Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
High-Efficiency DC-DC Converter With High Voltage Gain and Reduced Switch Stress

In this paper, a high-efficiency dc-dc converter with high voltage gain and reduced switch stress is proposed. Generally speaking, the utilization of a coupled inductor is useful for raising the step-up ratio of the conventional boost converter. However, the switch surge voltage may be caused by the leakage inductor so that it will result in the requirement of high-voltage-rated devices. In the proposed topology, a three-winding coupled inductor is used for providing a high voltage gain without extreme switch duty-cycle and enhancing the utility rate of magnetic core. Moreover, the energy in the leakage inductor is released directly to the output terminal for avoiding the phenomenon of circulating current and the production of switch surge voltage. In addition, the delay time formed with the cross of primary and secondary currents of the coupled inductor is manipulated to alleviate the reverse-recovery current of the output diode. It can achieve the aim of high-efficiency power conversion. Furthermore, the closed-loop control methodology is utilized in the proposed scheme to overcome the voltage drift problem of the power source under the variation of loads. Some experimental results via an example of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell power source with 250-W nominal rating are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed power conversion strategy
Generation of inflammatory cytokines in zymosan-induced pleurisy in rats: TNF induces IL-6 and cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC) in vivo.

Levels of inflammatory cytokines tumour necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin 1 (IL-1), IL-6, and cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC), which is a member of the alpha-chemokine family in rats, were measured in the pleural exudates during zymosan-induced pleurisy to examine the relationship between the local production of cytokines and the inflammatory reaction. All four cytokine levels in the pleural exudate began to increase after 1-2 h, preceding the influx of neutrophils, and peaked after 4-5 h. Thereafter, these cytokine levels declined after 24 h, whereas the exudate volume still continued to increase and leukocyte number reached a plateau. Concomitant injection of actinomycin D (10 microg) with zymosan markedly suppressed the neutrophil infiltration, parallel with CINC production in the pleural exudate at 4 h. A transient elevation of IL-6 level, peaking at 5 h, and subsequent rise in the level of an acute-phase protein, T-kininogen, were also observed in the plasma. When recombinant human TNF-alpha (rhTNF-alpha) (20 000 U) was intrapleurally injected a rapid increase in pleural CINC level, followed by neutrophil infiltration, and a sharp rise in IL-6 level in the plasma, followed by an increase in T-kininogen, were demonstrated. These results suggest that CINC produced in the pleural exudate may participate in neutrophil infiltration, that IL-6 induced in the plasma stimulates T-kininogen production, and that endogenous TNF may be partly involved in the induction of CINC and IL-6 in this zymosan inflammation.
Control System Design for a Mobile Inverted Pendulum via Sliding Mode Technique

This paper considers the control system design for a mobile inverted pendulum via sliding mode technique. Firstly, a linear system is described in order to facilitate the development of an efficient control system. Secondly, sliding mode controllers are developed for stabilizing and tracking this system. Thirdly, the controllers have been implemented on a PIC microcontroller board. Additionally, the simulations were given to prove the validity of the proposed controllers.
Non-proteolytic protein ubiquitination is crucial for iron deficiency signaling

Ubiquitination generally targets proteins for recognition and degradation via the 26S proteasome. Activated ubiquitin (E1) is transferred to an ubiquitin conjugase (UBC, E2) which associates with a ubiquitin ligase (E3), and multiple ubiquitin molecules are attached via linkage of Lys 48. By contrast, Lys 63-linked ubiquitin chains modify proteins in a non-proteolytic manner. We recently reported that UBC13, the only known ubiquitin conjugase capable of catalyzing Lys 63-linked polyubiqitination, is responsive to the iron (Fe) regime at the post-transcriptional level and may play a crucial role for the morphological alterations triggered by Fe deficiency in cucumber and Arabidopsis roots. It is assumed that UBC13 participates, most likely via the non-proteolytic polyubiquitination of proteins, in the signal transduction cascade associated with the acclimation of plants to the prevailing availability of Fe. In this Addendum, we present a possible scenario that occurs downstream of UBC13, which ultimately leads to Fe deficiency-specific changes in post-embryonic development of Arabidopsis roots.
The impact of Chinese import competition on the local structure of employment and wages in France

How has competition from Chinese exports affected the French labour market? This article aims to answer this question by exploiting the variation in exposure to competition from China across employment zones. The results suggest that around 13% of the decline in manufacturing employment in France from 2001 to 2007 is due to Chinese competition. The adverse effect on hourly wages is uniform along the wage distribution in the manufacturing sector, and concentrated in the middle of the distribution in the other sectors. The impact on the lowest wages is small, probably as a result of the lower limit set by the statutory minimum wage. The estimated impacts, albeit negative, do not necessarily imply that trade with China has not been generally beneficial. n assessment in terms of welfare would require the measurement of gains to consumers and firms that use imported intermediate goods – and whose productivity gains also ultimately benefit consumers.
Mutations in Both Sides of the Photosystem I Reaction Center Identify the Phylloquinone Observed by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectroscopy*

The core of photosystem I (PS1) is composed of the two related integral membrane polypeptides, PsaA and PsaB, which bind two symmetrical branches of cofactors, each consisting of two chlorophylls and a phylloquinone, that potentially link the primary electron donor and the tertiary acceptor. In an effort to identify amino acid residues near the phylloquinone binding sites, all tryptophans and histidines that are conserved between PsaA and PsaB in the region of the 10th and 11th transmembrane α-helices were mutated in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. The mutant PS1 reaction centers appear to assemble normally and possess photochemical activity. An electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) signal attributed to the phylloquinone anion radical (A1 −) can be observed either transiently or after illumination of reaction centers with pre-reduced iron-sulfur clusters. Mutation of PsaA-Trp693 to Phe resulted in an inability to photo-accumulate A1 −, whereas mutation of the analogous tryptophan in PsaB (PsaB-Trp673) did not produce this effect. The PsaA-W693F mutation also produced spectral changes in the time-resolved EPR spectrum of the P700 +A1 − radical pair, whereas the analogous mutation in PsaB had no observable effect. These observations indicate that the A1 − phylloquinone radical observed by EPR occupies the phylloquinone-binding site containing PsaA-Trp693. However, mutation of either tryptophan accelerated charge recombination from the terminal Fe-S clusters.
Immunoreactivity of ubiquitin in human prostate gland.

BACKGROUND Ubiquitin is a low molecular weight protein which has been detected in a variety of normal and cancerous tissues. It is involved in many regulatory processes including protein proteolysis. It has been implicated in tumor pathogenesis. The role of ubiquitin in human prostate gland is investigated in this study. METHODS In this study, we utilized immunohistochemistry technique to localize ubiquitin in human prostate gland and correlate it with different pathological conditions of the prostate. RESULTS Ubiquitin was localized in normal, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostatic adenocarcinoma with variations in the distribution and intensity. In BPH, ubiquitin immunoreactivity was localized mainly in the nuclei while in the adenocarcinoma was localized mainly in the cytoplasm. CONCLUSION The presence of ubiquitin mainly in the nuclei and in the cytoplasm of BPH and prostatic adenocarcinoma, respectively, may suggest a role of ubiquitin in the development of the above mentioned conditions. Ubiquitin could be used as a potential marker for the diagnosis and prognosis of pathological conditions of the prostate.
Lack of Correlation Between Food Retention on the Human Dentition and Consumer Perception of Food Stickiness

When dental health professionals advise that sticky foods be avoided, it is left to the consumer to choose correctly among different foods. In this study, comparisons were made among consumer ratings of stickiness of 21 commercially available foods and objective measurements of tooth retention of each of the foods. No correlation was found between the two, and neither the rates of clearance of food particles from the teeth nor the rates of clearance of food-derived sugars from the saliva correlated with ratings of food stickiness. Cookies, crackers, and potato chips were most retentive, whereas caramels, jelly beans, raisins, and milk chocolate bars were among those poorly retained. Clearance rates appeared to vary inversely with initial retention. However, chocolate-caramel bars exhibited high initial retention and a very rapid rate of clearance from the teeth. The findings show that consumers cannot accurately assess the retentiveness of foods and, thus, the advice simply to avoid sticky ones is inadequate.
Biomarkers of Exocrine Pancreatic Injury in 2 Rat Acute Pancreatitis Models

Consistent, sensitive biomarkers of exocrine pancreatic injury (EPIJ) in animal models and humans have historically represented a poorly met need for investigators and clinicians. Experimental design: Sprague-Dawley CD/International Genetic Standard system (IGS) rats were administered cerulein or cyanohydroxybutene (CHB) to induce EPIJ. Serum samples were taken at time points between 1- and 168-hr postinjection (PI), and rats were sacrificed between 24- and 168-hr PI. Method: We investigated a series of serum-based biomarkers including amylase, lipase, pancreas-enriched microRNAs (miRs) and inflammation biomarkers compared with concurrent hematology and pancreatic histology. Results and Conclusion: Microscopic EPIJ was not associated with consistent changes in hematology or inflammation biomarkers. Increased severity scores for EPIJ correlated with increased amylase and lipase values, although severity of EPIJ did not always correlate with the magnitude of enzyme increases. Microscopic EPIJ was most severe at 24 to 48 hr; increases in miR-216a (32-fold) and miR-375 (23-fold) were present at 24 hr and, along with enzymes, were normalized by 48 hr in the cerulein study. MiRs-216a and 375 were increased by ∼800- and 500-fold, respectively, at 24 hr while miR-375 remained elevated until 72 hr in the CHB study. Impact statement: Pancreas-enriched miRs hold promise as novel serum-based biomarkers for EPIJ.
Risk Pooling, Supply Chain Hierarchy, and Analysts’ Forecasts

We investigate whether a firm's risk pooling affects its analysts’ forecasts, specifically in terms of forecast accuracy and their use of public vs. private information, and how risk pooling interacts with a firm's position in the supply chain to affect analysts’ forecasts. We use a social network analysis method to operationalize risk pooling and supply chain hierarchy, and find that risk pooling significantly reduces analysts’ forecast errors and increases (decreases) their use of public (private) information. We also find that the positive (negative) relationships between risk pooling and analyst forecast accuracy and analysts’ use of public (private) information are more pronounced upstream than downstream in a supply chain.
MANAGEMENT AND OUTCOMES IN 318 OPERATIVE COMMON PERONEAL NERVE LESIONS AT THE LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER

OBJECTIVE:This study analyzes 318 operative knee-level common peroneal nerve lesions managed at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center between 1967 and 1999. METHODS:Each patient was retrospectively evaluated for injury mechanism, preoperative neurological status, electrophysiological studies, lesion type, and operative technique, i.e., neurolysis, suture, or graft repair. All lesions in continuity had intraoperative nerve action potential recordings. RESULTS:There were 141 stretch/contusions without fracture/dislocations (44%), 39 lacerations (12%), 40 tumors (13%), 30 entrapments (9%), 22 stretch/contusions with fracture/dislocations (7%), 21 compressions (7%), 13 iatrogenic injuries (4%), and 12 gunshot wounds (4%). After neurolysis, 107 (88%) of 121 knee-level common peroneal nerve lesions with recordable intraoperative nerve action potentials recovered useful function. Nineteen patients underwent end-to-end suture repair, and 16 (84%) of these achieved good recovery by 24 months. Graft repair was performed in 138 peroneal injuries. Thirty-six patients (26%) had grafts less than 6 cm long, of which 27 (75%) achieved Grade 3 or greater peroneal function. Twenty-four (38%) of 64 patients with 6- to 12-cm grafts, and only 6 (16%) of 38 patients with 13- to 24-cm grafts, attained good peroneal function. Longer grafts correlated with more severe injuries and thus poorer outcomes. Thirty-two (80%) of 40 tumors were resected with preservation of preoperative clinical function. CONCLUSION:Surgical exploration and repair of peroneal nerve lesions achieved good results with timely operations and thorough intraoperative evaluations. Useful function was achieved in 27 (75%) of 36 patients with grafts less than 6 cm in length and in only 88 (44%) of 202 patients with grafts greater than 6 cm in length.
Three-dimensional structure of tropism-switching Bordetella bacteriophage

Bacteriophage BPP-1, which infects Bordetella species, can switch its specificity by mutations to the ligand-binding surface of its major tropism-determinant protein, Mtd. This targeted mutagenesis results from the activity of a phage-encoded diversity-generating retroelement. Purified Mtd binds its receptor with low affinity, yet BPP-1 binding and infection of Bordettella cells are efficient because of high-avidity binding between phage-associated Mtd and its receptor. Here, using an integrative approach of three-dimensional (3D) structural analyses of the entire phage by cryo-electron tomography and single-prticle cryo-electron microscopy, we provide direct localization of Mtd in the phage and the structural basis of the high-avidity binding of the BPP-1 phage. Our structure shows that each BPP-1 particle has a T = 7 icosahedral head and an unusual tail apparatus consisting of a short central tail “hub,” six short tail spikes, and six extended tail fibers. Subtomographic averaging of the tail fiber maps revealed a two-lobed globular structure at the distal end of each long tail fiber. Tomographic reconstructions of immuno-gold-labeled BPP-1 directly localized Mtd to these globular structures. Finally, our icosahedral reconstruction of the BPP-1 head at 7Å resolution reveals an HK97-like major capsid protein stabilized by a smaller cementing protein. Our structure represents a unique bacteriophage reconstruction with its tail fibers and ligand-binding domains shown in relation to its tail apparatus. The localization of Mtd at the distal ends of the six tail fibers explains the high avidity binding of Mtd molecules to cell surfaces for initiation of infection.
Analytic Reviews: Cardiac Surgery as a Cause of Acute Kidney Injury: Pathogenesis and Potential Therapies

Cardiopulmonary bypass surgery occurs in nearly 1 million patients per year. Acute kidney injury requiring dialysis can occur in up to 1% of these patients. The development of acute kidney injury is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality independent of all other factors, and many patients are left dependent on dialysis therapies. The pathogenesis of acute kidney injury involves multiple pathways. Hemodynamic, inflammatory, and nephrotoxic factors are involved and overlap each other in leading to kidney injury. Clinical studies have identified risk factors for acute kidney injury that can be used to effectively determine the risk of acute kidney injury in patients undergoing bypass surgery. These high-risk patients can then be targeted for renal protective strategies. Thus far, no single strategy has conclusively demonstrated its ability to prevent renal injury post-bypass surgery. Novel anti-inflammatory agents are in development and offer hope as potential therapies.
Determinants of quality of life for older people living with a disability in the community.

AIM This paper is a report of a study conducted to identify the determinants of quality of life for older people with a disability living in the community and to construct a model to explain these. BACKGROUND There is no consensus in the literature as to the meaning of quality of life. Few studies have focused on the determinants of quality of life for people with a disability. METHODS A grounded theory study was conducted between 2005 and 2006, using semi-structured interviews to collect data. The constant comparative technique was used to analyse data. The sample comprised 122 older people with one of six disabilities: stroke (n = 20), arthritis (20), depression (20), vision and hearing deficits (20), learning disability (24) or dementia (18) who were living in the community. FINDINGS A model of the factors that determine quality of life of older people with a disability was developed. 'Living well' was conceptualized as the core category. The potential to 'live well' was influenced by foundation, mediating and facilitating/constraining factors. Quality of life of older people with a disability was revealed as a complex mix of these factors. CONCLUSION Quality of life cannot be fully understood unless the totality of factors that have an impact on and shape perceptions are taken into account. The model implies that good support from nurses, a focus on a person's abilities and access to information and connectedness to others can make a difference and may help people cope in a better way.
A real-time ECG QRS detection ASIC based on wavelet multiscale analysis

This paper presents for the first time Electrocardiograph (ECG) QRS detection algorithm implemented in Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC). The algorithm based on the dyadic wavelet transform (DYWT) multiscale-product scheme is designed especially for real-time biomedical signal processing applications. The algorithm is evaluated based on the MIT-BIH database and achieves a sensitivity of 99.63% and a positive predictivity of 99.89% of R-waves detection. The results show that the algorithm outperforms several well-known QRS complex detection algorithms. The proposed algorithm is then implemented in ASIC and fabricated with 0.18-μm CMOS technology and it consumes 176 μW at an operating frequency of 1 MHz with a supply voltage of 1.8 V.
Picotamide, a Dual TXB Synthetase Inhibitor and TXB Receptor Antagonist, Reduces Exercise-Induced Albuminuria in Microalbuminuric Patients With NIDDM

We investigated the short-term effect of the TXB inhibitor picotamide on albuminuria induced by exercise in 15 microalbuminuric (i.e., with UAE at rest between 20 and 200 μg/min) type II diabetic patients (12 men and 3 women, age 56 ± 2, BMI 28 ± 1 kg/m2) and in six normal age-matched control subjects. The diabetic subjects performed five submaximal exercise tests (90% of theoretical heart rate) on a cycle ergometer: the first two under basal conditions; the third and fifth after subjects had received picotamide (900 mg/day) or placebo (3 tablets/day) for 10 days; the fourth exercise always was performed after 10 days of wash-out. Control subjects performed two exercises: the first in baseline conditions and the second after 10 days of picotamide administration (900 mg/day). When diabetic patients were untreated, a significant (P < 0.05) increase in UAE with respect to baseline levels was observed immediately after and 1 h after the exercise test. After picotamide administration, UAE significantly decreased (P < 0.05) immediately after and 1 h after exercise, as compared with diabetic patients given a placebo. In normal subjects, exercise was followed by a slight increase in UAE, which was not significantly affected by picotamide administration. Our results show that short-term administration of picotamide is associated with a reduction in UAE after exercise in type II diabetes patients with microalbuminuria while at rest. Picotamide, a TXB synthetase and receptor inhibitor, may decrease exercise-induced albuminuria in diabetic patients through a reduction in circulating TXB levels andinhibition of TXB action, which in turn may act by lowering glomerular capillary hydraulic pressure.
Ovarian androgen production in postmenopausal women.

CONTEXT Several studies previously reported that the postmenopausal ovary produces androgens. However, these findings have recently been questioned in a group of women with adrenal insufficiency. OBJECTIVE We sought to use contemporary assay methodologies to investigate whether the postmenopausal ovary is hormonally active and contributes to the circulating pool of androgens. DESIGN AND PATIENTS Serum was collected from the ovarian veins of 13 postmenopausal women undergoing total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy, with sufficient quantities obtained to allow for measurement of several hormones. Serum was also analyzed from peripheral blood collected preoperatively, intraoperatively, and postoperatively. SETTING The study took place at the Los Angeles County Women's and Children's Hospital, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Testosterone (T), androstenedione (A), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), estrone (E1), and estradiol (E2) were measured by RIA with preceding organic solvent extraction and Celite column chromatography. RESULTS Statistically significant gradients were seen between the ovarian venous and peripheral samples for T, A, DHEA, E1, and E2. Postoperative levels of T and E1, but not A, DHEA, or E2, were statistically significantly lower than preoperative levels. A gradient for T between the ovarian venous and peripheral blood was present in four of five women who were menopausal for more than 10 yr. CONCLUSIONS The postmenopausal ovary is hormonally active, contributing significantly to the circulating pool of T. Furthermore, this contribution appears to persist in women as long as 10 yr beyond the menopause.