Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Control strategy of a multi-level converter with multi-winding MFT/HFT isolation

Control strategy of a novel multi-level converter with multi-winding MFT/HFT isolation is proposed where a medium frequency or high frequency multi-winding transformer is applied to realize the isolation and energy balance instead of conventional phase-shifting transformer. Load powers can be equalized among different windings by the energy delivery using transformer flux. The application of the proposed converter is high power locomotive traction systems, marine driving, wind power generation systems and high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission systems. General analysis of multi-winding isolation units is made including power characteristics of general phase shift control, analysis of other two phase shift method as well as the decoupling method of multi-winding powers. Power balancing of the isolation units is realized. Control strategy for cascaded H-bridge rectifier is put forward. Moreover, a four-step pre-charging method is proposed for this topology. Simulation and experimental results are given to validate the proposed strategy.
What do young people think about the dangers of sunbathing, skin cancer and sunbeds? A questionnaire survey among Italians

Previous experience in Australia and Sweden showed that public education programs produced substantial changes in people’s opinions, attitudes and perceptions about melanoma, non‐melanoma skin cancer, sunlight, sunbeds and suntanning. In order to organize effective prevention campaigns, more must be known about the sunbathing habits of children and adolescents. The aim of our study was to assess the knowledge that young people in a southern European country have about sun exposure. A total of 764 young people ranging from 16 to 22 years old (mean age: 19.3±1.2 years) responded to a questionnaire. Our study indicates that young people are very aware of the risks associated with sunbathing but that they continue to expose themselves without taking precautions. This suggests that: a) the majority of young Italians are reasonably well‐informed but they do not take preventative measures; b) one effective measure could be promotion of the idea that an untanned body is more esthetically pleasing than a tanned one; c) a crucial point in the programming of future safety measures in suntan centers involves rigorous and regular controls.
Degradation of Chlorophenols by Alcaligenes eutrophus JMP134(pJP4) in Bleached Kraft Mill Effluent

The ability of Alcaligenes eutrophus JMP134(pJP4) to degrade 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, and other chlorophenols in a bleached kraft mill effluent was studied. The efficiency of degradation and the survival of strain JMP134 and indigenous microorganisms in short-term batch or long-term semicontinuous incubations performed in microcosms were assessed. After 6 days of incubation, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetate (400 ppm) or 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (40 to 100 ppm) were extensively degraded (70 to 100%). In short-term batch incubations, indigenous microorganisms were unable to degrade such of compounds. Degradation of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol by strain JMP134 was significantly lower at 200 to 400 ppm of compound. This strain was also able to degrade 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetate, 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, 4-chlorophenol, and 2,4,5-trichlorophenol when bleached Kraft mill effluent was amended with mixtures of these compounds. On the other hand, the chlorophenol concentration and the indigenous microorganisms inhibited the growth and survival of the strain in short-term incubations. In long-term (>1-month) incubations, strain JMP134 was unable to maintain a large, stable population, although extensive 2,4,6-trichlorophenol degradation was still observed. The latter is probably due to acclimation of the indigenous microorganisms to degrade 2,4,6-trichlorophenol. Acclimation was observed only in long-term, semicontinuous microcosms.
Modeling Error and Apparent Isotope Discrimination Confound Estimation of Endogenous Glucose Production During Euglycemic Glucose Clamps

We previously demonstrated that conventional tracer methods applied to euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic glucose clamps result in substantially negative estimates for the rate of endogenous glucose production, particularly during the first half of 180-min clamps. We also showed that addition of tracer to the exogenous glucose infusate resulted in nonnegative endogenous glucose production (Ra) estimates. In this study, we investigated the underlying cause of negative estimates of Ra from conventional clamp/tracer methods and the reason for the difference in estimates when tracer is added to the exogenous glucose infusate. We performed euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic (300-μU/ml) clamps in normal dogs without (cold GINF protocol, n = 6) or with (hot GINF protocol, n = 6) tracer (D-[3-3H]glucose) added to the exogenous glucose infusate. In the hot GINF protocol, sufficient tracer was added to the exogenous glucose infusate such that arterial plasma specific activity (SAa) did not change from basal through the clamp period (P > .05). In the cold GINF studies, plasma SAa fell 81 ± 2% from the basal level by the 3rd h of clamping. We observed a significant, transient, positive venous-arterial difference in specific activity (SAv-SAa difference) during the cold GINF studies. The SAv-SAa difference reached a peak of 27 ± 6% at 30 min and diminished to a plateau of 7 ± 1% between 70 and 180 min. We also observed a positive but constant SAv-SAa difference (4.6 ± 0.2% between 10 and 180 min) during the hot GINF studies. The observations of a difference between hot and cold GINF endogenous Ra estimates and a positive but transient SAv-SAa difference during the cold GINF studies are consistent with the interpretation that a portion of the underestimation of Ra is due to insufficient mixing of endogenous and exogenous glucose for the one-compartment, fixed-pool volume model to be applicable. Alternatively, our results suggest that the one-compartment, fixed-pool volume model of glucose kinetics is insufficient to account for the complex dynamics of labeled and unlabeled glucose during euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamps. Improved mixing through addition of tracer to the exogenous glucose infusate or improved modeling by allowing for a variable-pool volume appears to improve the accuracy of the tracer methods; however, these approaches remain to be validated. The constant positive SAv-SAa difference observed during the hot GINF studies is consistent with the interpretation that an additional contributor to underestimation of endogenous Ra is apparent isotope discrimination. Whether this apparent discrimination is due to a true isotope effect or contamination of the tracer infusate remains to be determined.
The effect of nitrous oxide on cerebral electrical activity

Recordings of cerebral electrical activity produced by the cerebral function analysing monitor (CFAM) were obtained from nine healthy volunteers breathing increasing concentrations of N2O in O2. Concentrations of 30 and 50% N2O produced significant reductions in CFAM trace amplitude. Withdrawal of N2O resulted in an increase in amplitude with an initial increase above the control level. There were no consistent changes in the frequency distribution of the weighted electroencephalographic signal with increasing concentrations of N2O.
Manipulation task primitives for composing robot skills

A manipulation task primitive is classified by the relative motion between two (rigid) parts. Only twenty different relative motions are possible and these can be used to guide the identification and development of manipulation task primitives. The goal is to build a richer library of robot capabilities in the manipulation domain. By identifying manipulation task primitives and instantiating solutions to them with available sensors and robot hardware in the form of sensorimotor primitives, we provide a higher-level abstraction for composing solutions to complex manipulation tasks. A key benefit is the ability to re-use costly sensor-based control algorithms for executing these primitives. We discuss the implementation of a few manipulation task primitives using force damping control and active vision feedback. Finally, we decompose a common task into two different skills using the primitives described.
Cold storage effects on oxidative stress of Red Globe table grape rachises

Table grape ( Vitis vinifera L .) quality includes the condition of both the berries and the rachis. In the present report, physiological parameters of Red Globe rachises from fully elongated inflorescences (RFEI) and from mature clusters were studied after storage at 0 or 20 °C for different durations. To understand changes in rachis physiology as a result of changes in temperature conditions and storage time, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) were measured. In addition, hydrogen peroxide content, membrane lipoperoxidation (TBARS), total phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity (FRAP) were assayed. TBARS was higher in mature rachises than in RFEI. This parameter remained constant throughout storage, indicating a change presumably associated with ontogeny or senescence processes. Short-term storage (0- 96 h) increased SOD, CAT and APX activities in RFEI, while in mature rachises, no changes were observed in enzyme activities or in hydrogen peroxide content. Longer cold storage (25 or 53 days at 0 oC) of mature rachises reduced CAT activity, but SOD and APX activities did not change under these conditions. At 0 h, the FRAP and total phenolic contents of mature rachises were three and 20 times higher than in immature rachises, respectively. La calidad de uva de mesa ( Vitis vinifera L .) involucra tanto la condicion de bayas y el raquis. En el presente trabajo, los parametros fisiologicos de raquis de ´Red Globe´ de inflorescencias completamente elongadas (RFEI) y de racimos maduros fueron estudiados despues de almacenamientos por diferentes tiempos a 0 o 20 oC. Para entender los cambios en la fisiologia del raquis debido a variaciones de temperatura y condiciones de almacenamiento, se midieron las actividades de superoxido dismutasa (SOD), catalasa (CAT), ascorbato peroxidasa (APX). Ademas fueron analizados el contenido de peroxido de hidrogeno, lipoperoxidacion de membranas (TBARS), compuestos fenolicos totales y capacidad antioxidante (FRAP). TBARS de los raquis maduros a la cosecha fue mayor que el de inflorescencias completamente elongadas (RFEI). Este parametro permanecio constante a traves del almacenamiento, indicando cambios presuntamente asociados a ontogenia o procesos de senescencia. Almacenamiento cortos (0- 96h) incrementaron la actividad de SOD, CAT y APX en RFEI, sin embargo no se observaron cambios en la actividad de estas enzimas o contenido de peroxido de hidrogeno en raquis maduros. Almacenamiento refrigerado prolongado (25 o 30 dias 0 oC) de raquis maduros redujo la actividad de CAT, pero SOD y APX no mostraron cambios bajo estas condiciones. A 0 h el contenido de FRAP y fenolicos totales de raquis maduros fueron tres y 20 veces mayores que en raquis inmaduro respectivamente.
Proteomic Analysis of a Nutritional Shift-up in Saccharomyces cerevisiae Identifies Gvp36 as a BAR-containing Protein Involved in Vesicular Traffic and Nutritional Adaptation*

Yeast cells undergoing a nutritional shift-up from a poor to a rich carbon source take several hours to adapt to the novel, richer carbon source. The budding index is a physiologically relevant “global” parameter that reflects the complex links between cell growth and division that are both coordinately and deeply affected by nutritional conditions. We used changes in budding index as a guide to choose appropriate, relevant time points during an ethanol to glucose nutritional shift-up for preparation of samples for the analysis of proteome by two-dimensional electrophoresis/mass spectrometry. About 600 spots were detected. 90 spots, mostly comprising proteins involved in intermediary metabolism, protein synthesis, and response to stress, showed differential expression after glucose addition. Among modulated proteins we identified a protein of previously unknown function, Gvp36, showing a transitory increase corresponding to the drop of the fraction of budded cells. A gvp36Δ strain shares several phenotypes (including general growth defects, heat shock, and high salt sensitivity, defects in polarization of the actin cytoskeleton, in endocytosis and in vacuolar biogenesis, defects in entering stationary phase upon nutrient starvation) with secretory pathway mutants and with mutants in genes encoding the two previously known yeast BAR proteins (RSV161 and RSV167). We thus propose that Gvp36 represents a novel yeast BAR protein involved in vesicular traffic and in nutritional adaptation.
CFO tracking for Direct RF Sampling architecture applied to VHF avionic radios

Recently, many efforts have been made to respond to the increasing demands of a new RF avionic generation, in which Direct RF Sampling (DRFS) has been considered as a promising solution to satisfy the Size, Weight, Power and Cost (SWaP-C) constraints. In this architecture, Direct Digital Synthesizer (DDS) plays a key role, significantly affecting the overall performance of the whole system. Theoretically, the output of DDS should have alias frequency of the Signal of Interest (SOI) in the first Nyquist zone. However, due to the resolution of the tuning word and the difference in frequency of the transmitter from the assigned frequency, this signal might differ from the target carrier, resulting in an inaccuracy shift of the digital mixer. Furthermore, this issue will distort the output signal and deteriorate the performance of the receiver. The work presented in this paper introduces an approach to solve this problem. Based on the conventional Automatic Frequency Control (AFC), the configurable Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT) based Carrier Frequency Offset (CFO) Tracking System has been designed and implemented to meet the new challenges of DRFS in avionic receiver design. The experimental results show that the integration of this module increases the sensitivity of the DRFS architecture for avionic applications, such as VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR), Instrument Landing System (ILS) and VHF audio communication.
Burkholderia pseudomallei activates complement and is ingested but not killed by polymorphonuclear leukocytes

The mechanism by which Burkholderia pseudomallei is resistant to lysis by human serum is unknown but may include interference with complement activation, effective opsonization, or complement-mediated lysis. We investigated the interaction of B. pseudomallei with complement in the presence and absence of specific antibody to determine potential mechanisms of serum resistance. We demonstrated rapid activation and consumption of complement by B. pseudomallei which, in the absence of specific antibody, occurred predominantly via the alternative pathway. Complement activation was associated with deposition of the opsonically active C3b and iC3b fragments on the bacterial surface. C5b-9, detected on the bacterial surface after opsonic periods of 1 to 60 min, was susceptible to elution by 1 M NaCl, indicating that resistance to complement-mediated lysis may result from deposition of the membrane attack complex in a nonmicrobicidal location. To define the role of opsonins, we investigated the ability of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) to phagocytose B. pseudomallei. Phagocytosis of bacteria by PMNL, and the observed oxidative response, was significantly increased by opsonization of organisms with complement and/or specific antibody. Despite opsonophagocytosis by PMNL and the production of an oxidative response, no significant bacterial killing was observed.
Probability of helicobacter pylori infection based on IgG levels and other covariates using a mixture model.

BACKGROUND To use IgG antibody measurements to detect infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). one typically defines a cut-off value based on samples of persons presumed to be infected or uninfected. When there are no good 'gold standard' tests to determine infection status, or when laboratory conditions vary, it is useful to have a method based on the IgG measurements themselves to determine infection status. METHODS We present a two component mixture model to analyse serologic data on H. pylori infection. The mixing proportions correspond to the probability that a latent variable, the true, unknown infection status I of a person, is either 0 (uninfected) or 1 (infected). By using a logistic model for these probabilities, we are able to incorporate covariate information. RESULTS The model is applied to IgG data from Shandong, China. The distribution of the true infection status given the IgG value and a set of covariates is calculated using the IgG distribution function. An optimal cut-off point is found by minimising the probability of misclassification for the Shandong data. The optimal cut-off point is slightly lower than the pre-defined one. CONCLUSIONS We contrast results from the mixture model with results from tabulations and from standard logistic regression that are based on fixed cut-points. The mixture model yields information on the probability that a person is truly infected as a function of IgG levels and covariates. In our data, the mixture model indicates that a slightly lower cut-off value than the pre-defined cut-point 1.0 can reduce misclassification rates.
Gastric mucosal pH as a prognostic index of mortality in critically ill patients

ObjectiveTo determine if measurements of gastric intramucosal pH have prognostic implications regarding ICU mortality. DesignProspective comparison of outcome. SettingGeneral adult ICUs in two teaching hospitals. PatientsEighty consecutive patients age 18 to 84 yrs (mean 63.4), 50 men and 30 women, 55% in the medical and 45% in the surgical services. MethodsGastric intramucosal pH was measured on ICU admission and again 12 hrs later. A value of ≥7.35 was used to differentiate between normal and low gastric intramucosal pH. Measurements and Main ResultsFifty-four patients had a normal gastric intramucosal pH and 26 patients had a low gastric intramucosal pH on ICU admission. The mortality rate was greater in the low gastric intramucosal pH group (65.4% vs. 43.6%; p < .04). The frequency of sepsis and the presence of multisystem organ failure also were greater in the low gastric intramucosal pH group (p < .01 ). Further stratification of patients according to gastric intramucosal pH measured 12 hrs after admission showed a greater mortality rate in patients with persistently low gastric intramucosal pH when compared with patients with normal gastric intramucosal pH during the first 12 hrs (86.7% vs. 26.8%; p < .001). ConclusionsMeasurements of gastric intramucosal pH on ICU admission, and again 12 hrs later, have a high specificity for predicting patient survival in this ICU patient population (77.8% to 80.6%). Furthermore, given its relative noninvasive nature, tonometrically measured gastric intramucosal pH may be a useful addition to patient monitoring in the ICU.
Chronic exposure to low doses of ozone produces a state of oxidative stress and blood-brain barrier damage in the hippocampus of rat

Chronic exposure to low doses of ozone similar to a day of high pollution in Mexico City causes a state of oxidative stress. This produces a progressive neurodegeneration in hippocampus of rats exposed to the gas. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of chronic exposure on the changes in the blood-brain barrier in rats exposed to low doses of ozone. Method: each group received one of the following treatments, control group received air without ozone, and groups 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 received ozone doses of 0.25 ppm for 4 h daily during 7, 15, 30, 60 and 90 days respectively. Each group was processed to inmunohistochemical technique against of the following antibody: blood-brain barrier, guanylyl cyclase, Iba-1, GFAP, NFκ-B, TNF-α. The results show that there is a correlation between the time exposure of ozone and the progressive damage, on the blood-brain barrier rupture, finally causing edema of endothelial cell, increase in guanylyl cyclase type 1, thickening of the processes and astrocytes foot, and an increase in the expression of factors NFκ-B and TNF-α at 30 and 60 days of exposure to this gas. All the above indicates that the chronic state of oxidative stress causes a neurodegeneration process, accompanied by disruption of the blood-brain barrier likely to occur in the Alzheimer’s disease.
Late Devonian marine anoxia challenged by benthic cyanobacterial mats

Mass occurrence of benthic cyanobacterial mats in a sequence of Late Devonian black shales and bituminous limestones of the Holy Cross Mts. (central Poland), enclosing the famous Kellwasser and Hangenberg extinction horizons, is reported. The microbiota forming the mats is compared with some modern benthic chroococcalean cyanobacteria. Similarly to their extant counterparts, the Devonian cyanobacteria must had been phototrophic and oxygenic aerobes which could, however, tolerate slightly sulfidic conditions characterizing the near‐bottom waters of the Late Devonian epicontinental sea. The cyanobacterial mats successfully colonized the oxygen‐deficient and H2S‐enriched seabed otherwise unfavorable for most other benthic biota. The redox state of this sluggish Late Devonian sea, ascribed previously mostly to anoxic or euxinic conditions, is reassessed as probably pulsating between anoxic, dysoxic, and weakly oxic conditions. The redox state was dependent on the rate of oxygen production by the cyanobacterial mats, the intensity of H2S emissions from the decaying mat biomass, and the rate of planktonic production.
Renin-Angiotensin System Intervention to Prevent In-Stent Restenosis: An Unclosed Chapter

The occurrence of in-stent restenosis is a major drawback of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty with stent placement. Target vessel revascularization is necessary in 15% of patients who receive a stent. Recent advances in the development of drug-eluting stents have reduced these numbers tremendously. However refinement of antirestenotic therapies remains obligatory. The emerging interest in more physiological antirestenotic therapies might unchain an interest in the well-known inhibitors of the rennin-angiotensin system (RAS), the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and the angiotensin II type I receptor blockers. Contradictory results overshadow the discussion of whether intervention in the RAS could prevent in-stent restenosis. This review discusses the pathophysiology of in-stent restenosis, the role of the RAS in in-stent restenosis, and the possible role of RAS intervention in the prevention of in-stent restenosis.