Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Inner Current Suppressing Method for Modular Multilevel Converters

Ideally, the inner (the upper or lower arm) current of a modular multilevel converter (MMC) is ideally assumed to be the sum of a dc component and an ac component of the fundamental frequency. However, as ac current flows through the submodule (SM) capacitors, the capacitor voltages fluctuate with time. Consequently, the inner current is usually distorted and the peak/RMS value of it is increased compared with the theoretical value. The increased currents will increase power losses and may threaten the safe operation of the power devices and capacitors. This paper proposes a closed-loop method for suppression of the inner current in an MMC. This method is very simple and is implemented in a stationary frame, and no harmonic extraction algorithm is needed. Hence, it can be applied to single-phase or three-phase MMCs. Besides, this method does not influence the balancing of the SM capacitor voltages. Simulation and experimental results show that the proposed method can suppress the peak and RMS values of the inner currents dramatically.
Employment Relations and Labour Markets in the Tourism and Hospitality Industry

The article briefly examines the issues associated with employment relations and management in tourism. It emphasises a labour process approach as a basis for analysis. Major issues are: gendered labour markets; managerial strategy; de-skilling and re-skilling. The paper presents general data and case study findings and concludes that the process of change in the labour process is both complex and contradictory. Union responses have to date failed to adequately oppose work rationalisation and formation of internal labour markets.
Simultaneous investigation of vascular and retinal pigment epithelial pathologies of exudative macular diseases by multifunctional optical coherence tomography.

PURPOSE To investigate exudative macular disease, multifunctional optical coherence tomography (MF-OCT) using a 1-μm probe band was developed. The clinical utility of MF-OCT was examined in a descriptive case series. METHODS Ten eyes of nine subjects with exudative macular disease, including one eye with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), one eye with idiopathic neovascular maculopathy, and eight eyes with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV), were investigated. Areas of 6 × 6 mm(2) around the pathologic region were scanned with 512 × 1024 depth scans in 6.6 seconds. Structural OCT, Doppler optical coherence angiography (OCA), and cumulative phase retardation images were obtained with a single measurement. Each MF-OCT image visualized the structure, vasculature, and birefringence. Degree of polarization uniformity values were also obtained for selective visualization of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). The MF-OCT images were compared with conventional ophthalmic images. RESULTS Abnormal vasculatures were observed with Doppler OCA in all eyes, which presented high similarity to indocyanine green angiography in the midphase. The RPE and exudation in the pathologic regions were discriminated in one eye with AMD and five of eight eyes with PCV. Cumulative phase retardation visualized fibrosis scars in two of the PCV cases. CONCLUSIONS Multifunctional OCT revealed depth-resolved abnormal vasculatures, the integrity of the RPE and choroid, discrimination of the RPE and exudation, and existence of fibrosis scars in exudative macular diseases. Interpretation of MF-OCT examination is well matched with conventional ophthalmic examination. These results suggest that MF-OCT can be used as a noninvasive ophthalmic examination tool prior to conventional examinations in clinical routines.
Analysis of Logic Controllers by Transformation of SFC into Timed Automata

This paper proposes an approach to connect Sequential Function Charts (SFC), an industrially recognized and used description of logic controllers, to algorithmic verification. Based on a rigorous syntactical and semantical definition of SFC, the paper describes a formal scheme to generate a corresponding model represented by synchronized Timed Automata (TA). The latter model can be composed with a plant model specified as timed or hybrid automata. In order to verify safety properties for the controlled system, existing algorithms for model checking can eventually be applied to the composition.
Effects of palmitoylation of Cys415 in helix 8 of the CB1 cannabinoid receptor on membrane localization and signalling

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The CB1 cannabinoid receptor is regulated by its association with membrane microdomains such as lipid rafts. Here, we investigated the role of palmitoylation of the CB1 receptor by analysing the functional consequences of site‐specific mutation of Cys415, the likely site of palmitoylation at the end of helix 8, in terms of membrane association, raft targeting and signalling.
Effect of Adeli suit treatment on gait in a child with cerebral palsy: a single-subject report

Abstract The purpose of this research report is to investigate the long-term effect of Adeli suit treatment (AST) in a child with cerebral palsy (CP) on spatial-temporal gait parameters, 10-meter walking speed, gross motor functional measure (GMFM) and performance on the pediatric balance scale (PBS). An eight-year-old girl with spastic diplegia classified as level III on the Gross Motor Function Classification System participated in this single-subject A-B design study, with a baseline and an intervention phase. The baseline phase was collected at one-week intervals for six weeks and then the AST intervention phase was carried out with 18 AST sessions, 50 min per session, once a week for an 18-week period. Spatial-temporal gait parameters significantly improved after the completion of 18 sessions. Furthermore, 10-meter walking speed, GMFM and PBS changed significantly from the baseline measurement (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the AST was effective in improving gait, gross motor function and balance in a child with diplegic CP. Clinically, neuro-rehabilitation with AST provided a complementary and alternative treatment for lower extremity rehabilitation in this child with CP. These findings provide preliminary evidence supporting the effectiveness of AST in children with spastic CP, and thus underscore the need for additional research in this area.
Qualitative Comparison of ADL-Based Approaches to Real-World Automotive System Development

This paper presents two different model-based approaches that use multiple architecture description languages (ADLs) for automotive system development. One approach is based on AADL (Architecture Analysis & Design Language), and the other is a collaborative approach using multiple languages: SysML (Systems Modeling Language) and MARTE (Modeling and Analysis of Real-Time and Embedded systems). In this paper, the detailed modeling steps for both approaches are explained through a real-world automotive development example: a cruise control system. Moreover, discussion of the modeling steps offers a qualitative comparison of the two approaches, and then clarifies the characteristics of the different types of ADLs.
Transforming growth factor-beta-induced cell growth inhibition in human breast cancer cells is mediated through insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 action.

Most estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer cells, including Hs578T cells, express mRNAs encoding insulin-like growth factor-binding protein (IGFBP)-3, as well as transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta receptors. Our previous studies (Oh, Y., Muller, H. L., Lamson, G., and Rosenfeld, R. G. (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 14964-14971; Oh, Y. , Muller, H. L. , Pham, H. M. , and Rosenfeld, R. G. (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 26045-26048) have demonstrated a significant inhibitory effect of exogenous IGFBP-3 on Hs578T cell growth and existence of IGFBP-3-specific receptors that may mediate those direct inhibitory effect of IGFBP-3. TGF-beta is also a potent growth inhibitor in human breast cancer cells in vitro and regulates IGFBP-3 production in different cell systems, suggesting that IGFBP-3 is a major anti-proliferative factor and a key element for TGF-beta-induced growth inhibition in human breast cancer cells. In support of this hypothesis, we have demonstrated using Hs578T cells that: 1) TGF-beta stimulates IGFBP-3 gene expression and production prior to its inhibition of cell growth, 2) treatment with an IGFBP-3 antisense oligodeoxynucleotide selectively inhibits TGF-beta-induced IGFBP-3 synthesis and cell growth inhibition, and 3) treatment with IGF-II and IGF-II analogs diminish TGF-beta effects by blocking TGF-beta-induced binding of IGFBP-3 to the cell surface. These findings suggest that IGFBP-3 is a major anti-proliferative factor and a key element in TGF-beta-induced growth inhibition in human breast cancer cells.
Ventral Midline Thalamus Is Necessary for Hippocampal Place Field Stability and Cell Firing Modulation

The reuniens (Re) and rhomboid (Rh) nuclei of the ventral midline thalamus are reciprocally connected with the hippocampus (Hip) and the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Growing evidence suggests that these nuclei might play a crucial role in cognitive processes requiring Hip–mPFC interactions, including spatial navigation. Here, we tested the effect of ReRh lesions on the firing properties and spatial activity of dorsal hippocampal CA1 place cells as male rats explored a familiar or a novel environment. We found no change in the spatial characteristics of CA1 place cells in the familiar environment following ReRh lesions. Contrariwise, spatial coherence was decreased during the first session in a novel environment. We then investigated field stability of place cells recorded across 5 d both in the familiar and in a novel environment presented in a predefined sequence. While the remapping capacity of the place cells was not affected by the lesion, our results clearly demonstrated a disruption of the CA1 cellular representation of both environments in ReRh rats. More specifically, we found ReRh lesions to produce (1) a pronounced and long-lasting decrease of place field stability and (2) a strong alteration of overdispersion (i.e., firing variability). Thus, in ReRh rats, exploration of a novel environment appears to interfere with the representation of the familiar one, leading to decreased field stability in both environments. The present study shows the involvement of ReRh nuclei in the long-term spatial stability of CA1 place fields. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Growing evidence suggest that the ventral midline thalamic nuclei (reuniens and rhomboid) might play a substantial role in various cognitive tasks including spatial memory. In the present article, we show that the lesions of these nuclei impair the spatial representations encoded by CA1 place cells of both familiar and novel environments. First, reduced variability of place cell firing appears to indicate an impairment of attentional processes. Second, impaired stability of place cell representations could explain the long-term memory deficits observed in previous behavioral studies.
Counting distance: Effects of egocentric distance on numerical perception

Numerical value is long known to be associated with a variety of magnitude representations, such as size, time and space. The present study focused on the interactive relations of numerical magnitude with a spatial factor which is dominant in everyday vision and is often overlooked, namely, egocentric distance, or depth. We hypothesized that digits denoting large magnitudes are associated with large perceived distances, and vice versa. While the relations of numerical value and size have been long documented, effects of egocentric distance on numeral perception have been scarcely investigated, presumably due to the difficulty to disentangle size and depth factors within three-dimensional visual displays. The current study aimed to assess the potential linkage between egocentric distance and number magnitude, while neutralizing any perceived and/or physical size parameters of target digits. In Experiment 1, participants conducted a numeral size-classification task (‘bigger or smaller than 5’), to which they responded with a near-to-body or a far-from-body key. Results revealed shorter responses for small than for large numbers when responded with a key positioned close to the body, and for large than small numbers when responded with a key positioned far from the body (regardless of hand-key mapping). Experiment 2 used verbal stimuli denoting near/remote concepts as irrelevant primes to target digits, further demonstrating a priming effect of conceived distance on numerical value processing. Collectively, our results suggest that distance magnitudes are associatively linked to numerical magnitudes and may affect digit processing independently of the effects of visual size.
Picobiliphytes: A Marine Picoplanktonic Algal Group with Unknown Affinities to Other Eukaryotes

Environmental sequencing has revealed unimagined diversity among eukaryotic picoplankton. A distinct picoplanktonic algal group, initially detected from 18S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequences, was hybridized with rRNA λ-targeted (rRNA-targeted) probes, detected by tyramide signal amplification–fluorescent in situ hybridization, and showed an organelle-like body with orange fluorescence indicative of phycobilins. Using this fluorescence signal, cells were sorted by flow cytometry and probed. Hybridized cells contained a 4′,6′-diamidino-2-phenylindole–stained organelle resembling a plastid with a nucleomorph. This suggests that they may be secondary endosymbiotic algae. Pending the isolation of living cells and their formal description, these algae have been termed picobiliphytes.
Regulation of Mammalian Cone Phototransduction by Recoverin and Rhodopsin Kinase*

Background: Calcium-mediated feedback to phototransduction is critical for modulating cone responses under different lighting conditions. Results: The calcium-binding protein recoverin potentiates dim light sensitivity, whereas increasing expression of its target, GRK1, delays response shutoff in cones. Conclusion: Recoverin and GRK1 levels modulate cone phototransduction. Significance: Cone pigment inactivation regulates cone responses in dim light but not in bright light. Cone photoreceptors function under daylight conditions and are essential for color perception and vision with high temporal and spatial resolution. A remarkable feature of cones is that, unlike rods, they remain responsive in bright light. In rods, light triggers a decline in intracellular calcium, which exerts a well studied negative feedback on phototransduction that includes calcium-dependent inhibition of rhodopsin kinase (GRK1) by recoverin. Rods and cones share the same isoforms of recoverin and GRK1, and photoactivation also triggers a calcium decline in cones. However, the molecular mechanisms by which calcium exerts negative feedback on cone phototransduction through recoverin and GRK1 are not well understood. Here, we examined this question using mice expressing various levels of GRK1 or lacking recoverin. We show that although GRK1 is required for the timely inactivation of mouse cone photoresponse, gradually increasing its expression progressively delays the cone response recovery. This surprising result is in contrast with the known effect of increasing GRK1 expression in rods. Notably, the kinetics of cone responses converge and become independent of GRK1 levels for flashes activating more than ∼1% of cone pigment. Thus, mouse cone response recovery in bright light is independent of pigment phosphorylation and likely reflects the spontaneous decay of photoactivated visual pigment. We also find that recoverin potentiates the sensitivity of cones in dim light conditions but does not contribute to their capacity to function in bright light.
Optimal allocation of wind turbine in multi carrier energy networks improving loss and voltage profile

Smart grid enables Distributed Energy Resources (DERs); wind, energy storage and demand response through advanced technologies. Combined Heat and Power (CHP) is great example of the technologies which allows coupling of independent energy networks together. Energy Hub (EH) has been originated as a new approach to optimal planning and operation of combined networks in recent years. Wind turbine as an important of distributed generation in the world as beenh integrated to electricity network over two past decades. Optimal placement of wind turbine in multi carrier energy network in presence of CHP as another distributed produce source originates novel challenge which is considered in this paper. A multi objective function is formulated to solve the optimization problem with considering multi carrier energy network operation costs, loss and voltage profile. Simulation carries out a 33 bus radial distribution network which is supplied with CHP in some buses. CPLEX solver of GAMS and Genetic Algorithm of MATLAB is employed to solve the problem. Simulation results reveal optimal allocation of wind turbine in multi carrier energy networks in presence of CHP. Results demonstrate that optimal placement of wind turbine in the systems improves operation costs till 8% and loss power till 5%. It also enhances voltage profile till 0.5%.
Linear Minimum Mean-Squared Error Channel Estimation for Per-Subcarrier Antenna Selection

The linear minimum mean-squared error (MSE) channel estimator for systems employing per-subcarrier transmit antenna selection is developed. It is shown that the frequency domain correlations after the selection process is approximated well using a simple explicit function. Performance of resultant estimators, which assume a certain correlation model, deteriorates quickly at high signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) when model errors exist. To overcome this deficiency, robust estimators based on the principles of minimising the worst case and expected MSEs over the possible model set are developed. Solution to the latter is given in closed form, and is seen to achieve MSE optimal performance at low SNR while the high SNR performance is the same as that of the least-squares (LS) estimator. The optimal estimator with the proposed correlation function and correct model knowledge performs about 3 dB better than the LS estimator at a packet-error-rate of 0.01 for a channel coded system employing 16-QAM modulations, whereas in the presence of model errors, the latter robust estimator is performing about 2 dB better than the LS estimator.
A Cognitive Model for Understanding Graphical Perception

This article describes a computer program, UCIE (Understanding Cognitive Information Engineering) that simulates graphical perception. UCIE predicts response time to answer a question posed to a graphic display from assumptions about the sequence of eye fixations, short-term memory capacity and duration limits, and the degree of difficulty to acquire information in each glance. An empirical study compared actual performance to UCIE predictions over a range of display types and question types. The results yielded some support for the cognitive model. A zero-parameter model explains 37% of the variance in average reaction times (N = 1,128). However, the zero-parameter model only explains about 10% of the individual variation in reaction times across 28 subjects (N = 15,200). Although this is an important start to understand how we interpret visual displays for meaning, additional research is needed to explain individual differences in performance.
Disaggregate Model to Forecast Transformer Usage

The purpose of this work is to create a tool that can be used to forecast monthly transformer usage for a large investor-owned electric and gas utility based in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. The company works to ensure reliable, low-cost service to all of its customers by continuously improving its systems. In order to ensure efficient operation of the company into the future, it is important that the correct items be provided in the correct locations whenever they are required. Transformers are one of the key items that the company must have to provide continuous supply of power to its customers, thereby maintaining overall customer satisfaction. Hence, the ability to properly forecast the usage of transformer is very important. The use of forecasting models during inventory planning is a widely accepted, yet critical, practice in a variety of industries (Sanders and Manrodt, 1994). Among various forecasting models, appropriate forms of exponential smoothing are often recommended due to their relatively good performance (Chatfield and Yar, 1988; Gardner 2006). However, these traditional models do not perform well when historical data are not sufficient to predict future usage levels. The transformer usage data from the company reveal that trends in usage levels could quickly change before any backward-looking forecasting model could adapt. We also observe that the traditional forecasts at the aggregate level are unsatisfactory because several unrelated causes of transformer usage are not considered. This leads to the identification of the various causes of transformer usage and the development of a specialized disaggregate model. Although it is recognized that disaggregation generally increases variance, this is alleviated due to the benefits of more accurate disaggregate forecasts, which exploit the characteristics that are specific to each disaggregate segment. Weatherford et al. (2001) has shown that it is essential to forecast disaggregate segments within the data when they are known to have significantly unique usage patterns. This disaggregation concept is applied to forecast the company’s monthly transformer usage for the coming year. Our disaggregate forecasting model recognizes three distinct segments with notably unique causes of transformer usage such as new construction (NC), storm and emergency (SE), and general maintenance (GM). Of these three, new construction is of particular interest due to its dependence on outside factors. We develop a new forecasting model for the NC portion of the data, incorporating a forward-looking trend variable that is exogenously determined. The benefits of creating disaggregate, demand-pattern-specific forecasting models are further realized for both the SE and GM portions of the data. SE usage is volatile by nature, so a model that can smooth this tendency better is selected. The final disaggregate segment, GM, shows a stable demand pattern with a gradual change in trend that occurred over a long period of time. For this reason, an exponential smoothing model is a good forecasting technique for this Matthew Roman University of Missouri, USA
Primary care support for tackling obesity: a qualitative study of the perceptions of obese patients.

BACKGROUND Obesity has become a major public health issue and there is concern about the response of health services to patients who are obese. The perceptions of obese patients using primary care services have not been studied in depth. AIM To explore obese patients' experiences and perceptions of support in primary care. DESIGN OF STUDY Qualitative study with semi-structured interviews conducted in participants' homes. SETTING Five general practices contrasting in socioeconomic populations in Sheffield. METHOD Purposive sampling and semi-structured interviewing of 28 patients with a diverse range of ages, backgrounds, levels of obesity and experiences of primary care services. RESULTS Participants typically felt reluctance when presenting with concerns about weight and ambivalence about the services received. They also perceived there to be ambivalence and a lack of resources on the part of the health services. Participants showed a strong sense of personal responsibility about their condition and stigma-related cognitions were common. These contributed to their ambivalence about using services and their sensitivity to its features. Good relationships with primary care professionals and more intensive support partly ameliorated these effects. CONCLUSION The challenges of improving access to and quality of primary care support in tackling obesity are made more complex by patients' ambivalence and other effects of the stigma associated with obesity.