Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Class-E Direct AC–AC Converter With Multicycle Modulation for Induction Heating Systems

Induction heating systems are the technology of choice in many industrial, domestic, and medical applications due to its high performance. The core component of such systems is the power supply, which is usually composed of a rectifier stage and a resonant inverter. In order to simplify and further optimize the performance of the power supply, a class-E direct ac-ac converter featuring multicycle modulations is proposed in this paper. The proposed converter is composed of two switching devices that enable the direct ac-ac conversion. Single- and multicycle operation modes have been analytically described to prove the benefits, in terms of peak voltage reduction and output power control capabilities. A prototype featuring SiC junction-gate field-effect transistor devices, which perfectly fit these applications, has been designed and built to prove the feasibility of the proposed converter. The experimental results match the analytical results and validate the benefits of this converter.
Electrical detection of single graphene plasmons

Plasmons-the collective oscillations of electrons in conducting materials-play a pivotal role in nanophotonics because of their ability to couple electronic and photonic degrees of freedom. In particular, plasmons in graphene-the atomically thin carbon material-offer strong spatial confinement and long lifetimes, accompanied by extraordinary optoelectronic properties derived from its peculiar electronic band structure. Understandably, this material has generated great expectations for its application to enhanced integrated devices. However, an efficient scheme for detecting graphene plasmons remains a challenge.
Taking Universal Perspective in Design: A Plea for Two Reflective Principles and Mechanisms

Current approaches to the design of interactive systems emphasize openness, dynamic behavior, and evolution of the system. There is also a growing interest in accounting for human values and norms. This paper takes a universal perspective informed by discourse ethics and it argues that value and norm issues cannot be fully resolved in the design process and that they require the continuous participation of users in use time. On the other hand, the increasing complexity in global contexts necessitates exploiting machine intelligence to adapt the system behavior to the interaction context. This paper comments on two complementary reflective principles for interactive systems (i.e., the meta-adaptation and meta-communication principles) and argues that both principles need to be implemented as system's features to support computer's as well as users' reflections.
K13 Propeller Alleles, mdr1 Polymorphism, and Drug Effectiveness at Day 3 after Artemether-Lumefantrine Treatment for Plasmodium falciparum Malaria in Colombia, 2014-2015

ABSTRACT High treatment failure rates for Plasmodium falciparum malaria have been reported in Colombia for chloroquine, amodiaquine, and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine. Artemisinin combination therapies were introduced in 2006 in Colombia, where artemether-lumefantrine (AL) is currently used to treat uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria. Artemisinin (ART) resistance was initially observed in Southeast Asia as an increased parasite clearance time, manifesting as a positive thick-blood smear on day 3 after treatment (D3 positivity). Recently, mutations in the propeller domain of the P. falciparumkelch13 gene (K13 propeller) have been associated with ART resistance. In this study, we surveyed AL effectiveness at D3 and molecular markers of drug resistance among 187 uncomplicated P. falciparum cases in 4 regions of Colombia from June 2014 to July 2015. We found that 3.2% (4/125) of patients showed D3 positivity, 100% (163/163) of isolates carried wild-type K13 propeller alleles, 12.9% (23/178) of isolates had multiple copies of the multidrug resistance 1 gene (mdr1), and 75.8% (113/149) of isolates harbored the double mutant NFSDD mdr1 haplotype (the underlining indicates mutant alleles). These data suggest that ART resistance is not currently suspected in Colombia but that monitoring for lumefantrine resistance and AL failures should continue.
Portfolio Performance Measurement Based on Service-Oriented Grid Computing: Developing a Prototype from a Design Science Perspective

The current challenge for the financial services industry is to improve and refine the structures of the past to meet changing information requirements and to integrate them into existing enterprise architectures. In order to meet these computational demands, Grid computing presents a secure, reliable and scalable technology to provide shared access to heterogeneous resources.This paper presents a new Grid-based, service-oriented architecture for portfolio performance measurement. As proof of concept we developed a prototype implementation of a Grid-based architecture and integrated it as a new artifact into the existing enterprise architecture of a financial services company. Our research and implementation follows the design science approach leading to an IT artifact (prototype). The final evaluation and comparison of the depicted Grid-based prototype and the non-Grid-based system is not depicted in this paper. Those issues are introduced in the 'Further Research' section but still not conducted. The contribution of this paper outlines the implementation and technical evaluation of the Grid-based prototype within a design science approach.
Mobile teledermatology – patient satisfaction, diagnostic and management concordance, and factors affecting patient refusal to participate in Saudi Arabia

We evaluated the use of a 4G smart phone for mobile teledermatology. A dermatologist took pictures of skin images with a mobile phone (8 Mpixel camera resolution) and made a face-to-face diagnosis. The images were transmitted to a second dermatologist who viewed them on a similar mobile phone and made an independent diagnosis for comparison. Images were taken and transmitted only after receiving informed consent from the patients. A total of 166 consecutive patients were included in the study (97 male and 69 female). A questionnaire to assess patient satisfaction was administered to each patient. Most of the responders were highly satisfied with teledermatology. However, 23 patients (14%) refused photography of the skin lesions (21 female and 2 males). The main reasons for refusal to be photographed were stated as social or religious. The broad categorical diagnostic and management concordance (i.e. when considering at least one of the diagnoses to be similar) was 95%. Specific diagnostic concordance varied according to the disease. The average kappa coefficient was 0.66 for diagnostic concordance and 0.82 for management concordance. Refusal to be photographed – a problem not limited to teledermatology – needs to be considered when designing teledermatology protocols for larger scale implementation in areas like the Middle East.
Comparative Genomics of IncL/M-Type Plasmids: Evolution by Acquisition of Resistance Genes and Insertion Sequences

IncL/M-type plasmids R446b and R471a were originally isolated from Morganella morganii (formerly Proteus morganii) as the first members of the IncL/M group of multidrug resistance (MDR) plasmids ([1][1], [2][2]). IncL/M plasmids are now commonly identified among environmental and clinical isolates
Bioluminescence-Based Neuraminidase Inhibition Assay for Monitoring Influenza Virus Drug Susceptibility in Clinical Specimens

ABSTRACT The QFlu prototype bioluminescence-based neuraminidase (NA) inhibition (NI) assay kit was designed to detect NA inhibitor (NAI)-resistant influenza viruses at point of care. Here, we evaluated its suitability for drug susceptibility assessment at a surveillance laboratory. A comprehensive panel of reference viruses (n = 14) and a set of 90 seasonal influenza virus A and B isolates were included for testing with oseltamivir and/or zanamivir in the QFlu assay using the manufacturer-recommended protocol and a modified version attuned to surveillance requirements. The 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50s) generated were compared with those of NI assays currently used for monitoring influenza drug susceptibility, the fluorescent (FL) and chemiluminescent (CL) assays. To provide proof of principle, clinical specimens (n = 235) confirmed by real-time reverse transcription (RT)-PCR to contain influenza virus A(H1N1)pdm09 and prescreened for the oseltamivir resistance marker H275Y using pyrosequencing were subsequently tested in the QFlu assay. All three NI assays were able to discriminate the reference NA variants and their matching wild-type viruses based on the difference in their IC50s. Unless the antigenic types were first identified, certain NA variants (e.g., H3N2 with E119V) could be detected among seasonal viruses using the FL assays only. Notably, the QFlu assay identified oseltamivir-resistant A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses carrying the H275Y marker directly in clinical specimens, which is not feasible with the other two phenotypic assays, which required prior virus culturing in cells. Furthermore, The QFlu assay allows detection of the influenza virus A and B isolates carrying established and potential NA inhibitor resistance markers and may become a useful tool for monitoring drug resistance in clinical specimens.
ERP Systems in SMEs: A Literature Review

This review summarizes research on enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems in small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs). Due to the close-to-saturation of ERP adoptions in large enterprises (LEs), ERP vendors now focus more on SMEs. Moreover, because of globalization, partnerships, value networks, and the huge information flow across and within SMEs nowadays, more and more SMEs are adopting ERP systems. Risks of adoption rely on the fact that SMEs have limited resources and specific characteristics that make their case different from LEs. The main focus of this article is to shed the light on the areas that lack sufficient research within the ERP in SMEs domain, suggest future research avenues, as well as, present the current research findings that could aid practitioners, suppliers, and SMEs when embarking on ERP projects.
A Novel Soft Sensor for Real-Time Monitoring of the Die Melt Temperature Profile in Polymer Extrusion

Polymer extrusion is the most fundamental technique for processing polymeric materials, and its importance is increasing due to the rapid growth of worldwide demand for polymeric materials. However, the process thermal monitoring is experiencing several problems resulting in poor process diagnostics and control. Most of the existing process thermal monitoring methods in industry only provide point/bulk measurements, which are less detailed and low in accuracy. Physical thermal profile measurements across the melt flow may not be industrially compatible due to their complexity, access requirements, invasiveness, etc. Therefore, inferential thermal profile monitoring techniques are invaluable for obtaining detailed, accurate, and industrially compatible measurements and, hence, to achieve improved process control. In this paper, a novel soft sensor strategy is proposed to predict the real-time temperature profile across the die melt flow in polymer extrusion for the first time in industry or research. It is capable of determining the melt temperature at a number of die radial positions only based on six readily measurable process parameters. A comparison between the simulation results of the novel melt temperature profile prediction soft sensor and the experimental measurements showed that the soft sensor can predict the real-time melt temperature profile of the die melt flow with good accuracy. Therefore, this will offer a promising solution for making real-time melt temperature profile measurements noninvasively in polymer extrusion, and also, it should be applicable to other polymer processes only with a few modifications. Moreover, this technique should facilitate in developing an advanced process thermal control strategy.
A review of the efficacy and effectiveness of using telehealth for paediatric speech and language assessment

We reviewed the literature relating to the use of telehealth for paediatric speech and language assessment. Four databases, and relevant reference lists, were searched for articles published between January 2004 and July 2014. A total of 180 articles were identified, of which only five were relevant. All studies assessed efficacy using method comparison techniques; no studies assessed effectiveness. The method comparison studies investigated the validity and/or reliability of speech and language assessment via telehealth, when compared with face-to-face assessment. Studies varied in terms of participant group, assessment tools, statistical analysis and telehealth equipment. The papers reviewed presented some evidence that telehealth can be used to make valid assessments of oromotor function, speech intelligibility and language. Articulation screening via telehealth was found to be valid, but there was conflicting evidence about full articulation assessment. Intra- and inter-rater reliability was good for all speech and language tasks, with the exception of oromotor assessment, which also had reduced reliability when assessed face-to-face. There were discrepancies between the two modalities for individual oromotor tasks, judgement of individual speech sounds, detection of pluralisation, and discriminating between similar sounding words; these have the potential to be clinically important. Evidence regarding satisfaction was extremely limited, with only one study reporting parental satisfaction, and no studies reporting child or clinician satisfaction. Although there is limited evidence to support the validity and reliability of speech and language assessment via telehealth, it is probably not yet sufficient to influence clinical practice or policy development.
Rapid Viral Expansion and Short Drug Half-Life Explain the Incomplete Effectiveness of Current Herpes Simplex Virus 2-Directed Antiviral Agents

ABSTRACT The nucleoside analogues acyclovir (ACV) and famciclovir (FCV) reduce the frequency and severity of herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) genital shedding, yet despite their high potency in vitro and a lack of induced drug resistance, frequent episodes of breakthrough mucosal shedding occur. We tested a published stochastic, spatial mathematical model of HSV-2 replication and spread, in concert with pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic equations, against virologic data from clinical trials of twice-daily acyclovir and famciclovir suppression. The model reproduced the key features of clinical trial data, including genital shedding episode rate, expansion and decay dynamics, and heterogeneous peak viral production and duration. In simulations, these agents shortened episode duration by limiting the extent of viral production by 1 to 2 log units and limiting the formation of secondary ulcers by ∼50%. However, drug concentrations were noninhibitory during 42% of the dosing cycle. Even if drug concentrations were high at episode initiation, prolonged episodes often ensued due to drug decay over ensuing hours and subsequent rebound of rapidly replicating HSV-2. The local CD8+ T-cell density was more predictive of episode viral production (R2 = 0.42) and duration (R2 = 0.21) than the drug concentration at episode onset (R2 = 0.14 and 0.05, respectively), though the model projected that an agent with an equivalent potency but a two times longer half-life would decrease shedding by 80% compared to that of standard twice-daily regimens. Therefore, long half-life is a key characteristic of any agent that might fully suppress HSV-2 reactivations.
Integrated Dual-Output Converter

This paper presents a family of single-input-multiple-output (SIMO) dc-dc converter topologies, which can provide one step-up and multiple step-down outputs. These topologies are synthesized by replacing the control switch of a boost converter topology with series-connected switches and using the additional switch nodes to generate step-down dc outputs. Compared with separate converters, these topologies utilize a lower number of switches and are more reliable due to their inherent shoot-through protection. Analysis shows that the topologies exhibit similar dynamic behavior as individual buck and boost converters. Hence, the control system methodology is the same as that of separate converters, with each output being precisely regulated. The behavior of these converters has been illustrated in this paper using the integrated dual-output converter (IDOC), which has a step-up and a step-down output. The steady-state characteristics and dynamic behavior of the converter have been studied. An analog closed-loop control system for the converter has been described for regulation of both the outputs. The operating principles have been experimentally validated using a 120-W prototype. Results show that the proposed converter has very good cross-regulation to step load change as well as dynamic reference change in either output. The measured efficiencies of the IDOC prototype are around 90%.
In Vitro Activity of CEM-101 against Streptococcus pneumoniae and Streptococcus pyogenes with Defined Macrolide Resistance Mechanisms

ABSTRACT CEM-101 had MIC ranges of 0.002 to 0.016 μg/ml against macrolide-susceptible pneumococci and 0.004 to 1 μg/ml against macrolide-resistant phenotypes. Only 3 strains with erm(B), with or without mef(A), had CEM-101 MICs of 1 μg/ml, and 218/221 strains had CEM-101 MICs of ≤0.5 μg/ml. CEM-101 MICs were as much as 4-fold lower than telithromycin MICs against all strains. For Streptococcus pyogenes, CEM-101 MICs ranged from 0.008 to 0.03 μg/ml against macrolide-susceptible strains and from 0.015 to 1 μg/ml against macrolide-resistant strains. Against erm(B) strains, erythromycin, azithromycin, and clarithromycin MICs were 32 to >64 μg/ml, while 17/19 strains had telithromycin MICs of 4 to 16 μg/ml; CEM-101 MICs were 0.015 to 1 μg/ml. By comparison, erm(A) and mef(A) strains had CEM-101 MICs of 0.015 to 0.5 μg/ml, clindamycin and telithromycin MICs of ≤1 μg/ml, and erythromycin, azithromycin, and clarithromycin MICs of 0.5 to >64 μg/ml. Pneumococcal multistep resistance studies showed that although CEM-101 yielded clones with higher MICs for all eight strains tested, seven of eight strains had clones with CEM-101 MICs that rose from 0.004 to 0.03 μg/ml (parental strains) to 0.06 to 0.5 μg/ml (resistant clones); for only one erm(B) mef(A) strain with a parental MIC of 1 μg/ml was there a resistant clone with a MIC of 32 μg/ml, with no detectable mutations in the L4, L22, or 23S rRNA sequence. Among two of five S. pyogenes strains tested, CEM-101 MICs rose from 0.03 to 0.25 μg/ml, and only for the one strain with erm(B) did CEM-101 MICs rise from 1 to 8 μg/ml, with no changes occurring in any macrolide resistance determinant. CEM-101 had low MICs as well as low potential for the selection of resistant mutants, independent of bacterial species or resistance phenotypes in pneumococci and S. pyogenes.
What Makes IT Personnel Adopt Scrum? A Framework of Drivers and Inhibitors to Developer Acceptance

In recent years, the agile Scrum methodology has become a popular software development approach. It significantly differs from traditional approaches as it promotes communication, self-organization, flexibility, and innovation instead of extensive planning and codified processes. While such a paradigm shift promises to better support the timely delivery of high-quality software in turbulent business environments, its success considerably depends on the willingness of developers to adopt the agile methodology. In this paper, we present a framework with drivers and inhibitors to the developer acceptance of Scrum. It combines analytical with empirical findings and can be used as a theoretical basis to empirically evaluate the actual support of Scrum in concrete scenarios. The introduced framework is based on the extended Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), which has been proven to be also applicable to describe the intention of developers to use a methodology. Building upon results from qualitative in-depth interviews with six experienced Scrum experts of a German DAX-30 company, we refine the general determinants of adoption contained in the TAM with several observed factors that influence the willingness of developers to use Scrum in practice.
Identification of Diverse OXA-40 Group Carbapenemases, Including a Novel Variant, OXA-160, from Acinetobacter baumannii in Pennsylvania

ABSTRACT Three Acinetobacter baumannii isolates that possess OXA-40 group carbapenemase genes were identified. They belonged to novel sequence types (ST122, ST123, and ST124) and harbored bla OXA-160, bla OXA-72, and bla OXA-40, respectively. OXA-160 is a novel variant of OXA-40 with a P227S substitution. An isogenic Escherichia coli clone producing OXA-160 was more susceptible to carbapenems than a clone producing OXA-40. The genetic environment of bla OXA-160 and bla OXA-40 beyond the putative XerC/XerD recombination sites was distinct from the scaffold reported previously.
An Organizational Model for Managing IT Innovations in Non-IT Companies

Information technology (IT) impacts almost every business unit inside the enterprise. Although the IT organization has been the source of endless new possibilities and successful business innovations, many of them have lost their way in the past few years. In our paper we describe four innovative non-IT companies which aim to bring their IT organizations back to the right path with the implementation of a corporation-wide IT innovation management. We describe the reasons why these companies have chosen to create those structures and how these structures differ. As a result we propose a model, how a corporation-wide IT innovation management can be implemented in the organizational structure. The paper provides value to the literature on IT innovation management which mainly focuses on IT innovation processes. As an essence, we provide a guideline for executive managers in non-IT companies on how to implement an IT innovation management in the organizational structure to create new business possibilities with IT.
Mobile health solutions for the aging population: A systematic narrative analysis

Introduction The ubiquitous nature of mobile technology coupled with the acceptance of mobile health (mHealth) among the elderly offers an opportunity to augment the existing medical workforce in long-term care. The objective of this review and narrative analysis is to identify and analyse facilitators and barriers to adoption of mHealth for the elderly. Methods Studies over the last year were identified in multiple database indices, and three reviewers examined abstracts (k = 0.82) and analysed articles for themes which were tallied in affinity diagrams to identify frequency of occurrence in the literature (n = 36). Results The three facilitators mentioned most often were independence (18%), understanding (13%), and visibility (13%). The three barriers mentioned most often were complexity (21%), limited by users (12%) and ineffective (12%). Discussion and conclusions The reviewers concluded that the work done so far illustrates that mHealth enables a perception of independence. Future research should focus on the barriers of complexity of technology and improving existing medical literacy in order to facilitate further adoption.