Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Large-signal modeling and stability analysis of two-cascaded boost converters connected to a PV panel under SMC with MPPT

In this paper, a system consisting of two cascaded dc-dc boost converters under sliding-mode control, working as loss free resistors, connected to a PV panel is studied. The modeling, simulation and design of the system are addressed. First, an ideal reduced-order sliding-mode dynamics model is derived from the full-order switched model taking into account the sliding constraints and stability analysis is carried out. It is shown that the cascade connection of boost-based loss free resistors can be a good solution for the impedance matching in PV systems with the standard 380 V dc bus voltage.
Do traumatic events have more impact on the development of dental anxiety than negative, non-traumatic events?

The importance of exposure to traumatic events for the development of dental anxiety has not been investigated. The aim of the present study was to test the hypotheses that individuals who reported having been exposed to a traumatic event [that is, fulfilling Criterion A of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5), for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)] as the cause of their dental anxiety would report significantly higher levels of dental anxiety, typical trauma-related (PTSD) symptoms, and greater disturbance of memories involving these events than those who reported being exposed to non-traumatic events. Patients of a specialized dental fear clinic (n = 90) were divided into those who reported a traumatic event that initiated their dental trait anxiety and those who did not. The two groups did not differ in their severity of dental anxiety and number of PTSD symptoms, but the memories of those who had been exposed to traumatic events were significantly more vivid than the memories of those in the reference group. Length of time since the event took place did not play a role. Hence, traumatic events are remembered more vividly, but do not seem to initiate more severe forms of dental anxiety than other events.
Generation of Merkel Cell Polyomavirus (MCV)-Like Particles and Their Application to Detection of MCV Antibodies

ABSTRACT The genome of a new human polyomavirus, known as Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCV), has recently been reported to be integrated within the cellular DNA of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), a rare human skin cancer. To investigate MCV seroprevalence in the general population, we expressed three different MCV VP1 in insect cells using recombinant baculoviruses. Viruslike particles (VLPs) were obtained with only one of the three VP1 genes. High-titer antibodies against VP1 VLPs were detected in mice immunized with MCV VLPs, and limited cross-reactivity was observed with BK polyomavirus (BKV) and lymphotropic polyomavirus (LPV). MCV antibodies were detected in 77% of the general population, with no variations according to age.
Osteonecrosis of the jaw and survival of patients with cancer: a nationwide cohort study in Denmark

Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) is an adverse effect of bone‐targeted therapies, which are used to prevent symptomatic skeletal events following bone malignancy. We examined the association between ONJ and survival among cancer patients treated with bone‐targeted agents. Using nationwide registries and databases in Denmark, we identified 184 cancer patients with incident ONJ between 2010 and 2015, and a comparison cohort of 1067 cancer patients without ONJ and with a history of hospital‐administered treatment with bisphosphonates or denosumab initiating from cancer diagnosis. At the date of confirmed ONJ diagnosis, the comparison cohort was matched to the ONJ patients on age, cancer site, year of cancer diagnosis, and stage at diagnosis. The patients were followed up for survival until emigration or 15 June 2016. We computed overall survival and estimated mortality rate ratios adjusted for sex, and for the presence of distant metastases and other comorbidity at start of follow‐up. A match was found for 149 of the 184 ONJ patients. The 1‐ and 3‐year survival among all 184 cancer patients with ONJ was 70% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 63%–76%) and 42% (95% CI: 34%–51%), respectively. Among the matched patients, ONJ was associated with an adjusted mortality rate ratio of 1.31 (95% CI: 1.01–1.71). ONJ was associated with reduced survival among cancer patients treated with bone‐targeted agents. ONJ may be a marker of advanced disease or of survival‐related lifestyle characteristics.
Efficacy and safety comparison of two amoxicillin administration schedules after third molar removal. A randomized, double-blind and controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this comparative double-blind, prospective, randomized, clinical trial was to evaluate two amoxicillin administration patterns. The first was a short prophylactic therapy and the second a long postoperative regimen. STUDY DESIGN The study population consisted of 160 patients who underwent mandibular third molar extraction. Patients were randomized into two equal groups. In group 1, 2 grams of amoxicillin were administered 1 hour before the procedure and 1 gram 6 hours after surgery. In group 2, patients received 1 gram of amoxicillin 6 hours after surgery followed by 1 gram every 8 hour for 4 days. All patients received the same number of tablets thanks to the use of placebo pills. A total of 25 variables were evaluated, such as alveolitis, surgical infection, number of analgesic needed, subjective pain scale, post-surgical inflammation, consistency of the diet, axillary temperature and millimeters of mouth opening loss after the surgery. RESULTS No statistically significant post-operative differences were found within the recorded parameters between the groups. CONCLUSIONS Postoperative 4-days amoxicillin therapy is not justified.
Allocation de ressources et ordonnancement multi-utilisateurs : une approche basée sur l'équité

Les grilles de calcul et le “cloud computing” permettent de distribuer un ensemble de ressources informatiques, telles que du stockage ou du temps de calcul, a un ensemble d’utilisateurs en fonction de leurs demandes en donnant l’illusion de ressources infinies. Cependant, lorsque l’ensemble de ces ressources est insuffisant pour satisfaire les exigences des utilisateurs, des conflits d’interets surgissent. Ainsi, un libre acces a des ressources limitees peut entrainer une utilisation inefficace qui penalise l’ensemble des participants. Dans de tels environnements, il devient necessaire d’etablir des procedures d’arbitrage afin de resoudre ces conflits en garantissant une distribution equitable aux differents utilisateurs. Nous presentons une nouvelle classe de problemes : celle des ordonnancements multi-utilisateurs. Cette these aborde la notion d’equite au travers de problemes d’allocation de ressources sous incertitudes et d’ordonnancement de tâches periodiques.
Gender Differences in Determinants of Smoking Initiation and Persistence in California Twins

Objective: To determine the effects of genetic versus environmental influences on smoking initiation (SI) and smoking persistence (SP). Methods: Native California twins (32,359 pairs), who completed a questionnaire in 1992 or 1998 to 2001, were studied. Standard epidemiologic and genetic analyses were conducted using multiple logistic regression and biometric models to determine factors related to smoking phenotype. Results: The strongest influence on SI was having a co-twin who ever smoked; the adjusted odds ratio was 9.7 [95% confidence limits (CL), 8.8-10.6] among monozygotic twins and 5.7 (95% CL, 5.2-6.2) among dizygotic like-sex pairs. The risk of SP was also increased if the co-twin currently smoked [adjusted odds ratios, 3.5 (95% CL, 3.0-4.1) for monozygotic twins and 2.3 (95% CL, 2.0-2.7) for like-sex dizygotic pairs]. The proportions of variance due to genetic effects, shared environment, and individual environment for SI were 31.6% (24.2-39.1), 47.5% (41.1-53.7), and 20.9% (18.8-23.1) for females, and 71.2% (66.7-75.4), 12.0% (8.7-15.7), and 16.7% (15.0-18.7) for males. For SP, estimates were identical by gender: 54.6% (43.6-65.5), 8.6% (0-17.1), and 36.8% (32.9-40.9). Modification of SI by closeness between twins was found, but little difference was seen for SP by closeness, birth cohort, or age. Conclusions: Gender differences in the pattern of genetic and environmental determinants of SI indicate that gender-specific approaches may be needed for smoking prevention efforts. Modification of genetic effects by closeness between twins and birth cohort suggests that environmental interventions could reduce a heritable propensity to smoke. However, the apparently heritable tendency to continue smoking is unaffected by gender, age, birth cohort, or closeness between twins. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006;15(6):1189–97)
Lunapark Is a Component of a Ubiquitin Ligase Complex Localized to the Endoplasmic Reticulum Three-way Junctions*

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) network comprises sheets and tubules that are connected by dynamic three-way junctions. Lunapark (Lnp) localizes to and stabilizes ER three-way junctions by antagonizing the small GTPase Atlastin, but how Lnp shapes the ER network is unclear. Here, we used an affinity purification approach and mass spectrometry to identify Lnp as an interacting partner of the ER protein quality control ubiquitin ligase gp78. Accordingly, Lnp purified from mammalian cells has a ubiquitin ligase activity in vitro. Intriguingly, biochemical analyses show that this activity can be attributed not only to associated ubiquitin ligase, but also to an intrinsic ubiquitin ligase activity borne by Lnp itself. This activity is contained in the N-terminal 45 amino acids of Lnp although this segment does not share homology to any known ubiquitin ligase motifs. Despite its interaction with gp78, Lnp does not seem to have a broad function in degradation of misfolded ER proteins. On the other hand, the N-terminal ubiquitin ligase-bearing motif is required for the ER three-way junction localization of Lnp. Our study identifies a new type of ubiquitin ligase and reveals a potential link between ubiquitin and ER morphology regulation.
CMOS 1.2V bandgap voltage reference design

A typical bandgap voltage reference based on CSMC 0.35 μm CMOS technology is designed and fabricated. The overall bandgap architecture is optimized to achieve high accuracy temperature and power supply independent voltage reference. The design consists of the bandgap core circuit, op-amp, and start-up circuit. The test results show that the bandgap reference circuit provides reference voltage of 1.2128 V to 1.2175 V with 3.3 V power supply and temperature range from -40°C to 80°C simultaneously, and the temperature coefficient is 32.2ppm/°C. The total layout area including dummy structures is 135 um×236 um.
Development of a radial flux machine design environment

This paper focuses on the development of a machine design environment for numeric modelling and analysis of radial flux machines. The design environment is based on Matlab/(Octave) environment, which calls numeric field analysis by FEMM/(Opera-2D). The analysis tool is intended for educational purposes; however it has proved to be a powerful research tool especially at early design stages.
Institutional Repository A two-step multiuser detection scheme for space-time coded MIMO OFDM systems

In this paper, we investigate transceiver design for a wideband multiuser-multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) communication system, where the co-channel users are equipped with multiple transmit and multiple receive antennas. In particular, we develop a two-step hard-decision interference cancellation receiver for a multiuser-MIMO uplink system which employs orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) modulation and space-time block codes (STBC). The STBC has been implemented either over adjacent tones or adjacent OFDM symbols and the performances of both implementations have been tested under slowly time-varying channels. The two-step receiver structure has been implemented using a combined interference suppression scheme based on minimum mean-squared error (MMSE) and symbol-wise likelihood detectors, which is then followed by an interference cancellation step. The receiver can suppress and cancel the interference from the co-channel users effectively without increasing the complexity significantly. The paper also includes computer experiments that are intended to improve the understanding of specific issues involved in the design of multiuser STBC-OFDM systems.
Normal serum free thyroid hormone concentrations in patients treated with phenytoin or carbamazepine. A paradox resolved.

OBJECTIVE To address the paradox that phenytoin- and carbamazepine-treated patients have decreased serum free thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) concentrations but appear clinically euthyroid and have normal serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations. DESIGN In vitro studies comparing measurements of total and free T4 and T3 by ultrafiltration assay (undiluted serum) and a commercial free T4 estimate kit in control serum samples or serum samples containing added therapeutic levels of phenytoin or carbamazepine. These measurements were made in serum samples diluted 1:5 with either identical serum or phospate buffer, pH 7.4, and in serum samples from patients with seizure disorders who were treated with phenytoin or carbamazepine. SETTING A 650-bed teaching hospital. PATIENTS Selected patients (n=19) who were in good health except for seizure disorder, with stable anticonvulsant drug levels in the upper half of the therapeutic range, and were not taking any other drugs that could affect thyroid parameters. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Serum concentrations of free T4 and free T3 in patients taking phenytoin or carbamazepine vs normal controls. RESULTS Addition of phenytoin or carbamazepine to normal human serum in vitro resulted in a significant increase in free T4 fraction and free T4 (P<.001). In patients taking phenytoin or carbamazepine, serum total T4 decreased significantly to 60% and 74%, respectively, of the control serum concentration (P<.001 for both phenytoin and carbamazepine); free T4 fraction (by ultrafiltration assay) increased 65% and 44%, respectively (P<.001 for phenytoin, P<.01 for carbamazepine); and free T4 remained unchanged. Free T4 concentration measured by a commercial kit (1:5 serum dilution) was significantly lower than the control concentration in both phenytoin- and carbamazepine-treated patients. Serum free T3 and serum TSH were also normal in phenytoin- and carbamazepine-treated patients. CONCLUSIONS Therapeutic levels of phenytoin and carbamazepine displace T4 and T3 from serum binding proteins. When added to serum, the drugs effect an increase in free hormone fractions and free T4 and T3. In drug-treated patients, increased free T4 and T3 fractions offset the significant decrease in serum T4 and T3, resulting in normal free T4 and free T3 concentrations. Since currently available clinical tests will continue to show decreased free T4 concentrations in patients taking phenytoin or carbamazepine, clinicians should rely on serum TSH measurements to confirm the euthyroid status of these patients.
A novel simple shallow trench isolation (SSTI) technology using high selective CeO/sub 2/ slurry and liner SiN as a CMP stopper

A novel simple shallow trench isolation technology, SSTI, has been developed. SSTI consists of direct trench etching masked only with the photoresist, trench oxidation, liner SiN deposition, CVD oxide trench fill, densification, and high selectivity CMP. CMP stops at the liner SiN with a residual SiN thickness range of less than 2 nm and without micro-scratching. High selectivity CMP eliminates the field recess variation which is one of the drawbacks of conventional STI. SSTI is a promising candidate for future isolation technology.
Distributed control plane architecture for software-defined Wireless Sensor Networks

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) are the basis for several applications including environmental and health monitoring, industrial and home automation, consumer electronics connectivity, and public safety, being a key technology for Internet of Things and Smart Cities development. Software-defined networking (SDN) paradigm could reduce complexity in WSN configuration, management and re-tasking. However the use of a centralized controller increases WSN traffic, decreasing its lifetime. The SDN controller could leverage from the WSN local knowledge to improve the decisions taken. We propose an architecture with distributed and hierarchical controllers, where local controllers use local information to reply to nodes in its area, and a global controller oversees the whole network. We present results from simulations based on emulated sensor nodes.
Neural models for transistor and mixed-level test generation

We derive new neural network models for n and pFET transistors for use in switch-level test generation. Special characteristics included in the model are bidirectionality and an explicit representation of the substrate. We prove the optimality of these models. The results for an example CMOS circuit indicate that modeling circuit portions at the switch-level allows more accurate tests for transistor stuck-open faults without giving up the speed of gate-level ATPG. <<ETX>>
Tic reduction with risperidone versus pimozide in a randomized, double-blind, crossover trial.

OBJECTIVE To compare the tic suppression, electrocardiogram (ECG) changes, weight gain, and side effect profiles of pimozide versus risperidone in children and adolescents with tic disorders. METHOD This was a randomized, double-blind, crossover (evaluable patient analysis) study. Nineteen children aged 7 to 17 years with Tourette's or chronic motor tic disorder were randomized to 4 weeks of treatment with pimozide or risperidone, followed by the alternate treatment after a 2-week placebo washout. The primary efficacy outcome measure was change in tic severity assessed by the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS). ECG results, weight gain, and side effects were also compared. RESULTS Compared to pimozide treatment, risperidone treatment was associated with significantly lower tic severity scores (YGTSS: baseline 43.3 +/- 17.5, pimozide 34.2 +/- 14.2, risperidone 25.2 +/- 13.6; p =.05). Weight gain during the 4-week treatment periods was greater for risperidone (mean 1.9 kg) than pimozide (1.0 kg). No patient suffered a serious adverse event, but 6 of 19 subjects failed to complete the protocol. Neither medication was associated with ECG changes. CONCLUSIONS In this study, risperidone appeared superior to pimozide for tic suppression but was associated with greater weight gain.
Iterative algorithm for lane reservation problem on transportation network

In this paper, we study an NP-hard lane reservation problem on transportation network. By selecting lanes to be reserved on the existing transportation network under some special situations, the transportation tasks can be accomplished on the reserved lanes with satisfying the condition of time or safety. Lane reservation strategy is a flexible and economic method for traffic management. However, reserving lanes has impact on the normal traffic because the reserved lanes can only be passed by the special tasks. It should be well considered choosing reserved lanes to minimize the total traffic impact when applying the lane reservation strategy for the transportation tasks. In this paper, an integer linear program model is formulated for the considered problem and an optimal algorithm based on the cut-and-solve method is proposed. Some new techniques are developed for the cut-and-solve method to accelerate the convergence of the proposed algorithm. Numerical computation results of 125 randomly generated instances show that the proposed algorithm is much faster than a MIP solver of commercial software CPLEX 12.1 to find optimal solutions on average computing time.
Protocadherin of the Liver, Kidney, and Colon Associates with Detergent-resistant Membranes during Cellular Differentiation*

Protocadherin LKC (PLKC) is a member of the heterogeneous subgroup of protocadherins that was identified and described as a potential tumor-suppressor gene involved in contact inhibition (Okazaki, N., Takahashi, N., Kojima, S., Masuho, Y., and Koga, H. (2002) Carcinogenesis 23, 1139–1148 and Ose, R. , Yanagawa, T. , Ikeda, S. , Ohara, O. , and Koga, H. (2009) Mol. Oncol. 3, 54–66). Several aspects of the structure, posttranslational processing, targeting, and function of this new protocadherin are still not known. Here, we demonstrate that the expression of PLKC at the apical membrane domain and its concentration at regions of cell-cell contacts occur concomitantly with significant elevation of PLKC-mRNA levels. Furthermore, it can be found within the adherens junctions, but it does not colocalize with tight junctions proteins ZO-1 and occludin, respectively. Additionally, unlike E-cadherin, PLKC is not redistributed upon Ca2+ removal. Biosynthetic labeling revealed N- and O-glycosylation as posttranslational modifications as well as a fast transport to the cell surface and a low turnover rate. During differentiation, PLKC associates with detergent-resistant membranes that trigger its redistribution from intracellular membranes to the cell surface. This association occurs concomitant with alterations in the glycosylation pattern. We propose a role for PLKC in the establishment of a proper epithelial cell polarity that requires O-linked glycosylation and association of the protein with detergent-resistant membranes.
On-die source-pull for the characterization of the W-band noise performance of 65 nm general purpose (GP) and low power (LP) n-MOSFETs

A low-loss source-pull tuner network consisting of transmission lines and CMOS switches is integrated on the same chip with a W-band LNA in 65nm RF CMOS technology, allowing for the accurate characterization of the optimal noise impedance of n-MOSFETs in the W-band. In a separate experiment, a W-band downconverter is integrated along with GP and LP transistors to resolve the difference in noise figures of GP and LP MOSFETs fabricated on the same die. These measurements show that, in the same technology node, GP n-MOSFETs exhibit 1dB lower NF50 than LP devices. Experimental evidence is provided for the first time that the optimum noise figure current density depends linearly on the lateral electric field in the channel, but invariant between GP and LP transistors. Based on the characterized MOSFET noise parameters, GP CMOS LNAs with 6dB and 7dB noise figures were designed and tested at 75–85 GHz and at 80–100 GHz, respectively. These LNAs exhibit 2–3 dB lower noise figure than an equivalent CMOS LNA fabricated in a 65nm RF LP CMOS process.
Demonstration of subpopulations of Dane particles

Two populations of Dane particles were isolated from the plasma of individuals carrying hepatitis B surface antigen. These populations had densities in CsCl of 1.22 and 1.20 g/ml. Endogenous DNA polymerase activity was found to be associated only with the heavier of these two populations. Using a positive stain, electron microscopic examination of these particles suggested that the heavier the particle contained nucleic acid in its core whereas the lighter particle appeared empty. Cores isolated from Dane particles with densities of 1.22 and 1.20 g/ml banded in CsCl at densities of 1.36 and 1.30 g/ml, respectively. Endogenous DNA polymerase activity was associated only with the higher density core particles.
Analogy in Making Predictions

Analogy is not just for comparing two analogs based on obvious similarities between their elements, but it is used in explaining new concepts and solving problems. In our work, we use this concept in making predictions, and we develop a model that is inspired from physics known as the Coulomb’s law to explain the buyer and seller relation during a negotiation and to anticipate the negotiation final price. We will try to apply this model in the prediction of some exchange series, real estate properties and compare it to neural networks model in order to check and prove its effectiveness.