledge trading is largely absent. To fill the gap, this study employed a set of trading‐based indicators, including weighted degree centrality, Shannon entropy, and weighted betweenness centrality, to assess sources' trading impact. These indicators were applied to several time‐sliced source‐to‐source citation networks that comprise 33,634 sources indexed in the Scopus database. The results show that several interdisciplinary sources, such as Nature, PLoS One, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, and Science, and several specialty sources, such as Lancet, Lecture Notes in Computer Science, Journal of the American Chemical Society, Journal of Biological Chemistry, and New England Journal of Medicine, have demonstrated their marked importance in knowledge trading. Furthermore, this study also reveals that, overall, sources have established more trading partners, increased their trading volumes, broadened their trading areas, and diversified their trading contents over the past 15 years from 1997 to 2011. These results inform the understanding of source‐level impact assessment and knowledge diffusion.
Rapid ATP-dependent Deadenylation of nanos mRNA in a Cell-free System from Drosophila Embryos*

Shortening of the poly(A) tail (deadenylation) is the first and often rate-limiting step in the degradation pathway of most eukaryotic mRNAs and is also used as a means of translational repression, in particular in early embryonic development. The nanos mRNA is translationally repressed by the protein Smaug in Drosophila embryos. The RNA has a short poly(A) tail at steady state and decays gradually during the first 2–3 h of development. Smaug has recently also been implicated in mRNA deadenylation. To study the mechanism of sequence-dependent deadenylation, we have developed a cell-free system from Drosophila embryos that displays rapid deadenylation of nanos mRNA. The Smaug response elements contained in the nanos 3′-untranslated region are necessary and sufficient to induce deadenylation; thus, Smaug is likely to be involved. Unexpectedly, deadenylation requires the presence of an ATP regenerating system. The activity can be pelleted by ultracentrifugation, and both the Smaug protein and the CCR4·NOT complex, a known deadenylase, are enriched in the active fraction. The same extracts show pronounced translational repression mediated by the Smaug response elements. RNAs lacking a poly(A) tail are poorly translated in the extract; therefore, SRE-dependent deadenylation contributes to translational repression. However, repression is strong even with RNAs either bearing a poly(A) tract that cannot be removed or lacking poly(A) altogether; thus, an additional aspect of translational repression functions independently of deadenylation.
Interlinguistic Variation and Similarity in Second Language Speech Act Behavior

This study investigates the compliment response behavior of 2 groups of Chinese learners of English, one living in the United States and the other in Taiwan. The present study compared the behavior of these learner groups with that of native Chinese and English speakers in order to determine how they respond to compliments in different situations when two contextual variables, addressees' status and gender, vary. Compliment responses by the Chinese using Chinese and the learners in Taiwan were more likely to be rejections than acceptances, whereas responses to compliments by the Americans and the learners in the United States were more likely to be acceptances than rejections. Furthermore, although there were substantial differences between the 2 learner groups, the performance of both reflected native language (L1) communicative styles and transfer of L1 sociocultural strategies in their second language behavior.
Impact of family burden and affective response on clinical outcome among patients with bipolar disorder.

OBJECTIVE This study evaluated the direct and indirect effects of family burden and affective response on medication adherence and outcome among patients with bipolar disorder. METHODS Data were examined for 126 patients who were consecutively admitted to the psychiatric service at a university-affiliated hospital and who met research diagnostic criteria for bipolar I or II disorder or for schizoaffective disorder, manic type, and their family caregivers. A total of 101 pairs of patients and family caregivers (80 percent) completed 15 months of study and were included in the analyses. Patients and their identified caregivers were assessed within two weeks of either discharge from the index inpatient admission or initiation of outpatient treatment (baseline assessment). Patients and caregivers were also assessed seven and 15 months after the baseline assessment. Structural equation modeling was used to evaluate caregivers' influences on patients' medication adherence seven months after baseline and on clinical outcome 15 months after baseline. RESULTS The indexes of overall fit for the path model confirmed the a priori measurement model. Significant paths were found from the caregiver's perceived burden at baseline to the caregiver's emotional overinvolvement at baseline, from the caregiver's emotional overinvolvement at baseline to the patient's medication adherence at the seven month follow-up, and from the patient's medication adherence at the seven-month follow-up to the patient's outcome at the 15-month follow-up. The paths from the caregiver's perceived burden at baseline to the patient's medication adherence seven months after baseline and the patient's outcome 15 months after baseline were not significant. CONCLUSIONS When caregivers of patients with bipolar illness experience a high burden, patient outcome is adversely affected. This relationship is mediated through families' affective response and patients' medication adherence.
Measuring attitudes towards Christianity among 11‐ to 16‐year‐old pupils in non‐denominational schools in Scotland

Summary The Francis scale of attitude towards Christianity Form ASC4B, developed originally for use among eight‐ to 16‐year‐old pupils attending non‐denominational schools in south‐east England, was completed by 4,405 pupils, aged 11 to 16 years, from non‐denominational secondary schools in Dundee. The results support the unidimensionality, reliability and validity of this attitude scale for pupils from a different geographical region. Norms are produced for pupils attending non‐denominational secondary schools in Dundee, with reference to boys and girls from each separate age‐group. These norms are discussed in relationship to the published norms for pupils attending non‐denominational, state‐maintained secondary schools in England.
Exercise manual for liver disease patients.

AIM To increase inspiratory muscle strength and improve the quality of life of candidates for liver transplantation. METHODS Twenty-three candidates for liver transplantation participated in the control group and 14 made up the intervention group. The control group consisted of 18 men and 5 women, body mass index (BMI) 27.3 ± 4.5 kg/m(2) and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) 18.2 ± 6.1. The intervention group consisted of 11 men and 3 women, BMI 28.6 ± 5.4 kg/m(2) and MELD 18 ± 4.5. The presence or absence of ascites was identified in the first patient evaluation and after three months. We evaluated maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure, spirometry, root mean square (RMS) of diaphragm and rectus abdominis, and the quality of life. The exercises were performed daily by patients at home for three months and were supervised at distance monthly. The manual consisted of diaphragmatic breathing exercises, diaphragmatic isometric exercise, Threshold IMT(®), lifting upper limbs with a bat and strengthening the abdomen. RESULTS There was significant difference (P = 0.01) between the first (initial) and the third month (final) MIP in the control group and in the intervention group, but there was no difference (P = 0.45) between the groups. The RMS of the diaphragm was lower (P = 0.001) and the functional capacity was higher (P = 0.006) in the intervention group compared to the control. The general health and mental health domains received higher scores after three months in the control group (P = 0.01) and the intervention group (P = 0.004), but there was no significant difference between them. The comparison between the presence of initial ascites with the presence of ascites was performed after three months in the control group (P = 0.083) and intervention group (P = 0.31). There was no significant difference, in relation to the presence of ascites after three months between groups (P = 0.21). In the intervention group, patients with ascites at the end of the time period had decreased scores on the social aspects SF-36 domain (P = 0.023) compared to those who had no ascites. CONCLUSION The proposed exercises provide an increase in the inspiratory muscle strength and improve functional capacity, consequently bettering the quality of life of liver disease patients.
Which Fragments of a Sign Enable Its Recognition?

In sign language studies, it is generally assumed that a sign can be divided into several phases in time (preparation, stroke, and retraction) and that the stroke contains all of the necessary information. However, this has not been tested empirically.In order to learn where the information truly resides, we present an experiment that investigates the distribution of information in a sign. Signers were shown isolated fragments of Dutch Sign Language signs (citation form) and were then asked to identify the sign. The results show that the stroke alone performs as well as the entire sign. However, the preparation, together with the transition from preparation to stroke, produces equally good recognition, thereby suggesting that most of a sign's information is available early. Surprisingly, in many cases preparation alone and retraction alone also produce quite good recognition (66 percent and 60 percent, respectively). The recognition pattern across signs gives an indication of signers' recognition strategy.