Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of phase-shifted full-bridge converters with auxiliary networks

The phase-shifted full-bridge zero-voltage-switching (ZVS) converter is widely adopted in industry applications. But it also suffers some problems, such as narrow ZVS range, excessive duty cycle loss, large circulating energy, and severe parasitic ringing. A quantity of methods have been proposed to solve the aforementioned problems. In this paper, several typical auxiliary networks are classified and analyzed. Based on the analysis above, a new adaptive auxiliary network is proposed. The key performance of these topologies is studied and compared, and the duty cycle loss, auxiliary energy/current, and conduction loss of the lagging-legs are compared quantitatively. A prototype of the proposed converter is built to verify the analysis. Finally, the advantages and disadvantages of these auxiliary networks are summarized.
A cueing device for the acceleration of the rate of positive interaction.

This paper describes and illustrates the use of an apparatus1 that might be used to extend a therapeutic force into home settings while at the same time generating data on the effectiveness of the procedure. It is believed that the economies of time that could result from such an instrument will prove valuable in extending the resources of behavior modifiers. The instrument is designed to permit the cueing of positive interactions between two or more persons. The importance of the exchange of positives in parent-child interactions has been suggested by Stuart (in press, a), who has shown that families producing delinquents can be differentiated from families that do not produce delinquents by determining the proportion of positive social exchanges made during structured interview situations. In this work, a feedback apparatus (Stuart, in press, b) was used to permit parents and adolescents to signal to each other-via lights, sounds and/or tally counts-their positive and negative reactions to each other's behavior simultaneously and immediately. While wide within-group variations were noted, between-group comparisons demonstrated that the families of nondelinquents used more than three times as many positively as opposed to negatively perceived maneuvers; the families of delinquents relied upon approximately equal numbers of positive and negative maneuvers. The subsequent pilot study then suggested that it may be possible to interrupt the delinquent careers of certain adolescents by accelerating the rate of positive exchanges during family interactions. As an outgrowth of this work, an apparatus was constructed that may permit the cueing and monitoring of positive exchanges in natural home and school environments. The apparatus' consists of a recycling interval timer (Industrial Timer Corp. Model TDAF) that can be set to sound an "aversive" buzz at intervals of from 1 to 60 min, a button located at the top of the timer, which automatically resets the timer at a predetermined interval (forestalling the buzz), tally counters (Allied Electronics Model CES0, 115 vac) to measure both the number of times the buzzer is
NLEIGS: A Class of Fully Rational Krylov Methods for Nonlinear Eigenvalue Problems

A new rational Krylov method for the efficient solution of nonlinear eigenvalue problems is proposed. This iterative method, called fully rational Krylov method for nonlinear eigenvalue problems (abbreviated as NLEIGS), is based on linear rational interpolation and generalizes the Newton rational Krylov method proposed in [R. Van Beeumen, K. Meerbergen, and W. Michiels, SIAM J. Sci. Comput. , 35 (2013), pp. A327-A350]. NLEIGS utilizes a dynamically constructed rational interpolant of the nonlinear operator and a new companion-type linearization for obtaining a generalized eigenvalue problem with special structure. This structure is particularly suited for the rational Krylov method. A new approach for the computation of rational divided differences using matrix functions is presented. It is shown that NLEIGS has a computational cost comparable to the Newton rational Krylov method but converges more reliably, in particular, if the nonlinear operator has singularities nearby the target set. Moreover, NLEIGS implements an automatic scaling procedure which makes it work robustly independent of the location and shape of the target set, and it also features low-rank approximation techniques for increased computational efficiency. Small- and large-scale numerical examples are included.
Glutathionylation of Trypanosomal Thiol Redox Proteins*

Trypanosomatids, the causative agents of several tropical diseases, lack glutathione reductase and thioredoxin reductase but have a trypanothione reductase instead. The main low molecular weight thiols are trypanothione (N1,N8-bis-(glutathionyl)spermidine) and glutathionyl-spermidine, but the parasites also contain free glutathione. To elucidate whether trypanosomes employ S-thiolation for regulatory or protection purposes, six recombinant parasite thiol redox proteins were studied by ESI-MS and MALDI-TOF-MS for their ability to form mixed disulfides with glutathione or glutathionylspermidine. Trypanosoma brucei mono-Cys-glutaredoxin 1 is specifically thiolated at Cys181. Thiolation of this residue induced formation of an intramolecular disulfide bridge with the putative active site Cys104. This contrasts with mono-Cys-glutaredoxins from other sources that have been reported to be glutathionylated at the active site cysteine. Both disulfide forms of the T. brucei protein were reduced by tryparedoxin and trypanothione, whereas glutathione cleaved only the protein disulfide. In the glutathione peroxidase-type tryparedoxin peroxidase III of T. brucei, either Cys47 or Cys95 became glutathionylated but not both residues in the same protein molecule. T. brucei thioredoxin contains a third cysteine (Cys68) in addition to the redox active dithiol/disulfide. Treatment of the reduced protein with GSSG caused glutathionylation of Cys68, which did not affect its capacity to catalyze reduction of insulin disulfide. Reduced T. brucei tryparedoxin possesses only the redox active Cys32-Cys35 couple, which upon reaction with GSSG formed a disulfide. Also glyoxalase II and Trypanosoma cruzi trypanothione reductase were not sensitive to thiolation at physiological GSSG concentrations.
Empirical risk minimization-based analysis of segmented compressed sampling

A new segmented compressed sampling (CS) method for analog-to-information conversion (AIC) has been proposed in our recent work. Its essence is to collect a larger number of samples (although correlated) than the number of parallel branches of mixers and integrators in the AIC devise. The objective of this paper is to prove that the additional samples obtained based on the proposed segmented CS method lead to improved signal recovery quality. The study is performed based on the empirical risk minimization recovery method, but the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator algorithm can also be viewed as a particular realization of the empirical risk minimization method.
MoS$_2$ Broadband Coherent Perfect Absorber for Terahertz Waves

We present a comprehensive analysis of terahertz waves propagation through a bulk MoS2 crystal slab. It is shown that broadband coherent perfect absorption can be achieved and the coherent absorptivity can be adjusted from 1.57% to 99.97% by means of phase modulation. Moreover, the relative bandwidth for over 90% coherent absorptivity can be as wide as 179%. By increasing the doping rate in MoS2 crystal, the coherent absorptivity spectrum exhibits a clear blueshift whilst the peak coherent absorptivity remains over 99.9%. Full-wave numerical simulations are further carried out to confirm the validity of our theoretical analysis.
Relationship between electrocardiographic RR and QT interval variabilities and indices of ventricular function in healthy subjects

To date there has been no simultaneous characterization of the influence of physical exercise on cardiac ventricular function and cardiac electrical variability. Consequently, little is known about the relationship between the ventricular function and either heart rate (RR) or repolarization (QT) variability. In particular, the relationship between the QT variability index (QTVI) and ventricular function would be of clinical interest. Eight males of similar age (20.7 ± 0.4 years (mean ± SD)), mass (78.4 ± 7.7 kg) and aerobic fitness (50.7 ± 4.9 ml kg−1 min−1) undertook progressive bicycle exercise. A three-lead Holter ECG was recorded continuously during pre-exercise, exercise and recovery, and mean values of RR and QT, their variabilities (RMSSD and SDNN) and their relative variability (QTVI) were determined. Traditional indices of ventricular function were determined beat to beat via impedance cardiography, and beat-to-beat blood pressure was recorded via photoplethysmography. Multiple linear regression analysis using the stepwise method resulted in significant models for each of the dependent variables (RR, QT, RR and QT variabilities, QTVI), using indices of the ventricular function as predictor variables. Notably, the QTVI reflected both the stroke volume index (SVI) and the acceleration index (ACI), which are measures of cardiac ‘output’ per contraction and the force of contraction, respectively. This relationship was largely unperturbed by physical exercise, in contrast with the results for all other dependent variables. We conclude that the QTVI is a reasonably consistent measure of the cardiac ventricular function, and as such is a more useful index than other parameters based on RR or QT interval alone.
Finite element simulation and clinical follow-up of lumbar spine biomechanics with dynamic fixations

Arthrodesis is a recommended treatment in advanced stages of degenerative disc disease. Despite dynamic fixations were designed to prevent abnormal motions with better physiological load transmission, improving lumbar pain and reducing stress on adjacent segments, contradictory results have been obtained. This study was designed to compare differences in the biomechanical behaviour between the healthy lumbar spine and the spine with DYNESYS and DIAM fixation, respectively, at L4-L5 level. Behaviour under flexion, extension, lateral bending and axial rotation are compared using healthy lumbar spine as reference. Three 3D finite element models of lumbar spine (healthy, DYNESYS and DIAM implemented, respectively) were developed, together a clinical follow-up of 58 patients operated on for degenerative disc disease. DYNESYS produced higher variations of motion with a maximum value for lateral bending, decreasing intradiscal pressure and facet joint forces at instrumented level, whereas screw insertion zones concentrated stress. DIAM increased movement during flexion, decreased it in another three movements, and produced stress concentration at the apophyses at instrumented level. Dynamic systems, used as single systems without vertebral fusion, could be a good alternative to degenerative disc disease for grade II and grade III of Pfirrmann.
Bayesian Posterior Predictive Probability Happiness

We propose to determine the underlying causal structure of the elements of happiness from a set of empirically obtained data based on Bayesian. We consider the proposal to study happiness as a multidimensional construct which converges four dimensions with two different Bayesian techniques, in the first we use the Bonferroni correction to estimate the mean multiple comparisons, on this basis it is that we use the function t and a z-test, in both cases the results do not vary, so it is decided to present only those shown by the t test. In the Bayesian Multiple Linear Regression, we prove that happiness can be explained through three dimensions. The technical numerical used is MCMC, of four samples. The results show that the sample has not atypical behavior too and that suitable modifications can be described through a test. Another interesting result obtained is that the predictive probability for the case of sense positive of life and personal fulfillment dimensions exhibit a non-uniform variation.
A multi-output on-chip switched-capacitor DC-DC converter for near- and sub-threshold power modes

This paper presents a novel multi-output on-chip switched-capacitor (SC) DC-DC converter simultaneously providing two output voltages (2VDD/3 and VDD/3, in addition to the available full VDD) that enables the use of three different power modes for optimizing power/performance trade-offs: super-threshold (full VDD), near-threshold (2VDD/3) and sub-threshold (VDD/3). Unlike previously proposed SC converters, the multiple conversion ratios of the novel converter are achieved without changing the topology of the circuit, thus fewer components being needed to support multiple voltages. Above 84% and 70% efficiencies are obtained in simulation over a range of load currents from 0.4 mA to 5 mA, and from 0.4 mA to 1 mA, with conversion ratios of 2/3 and 1/3, respectively. The paper also presents a novel optimization method to save area by using unequally sized flying capacitors. The target application is for systems with discrete power modes; also for systems that use dithering to emulate a continuous range of voltages such as the Panoptic Dynamic Voltage Scaling (PDVS).
SNS dependency and interpersonal storytelling: An extension of media system dependency theory

The purposes of the current study are (1) to conceptualize and test a social networking service (SNS) dependency measure and (2) to propose and test a general model of the effect of SNS dependency on online and offline interpersonal storytelling. This study is theoretically guided by media system dependency theory and communication infrastructure theory. Computer-assisted personal interviews (CAPI) were conducted with 477 SNS users aged 19–59 in Seoul in October of 2012. Confirmatory factor analyses results showed that our SNS dependency measure was valid and reliable. The results also confirmed that SNS dependency had direct effects on individual users’ levels of engagement with interactive activities on SNSs and indirect effects on offline interpersonal storytelling.
Compressive sampling in SAR tomography: Results on COSMO-Skymed data

SAR tomography allows the three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the reflectivity profile of the observed scene on the ground. It is based on the acquisition of several images of the same scene, collected with different view angles along slightly different orbits of the SAR platform. The spatial resolution in the elevation direction obtained with conventional Fourier-type techniques is related to the overall baseline extent of the acquisition orbits. Recently a tomographic technique denoted as Compressive Sampling Tomography (CST) has been introduced. It allows a drastic reduction of the number of acquisitions required and attains an increased resolution in the elevation direction. It exploits the sparsity property of the reflectivity profile in the elevation direction. In this paper some results obtained by applying CST to COSMO-Skymed real data are presented.
Axenic cultivation of Trichomonas tenax, the oral flagellate of man. I. Establishment of cultures.

SYNOPSIS. A technique for the axenic cultivation of Trichomonas tenax, the oral flagellate of man, is presented. The medium employed consists of a nutrient broth supplemented with horse serum and a cell-free extract of chick embryo. Three strains established in this medium have been maintained for 16, 23 and 48 months respectively. All the cultures were initiated with trichomonads grown in association with Trypanosoma cruzi. Attempts to establish axenic cultures with trichomonads obtained from xenic cultures containing a bacterial flora of unknown composition met with failure. This suggests that the successful cutcome of the process of axenization is to a certain extent dependent upon the type of organism(s) with which T. tenax is associated in culture. Furthermore, these findings may serve to explain earlier failures since not only were all of these attempts made with media lacking tissue extract supplements but all were made using bacteria-trichomonad cultures as a source of trichomonads.
Application of Toxicogenomics to Toxicology: Basic Concepts in the Analysis of Microarray Data

Toxicology and the practice of pathology are rapidly evolving in the postgenomic era. Observable treatment related changes have been the hallmark of toxicology studies. Toxicogenomics is a powerful new tool that may show gene and protein changes earlier and at treatment levels below the limits of detection of traditional measures of toxicity. It may also aid in the understanding of toxic mechanisms. It is important to remember that it is only a tool and will provide meaningful results only when properly applied. As is often the case with new experimental tools, the initial utilization is driven more by the technology than application to problem solving. Toxicogenomics is interdisciplinary in nature including at a minimum, pathology, toxicology, and genomics. Most studies will require the input from the disciplines of toxicology, pathology, molecular biology, bioinformatics, biochemistry, and others depending on the types of questions being asked.
The Phosphorylation of Protein S6 Modulates the Interaction of the 40 S Ribosomal Subunit with the 5′-Untranslated Region of aDictyostelium Pre-spore-specific mRNA and Controls Its Stability*

AC914 mRNA, a pre-spore-specific mRNA that accumulates only in the post-aggregation stage of development, is transcribed constitutively as shown by nuclear run-off experiments and by fusing its promoter to the luciferase reporter gene. The same mRNA disappears quickly from disaggregated cells. If the 5′-untranslated region (5′UTR) of the constitutively expressed Actin 15 mRNA is substituted for the 5′UTR of AC914 mRNA, this can no longer be destabilized and accumulates both in growing and disaggregated cells. If the 5′UTR of AC914 mRNA is substituted for the 5′UTR of Actin 15 mRNA, the latter accumulates only in aggregated cells. Pactamycin, but not other inhibitors of protein synthesis, prevents AC914 mRNA from being destabilized in disaggregated cells, suggesting a role of 40 S subunits in the destabilization. This has been confirmed by using an in vitro system in which the in vivo stability of different mRNAs is reproduced. A protein kinase A-dependent phosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6 determines whether 40 S subunits are capable or not of destabilizing AC914 mRNA in the in vitro system.
Species identification of enterococci via intergenic ribosomal PCR

Accurate species identification of enterococci has become important with the wide prevalence of acquired vancomycin resistance and the presence of less epidemiologically important, inherently vancomycin-resistant enterococci. Using a collection of enterococcal strains, we found that PCR amplification of the intergenic spacer (ITS-PCR) between the 16S and 23S rRNA genes can produce amplicon profiles characteristic of the enterococcus examined. The species examined were group I enterococci (Enterococcus avium, Enterococcus raffinosus, Enterococcus malodoratus, and Enterococcus pseudoavium), group II enterococci (Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus casseliflavus, Enterococcus mundtii, and Enterococcus gallinarum), and group III enterococci (Enterococcus durans and Enterococcus hirae). The enterococcal species in group I, as well as E. faecalis and two strains of E. hirae, were similar and therefore had to be differentiated from each other by Sau3A restriction digests. This produced patterns characteristic of each of these species. The remaining group II and group III enterococcal species produced amplicons characteristic of a particular species except E. gallinarum. The PCR products from E. gallinarum displayed strain-to-strain heterogeneity in the number and size of amplicons. To further test the utility of this technique, 11 phenotypically aberrant strains which had been assigned species identification based on Facklam and Collins-type strain reactions (R.R. Facklam and M.D. Collins, J. Clin. Microbiol. 27:731-734, 1989) were subjected to ITS-PCR. ITS-PCR of the phenotypically aberrant strains identified six strains with reactions consistent with those of type strains. However, five strains were characterized as follows: two strains originally identified as E. mundtii were identified by ITS-PCR as E. casseliflavus, one strain originally identified as E. raffinosus was identified by ITS-PCR as E. durans, one strain originally identified as E. hirae was identified by ITS-PCR as E. faecium [corrected]. We conclude that amplification of the intergenic 23S and 16S rRNA gene regions of enterococci provides a reliable technique for species identification of enterococci.
Robin: An Intuitive Wizard Application for R-Based Expression Microarray Quality Assessment and Analysis1[W][OA]

The wide application of high-throughput transcriptomics using microarrays has generated a plethora of technical platforms, data repositories, and sophisticated statistical analysis methods, leaving the individual scientist with the problem of choosing the appropriate approach to address a biological question. Several software applications that provide a rich environment for microarray analysis and data storage are available (e.g. GeneSpring, EMMA2), but these are mostly commercial or require an advanced informatics infrastructure. There is a need for a noncommercial, easy-to-use graphical application that aids the lab researcher to find the proper method to analyze microarray data, without this requiring expert understanding of the complex underlying statistics, or programming skills. We have developed Robin, a Java-based graphical wizard application that harnesses the advanced statistical analysis functions of the R/BioConductor project. Robin implements streamlined workflows that guide the user through all steps of two-color, single-color, or Affymetrix microarray analysis. It provides functions for thorough quality assessment of the data and automatically generates warnings to notify the user of potential outliers, low-quality chips, or low statistical power. The results are generated in a standard format that allows ready use with both specialized analysis tools like MapMan and PageMan and generic spreadsheet applications. To further improve user friendliness, Robin includes both integrated help and comprehensive external documentation. To demonstrate the statistical power and ease of use of the workflows in Robin, we present a case study in which we apply Robin to analyze a two-color microarray experiment comparing gene expression in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) leaves, flowers, and roots.
Forecasting Uncertainty in Electricity Demand

Generalized Additive Models (GAM) are a widely popular class of regression models to forecast electricity demand, due to their high accuracy, flexibility and interpretability. However, the residuals of the fitted GAM are typically heteroscedastic and leptokurtic caused by the nature of energy data. In this paper we propose a novel approach to estimate the time-varying conditional variance of the GAM residuals, which we call the GAM^2 algorithm. It allows utility companies and network operators to assess the uncertainty of future electricity demand and incorporate it into their planning processes. The basic idea of our algorithm is to apply another GAM to the squared residuals to explain the dependence of uncertainty on exogenous variables. Empirical evidence shows that the residuals rescaled by the estimated conditional variance are approximately normal. We combine our modeling approach with online learning algorithms that adjust for dynamic changes in the distributions of demand. We illustrate our method by a case study on data from RTE, the operator of the French transmission grid.