Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Predictive control in matrix converters — Part II: Control strategies, weaknesses and trends

The second part of this paper presents an overview of different control strategies and applications for matrix converters (MCs) where predictive control techniques are applied. It will be shown that predictive control is a promising alternative to control MCs due to its simplicity and flexibility to include different constrains in the control for different industrial applications such as renewable energies, grid interconnection, multi-drives systems control, among others. In addition, some limitations and weaknesses of predictive control in MCs will be discussed as well as some future trends and applications.
Detection of Human Bodies from the Background in an Image Using Piecewise Linear-Support Vector Machine

Detection of the human bodies from the background in an image is challenged by the view and posture variation problem. In this paper, a piecewise linear support vector machine (PL-SVM) method is used for solving the problem of identification of humans in an image, which is challenged by the view and posture variation problem. The motivation is, by using the piecewise discriminative function for constructing a non-linear classification boundary that can differentiate multi-view and multi-posture human bodies from the backgrounds in a high dimensional feature space. A PL-SVM training is designed as an iterative procedure of feature space division and linear SVM training, aiming at the maximized marginality of local linear SVM's. Each piecewise SVM model is responsible for subspace, corresponding to a human cluster of a special view or posture. In the PL-SVM, a cascaded detector is proposed with block orientation features and a histogram of oriented gradient features. This identification of humans in an image is implemented by using mat lab. By using this method, we can also detect the presence of humans in videos also.
New Facets in the Regulation of Gene Expression by ADP-Ribosylation and Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases

In 1963, Chambon et al. reported the detection of a nicotinamide mononucleotide-activated, DNA-dependent enzymatic activity in rat liver extracts that catalyzed the synthesis of a polyadenylic acid.1 The product of this reaction was later identified as poly(ADP-ribose) or PAR, a polymer of ADP-ribose (ADPR) monomers derived from the oxidized form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+). 2 These initial studies have led to half a century of research on the chemistry, enzymology, structure, function, biology, physiology, and pathology of ADPR, PAR, and their derivatives, as well as the enzymes that catalyze their synthesis and degradation, and the effector proteins that interact with or are posttranslationally modified by them. In this Review, we describe the biological chemistry of PAR and its associated enzymes, effector proteins, and targets, with a particular emphasis on their roles in gene regulation, from chromatin to RNA biology. 1.1. The PARP Family The synthesis of PAR from NAD+ is catalyzed by poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) enzymes belonging to the PARP family (EC 2.4.2.30), which contains at least 17 distinct proteins (Table 1). 3 Not all PARP family members are enzymatically active, and some may function as mono(ADP-ribosyl)transferases rather than PARPs.4 As a consequence, a new nomenclature describing PARPs more accurately as ADP-ribosyltransferases (ARTs) has been proposed.5 The 17 PARP family members can be subdivided into four subfamilies based on their domain architectures (Table 1). 3 These include: (1) DNA-dependent PARPs (PARP-1, PARP-2, and PARP-3), which are activated by discontinuous DNA structures (for PARPs 1 and 2, through their amino-terminal DNA binding domains) (Figure ​(Figure1);1); (2) tankyrases, including PARP5a (tankyrase-1) and PARP-5b (tankyrase-2), which contain large ankyrin domain repeats that mediate protein–protein interactions; (3) CCCH PARPs, including PARP-7 (tiPARP), PARP-12, PARP13.1, and PARP13.2, which contain Cys-Cys-Cys-His zinc fingers that bind to RNA, as well as WWE domains, which can exhibit PAR binding activity; and (4) macroPARPs, including PARP-9 (BAL1), PARP14 (BAL2, CoaSt6), and PARP-15 (BAL3), which contain macrodomain folds that can bind ADPR and derivatives. As these examples illustrate, nature through the course of evolution has modified the PARP catalytic domain and functionalized it with a variety of other protein domains to create a set of proteins with varied activities, subcellular locations, and functions. Figure 1 Structural and functional organization of nuclear DNA-dependent PARPs, as well as PARP-13. PARPs 1, 2, and 3 comprise a subset of nuclear PARPs whose catalytic activity is stimulated by discontinuous DNA structures. In the case of PARPs 1 and 2, this .
Increased Immune Response Elicited by DNA Vaccination with a Synthetic gp120 Sequence with Optimized Codon Usage

ABSTRACT DNA vaccination elicits humoral and cellular immune responses and has been shown to confer protection against several viral, bacterial, and parasitic pathogens. Here we report that optimized codon usage of an injected DNA sequence considerably increases both humoral and cellular immune responses. We recently generated a synthetic human immunodeficiency virus type 1 gp120 sequence in which most wild-type codons were replaced with codons from highly expressed human genes (syngp120). In vitro expression of syngp120 is considerably increased in comparison to that of the respective wild-type sequence. In BALB/c mice, DNA immunization with syngp120 resulted in significantly increased antibody titers and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte reactivity, suggesting a direct correlation between expression levels and the immune response. Moreover, syngp120 is characterized byrev-independent expression and a low risk of recombination with viral sequences. Thus, synthetic genes with optimized codon usage represent a novel strategy to increase the efficacy and safety of DNA vaccination.
Conjunctival and intramuscular vaccination of pigs with a live avirulent strain of Salmonella cholerae-suis.

An avirulent mutant strain of Salmonella cholerae-suis was cloned for resistance to streptomycin and nalidixic acid. The mutant strain 33-13 also was used because of its avirulence and immunogenicity in mice. Weaned pigs were vaccinated with live strain 33-13; 5 pigs were vaccinated by conjunctivally administered 5.5 X 10(7) organisms (low dose), 5 were conjunctivally administered 5.5 X 10(9) organisms (high dose), and 5 pigs were administered 5.5 X 10(9) organisms (high dose) IM. Transient fever and transient fecal shedding of the vaccine strain developed in pigs vaccinated IM, but not in 2 groups of pigs vaccinated conjunctivally. After intratracheal administration of virulent strain 38-9, nonvaccinated control pigs (n = 9) developed persistent high fever, anorexia, bacteremia, diarrhea, and fecal shedding of strain 38-9, whereas vaccinated pigs remained afebrile and clinically normal. Nonvaccinated and uninfected sentinel pigs (n = 8) were kept in units of 2 pigs with each group of experimental pigs, and remained healthy throughout the experiment. Thirteen vaccinated and 7 nonvaccinated control pigs were killed 42 days after vaccination, and 2 vaccinated, 2 nonvaccinated, and 8 sentinel control pigs were killed 58 days after vaccination. Ten organs were evaluated by quantitative bacteriology on necropsy of all pigs for the presence of vaccine strain 33-13, and for virulent strain 38-9. Strain 33-13 was not found. Lung and liver, lesions were found in most of the nonvaccinated control pigs, with a high frequency of recovery of large numbers of strain 38-9 from the mesenteric lymph nodes, lungs, liver, and ileum. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Evaluation of Multiplex Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) for Simultaneous Detection of Potato Viruses and Strains

A multiplex reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) protocol was evaluated for the simultaneous detection of Potato leaf roll virus (PLRV), Potato virus X (PVX) and Potato Virus Y (PVY). The multiplex RT-PCR detection of viruses was equally efficient whether RNAs were extracted using commercial kits or a sodium sulphite based nucleic acid extraction procedure. cDNAs were prepared either using a common primer (oligo dT) or specific antisense primer followed by specific primer pairs for PCR. The multiplex RT-PCR separation of strains of PVY was accomplished by using a competitive multiplex RT-PCR (with one antisense and two sense primers). The multi virus or multistrain detection approaches described here have potential application to other crop-virus combinations.
A survey of tobacco-related knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of primary care providers in Mississippi.

RATIONALE Relative to other regions in the USA, Mississippi has a high prevalence of tobacco use and tobacco-related disease. This study assessed the tobacco-related knowledge, attitudes and intervention behaviours of family doctors, dentists and nurse practitioners in the state of Mississippi. METHODS The Provider Attitude Survey, an 85-item measure of tobacco-related knowledge, attitudes and intervention behaviours was mailed to all members of Mississippi's Family Medicine, Dentistry and Nurse Practitioner professional organizations (N=2043). RESULTS Over one-third (n=802, 39.2%) of eligible providers responded. Just 24.3% had received training in tobacco cessation and 33.7% were aware of the Public Health Service clinical practice guideline. Over 90% indicated that it was their role to prevent tobacco use; felt rewarded when they helped patients quit; and were bothered and upset by the health effects of tobacco. Doctors assisted more patients than nurses or dentists. Doctors and nurses reported more self-efficacy, motivation and preparedness for treating tobacco use than dentists. Providers with training performed more interventions and reported more self-efficacy, preparedness and fewer barriers than those without training. Training was associated with greater increases in self-efficacy, preparedness and intervention behaviours for dentists than for the other groups. CONCLUSIONS Despite a high prevalence of tobacco use and tobacco-related disease in Mississippi, primary care providers in Mississippi provide tobacco cessation interventions at an unacceptably low frequency relative to other regions. Training is likely to increase the frequency of intervention behaviours.
Serotype-specific outbreak of group B meningococcal disease in Iquique, Chile

SUMMARY From 1979 to August 1987, there have been 178 cases of meningococcal disease in Iquique, Chile, a city of about 140000. The attack rate for the last 5 years has been in excess of 20/100000 per year, more than 20 times greater than for the country overall. The mortality rate was 6%. The disease occurred in patients with ages from 4 months to 60 years, but 89% of cases were in patients <21 years. The largest number of cases were in the age group 5–9 years (n = 54), but the highest incidence occurred in children less than 1 year of age (72·8/100000 per year). The male/female ratio was 1·2. Cases occurred all year round with little seasonal variation. Of the 178 cases, 173 were biologically confirmed. Serogroup analysis of strains from 135 patients revealed A = 1, B = 124, C = 10. Forty-four group B strains from 1985–7 were serotyped: 15:P1.3 = 36, 15:NT = 4, 4:P1.3 = 2, NT:NT = 2. Ten of 11 of the outbreak strains tested were sulfadiazine-resistant. This is the first recognized outbreak caused by a Gp B:15 strain in South America. It shares many of the characteristics of outbreaks caused by closely related strains in Europe, such as a predilection for older children and adolescents, sulfadiazine-resistance, and sustained high attack rates. The Iquique strain (B:15:P1.3) belongs to the same genetic clone (ET-5 complex) as the Norway (B:15:P1.16) and the Cuban (B:4:P1.15) strains.
Automatic real‐time three‐dimensional cell tracking by fluorescence microscopy

Live cell imaging has become an indispensable technique for cell biologists. However, when grown on coverslip glass used for live cell imaging many cultured cells move even during relatively short observation times and focus can drift as a result of mechanical instabilities and/or temperature fluctuations. Time‐lapse imaging therefore requires constant adjustment of the imaging field and focus position to keep the cell of interest centred in the imaged volume. We show here that this limitation can be overcome by tracking cells in a fully automated way using the mass centre of cellular fluorescence. Combined with automated multiple location revisiting, this method dramatically increases the throughput of high‐resolution live cell imaging experiments.
DSP Implementation for Measuring the Loop Gain Frequency Response of Digitally Controlled Power Converters

This paper presents a method for measuring the loop gain frequency response of digitally controlled power converters, without the need of any expensive measurement equipment such as frequency response analyzers (FRA). The method is based on the traditional perturbation and measurement scheme. The perturbation is internally synthesized by the DSP and applied as pulse-width modulation to the converter. The loop input and output data are sent to a PC via universal serial bus, which performs online the DFT of sent data. The perturbation amplitude is varied with frequency to improve signal-to-noise ratio of measurements. The number of cycles used to perform discrete Fourier transform calculations is also varied to reduce the error induced by some rounding factors at high frequencies. The proposed method offers accuracy, ease of implementation, and low computational cost.
Crystal Structure of the Human N-Myc Downstream-regulated Gene 2 Protein Provides Insight into Its Role as a Tumor Suppressor*

Considerable attention has recently been paid to the N-Myc downstream-regulated gene (NDRG) family because of its potential as a tumor suppressor in many human cancers. Primary amino acid sequence information suggests that the NDRG family proteins may belong to the α/β-hydrolase (ABH) superfamily; however, their functional role has not yet been determined. Here, we present the crystal structures of the human and mouse NDRG2 proteins determined at 2.0 and 1.7 Å resolution, respectively. Both NDRG2 proteins show remarkable structural similarity to the ABH superfamily, despite limited sequence similarity. Structural analysis suggests that NDRG2 is a nonenzymatic member of the ABH superfamily, because it lacks the catalytic signature residues and has an occluded substrate-binding site. Several conserved structural features suggest NDRG may be involved in molecular interactions. Mutagenesis data based on the structural analysis support a crucial role for helix α6 in the suppression of TCF/β-catenin signaling in the tumorigenesis of human colorectal cancer, via a molecular interaction.
Full-band cellular Monte Carlo simulations of terahertz high electron mobility transistors

High electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) have become important for high frequency and low noise applications. There are devices now operating with a cutoff frequency, fT, of several 100 GHz. Through simulation, we have been investigating how these frequencies may be pushed even higher, and have found that it may be possible to achieve an fT of over 3 THz. For this, we have used a full-band, cellular Monte Carlo transport program, coupled to a full Poisson solver, to study a variety of InAs-rich, InGaAs pseudomorphic HEMTs and their response at high frequency, concentrating on devices with a structure (from the substrate) InP/InAlAs/InGaAs/InAlAs/InGaAs, with the quantum well composed of In0.75Ga0. 25As. We have studied gate lengths over the range 10–70 nm and various source–drain spacings. The performance of scaled devices has been evaluated to determine the ultimate frequency limit. Here, the importance of the effective gate length has been evaluated from the properties internal to the device.
Inulin and oligofructose modulate lipid metabolism in animals: review of biochemical events and future prospects

Inulin and oligofructose, besides their effect on the gastro-intestinal tract, are also able to exert ‘systemic’ effect, namely by modifying the hepatic metabolism of lipids in several animal models. Feeding male Wistar rats on a carbohydrate-rich diet containing 10 % inulin or oligofructose significantly lowers serum triacylglycerol (TAG) and phospholipid concentrations. A lower hepatic lipogenesis, through a coordinate reduction of the activity and mRNA of lipogenic enzymes is a key event in the reduction of very low-density lipoprotein-TAG secretion by oligofructose. Oligofructose is also able to counteract triglyceride metabolism disorder occurring through dietary manipulation in animals, and sometimes independently on lipogenesis modulation: oligofructose reduces post-prandial triglyceridemia by 50 % and avoids the increase in serum free cholesterol level occurring in rats fed a Western-type high fat diet. Oligofructose protects rats against liver TAG accumulation (steatosis) induced by fructose, or occurring in obese Zucker fa/fa rats. The protective effect of dietary inulin and oligofructose on steatosis in animals, would be interesting, if confirmed in humans, since steatosis is one of the most frequent liver disorders, occurring together with the plurimetabolic syndrome, in overweight people. The panel of putative mediators of the systemic effects of inulin and oligofructose consists in either modifications in glucose/insulin homeostasis, the end-products of their colonic fermentation (i.e. propionate) reaching the liver by the portal vein, incretins and/or the availability of other nutrients. The identification of the key mediators of the systemic effects of inulin and oligofructose is the key to identify target function(s) (or dysfunction(s)), and finally individuals who would take an advantage of increasing their dietary intake.
Functional Divergence in Tandemly Duplicated Arabidopsis thaliana Trypsin Inhibitor Genes

In multigene families, variation among loci and alleles can contribute to trait evolution. We explored patterns of functional and genetic variation in six duplicated Arabidopsis thaliana trypsin inhibitor (ATTI) loci. We demonstrate significant variation in constitutive and herbivore-induced transcription among ATTI loci that show, on average, 65% sequence divergence. Significant variation in ATTI expression was also found between two molecularly defined haplotype classes. Population genetic analyses for 17 accessions of A. thaliana showed that six ATTI loci arranged in tandem within 10 kb varied 10-fold in nucleotide diversity, from 0.0009 to 0.0110, and identified a minimum of six recombination events throughout the tandem array. We observed a significant peak in nucleotide and indel polymorphism spanning ATTI loci in the interior of the array, due primarily to divergence between the two haplotype classes. Significant deviation from the neutral equilibrium model for individual genes was interpreted within the context of intergene linkage disequilibrium and correlated patterns of functional differentiation. In contrast to the outcrosser Arabidopsis lyrata for which recombination is observed even within ATTI loci, our data suggest that response to selection was slowed in the inbreeding, annual A. thaliana because of interference among functionally divergent ATTI loci.
Requirement for CD28 May Not Be Absolute for Collagen-Induced Arthritis: Study with HLA-DQ8 Transgenic Mice1

CD28 is required to achieve optimal T cell activation to an Ag. To determine the role CD28 costimulation plays in collagen-induced arthritis, we have generated DQ8 transgenic, CD28-deficient mice. DQ8 mice deficient for CD28 had comparable numbers of CD4 and CD8 T cells as DQ8.CD28+/+ mice. DQ8.CD28−/− mice develop collagen-induced arthritis with delayed onset and less severity than DQ8.CD28+/+ mice. T cells from DQ8.CD28−/− mice did not respond to type II collagen efficiently in vitro, although the response to DQ8-restricted peptides was similar to that in the parent mice. There was no functional defect in T cells as observed by proliferation with Con A. Cytokine analysis from in vitro study showed the production of high levels of the inflammatory cytokine, IFN-γ, in response to type II collagen. We observed an increase in CD4+CD28−NKG2D+ cells after immunization, suggesting an important role for cells bearing this receptor in the disease process. CD28−/− mice also have an increased number of DX5+ cells compared with CD28+/+ mice, which can lead to the production of high levels of IFN-γ. DQ8.CD28−/− mice had an increased number of cells bearing other costimulatory markers. Cells from DQ8.CD28−/− mice exhibited a lower proliferation rate and were resistant to activation-induced cell death compared with DQ8.CD28+/+ mice. This study supports the idea that CD28 plays a crucial role in the regulation of arthritis. However, in the absence of CD28 signaling, other costimulatory molecules can lead to the development of disease, thus indicating that the requirement for CD28 may not be absolute in the development of arthritis.
Cloning of a human homolog of the yeast nucleotide excision repair gene MMS19 and interaction with transcription repair factor TFIIH via the XPB and XPD helicases.

Nucleotide excision repair (NER) removes UV-induced photoproducts and numerous other DNA lesions in a highly conserved 'cut-and-paste' reaction that involves approximately 25 core components. In addition, several other proteins have been identified which are dispensable for NER in vitro but have an undefined role in vivo and may act at the interface of NER and other cellular processes. An intriguing example is the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Mms19 protein that has an unknown dual function in NER and RNA polymerase II transcription. Here we report the cloning and characterization of a human homolog, designated hMMS19, that encodes a 1030 amino acid protein with 26% identity and 51% similarity to S.cerevisiae Mms19p and with a strikingly similar size. The expression profile and nuclear location are consistent with a repair function. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that hMMS19 directly interacts with the XPB and XPD subunits of NER-transcription factor TFIIH. These findings extend the conservation of the NER apparatus and the link between NER and basal transcription and suggest that hMMS19 exerts its function in repair and transcription by interacting with the XPB and XPD helicases.
Caspase inhibition and N6‐benzyladenosine‐induced apoptosis in HL‐60 cells

As an extension of our recently published work (Mlejnek and Kuglík [ 2000 ] J. Cell. Biochem. 77:6–17), the role of caspases in N6‐benzylaminopurine riboside (BAPR)‐induced apotosis in HL‐60 cells was evaluated in this study. Here, BAPR‐induced apoptosis was accompanied by activation of caspase‐3 and caspase‐9. However, when these caspases were selectively inhibited, the progression of BAPR‐induced apoptosis was not markedly affected. Besides that, activation of caspase‐3 and caspase‐9 was found to be rather late event in apoptotic process. These results suggested that other caspases might be critically implicated. Indeed, pan‐specific caspase inhibitor, Z‐VAD‐FMK, completely prevented DNA cleavage and apoptotic bodies formation. However, Z‐VAD‐FMK failed to prevent cell death and it was incapable to fully counteract the main apoptotic hallmark‐chromatin condensation. Finally, our data indicate that cellular decision between apoptosis and necrosis is made upon the availability of both caspase proteases and intracellular ATP. J. Cell. Biochem. 83: 678–689, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.