Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Combined Current Sensing Method for the Three-Phase Quasi-Z-Source Inverter

The impedance-source network converter, utilizing a unique LC network and previously forbidden shoot-through states, provides the ability to buck and boost the input voltage in a single stage. However, the inrush shoot-through current (STC) in startup or transient process might cause undesired current stresses on converter devices. This paper focuses on the STC sensing for an effective inrush current limitation by the combined current sensing technique in the quasi-Z-source inverter. STC and phase currents for the inverter control strategy are obtained simultaneously. No extra hardware is needed and the effects of current sensor bandwidth and duty cycle on the sensing accuracy are analyzed mathematically. The voltage spike gets avoided by integrating the stray inductance into the impedance network. Finally, an STC control loop based on proposed method are embedded in the field-oriented control strategy. The inrush STC and the device current stress in the transient process get suppressed. Simulation and experimental results from a quasi-Z-source inverter validate the feasibility of the proposed methods.
Predictive scores in chronic total occlusions percutaneous recanalization: only fashionable or really useful?

Chronic total occlusions (CTOs) remain one of the last challenges in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). During the last decade, following the Japanese pioneers, the interest of interventionalists’ community in CTO PCI has dramatically increased leading to an important development in equipment and techniques (1,2), and a growing expertise among dedicated operators, both resulting in increased success rates (3).
Limited Impact of Sustained Simple Feedback Based on Soap and Paper Towel Consumption on the Frequency of Hand Washing in an Adult Intensive Care Unit

Objective: To determine whether hand washing would increase with sustained feedback based on measurements of soap and paper towel consumption. Design: Prospective trial with a nonequivalent control group. Setting: Open multibed rooms in the Omaha Veterans Affairs Medical Center's Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) and Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU). Subjects: Unit staff. Intervention: Every weekday from May 26 through December 8,1998, we recorded daytime soap and paper towel consumption, nurse staffing, and occupied beds in the SICU (intervention unit) and the MICU (control unit) and used these data to calculate estimated hand washing episodes (EHWEs), EHWEs per occupied bed per hour, and patient-to-nurse ratios. In addition, from May 26 through June 26 (baseline period) and from November 2 through December 8 (follow-up period), live observers stationed daily for random 4-hour intervals in the MICU and the SICU counted actual hand washing episodes (CHWEs). The intervention consisted of posting in the SICU, but not in the MICU, a graph showing the weekly EHWEs per occupied bed per hour for the preceding 5 weeks. Results: Directly counted hand washing fell in the SICU from a baseline of 2.68 ± 0.72 (mean ± standard deviation) episodes per occupied bed per hour to 1.92 ± 1.35 in the follow-up period. In the MICU, episodes fell from 2.58 ± 0.95 (baseline) to 1.74 ± 0.69. In the MICU, the withdrawal of live observers was associated with a decrease in estimated episodes from 1.36 ± 0.49 at baseline to 1.01 ± 0.36, with a return to 1.16 ± 0.50 when the observers returned. In the SICU, a similar decrease did not persist throughout a period of feedback. Estimated hand washing correlated negatively with the patient-to-nurse ratio (r = -0.35 for the MICU, r = -0.46 for the SICU). Conclusions: Sustained feedback on hand washing failed to produce a sustained improvement. Live observers were associated with increased hand washing, even when they did not offer feedback. Hand washing decreased when the patient-to-nurse ratio increased.
Double-Exponential and Triple-Exponential Bounds for Choosability Problems Parameterized by Treewidth

Choosability, introduced by Erdos, Rubin, and Taylor [Congr. Number. 1979], is a well-studied concept in graph theory: we say that a graph is c-choosable if for any assignment of a list of c colors to each vertex, there is a proper coloring where each vertex uses a color from its list. We study the complexity of deciding choosability on graphs of bounded treewidth. It follows from earlier work that 3-choosability can be decided in time 2^(2^(O(w)))*n^(O(1)) on graphs of treewidth w. We complement this result by a matching lower bound giving evidence that double-exponential dependence on treewidth may be necessary for the problem: we show that an algorithm with running time 2^(2^(o(w)))*n^(O(1)) would violate the Exponential-Time Hypothesis (ETH). We consider also the optimization problem where the task is to delete the minimum number of vertices to make the graph 4-choosable, and demonstrate that dependence on treewidth becomes tripleexponential for this problem: it can be solved in time 2^(2^(2^(O(w))))*n^(O(1)) on graphs of treewidth w, but an algorithm with running time 2^(2^(2^(o(w))))*n^(O(1)) would violate ETH.
Age, Gender and Income: do They Really Moderate Online Shopping Behavior?

Purpose – The objective of this paper is to analyse whether individuals’ socioeconomic characteristics – age, gender and income – influence their online shopping behaviour. The individuals analysed are experienced e-shoppers i.e. individuals who often make purchases on the internet. Design/methodology/approach – The technology acceptance model was broadened to include previous use of the internet and perceived self-efficacy. The perceptions and behaviour of e-shoppers are based on their own experiences. The information obtained has been tested using causal and multi-sample analyses. Findings – The results show that socioeconomic variables moderate neither the influence of previous use of the internet nor the perceptions of e-commerce; in short, they do not condition the behaviour of the experienced e-shopper. Practical implications – The results obtained help to determine that once individuals attain the status of experienced e-shoppers their behaviour is similar, independently of their socioeconomic characteristics. The internet has become a marketplace suitable for all ages and incomes and both genders, and thus the prejudices linked to the advisability of selling certain products should be revised. Originality/value – Previous research related to the socioeconomic variables affecting e-commerce has been aimed at forecasting who is likely to make an initial online purchase. In contrast to the majority of existing studies, it is considered that the current development of the online environment should lead to analysis of a new kind of e-shopper (experienced purchaser), whose behaviour differs from that studied at the outset of this research field. The experience acquired with online shopping nullifies the importance of socioeconomic characteristics.
Performance of Aphasic Children on the ITPA

The three visual subtests of the Illinois Test of Psycholinguistic Abilities were administered to 22 children diagnosed as aphasic. Four brief case histories are presented. The results revealed that the children performed differently on each of the subtests, and no pattern emerged which was characteristic. When compared to the standardization population, they manifested most difficulty with visual motor sequencing tasks. The implications of the relationship between visual perceptual functioning and language are described, and some suggestions for therapeutic management of aphasic children are delineated.
Digital content creation and copyright issues

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify the modes of digital content creation for digital libraries and discuss the associated copyright issues with the types of digital content.Design/methodology/approach – Prevalent copyright laws in India in the context of digital content have been studied and issues related to specific types of digital content have been discussed.Findings – In addition to two known types of digital content, namely born digital and turned digital, a third type, gained digital has been delineated. It is found that extant copyright laws, particularly in India, allow scope for forming opinions with regard to digital content thereby giving room for insecurity for digital content creators.Research limitations/implications – Copyright laws in the context of World Intellectual Property Organization and India only have been discussed.Practical implications – The paper will be useful to digital content creators and digital library managers/administrators to understand copyright issue.
Bone mineral loss through increased bone turnover in HIV-infected children treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy

ObjectivesTo evaluate the occurrence and define the aetiology of osteopenia in children receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). MethodsBone mineral density (BMD) of total body and lumbar spine (L2–L4) was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in 40 children vertically infected with HIV: 35 taking HAART and five naive to any antiretroviral treatment (untreated). Six HAART-treated children showed clinical evidence of lipodystrophy. N-terminal propeptide of type-I procollagen (PINP), bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP) and N-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (NTx) were measured. Results were compared with those obtained in 314 healthy controls. Differences between HIV-positive and healthy children and within the HIV-positive group were assessed by multivariate analyses, controlling for confounding variables (age, sex, weight and height). ResultsHAART-treated children showed lower spine BMD values than untreated (P = 0.045) and healthy (P = 0.004) children and lower total body BMD values than untreated (P = 0.012) and healthy (P < 0.0001) children. Spine and total body BMD were similar between untreated and healthy children. Total body BMD was lower (P < 0.005) in HAART-treated children with lipodystrophy than in untreated patients, while children on HAART but without lipodystrophy had intermediate values. BALP, PINP and NTx were similar among untreated and healthy children. HAART-treated children had higher BALP levels than healthy (P = 0.0007) and untreated (P = 0.045) children. PINP values showed the same trend as BALP. HAART-treated children had higher NTx urine levels than healthy (P < 0.0001) and untreated (P = 0.041) children. ConclusionsHAART seems a new risk factor for life-long osteoporosis in children. An increased rate of bone turnover causes BMD decrease. Severity of osteopenia seems to be related to lipodystrophy.
Gender and Serious Youth Victimization: Assessing the Generality of Self-control, Differential Association, and Social Bonding Theories

Abstract Criminologists have long questioned whether theories that have focused on male delinquency are equally applicable to female delinquency, a phenomenon termed “gender generalizability. ” Although a number of studies have used self-reports from offenders, criminologists have yet to extend this issue to crime victims. While controlling for variables derived from victimization theories, we test three criminological perspectives (self-control, differential association, and social bond) on male and female victimization using data obtained from the Evaluation of the Gang Resistance Education and Training Program in the United States. Results show that for male victimization, gang membership and indications of a deviant lifestyle (self-reported delinquency) significantly predicted victimization, while associating with pro-social peers and being in a gang were associated with female victimization. Parental monitoring and belong to an intact family reduced victimization for males. Self-reported delinquency consistently predicted victimization across genders.
New Insulin Sensitivity Adjusted &bgr; Cell Indices: Validation According to a Genetic Study

Purpose The role of hepatocyte nuclear factor-1&agr; (HNF1&agr;) in the maturity-onset diabetes of the young 3 (MODY3) is well established. A common polymorphism, I27L that is not linked to MODY3, has been demonstrated to affect &bgr; cell function. To facilitate the identification of subjects with a low &bgr; cell reserve, we developed &bgr; cell indices and validated according to a genetic study. Methods Insulin sensitivity index (ISI), 1st phase insulin response (1stIR), and 2nd phase insulin response (2ndIR) were assessed in 60 glucose tolerant subjects using hyperglycemic clamps. &dgr;1stIR and &dgr;2ndIR were defined as differences between 1stIR (or 2ndIR) and the ISI-adjusted 1stIR (or 2ndIR). The genotypes were determined from genomic DNA. Results &dgr;1stIR (P = 0.0130) and &dgr;2ndIR (P = 0.0482) differed among the 3 genotypic groups. Multivariate analysis confirmed the independent influence of the I27L polymorphism on &dgr;1stIR (P = 0.0130) and &dgr;2ndIR (P = 0.0369). Within the LL group, 75% and 63% of the subjects were within the lowest quartile of &dgr;1stIR (P = 0.0011) and &dgr;2ndIR (P = 0.0277), respectively. Conclusions With new &bgr; cell indices, we demonstrated the independent impact of the I27L polymorphism on &bgr; cell function. The new &bgr; cell indices will facilitate the identification of glucose tolerant subjects with reduced &bgr; cell reserve.
Tissue factor levels and high ratio of fibrinopeptide A:D‐dimer as a measure of endothelial procoagulant disorder in pre‐eclampsia

To assess coagulation activation and endothelial cell injury in normotensive and pre‐eclamptic pregnant women, a comparision was made of plama levels of tissue factor, fibronectin, fibrinopeptide A and D‐dimer. Samples were taken from 50 nonpregnant women, 40 normotensive pregnant women in the third trimester and 27 women with pre‐eclampsia after diagnosis and before treatment. High levels of fibrinopeptide A and D‐dimer were found in pre‐eclampsia women. Moreover, the ratio fibrinopeptide A:D‐dimer was much greater in the pre‐eclampsia group than in normotensive pregnant women. The levels of fibronectin and tissue factor were also higher in the pre‐eclampsia group. The increase of tissue factor levels suggests an alteration of the extrinsir coagulation pathway in pre‐eclampsia. The increase of fibrinopeptide A:D dimer ratio shows that the activation of coagulation is associated with a relative hypofibrinolysis in pre‐eclampsia.
Comparative evaluation of different DNA extraction methods for HPV genotyping by linear array and INNO‐LiPA

In order to investigate the influence of DNA extraction on two PCR‐based HPV genotyping tests (Linear Array, Roche and INNO‐LiPA Extra, Innogenetics), three different procedures were used to purify DNA from 28 cervico‐vaginal samples tested previously by the Hybrid Capture 2: the AmpliLute Liquid Media Extraction kit (Roche), the QIAamp DNA Blood mini kit (QIAGEN), and the NucliSENS EasyMAG automated platform (bioMérieux). All HC2‐positive samples were found positive by both assays, independently of the extract used. Type‐specific concordance (i.e., identical HPV type‐specific profile in all the extracts of the same sample) was observed in 55% and 75% of the cases testing samples by the Linear Array and the INNO‐LiPA, respectively. Using the DNA extracted with the two manual methods the results were concordant in 75% of the cases both for the Linear Array and the INNO‐LiPA. When comparing the Linear Array results obtained on either of the two manual extracts with those obtained following automated extraction, 65% of the samples showed type‐specific concordance in both cases. The INNO‐LiPA results were concordant in 80% of the cases comparing the AmpliLute versus the automated extract, while concordant results were observed in 90% of the cases when comparing the QIAGEN versus the automated extract. In conclusion, the Linear Array and INNO‐LiPA results are affected by the method of DNA extraction. Consequently, different HPV type‐specific profiles may be observed using different extracts of the same sample. The use of consistent protocols for DNA purification is a priority to guarantee intra‐assay reproducibility over time. J. Med. Virol. 83:1042–1047, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Potential and Realized Feeding Niches of Neotropical Hispine Beetles (Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae, Cephaloleiini)

Abstract Accurate descriptions of feeding habits are essential to understanding the evolution of dietary preferences and the high levels of diversification within the Chrysomelidae. Both primary observations and summaries suggest that the cassidine beetle tribe, Cephaloleiini, is a species-rich group of feeding specialists on monocot hosts. However, accurate host ranges are poorly defined for most hispine beetle species. To better document occurrence and feeding, we censused the Cephaloleiini associated with rolled leaves of five species of Marantaceae and six species of Heliconiaceae (Zingiberales) in lowland Central Panama. Additionally, we conducted choice and no-choice feeding tests on a subset of both the plants and beetles encountered in the censuses. Both types of data suggest that most species of Cephaloleiini feed on a greater variety of related plant species than has previously been reported.
The Leucine-Rich Repeat Receptor-Like Kinase BRASSINOSTEROID INSENSITIVE 1-ASSOCIATED KINASE 1 and the Cytochrome P 450 PHYTOALEXIN DEFICIENT 3 Contribute to Innate Immunity to Aphids in Arabidopsis 1 [ C ] [ W ] [ OPEN ]

The importance of pathogen-associated molecular pattern-triggered immunity (PTI) against microbial pathogens has been recently demonstrated. However, it is currently unclear if this layer of immunity mediated by surface-localized pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) also plays a role in basal resistance to insects, such as aphids. Here, we show that PTI is an important component of plant innate immunity to insects. Extract of the green peach aphid (GPA; Myzus persicae) triggers responses characteristic of PTI in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Two separate eliciting GPA-derived fractions trigger induced resistance to GPA that is dependent on the leucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinase BRASSINOSTEROID INSENSITIVE1ASSOCIATED KINASE1 (BAK1)/SOMATIC-EMBRYOGENESIS RECEPTOR-LIKE KINASE3, which is a key regulator of several leucine-rich repeat-containing PRRs. BAK1 is required for GPA elicitor-mediated induction of reactive oxygen species and callose deposition. Arabidopsis bak1 mutant plants are also compromised in immunity to the pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum), for which Arabidopsis is normally a nonhost. Aphid-derived elicitors induce expression of PHYTOALEXIN DEFICIENT3 (PAD3), a key cytochrome P450 involved in the biosynthesis of camalexin, which is a major Arabidopsis phytoalexin that is toxic to GPA. PAD3 is also required for induced resistance to GPA, independently of BAK1 and reactive oxygen species production. Our results reveal that plant innate immunity to insects may involve early perception of elicitors by cell surface-localized PRRs, leading to subsequent downstream immune signaling.
Phytoestrogens and fatty acids in forage and bovine milk

The overall aims of the studies underlying this thesis were to investigate effects of key factors on the concentrations and composition of phytoestrogens and fatty acids in forage species, and effects of differences in their concentrations and composition in forage on their concentrations in bovine milk. In each of the spring cuts, the total isoflavone concentrations in red clover were higher at Umea than at Skara. At Umea, the concentration decreased with later cutting time, but at Skara there were no differences between the cutting times. The most abundant isoflavone found in red clover were formononetin, followed by biochanin A. In the summer cuts, the total isoflavone concentration decreased with a longer regrowth interval at Umea, but this variable was not affected at Skara. Concentrations of each of the analysed isoflavones were considerably higher in red clover than in birdsfoot trefoil. Secoisolariciresinol was only found in birdsfoot trefoil. Meadow fescue had in general higher concentrations fatty acids than timothy. The concentrations of all fatty acids in the grasses decreased with increasing lateness of cutting time in spring cuts. In general, concentrations of C18:0 and C18:1 were higher and concentrations of C16:0, C18:3 and total fatty acids lower in red clover than in birdsfoot trefoil. The concentration of almost all fatty acids decreased with later cutting time. There were correlations between leaf blade proportions, α-tocopherol, β-carotene and protein concentrations, and the fatty acid concentrations. Two similar silage feeding experiments were conducted in which dairy cows were fed silage mixtures. In both experiments, the concentrations of all isoflavones were higher and those of mammalian lignans lower in milk from cows on the red clover-grass diets than in milk from cows on the birdsfoot trefoil-grass or white clover-grass diets. However, the largest observed difference in milk phytoestrogen contents was in the equol concentration. For the fatty acids, the proportions in the milk and recoveries of C18:2n-6 and C18:3n-3 were higher on the red clover diets than on birdsfoot trefoil-grass or white clover-grass diets. Shortening the regrowth interval increased the proportion of unsaturated fatty acids in milk. Supplementation with α-tocopherol increased milk α-tocopherol concentrations but did not affect milk fatty acid composition.
Typing of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus from New Zealand wild rabbits.

Abstract Extract Following the outbreak of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV), commonly called rabbit calicivims disease (RCD) in Australasia, in Central Otago in August 1997, the virus has been spread throughout the South Island and lower North Island (Thompson and Clark, 1997). It is widely assumed that it has been introduced from Australia but there has been no evidence to confirm this. We have used molecular methods to determine the phylogeny of the New Zealand strain of RHDV and have been able to confirm that it is most closely related to the Czech V351 strain present in Australia.
Reduced expression of GINS complex members induces hallmarks of pre-malignancy in primary untransformed human cells

In cancer cells ablation of the GINS complex member Psf2 elicits chromosome mis-segregation yet the precise role of Psf2 in mitosis is unknown. We investigated the putative mitotic role of the GINS complex using synchronized cultures of untransformed Human Dermal Fibroblasts (HDF). Metaphase spreads from Psf1/Psf2-depleted HDF were normal and mitotic exit of Psf1/Psf2-depleted cells was only slightly delayed, suggesting no direct role for the GINS complex in mitosis of untransformed cells. Because the GINS complex is required for initiation and elongation events during DNA replication we hypothesized that the mitotic delay of Psf1/Psf2-deficient cells resulted indirectly from defective DNA synthesis during a prior S-phase. Therefore, we investigated the effects of Psf1/Psf2-depletion on DNA replication. Recruitment of Mcm7 to chromatin during G1 was unaffected by Psf1/Psf2-ablation, indicating that replication licensing does not require GINS. However, chromatin-binding of Cdc45 and PCNA, onset of DNA synthesis and accumulation of G2/M markers were delayed in Psf1/Psf2-ablated cells. The cell cycle delay of Psf1/Psf2-depleted HDF was associated with several hallmarks of pre-malignancy including γH2AX, Thr 68-phosphorylated Chk2, and increased numbers of aberrant fragmented nuclei. Ectopic expression of catalytically-inactive Chk2 promoted S-phase and G2/M progression in Psf1/Psf2-depleted cells, as evidenced by modestly-increased rates of DNA synthesis and increased dephosphorylation of Cdc2. Therefore, S-phase progression of untransformed cells containing sub-optimal levels of Psf1/2 is associated with replication stress and acquisition of DNA damage. The ensuing Chk2-mediated DNA damage signalling likely contributes to maintenance of chromosomal integrity.