Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Novel signal injection methods for high speed self-sensing electrical drives

This paper proposes a novel self-sensing method for high speed electrical drives. Signal injection, measurement, filtering and demodulation stages are built in dedicated hardware, reducing the computational effort for the signal processor and removing any need to modify the drive inverter operation. Differential measurements make this method applicable for even very low saliency machines such as slotless permanent magnet machines. Different variations of the proposed method are explained on two different machine examples. Experimental results verify the applicability of the proposed method.
Analysis of resonant-type metamaterial transmission lines on the basis of their equivalent circuit models

In this paper, an exhaustive analysis of resonant type metamaterial transmission lines is carried out. Specifically, the effects of the dimensions and resonator characteristics on the frequency response are studied and interpreted to the light of the equivalent circuit model of the lines. This study is important for the application of these artificial lines to microwave circuit design, since important guidelines concerning device bandwidth can be inferred.
Development of a steering entropy method for evaluating driver workload

The authors have developed a steering entropy method to easily and accurately quantify the workload imposed on drivers who are engaged in activities apart from the normal driving operations of longitudinal and lateral control. A driver's steering behavior tends to become more discontinuous while performing an activity in addition to driving. To quantify these discontinuities, steering entropy values are obtained from a time-series history of steering angle data. A special-purpose driving simulator and a test procedure have been developed that allow workload evaluations to be conducted efficiently. The simulator and test procedure were used to evaluate the additional workload incurred by 14 different types of activities. The steering entropy results were compared with a dual task method as well as a subjective evaluation method. These results showed a high degree of correlation between the three approaches, which confirmed the validity of the steering entropy method as a means to quantify workload. Measurements were then made of progressively more difficult tasks. It was found that the steering entropy values increased in direct proportion to the degree of (subjective) task difficulty, which corroborated the high measurement accuracy of this method.
Atypical isolates of Brucella abortus from Canada and the United States characterized as dye sensitive with M antigen dominant

A total of 41 Brucella isolates, examined by standard biotyping procedures, were found to be similar to Brucella abortus biovar 2 in dye sensitivity but had a dominant M antigen. Oxidative metabolic tests performed on 39 of the isolates confirmed them as B. abortus. Additional biochemical and bacteriophage susceptibility studies were performed on 35 of the isolates. The isolates had identical reactions in the various tests, except for one isolate which was resistant to lysis by all phage strains used. Two isolates were injected into guinea pigs and shown to be virulent. The isolates described in this study appear similar to atypical Brucella isolates previously reported in the United Kingdom and the United States and may form the basis of a new biovar, B. abortus biovar 10.
Solid-state high voltage modulator with output control utilizing series-connected IGBTs

The design of a solid-state high voltage modulator has been developed that uses series-connected insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) to control the output voltage. Although having many potential applications, this high voltage modulator was designed to meet, at a minimum, the requirements of one of the power supplies required for depressed collector gyrotrons being used in electron cyclotron systems on devices performing experiments for fusion energy. Depending on the specific gyrotron, the output voltage is required to vary up to -80 kV with currents up to 100 A. In addition, square-wave modulation at frequencies up to 1 kHz is required. Four IGBTs are configured into a 2.4 kV IGBT module, and the number of IGBT modules that are connected in series is adjusted to meet the output voltage requirement. IGBT modules were successfully built and tested to verify the performance of the topology at 2.4 kV. The design of a -80 kV, 100 A modulator has been developed. The design is easily scalable for different applications and output voltages. A conceptual design was also developed for a -90 kV, 120 A power supply that has multiple intermediate taps to energize a multi-stage depressed collector gyrotron. This concept has twenty-four 4.5 kV, 120 A power supply modules that are connected in series. Each power supply module has three 2.4 kV IGBT modules, which provides sufficient voltage margin to support the additional voltage headroom needed for regulation and AC line fluctuations. If all of the power supply modules were equally sharing the total output voltage of -90 kV, then each module would be operating at -3.75 kV. The extra 18 kV of voltage margin adds the capability of reaching -90 kV with some of the modules putting out less than -3.75 kV. The description of the design of the IGBT modules and of the -80 kV, 100 A modulator will be presented. An overview of its adaptation to the concept for the power supply of the multi-stage depressed collector gyrotron will also be presented.
Four year follow up of fatigue in a geographically defined primary biliary cirrhosis patient cohort

Background and aims: Fatigue is the commonest symptom described by patients in most populations with the autoimmune liver disease primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), and appears to be unrelated to liver disease severity. At present, it is unclear how the fatigue experienced by patients (only characterised to date in cross sectional studies) evolves over time. In this study, we set out to address how fatigue had changed over four years of follow up in a geographically defined cohort of PBC patients who participated in an earlier cross sectional study of fatigue impact. Methods: Participants in the original 2000 study who were still alive in 2004 were asked to complete the same fatigue assessment tool (fatigue impact score, FIS). In those who had died between 2000 and 2004, medical notes, death certificates, and primary care records were reviewed. Results: A total of 108 of the original cohort of 136 patients were alive at the time of the follow up study, 99 of whom (92%) participated in the follow up study. With the exception of four patients who underwent transplantation between 2000 and 2004, all of whom showed significant improvement in fatigue severity as assessed by FIS, fatigue severity was unchanged over four years of follow up. Among the 28 patients who died during the follow up period, survival was significantly lower in patients who were fatigued at the 2000 baseline (FIS above the median for the whole PBC population (40/160); log rank test, p = 0.006 v non-fatigued patients at baseline). Increased fatigue severity was independently associated with decreased survival on multivariate analysis. Fatigued PBC subjects were significantly more likely to have suffered a cardiac death than non-fatigued patients. Conclusions: The fatigue phenotype appears to be highly stable in PBC. The presence of fatigue in PBC is independently associated with a significantly increased risk of death in general, and cardiac death in particular. Factors underpinning fatigue in PBC, and the mechanisms whereby fatigue is associated with increased mortality, warrant further study.
Like an Extra Virgin

In this article, I track the contemporary possibilities for the global circulation of extravirgin olive oil. Recent technoscientific discoveries about the health benefits of extravirgin olive oil combine with narratives about olive oil's “ancientness” and “naturalness” to make it a very successful food commodity in an era of global concern about the risks of “industrial” food. “The Mediterranean” has emerged as a culture area that is defined by food in two realms: in a scientific register (“the Mediterranean Diet”) and in contemporary gustatory discourses of distinction that imagine “the Mediterranean” as a site of delicious, “real” food as opposed to the industrial, processed food of the North Atlantic.
Dehydroepiandrosterone protects mice from endotoxin toxicity and reduces tumor necrosis factor production

Recent reports have demonstrated an immunomodulating activity of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) different from that described for glucocorticoids. The present study was designed to test DHEA's activity in endotoxic shock and to investigate its effect on endotoxin-induced production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Mortality of CD-1 mice exposed to a lethal dose of lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 800 micrograms per mouse) was reduced from 95 to 24% by treatment with a single dose of DHEA, given 5 min before LPS. LPS administration resulted in high levels of TNF, a response that was significantly blocked by DHEA, both in vivo and in vitro. DHEA treatment also reduced LPS-induced increments in serum corticosterone levels, a parameter considered not to be mediated by TNF. In another experimental model, mice sensitized with D-galactosamine, followed by administration of recombinant human TNF, were subjected to 89% mortality rate, which was reduced to 55% in DHEA-treated mice. These data show that DHEA protects mice from endotoxin lethality. The protective effect is probably mediated by reduction of TNF production as well as by effecting both TNF-induced and non-TNF-induced phenomena.
Service level agreements: an ontological approach

This paper describes an ontology based Service Level Agreement formalisation. OWL and SWRL are chosen to express the ontologies. Use of the ontologies, discussing Ontology Adoption, SLA Instance Creation and Validation is given, followed by a breakdown and discussion of the concepts. Ontologies are grouped by generality and diagrammatic representations are given. The SLA ontology is discussed in context of the telecommunications domain.
"Norantz" datu-basea: Aurkezpena eta aditz komunztadurako datuak

Lan honetan Baionan 2009-2011 bitartean gauzatu den NORANTZ datu-basearen aurkezpena dakargu, bidenabar haren bidez iker daitekeen gramatika puntu bat --pertsona komunztadura anizkuna-- testuinguru adierazgarrietan aztertuz. Datu-basearen helburua da Iparraldeko egungo euskal hiztun arrunten gramatika jokabide nagusiak biltzea, eskualde horretako euskara biziaren, edo, bestela adieraziz, honen oinarrian diren gramatikazko joeren irudi bat izateko. Lanaren lehen partean, datu-basearen aurkezpen orokorra egiten dugu, eta hau sortzeko izan diren arrazoiak eta erabili den metodologia azaltzen, datu-basearen mugak erakustearekin batera. Bigarren partean, gramatika ezaugarri abstraktu bati begiratu diogu: pertsona komunztadura anizkuna Iparraldeko egungo hiztunetan zenbateraino gauzatzen den aztertu dugu, euskararen morfojoskeraren ezaugarri nabarmena delako, eta euskararen historian euskalkien arabera molde desberdinetan gauzatu dena.
e-Business Design - A Shift to Adaptability

A method and system for initializing cable modems with dynamic protocol servers is provided. The method and system allow a dynamic protocol server such as a dynamic Trivial File Transfer Protocol ("TFTP") server to override a request for a standard configuration file whose name is supplied to a cable modem in a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol ("DHCP") response message during initialization. Instead, the dynamic TFTP server identifies a cable modem by performing a reverse Domain Name System lookup of an Internet Protocol address used for the cable modem. Based on the determined identity for the cable modem, the dynamic TFTP server constructs a new configuration file specifically for the cable modem and transfers it to the cable modem. The new configuration file is different from the default configuration file originally requested by the cable modem. Creating a new configuration file with a dynamic protocol server allows greater flexibility for configuring cable modems in a data-over-cable system.
Broadband air-filled SIW to waveguide transition for interconnect, instrumentation and measurement applications

This paper presents a broadband transition from a standard waveguide to an air-filled substrate integrate waveguide (AFSIW). The proposed transition can be used to interconnect low-cost and high performance AFSIW based microwave and millimeter-wave substrate integrated circuits with waveguide systems. For instrumentation and measurement purposes, a test-fixture based on the reported transition is introduced. A back to back experimental validation of the transition in the 16 to 22 GHz frequency range, shows a return loss of better than −25 dB and an insertion loss of 0.12 ±0.05 dB (0.06 ±0.05 dB per transition).
Kinetic Characterization of Newly Discovered Inhibitors of Various Constructs of Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus-1 (HTLV-1) Protease and Their Effect on HTLV-1-Infected Cells

Background Human T-cell leukemia virus-1 (HTLV-1) was the first identified human retrovirus and was shown to be associated with diseases such as adult T-cell leukemia lymphoma and tropical spastic paraparesis/HTLV-1 associated myelopathy. Retroviral proteases (PRs) are essential for viral replication by processing viral Gag and Gag-(Pro)-Pol polyproteins during maturation. Full-length HTLV-1 PR is 125 residues long; whether the C-terminal region is required for catalytic activity is still controversial. In this study, we characterized the effect of C-terminal amino acids of HTLV-1 PR for PR activity and examined the binding of compounds identified by in silico screening. One compound showed inhibition against the virus in infected cells. Methods Truncated (116-, 121- and 122-residue) forms of HTLV-1 PR were prepared and proteins from expression of the genes were purified. In silico screening was performed by docking small molecules into the active site of HTLV-1 PR. The kinetic constants k cat , K m , k cat /K m and inhibition constants K i for inhibitors identified by the computational screening were determined. Western blot and ELISA analyses were used to determine the effect of the most potent PR inhibitors on HTLV-1 protein processing in infected cells. Results The constructs showed similar catalytic efficiency constants (k cat /K m ); thus HTLV-1 PR C-terminal amino acids are not essential for full activity. Computational screening revealed new PR inhibitors and some were shown to be inhibitory in enzyme assays. In HTLV-1-infected cells, one of the small molecules inhibited HTLV-1 gag cleavage and decreased the amount of HTLV-1 p19 produced in the cells. Conclusions We have identified an HTLV-1 PR inhibitor that is biologically functional. Inhibitor screening will continue to develop possible drugs for therapy of HTLV-1 infection.
Speckle noise reduction for ultrasonic images

This paper presents a method to enhance ultrasonic images that are commonly plagued with a special type of acoustic noise called speckles. To reduce the noise effect, filters such as the weighted median filter, adaptive trimmed mean filter, two dimensional weighted Savitzky-Golay filter (2D-WSGF) have been studied. We have found that 2D-WSGF has the best image restoration quality. Based on the least squares fitting of a polynomial function to image intensities, 2D-WSGF can preserve edges while performing noise reduction. However, 2D-WSGF requires a relatively large fixed mask, which inevitably incurs unnecessary computation cost. In this paper, a variable-mask approach is presented to improve the computation performance and the restored image quality of the 2D-WSGF. Advantage of using variable mask size is that computation time for filtering can be greatly saved at the expense of relatively little computations needed for detecting bumpy regions and estimating the corresponding mask size.
Based on disturbance observer of Air Cushion Vehicle course sliding backstepping control

As far as the Air Cushion Vehicle (ACV) movement is concerned, established the nonlinear motion equations of the course and propose a sliding backstepping control algorithm base on the perturbation observer, according to the idea of backstepping recursive design, a robust variable-structure control system is used in each step to stabilize the control system what is unnecessary to adopt adaptive adjustment parameters in backstepping design, which reduces the amount of system computation. The chattering problem is reduced by using the perturbation observer. Through the application of ACV course control system, it can be seen from the simulation results that the ACV under the model uncertainties and external disturbance, the system with perturbation observer use sliding backstepping controller, design of the control law guarantees the stability of the closed-loop system and can be better observed interference to reduce output of the controller, improve the performance of the system, so it is better control effect than without observer control. Of course it can be accurate for the course control at the high movement speed.
Tunicamycin‐mediated depletion of insulin receptors in 3T3‐L1 adipocytes

Tunicamycin, an antibiotic that inhibits protein glycosylation, elicited a rapid depletion of insulin binding activity at the surface of 3T3‐L1 adipocytes. Disappearance of insulin receptors occurred more rapidly in the presence of tunicamycin than when protein synthesis was inhibited by cycloheximide and was accompanied by a diminution in sensitivity of the adipocytes to the acute effects of insulin and anit‐insulin receptor antibody on hexose uptake and metabolism.
Role-Reversal Exercise with Deaf Strong Hospital to Teach Communication Competency and Cultural Awareness

Objective. To implement a role-reversal exercise to increase first-year pharmacy students' awareness of communication barriers in the health care setting, especially for deaf and hard-of-hearing patients. Design. Volunteers from the local deaf community conducted Deaf Strong Hospital, a role-reversal exercise in which students were the “patients. ” Students navigated through a reception area, encounter with a physician, and having a prescription filled at a pharmacy without receiving or using any spoken language. Assessment. A debriefing session was held in which small groups of students had the opportunity to ask questions of a panel of deaf and hard-of-hearing volunteers. On a survey administered to assess students' learning, 97% agreed or strongly agreed that the experience would likely impact their attitudes and behavior in future interactions with patients who did not speak English. Conclusions. The role-reversal exercise was an effective method of teaching students that the delivery of health care is dependent on adequate communication between health care providers and the patient.
Percutaneous absorption of organic sunscreens

The increased awareness of protection against skin cancer has led to a rise in the use of topically applied chemical sunscreen agents. There is a concern about the systemic absorption of organic filters in sunscreen formulations. The present study briefly reviews theoretical models for the prediction of the percutaneous penetration of the organic molecules and the accepted methods for the in vitro and in vivo evaluations of the penetration. The influence of the vehicle and the formulation viscosity on the penetration of sunscreens are examined. The development of novel methods for the minimization of sunscreen absorption is also discussed.
New bit rate reduction techniques for block truncation coding

Two simple and fast block truncation coding algorithms which require reduced bit rates are presented in this paper. The proposed algorithms are compared with the modified block truncation coding technique (MBTC) with regard to the mean square error (MSE), bit rates and subjective quality of the reconstructed images. It is found that the results obtained with the proposed algorithms at reduced bit rates are comparable to those obtained with the MBTC. Further, it is shown that one of the proposed algorithms yields results which are comparable to those achieved with more complex hybrid algorithms.
PI3Kγ Is a Key Regulator of Inflammatory Responses and Cardiovascular Homeostasis

Class I phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling pathways regulate several important cellular functions, including cellular growth, division, survival, and movement. Class IB PI3K (also known as PI3Kγ) links heterotrimeric GTP-binding protein–coupled receptors to these pathways. Activation of class IB PI3K results in the rapid synthesis of phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate [PtdIns(3,4,5)P3] and its dephosphorylation product PtdIns(3,4)P2 in the plasma membrane. These two lipid messengers bind to pleckstrin homology domain–containing effectors that regulate a complex signaling web downstream of receptor activation. Characteristic features of this pathway are the regulation of protein kinases and the regulation of small guanosine triphosphatases that control cellular movement, adhesion, contraction, and secretion. Most of the ligands that activate class IB PI3K are involved in coordinating the body's response to injury and infection, and recent studies suggest that small molecule inhibitors of this enzyme may represent a novel class of anti-inflammatory therapeutic agents.
Structural domains within the HIV‐1 mRNA and the ribosomal protein S25 influence cap‐independent translation initiation

The 5′ leader of the HIV‐1 genomic RNA is a multifunctional region that folds into secondary/tertiary structures that regulate multiple processes during viral replication including translation initiation. In this work, we examine the internal ribosome entry site (IRES) located in the 5′ leader that drives translation initiation of the viral Gag protein under conditions that hinder cap‐dependent translation initiation. We show that activity of the HIV‐1 IRES relies on ribosomal protein S25 (eS25). Additionally, a mechanistic and mutational analysis revealed that the HIV‐1 IRES is modular in nature and that once the 40S ribosomal subunit is recruited to the IRES, translation initiates without the need of ribosome scanning. These findings elucidate a mechanism of initiation by the HIV‐1 IRES whereby a number of highly structured sites present within the HIV‐1 5′ leader leads to the recruitment of the 40S subunit directly at the site of initiation of protein synthesis.
Antibiotics, birth mode, and diet shape microbiome maturation during early life

A longitudinal study of intestinal microbiota in children and their mothers shows that antibiotics, cesarean section, and infant formula alter patterns of microbial acquisition and succession during the first 2 years of childhood. Snapshots of the developing infant gut microbiota The intestinal “microbiota,” that is, the community of microbes inhabiting the human intestinal tract, undergoes many changes during the first 2 years of life. Bokulich et al. now show that this pattern of development is altered in children who are delivered by cesarean section, fed formula, or treated with antibiotics, compared to those babies who were born vaginally, breast-fed, or unexposed to antibiotics. Future studies will determine whether these disturbances influence the health of these babies. Early childhood is a critical stage for the foundation and development of both the microbiome and host. Early-life antibiotic exposures, cesarean section, and formula feeding could disrupt microbiome establishment and adversely affect health later in life. We profiled microbial development during the first 2 years of life in a cohort of 43 U.S. infants and identified multiple disturbances associated with antibiotic exposures, cesarean section, and formula feeding. These exposures contributed to altered establishment of maternal bacteria, delayed microbiome development, and altered α-diversity. These findings illustrate the complexity of early-life microbiome development and its sensitivity to perturbation.