Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Statistical modeling of DSP-based Hill-climbing MPPT algorithms in noisy environments

The effect of measurement noise on DSP-based maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithms is investigated in this paper. Based on the probabilistic characteristics of noise signals, a statistical model is constructed that allows quantitative analysis of the behavior of such algorithms both during transients and in steady-state. This model is then used to classify tracking problems into those presented by noise, and others resulting from other non-idealities such as measurement bias. It is then used to inspect different noise fighting techniques in order to predict their validity, and to suggest more relevant techniques. The results arrived at are then experimentally verified and confirm the predictions of the statistical model
Bach in a box: the evolution of four part Baroque harmony using the genetic algorithm

The space of all possible musical compositions given the constraints of the standard Western tonal and rhythmic system is uncountably vast. We look at a small subsection of this space: Baroque harmony. The rules governing Baroque harmony have been carefully laid out by musical scholars, and the size of this search space becomes tractable if we are given a melody and a key signature to work with. Music is easily represented in numerical form, and is thus an obvious candidate for computer manipulation. We investigate a system using the genetic algorithm that is capable of generating well constructed Baroque-style harmonies given a user-defined melody. <<ETX>>
Force/flow measurements on a low-speed, vectored-thruster propelled UUV

Force/torque and particle image velocimetry measurements are conducted on a vectored-thruster UUV model in a water flume to: 1) determine the hydrodynamic drag, lift and moment coefficients acting on the vehicle hull for zero rudder angle and yaw angles up to thirty degrees, and 2) measure the magnitude and direction of the thrust produced with the vehicle at a yaw angle of zero degrees and rudder deflection angles of up to thirty degrees. While the measured drag coefficient is higher than predicted by theory, the hydrodynamic coefficients data are expected to be useful in predicting the response of vehicles in the field. Additionally, the magnitude of the thrust vector varies nonlinearly with rudder angle and for nonzero rudder angles the thrust vector does not point in the same direction as the thruster. PIV images reveal that at rudder deflection angles of twenty five and thirty degrees the flow upstream of the propeller inlet has separated from the tail section and impinges at a large angle to the tail, thereby reducing both the thrust deflection angle as well as the total yaw moment acting on the vehicle
Gene environment interaction and plasma triglyceride levels: the crucial role of lipoprotein lipase

In most people, plasma triglycerides are in dynamic equilibrium, mediated by a balance between very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and chylomicron (CM) synthesis, lipolysis of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (Brunzell 1989) and by uptake of remnant particles through appropriate receptors (Fig. 1) (Beisiegel et al. 1991). However, with abnormalities involving synthesis, lipolysis or remnant uptake, hypertriglyceridemia may ensue (Fig. 2). For example, in diabetes, pregnancy or after alcohol intake VLDL synthesis is significantly increased, which in some persons manifests as hypertriglyceridemia. In most individuals, however, even after significant alcohol intake or in pregnancy, with an intact lipolytic system, hypertriglyceridemia may not ensue or is only mild to moderate. A rise in serum levels of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins facilitates the transfer of cholesterol esters from HDL to VLDL and CM in exchange for triglycerides. As a consequence, the HDL particle becomes triglyceride enriched and measured HDL cholesterol decreases (Patsch et al. 1992). We have recently demonstrated that environmental factors such as normal pregnancy, which results in a twoto threefold increase in triglyceride levels, may trigger chylomicronemia and associated
ACTIVIDAD ANTIOXIDANTE DE LOS HIDROLIZADOS PROTEICOS DEL FRIJOL COMÚN (Phaseolus vulgaris) cv NEGRO PRIMAVERA-28 Y FLOR DE DURAZNO

La bioactividad de los peptidos depende de la fuente y/o mezcla de proteinas empleadas. Phaseolus vulgaris L. , es una opcion para esto, ya que es una fuente importante de proteinas, pero su potencial no se ha estudiado a detalle. El objetivo del trabajo fue determinar las mejores condiciones de hidrolisis enzimatica del concentrado proteico de dos variedades de frijol comun (Negro Primavera-28 [CPPv-28] y Flor de durazno [CPPv-Fd]) para obtener peptidos bioactivos. En primera instancia, se establecieron las condiciones de hidrolisis del CPPv-28 y CPPv-Fd, los factores evaluados fueron: pH y actividad proteolitica del extracto de Pleurotus ostreatus (EEPo); y las variables de respuesta fueron: contenido de peptidos liberados y actividad antioxidante. A partir de esto y por medio de la metodologia de superficie de respuestas, se llevo a cabo el proceso de optimizacion. Se encontro que el EEPo libero peptidos con actividad antioxidante, asimismo, las mejores condiciones de hidrolisis se obtuvieron al realizar el proceso con 43 UA del EEPo, empleando 125 mg/mL del CPPv-28 a pH 8 por 147 min o con 148 mg/mL del CPPv-Fd a pH 7 por 72 min, ya que se obtuvieron peptidos con 64 y 73 % de Inhibicion del ABTS+•, respectivamente.
Challenging Achievement of Bidirectional Block After Linear Ablation Affects the Rhythm Outcome in Patients With Persistent Atrial Fibrillation

Background It is not clear whether bidirectional block (BDB) of linear ablations reduces atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after radiofrequency catheter ablation. We hypothesized that BDB of linear ablation has prognostic significance after radiofrequency catheter ablation for persistent AF. Methods and Results Among 1793 consecutive patients in the Yonsei AF ablation cohort, this observational cohort study included 398 patients with persistent AF (75.6% male; age, 59.8±10.3 years) who underwent catheter ablation with a consistent ablation protocol of the Dallas lesion set: circumferential pulmonary vein isolation; cavotricuspid isthmus ablation (CTI); roof line (RL); posterior‐inferior line (PIL); and anterior line (AL). BDB rates of de novo ablation lines were 100% in circumferential pulmonary vein isolation, 100% in CTI, 84.7% in RL, 44.7% in PIL, and 63.6% in AL. During 29.0±18.4 months of follow‐up, 31.7% (126/398) of the patients showed clinical recurrence. Left atrial posterior wall (LAPW) isolation (BDBs of RL and PIL) was independently associated with lower clinical AF/atrial tachycardia recurrence (hazard ratio, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.47–0.98; P=0.041; log‐rank, P=0.017), whereas BDBs of RL or AL were not (log‐rank, P=0.178 for RL; P=0.764 for AL). Among 52 patients who underwent repeat procedures (23.0±16.1 months after de novo procedure), the BDB maintenance rates for CTI, RL, PIL, and AL were 94.2% (49 of 52), 63.5% (33 of 47), 62.1% (18 of 29), and 61.8% (21 of 34), respectively. Conclusions Although PIL crosses the esophageal contact area, LAPW isolation is important for better clinical outcome in catheter ablation with a linear ablation strategy for patients with persistent AF.
Xiao chai hu tang for liver diseases: A literature review

The objective of this study is to summarize the pharmacological effects and the mechanisms of action of Xiao Chai Hu Tang (XCHT, Minor Bupleurum Decoction) on liver diseases, so as to give relevant researchers a valuable insight and benefit patients with hepatopathy. PubMed was used to search for and collect scientific publications related to XCHT and liver diseases from 1986 to 2016. The available scientific results or evidence were read, classified, and analyzed. XCHT showed clinical efficacy in patients with hepatic diseases including hepatitis, hepatic fibrosis, and hepatoma. The mechanisms involved the production of cytokines, the regulation of immune function, the suppression of lipid peroxidation, etc., XCHT might work on the metabolism of some medications such as tolbutamide by the regulation of gastric emptying and intragastric pH. XCHT exhibited a very low toxicity profile, such as interstitial pneumonia due to duration of medication, patients' age, and drug combination. XCHT has been a eutherapeutic supplemental remedy for liver diseases. However, many mechanisms of action and effects of XCHT on new types of liver diseases still remain unclear, so more and more animal experiments and human clinical trials are needed to obtain enough proofs for the clinical use of XCHT in new types of hepatosis such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and autoimmune liver disease.
Comparing and modeling power GaN FETs for switching converter applications

To use new wide bandgap power devices in power conversion applications, designers must integrate behavioral models that provide accurate representations of electrical characteristics into their designs. This work surveyed the electrical characteristics, and simulation models, as well as studying the switching performance of commercial and laboratory-fabricated GaN FETs. The results show that the commercial GaN FETs have superior switching performance, whereas the laboratory GaN FETs still have room for improvement.
Drosophila larval neuromuscular junction: Molecular components and mechanisms underlying synaptic plasticity

Understanding the mechanisms that mediate synaptic plasticity is a primary goal of molecular neuroscience. The Drosophila larval neuromuscular junction provides a particularly useful model for investigating the roles of synaptic components in both structural and functional plasticity. The powerful molecular genetics of this system makes it possible to uncover new synaptic components and signaling molecules, as well as their function in the intact organism. Together with the mouse hippocampus and Aplysia dissociated cell culture, the Drosophila larval neuromuscular junction has been among the most valuable model systems for examining the molecular and cellular basis of neuronal plasticity. Microsc. Res. Tech. 49:14–25, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Influence of nonideal chirped fiber grating characteristics on dispersion cancellation

The effect of nonideal dispersion and reflection characteristics of chirped fiber gratings on the performance of 10-Gb/s nonreturn-to-zero-transmission systems operating over standard fiber is investigated. The system penalty for different amplitude and period ripples are quantified. Analyses of an experimental grating confirm that current fabrication technology can meet the requirements for <1-dB-penalty operation.
DESIGN OF STRATEGIC INDICATORS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF HEALTH SECTOR INSTITUTIONS IN MEXICO

Introduccion. En los ultimos 35 anos, la diabetes ha causado miles de muertes en Mexico, siendo esta la principal causa de muerte en el pais y aumentando en un 300% desde los anos 80. Por tal razon, se ha decidido disenar un modelo de cuidados cronicos que pueda mejorar la calidad de vida, los procesos y disminuir los costos en las instituciones de salud. Materiales y metodos. Se realizo una revision sistematica de literatura de modelos disenados y ejecutados con exito entre los anos 2007-2017, siendo aplicados en diferentes instituciones de salud del mundo, incluido Mexico. Analizando los elementos criticos de exito de cada uno de los modelos, buscando replicar los mismos en la propuesta de modelo. Resultados. Se diseno la propuesta de un modelo basado en tres fases: Estructuras, Procesos y conductas. Cada fase con diferentes elementos que complementan la funcionalidad del modelo que puede llevar a mejorar la calidad de vida del paciente. Discusion-conclusiones. Se necesitan la implementacion de politicas que permitan la estandarizacion de los procesos en las instituciones de salud, ademas de un acompanamiento psicologico y personalizado del personal de salud al paciente el cual pueda transformar su conducta y fomentar el autocuidado.
The Protective Function of Neutrophil Elastase Inhibitor in Liver Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury

Background. A neutrophil elastase (NE) inhibitor, Sivelestat, has been approved for the treatment of acute lung injury associated with systemic inflammation in humans. Some reports have also shown its protective effects in liver inflammatory states. We have recently documented the importance of NE in the pathophysiology of liver ischemia/reperfusion injury, a local Ag-independent inflammation response. This study was designed to explore putative cytoprotective functions of clinically available Sivelestat in liver ischemia/reperfusion injury. Methods. Partial warm ischemia was produced in the left and middle hepatic lobes of C57BL/6 mice for 90 min, followed by 6 or 24 hr of reperfusion. The mice were given Sivelestat (100 mg/kg, subcutaneous) at 10 min before ischemia, 10 min before reperfusion, and at 1 and 3 hr of reperfusion thereafter. Results. Sivelestat treatment significantly reduced serum alanine aminotransferase levels and NE activity, when compared with controls. Histological liver examination has revealed that unlike in controls, Sivelestat ameliorated the hepatocellular damage and decreased local neutrophil activity and infiltration. The expression of proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-&agr; and interleukin-6), chemokines (CXCL-1, CXCL-2, and CXCL-10), and toll-like receptor 4 was significantly reduced in the treatment group, along with diminished apoptosis through caspase-3 pathway. Moreover, in vitro studies confirmed downregulation of proinflammatory cytokine and chemokine programs in mouse macrophage cell cultures, along with depression of innate toll-like receptor 4 signaling. Conclusion. Sivelestat-mediated NE inhibition may represent an effective therapeutic option in liver transplantation and other inflammation disease states.
Saddles, singularities, and extrema in random phase fields.

Four simple topological rules are derived that constrain the arrangement of critical points (saddles, singularities, and extrema) in a random phase field. These rules relate the signs of the singularities to the nature of the extrema (maxima or minima) and the topology of the saddles. Once the latter is fixed, only a single degree of freedom remains and if, for example, some extremum is chosen to be a maximum, this choice automatically determines the nature of all other extrema and the signs of all singularities. Thus, even in a random wave field there are extensive, topologically mandated correlations between all critical points. Higher-order gradient fields derived from the phase are considered and the rules and their induced correlations are shown to apply also to these fields. Other aspects of the phase field are discussed and it is shown, for example, that the number of saddles very nearly (but not necessarily exactly) equals the number of singularities plus the number of extrema and that during the evolution of the wave field, large numbers of different, specific features must appear simultaneously.
A framework for bandwidth degradation and call admission control schemes for multiclass traffic in next-generation wireless networks

The next-generation wireless networks need to support a wide range of multimedia applications with limited radio resources like bandwidth. In this paper, we propose a novel integrated framework for bandwidth degradation and call admission control (CAC) for multiclass real-time multimedia traffic in such networks. To increase the total carried traffic in an overloaded (saturated) wireless system, some of the ongoing calls in our framework are allowed to operate under a degraded mode, thereby releasing wireless channels that can be used to accommodate new calls, however, at the cost of user satisfaction. Indeed, an increase in carried traffic (i.e., provider's revenue generation) and user's quality-of-service satisfaction are two conflicting goals in a bandwidth allocation scheme. The proposed framework adequately models this tradeoff by introducing the negative revenue (i.e., loss) from bandwidth degradation, and finding the optimal degradation and admission policies that maximize the net revenue. When there is a mixture of real-time and nonreal-time calls in the system, the former are given preemptive priority over the latter, which are buffered for future admission in case of preemption. A channel sharing scheme is proposed for nonreal-time traffic and analyzed using a Markov modulated Poisson process-based queueing model. Detailed simulation experiments are conducted to validate our proposed framework.
Localised transmission power adjustment for relative connectivity awareness in Wireless Ad-hoc & Sensor Networks

Wireless Ad-hoc and Sensor Networks are the cornerstone of decentralised control and optimisation techniques in numerous sensor-rich application areas. Triggered by the necessity of autonomous operation within constantly changing environments, Wireless Ad-hoc and Sensor Networks are characterised by dynamic topologies, regardless the mobility attributes of their operational nodes. As such, the relative awareness that each node can obtain of the entire network draws the roadmap of viable reconfiguration mechanisms, such as the establishment of bidirectional connectivity. The issues addressed in this paper are related to the bidirectional connectivity conditions over Wireless Ad-hoc and Sensor Networks. Based solely on the relative awareness that each node has of the entire network, sufficient end-to-end connectivity conditions are herein extracted. These conditions, exploiting the notion of relative Delaunay neighbourhoods, formulate the basis of a transmission power adjustment scheme. Without any additional network overhead, the resulting Relative Delaunay Connectivity Algorithm is herein proven to yield an efficient solution to the connectivity issues. Extensive simulation results are offered to evaluate the performance of the network, resulting from the proposed transmission range adjustment, whilst highlighting the benefits of the Relative Delaunay Connectivity Algorithm.
Efectos de un entrenamiento concurrente de fuerza y resistencia sobre carreras de media distancia. (Effects of concurrent strength and endurance training on middle distance races).

El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar los efectos del entrenamiento concurrente (fuerza y resistencia) sobre las carreras de media distancia en sujetos jovenes de moderado nivel de rendimiento. Se aplico un trabajo organizado en fases de diferente orientacion de fuerza, lo que se conoce como periodizacion por bloques. Quince universitarios sanos y fisicamente activos participaron voluntariamente en el estudio. Fueron organizados aleatoriamente en dos grupos: uno que entrenaba solo resistencia (Grupo Resistencia: GR): Edad=21.3±2.3 anos; Peso Corporal=66.8±1.9 kg; Estatura=172.0±2.3 cm; Grasa Corporal=10.8±1.1%) y otro (Grupo Fuerza-Resistencia: GFR): Edad=20.9±1.2 anos; Peso Corporal=69.8±1.3 kg; Estatura=172.8±3.9 cm, Grasa Corporal=11.4±0.6%) al que se le anadio un protocolo de entrenamiento de fuerza de 9 semanas (2 dias/semana) de duracion. No se detectaron grandes diferencias en los cambios observados en ambos grupos al final de las nueve semanas. Los dos grupos mejoraron significativamente su rendimiento en las carreras de media y larga duracion, la fuerza, la resistencia de fuerza y su capacidad aerobica (VO2max). Los cambios fueron poco apreciables en el resto de las pruebas evaluadas (60 y 300 metros). Los mayores beneficios se encontraron en la carrera de 2000 metros. Dichas mejoras se detectaron desde el primer mesociclo de entrenamiento y fueron especialmente evidentes al final de las nueve semanas. No obstante, no se detectaron diferencias relevantes entre ambos grupos (6.5±3.7 vs. 3.7±2.1 ml/kg/min; F=0.534; IC95%= -0.198, 5.932; p=0.65; ES=0.434). En conclusion, podemos afirmar que en esta muestra incorporar un trabajo de fuerza no conlleva mayores beneficios que entrenar solo la carrera. Palabras clave: concurrente, periodizacion, evaluacion, medio fondo, adaptacion.
Clinical benefit of peretinoin for the suppression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence in patients with Child-Pugh grade A (CP-A) and small tumor: A subgroup analysis in a phase II/III randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

165 Background: HCC has a high recurrence rate and poor prognosis; however, no effective treatment has been established for preventing recurrence after resection or ablation. Peretinoin, an acyclic retinoid, of 600 mg/day reduced HCC recurrence and a strong effect after two years suggested that it mainly suppressed de novo carcinogenesis (ASCO2010). Liver impairment causes non- HCC-related deaths or adverse events, and can potentially mask drug efficacy. The size of the main HCC nodule associates vascular invasion and intrametastasis. To evaluate peretinoin efficacy and assess its mechanism of action, we performed subgroup analysis in CP-A patients who had undergone curative therapy for a small tumor. METHODS Eligibility criteria included HCV positive, CP-A or B, and prior curative resection or ablation for conventional HCC. The patients were randomized into groups to receive peretinoin 600 mg/day (high dose, H), peretinoin 300 mg/day (low dose, L), or placebo (P). The patients were grouped according to the CP grade and the size of the major tumor <20mm at the time of diagnosis. Cumulative recurrence-free survival rates were calculated. Hazard ratio (HR) was calculated using Cox regression analysis. RESULTS Of the 401 patients, 310 showed CP-A, and 144 showed CP-A and tumor size <20 mm. In the CP-A subgroup, the HR of H group (100) vs. P group (106) was 0.603 (95% CI, 0.408-0.891); in the CP-A and tumor size <20 mm subgroup, the HR of H group (49) vs. P group (49) was 0.376 (95% CI, 0.200-0.705). The common treatment-related adverse events in the CP-A subgroup were albuminuria, hypertension, and headache, which were tolerated. CONCLUSIONS Subgroup analysis with CP-A reinforced the peretinoin efficacy in preventing HCC recurrence. In addition, the CP-A and tumor size <20mm subgroup results strongly suggested that peretinoin inhibited de novo carcinogenesis. The subgroup analyses results of our phase II/II study supported the efficacy and safety of peretinoin and showed that it has early benefits for patients with well-preserved liver function and undergone curative therapy for a small tumor. [Table: see text].
Establishment and characterization of unique cell lines (KCC‐1a and KCC‐1b) from endometrial adenocarcinoma with clear cell carcinoma presenting unusual karyotypes and estrogen secretion

Human endometrial adenocarcinoma cell lines (KCC‐1a and KCC‐1b) were established from a resected endometrial carcinoma of a 67‐year‐old woman. The original tumor showed the bimorphic patterns of tubular adenocarcinoma and clear cell carcinoma. The cell lines have been maintained for 50 months through 100 passages. The doubling time of KCC‐1a was 87 hours, whereas that of KCC‐1b was 144 hours. The number of chromosomes of KCC‐1a distributed in a range from 33 to 79, whereas that of KCC‐1b distributed in a range from 64 to 82 (mode, 76). Functionally, both KCC‐1a and KCC‐1b cells showed the productions of estrone (E1) and estradiol (E2) but not estriol (E3) or progesterone (P). These cells grown in a serum‐free medium secreted E1 (KCC‐1a, 13.6 pg/ml; KCC‐1b, 9.5 pg/ml) and E2 (10.5 pg/ml, 9.5 pg/ml) at passage 40. Neither KCC‐1a nor KCC‐1b cells contained estrogen or progesterone receptors. Tumor markers—alpha‐fetoprotein, carcinoembryonic antigen, CA 125, and CA 19‐9—were not detected. Both KCC‐1a and KCC‐1b cells produced tumors in nude mice xenografts. Histologically, the tumors of KCC‐1a cells were clear cell carcinoma, whereas those of KCC‐1b cells were tubular adenocarcinoma. These findings suggest that KCC‐1a and KCC‐1b cells will provide useful information to clarify the histogenesis of endometrial carcinoma combined with clear cell carcinoma.