Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sensorless fault tolerant control for induction motors using: Backstepping strategy and sliding mode observer

In this paper, a sensorless output feedback controller is designed and developed for the Induction Motor (IM), without using of flux and speed sensors. Firstly, a new sliding mode observer that uses only the measured stator currents is synthesized to estimate the speed, the flux and the load torque. Secondly, a backstepping control is developed so as to steer the estimated speed and flux magnitude to the desired references. Stability analysis based on Lyapunov theory is also presented in order to guarantee the closed loop system (controller + observer) stability of the proposed observer-control system. In the proposed approach, a robust controller based on backstepping strategy is designed in order to compensate both the load torque disturbance and the rotor resistance variations caused by the broken rotor bars faults. The proposed approach needs neither fault detection and isolation schemes nor controller reconfiguration. To highlight the efficiency and applicability of the proposed control scheme, simulation results are conducted for a 1.5kW induction motor.
Relationship between spontaneous sympathetic baroreflex sensitivity and cardiac baroreflex sensitivity in healthy young individuals

Low baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) is associated with elevated cardiovascular risk. However, the evidence is based primarily on measurements of cardiac BRS. It cannot be assumed that cardiac or sympathetic BRS alone represent a true reflection of baroreflex control of blood pressure. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between spontaneous sympathetic and cardiac BRS in healthy, young individuals. Continuous measurements of blood pressure, heart rate, and muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) were made under resting conditions in 50 healthy individuals (18–28 years). Sympathetic BRS was quantified by plotting MSNA burst incidence against diastolic pressure (sympathetic BRSinc), and by plotting total MSNA against diastolic pressure (sympathetic BRStotal). Cardiac BRS was quantified by plotting R‐R interval against systolic pressure using the sequence method. Significant sympathetic BRSinc and cardiac BRS slopes were obtained for 42 participants. A significant positive correlation was found between sympathetic BRSinc and cardiac BRS (r = 0.31, P = 0.049). Among this group, significant sympathetic baroreflex slopes were obtained for 39 participants when plotting total MSNA against diastolic pressure. In this subset, a significant positive correlation was observed between sympathetic BRStotal and cardiac BRS (r = 0.40, P = 0.012). When males and females were assessed separately, these modest relationships only remained significant in females. Analysis by gender revealed correlations in the females between sympathetic BRSinc and cardiac BRS (r = 0.49, P = 0.062), and between sympathetic BRStotal and cardiac BRS (r = 0.57, P = 0.025). These findings suggest that gender interactions exist in baroreflex control of blood pressure, and that cardiac BRS is not appropriate for estimating overall baroreflex function in healthy, young populations. This relationship warrants investigation in aging and clinical populations.
Perioperative Cardiac Arrests in Children between 1988 and 2005 at a Tertiary Referral Center: A Study of 92,881 Patients

Background:The objective of this study was to determine the incidence and outcome of perioperative cardiac arrest (CA) in children younger than 18 yr undergoing anesthesia for noncardiac and cardiac procedures at a tertiary care center. Methods:After institutional review board approval (Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota), all patients younger than 18 yr who had perioperative CA between November 1, 1988, and June 30, 2005, were identified. Perioperative CA was defined as a need for cardiopulmonary resuscitation or death during anesthesia care. A cardiac procedure was defined as a surgical procedure involving the heart or great vessels requiring an incision. Results:A total of 92,881 anesthetics were administered during the study period, of which 4,242 (5%) were for the repair of congenital heart malformations. The incidence of perioperative CA during noncardiac procedures was 2.9 per 10,000, and the incidence during cardiac procedures was 127 per 10,000. The incidence of perioperative CA attributable to anesthesia was 0.65 per 10,000 anesthetics, representing 7.5% of the 80 perioperative CAs. Both CA incidence and mortality were highest among neonates (0–30 days of life) undergoing cardiac procedures (incidence: 435 per 10,000; mortality: 389 per 10,000). Regardless of procedure type, most patients who experienced perioperative CA (88%) had congenital heart disease. Conclusion:The majority of perioperative CAs were caused by factors not attributed to anesthesia, in distinction to some recent reports. The incidence of perioperative CA is many-fold higher in children undergoing cardiac procedures, suggesting that definition of case mix is necessary to accurately interpret epidemiologic studies of perioperative CA in children.
Spatio-temporal dependencies in functional connectivity in rodent cortical cultures

Models of functional connectivity in cortical cultures on multi-electrodes arrays may aid in understanding how cognitive pathways form and improve techniques that aim to interface with neuronal systems. To enable research on such models, this study uses both data- and model-driven approaches to determine what dependencies are present in and between functional connectivity networks derived from bursts of extracellularly recorded activity. Properties of excitation in bursts were analysed using correlative techniques to assess the degree of linear dependence and then two parallel techniques were used to assess functional connectivity. Three models presenting increasing levels of spatio-temporal dependency were used to capture the dynamics of individual functional connections and their consistencies were verified using surrogate data. By comparing network-wide properties between model generated networks and functional networks from data, complex interdependencies were revealed. This indicates the persistent co-activation of neuronal pathways in spontaneous bursts, as can be found in whole brain structures.
Activity-Dependent Redistribution and Essential Role of Cortactin in Dendritic Spine Morphogenesis

The number and shape of dendritic spines are influenced by activity and regulated by molecules that organize the actin cytoskeleton of spines. Cortactin is an F-actin binding protein and activator of the Arp2/3 actin nucleation machinery that also interacts with the postsynaptic density (PSD) protein Shank. Cortactin is concentrated in dendritic spines of cultured hippocampal neurons, and the N-terminal half of the protein containing the Arp2/3 and F-actin binding domains is necessary and sufficient for spine targeting. Knockdown of cortactin protein by short-interfering RNA (siRNA) results in depletion of dendritic spines in hippocampal neurons, whereas overexpression of cortactin causes elongation of spines. In response to synaptic stimulation and NMDA receptor activation, cortactin redistributes rapidly from spines to dendritic shaft, correlating with remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton, implicating cortactin in the activity-dependent regulation of spine morphogenesis.
Specialty Crop Profile: Horseradish

Introduction Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana Gaertn., Mey, and Scherb.) is an herbaceous perennial. It can grow to two to three feet tall and wide and has a distinct rosette growth habit with numerous erect and long-petioled leaves originating from a central crown (Figure 1). Plants develop a deep root system of multiple branches and many finer rootlets. The roots are thick and fleshy tan to medium brown and smooth to corky on the outside and pure white on the inside. The edible, very pungent roots are grated and used fresh or added as an ingredient to commercially processed condiment products, such as seafood sauce and various mayonnaise based formulations. The intense pungency or “heat” of horseradish is due to iso-thiocyanate (sulfuric) compounds and the naturally occurring enzyme myrosinase found in the plant. When the roots are chopped or ground and exposed to air, these chemicals become volatile, resulting in pungency that opens sinuses and makes the eyes water. Vinegar is added to slow the release of iso-thiocyanates and timed to “capture the heat” at various levels.
A new design of compact dual band-notch UWB BPF based on coupled wave canceller

The procedure of attaining a compact bandpass filter (BPF) with dual band-notch function for ultra-wideband (UWB) applications is presented and discussed in this paper. In the proposed BPF defected ground structure (DGS) is used in order to improve the out-of-band performance of the filter and also four short-circuited bent stubs are employed in order to improve the selectivity of the filter at its cut-off frequencies. Dual band-notch function is added to the performance of the filter by coupling two short-circuited inverted T-shaped stubs to the filter main resonator. The fabricated filter satisfies well the demands of the Federal Communications Committee (FCC) with two narrow band-notch functions at 5.5 GHz and 8 GHz which eliminates the interference of the UWB system with WLAN and satellite communication systems, respectively. The improved upper stop-band of the proposed filter with more than 20dB attenuation level extends up to 20 GHz.
PCR-Restriction Enzyme Analysis of a Bone Marrow Isolate from a Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Positive Patient Discloses Polyclonal Infection with Two Mycobacterium avium Strains

ABSTRACT Polyclonal infection by Mycobacterium avium was detected by hsp65 PCR-restriction enzyme analysis (PRA) in a bone marrow isolate from an AIDS patient. Two M. aviumstrains, differing in colony morphology, PRA HaeIII digestion pattern, insertion element (IS) 1245amplification, and restriction fragment length polymorphism fingerprints with IS1245 and IS1311 probes, were isolated.
Novel agents in the management of castration resistant prostate cancer

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a leading cause of cancer mortality in men and despite high cure rates with surgery and/or radiation, 30-40% of patients will eventually develop advanced disease. Androgen deprivation is the first line therapy for standard of care for men with advanced disease. Eventually however all men will progress to castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Insight into the molecular mechanisms of androgen resistance has led to the development of alternative novel hormonal agents. Newer hormonal agents such as abiraterone, enzalutamide and TOK-001; and the first cancer vaccine, Sipuleucel T have been approved for use in men with CRPC. The recognition of the importance of bone health and morbidity associated with skeletal related events has led to the introduction of the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B-ligand inhibitor denosumab. Other molecularly targeted therapies have shown promise in pre-clinical studies, but this has not consistently translated into clinical efficacy. It is increasingly evident that CRPC is a heterogeneous disease and an individualized approach directed at identifying primary involvement of specific pathways could maximize the benefit from targeted therapies. This review focuses on targeted therapy for PCa with special emphasis on therapies that have been Food and Drug Administration approved for use in men with CRPC.
PV system reliability: An operator's perspective

The long-term performance of a photovoltaic (PV) system is one of the fundamental sources of its value; the other being the unit value of the energy it is generating. The industry operates under the assumption that a PV system can keep converting photons to electrons quite reliably with minimal interruptions in service for the typical 20–25-year duration of the energy purchase contracts. However, manually assembled macroscopic systems, comprising components with a high quotient of manual labor, and which operate outdoors under noncontrolled conditions, do tend to exhibit issues. The inverter software which is critical for their operation is an additional potential source of failure. In the case of an operator with global presence, relying on local assembly crews and sourcing components from a large number of suppliers, the challenge in keeping hundreds of power plants in optimal operation with regional teams of roving technicians cannot be easily overstated. Outages of mission-critical subsystems comprise 69% of identified service issues and are responsible for 75% of the associated energy losses. Most of the issues manifest at the inverter, but ac subsystem failures and externally caused outages comprise a large share of the biggest losses. Module failures represent a small fraction of identified issues.
Implementation of l1 Magic and One Bit Compressed Sensing Based on Linear Programming Using Excel

Compressed sensing helps in the reconstruction of sparse or compressible signals from small number of measurements. The sparse representation has great importance in modern signal processing. The main objective is to provide a strong understanding of the concept behind the theory of compressed sensing by using the key ideas from linear algebra. In this paper, the concept of compressed sensing is explained through an experiment formulated based on linear programming and solved using l1 magic and One bit compressed sensing methods in Excel.
What's love got to do with it?: racial features, stigma and socialization in Afro-Brazilian families

Abstract This article explores how racial socialization in poor and working-class Afro-Brazilian families conveys messages about racial features that reproduce and resist racial hierarchies. Relying on 116 semi-structured interviews and ethnography in fifteen Afro-Brazilian families conducted in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, I argue that racial socialization consists of discursive strategies, concrete practices and affective displays that stigmatize black racial features. This study examines racial socialization within the intimate context of parent and sibling relationships, highlighting how Afro-Brazilians negotiate racial features such as skin colour, hair texture and nose shape during day-to-day interactions and life transitions. To illustrate the complexity of Afro-Brazilian families, I discuss critical moments when socialization simultaneously reproduces and inverts racial hierarchies. I conclude by arguing that racial hierarchies are constantly negotiated in Afro-Brazilian families, but racial socialization most often reinforces dominant racial structures in ways that compromise the affective quality of family relationships.
Protection against Escherichia coli infection by antibody to the Staphylococcus aureus poly-N-acetylglucosamine surface polysaccharide

Poly-N-acetylglucosamine (PNAG) is a surface polysaccharide produced by Staphylococcus aureus and Staphyloccus epidermidis and is an effective target for opsonic and protective Ab for these two organisms. Recently, it has been found that Escherichia coli produces an exo-polysaccharide, designated polyglucosamine, that is biochemically indistinguishable from PNAG. We analyzed 30 E. coli strains isolated from urinary tract and neonatal bloodstream infections for the pga locus, PNAG antigen production, and susceptibility to opsonic killing and protection from lethal infection by Ab to PNAG. Twenty-six of 30 strains carried the pga locus, 25 of 30 expressed immunologically detectable PNAG, and 21 of 30 could be killed by rabbit IgG specific for the deacetylated form of the staphylococcal PNAG. Ab to staphylococcal PNAG protected mice against lethality from five different E. coli strains expressing PNAG. PNAG expression by both Gram-negative and Gram-positive organisms could make this antigen a conserved vaccine target for multiple pathogenic species of bacteria.
Terrestrial broadcast system using preamble and frequency division multiplexing

Broadcast systems based on FDM (Frequency Division Multiplex) have the advantage of near continuous demodulation of the broadcast signal, allowing accurate and continuous tracking of channel conditions which is particularly useful for mobile reception. This has been employed in the ISDB-T standard used in Japan, Brazil and other countries. However, as designed in ISDB-T the broadcast signal lacks the ability to send system parameters such as FFT size, GI size and so on before the receiver begins demodulation. The receiver must blindly estimate such system parameters before it can read the other detailed parameter information using the TMCC pilot carriers. This takes time, usually one frame or longer. This paper proposes a next generation FDM system which enables the original advantages of FDM to be retained, while allowing additional advantages by employing an additional small signal (Preamble 1) which imparts essential information such as FFT size, GI size and pilot pattern to the receiver to enable immediate demodulation of the broadcast signal based on known parameters rather than blind estimation. Following demodulation of the first preamble, demodulation of the second preamble (Preamble 2) allows immediate knowledge of the all subsequent parameters contributing to faster demodulation of the overall signal.
SIRT1 Is a Novel Regulator of Key Pathways of Human Labor1

Human sirtuin (SIRT) 1 and SIRT2, which possess nicotinamide adenosine dinucleotide (NAD+)-dependent deacetylase activity, exhibit anti-inflammatory actions. However, there are no data available on SIRT1 and SIRT2 expression and regulation in human intrauterine tissues. Thus, the aim of this study was to characterize the localization and expression of SIRT1 and SIRT2 in 1) placenta and fetal membranes before and after term spontaneous labor onset, 2) prelabor fetal membranes from the supracervical site (SCS) and a distal site (DS), and 3) in response to proinflammatory stimuli. Further, the effect of SIRT activation using resveratrol and SRT1720 on prolabor mediators was also assessed. SIRT1 and SIRT2 were localized in the syncytiotrophoblast layer and the cytotrophoblasts of the placenta, amnion epithelium, trophoblast layer of the chorion, and decidual cells. Additionally, SIRT2 was found within the endothelial walls of placental vessels. SIRT2, but not SIRT1, staining was significantly lower in amnion and chorion obtained from the SCS compared to a DS. On the other hand, SIRT1, but not SIRT2, gene and/or protein expression was significantly lower in placenta, amnion, and chorion obtained after labor compared to prelabor. SIRT1 expression, but not SIRT2, was down-regulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and proinflammatory cytokines TNF and IL1B. The SIRT1 activators resveratrol and SRT1720 significantly decreased LPS-induced TNF, IL6, and IL8 gene expression and release and PTGS2 mRNA expression and resultant prostaglandin (PG) E2 and PGF2α release from human gestational tissues. In conclusion, SIRT1 possesses anti-inflammatory actions and thus may play a role in regulating pregnancy and parturition.
Pre-operative evaluation with magnetic resonance imaging in tetralogy of fallot and pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect.

BACKGROUND Preoperative evaluation of patients with pulmonary atresia and ventricular septal defect (PA/ VSD) are generally done by echocardiogram and cardiac catheterization. The authors' objective of the present study was to compare the findings of Gadolinium (Gd) enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) with cardiac catheterization. MATERIAL AND METHOD Patients who had PA/VSD were prospectively evaluated using cardiac catheterization and cardiac MRA. A branch of the pulmonary arteries was divided into: main pulmonary artery (MPA), left and right branch pulmonary artery (LPA & RPA), major aortopulmonary collateral arteries (MAPCA) and minor collaterals. Each study was interpreted blindly. The agreement of findings was compared using Kappa statistics. RESULTS There were 43 patients who received both cardiac catheterization and cardiac MRI within a 2 month period The average age was 13.8 +/- 8.4 (2-30) years-old. There was an agreement among measurement of both MPA and LPA & RPA with Kappa statistics of more than 0.8. Gd-enhanced MRA was able to identify more branches of MAPCA when compared to cardiac catheterization. CONCLUSIONS The results of the present study indicate that Gd-enhanced MRA is a feasible, fast and accurate technique for identification of all sources of pulmonary blood supply in patients with complex pulmonary atresia. The present study was a noninvasive alternative to cardiac catheterization. Gd-enhanced MRA can better delineate small (minor) branches of collateral.
Biomechanical Analysis of Lumbosacral Fixation

Fluxion testing was performed until failure on 66 lumbosacral bovine spinal segments comparing ten different lumbosacral Instrumentation techniques. Maximum flexion moment at failure, flexural stiffness, and maximum angulation of the lumbosacral joint at failure were determined as well as strain measurements across the anterior aspect of the lumbosacral intervertebral disc using an extensometer. The maximum moment at failure was significantly greater for the only two devices that extended fixation into the ilium anterior to the projected image of the middle osteoligamentous column: ISOLA Galveston and ISOLA Iljac screws (F = 12.2, P < 0.001). The maximum stiffness at failure reinforced these findings (F = 23.7, P < 0.001). A second subset of stability showed the advantages of S2 pedicle fixation by increasing the flexural lever arm (Cotrel-Dubousset butterfly plate, and Cotrel-Dubousset Chopin block, P < 0.05). This exhaustive in vitro biomechanical study introduces the concept of a pivot point at the lumbosacral joint at the intersection of the middle osteoligamentous column (sagittal plane) and the lumbosacral intervertebral disc (transverse plane) A spinal surgeon can increase the stability of lumbosacral instrumentation by extending fixation through the anterior sacral cortex [Steffee plate group with pedicle screws that medially converge in a triangular fashion). A means of enhancing this fixation was to achieve more interior purchase by extending the fixation down to the S2 pedicle (Cotrel-Dubousset Chopin and Cotrel-Dubousset butterfly groups). However, the best fixation was achieved by obtaining purchase between the iliac cortices down into the superior acetabular bone. This extends the fixation a greater distance anterior to the projected lateral image of the middle column: ISOLA Galveston and ISOLA iliac screw techniques (P < 0.05). Crossing the SI joint with fixation is only biomechanically justified if the construct obtains purchase of the iliac creast anterior to the projected image of the middle osteoligamentous column.
Selection of Statistical Thresholds in Graphical Models

Reconstruction of gene regulatory networks based on experimental data usually relies on statistical evidence, necessitating the choice of a statistical threshold which defines a significant biological effect. Approaches to this problem found in the literature range from rigorous multiple testing procedures to ad hoc P-value cut-off points. However, when the data implies graphical structure, it should be possible to exploit this feature in the threshold selection process. In this article we propose a procedure based on this principle. Using coding theory we devise a measure of graphical structure, for example, highly connected nodes or chain structure. The measure for a particular graph can be compared to that of a random graph and structure inferred on that basis. By varying the statistical threshold the maximum deviation from random structure can be estimated, and the threshold is then chosen on that basis. A global test for graph structure follows naturally.