Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Improved control of an active-front-end adjustable speed drive with a small de-link capacitor under real grid conditions

Active front-end topologies are widely used in the future and among them especially the two-level PWM rectifier, due to the need to improve the quality of the input currents and the robustness against grid disturbances of adjustable speed drives (ASDs). Another expectation is that electrolytic capacitors are replaced by film capacitors in order to increase the ASD lifetime, but as this has lower energy density, the dc-link capacitance is expected to decrease. In these circumstances, operation under unbalanced and distorted supply voltage as well as high dynamic operation of the ASD makes the control task more challenging. This paper discusses problems related to the ASD DC-link both in respect to its stability (under regeneration as well as in the case of constant power absorbed by the inverter stage) both also in respect to the dc voltage ripple generated by the grid unbalance and made more severe due to the small DC-link storage. To mitigate the latter problem it is proposed to recompensate the DC-link voltage reference signal considering the real grid voltage. Experiments show that the system handles successfully unbalance situation even with a small DC-link capacitor.
Salicylic Acid Suppresses Jasmonic Acid Signaling Downstream of SCFCOI1-JAZ by Targeting GCC Promoter Motifs via Transcription Factor ORA59[C][W][OA]

Interactions between the plant hormones salicylic acid and jasmonic acid play an important role in the regulation of plant defense responses against pathogens and insects. This work provides mechanistic insight into this hormonal crosstalk by showing that salicylic acid antagonizes jasmonic acid–dependent defenses by targeting the transcriptional activator ORA59. Antagonism between the defense hormones salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA) plays a central role in the modulation of the plant immune signaling network, but the molecular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate that suppression of the JA pathway by SA functions downstream of the E3 ubiquitin-ligase Skip-Cullin-F-box complex SCFCOI1, which targets JASMONATE ZIM-domain transcriptional repressor proteins (JAZs) for proteasome-mediated degradation. In addition, neither the stability nor the JA-induced degradation of JAZs was affected by SA. In silico promoter analysis of the SA/JA crosstalk transcriptome revealed that the 1-kb promoter regions of JA-responsive genes that are suppressed by SA are significantly enriched in the JA-responsive GCC-box motifs. Using GCC:GUS lines carrying four copies of the GCC-box fused to the β-glucuronidase reporter gene, we showed that the GCC-box motif is sufficient for SA-mediated suppression of JA-responsive gene expression. Using plants overexpressing the GCC-box binding APETALA2/ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR (AP2/ERF) transcription factors ERF1 or ORA59, we found that SA strongly reduces the accumulation of ORA59 but not that of ERF1. Collectively, these data indicate that the SA pathway inhibits JA signaling downstream of the SCFCOI1-JAZ complex by targeting GCC-box motifs in JA-responsive promoters via a negative effect on the transcriptional activator ORA59.
The food safety impact of salt and sodium reduction initiatives

Excessive or high salt or sodium intake is known to cause hypertension and other diseases. Within the United Kingdom voluntary targets for salt reduction have been set and laid out in the Secretary of State responsibility deal. This review considers the options available to food manufacturers to enable them to reduce salt and the potential food safety risks associated with those options. Gaps in research and knowledge within the areas of information supplied to food manufacturers, alternative solutions for salt replacement and the food safety impact of salt reduction are discussed.
Proviral HIV-1 DNA in subjects followed since primary HIV-1 infection who suppress plasma viral load after one year of highly active antiretroviral therapy

ObjectiveAn assessment of the impact of one year potent antiretroviral treatment initiated during primary HIV infection on the cell-associated viral burden. Design and methodsProviral HIV-1 DNA was quantified in serial peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) samples from 19 patients enrolled in the French prospective PRIMO Cohort for whom plasma HIV RNA was suppressed to undetectable levels after one year of triple therapy; that is, plasma HIV-1 RNA was maintained below 200 copies/ml. Results were compared with those observed in 19 patients with chronic HIV-1 infection presenting the same degree of virus suppression after 12 months of treatment. ResultsAt study entry, PRIMO subjects presented heterogeneous levels of proviral HIV-1 DNA: 2–3.92 log10 copies/106 PBMC and plasma HIV RNA: 2.3–6.5 log10 copies/ml. One year of effective highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) resulted in a median diminution of proviral DNA of −0.78 log10/106 PBMC in PRIMO subjects. The median decline in chronic-phase patients was −0.32 for those who were pre-treated and −0.52 for those previously naive of treatment. ConclusionThe decline in cell-associated HIV DNA observed throughout one year treatment indicated that HAART reduces the proviral HIV-DNA load more effectively when initiated during the primary rather than the chronic phase of HIV infection. These findings therefore tend to lend support to the early initiation of treatment. Nevertheless, heterogeneous baseline values observed for CD4 cell count, plasma HIV RNA and proviral HIV DNA in PRIMO subjects, raise the question of whether treatment should be delayed in some to spare early adverse effects of HAART.
Integrating pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy in the treatment of a bipolar patient.

M ost contemporary psychiatric literature describing the longterm treatment of bipolar illness emphasizes the benefit of pharmacotherapy. Although reference may be made to the need for concomitant psychotherapy (1–3), the techniques and problems in integrating these two therapeutic approaches are seldom discussed. The following case report, describing the treatment of a woman with bipolar disorder, illustrates problems common to the management of bipolar disorder and the usefulness of psychotherapy in the following aspects of treatment: 1) establishing a therapeutic alliance, 2) helping the patient overcome denial of illness, 3) addressing issues in transference and countertransference, 4) balancing therapeutic drug doses and side effects, and 5) encouraging significant others to provide ongoing mental status information.
Visfatin is an adipokine, but it is not regulated by thiazolidinediones.

CONTEXT Visfatin was recently reported to be expressed in human adipose tissue and to exert insulin-mimicking effects. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to examine whether visfatin is a true adipokine and is expressed in isolated fat cells. We also examined whether visfatin is regulated by thiazolidinediones and, thus, can contribute to the ability of these agents to improve insulin sensitivity. DESIGN This was an open-labeled drug therapy trial. SETTING This study was performed at a university hospital. PATIENTS Seven newly diagnosed and previously untreated type 2 diabetic patients and six healthy individuals with reduced insulin sensitivity participated in the study. INTERVENTION Pioglitazone therapy (30-45 mg/d) was given for 3-4 wk. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Serum and adipose tissue mRNA levels of visfatin and adiponectin were the main outcome measures. RESULTS Visfatin mRNA is expressed in both adipose tissue and isolated adipocytes. Treatment with thiazolidinediones for 3-4 wk did not alter the gene expression or circulating levels of visfatin in either nondiabetic or the diabetic individuals, whereas adiponectin increased significantly. CONCLUSION The present study shows that visfatin is a true adipokine, but it is not regulated by TZD and, thus, is unlikely to contribute to the insulin-sensitizing actions of these drugs.
Entry versus Blockade of Brain Infection following Oral or Intraperitoneal Scrapie Administration: Role of Prion Protein Expression in Peripheral Nerves and Spleen

ABSTRACT Naturally occurring transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) diseases such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy in cattle are probably transmitted by oral or other peripheral routes of infection. While prion protein (PrP) is required for susceptibility, the mechanism of spread of infection to the brain is not clear. Two prominent possibilities include hematogenous spread by leukocytes and neural spread by axonal transport. In the present experiments, following oral or intraperitoneal infection of transgenic mice with hamster scrapie strain 263K, hamster PrP expression in peripheral nerves was sufficient for successful infection of the brain, and cells of the spleen were not required either as a site of amplification or as transporters of infectivity. The role of tissue-specific PrP expression of foreign PrP in interference with scrapie infection was also studied in these transgenic mice. Peripheral expression of heterologous PrP completely protected the majority of mice from clinical disease after oral or intraperitoneal scrapie infection. Such extensive protection has not been seen in earlier studies on interference, and these results suggested that gene therapy with mutant PrP may be effective in preventing TSE diseases.
Fungal Keratitis in a Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus)

Abstract A free-ranging gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) presented for trauma and blindness. Fibrinous exudate obscured visualization of the globes. This exudative crust extended from the conjunctival fornices through the palpebral fissure and was manually removed. Ophthalmic examination revealed bilateral corneal ulcerations and scarring and phthisis bulbi of the left globe. Histology of the crust revealed a necrotic conjunctivitis with intralesional fungal hyphae. Culture of the corneal ulcer of the left eye isolated moderate growth of a mixed fungal flora consisting of Curvularia sp. and Aspergillus sp. Miconazole ophthalmic solution was administered and the ulcers in both eyes healed, but corneal edema continued. After 2 mo of treatment with miconazole, tramadol, acetylcysteine, hypertonic saline ointment, artificial tears, and hypertonic saline flushes, the right eye was normal with only a small scar. The left eye remained phthisical. This is the first report of fungal keratitis in a wild reptile and a gopher tortoise.
VLSI Implementation of An Adaptive Equalizer for ATSC Digital TV Receivers

An adaptive equalizer for ATSC standard HDTV receivers is developed and implemented in VLSI. This equalizer is based on the G-pseudo algorithm that combines the advantages of the decision directed and blind algorithms. It also conducts ghost cancellation for the reception of NTSC analog TV signals. A programmable error calculation unit is employed for a flexible implementation of several equalization algorithms. The filter coefficients have a long internal word-length for a satisfactory operation in the blind adaptation mode, but only parts of them are used for output calculation to reduce the hardware complexity. The performance of the system for seven GA reference channels is evaluated according to the adaptation algorithms, the number of delays for the adaptation, and the word-length of the filter coefficients. The chip area and power consumption according to the time multiplexing ratio are estimated.
Three cases of septic arthritis following a recent arthroscopic procedure

We report three cases of septic arthritis in patients who presented with a painful, swollen and supurative knee joint following a recent arthroscopic procedure, 8–15 days prior to attendance. In all three cases, patients presented with pain and swelling of the affected knee joint with discharge from the port sites. All were sent for washout of the affected joint and received intravenous antibiotic cover. Any patient presenting within 1 month of a recent arthroscopic procedure with pain and swelling of that joint should be presumed to have septic arthritis until proven otherwise. They must have urgent treatment in the form of joint washout and intravenous antibiotics, and receive 6 weeks oral antibiotics on discharge.
Site of covalent attachment of a-scorpion toxin derivatives in domain I of the sodium channel a subunit

Purified and reconstituted sodium channels from rat brain have been photoaffmity labeled with a photoactivable derivative of the a-scorpion toxin V from Leiurus quinquestriatus (LqTx). A battery of sequence-specific antibodies has been used to determine which of the peptides produced by chemical and enzymatic cleavage of the photolabeled sodi-um-channel a subunit contain covalently attached LqTx. Nearly all of the covalently attached LqTx is found within homologous domain I. Two site-directed antisera, which recognize residues 317 to 335 and residues 382 to 400, respectively, specifically immunoprecipitate a 14-kDa peptide produced by CNBr digestion to which LqTx is covalently attached. It is proposed that a portion of the receptor site for a-scorpion toxins is formed by peptide segment(s) between amino acid residues 335 and 378 which is located in an extracellular loop between transmembrane helices S5 and S6 of homologous domain I of the sodium channel a subunit.
Fat-specific Protein 27 (FSP27) Interacts with Adipose Triglyceride Lipase (ATGL) to Regulate Lipolysis and Insulin Sensitivity in Human Adipocytes*

Background: FSP27 depletion increases both basal and stimulated lipolysis. Results: FSP27 interacts with ATGL via amino acids 120–220 to regulate lipolysis and triglyceride storage in human adipocytes. Conclusion: FSP27 inhibits ATGL-mediated lipolysis and protects adipocytes against free fatty acid-impaired insulin signaling. Significance: The novel lipolytic regulation shown here may lead to new treatments for insulin resistance. In adipocytes, lipolysis is a highly regulated process involving hormonal signals, lipid droplet-associated proteins, and lipases. The discovery of new lipid droplet-associated proteins added complexity to the current model of lipolysis. In this study, we used cultured human adipocytes to demonstrate that fat-specific protein 27 (FSP27), an abundantly expressed protein in adipocytes, regulates both basal and stimulated lipolysis by interacting with adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL, also called desnutrin or PNPLA2). We identified a core domain of FSP27, amino acids 120–220, that interacts with ATGL to inhibit its lipolytic function and promote triglyceride storage. We also defined the role of FSP27 in free fatty acid-induced insulin resistance in adipocytes. FSP27 depletion in human adipocytes increased lipolysis and inhibited insulin signaling by decreasing AKT phosphorylation. However, reducing lipolysis by either depletion of ATGL or expression of exogenous full-length FSP27 or amino acids 120–220 protected human adipocytes against the adverse effects of free fatty acids on insulin signaling. In embryonic fibroblasts derived from ATGL KO mice, exogenous free fatty acids did not affect insulin sensitivity. Our results demonstrate a crucial role for FSP27-ATGL interactions in regulating lipolysis, triglyceride accumulation, and insulin signaling in human adipocytes.
Sex hormone-binding globulin predicts the incidence of hyperglycemia in women: interactions with adiponectin levels.

OBJECTIVE Previous evidence has suggested that a low sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) concentration is associated with insulin-resistance and a low adiponectin concentration. We investigated the association between SHBG and the risk of hyperglycemia in each sex and we determined potential interactions between SHBG and adiponectin levels in the development of dysglycemia. DESIGN We used a nested case-control design in the large prospective study, Data from an Epidemiological Study on the Insulin Resistance Syndrome (DESIR). We studied 227 men and women who were normoglycemic at baseline but hyperglycemic at 3 years (glycemia > or = 6.1 mmol/l or type 2 diabetes). They were matched for sex, age, and body mass index with 227 subjects who remained normoglycemic at 3 years. RESULTS At baseline, the concentration of SHBG was significantly lower in women who subsequently developed hyperglycemia than in those who remained normoglycemic, with no difference for men. In multiple regression, SHBG at baseline was as an independent determinant of plasma adiponectin levels, in both women (P<0.0001) and men (P=0.002). In multivariate conditional logistic regression taking into account physical activity and changes in waist circumference over the follow-up, plasma SHBG remained significantly associated with the development of hyperglycemia in women but not in men. These associations persisted after adjustment for fasting insulinemia, high fasting glucose, and adiponectin levels. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that a low SHBG level is a strong risk marker for dysglycemia in women, independently of both adiponectinemia and insulinemia. SHBG may therefore improve the identification of women at risk of diabetes.
Component-Resolved Diagnosis of Peanut Allergy and Its Possible Origins of Sensitization in China

Background: Clinical and immunological characteristics of food allergies vary depending on geographic regions. Little is known about peanut allergy in China. The aim of this study was to investigate the peanut sensitization profile in China. Methods: Thirty-eight participants with immunoglobulin E (IgE)-positive responses to peanuts (peanut-sensitized) were included in our study, and clinical characteristics were evaluated. Total and specific IgE reactivity against peanuts, other plant-derived foods, pollens, and related allergen components were determined. Results: Eighteen patients were symptomatic when exposed to peanuts. The majority of them presented with systemic reactions. More than half of the peanut-sensitized subjects also suffered from mugwort pollinosis and peach allergy. In patients with both peanut and peach allergies, reactions to peanuts were the same as or severer than those to peaches. Positivity rates of IgE response to rAra h 1-3, 8, and 9 in the peanut allergy group were 5.6, 11.1, 5.6, 22.2, and 83.3%, respectively. 66.7% (12/18) of the peanut-allergic patients were monosensitized to rAra h 9. Anti-nArt v 3 [mugwort nonspecific lipid transfer protein (nsLTP)] IgE positivity in the peanut allergy group was significantly higher than that in the asymptomatic peanut-sensitized group. In Ara h 9 (peanut nsLTP)-sensitized patients with mugwort pollinosis, anti-nArt v 3 IgE levels were remarkably higher than anti-rAra h 9 (peanut nsLTP) IgE levels as well as anti-Pru p 3 (peach nsLTP) IgE levels. Conclusions: Ara h 9 was the major allergen of peanut, and Ara h 9 monosensitization was the most common peanut sensitization pattern in our population. Furthermore, there was a strong correlation between peanut sensitization and mugwort pollinosis, as well as peach allergy, in our country.
Dynamic trajectory control of passing over stairs by a biped type leg-wheeled robot with nominal reference of static gait

We are studying a wheeled robot with the ability of going up and down stairs. We previously developed a wheeled robot called a 'variable structure type four-wheeled robot' capable of using over a single step, but it cannot negotiate the stair whose tread is short compared with the wheelbase of the robot. In this paper, we propose a 'biped type leg-wheeled robot' which has ability to pass over stairs with short treads. We also propose a trajectory planning method which uses a nominal static walking trajectory as a reference for the dynamic control of the robot and investigate a trajectory control method using computer simulation. We finally confirm the effectiveness of our proposed method with a successful experiment of going up stairs by this robot.
Cortisol and prolactin concentrations during repeated blood sample collection from freely moving, mouse-sized mammals (Phodopus spp.).

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Validation of a method for obtaining blood samples that does not change cortisol or prolactin concentrations yet allows serial blood samples to be collected from animals under anesthesia, without prior handling, from freely interacting social groups of small mammals. METHODS Results from five experiments are reported. Male dwarf hamsters (Phodopus spp.) were housed in modified home cages under continuous flow of compressed air that could be switched to isoflurane in O2 vehicle without approaching the cages. RESULTS Dwarf hamsters respond to manual restraint with behavioral distress and increase in the concentration of the dominant glucocorticoid, cortisol, and decrease in prolactin concentration. Both effects are evident within one minute. In contrast, when this new method was used, neither cortisol nor prolactin changed in response to repeated sample collection (up to 8 successive samples at 2 hour intervals), prolonged isoflurane exposure, or substantial blood volume reduction (30%). Prolactin concentration was suppressed and cortisol concentration was increased in response to stimuli from other hamsters tested without anesthesia. Suppression of prolactin concentration was graded in response to the degree of stress and equaled the pharmacologic reduction caused by bromocryptine mesylate (50 microg of CB154 x 3 days). CONCLUSIONS The technique is superior to alternatives for studies of behavioral endocrinology of freely interacting small mammals.
Energy-efficient forwarding schemes for wireless sensor networks

Energy-efficient forwarding becomes important if resources and battery lifetime are limited such as in wireless sensor networks. Although widely used, simple hop-based forwarding along a path from one node towards a sink can be very inefficient in terms of delivery rate as well as energy efficiency, especially in lossy environments. We will show that just minimizing the expected number of transmissions within the network is not always the most efficient forwarding strategy. Using a realistic link loss model, we derive two new forwarding schemes named single-link and multi-link energy-efficient forwarding that trade off delivery rate and energy costs best by maximizing energy efficiency. Multi-link forwarding further benefits from addressing multiple receivers during packet forwarding, instead of a single one. By mathematical analyses, extensive simulations, and experimental evaluations we contrast the performance of our approaches against a comprehensive framework of other forwarding strategies
Specific Methylation Patterns in Two Control Regions of Epstein-Barr Virus Latency: the LMP-1-Coding Upstream Regulatory Region and an Origin of DNA Replication (oriP)

ABSTRACT The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) can establish at least four different forms of latent infection. Previously, we have shown that the level of methylation of the EBV genome varies, depending on the form of latency. The methylation status of CpGs was analyzed by the bisulfite genomic sequencing technique in four different cell types representing different forms of latency. The dyad symmetry element of the origin of replication (oriP) region and the latent membrane protein 1 (LMP-1) regulatory sequence (LRS) were studied. The dyad symmetry element has four binding sites for EBNA-1. In a cell with type I latency, a region upstream of the dyad symmetry element was highly methylated, whereas the dyad symmetry element was unmethylated in the EBNA-1-binding region. The LRS was extensively methylated in the LMP-1-negative cell line Rael, in contrast to a LMP-1-expressing nasopharyngeal carcinoma tumor (NPC C15), which was almost completely unmethylated. The methylation pattern of LRS in type I and type III Burkitt lymphoma cells of similar parental origins confirmed that demethylation of some regions takes place upon phenotypic drift.