Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Coupling Effect Reduction of a Voltage-Balancing Controller in Single-Phase Cascaded Multilevel Converters

This paper presents a new voltage-balancing controller for cascaded multilevel converters, especially for single-phase cascaded multilevel converters. It proposes a control algorithm that devotes itself not only to balancing the floating dc capacitors but also to eliminating the coupling effect between the voltage-balancing controller and the original system controller (controller without additional voltage-balancing controllers). Specifically, the average model in the d-q coordinate frame is derived and the control law is established. Then, the coupling effect between the voltage-balancing controller and the original system controller is identified and a new expression for duty cycle modification is proposed thus to eliminate the effect. Furthermore, this paper gives the design considerations of the pro- posed method, including the derivation of key transfer functions and effective voltage-balancing area, for the completeness of the discussion. Moreover, the reference generation techniques of the voltage-balancing controller are also discussed. This paper investigates the voltage imbalance in the soft-start process caused by an unsuitable reference, and presents a simple modified reference generation solution. Finally, both simulation and experimental results verify the performance of the proposed control system.
Harmonic Analysis of Rail Transportation Systems with Probabilistic Techniques

Harmonics in rail transportation systems are an important design aspect. The overall load in these systems consists of a few large traction motors, often supplied by thyristor controlled choppers or PWM converters. These converters produce high levels of harmonic currents, which may extend into the kHz range. Recognizing harmonic problems in an early stage of development is important in order to avoid high costs or bad performance at a later stage. To perform harmonic calculations with a high percentage of power electronics is not an easy task. For rail transportation systems, this task is even more difficult because the harmonic voltages in the traction system depend not only on the harmonic characteristics of the loads and the power supply system, but also on the type, position and state of the trains on the tracks. In a new approach, probabilities for the type of train, its position and its state were used. A Monte Carlo simulation was then performed on the basis of these probabilities to create a large number of operational conditions at random, in a non-chronological order. Each operational condition was analyzed by a detailed three-phase harmonic analysis. The results were stored as raw data in a database. After the Monte Carlo analysis had reached the chosen level of accuracy, the calculation stopped. The actual system analysis was performed in the statistical postprocessing of the raw data. This post-processing allowed for the calculation of min-max harmonic spectra, probability distributions of harmonic currents and voltages, risk calculations, sensitivity analyses, worst case detection and other data mining
An approach to design model predictive control for linear systems over networks with double-sided bounded packet loss

This paper considers control of discrete-time linear systems, where network exists for transmitting the sensor and controller information, and arbitrary bounded packet loss occurs between the sensor and controller, and between the controller and actuator. The stabilization of this system is transformed into the robust stabilization of a set of systems. The packet-loss dependent Lyapunov method is applied for the possibility of achieving closed-loop stability. A design approach of MPC, parameterizing the infinite horizon control moves into a single state feedback law, is proposed. A simulation example is given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed MPC.
NICKEL BIOSORPTION BY ACINETOBACTER BAUMANNII AND PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA ISOLATED FROM INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER

Nickel biosorption ability was evaluated in two bacterial strains: Acinetobacter baumannii UCR-2971 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa UCR-2957, resulting in greatest adsorption at pH 4.5 and a residence time of 100 minutes. Biosorption isotherms showed that the process follows the Langmuir model. The maximum adsorption rates (Nmax) were 8.8 and 5.7 mg·g-1 for A. baumannii and P. aeruginosa, respectively; however, affinity constants suggest that P. aeruginosa (K=1.28) has higher affinity for nickel than A. baumannii (K=0.68). It is suggested that both strains could be used for wastewater treatment, as long as the concentration of Ni2+ is within the range of mg·L-1.
Canine Parvovirus (CPV) Vaccination: Comparison of Neutralizing Antibody Responses in Pups after Inoculation with CPV2 or CPV2b Modified Live Virus Vaccine

ABSTRACT Canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV2) emerged in 1978 as causative agent of a new disease of dogs. New antigenic variants (biotypes), designated CPV2a and CPV2b, became widespread during 1979 to 1980 and 1984, respectively. At the present time the original CPV2 has disappeared in the dog population and has been replaced by the two new viruses. In the present study the comparison of neutralizing antibody titers in two groups of pups (18 pups in each group) inoculated with CPV2 and CPV2b modified live virus vaccines is reported. Using the hemagglutination inhibition (HI) test, relevant differences between antibody titers, against either the homologous or the heterologous virus, were not constantly observed. Using the neutralization (Nt) test, however, the pups inoculated with CPV2 had antibody titers which were approximately 30 times higher to the homologous virus (mean, 4,732) than to the heterologous virus (CPV2b) (mean, 162). The results of these experiments support two conclusions: (i) the HI test may not always accurately evaluate the true immune status of dogs with respect to CPV, and (ii) dogs inoculated with CPV2 vaccine develop relatively low Nt antibody titers against the heterologous virus (CPV2b). These data may suggest an advantage for new vaccines, considering that most presently licensed vaccines are produced with CPV2, which no longer exists in the dog population.
Characterization of proteins in latex of the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum) using two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis and microsequencing

The opium poppy (Papaver somniferum) belongs to the group of latex‐containing plants. Latex is the milky‐like fluid within laticifer cells. In this study, poppy latex was analyzed with respect to ultrastructure, alkaloid, and protein content. The main goal of this project was the examination of the proteins by two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis. In a proteomics approach, we investigated two main fractions of the latex, namely the cytosolic serum and the sedimented fraction containing the alkaloid‐accumulating vesicles. Of the serum, representing the protein‐rich part of the latex, 75 spots were analyzed by internal peptide microsequencing, followed by a database searching. For 69 proteins a function could be assigned due to homology to known proteins, whereas six spots could not be identified. Furthermore, codeinone reductase, a representative of the specific enzyme system in morphine biosynthesis, could be detected within the cytosolic serum fraction. In the vesicle‐containing pellet, 23 protein spots were analyzed. An attempt was also made to separate the vesicle pellet by density centrifugation, followed by investigation of the alkaloid content, ultrastructure, and protein pattern. This study describes the first database of soluble proteins present in the latex of P. somniferum
Industrialization and Intergenerational Mobility in Sweden Ineke Maas

The relationship between industrialization and intergenerational mobility has been a topic of discussion for over forty years. In this article both total mobility and relative mobility chances are studied in the decades preceding industrialization and the decades during industrialization. A high-quality data set is used covering the male population of a region in the north of Sweden during the 19th century. Total intergenerational mobility increased during industrialization until, at the end of the century, both industrialization and the growth of mobility stagnated. Sectorial barriers resulted in unequal relative mobility chances before and also during industrialization. However, sons from self-employed classes were less likely to inherit the class position of their father after the onset of industrialization. At the same time, mobility between classes differing in status became less frequent. These results show a decline in the importance of the direct transfer of resources between generations and may indicate the increasing importance of education. Ineke Maas, Department of Sociology, Heidelberglaan 1, NL-3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands (e-mail. i.maas@fss.uu.nl) Ó Scandinavian Sociological Association 2002
Investigating Consumers' Redemption responses through the Interplay between Message Framing and Psychological Distance in Mobile Advertisement Design

Mobile advertising is increasingly important to promote products in today’s business. Despite the advancement of mobile technologies, to improve the effectiveness of mobile advertising still remains a key challenge for business practitioners due to low redemption rates. The truth lies in the means to successfully approach consumers through relevant and personalized mobile promotion messages that incentivize consumers to make the purchase. In this study, we proposed a research framework that integrates both psychological distance theory and regulatory focus theory to personalize and optimize current mobile advertisement design in order to increase consumers’ redemption rates. Accordingly, we designed a set of 2X2X2 controlled lab experiments and proposed a field experiments with real merchants to test the research framework. This study is expected to provide useful insights and marketing strategies to practitioners and academic field
Composition and temperature dependence of the dielectric, piezoelectric and elastic properties of pure PZT ceramics

Pure (undoped) piezoelectric lead zirconate titanate (PZT) ceramic samples at compositions across the ferroelectric region of the phase diagram were prepared from sol-gel-derived fine powders. Excess lead oxide was included in the PZT powders to obtain dense (95-96% of theoretical density) ceramics with large grain size (>7 mu m) and to control the lead stoichiometry. The dielectric, piezoelectric, and elastic properties were measured from 4.2 to 300 K. At very low temperatures, the extrinsic domain wall and thermal defect motions freeze out. The low-temperature dielectric data can be used to determine coefficients in a phenomenological theory. The extrinsic contribution to the properties can then be separated from the single-domain properties derived from the theory. <<ETX>>
Identifying Prostate Cancer-Related Networks from Microarray Data Based on Genotype-Phenotype Networks Using Markov Blanket Search

The identification of significant disease-related genes and networks is an important issue in understanding underlying mechanisms of cells. We integrate phenotype networks, protein networks and efficiently utilize gene expression data to identify human disease networks. We use prostate cancer data as our test domain. In comparison with statistical methods such as t-test and Wilcoxon test, our method identifies more prostate cancer-related genes reported in published database and literature. Interleukin-type growth factors, Ras related oncogenes and cytokine interactions canonical pathways are found to be significantly related to prostate cancer.
Resistance to dual blockade of the kinases PI3K and mTOR in KRAS-mutant colorectal cancer models results in combined sensitivity to inhibition of the receptor tyrosine kinase EGFR

Combination therapy with EGFR inhibitors may overcome acquired resistance to PI3K pathway inhibitors in some colorectal cancer patients. Drug Resistance Reveals Vulnerability Kinase inhibitors are a common therapy for many cancers, but tumors frequently acquire resistance. Understanding the mechanisms of resistance can reveal new therapeutic options. Using various human and mouse models of KRAS-mutant colorectal cancer (CRC), Belmont et al. found that signaling by the receptor tyrosine kinase EGFR and the related ERBB family members was increased in CRC cells that had acquired resistance to a dual inhibitor of the kinases PI3K and mTOR. Increased EGFR expression was induced by the drug through the release of PI3K pathway–mediated inhibition of the transcription factor FOXO3a. Withdrawing the drug from culture medium returned EGFR abundance and signaling to pretreatment levels. Inhibiting EGFR restored sensitivity to the PI3K/mTOR inhibitor in drug-resistant cells in culture and induced tumor regression in drug-resistant allografts in mice. Thus, CRC patients that develop resistance to PI3K/mTOR inhibitors may benefit from additional treatment with EGFR inhibitors. Targeted blockade of aberrantly activated signaling pathways is an attractive therapeutic strategy for solid tumors, but drug resistance is common. KRAS is a frequently mutated gene in human cancer but remains a challenging clinical target. Inhibitors against KRAS signaling mediators, namely, PI3K (phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase) and mTOR (mechanistic target of rapamycin), have limited clinical efficacy as single agents in KRAS-mutant colorectal cancer (CRC). We investigated potential bypass mechanisms to PI3K/mTOR inhibition in KRAS-mutant CRC. Using genetically engineered mouse model cells that had acquired resistance to the dual PI3K/mTOR small-molecule inhibitor PF-04691502, we determined with chemical library screens that inhibitors of the ERBB [epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)] family restored the sensitivity to PF-04691502. Although EGFR inhibitors alone have limited efficacy in reducing KRAS-mutant tumors, we found that PF-04691502 induced the abundance, phosphorylation, and activity of EGFR, ERBB2, and ERBB3 through activation of FOXO3a (forkhead box O 3a), a transcription factor inhibited by the PI3K to AKT pathway. PF-04691502 also induced a stem cell–like gene expression signature. KRAS-mutant patient-derived xenografts from mice treated with PF-04691502 had a similar gene expression signature and exhibited increased EGFR activation, suggesting that this drug-induced resistance mechanism may occur in patients. Combination therapy with dacomitinib (a pan-ERBB inhibitor) restored sensitivity to PF-04691502 in drug-resistant cells in culture and induced tumor regression in drug-resistant allografts in mice. Our findings suggest that combining PI3K/mTOR and EGFR inhibitors may improve therapeutic outcome in patients with KRAS-mutant CRC.
Bimodal skin reactivity to histamine in atopic children in Singapore: influence of specific sensitizations

Histamine skin prick test (SPT) is used as the ‘golden standard’ for positive control in in vivo immediate type hypersensitivity testing. The skin reactivity to histamine can, however, be modulated by a bevy of extraneous factors. We aimed to define whether histamine skin reactivity in atopic children in Singapore is influenced by age, ethnic origin, gender, environmental exposure or specific sensitization patterns. A retrospective analysis of children, with specific aeroallergen sensitization (as measured by at least one allergen‐specific SPT with a wheal size >3 mm compared with the negative control) from the outpatient speciality clinic of the KK Children's Hospital, during 06/2002–06/2003. A total of 315 patients were included, 235 (75%) were males, 252 (80%) were Chinese, age mean was 7.7 yr (range: 2–15). Patients were referred to the SPT with a diagnosis of one or more of: allergic rhinitis 287 (91%), asthma 112 (36%) or atopic dermatitis 60 (19%). The mean histamine response showed a bimodal distribution, independent of age, ethnic origin, gender or phenotypical expression of allergic disease. Histamine skin reactivity was higher in atopic patients with polysensitization (mean 5.0 mm vs. 2.9 mm in monosensitized patients, p < 0.001), and in patients with mould sensitization (mean 5.1 mm vs. 3.3 mm in patient not sensitized to moulds, p < 0.001). The presence of passive smoking increased the likelihood of a diminished histamine skin response. Histamine skin response data strongly suggested the presence of two heterogeneous subpopulations. Children with polysensitization and mould sensitization were more likely to show a large significant histamine response, whereas children with passive smoke exposure, showed a diminished skin reactivity to histamine.
Efficacy and Safety of DVC1-0101 for Intermittent Claudication Secondary to Peripheral Artery Disease: Study Protocol of a Randomized Phase IIb Trial

1.1. Background: We have developed a new gene transfer vector based on nontransmissible recombinant Sendai virus expressing the human fibroblast growth factor-2 gene (DVC1-0101) to treat peripheral arterial disease. A phase I/IIa open-label four dose-escalation clinical trial for critical limb ischemia was completed. We concluded that DVC1-0101 is safe and well tolerated, and resulted in significant improvement of limb function. We present the protocol of the next phase of our study. 1.2. Methods: We plan to conduct a phase IIb clinical trial, which will be a randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel design, single-dose blinded and single center clinical trial in Japan. This study will enroll 60 patients diagnosed with PAD with intermittent claudication. Subjects who meet eligibility criteria will be randomized to receive a single dose of either placebo, 5 × 109 ciu/limb of DVC1-0101, or 1 × 109 ciu/limb of DVC1-0101 administered by direct intramuscular injection. The participation length in this trial for subjects will be approximately 12 months with nine visits. The primary endpoints are to evaluate the efficacy of DVC1-0101 versus placebo on peak walking time, and to evaluate the safety and tolerability of two dosage levels of DVC1-0101. The secondary endpoints are 1) to evaluate the effect of DVC1-0101 on claudication onset time, measured by a treadmill test and quality of life, measured using the Walking Impairment Questionnaire, 2) to determine the effect of DVC1-0101 on qualifying limb hemodynamics, and 3) to explore the pharmacodynamics of DVC1-0101 by evaluating biomarkers. 1.3. Discussion: The results of this trial will provide insights into the potential of DVC1-0101 for improving walking activities. The results will also help with the design of a possible phase III study.
Non-coding RNAs binding to the nucleoid protein HU in Escherichia 5 coli 6 7

23 24 Some unidentified RNA molecules, together with the nucleoid protein HU, were 25 suggested to be involved in the nucleoid structure of Escherichia coli. HU is a conserved 26 protein known for its role in binding to DNA and maintaining negative supercoils in the 27 latter. HU also binds to a few RNAs but the full spectrum of its binding targets in the cell 28 is not known. To understand any interaction of HU with RNA in the nucleoid structure, 29 we immunoprecipitated potential HU-RNA complexes from cells and examined bound 30 RNAs by hybridization to whole-genome tiling arrays. We identified associations 31 between HU and ten new intragenic and intergenic noncoding (nc) RNAs, two of which 32 are homologous to the annotated Bacterial Interspersed Mosaic Elements (BIME) and 33 boxC DNA repeat elements. We confirmed direct binding of HU to BIME RNA in vitro. 34 We also studied the nucleoid shape of HU and two of the ncRNA mutants (nc1 and nc5) 35 by transmission electron microscopy and showed that both HU and the two ncRNAs play 36 a role in nucleoid morphology. We propose that at least two of the ncRNA species 37 complex with HU and help the formation or maintenance of the architecture of the E. coli 38 chromosome. We also observed binding of HU with rRNA and tRNA segments, a few 39 sRNAs and a distinct small set of mRNAs although significance, if any, of these 40 associations is not known. 41 42
Bi-Objective Bus Routing: An Application to School Buses in Rural Areas

The min-max vehicle routing problem VRP is a variant of the classical VRP in which the objective is to minimize the duration of the longest route. Examination of the VRP literature indicates that the min-max VRP has received less attention than other variants have over the years. However, the problem has important practical applications, such as those related to routing school buses. In this setting, in addition to the min-max criterion imposed on the time it takes to complete the longest route, school districts are concerned with the minimization of the total distance traveled, which is the objective of the classical VRP. Hence, the problem is formulated as a bi-objective optimization model that trades off service i.e., the minimization of the longest route and operational cost i.e., the minimization of the total distance traveled. We develop a solution procedure for this problem by applying tabu search within the framework of Multiobjective Adaptive Memory Programming and compare it to an implementation of the Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm---a well-known approach to multiobjective optimization. We also assess the merit of the solution method by comparing our approximations with solution frontiers obtained with an e-constraint implementation.
Influence of country of birth and ethnicity on body mass index among Canadian youth: a national survey.

BACKGROUND The body mass index (BMI) of youth often changes when they immigrate to a new country as a result of the adoption of new behaviours, a process called acculturation. We investigated whether BMI differs by country of birth (Canada v. other countries) and ethnicity, both individually and together. We also examined whether time since immigration and health-related behaviour explain any observed BMI differences. METHODS Data sources were the Canadian Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children study and the Canada Census of Population. Participants were youth in grades 6-10 (weighted sample n = 19 272). A questionnaire was used to assess participants' sociodemographic characteristics, height, weight and health-related behaviour. We calculated BMIs from participants' self-reported heights and weights and used World Health Organization growth references to determine BMI percentiles. RESULTS Based on self-reported heights and weights, BMI percentiles for foreign-born youth were lower than those of youth born in Canada (-4, 95% confidence interval [CI] -6 to -2). This difference did not decrease with time since immigration. Similarly, BMI percentiles were lower among East and Southeast Asian youth than their peers from the Canadian host culture (-4, 95% CI -6 to -2). Finally, BMI percentiles for foreign-born Arab and West Asian youth and East Indian and South Asian youth were lower than their Canadian-born peers of the same ethnicity (-14, 95% CI -22 to -7; -8, 95% CI -14 to -3). INTERPRETATION Immigrant generation and ethnicity were related to BMI among Canadian youth, both independently and together. Some ethnic groups showed differences by country of birth, i.e., East Indian and South Asian, while others showed no such difference, i.e., East and Southeast Asian. There was no association with time since immigration. Our findings reinforce the need to investigate country of birth and ethnicity when considering the determinants of childhood BMI.