Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Natural Balancing of Neutral Point Potential of Three Level Inverter using Improved Firefly Algorithm

Modern power systems driven by high power converters are becoming inevitable in view of the ever increasing demand in electric power. By limiting the switching losses in such power converters, the total power loss can be reduced leading to more power efficiency. In this way, a reduced switching frequency less than few hundreds of hertz is applied to the power converters which produce output waveforms with high distortion. Selective Harmonic Elimination Pulse Width Modulation (SHE PWM) is an optimized low switching frequency pulse width modulation which is based on offline estimation, capable of pre programming the harmonic profile of the output waveform over a range of modulation indices eliminating some lower order harmonics. In this paper SHE PWM scheme for three phase three leg Neutral Point Clamped (NPC) inverter is proposed which besides eliminating the selected harmonics, also naturally balances the DC capacitor voltages at the DC bus due to symmetrical pulse pattern over quarter cycle of the period. The technique used in the estimation of switching angles involves the Firefly Algorithm (FA), and compared to other techniques . FA is proved to be more robust with less computation time. A simulation in the MATLAB/SIMULINK environment and an experimental verification in Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) platform using the Spartan 6A DSP have been carried out to prove the validity of the proposed technique.
3D Microperiodic Hydrogel Scaffolds for Robust Neuronal Cultures

Three‐dimensional (3D) microperiodic scaffolds of poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA) have been fabricated by direct‐write assembly of a photopolymerizable hydrogel ink. The ink is initially composed of physically entangled pHEMA chains dissolved in a solution of HEMA monomer, comonomer, photoinitiator and water. Upon printing 3D scaffolds of varying architecture, the ink filaments are exposed to UV light, where they are transformed into an interpenetrating hydrogel network of chemically cross‐linked and physically entangled pHEMA chains. These 3D microperiodic scaffolds are rendered growth compliant for primary rat hippocampal neurons by absorption of polylysine. Neuronal cells thrive on these scaffolds, forming differentiated, intricately branched networks. Confocal laser scanning microscopy reveals that both cell distribution and extent of neuronal process alignment depend upon scaffold architecture. This work provides an important step forward in the creation of suitable platforms for in vitro study of sensitive cell types.
Assessment of Statistical Heterogeneity in the PLATO Trial

that Poland and Hungary showed overly large treatment benefits, and he suggests this is due to monitoring of the trial by the sponsor in these countries rather than by independent contract research organizations as in the United States. It seems hard, however, to imagine how monitoring of this double-blind trial could have affected overall mortality, which also favored ticagrelor over clopidogrel (HR 0.78; 95% CI 0.69–0.89; p ! 0.001) [1] . Aside from this, we believe that such investigations are unwarranted since they are based on the incorrect expectation that country-specific treatment effects in multinational trials should be similar. In fact, large differences in treatment effects can arise as a natural consequence of chance variability. A formal test of interaction could be used to assess this in PLATO, although it is well known that such tests lack power for anything but extremely large interactions. Another approach was suggested recently and might be especially useful to assess differences in outcomes between regions or countries, as in PLATO [4] . It consists of calculating, using the same design assumptions and the same sample sizes as in the study itself, the range of treatment effects (hazard ratios) that would be expected to result from the play of chance alone. For the 42 countries shown in the Serebruany editorial [see fig. 1 in 4 ], the expected range of HRs turns out to be 0.28–2.70. The observed range was 0.25–2.45 [3] . The The PLATelet inhibition and clinical Outcomes (PLATO) trial revealed a significant benefit of ticagrelor over clopidogrel in terms of the composite end point of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke at 1 year in patients with acute coronary syndrome (HR 0.84; 95% CI 0.77–0.92; p ! 0.001) [1] . Although this overall result was both statistically significant and clinically relevant, much discussion was generated by the finding that ticagrelor apparently conveyed no benefit in the United States. In their review of the data, the US Food and Drug Administration Cardiovascular and Renal Drugs Advisory Committee opined that the whole population studied should be given more weight than a subgroup analysis, even if this would result in approving ticagrelor ‘in a country where it did not show a benefit’ [2] . Nevertheless, the finding was unsettling, and the sponsor offered the dose of aspirin as a plausible explanation, with most patients in the United States receiving an aspirin maintenance dose of 325 mg versus a maintenance dose of 75 or 100 mg in other countries. This explanation was recently dismissed by Serebruany [3] , who claims that ‘there is nothing unique regarding the US data’. Although his view is perfectly reasonable on statistical grounds, he goes on to investigate alternative explanations for the differences in outcomes observed in other countries in which the PLATO trial was performed. He claims Received and accepted: March 18, 2011 Published online: May 18, 2011
Obstacle avoidance for redundant manipulators using the compact QP method

The compact QP (quadratic programming) method is proposed to resolve the obstacle avoidance problem for a redundant manipulator. The drift-free criterion is considered when a redundant manipulator performs a repeated motion. Due to the computational efficiency and versatility of the compact QP method, real-time implementation is able to be achieved, and physical limitations such as joint rate bounds and joint angle limits can be easily taken into account. An example is given to demonstrate that this method is able to avoid the throat of a cavity, and to remedy the drift problem while a primary goal of the manipulators is carried out. Simulation results show that multiple goals can easily be fulfilled by this method. <<ETX>>
Association of the dispersion in red blood cell volume with mortality

The red cell distribution width (RDW) predicts mortality among many populations. RDW is calculated as the standard deviation (SD) of the red blood cell (RBC) volume divided by mean corpuscular volume (MCV). Because higher MCV also predicts mortality, we hypothesized that the RDW numerator (one SD of RBC volume or 1SD‐RDW) predicts mortality more strongly than the RDW.
A Comparison of Organizational Career Management in Different Types of Hotels

This paper makes a comparative study on organizational career management in three different types of hotels. Results of factor analysis indicate that hotel organizational career management can be demonstrated by four dimensions: fair promotion, paying attention to training, career self-cognitive and information transparency. Generally speaking, foreign-owned hotel has an advantage over the other two types of hotels in these four dimensions. And its organizational career management has more positive influence on employee behavior.
Prostate cancer mortality reduction by screening: Power and time frame with complete enrollment in the European randomised screening for prostate cancer (ERSPC) trial

From 1992–2001, 7 countries in Europe gradually recruited men for the European Randomised Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC) trial. Centres recruit different age groups and have different designs for recruiting and countries have different underlying risks for prostate cancer. Recruitment has reached 163,126 men aged 55–69 at entry now. Our purpose was to calculate the power of the trial and at what point in time can statistically significant differences in prostate cancer mortality be expected. Recruitment data were collected from the screening centres. We calculated the expected number of prostate cancer deaths in each follow‐up year, based on national statistics and expected rate in trial entrants. The power was calculated using different assumptions on intervention effect and contamination rate and also if the ERSPC trial would cooperate with other trials. With an assumed 25% intervention effect in men actually screened and a 20% contamination rate, the trial will reach a power of 0.86 in 2008. With an assumed intervention effect of 40%, the power reaches 0.90 in 2003–2004. Pooling data with those of the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovary (PLCO) trial early is expected to improve the power to 79% (20% intervention effect) to 92% (40% intervention effect PLCO). Adding more centres with compliance rates lower than 45% decreases the power of the trial. The ERSPC trial has sufficient power to detect a significant difference in prostate cancer mortality between the 2 arms if the true reduction in mortality by screening is 25% or more or if contamination remains limited to 10% if the true effect is 20% or more. If early detection and treatment turns out to have a stronger effect as may be suggested by observational data, the ERSPC trial is likely to conclusively show that within the next 5 years. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Microenvironment and Immunology Increased CD 8 þ T-cell Function following Castration and Immunization Is Countered by Parallel Expansion of Regulatory T Cells

Although androgen ablation therapy is effective in treating primary prostate cancers, a significant number of patients develop incurable castration-resistant disease. Recent studies have suggested a potential synergy between vaccination and androgen ablation, yet the enhanced T-cell function is transient. Using a defined tumor antigen model, UV-8101-RE, we found that concomitant castration significantly increased the frequency and function of antigen-specific CD8þ T cells early after the immunization of wild-type mice. However, at a late time point after immunization, effector function was reduced to the same level as noncastrated mice and was accompanied by a concomitant amplification in CD4þCD25þFoxp3þ regulatory T cells (Treg) following immunization. We investigated whether Treg expansion occurred following castration of prostate tumor– bearing mice. In the prostate-specific Pten / mouse model of prostate cancer, we observed an accelerated Treg expansion in mice bearing the castration-resistant endogenous prostate tumor, which prevented effector responses to UV-8101-RE. Treg depletion together with castration elicited a strong CD8þ T-cell response to UV-8101-RE in Pten / mice and rescued effector function in castrated and immunized wild-type mice. In addition, Treg expansion in Pten / mice was prevented by in vivo interleukin (IL)-2 blockade suggesting that increased IL-2 generated by castration and immunization promotes Treg expansion. Our findings therefore suggest that although effector responses are augmented by castration, the concomitant expansion of Tregs is onemechanism responsible for only transient immune potentiation after androgen ablation. Cancer Res; 72(8); 1–
Steroids dilate nuclear pores imaged with atomic force microscopy

Macromolecules that act in the cell nucleus must overcome the nuclear envelope (NE). This barrier between cytosol and the nucleus is perforated by nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) that serve as translocation machineries. We visualized the translocation process at the NE surface, applying a nanotechnical approach using atomic force microscopy (AFM). In order to initiate protein targeting to NPCs, dexamethasone (dex) was injected into Xenopus laevis oocytes. Dex is a synthetic steroid of great therapeutic relevance that specifically binds to glucocorticoid receptors and thus triggers an intracellular signal cascade involving the cell nucleus. Ninety and 180 sec after dex injection cell nuclei were isolated, the NEs spread on glass and scanned with AFM. With single molecule resolution we observed that dex initiated proteins (DIPs) first bind to NPC‐free areas of the outer nuclear membrane. This causes NPCs to dilate. Then, in a second step, DIPs attach directly to NPCs and enter the dilated central channels. DIPs accumulation and NPC conformational changes were blocked by RU486, a specific glucocorticoid receptor antagonist. In conclusion, dex exposure induces NPC dilation. NPCs change conformation already prior to transport. The NPC dilation signal is most likely transmitted through NPC associated filaments or yet unknown structures in the NE outer membrane. NPC dilation could have significant impact on nuclear targeting of therapeutic macromolecules. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Guidelines for Media Literacy Interventions in the Digital Age

ing creating a brief, clear, and accurate description capturing the essence of a message in a smaller number of words than the message itself Abstracted from Potter (2008)ed from Potter (2008) Guidelines for Media Literacy Interventions in the Digital Age 29 Smjernice za posredovanje u korist medijske pismenosti u digitalnom dobu
Microwave-Assisted Isolation of Essential Oils from Nepeta Crispa and N. Racemosa and Comparisons with the Conventional Method

In this study microwave-assisted hydrodistillation (MAHD) has been compared with the conventional method of hydrodistillation for the extraction of the essential oils from two Iranian Lamiaceae species: Nepeta crispa Willd and N. racemosa Lam. The essential oils extracted by MAHD for 40 min were quantitatively and qualitatively (aromatic profile) similar to those obtained by conventional hydrodistillation for 3.5 h. The MAHD method yields an essential oil with higher amounts of more valuable oxygenated compounds, and allows substantial savings of costs in terms of time, energy and plant material.
A bibliometric study of taxonomic botany

Purpose – The aims of this paper are to: investigate the citation‐patterns of monograph books in taxonomic botany (looking mainly at publications and publishers, and the age of current literature); and make recommendations for collections management and reference services in libraries that hold botany materials.Design/methodology/approach – In total, 454 citations were collected at random from 47 botanical monographs published in 2009; a Bradford distribution of cited journals was produced; age‐distributions of citations were devised; and other bibliographical characteristics were tabulated.Findings – A small Bradfordian core of highly‐cited journals and important publishers of monograph books were identified; monographs are cited more often than journal articles; older materials are more important than in other sciences; monographs are used by botanists for current awareness purposes; coverage of botanical journals by citation indexes is poor.Research limitations/implications – The small size of the samp.
Association Between Clinical Depression and Endothelial Function Measured by Forearm Hyperemic Reactivity

Objective: To assess associations between clinically significant depression (major depressive disorder [MDD] and minor depressive disorder [MiDD]) and endothelial function (EF), via forearm hyperemic reactivity (FHR), in patients referred for myocardial perfusion imaging. Studies have linked MDD to impaired EF, an early marker of coronary heart disease (CHD) and risk factor for cardiac events, in healthy, noncardiac patients, although no studies have assessed the MDD-EF association in patients with or at risk for CHD. Methods: Depression was assessed, using the Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders structured interview in 323 patients (n = 242 men; mean age = 59 years) with or at risk for CHD. FHR was assessed, using a dynamic nuclear imaging technique that measures the dilatory capability of the brachial artery during hyperemic challenge. The relative uptake ratio (RUR) of blood flow between hyperemic and nonhyperemic arms was used to measure FHR. Results: Patients with MDD and MiDD had lower RURs (mean values = 3.31 and 3.34, respectively), indicating poorer EF than patients without depression (mean = 4.27) (F = 5.19, p < .01), irrespective of CHD status. All results were adjusted for covariates including sociodemographic, medical, biochemical, and physiological variables. Conclusions: Patients with clinical levels of depression had worse FHR than patients without depression, irrespective of CHD status and after adjusting for covariates. Data extend previous findings, suggesting that the link between clinical depression and worse CHD outcomes may be mediated by EF. BDI = Beck Depression Inventory; CHD = coronary heart disease; CRP = C-reactive protein; DSM = Diagnostic and Statistical Manual; EF = endothelial function; FHR = forearm hyperemic reactivity; FMD = flow-mediated dilatation; HPA = hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal; MDD = major depressive disorder; MiDD = minor depressive disorder; MI = myocardial infarction; NO = nitric oxide; PRIME-MD = Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders; RUR = relative uptake ratio; SCID = Structured Clinical Interview for DSM; SPECT = single photon emission computed tomography.
Recurrent Aortic Dissection: Observations From the International Registry of Aortic Dissection

Background: Improved medical care after initial aortic dissection (AD) has led to increased survivorship and a population of individuals at risk for further cardiovascular events, including recurrent AD. Reports describing recurrent ADs have been restricted to small numbers of patients from single institutions. We used the IRAD (International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection) database to examine the clinical profiles and outcomes of patients with recurrent AD. Methods: We identified 204 patients enrolled in IRAD with recurrent AD. For the primary analysis, patient characteristics, interventions, and outcomes were analyzed and compared with 3624 patients with initial AD. Iterative logistic modeling was performed to investigate variables associated with recurrent AD. Cox regression analyses were used to determine variables associated with 5-year survival. A subset of recurrent AD patients was analyzed for anatomic and demographic details of initial and recurrent ADs. Results: Patients with recurrent AD were more likely to have Marfan syndrome (21.5% versus 3.1%; P<0.001) but not bicuspid aortic valve (3.6% versus 3.2%; P=0.77). Descending aortic dimensions were greater in patients with recurrent AD than in patients with initial AD independently of sentinel dissection type (type A: 4.3 cm [3.5–5.6 cm] versus 3.3 cm [2.9–3.7 cm], P<0.001; type B: 5.0 cm [3.9–6.0 cm] versus 4.0 cm [3.5–4.8 cm], P<0.001), and this observation was accentuated among patients with Marfan syndrome. In multivariate analysis, the diagnosis of Marfan syndrome independently predicted recurrent AD (hazard ratio, 8.6; 95% confidence interval, 5.8–12.8; P<0.001). Patients with recurrent AD who presented with proximal followed by distal AD were younger than patients who experienced distal followed by proximal dissection AD (42.1±16.1 versus 54.3±14.8 years; P=0.004). Conclusions: Among those suffering acute aortic dissection, 5% have a history of a prior aortic dissection. Recurrent AD is strongly associated with Marfan syndrome.
Combating selfish misbehavior with reputation based uplink offloading for IP Flow Mobility

In this paper we focus on the uplink offloading based on IP Flow Mobility (IFOM). With IFOM a User Equipment (UE) is able to maintain concurrently two data streams, one through LTE and the other through WiFi. We propose a weighted proportionally fair algorithm for the WiFi access and a linear pricing based algorithm for the LTE access. The existence of a malicious UE is considered that aims to exploit the WiFi bandwidth against its peers in order to upload less data through the energy demanding LTE uplink and a reputation based method is proposed to combat its selfish operation. We theoretically analyse our approach and evaluate the performance of the malicious and the truthful UEs in terms of energy efficiency through simulations. We show that while the malicious UE presents better energy efficiency before being detected, its performance is significantly degraded with the proposed reaction methIn this paper we focus on the uplink offloading based on IP Flow Mobility (IFOM). With IFOM a User Equipment (UE) is able to maintain concurrently two data streams, one through LTE and the other through WiFi. We propose a weighted proportionally fair algorithm for the WiFi access and a linear pricing based algorithm for the LTE access. The existence of a malicious UE is considered that aims to exploit the WiFi bandwidth against its peers in order to upload less data through the energy demanding LTE uplink and a reputation based method is proposed to combat its selfish operation. We theoretically analyse our approach and evaluate the performance of the malicious and the truthful UEs in terms of energy efficiency through simulations. We show that while the malicious UE presents better energy efficiency before being detected, its performance is significantly degraded with the proposed reaction method.od.
Detecting non-stationarity in extreme rainfall data observed in Northern Italy

Recent analyses have claimed the possible presence of non-stationarity, produced by the presence of either trend or long-term climatic fluctuations, in some historical hydrometeorological records observed in Europe as well as in other countries. Such non-stationarity might exert a remarkable effect on the estimation of the frequency distribution of the extreme events. However, it is well known that a reliable assessment of the presence of non-stationarity in hydrological records is not an easy task, because of the limited extension of the available data sets. This makes difficult distinguishing between non-stationarity, sample variability and long-term climatic fluctuations. This paper analyses two long rainfall records observed in the Emilia-Romagna region, in Northern Italy, in order to assess whether non-stationarity might be present. The results are compared with the outcomes of regional analyses aimed at assessing the presence of non-stationarity at regional scale. Moreover, some synthetic data are analysed, in order to assess how much the sample variability of a short stationary series might induce effects which could at first glance be ascribed to non-stationarity.