Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Performance evaluation of two level unidirectional PWM rectifiers employing space vector modulation (SVM) technique

Performance evaluation of two levels unidirectional PWM rectifiers employing space vector modulation will be discussed in this proposed work. A methodology for the use of this modulation is proposed and applied in different group of rectifier. For each group of rectifier the converter switching techniques are analyzed to determine switch control signals for space vector modulation. One switching sequence is proposed for all rectifiers in order to minimize the number of switch commutations and reduce the switching losses thereby improving performance of the converter. Switching sequences are determined and performed by a simple space vector pulse width modulation. Two level converter topology is introduced in order to maintain constant output voltage and reduce the number of sensors and controllers. To evaluate the proposed modulation techniques, simulations results have been presented for low and medium power applications.
Planktonic contact rates in homogeneous isotropic turbulence: theoretical predictions and kinematic simulations.

The key role played by turbulence in the environment of plankton and larval fish populations has become appreciated in recent years. In particular, the turbulent enhancement of encounter rates between different species of microorganisms, either swimming or passively advected by the flow, is well established. However, most of the current modelling approaches are rather ad hoc, giving rise to ambiguities in the specification of certain key parameters. In this paper, the encounter problem in a turbulent flow of large Reynolds number is re-examined from first principles and a number of new formulae will be established for different swimming strategies. The key innovation is the proposal of a model form for the conditional joint probability density function of predator and prey velocities when the organisms are separated by their given contact radius, R. Particular attention will be paid to the case when a microorganism follows a random trajectory, due to a combination of its own swimming and the action of the flow. The theoretical predictions are subsequently tested against corresponding quantities derived from a series of kinematic simulations of a turbulent-like flow field. Good agreement is demonstrated between the predictions and simulations.
Functional Inhibition by Methadone of N-Methyl-d-Aspartate Receptors Expressed in Xenopus Oocytes: Stereospecific and Subunit Effects

Methadone is a strong opioid analgesic that is finding increasing use in chronic pain therapeutics. We explored its reported efficacy for inhibiting N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in a functional electrophysiologic assay (Xenopus laevis oocyte expression). Racemic methadone inhibited all subtypes of rat NMDA receptors with derived 50% inhibitory concentrations in the low micromolar range. These concentrations overlap with clinically achievable concentrations reported in pharmacokinetic studies. In contrast, morphine inhibited these functional ion channels only at 8–16 times larger concentrations. The NR1/2A and NR1/2B subtype combinations were in general significantly more sensitive to inhibition by methadone and morphine compared with the NR1/2C and NR1/2D subtypes. In the presence of racemic methadone, the maximum NMDA-stimulated currents were markedly decreased, but the NMDA concentration producing 50% of maximal activation was altered only slightly, indicating that methadone blocks by a noncompetitive mechanism. Although stereoisomers of methadone showed minimal stereoselectivity in most subtypes, R(−) methadone was highly selective in its inhibition of the NR1/2A combination. These results provide further functional data describing the NMDA receptor inhibitory actions of methadone and support the hypothesis that methadone acts through both opioid and NMDA receptor mechanisms.
The Expression and Clinical Significance of GTP-Binding RAS-Like 3 (ARHI) and MicroRNA 221 and 222 in Prostate Cancer

Globally, prostate cancer is the most common malignancy among men and there is no biomarker for defining tumour invasion and progression. Guanosine-5′-triphosphate (GTP)-binding RAS-like 3 (ARHI) is a tumour suppressor gene that has been found to be downregulated in the prostate cancer cell line PC-3. MicroRNA 221 and 222 have been shown to regulate ARHI expression negatively. This study evaluated tissue samples from patients with prostate cancer (n = 35) that were designated as aggressive or non-aggressive according to their Gleason grade. Expression of ARHI and microRNA 221 and 222 was measured by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The level of ARHI mRNA was significantly lower in aggressive compared with nonaggressive prostate cancer tissue samples. In contrast, microRNA 221 and 222 levels were significantly higher in aggressive compared with non-aggressive prostate cancer tissue samples. Whether ARHI and microRNA 221 and 222 could be considered as biomarkers for disease progression in prostate cancer requires further investigation.
Do crystal structures obviate the need for theoretical models of GPCRs for structure‐based virtual screening?

Recent highly expected structural characterizations of agonist‐bound and antagonist‐bound beta‐2 adrenoreceptor (β2AR) by X‐ray crystallography have been widely regarded as critical advances to enable more effective structure‐based discovery of GPCRs ligands. It appears that this very important development may have undermined many previous efforts to develop 3D theoretical models of GPCRs. To address this question directly, we have compared several historical β2AR models versus the inactive state and nanobody‐stabilized active state of β2AR crystal structures in terms of their structural similarity and effectiveness of use in virtual screening for β2AR specific agonists and antagonists. Theoretical models, incluing both homology and de novo types, were collected from five different groups who have published extensively in the field of GPCRs modeling. All models were built before X‐ray structures became available. In general, β2AR theoretical models differ significantly from the crystal structure in terms of TMH definition and the global packing. Nevertheless, surprisingly, several models afforded hit rates resulting from virtual screening of large chemical library enriched by known β2AR ligands that exceeded those using X‐ray structures. The hit rates were particularly higher for agonists. Furthemore, the screening performance of models is associated with local structural quality, such as the RMSDs for binding pocket residues and the ability to capture accurately, most if not all critical protein/ligand interactions. These results suggest that carefully built models of GPCRs could capture critical chemical and structural features of the binding pocket, and thus may be even more useful for practical structure‐based drug discovery than X‐ray structures. Proteins 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Salmonella Enteritidis Lipopolysaccharide Biosynthesis Gene rfbH is Required for Survival in Egg Albumen

Salmonella Enteritidis is still a major cause of human food borne infections and can be associated with the consumption of meat and chicken eggs. It is the world’s most common cause of salmonellosis in part because it has the ability to colonize the oviduct and contaminate eggs. It was shown that when stored at room temperature, S. Enteritidis bacteria can multiply extensively in contaminated eggs. Using the in vivo expression technology, it was shown that the rfbH gene, involved in lipopolysaccharide O‐antigen synthesis, is transcriptionally induced during growth in whole eggs at room temperature. A S. Enteritidis ΔrfbH strain was unable to multiply in eggs at room temperature and did not survive in egg white at 42°C. The attenuation was most likely caused by an increased susceptibility of the ΔrfbH mutant to yet undefined antibacterial components of the egg albumen.
Salvia Officinalis L.: Composition and Antioxidant-related Activities of a Crude Extract and Selected Sub-fractions

The composition and antioxidant properties of a methanol: acetic acid (99:1, v/v) soluble crude extract isolated from S. officinalis L. leaves through maceration and selected fractions isolated thereof are presented in this study. The total phenol content was estimated as gallic acid equivalents, whilst qualitative-quantitative phenolic content was determined using high performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection. Antioxidant evaluation consisted of ferric reductive capacity and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and hydroxyl free radical scavenging determinations. The crude extract contained hydroxybenzoic acids, hydroxycinnamic acids, flavonoids and diterpenoids, whilst caffeic acid, carnosic acid, luteolin, luteolin-7-O-glucoside and rosmarinic acid were identified from their chromatographic and spectral characteristics and quantified from their respective calibration curves. The crude extract and sub-fractions demonstrated varying degrees of efficacy in the antioxidant-related assays used, except the n-hexane fraction, which was unable to reduce iron(III) at reasonable concentrations. Although the positive controls, ascorbic acid, BHA and BHT, were more potent than the S. officinalis samples, two fractions were significantly (p < 0.05) more potent iron(III) reducing agents than pycnogenol, a proanthocyanidin-rich commercial preparation.
Tardy Flow Scheduling in Data Center Networks

Query response times are critical for cluster computing applications in data centers. In this letter, we argue that to optimize the network performance, we should consider the latency of the flows suffered loss, which are called tardy flows. We propose two tardy flow scheduling algorithms and show that our work offers significant performance gains through performance analysis and simulations. key words: compute clusters, data center networks, flow completion time, flow scheduling
Pilates improves pain, function and quality of life in patients with chronic low back pain: a randomized controlled trial

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of pilates method on patients with chronic non-specific low back pain (LBP). Method: A randomized controlled trial was carried out in sixty patients with a diagnosis of chronic non-specific LBP. Patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups: Experimental Group (EG) that maintained medication treatment with use of NSAID and underwent treatment with the pilates method and Control Group (CG) that continue medication treatment with use of NSAID and did not undergo any other intervention. A blinded assessor performed all evaluations at baseline (T0), after 45, 90, and 180 days (T45, T90 and T180) for: pain (VAS), function (Roland Morris questionnaire), quality of life (SF-36), satisfaction with treatment (Likert scale), flexibility (sit and reach test) and NSAID intake. Results: The groups were homogeneous at baseline. Statistical differences favoring the EG were found with regard to pain (P < 0.001), function (P < 0.001) and the quality of life domains of functional capacity (P < 0.046), pain (P < 0.010) and vitality (P < 0.029). Statistical differences were also found between groups regarding the use of pain medication at T45, T90 and T180 (P < 0.010), with the EG taking fewer NSAIDs than the CG. Conclusions: The pilates method can be used by patients with LBP to improve pain, function and aspects related to quality of life (functional capacity, pain and vitality). Moreover, this method has no harmful effects on such patients.
UPFC damping controller design using multi-objective evolutionary algorithms

In this paper, modified non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm-II (MNSGA-II)-based optimal damping control of unified power flow controller (UPFC) has been designed to enhance the damping of low frequency oscillations in power systems. The robust damping of UPFC controller design is formulated as a multi-objective optimisation problem, thereby minimising the integral squared error (ISE) of speed deviation and input control signal (u) under a wide range of operating conditions. The effectiveness of the proposed controller is confirmed through nonlinear time domain simulation and Eigen value analysis. The results are compared with NSGA-II and conventional method. Simulation result reveals that the obtained Pareto-front using MNSGA-II-based UPFC controllers are better and uniformly distributed due to the controlled elitism and dynamic crowding distance concepts. The proposed modulation index of shunt inverter (mE)-based damping controller is superior to the other damping controllers under different loading conditions and improves the stability of system.
Physical association between STAT 1 and the interferon-inducible protein kinase PKR and implications for interferon and double-stranded RNA signaling pathways multimeric IFN-stimulated gene factor-3 ( ISGF-3 )

multimeric IFN-stimulated gene factor-3 (ISGF-3), which Andrew Hoi-Tao Wong, Nancy Wai Ning Tam, consists of the STAT1α/β (p91/p84) heterodimer, STAT2 Yi-Li Yang1, Andrew R.Cuddihy, Suiyang Li, (p113) (Fu et al., 1992) and ISGF-3γ (p48) (Veals et al., Sabine Kirchhoff2, Hansjörg Hauser2, 1992). Once ISGF-3 has translocated to the nucleus Thomas Decker3 and Antonis E.Koromilas4 (Kessler et al., 1992), it binds to the IFN-stimulated
Drugs as P-glycoprotein substrates, inhibitors, and inducers

In humans, there are two P-glycoprotein (P-gp) transporters encoded by MDR1 (PGY1) and MDR3 (also named MDR2 and PGY3) adjacently located at the chromosomal region 7q21 [1][2]. The encoded gene pro.
REDD+ Crossroads Post Paris: Politics, Lessons and Interplays

This article introduces the special issue “REDD+ crossroads post Paris: politics, lessons and interplays”. The contributions to the special issue demonstrate, first, that REDD+ design in the studied countries has generally lacked social legitimacy and sidelined key actors that have an important role in shaping land-use sector dynamics. Second, they show that REDD+ early actions have tended to oversimplify local realities and have been misaligned with other policy goals and local needs. Third, REDD+ efforts have remained constrained to the forestry or climate mitigation policy sectors and have thus suffered from a lack of harmonization across local, national and international concerns, specifically of contradictory policy. As REDD+ moves from its preparedness to its implementation phase, more research efforts should be aimed at analysing the power relations that underpin and determine the design and implementation of REDD+ policies and actions, the potential for and limits to the vertical and horizontal harmonization of land-use policies and management, and the processes of resistance to or accommodation of REDD+ practices on the ground. In doing so, we advocate for multi-and transdisciplinary research that does not take for granted the benefits of REDD+ and which critically scrutinizes the multiple goals of this ambitious international policy framework, and where it sits within the broader Paris Agreement implementation agenda.
Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy as a Treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Pilot Study

Objective: The irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic and often disabling functional bowel disorder. Psychological treatments, in particular cognitive and behavioural interventions, have been shown to be effective for this disorder. The aim of this study was to test the efficacy of a cognitive-behaviour program. Method: Eight participants (seven female, one male) aged between 24 and 71 years, with a diagnosis of IBS according to the Rome criteria, were recruited from among the gastroenterology outpatients at Nepean Hospital, in Sydney, Australia. Participants were administered pretreatment on measures of psychological function and bowel symptom severity. Following a 2-week baseline period, participants began a structured psychological treatment comprising eight sessions of cognitive-behaviour therapy. Throughout treatment, participants maintained daily records of symptom severity and completed homework assignments to ensure treatment compliance. The pretreatment assessment measures were repeated 1 week post-treatment. Results: After treatment, five of the eight patients no longer met the Rome diagnostic criteria for IBS. There was no significant reduction in bowel symptom frequency. There were, however, significant improvements in the distress and disability associated with bowel symptoms. Anxiety and depression were also significantly reduced. Conclusions: Cognitive-behaviour therapy reduced the distress and disability associated with IBS, but not the frequency of bowel symptoms. This supports the proposed cognitive model for IBS, and cognitive-behaviour therapy appears to have its effect by altering the cognitive response to visceral hypersensitivity.
Cell cycle arrest and release in starfish oocytes and eggs.

Immature starfish oocytes are arrested at the prophase of meiosis I. Once released from this arrest, meiotic maturation proceeds to the completion of meiosis II in the absence of fertilization, resulting in a second arrest at the female pronucleus stage. This article discusses how Cdc2 kinase is activated in response to the hormone 1-methyladenine at the release from the meiotic prophase arrest, and how MAP kinase is involved in the arrest at the female pronucleus stage. The experimental findings reveal both generality and divergence in the initial Cdc2 kinase activation pathway and in the role of MAP kinase signaling.
Cancer Risk Perceptions, Beliefs, and Physician Avoidance in Appalachia: Results from the 2008 HINTS Survey

Appalachians experience increased rates of cancer incidence and mortality and high-risk health behaviors. Additionally, Appalachians are often characterized by lower socioeconomic status, geographic isolation, and cultural beliefs such as fatalism. The purpose of this descriptive analysis is to identify cancer-related risk perceptions, beliefs, and physician avoidance behaviors among Appalachians as compared with non-Appalachians using data from the National Cancer Institute's 2008 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS), which contained a newly created “Appalachia” variable. Results suggest that compared with non-Appalachians, Appalachians have a significantly higher perceived risk of developing cancer in the future and are significantly more likely to associate cancer with death; believe individuals can tell they have cancer before a diagnosis; believe everything causes cancer; and admit to avoiding their physician even when they suspect they should plan a visit. Both Appalachians and non-Appalachians share similar mistaken beliefs about cancer prevention, screening, and curability, and frustration over the abundance of cancer prevention recommendations. In a geographic region recognized for cancer health disparities, development of tailored communication strategies and educational interventions designed to increase cancer knowledge may help to accurately explain cancer risk and incidence, dispel negative cancer beliefs, and promote a positive image of the doctor–patient relationship.
Motion of a nano-spheroid in a cylindrical vessel flow: Brownian and hydrodynamic interactions

We study the motion of a buoyant or a nearly neutrally buoyant nano-sized spheroid in a fluid filled tube without or with an imposed pressure gradient (weak Poiseuille flow). The fluctuating hydrodynamics approach and the deterministic method are both employed. We ensure that the fluctuation–dissipation relation and the principle of thermal equipartition of energy are both satisfied. The major focus is on the effect of the confining boundary. Results for the velocity and the angular velocity autocorrelations (VACF and AVACF), the diffusivities and the drag and the lift forces as functions of the shape, the aspect ratio, the inclination angle and the proximity to the wall are presented. For the parameters considered, the boundary modifies the VACF and AVACF such that three distinct regimes are discernible – an initial exponential decay followed by an algebraic decay culminating in a second exponential decay. The first is due to the thermal noise, the algebraic regime is due both to the thermal noise and the hydrodynamic correlations, while the second exponential decay shows the effect of momentum reflection from the confining wall. Our predictions display excellent comparison with published results for the algebraic regime (the only regime for which earlier results exist). We also discuss the role of the off-diagonal elements of the mobility and the diffusivity tensors that enable the quantifications of the degree of lift and margination of the nanocarrier. Our study covers a range of parameters that are of wide applicability in nanotechnology, microrheology and in targeted drug delivery.
Mechanisms of acid‐induced activation of airway afferent nerve fibres in guinea‐pig

The mechanisms underlying the response of airway afferent nerves to low pH were investigated in an isolated guinea‐pig airway nerve preparation. Extracellular recordings were made from single jugular or nodose vagal ganglion neurons that projected their sensory fibers into the airways. The airway tissue containing the mechanically sensitive receptive fields was exposed into acidic solutions. Rapid and transient (∼3 s) administration of 1 mm citric acid to the receptive field consistently induced action potential discharge in nociceptive C‐fibers (41/44) and nodose Aδ fibres (29/30) that are rapidly adapting low threshold mechanosensors (RAR‐like fibres). In contrast, citric acid activated only 8/17 high threshold mechanosensitive jugular Aδ fibres. The RAR‐like fibres were slightly more sensitive than C‐fibres to acidic solutions (pH threshold > 6.7). The RAR‐like fibres response to the ∼3 s acid treatment was not affected by a vanilloid receptor 1 (VR1) antagonist, capsazepine (10 μM), and was rapidly inactivating (action potential discharge terminated before the acid administration was completed). Gradual reduction of pH did not activate the RAR‐like fibres even when the pH was reduced to ∼5.0. The C‐fibres responded to the gradual reduction of pH with persistent action potential discharge that was nearly abolished by capsazepine (10 μM) and inhibited by over 70% with another VR1 antagonist iodo‐resiniferatoxin (1 μM). In contrast the C‐fibre response to the transient ∼3 s exposure to pH ∼5.0 was not affected by the VR1 antagonists. We conclude that activation of guinea‐pig airway afferents by low pH is mediated by both slowly and rapidly inactivating mechanisms. We hypothesize that the slowly inactivating mechanism, present in C‐fibres but not in RAR‐like fibres, is mediated by VR1. The rapidly inactivating mechanism acts independently of VR1, has characteristics similar to acid sensing ion channels (ASICs) and is found in the airway terminals of both C‐fibres and RAR‐like fibres.