Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Current control strategy for power conditioners using sinusoidal signal integrators in synchronous reference frame

In this paper, a current control scheme, based on proportional-integral regulators using sinusoidal signal integrators (SSIs), is proposed for shunt type power conditioners. The aim is to simplify the implementation of SSI-based current harmonic compensation for industrial implementations where strict limitations on the harmonic distortion of the mains' currents are required. To compensate current harmonics, the SSIs are implemented to operate both on positive and negative sequence signals. One regulator, for the fundamental current component, is implemented in the stationary reference frame. The other regulators, for the current harmonics, are all implemented in a synchronous reference frame rotating at the fundamental frequency. This allows the simultaneous compensation of two current harmonics with just one regulator, yielding a significant reduction of the computational effort compared with other current control methods employing sinusoidal signal integrators implemented in stationary reference frame. A simple and robust voltage filter is also proposed by the authors to obtain a smooth and accurate position estimation of the voltage vector at the point of common coupling (PCC) under distorted mains' voltages. The whole control algorithm has been implemented on a 16-b, fixed-point digital signal processor (DSP) platform controlling a 20-kVA power conditioner prototype. The experimental results presented in this paper for inductive and capacitive loads show the validity of the proposed solutions.
The transmission and stability of cultural life scripts: a cross-cultural study

ABSTRACT Cultural life scripts are shared knowledge about the timing of important life events. In the present study, we examined whether cultural life scripts are transmitted through traditions and whether there are additional ways through which they can be attained by asking Australian and Malaysian participants which information sources they had used to generate the life script of their culture. Participants hardly reported that they had used cultural and religious traditions. They more often reported that they had used their own experiences and experiences of relatives and friends. They also reported the use of comments of relatives and friends and the use of newspapers, books, movies and television programmes. Furthermore, we examined the stability of life scripts and similarities and differences across cultures. We found that life scripts are stable cognitive structures and that there are, besides cross-cultural differences in the content, small cross-cultural differences in the valence and distribution of life script events, with the Australian life script containing more positive events and more events expected to occur before the age of 16.
Involvement of water pipe smoking in the development of human pancreatic cancer

Dear Editor, We want to congratulate the authors of the article ‘‘Cigarette smoking, environmental tobacco smoke exposure and pancreatic cancer risk in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition’’ for their contribution to the literature on this very important topic. While, pancreatic cancer is an important health problem. Recognized risk factors for the cancer include cigarette smoking, chronic and hereditary pancreatitis, history of diabetes and familial cancer syndromes. This cancer is one of the most difficult conditions to treat, although it only accounts for 3% of all cancers; 5year survival rate is about 5% in pancreatic cancer patients, and this figure remains largely unchanged over the past 3 decades. Therefore, identification of new behavior risk factors as a prevention measure is crucial. On the other hand, water pipe smoking (WPS) is traditional and common especially in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, as it is believed that 20% of adult people living in these countries smoke water pipe. WPS is now the object of renewed interest, as its use has recently been spreading among young people in the western countries including the United States and Canada. Though, a precise evaluation of the health effects of WPS is hindered by the small number of published studies. Smoke from water pipes contains most of the compounds that are also present in cigarette smoke, although in different proportions. More importantly, the longer duration of a WPS session leads to a much higher yield of tar, nicotine, carbon monoxide, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heavy metals than cigarette smoking. The water pipe smoker may, therefore, inhale the equivalent of 100 or more cigarettes. Consequently, we firmly believe that WPS is an important risk factor in the development of several human cancers, especially pancreatic cancer according to the study of Vrieling et al. Meanwhile, we propose, to conduct an international epidemiological study, in collaboration with several national Cancer centers, regarding the risk factor of WPS in human pancreatic cancer as well as other human cancers. Moreover, we believe that thorough molecular and cellular biological studies are necessary to determine the real role of WPS in the development of human pancreatic cancer.
Half-delocalization of eigenfunctions for the Laplacian on an Anosov manifold

Nous etudions la limite de haute energie pour les fonctions propres du laplacien, sur une variete riemannienne compacte dont le flot geodesique est d'Anosov. La localisation d'une mesure semiclassique associee a une suite de fonctions propres peut etre mesuree par son entropie de Kolmogorov-Sinai. Nous obtenons pour cette entropie une borne inferieure qui, dans le cas des varietes a courbure negative constante, vaut la moitie de l'entropie maximale. En ce sens, on peut dire que les fonctions propres de haute energie sont au moins a demi delocalisees.
Gas Turbine Engine Identification Based on a Bank of Self-Tuning Wiener Models Using Fast Kernel Extreme Learning Machine

In order to simultaneously obtain global optimal model structure and coefficients, this paper proposes a novel Wiener model to identify the dynamic and static behavior of a gas turbine engine. An improved kernel extreme learning machine is presented to build up a bank of self-tuning block-oriented Wiener models; the time constant values of linear dynamic element in Wiener model are designed to tune engine operating conditions. Reduced-dimension matrix inversion incorporated with the fast leave one out cross validation strategy is utilized to decrease computational time for the selection of engine model feature parameters. An optimization algorithm is no longer needed compared to the former method. The contribution of this study is that a more convenient and appropriate methodology is developed to describe aircraft engine thermodynamic behavior during its static and dynamic operations. The methodology is evaluated in terms of computational efforts, dynamic and static estimation accuracy through a case study involving data that are generated by general aircraft engine simulation. The results confirm our viewpoints in this paper.
Respiratory metabolism of illuminated leaves depends on CO2 and O2 conditions

Day respiration is the process by which nonphotorespiratory CO2 is produced by illuminated leaves. The biological function of day respiratory metabolism is a major conundrum of plant photosynthesis research: because the rate of CO2 evolution is partly inhibited in the light, it is viewed as either detrimental to plant carbon balance or necessary for photosynthesis operation (e.g., in providing cytoplasmic ATP for sucrose synthesis). Systematic variations in the rate of day respiration under contrasting environmental conditions have been used to elucidate the metabolic rationale of respiration in the light. Using isotopic techniques, we show that both glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acid cycle activities are inversely related to the ambient CO2/O2 ratio: day respiratory metabolism is enhanced under high photorespiratory (low CO2) conditions. Such a relationship also correlates with the dihydroxyacetone phosphate/Glc-6-P ratio, suggesting that photosynthetic products exert a control on day respiration. Thus, day respiration is normally inhibited by phosphoryl (ATP/ADP) and reductive (NADH/NAD) poise but is up-regulated by photorespiration. Such an effect may be related to the need for NH2 transfers during the recovery of photorespiratory cycle intermediates.
Generation of glycerophospholipid molecular species in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Fatty acid pattern of phospholipid classes and selective acyl turnover at sn‐1 and sn‐2 positions

Acyl chains linked to phospholipids of the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, are mainly C16:1 and C18:1 accompanied by minor amounts of C14:0, C16:0 and C18:0. In view of this rather simple fatty acid composition, the question arose whether in yeast, as in higher eukaryotes, fatty acyl groups were characteristically distributed among the sn‐1 and sn‐2 positions of distinct phospholipid classes. Analysis of fatty acids linked to the sn‐1 and sn‐2 positions of the major phospholipids showed that indeed saturated fatty acyl groups predominated in the sn‐1 positions. While the percentage of saturated fatty acids was low (10%) in phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PtdEtn) from cells grown on rich medium, it was higher in phosphatidylserine (PtdSer) (25%) and highest in phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) (41%). Oleate was mainly linked to position sn‐2, while palmitoleate predominated in position sn‐1. Striking differences in the fatty acid distribution of phospholipids that are metabolically closely related (e.g. PtdSer and PtdEtn, PtdEtn and PtdCho, and PtdIns and PtdSer) suggest that pathways must exist for the generation of distinct phospholipid molecular species within the different phospholipid classes. The highly selective incorporation of exogenous [14C]palmitic acid (90%) and [3H]oleic acid (99%) into the sn‐2 position of PtdCho, and the preferential incorporation of these fatty acids into the sn‐2 position of PtdEtn (70 and 90%, respectively, for palmitic and oleic acid) are compatible with the postulate that phospholipase A2‐mediated deacylation followed by reacylation of the lysophospholipids is involved in the generation of phospholipid species in yeast.
Robust Covariance Estimator for Small-Sample Adjustment in the Generalized Estimating Equations: A Simulation Study

The robust or sandwich estimator is common to estimate the covariance matrix of the estimated regression parameter for generalized estimating equation (GEE) method to analyze longitudinal data. However, the robust estimator would underestimate the variance under a small sample size. We propose an alternative covariance estimator to the robust estimator to improve the small-sample bias in the GEE method. Our proposed estimator is a modification of the bias-corrected covariance estimator proposed by Pan (2001, Biometrika88, 901—906) for the GEE method. In a simulation study, we compared the proposed covariance estimator to the robust estimator and Pan's estimator for continuous and binominallongitudinal responses for involving 10—50 subjects. The test size of Wald-type test statistics for the proposed estimator is relatively close to the nominal level when compared with those for the robust estimator and the Pan's approach.
Quintessence Journals

Different techniques employed to isolate Candida from the oral cavity to measure prevalence, such as salivary specimens, impression cultures, and imprint cultures, differ in their results. The tongue seems to be the main oral reservoir of Candida.4 C albicans is the most predominant isolate colonizing the oral mucosa.5 To successfully colonize the mouth, C albicans is able to adhere to surfaces, grow, change forms, and evade host clearance mechanisms. Candida species routinely colonize the oral cavity and form part of the normal commensal flora. Maxillary removable appliance treatment is known to predispose patients to oral Candida colonization since the removable appliances provide a niche for Candida to thrive.1,2 This is brought about by various factors including the challenge of effective oral hygiene (including the hygiene of the maxillary removable Candida colonization is the first step toward oral candidosis, which is a potential complication of maxillary removable appliance use. This may interfere with orthodontic therapy and lead to more
Dynamics and dimensions of cardiac output changes in humans at the onset and at the end of moderate rhythmic exercise.

1. An improved Doppler ultrasound technique was used to measure stroke volume (SV) and cardiac output (CO) on a beat‐to‐beat basis in a group of supine humans before, during and after periods of standardized, rhythmic exercise, involving the quadriceps muscle groups on both sides. The development of CO on such bouts of exercise was compared to Doppler ultrasound records of the simultaneous femoral arterial flow (FF) response. 2. Records of CO at rest revealed spontaneous fluctuations around a mean level, with differences between the minimal and maximal values of the order of 1 l min‐1. The mean CO level at rest again varied considerably from one day to another and from test run to test run. 3. Upon start of exercise an immediate and rapid increase in heart rate (HR) and CO took place. The entire increase, the size of which varied appreciably from test run to test run, was completed within 10‐15 s. No or only minor changes were seen in the mean SV level during the exercise periods. 4. The time course of the increase in FF was indistinguishable from that of the increase in CO, which occurred without any detectable delay relative to the changes in FF. These closely parallel developments indicate a tight regulatory coupling between the two types of flow changes. 5. In the majority of tests the total and two‐sided increase in FF seen in the steady‐state situation in the last part of an exercise period was significantly larger than the recorded increase in CO. This discrepancy implies that some redistribution of flow from tissues other than the working muscles might take place, even at this moderate level of work. 6. Upon the end of exercise a striking but transient increase in CO occurred, resulting from an increase in SV concomitant with a maintained HR. In the course of five to eight post‐exercise cardiac cycles about 100 extra milliliters of blood were expelled from the heart. This cardiac outflow overshoot was found to occur during a post‐exercise fall in mean arterial blood pressure (MAP).
Effect of aprindine on heart rate variability indices in patients with ischemic heart disease

Background: Decreased heart rate variability indices (HRV) are associated with untoward outcome of patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD). Most class I antiarrhythmic agents decrease HRV, but aprindine (a new class I antiarrhythmic agent) is reported to increase HRV in patients without ischemia.
Enhanced rhizosphere colonization of beneficial Bacillus amyloliquefaciens SQR9 by pathogen infection.

Root exudates play important roles in root-soil microorganism interactions and can mediate tripartite interactions of beneficial microorganisms-plant-pathogen in the rhizosphere. However, the roles of organic acid components in this process have not been well studied. In this study the colonization of a plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens SQR9, on cucumber root infected by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum J. H. Owen (FOC) was investigated. Chemotaxis and biofilm formation response of SQR9 to root exudates and their organic acid components were analysed. Infection of FOC on cucumber had a positive effect (3.30-fold increase) on the root colonization of SQR9 compared with controls. Root secretion of citric acid (2.3 ± 0.2 μM) and fumaric acid (5.7 ± 0.5 μM) was enhanced in FOC-infected cucumber plants. Bacillus amyloliquefaciens SQR9 exhibited enhanced chemotaxis to root exudates of FOC-infected cucumber seedlings. Further experiments demonstrated that citric acid acts as a chemoattractant and fumaric acid as a stimulator of biofilm formation in this process. These results suggest that root exudates mediate the interaction of cucumber root and rhizosphere strain B. amyloliquefaciens SQR9 and enhance its root colonization.
Mannan-specific immunoglobulin G antibodies in normal human serum mediate classical pathway initiation of C3 binding to Candida albicans

Candida albicans activates both the classical and alternative complement pathways. Previous studies found that immunoglobulin G (IgG) in normal human serum (NHS) mediates classical pathway initiation. The goal of this study was to determine the role of candidal mannan-specific human IgG antibodies in complement activation. Mannan was purified from the yeast cells, and naturally occurring antimannan IgG was isolated from pooled NHS or plasma samples by immunoaffinity chromatography. Early activation and binding of C3, characteristics of classical pathway activity, were abolished in yeast- or mannan-absorbed serum but could be restored to absorbed serum with added purified antimannan IgG in a dose-dependent manner. Microscopically, the immunofluorescence pattern of initial C3 binding was diffuse over the entire cell surface for yeast cells incubated in NHS or in mannan-absorbed NHS supplemented with antimannan IgG but was asynchronous and focal for yeast cells incubated in EGTA-treated or mannan-absorbed NHS. The antimannan IgG level in serum samples from 21 donors varied from 17 to 570 microg/ml of serum compared to 220 microg in pooled NHS samples. The rate of initial C3 binding to yeast cells correlated with the level of antimannan IgG in sera from different individuals (r2 = 0.94) and could be accelerated in sera containing lower amounts of antimannan IgG with exogenous antimannan IgG. These observations identify antimannan IgG as the initiator of classical pathway C3 deposition on C. albicans. Given the variability in the levels of antimannan antibodies in sera from different individuals, the presence or absence of these antibodies may be an important determinant of host resistance to disseminated candidiasis.
Facilitation of fear extinction by the 5‐HT1A receptor agonist tandospirone: Possible involvement of dopaminergic modulation

Fear extinction‐based exposure treatment is an important component of psychotherapy for anxiety disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Recent studies have focused on pharmacological approaches combined with exposure therapy to augment extinction. In this study, we elucidated the therapeutic potential of the serotonin 1A (5‐HT1A) receptor agonist tandospirone compared with the effects of the N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate partial agonist D‐cycloserine (DCS), focusing on the possible involvement of dopaminergic mechanisms. We used a rat model of juvenile stress [aversive footshock (FS)] exposure during the third postnatal week (3wFS). The 3wFS group exhibited extinction deficit reflected in sustained fear‐related behavior and synaptic dysfunction in the hippocampal CA1 field and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), which are responsible for extinction processes. Tandospirone administration (5 mg/kg, i.p.) before and after the extinction trials ameliorated both the behavioral deficit and synaptic dysfunction, i.e., synaptic efficacy in the CA1 field and mPFC associated with extinction training and retrieval, respectively, was potentiated in the tandospirone‐treated 3wFS group. Extracellular dopamine release in the mPFC was increased by extinction retrieval in the non‐FS control group. This facilitation was not observed in the 3wFS group; however, tandospirone treatment increased cortical dopamine levels after extinction retrieval. DCS (15 mg/kg, i.p.) also ameliorated the extinction deficit in the 3wFS group, but impaired extinction in the non‐FS control group. These results suggest that tandospirone has therapeutic potential for enhancing synaptic efficacy associated with extinction processes by involving dopaminergic mechanisms. Pharmacological agents that target cortical dopaminergic systems may provide new insights into the development of therapeutic treatments of anxiety disorders, including PTSD. © Synapse, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Inverse filtering of room acoustics - Acoustics, Speech and Signal Processing [see also IEEE Transactions on Signal Processing], IEEE Tr

A novel method is proposed for realizing exact inverse filtering of acoustic impulse responses in a room. This method is based on the principle called the multiple-inputloutput inverse theorem (MINT). Because a room impulse response generally has nonminimum phases, it has been impossible to realize exact inverse filtering of room acoustics using previously reported methods. However, the exact inverse of room acoustics can be realized using the proposed method. With this method, the inverse is constructed from multiple FIR filters (transversal filters) by adding some extra acoustic signal-transmission channels produced by multiple loudspeakers or microphones. The coefficients of these FIR filters can be computed by the well-known rules of matrix algebra. Inverse filtering in a sound field is investigated experimentally. It is shown that the proposed method is greatly superior to previous methods that use only one acoustic signal-transmission channel. The results in this paper prove the possibility of sound reproduction and sound receiving without any distortion caused by reflected sounds in a room.
Molecular and functional characterization of the endothelial ATP-sensitive potassium channel

ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels are widely expressed in the cardiovascular system, where they regulate a range of biological activities by linking cellular metabolism with membrane excitability. KATP channels in vascular smooth muscle have a well-defined role in regulating vascular tone. KATP channels are also thought to be expressed in vascular endothelial cells, but their presence and function in this context are less clear. As a result, we aimed to investigate the molecular composition and physiological role of endothelial KATP channels. We first generated mice with an endothelial specific deletion of the channel subunit Kir6.1 (eKO) using cre-loxP technology. Data from qRT-PCR, patch clamp, ex vivo coronary perfusion Langendorff heart experiments, and endothelial cell Ca2+ imaging comparing eKO and wild-type mice show that Kir6.1-containing KATP channels are indeed present in vascular endothelium. An increase in intracellular [Ca2+], which is central to changes in endothelial function such as mediator release, at least partly contributes to the endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation induced by the KATP channel opener pinacidil. The absence of Kir6.1 did not elevate basal coronary perfusion pressure in eKO mice. However, vasorelaxation was impaired during hypoxia in the coronary circulation, and this resulted in greater cardiac injury during ischemia–reperfusion. The response to adenosine receptor stimulation was impaired in eKO mice in single cells in patch clamp recordings and in the intact coronary circulation. Our data support the existence of an endothelial KATP channel that contains Kir6.1, is involved in vascular reactivity in the coronary circulation, and has a protective role in ischemia reperfusion.