Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Condition monitoring of submodule capacitors in modular multilevel converters

This paper proposes a condition monitoring scheme of submodule (SM) capacitors in the modular multilevel converters (MMC), which is based on the capacitance estimation using the information of the current and voltage ripples of the capacitors. In order to induce the voltage ripple in the capacitor, a controlled AC current is injected into the circulating current loop through the action of the average voltage control of each SM in the converter leg. The capacitor current is calculated from the arm current and its switching state. By processing these AC voltage and current with digital filters, the capacitance is estimated by a recursive least square (RLS) algorithm. The validity of the proposed scheme has been verified by simulation results for the 1-MW 7-level modular multilevel converter. Also, its feasibility has been proved by experimental results for a reduced-scale prototype.
Prognosis of CKD patients receiving outpatient nephrology care in Italy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Prognosis in nondialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients under regular nephrology care is rarely investigated. Design, setting, participants, & measurements We prospectively followed from 2003 to death or June 2010 a cohort of 1248 patients with CKD stages 3 to 5 and previous nephrology care ≥1 year in 25 Italian outpatient nephrology clinics. Cumulative incidence of ESRD or death before ESRD were estimated using the competing-risk approach. RESULTS Estimated rates (per 100 patient-years) of ESRD and death 8.3 (95% confidence interval [CI], 7.4 to 9.2) and 5.9 (95% CI 5.2 to 6.6), respectively. Risk of ESRD and death increased progressively from stages 3 to 5. ESRD was more frequent than death in stage 4 and 5 CKD, whereas the opposite was true in stage 3 CKD. Younger age, lower body mass index, proteinuria, and high phosphate predicted ESRD, whereas older age, diabetes, previous cardiovascular disease, ESRD, proteinuria, high uric acid, and anemia predicted death (P < 0.05 for all). Among modifiable risk factors, proteinuria accounted for the greatest contribution to the model fit for either outcome. CONCLUSIONS In patients receiving continuity of care in Italian nephrology clinics, ESRD was a more frequent outcome than death in stage 4 and 5 CKD, but the opposite was true in stage 3. Outcomes were predicted by modifiable risk factors specific to CKD. Proteinuria used in conjunction with estimated GFR refined risk stratification. These findings provide information, specific to CKD patients under regular outpatient nephrology care, for risk stratification that complement recent observations in the general population.
Improving Word Alignment Quality Using Linguistic Knowledge

Word alignment of bilingual parallel corpora is usually generated using only statistical information. External linguistic information like e.g. a dictionary or linguistic structural annotation of the texts is used rarely, despite its usefulness. Additionally, it has to our knowledge never been examined systematically how linguistic information can be employed for word alignment improvement. In this paper, we present our experiments on finding out which linguistic information has which effect on word alignment quality, and we evaluate our experiments using precision and recall calculated for dictionaries that were generated after word alignment. The experiments show that information on e.g. lemmas and word category is useful to increase recall without lowering precision. Additionally, we discuss whether linguistic information can be used to compensate weak points of standard word alignment systems, and which features an ideal procedure should possess.
Tumor necrosis factor alpha and macrophages in the brain of herpes simplex virus type 1-infected BALB/c mice

After uniocular anterior chamber (AC) inoculation of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), virus and TNF alpha (TNF-α) are detected in the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN). The goal of this study was to investigate the role of TNF-α and macrophages in the brain of HSV-1-infected BALB/c mice. Mice were treated with thalidomide for TNF-α inhibition or injected with clodronate liposomes to deplete macrophages, and the AC of one eye (ipsilateral) was injected with HSV-1 (KOS). The location of HSV-1, macrophages, and TNF-α was determined by fluorescence immunohistochemistry and the titer of virus was determined by plaque assay. Inhibition of TNF-α was determined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and depletion of macrophages was assessed by flow cytometry. In thalidomide-treated mice, TNF-α RNA levels were reduced in the SCN. Both SCN were infected by day 5 post inoculation (p.i.) and the titer of virus in the SCN contralateral to the side of injection was increased. The number of splenic macrophages was significantly reduced in clodronate-treated mice compared with controls. In macrophage-depleted mice, both SCN were infected at day 6 p.i. and the titer of virus in the SCN of these mice was increased at days 6 and 7 p.i. compared with controls. The titer of virus in the contralateral (uninoculated) eye of macrophage-depleted mice was increased at day 7 p.i. Fewer F4/80+ cells were observed in the SCN of macrophage-depleted mice. The results of these studies suggest that TNF-α plays a role in limiting virus replication in the SCN of euthymic BALB/c mice and that one source of TNF-α is macrophages.
Pathophysiology of disease progression in proteinuric nephropathies.

Many patients with proteinuric chronic nephropathies progress inexorably to end-stage renal failure (ESRF), which is usually associated with the histologic findings of glomerulosclerosis and interstitial fibrosis [1]. In the last two decades clarification of the mechanisms of injury underlying the progression of chronic proteinuric nephropathies has been a major challenge for the renal community. Experimental renal ablation in the rat was instrumental in clarifying the pathophysiology of renal adaptation to nephron loss [2]. After removal of a critical portion of renal mass, remnant intact nephrons undergo sudden hypertrophy with concomitant lowering of arteriolar resistance and increased glomerular plasma flow. Because the tone of afferent arterioles drops more than the efferent ones, glomerular capillary hydraulic pressure rises, and more filtrate is formed per nephron. While such changes serve to enhance the filtration capacity of remaining nephron units, thus minimizing the functional consequences of nephron loss, they are ultimately detrimental. Indeed, the high intraglomerular capillary pressure enlarges the radii of the pores perforating the glomerular capillary barrier by a mechanism at least partly mediated by angiotensin (Ang) II. This impairs the size-selective function of the barrier and causes protein ultrafiltration. An excess of proteins in the lumen of the proximal tubules, and the secondary process of tubular epithelial endocytosis may exert a nephritogenic effect. Analysis of renal biopsy specimens from rats with doxorubicin-induced nephrosis [3] or age-related proteinuria [4] showed the accumulation of filtered proteins in the cytoplasm of proximal tubular cells, associated with interstitial inflammatory reactions and tubulointerstitial fibrotic and glomerulosclerotic lesions. Several other studies in rat models revealed a close link between abnormal permeability of the glomerular capillary barrier to proteins and the subsequent renal structural injury. Examples are streptozotocin-induced diabetes, the
Reduction of atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E knockout mice by activation of the retinoid X receptor

A common feature of many metabolic pathways is their control by retinoid X receptor (RXR) heterodimers. Dysregulation of such metabolic pathways can lead to the development of atherosclerosis, a disease influenced by both systemic and local factors. Here we analyzed the effects of activation of RXR and some of its heterodimers in apolipoprotein E −/− mice, a well established animal model of atherosclerosis. An RXR agonist drastically reduced the development of atherosclerosis. In addition, a ligand for the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ and a dual agonist of both PPARα and PPARγ had moderate inhibitory effects. Both RXR and liver X receptor (LXR) agonists induced ATP-binding cassette protein 1 (ABC-1) expression and stimulated ABC-1-mediated cholesterol efflux from macrophages from wild-type, but not from LXRα and β double −/−, mice. Hence, activation of ABC-1-mediated cholesterol efflux by the RXR/LXR heterodimer might contribute to the beneficial effects of rexinoids on atherosclerosis and warrant further evaluation of RXR/LXR agonists in prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis.
The treatment of an auditory working memory deficit and the implications for sentence comprehension abilities in mild "receptive" aphasia

Background: Theoretical studies have shown that some deficits in verbal short-term/working memory can impact comprehension abilities. Clinicians often suspect that their clients are failing to understand speech because they cannot remember what has been said. Yet there are no reports of how to treat such a problem. Aims: To see if improving the short-term/working memory abilities of a person with aphasia would improve her comprehension at the sentence level. In addition, we sought to explore the issues involved in carrying out research-based therapy in a clinical environment. Methods & Procedures: The memory and language impairments of a person with aphasia were assessed. The memory impairments were then targeted in therapy by requiring the repetition of gradually more demanding sentences. Comprehension itself was not practised at all during therapy. Outcome and Results: Certain aspects of short-term and working memory improved post-therapy, notably an increase in digit span and an ability to repeat more words in sentences. There was a limited generalisation of improvement to comprehension tasks, meaning that the client could understand longer sentences and required fewer repetitions. The existence of possible additional impairments was revealed post-therapy. Conclusions: If memory limitations are causing comprehension difficulty, therapy may need to take the focus away from language and on to short-term/working memory. However, improvement may be limited. In addition, we suggest that within the context of a clinical setting, a reasonable balance between research and therapy can be struck (albeit with some difficulty) if compromises are made.
A novel and simple technique to allow detection of the position of the R-waves from intraventricular pressure waveforms: application to the conductance catheter method

A simple and novel technique that utilizes the zero-crossing paints of the first time derivative of intraventricular pressure (dP/dt) to mark systole, is proposed. Discrete differentiation of the sampled pressure waveform is calculated using a difference equation. Filtration of high-frequency noise in dP/dt is achieved using a low-pass Butterworth filter of order 4 and a cutoff frequency of 10 Hz. The filter is realized digitally using infinite impulse response filter stages. Double filtering of discrete dP/dt is used to eliminate time shifts. The methods are evaluated on data obtained from six large, white, anaesthetised and open chest pigs, instrumented with a conductance catheter. The zero-crossing points of the filtered dP/dt compare very well with the R-waves of the electrocardiogram (ECG) as markers of systole. The mean error is 1.3% of the duration of the heart-cycle, Significantly, our results provide a solution to a problem often encountered with multiuse pressure-volume catheters when an ECG signal cannot be obtained. In this situation, the zero-crossing points of dP/dt, rather than the R-waves of the EGG, can be used as a marker of systole, thus enabling the construction of end-systolic pressure-volume relations to assess cardiac contractility.
The ER v-SNAREs are required for GPI-anchored protein sorting from other secretory proteins upon exit from the ER

Glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored proteins exit the ER in distinct vesicles from other secretory proteins, and this sorting event requires the Rab GTPase Ypt1p, tethering factors Uso1p, and the conserved oligomeric Golgi complex. Here we show that proper sorting depended on the vSNAREs, Bos1p, Bet1p, and Sec22p. However, the t-SNARE Sed5p was not required for protein sorting upon ER exit. Moreover, the sorting defect observed in vitro with bos1–1 extracts was also observed in vivo and was visualized by EM. Finally, transport and maturation of the GPI-anchored protein Gas1p was specifically affected in a bos1–1 mutant at semirestrictive temperature. Therefore, we propose that v-SNAREs are part of the cargo protein sorting machinery upon exit from the ER and that a correct sorting process is necessary for proper maturation of GPI-anchored proteins.
THE CONTROVERSY OVER SCORE BANDING IN PERSONNEL SELECTION: ANSWERS TO 10 KEY QUESTIONS

A particular form of test score banding, in which bands are based on the reliability of the test and in which selection within bands takes into account criteria that are likely to enhance workforce diversity, has been proposed as an alternative to the traditional top-down (rank-order) hiring systems, but it has been hotly debated among both scientists and practitioners. In a question-and-answer format, this article presents three different viewpoints (proponents, critics, and neutral observers) on the scientific, legal, and practical issues. The article also attempts to seek some consensus among experts on this controversial procedure.
Integración económica en América del Norte: lección de la experiencia de la Unión Europea para el TLCAN

In this document we analyze, based on previous work from various authors, the degree of economic synchronization between Central and Eastern European countries and the European Union prior to the 2004 adhesion treaties. Then, we formally determine the degree of economic synchronization in North America for the nafta transitional period. In particular, we perform cointegration and common features tests for the gdps of Canada, Mexico and the US. We find that the economies of the region are highly integrated. Based on these results, and the facts identified for the European case, we discuss some possibilities for the evolution of nafta into a deeper form of economic integration.
Long-term effects of hydrolyzed protein infant formulas on growth — extended follow-up to 10 y of age : results from the German Infant Nutritional Intervention ( GINI ) study 1 – 6

Background: Previous analysis in a prospective, population-based cohort reported reduced weight gain in children fed extensively hydrolyzed casein (eHF-C) formula during the first year of life but showed no effect on growth between 1 and 6 y of life. No studies have been conducted in children up to the age of 10 y. Objective: The objective was to investigate potential differences in body mass index (BMI) over the first 10 y of life between infants fed within the intervention period of the first 16 wk of life with partially hydrolyzed whey (pHF-W), extensively hydrolyzed whey (eHF-W), eHF-C, or cow-milk formula (CMF) and infants exclusively breastfed (BF) within the intervention period. Design: This was a prospective, randomized, double-blind trial in full-term neonates with atopic heredity in the German birth cohort German Infant Nutritional Intervention (GINI) followed through the first 10 y of life. Analyses of absolute and World Health Organization (WHO)–standardized BMI trajectories for 1840 infants [pHF-W (n = 253), eHF-W (n = 265), eHF-C (n = 250), CMF (n = 276), and BF (n = 796)] were conducted according to intention-to-treat principles. Results: Except for the previously reported slower BMI gain in infants fed with eHF-C formula within the first year of life, no significant differences in absolute or WHO-standardized BMI trajectories were shown between the pHF-W, eHF-W, eHF-C, CMF, and BF groups thereafter up to the age of 10 y. Conclusions: Extension of the follow-up period from 6 to 10 y for this randomized controlled trial showed no long-term consequences on BMI for the 4 infant formulas considered. These data need to be confirmed in future studies. Am J Clin Nutr 2011;94 (suppl):1803S–7S.
Promoter dependence of enhancer activity

The interaction of enhancers with different promoters was studied by measuring the influence of two enhancers (from simian virus 40 and from Harvey sarcoma virus) on the activity of expression vectors that are identical except for their promoter region. The promoters examined were from the simian virus 40 early region, with or without its own 72-base-pair repeat, and the mouse beta major-globin gene. It is clear that the promoter acted upon strongly influences the level of activity of an enhancer.
Interventions to Reduce 30-Day Rehospitalization: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND About 1 in 5 Medicare fee-for-service patients discharged from the hospital is rehospitalized within 30 days. Beginning in 2013, hospitals with high risk-standardized readmission rates will be subject to a Medicare reimbursement penalty. PURPOSE To describe interventions evaluated in studies aimed at reducing rehospitalization within 30 days of discharge. DATA SOURCES MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were searched for reports published between January 1975 and January 2011. STUDY SELECTION English-language randomized, controlled trials; cohort studies; or noncontrolled before-after studies of interventions to reduce rehospitalization that reported rehospitalization rates within 30 days. DATA EXTRACTION 2 reviewers independently identified candidate articles from the results of the initial search on the basis of title and abstract. Two 2-physician reviewer teams reviewed the full text of candidate articles to identify interventions and assess study quality. DATA SYNTHESIS 43 articles were identified, and a taxonomy was developed to categorize interventions into 3 domains that encompassed 12 distinct activities. Predischarge interventions included patient education, medication reconciliation, discharge planning, and scheduling of a follow-up appointment before discharge. Postdischarge interventions included follow-up telephone calls, patient-activated hotlines, timely communication with ambulatory providers, timely ambulatory provider follow-up, and postdischarge home visits. Bridging interventions included transition coaches, physician continuity across the inpatient and outpatient setting, and patient-centered discharge instruction. LIMITATIONS Inadequate description of individual studies' interventions precluded meta-analysis of effects. Many studies identified in the review were single-institution assessments of quality improvement activities rather than those with experimental designs. Several common interventions have not been studied outside of multicomponent "discharge bundles. " CONCLUSION No single intervention implemented alone was regularly associated with reduced risk for 30-day rehospitalization. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE None.
A dominant linear B‐cell epitope of ricin A‐chain is the target of a neutralizing antibody response in Hodgkin's lymphoma patients treated with an anti‐CD25 immunotoxin

Hodgkin's lymphoma patients treated with an anti‐CD25 Ricin toxin A‐chain (RTA)‐based Immunotoxin (RFT5.dgA) develop an immune response against the toxic moiety of the immunoconjugate. The anti‐RTA antibody response of 15 patients showing different clinical features and receiving different total amounts of RFT5.dgA was therefore studied in detail, considering antibody titre, IgG and IgM content, average binding efficacy and ability to inhibit in vitro the cytotoxicity of a RTA‐based Immunotoxin. No correlations were found between these parameters and the clinical features of the patients or the total amount of Immunotoxin administered. However, using a peptide scan approach we have identified a continuous epitope recognized by all patients studied, located within the stretch L161‐I175 of the RTA primary sequence, close to a previously identified T‐cell epitope. The ability of anti‐L161‐I175 antibodies to recognize folded RTA and to affect the biological activity of RTA by inhibiting RTA‐IT cytotoxicity in vitro revealed that they may exert an important role in IT neutralization in vivo. Discovery of RTA immunodominant epitopes which are the target of anti‐RTA immune response may lead to the development of immunomodulating strategies and to more successful treatment schedules.
First-time mothers preparing for birthing in an electronic world: internet and mobile phone technology

Background: As the twenty-first century moves forward, we are witnessing a surge of self-educating with electronic media (e.g. internet sites, mobile phone technology, television and/or videos). This phenomenon is deeply embedded in perinatal education and warrants an in-depth investigation to uncover the meaning of how mothers self-prepare with electronic media for birthing in hospitals. Methods: A sequential mix of two qualitative designs commenced. A preliminary descriptive design, involving three focus groups (childbirth educators, n = 5; obstetric providers, n = 6; and labour and delivery nurses, n = 1), was conducted to inform researchers of provider perceptions of childbearing women self-preparing with electronic media. Then, a primary hermeneutic (interpretive) design was used to conduct one-to-one in-depth interviews from a purposive sample (n = 7) of young first-time mothers (FTMs). Results: The preliminary descriptive findings suggested that interviewing young FTMs self-preparing for birthing in hospitals was warranted. A primary hermeneutic (interpretive) design revealed that FTMs were preparing with electronic media for what ifs based on what is known about birthing. At times, this educated the mothers and some became more knowledgeable or informed; however, there was also a debilitating effect, which increased the mothers’ level of anxiety and fear. Conclusions: Providing credible electronic linkages, mobile phone technology, videos and access to provider and hospital websites, guided by their care providers, is imperative for educating mothers. By addressing mothers’ needs, women may be better able to birth with confidence as they enter the electronic world of preparing for birthing in a hospital.
Fault-Tolerant Distributed Algorithms on VLSI Chips

The Dagstuhl seminar 08371 on Fault-Tolerant Distributed Algorithms on VLSI Chips was devoted to exploring whether the wealth of existing fault-tolerant distributed algorithms research can be utilized for meeting the challenges of futuregeneration VLSI chips. Participants from both the distributed fault-tolerant algorithms community, interested in this emerging application domain, and from the VLSI systems-on-chip and digital design community, interested in well-founded system-level approaches to fault-tolerance, surveyed the current state-of-the-art and tried to identify possibilities to work together. The seminar clearly achieved its purpose: It became apparent that most existing research in Distributed Algorithms is too heavy-weight for being immediately applied in the “core” VLSI design context, where power, area etc. are scarce resources. At the same time, however, it was recognized that emerging trends like large multicore chips and increasingly critical applications create new and promising application domains for fault-tolerant distributed algorithms. We are convinced that the very fruitful cross-community interactions that took place during the Dagstuhl seminar will contribute to new research activities in those areas.