Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Geometric control breaks tracking performance limits using linear control in a buck converter

This paper highlights performance and efficiency benefits using time optimal control (TOC) in a synchronous buck converter, over an optimally tuned current mode control (CMC) for a step reference transient. An approximate second order closed loop model is obtained for CMC using type-II compensation, and critical performance limits are derived using a normalized framework. Under frequent step change in reference voltage, an analytical study comparing transient performance and efficiency is carried out for CMC and TOC. This study shows that both performance and efficiency can be improved significantly using TOC, however at the cost of larger peak inductor current during the transient. Possible alternate solutions using performance-efficiency trade-off are discussed under peak (inductor) current limits. A buck converter prototype is fabricated, and the test results are obtained using a FPGA device.
Software tool for assessing secondary system opportunities in spectrum whitespaces

The prospect of increasing wireless capacity via secondary access to spatio-temporally underutilized chunks of spectrum, so-called whitespaces, has been proposed as a central aspect of emerging radio systems in response to the imminent spectrum scarcity problem. In this demonstration we present a novel software tool that helps researchers, industry, and regulators in assessing the feasibility and value of secondary spectrum access beyond simple whitespace availability calculation. Whereas existing software applications merely provide visualization of estimated secondary spectrum over a geographic area, our tool uniquely enables a holistic evaluation of the realistic potential of whitespace technologies, by modelling the performance of entire secondary systems in the envisioned eco-system of dynamic spectrum access policy and technology. Our tool provides a unified and flexible software framework and assessment methodology to conduct such studies, and is composed of an extensive primary spectrum usage database, a graphical interface for user interaction, and an interface to an extensible MATLAB backend for numerical calculations. We showcase the deployment scenarios of cellular and Wi-Fi-like secondary networks in TVWS (TV whitespaces). We also compare the impact of employing FCC-type of regulatory rules (with a fixed power/no-talk distance configuration) against European WG-SE43 regulatory proposals (with probabilistic access and power control). The case studies we will demonstrate are based on real network configuration data of European and US TV networks.
Inspiratory modulation of sympathetic activity is increased in female rats exposed to chronic intermittent hypoxia

What is the central question of the study? There are sex differences in the respiratory network and in the regulation of arterial blood pressure. Female rats develop hypertension after chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH). In this context, we evaluated the respiratory‐related mechanism underlying the development of hypertension in CIH‐exposed female rats. What is the main finding and its importance? Female rats exposed to CIH develop changes in the respiratory pattern related to inspiration and sympathetic overactivity phase locked to the inspiratory phase of the respiratory cycle, which is different from CIH‐exposed male rats. These data suggest a specific respiratory mechanism for sympathetic overactivity in hypertensive CIH‐exposed female rats.
Bruk av norsk talegjenkjenning for virtuelle besøk innen helsesektoren

Artikkelen tar for seg hvordan virtuelle besok kan nyttes innen telemedisin, og hvordan en kan ha nytte av talegjenkjenning pa dette omradet. En web-applikasjon er utviklet for a utfore videosamtaler der talegjenkjenning brukes til diktering av det som blir sagt. Web-applikasjonen er ment for samtaler mellom pasient og helsepersonell. For a oppna talegjenkjenning ble det utviklet bade akustiske modeller ( skjulte Markov modeller–HMM ) og sprakmodeller ( Trigram ) ved hjelp av apne tilgjengelige ressurser. Web-applikasjonen ble testet ut av sykepleierstudenter ved Hogskolen i Bergen. Sykepleierstudentene deltok ogsa i en sporreundersokelse for a kartlegge studentenes meninger om nytten av virtuelle besok. Ressursene som ble brukt for a utvikle en talegjenkjenner pa norsk var imidlertid ikke tilstrekkelige for bruk av diktering i web-applikasjonen ( Word Error Rate (WER>100 %)). Studentene var positive til bruk av diktering, men hadde ulike meninger om nytten av virtuelle besok.
Contesting the Value of the Shared Value Concept

This paper critiques Porter and Kramer’s concept of creating shared value. The strengths of the idea are highlighted in terms of its popularity among practitioner and academic audiences, its connecting of strategy and social goals, and its systematizing of some previously underdeveloped, disconnected areas of research and practice. However, the concept suffers from some serious shortcomings, namely it: is unoriginal; ignores the tensions inherent to responsible business activity; is naive about business compliance; and is based on a shallow conception of the corporation's role in society.
Life Cycle Investing: From Target-Date to Goal-Based Investing

The authors propose the use of goal based investing—or private ALM, as they prefer to call it—to tailor a dynamic investment strategy to the needs of individual clients. They argue that this approach is superior to the “one-size-fits-all,” target-date-oriented static allocation path used in most current life cycle funds. They present the two pillars of their approach: the methodology for obtaining financial and economic scenarios, and the methodology of the goal-oriented dynamic allocation strategy. This approach reduces the risks and improves the feasibility of meeting the clients’ goals.
Design of a phase locked loop for 60 GHz/ 30 GHz signal generation in 22nm FDSOI technology for wireless transceivers

Phase Locked Loops (PLLs) are fundamental components in communication systems used in frequency synthesis, carrier recovery and modulation. Massive Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) based millimeter wave communication systems demand reference frequencies with high spectral purity. Low power implementation of PLLs in deep submicron CMOS processes is essential in the current market demand for integrated transceivers for future communication systems like 5G. This thesis deals with the design of a 60 GHz PLL in 22nm FDSOI technology for use in 5G transceiver systems.
Weighted spatial bispectrum correlation matrix for DOA estimation in the presence of interferences

Besides the undirected environmental noise, the surrounding interference also brings great challenges to the robust DOA estimation of the speech source. As conventional DOA estimation methods always assume an undirected noise model, they usually cannot perform reliably when the strong inference exists. In this paper, we propose a novel interference robust DOA estimation method, which is based on the “weighted spatial bispectrum correlation matrix (WSBCM)”. The WSBCM contains the spatial correlation information of bispectrum phase difference (BPD), and a new DOA estimator is further derived based on the eigenvalue analysis of the WSBCM. By formulating with WSBCM, the proposed method benefits from the redundant DOA-related information provided by the BPD. In addition, the WSBCM enables bispectrum weighting to highlight the pure speech units in the bispectrum, which further helps to improve the performance. In order to compute the bispectrum weights, a decision-directed approach is derived. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated by experiments conducted under various kinds of interference-existing scenarios.
Genetic Evidence Links the ASTRA Protein Chaperone Component Tti2 to the SAGA Transcription Factor Tra1

Tra1 is a 3744-residue component of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae SAGA, NuA4, and ASTRA complexes. Tra1 contains essential C-terminal PI3K and FATC domains, but unlike other PIKK (phosphoinositide three-kinase–related kinase) family members, lacks kinase activity. To analyze functions of the FATC domain, we selected for suppressors of tra1-F3744A, an allele that results in slow growth under numerous conditions of stress. Two alleles of TTI2, tti2-F328S and tti2-I336F, acted in a partially dominant fashion to suppress the growth-related phenotypes associated with tra1-F3744A as well as its resulting defects in transcription. tti2-F328S suppressed an additional FATC domain mutation (tra1-L3733A), but not a mutation in the PI3K domain or deletions of SAGA or NuA4 components. We find eGFP-tagged Tti2 distributed throughout the cell. Tti2 is a component of the ASTRA complex, and in mammalian cells associates with molecular chaperones in complex with Tti1 and Tel2. Consistent with this finding, Tra1 levels are reduced in a strain with a temperature-sensitive allele of tel2. Further agreeing with a possible role for Tti2 in the folding or stabilization of Tra1, tra1-F3744A was mislocalized to the cytoplasm, particularly under conditions of stress. Since an intragenic mutation of tra1-R3590I also suppressed F3744A, we propose that Tti2 is required for the folding/stability of the C-terminal FATC and PI3K domains of Tra1 into their functionally active form.
Predicting environmental effect on approach landing systems using hybrid model

Approach landing systems are very sensitive to the environmental effect of airports and it is necessary to predict system performance in the scattering environment to ensure security. A module based hybrid model to simulate the systems considering the effect of environment is proposed and discussed in detail. Practical application using the model to evaluate the airport environment is presented, and results show that the hybrid model is effective and that measures can be taken to solve the practical problem according to the results obtained from the simulation using the model.
Correlation Between Cardiac Autonomic Modulation in Response to Orthostatic Stress and Indicators of Quality of Life, Physical Capacity, and Physical Activity in Healthy Individuals

Abstract Gonçalves, TR, Farinatti, PTV, Gurgel, JL, and da Silva Soares, PP. Correlation between cardiac autonomic modulation in response to orthostatic stress and indicators of quality of life, physical capacity, and physical activity in healthy individuals. J Strength Cond Res 29(5): 1415–1421, 2015—Increased heart rate variability (HRV) at rest is frequently associated to maximal oxygen uptake ( ), physical activity, and markers of quality of life (QoL). However, the HRV has not been observed during physical exercise or orthostatic (ORT) challenge. This study investigated the associations of HRV changes (&Dgr;HRV) from rest at supine (SUP) to ORT positions with , physical activity level, and QoL in young adults. Cardiac autonomic modulation was assessed by spectral analysis of R-R time series measured from SUP to ORT positions in 15 healthy volunteers (26 ± 7 years). Questionnaires were applied for evaluation of QoL (SF-36 score), to estimate , and to quantify physical activity (Baecke Sport Score). All HRV indices at SUP, but not ORT, strongly correlated to QoL, estimated , and physical activity. The &Dgr;HRV from SUP to ORT showed significant correlations with all questionnaire scores (r = 0.52–0.61 for low frequency and r = −0.61 to −0.65 for high frequency, p ⩽ 0.05). Higher vagal activity at rest and greater changes in adrenergic and parasympathetic modulation from SUP to ORT were detected in the volunteers exhibiting higher scores of QoL, estimated , and physical activity. Taken together, the level of neural adaptations from resting SUP position to active standing, and physical activity and QoL questionnaires seem to be a simple approach to understand the physiological and lifestyle adaptations to exercise that may be applied to a large sample of subjects in almost any sports facilities at a low cost.
Towards localism: providing for grass-roots citizens' 'voice' in policy and decision-making for sustainable development

'Participation' has become a buzzword in local governance discourse alongside 'voice', 'inclusion' and 'responsiveness'. Declining civic participation, alienation of grassroots-level citizens from mainstream decision-making in representative democracy and increasing distance between citizens and government are democratic deficits globally. These factors make direct democratic participation of citizens in local governance essential for sustainable development. Advocates of public participation for sustainable local development are convinced an engaged grassroots citizenry is better than a passive one. Given the opportunity, grassroots citizens can actively engage in making and shaping policies directly affecting their own lives and, thus, be makers and shapers of policy, rather than play the passive role of users and choosers of interventions or public services. Arnstein's 'ladder of participation' (1969) and Burns, Hambleton and Hoggett's 'ladder of citizen empowerment' (1994) show that participation involves a continuum of various degrees of power and powerlessness. In many advanced democracies, public participation in local affairs is deemed sacrosanct, but in emerging democracies, particularly in Africa, participation often comes across as a benevolent gesture bestowed on less powerful citizens by the more powerful. This theoretical paper argues that genuine public participation of grass-roots citizens is vital for sustainable local development and requires a localism agenda with empowerment as its ultimate goal. Consequently, local governments need to engage citizens using participatory methods that resonate with the higher levels of Arnstein's 'ladder of participation' and Burns', Hambleton and Hoggett's 'ladder of citizen empowerment'. Through literature analysis, the paper pinpoints the nexus between public participation and sustainable development and discusses key facets of public participation, paving the way for a discussion of three innovative participation approaches with potential for yielding sustainable development outcomes: participatory budgeting, citizens' juries and consensus conferences. dassah@ukzn.ac. za
Interleukin-10 gene expression in acute virus-induced asthma.

RATIONALE Virus-induced asthma is characterized by marked neutrophil influx and eosinophil degranulation, suggesting a mode of immunopathogenesis different from that of allergen-induced asthma. OBJECTIVES This study compared induced sputum cytokine responses in subjects with severe asthma exacerbation and respiratory virus infection with those of patients with stable asthma, healthy control subjects, and virus-infected nonasthmatic subjects. METHODS Subject infection status and pulmonary history were established on the basis of common cold and asthma questionnaires, and lung function and atopy tests were performed. Respiratory virus infection was diagnosed by cell culture and direct polymerase chain reaction, using induced sputum. The induced sputum cellular profile was examined and cytokine gene expression was assessed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS A respiratory virus was detected in 78% of subjects with acute asthma. Specific viruses detected were rhinovirus (83%), influenza (15%), enterovirus (4%), and respiratory syncytial virus (2%). Virus-infected subjects with acute asthma or no asthma had increased RANTES (regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted) and macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha messenger RNAs compared with other groups. Interleukin (IL)-10 mRNA was significantly increased in virus-infected acute asthma and reduced on recovery from acute asthma. IL-5, eotaxin, and IL-8 mRNA transcripts were similar across groups. CONCLUSIONS Asthma exacerbation triggered by respiratory virus infection is characterized by increased IL-10 gene expression that may explain the suppressed eosinophil influx in acute asthma. Airway neutrophilia due to respiratory virus infection is associated with chemokine gene expression involving RANTES and macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha.
Investigation of the market efficiency of emerging stock markets in the East-European region

The presence of stock market efficiency is a distinctive characteristic of the effectively functioning market economy. Investigation of the market efficiency of seven emerging East-European stock exchanges is carried out as their major stock indices (BELEX15, BET, CROBEX, ISE100, PFTS, RTSI, SOFIX) are studied in respect of long-range dependence (LRD), persistency, and forecasting possibilities, based on historical information. If the so enlisted characteristics are present, this would mean that the weak form of the Efficient Market Hypothesis (EMH) is rejected. The results obtained indicate definitely that we have strong evidence for deviation from market efficiency at East- European Financial Markets.
A COPULA-TGARCH APPROACH OF CONDITIONAL DEPENDENCE BETWEEN OIL PRICE AND STOCK MARKET INDEX: THE CASE OF MEXICO

This study applied the Clayton and Gumbel copulas using the TGARCH model for marginal distribution of returns in order to describe the tail dependence between oil prices and the Mexican stock market index (IPC, Index of Prices and Quotations) on a weekly basis, from 2010 to 2014. We found that each of the analyzed series of stock index and oil returns can adequately be described with the proposed TGARCH model, and that there is some degree of conditional dependence in the tails, with greater volatility on the upper (right) tail and more stability on the lower (left) tail.
Phosphorylation of murine double minute‐2 on Ser166 is downstream of VEGF‐A in exercised skeletal muscle and regulates primary endothelial cell migration and FoxO gene expression

We demonstrated in a previous study that murine double minute (Mdm)‐2 is essential for exercise‐induced skeletal muscle angiogenesis. In the current study, we investigated the mechanisms that regulate Mdm2 activity in response to acute exercise and identified VEGF‐A as a key stimulator of Mdm2 phosphorylation on Ser166 (p‐Ser166‐Mdm2). VEGF‐A and p‐Ser166‐Mdm2 protein levels were measured in human and rodent muscle biopsy specimens after 1 bout of exercise. VEGF‐A‐dependent Mdm2 phosphorylation was demonstrated in vivo in mice harboring myofiber‐specific deletion of VEGF‐A (mVEGF–/–) and in vitro in primary human and rodent endothelial cells (ECs). Exercise increased VEGF‐A and p‐Ser166‐Mdm2 protein levels respectively by 157 and 68% in human muscle vs. pre‐exercise levels. Similar results were observed in exercised rodent muscles compared to sedentary controls; however, exercise‐induced Mdm2 phosphorylation was significantly attenuated in mVEGF–/– mice. Recombinant VEGF‐A elevated p‐Ser166‐Mdm2 by 50–125% and stimulated migration by 33% in ECs when compared to untreated cells, whereas the Mdm2 antagonist Nutlin‐3a abrogated VEGF‐driven EC migration. Finally, overexpression of a Ser166‐Mdm2 phosphorylation mimetic increased EC migration, increased Mdm2 to FoxO1 binding (+55%), and decreased FoxO1‐dependent gene expression compared with ECs overexpressing WT‐Mdm2. Our results suggest that VEGF‐mediated Mdm2 phosphorylation on Ser166 is a novel proangiogenic pathway within the skeletal muscle. —Aiken, J., Roudier, E. , Ciccone, J., Drouin, G. , Stromberg, A. , Vojnovic, J., Olfert, I. M. , Haas, T. , Gustafsson, T. , Grenier, G. , Birot, O. , Phosphorylation of murine double minute‐2 on Ser166 is downstream of VEGF‐A in exercised skeletal muscle and regulates primary endothelial cell migration and FoxO gene expression. FASEB J. 30, 1120–1134 (2016). www.fasebj. org
RNA interference–mediated cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition prevents prostate cancer cell growth and induces differentiation: modulation of neuronal protein synaptophysin, cyclin D1, and androgen receptor

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) plays an important role in tumor development and progression. Inconsistent reports on the expression of COX-2 in early versus advanced prostate cancer raised the question on whether COX-2 inhibition affects prostate carcinogenesis. Evidence from recent studies indicates that prostate carcinogenesis depends on the altered expression of several factors including androgen receptor signaling, proinflammatory, and cell cycle regulatory genes. Very often, the outcome of androgen ablation treatment is not effective and, eventually, the cancer becomes androgen independent followed by activation of several survival genes and transcription factors. Most importantly, the extent of the influence of COX-2 on the regulation of the androgen receptor, cyclin D1, and other factors involved in cancer growth is not known. Using RNA interference–mediated COX-2 inhibition in metastatic prostate cancer cells, this study has shown that the silencing of COX-2 at the mRNA level can induce cell growth arrest and down-regulate androgen receptor and cyclin D1. We have further shown for the first time that COX-2 knockdown prostate cancer cells depict morphologic changes associated with enhanced expression of differentiation markers, particularly the neuronal protein synaptophysin along with activation of p21(Waf1/Cip1) and p27(Kip1). In summary, our findings determined the role of COX-2 in prostate carcinogenesis and its control on COX-2-independent targets. Second, abrogation of COX-2 and activation of synaptophysin provide evidence for the control of COX-2 on the expression of a neuronal protein. Finally, our findings provide evidence of COX-2-independent targets promoting cell growth arrest and differentiation in cells lacking COX-2 expression at the mRNA level. [Mol Cancer Ther 2006;5(5):1117–25]
The 3D anatomy of the cervical articular process joints in the horse and their topographical relationship to the spinal cord.

UNLABELLED REASONS FOR STUDY: Detailed anatomy of the equine cervical articular process joints (APJs) has received little attention in the literature and yet disorders of this joint have been linked to spinal cord compression resulting in severe clinical signs such as ataxia and weakness. This study aimed to describe the 3D anatomy of the APJ in relation to the spinal cord in the horse. HYPOTHESIS Artificial distension of the APJ causes the joint pouches to extend into the vertebral canal, with the potential for APJ effusion to cause spinal cord compressive disease. METHODS Six cadaveric necks (C1-C7) of clinically normal horses were used in this study. Computed tomography scans of the cervical APJ were acquired after injection of a negative contrast agent to maximal distension. The resulting images were semi-automatically segmented using greyscale thresholding and reconstructed in 3D by polygonal surface meshing. The 3D reconstructions were used to assess the topographic anatomy of the APJ in relation to the spinal cord and to measure joint volume at each cervical vertebra in relation to vertebrae size. RESULTS Joint volume varied significantly between joint location (P<0.0001) and was positively correlated to the vertebral site (from cranial to caudal) (r = 0.781, P<0.0001). After distension, the medial outpouch of the APJ extended towards the vertebral canal from a dorsolateral location but in none of the 6 horses was there apparent compression of the dura mater surrounding the spinal cord. There was no significant difference in the extent of medial outpouch at any vertebral level (P = 0.104). Flexion of the neck resulted in minor changes to the shape of the APJ but did not result in the medial outpouch encroaching any closer to the spinal cord. CONCLUSIONS From this study, it appears that in the absence of any other soft tissue or bony changes an effusion of the APJ is unlikely to cause spinal cord compression. However, given that the APJ and spinal cord are in close approximation, in the presence of other anatomical changes, an effusion may have the potential to cause compression. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE This study confirms that the APJ extend into the dorsolateral aspect of the vertebral canal in a ventromedial direction, suggesting that oblique myelographic views are recommended for the diagnosis of spinal cord compression when pathology of the APJ is suspected.