Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Universal optimal model predictive control of multi-phase AC converters

One step ahead optimal Model Predictive Control (MPC) has been developed and demonstrated by simulation for current control in various - frequently used power converters, namely, 2 level, 3 level, matrix (MxC) and Vienna converters. The universal m * n power converter with (m) inputs and (n) outputs was modeled by switching matrix whose elements define on/off states of power devices. To allow modeling of unidirectional switching devices (diodes) where conduction (and thus switching state) depend on current polarity, additional current polarity matrix was introduced. New switching matrix for converters with both types of devices was defined as dot product (products of individual elements) of original switching matrix and current polarity matrix. The matrix elements - switching states that drive power section were selected by minimization of cost function by search algorithm. The multi - objective cost function, depends on converter topology and control objectives, in general have terms for quality of current tracking, minimization of switching frequency, balancing of dc bus voltage, reactive power minimization, power structure losses minimization etc. The different formulations of cost functions that enable penalization of individual switches for loss minimization, current tracking and DC link voltage balancing in multi-level inverters and operation of Vienna converter were analyzed and compared.
Novas Formas para Financiar Empresas em Fase de Crescimento Inicial: Venture Capital e Private Equity

Este artigo busca contextualizar o Venture Capital ou Capital de Risco, como instrumento financiador das empresas em processo de crescimento, diante das dificuldades em obter capital, via instituicoes financeiras, face as exigencias apresentadas pelos organismos de credito, principalmente no tocante a garantias reais ou ao proprio historico financeiro, que por serem iniciantes nos seus respectivos segmentos, nao possuem, ainda. Ve-se, portanto, que as empresas em processo de crescimento baseiam-se na perspectiva do fluxo de caixa futuro gerado pela implementacao da propria inovacao que quer financiar, condicao que nao as enquadram em criterios abalizados no historico de credito. Em vista da dificuldade de acesso aos financiamentos tradicionais para o segmento de empresas inovadoras e da relevância dessas organizacoes para o desenvolvimento do Pais, este estudo investiga o Capital de Risco, sob a otica do beneficio para todos os envolvidos: investidor, gestor do fundo e empresa beneficiada. Metodologicamente, esse trabalho se caracteriza como um estudo exploratorio que adota ainda como metodos auxiliares a pesquisa bibliografica e documental.
Treatment of BXSB‐Yaa Mice with IL‐21R‐Fc Fusion Protein Minimally Attenuates Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Abstract: Interleukin‐21 (IL‐21) is a pleiotropic cytokine whose function is only now being unraveled. Abundant evidence indicates that activated CD4 T cells are the primary, if not the only, source of IL‐21. While it is clear that IL‐21 is actively transcribed by naïve activated T cells, recent studies have shown that IL‐21 potentially promotes a developmental shift of naïve T cells toward the Th2 phenotype. BXSB‐Yaa mice develop an autoimmune syndrome similar to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), affecting males earlier than females on account of the presence of the Yaa (Y‐linked autoimmune acceleration) locus. Previous results indicate the elevation of IL‐21 expression by BXSB‐Yaa mice at an age when the early characteristics of autoimmune processes first become evident. We set out to determine whether IL‐21 was necessary for disease progression in BXSB‐Yaa mice. Mice were treated for 24 weeks with soluble IL‐21R‐Fc in order to therapeutically neutralize the IL‐21 present. The results overall suggest a biphasic effect of IL‐21, negatively influencing survival early on and positively influencing survival at later stages. We propose that IL‐21 exerts a pleiotropic effect in which it promotes the protective effects of CD8+ suppressor cells in the early disease phase and then promotes the humoral components of SLE in the later disease stages. This experiment provides preliminary evidence for a role of IL‐21 in modulating the severity of SLE in BXSB‐Yaa mice.
Impact of Refeeding on Intestinal Development and Function in Infant Rabbits Subjected to Protein-Energy Malnutrition

ABSTRACT: The impact of early postnatal protein-energy malnutrition and of 4, 7, and 14 d of nutritional rehabilitation on small intestinal growth, development, structure and function was examined in 28-, 32-, 35-, and 42-d-old infant rabbits. Malnutrition was induced by litter expansion 7 d postpartum and, in randomly selected malnourished animals, refeeding was begun at weaning, 28 d. Results are compared to ad libitum fed dietary controls. Malnutrition altered the small intestine of the developing rabbit, as evidenced by: 1) reduced jejunal and ileal mass as shown by decreased mucosal wt, protein, and DNA content; 2) depressed epithelial proliferation and enterocyte migration along the crypt-villus axis; 3) delayed epithelial maturation as measured by mucosal enzyme activities; and 4) enhanced glucose-stimulated Na+ transport. Refeeding stimulated rapid and complete recovery, as evidenced by: 1) restoration of jejunal and ileal mucosal mass within 4 d; 2) enhancement of epithelial renewal and enterocyte migration by 7 d; and 3) complete return of the normal pattern of mucosal enzymes by 14 d. With 7 d of refeeding, glucose-stimulated Na+ transport was downregulated to the level of dietary controls. We conclude that early postnatal protein-energy malnutrition has a severe impact on small intestinal growth, development, structure, and function. Furthermore, a brief period refeeding induced a rapid and complete recovery of these parameters.
Proteomics in food: Quality, safety, microbes, and allergens

Food safety and quality and their associated risks pose a major concern worldwide regarding not only the relative economical losses but also the potential danger to consumer's health. Customer's confidence in the integrity of the food supply could be hampered by inappropriate food safety measures. A lack of measures and reliable assays to evaluate and maintain a good control of food characteristics may affect the food industry economy and shatter consumer confidence. It is imperative to create and to establish fast and reliable analytical methods that allow a good and rapid analysis of food products during the whole food chain. Proteomics can represent a powerful tool to address this issue, due to its proven excellent quantitative and qualitative drawbacks in protein analysis. This review illustrates the applications of proteomics in the past few years in food science focusing on food of animal origin with some brief hints on other types. Aim of this review is to highlight the importance of this science as a valuable tool to assess food quality and safety. Emphasis is also posed in food processing, allergies, and possible contaminants like bacteria, fungi, and other pathogens.
[Cigarette smoking: male and female infertility].

Despite problems of methodology, epidemiologic studies of women who smoke have clearly indicated that they suffer a lowering of fertility. Harmful effects are particularly noted in the periodicity of the menstrual cycle, tubal function and embryo transfer, development and viability of the ovocyte, age at menopause, and bone metabolism. Several epidemiologic studies have shown that the rate of infertility among women smoking is 21% vs. 14% among nonsmokers. Fertility declines significantly with daily cigarette consumption among women smoking 16 cigarettes a day or more. Nevertheless, in some cases such as tubal infertility, further research is needed to determine clearly whether there is a true causal mechanism or whether there is simply an association related to differences in the lifestyle of smoking women. In general, studies in women and animals confirm the possible alteration of physiological characteristics of the tubes in smokers, resulting in a disturbance of intratubal transport of the embryo, a premature or delayed arrival of the blastocyst in the uterus, and alterations of the immune system that could explain the epidemiologic association of smoking and lowered fertility. Studies in mice and rats have shown that smoking can destroy ovocytes, but observations in women have not been completely convincing. It has been concluded however that smoking can decrease the number of viability of ovocytes, ending in premature extinction of reproductive function and early menopause. Results of a small number of studies tend to demonstrate that compared to nonsmokers, smokers experience a greater frequency of secondary amenorrhea, increased vaginal bleeding, and a significant lowering of urinary estrogens in the luteal phase. Taken together, clinical reports on women and animal studies demonstrate the effect of nicotine and smoke on the basic hormonal homeostasis of women, an effect which can change the timing of cycles and reduce fertility. The risk of osteoporosis after menopause is known to be greater among smokers than nonsmokers, probably because of hormonal modifications caused by elements in cigarette smoke. Available data on effects of smoking on male fertility are inconclusive, but a certain number of studies have shown an increased incidence of morphologic anomalies and a lowering of mobility and density in the sperm of smokers. Fluctuations in the levels of androgens and gonadotropins have also been observed in men who smoke. The evidence suggests that all persons wishing to reproduce but especially those with fertility impairments should avoid smoking.
Shutoff on Neuroblastoma Cell Protein Synthesis by Semliki Forest Virus: Loss of Ability of Crude Initiation Factors to Recognize Early Semliki Forest Virus and Host mRNA's

A crude ribosomal wash containing the initiation factors of protein synthesis was isolated from mouse neuroblastoma cells 8 h after infection with Semliki Forest virus (SFV). The activity of this wash was compared with that of a wash from control cells in a cell-free protein-synthesizing “pH5” system, with early SFV mRNA (42S), late SFV mRNA (26S), encephalomyocarditis virus (EMC) mRNA, or neuroblastoma polyadenylated mRNA templates. A pronounced loss of activity (±80%) of the crude ribosomal wash from infected cells was observed with host mRNA (neuroblastoma polyadenylated mRNA) and early SFV mRNA, messengers which contain a cap structure at the 5′ terminus. However, these washes were only slightly less active in systems programmed with (noncapped) EMC mRNA and late SFV mRNA. Although late SFV mRNA (26S) is capped, the synthesis of late (= structural) proteins in infected lysates was insensitive to inhibition by cap analogs. Purified initiation factors eIF-4B (Mr, 80,000) and cap-binding protein (Mr, 24,000) from reticulocytes (but none of the others) were able to restore the activity of infected factors to about 90% of control levels in systems programmed with early SFV mRNA and host mRNA. These observations indicate that infection-exposed crude initiation factors have a decreased level of eIF-4B and cap-binding protein activity. However, after partial purification of these and other initiation factors from infected and control cells, we found no significant difference in activity when model assay systems were used. Furthermore, both eIF-4B and cap-binding protein from infected cells were able to restore the activity of these infection-exposed factors to the same level obtained when these factors isolated from control cells or reticulocytes were added. A possible mechanism for the shutoff of host cell protein synthesis is discussed.
A18 - a novel 0.18μm Smart Power SOC IC Technology for Automotive Applications

A new smart power SOC IC process including up to 50V HV-MOS transistors, SONOS principle based non-volatile memory components and analog devices using an advanced 0. 18μm platform is presented. Process architecture and device portfolio are focused on automotive applications e.g. sensor signal conditioning and integrated output drivers. HV-MOS and SONOS integration as well as device properties are discussed with regard to reliability aspects. Additionally key features of NPN bipolar transistors and depletion NMOST are given.
Systematic review of fever, febrile convulsions and serious adverse events following administration of inactivated trivalent influenza vaccines in children.

In 2010, increased febrile convulsions (FC) occurred after administration of inactivated trivalent influenza vaccine (TIV) in Australia. We systematically reviewed the rates of fever, FC and serious adverse events (SAEs) after TIV, focussing on published and unpublished clinical trial data from 2005 to 2012, and performed meta-analysis of fever rates. From 4,372 records in electronic databases, 18 randomised controlled trials (RCTs), 14 non-randomised clinical trials, six observational studies and 12 registered trials (five RCTs and seven non-randomised) were identified. In published RCTs, fever ≥ 38 °C rates after first dose of non-adjuvanted TIV were 6.7% and 6.9% for children aged 6–35 months and ≥ 3 years, respectively. Analysis of RCTs by vaccine manufacturer showed pooled fever estimates up to 5.1% with Sanofi or GlaxoSmithKline vaccines; bioCSL vaccines were used in two non-randomised clinical trials and one unpublished RCT and were associated with fever in 22.5–37.1% for children aged 6–35 months. In RCTs, FCs occurred at a rate of 1.1 per 1,000 vaccinated children. While most TIVs induced acceptably low fever rates, bioCSL influenza vaccines were associated with much higher rates of fever in young children. Future standardised study methodology and access to individual level data would be illuminating.
Channel capacity of multiple input multiple output systems under correlated environment

The effects of spatial correlation on the channel capacity of a Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) system are studied under Rayleigh fading with correlated antennas. When the SNR is high, the closed-form expression for the channel capacity of MIMO system is given by using the properties of Wishart distribution. Computer simulation results show that the channel capacity is maximized when the antenna spacing increases to a point, and further more, the larger is the scattering angle, the more quickly the channel capacity converges to its maximum.
Cryo-electron Microscopic Structure of SecA Protein Bound to the 70S Ribosome*

Background: SecA targets preproteins to the protein-conducting channel in bacteria. Results: Both the single and double copies of SecA bind to the 70S ribosome. Conclusion: Two copies of SecA completely surround the polypeptide tunnel exit. Significance: The structures suggest a function of the dimeric form of SecA on the ribosome. SecA is an ATP-dependent molecular motor pumping secretory and outer membrane proteins across the cytoplasmic membrane in bacteria. SecA associates with the protein-conducting channel, the heterotrimeric SecYEG complex, in a so-called posttranslational manner. A recent study further showed binding of a monomeric state of SecA to the ribosome. However, the true oligomeric state of SecA remains controversial because SecA can also form functional dimers, and high-resolution crystal structures exist for both the monomer and the dimer. Here we present the cryo-electron microscopy structures of Escherichia coli SecA bound to the ribosome. We show that not only a monomeric SecA binds to the ribosome but also that two copies of SecA can be observed that form an elongated dimer. Two copies of SecA completely surround the tunnel exit, providing a unique environment to the nascent polypeptides emerging from the ribosome. We identified the N-terminal helix of SecA required for a stable association with the ribosome. The structures indicate a possible function of the dimeric form of SecA at the ribosome.
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered lymphocytes for cancer therapy

Introduction: Chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) usually combine the antigen binding site of a monoclonal antibody with the signal activating machinery of a T cell, freeing antigen recognition from MHC restriction and thus breaking one of the barriers to more widespread application of cellular therapy. Similar to treatment strategies employing monoclonal antibodies, T cells expressing CARs are highly targeted, but additionally offer the potential benefits of active trafficking to tumor sites, in vivo expansion and long-term persistence. Furthermore, gene transfer allows the introduction of countermeasures to tumor immune evasion and of safety mechanisms. Areas covered: The basic structure of so-called first and later generation CARs and their potential advantages over other immune therapy systems. How these molecules can be grafted into immune cells (including retroviral and non-retroviral transduction methods) and strategies to improve the in vivo persistence and function of immune cells expressing CARs. Examples of tumor-associated antigens that have been targeted in preclinical models and clinical experience with these modified cells. Safety issues surrounding CAR gene transfer into T cells and potential solutions to them. Expert opinion: Because of recent advances in immunology, genetics and cell processing, CAR-modified T cells will likely play an increasing role in the cellular therapy of cancer, chronic infections and autoimmune disorders.
Simplified scheme for routine identification of human Staphylococcus species

From a total of 40 characters that were previously used to differentiate species of staphylococci, 13 key characters were selected to make a simplified scheme that could be easily used by the routine clinical laboratory for identifying human staphylococci. These key characters included coagulase activity, hemolysis, nitrate reduction, and aerobic acid production from fructose, xylose, arabinose, ribose, maltose, lactose, sucrose, trehalose, mannitol, and xylitol. In the simplified scheme, 924 strains of staphylococci were placed into 11 positions, each of which contained the major portion (greater than or equal to 80%) of strains of one of the recognized species. Several positions contained a rare or few uncommon strains of one or more additional species and these could be resolved on the basis of other key characters.
Joint Optimization of Service Function Placement and Flow Distribution for Service Function Chaining

In this paper, we consider the problem of optimal dynamic service function (SF) placement and flow routing in a SF chaining (SFC) enabled network. We formulate a multi-objective optimization problem to maximize the acceptable flow rate and to minimize the energy cost for multiple service chains. We transform the multi-objective optimization problem into a single-objective mixed integer linear programming (MILP) problem, and prove that the problem is NP-hard. We propose a polynomial time algorithm based on linear relaxation and rounding to approximate the optimal solution of the MILP. Extensive simulations are conducted to evaluate the effects of the energy budget, the network topology, and the amount of server resources on the acceptable flow rate. The results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm can achieve near-optimal performance and can significantly increase the acceptable flow rate and the service capacity compared to other algorithms under an energy cost budget.
Families of spreading sequences for multiuser asynchronous SS/CDMA communication

This paper extends the DOVETAIL technique for construction of families of complex spreading sequences for use in multiuser asynchronous spread spectrum, SS/CDMA, communication, to extraction of derived real-valued spreading sequence families, intended for similar application. It is shown here that the preferred characteristics of the complex family, in terms of probability of error, are partially carried over to the real and imaginary components when considered to be real-valued sequences, and intermediate improvement in probability of error is retained. Clearly the use of real-valued sequences results in reduced complexity in implementation. The improvement in probability of error is gauged with reference to two Gaussian approximations from the literature for the interference limited case, as well as with reference to control experiment randomly drawn sequences constructed by cointossing and drawing from the Gaussian distribution. The focus on the interference limited case where noise is suppressed allows one to observe the improvement yielded by the technique. The major parameters of the system are N, the sequence length, and q, the family size. Results from simulations are presented, demonstrating enhanced performance. The Gaussian approximations used for comparison are shown to underestimate the probability of error for the control experiment sequences while the generated real sequences have augmented performance with the complex sequences superior
18F-FDG PET as a Routine Posttreatment Surveillance Tool in Oral and Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A ProspectiveStudy

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role and timing of serial 18F-FDG PET scans as routine surveillance for detecting early locoregional recurrence, distant metastases, and second primary tumors in patients treated for advanced squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in the oral cavity or oropharynx during the first year after completion of their curative treatment. Methods: Forty-eight consecutive patients with SCC in the oral cavity or oropharynx were included after completing their initial therapy with curative intent. Prospective follow-up of the participants was 2-fold: regular follow-up (history and physical examination) and serial 18F-FDG PET scans. Patients underwent standard follow-up and 18F-FDG PET at 3, 6, 9, and 12 mo after initial treatment. Findings were validated by histopathology or 18 mo of clinical follow-up and imaging after initial treatment. Results: Incidence of recurrences and second primary tumors was 27% and 10%, respectively. 18F-FDG PET was significantly (P = 0.035) more often in agreement with the gold standard than was regular follow-up. 18F-FDG PET showed a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 100%, 43%, 51%, and 100%, respectively. For regular follow-up, these values were 0%, 60%, 0%, and 50%, respectively. 18F-FDG PET accounted for a change in diagnostics or treatment in 63% of the patients and regular follow-up in 25% of the patients. Sensitivity and specificity of 18F-FDG PET were both irrespective of timing of 18F-FDG PET. For the 3- and 6-mo posttherapy results combined, 18F-FDG PET detected malignancy in 16 of the 18 patients. Conclusion: 18F-FDG PET is a suitable routine posttreatment surveillance tool in oral and oropharyngeal SCC patients and detects malignancy before clinical suggestion by the regular follow-up arises. The best timing of a systematic 18F-FDG PET scan is between 3 and 6 mo after treatment.