Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Flyback Rectifier With Spread Harmonic Spectrum

This paper presents a flyback switch-mode rectifier (SMR) with spread harmonic spectrum. The SMR switching control is conducted by a charge-regulated pulsewidth modulation (PWM) scheme with constant turn-on period. The inherently stable discontinuous conduction mode operation is preserved to yield good line drawn power quality. In voltage loop, a quantitatively designed PI feedback controller is augmented with a robust error cancellation control scheme. Further improved dc output voltage regulation and input power quality performances are achieved under varied operating conditions. In spread harmonic spectrum control, the harmonic spectral properties of the developed flyback SMR are first analyzed. Then, the dedicated random switching scheme is developed to let its switch current harmonic spectrum be dispersedly distributed. In the proposed random switching scheme, the PWM turn-off period is modulated using 1-b binary sequence, pseudo random binary sequence, and 4-b binary sequences. Under randomized harmonic spectrum, the SMR control performances are not sacrificed.
Regenerative Undeland Snubber Using a ZVS PWM DC–DC Auxiliary Converter Applied to Three-Phase Voltage-Fed Inverters

This paper proposes an energy regeneration circuit for three-phase voltage-fed inverters using a modified Undeland snubber. The proposed system uses a quasi-square-wave zero voltage switching dc-dc auxiliary converter to regenerate the energy from snubber capacitor to the dc bus. The regenerative circuit uses a single active switch, and it operates independently of the three-phase inverter. Operation stages, theoretical waveforms, and a design methodology are presented. Experimental results based on a 4.5-kVA three-phase inverter prototype are included to validate the proposed topology.
Home-based training to improve manual dexterity in patients with multiple sclerosis: A randomized controlled trial

Background: Impaired manual dexterity is frequent and disabling in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), affecting activities of daily living (ADL) and quality of life. Objective: We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a standardized, home-based training program to improve manual dexterity and dexterity-related ADL in MS patients. Methods: This was a randomized, rater-blinded controlled trial. Thirty-nine MS patients acknowledging impaired manual dexterity and having a pathological Coin Rotation Task (CRT), Nine Hole Peg Test (9HPT) or both were randomized 1:1 into two standardized training programs, the dexterity training program and the theraband training program. Patients trained five days per week in both programs over a period of 4 weeks. Primary outcome measures performed at baseline and after 4 weeks were the CRT, 9HPT and a dexterous-related ADL questionnaire. Secondary outcome measures were the Chedoke Arm and Hand Activity Inventory (CAHAI-8) and the JAMAR test. Results: The dexterity training program resulted in significant improvements in almost all outcome measures at study end compared with baseline. The theraband training program resulted in mostly non-significant improvements. Conclusion: The home-based dexterity training program significantly improved manual dexterity and dexterity-related ADL in moderately disabled MS patients. Trial Registration NCT01507636.
Dynamic Control and Diagnostic Friction Estimation for an SPMSM-Driven Satellite Reaction Wheel

This paper presents a robust dynamic control for a DSP-based satellite reaction wheel driven by a surface-mounted permanent-magnet synchronous motor and its friction estimation from the observed disturbance. In the proposed current control scheme, a proportional-plus-integral feedback controller is augmented with a resonant-based feedback controller and a robust tracking error cancellation controller to yield an excellent sinusoidal winding current command tracking control. The controller design considering compromised performances is conducted. As to the outer loop speed control scheme, the equivalent dynamic model parameters at the nominal case are first estimated, and accordingly, a feedback controller is designed to yield the defined reference response. As the changes of the system parameters and operating conditions occur, a simple robust speed error cancellation control scheme is developed to preserve the defined response trajectory. For a larger speed command change, the ramp command with a suited ramping rate is arranged to avoid long-duration control effort saturation. Meanwhile, an observed disturbance is obtained using a nominal inverse motor drive model, and it is employed to estimate the wheel frictional condition, which can be used in diagnosing the wheel mechanical healthy condition.
21/sup st/ century healthcare - the wireless panacea

Healthcare is an important industry that touches most, if not all of us. Healthcare is noted for using leading edge technologies and embracing new scientific discoveries to enable better cures for diseases and better means to enable early detection of most life threatening diseases. However, the healthcare industry globally, and in the US specifically, has been extremely slow to adopt technologies that focus on better practice management and administrative needs (Wickramasinghe and Mills 2001). In today's context of escalating costs in healthcare, managed care, regulations such as the Healthcare Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and a technology savvy patient, the healthcare industry can no longer be complacent regarding embracing technologies to enable better, more effective and efficient practice management. We believe such an environment is appropriate for the adoption of m-commerce or wireless solutions.
The occurrence of dystonia in upper-limb multiple sclerosis tremor

Background: The pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis (MS) tremor is uncertain with limited phenotypical studies available. Objective: To investigate whether dystonia contributes to MS tremor and its severity. Methods: MS patients (n = 54) with and without disabling uni- or bilateral upper limb tremor were recruited (39 limbs per group). We rated tremor severity, writing and Archimedes spiral drawing; cerebellar dysfunction (SARA score); the Global Dystonia Scale (GDS) for proximal and distal upper limbs, dystonic posturing, mirror movements, geste antagoniste, and writer’s cramp. Results: Geste antagoniste, mirror dystonia, and dystonic posturing were more frequent and severe (p < 0.001) and dystonia scores were correlated with tremor severity in tremor compared to non-tremor patients. A 1-unit increase in distal dystonia predicted a 0.52-Bain unit (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.08–0.97), p = 0.022) increase in tremor severity and a 1-unit (95% CI 0.48–1.6, p = 0.001) increase in drawing scores. A 1-unit increase in proximal dystonia predicted 0.93-Bain unit increase (95% CI 0.45–1.41, p < 0.001) in tremor severity and 1.5-units (95% CI 0.62–2.41, p = 0.002) increase in the drawing score. Cerebellar function in the tremor limb and tremor severity was correlated (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Upper limb dystonia is common in MS tremor suggesting that MS tremor pathophysiology involves cerebello-pallido-thalamo-cortical network dysfunction.
Menarche increases relapse risk in pediatric multiple sclerosis

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) predominantly affects women with a sex ratio of 3:1 in contrast with a 1:1 sex ratio seen in pre-pubertal onset. Thus, puberty may influence MS risk differentially in males and females. How puberty may be associated with MS clinical features and disease course remains unknown. Objective: The objective of this paper is to determine the association of menarche with disease course in girls with MS. Methods: This is a longitudinal retrospective study from the UCSF Regional Pediatric MS Center database. We categorized patients by time of disease onset: pre-menarche, peri-menarche and post-menarche. Poisson regression models were used for within-subject relapse analyses offset by follow-up time. Results: Seventy-six girls were included (pre-menarche onset = 17; peri-menarche onset = 9; post-menarche onset = 50). Age of menarche was similar in all groups (Kruskal-Wallis p = 0.19). Relapse rate was the same in all three groups during the first two years of follow-up. In girls with follow-up overlapping at least two time periods, within-subject analyses showed increased relapses during the peri-menarche compared to post-menarche period (adjusted IRR = 8.5, 95% CI 2.5–28.7, p = 0.001). Conclusion: Pubertal status may influence MS course at least in female patients. Understanding how puberty influences MS clinical features may offer new insights into important factors regulating disease processes.
Identification of the Genetic Basis for Clinical Menadione-Auxotrophic Small-Colony Variant Isolates of Staphylococcus aureus

ABSTRACT Small-colony variants (SCVs) of Staphylococcus aureus are associated with persistent infections and may be selectively enriched during antibiotic therapy. Three pairs of clonally related S. aureus isolates were recovered from patients receiving systemic antibiotic therapy. Each pair consisted of an isolate with a normal phenotype and an isolate with an SCV phenotype. These SCVs were characterized by reduced susceptibility to gentamicin, reduced hemolytic activity, slow growth, and menadione auxotrophy. Sequencing of the genes involved in menadione biosynthesis revealed mutations in menB, the gene encoding naphthoate synthase, in all three strains with the SCV phenotype. The menB mutations were (i) a 9-bp deletion from nucleotides 55 to 63, (ii) a frameshift mutation that resulted in a premature stop codon at position 230, and (iii) a point mutation that caused the amino acid substitution Gly to Val at codon 233. Fluctuation tests showed that growth-compensated mutants arose in the SCV population of one strain, strain OM1b, at a rate of 1.8 × 10−8 per cell per generation. Sequence analyses of 23 independently isolated growth-compensated mutants of this strain revealed alterations in the menB sequence in every case. These alterations included reversions to the wild-type sequence and intragenic second-site mutations. Each of the growth-compensated mutants showed a restoration of normal growth and a loss of menadione auxotrophy, increased susceptibility to gentamicin, and restored hemolytic activity. These data show that mutations in menB cause the SCV phenotype in these clinical isolates. This is the first report on the genetic basis of menadione-auxotrophic SCVs determined in clinical S. aureus isolates.
Teachers Dealing With the Death of Students: A Qualitative Analysis

In the year 2000, more than 20,000 school-aged children died in the United States. If one half of these children were attending school at the time of their deaths, over 10,000 classroom teachers had to deal with a loss. An extensive review of literature revealed a plethora of evidence that children needed, and were receiving, support when a classmate died. However, there was no evidence that the grief of the teacher had been acknowledged. Without recognition, there was probably little or no support made available. The purpose of this qualitative research study was to examine how teachers deal with the death of a student. A phenomenological approach was used to gain an understanding of the phenomenon. One-on-one interviews were conducted with 13 teachers in the state of Alabama. Using Miles and Huberman's meta-matrix, the researcher analyzed the data using a within-case analysis followed by a cross-case analysis. Results indicated that teachers do grieve when students die and that their faith and fellow teachers are the greatest source of support. Findings further indicated that teachers dealt with the death of a student by reaching out to the students and parents left behind.
Comparing Customer Trust in Virtual Salespersons With Customer Trust in Human Salespersons

Virtual salespersons (computer agents) act in a similar role in online stores as human salespersons act in physical stores. Customer trust in a salesperson is key in generating transactions and managing customer relationships. In this exploratory study, 44 participants used the services of both virtual and human salespersons in the same commercial store. Written protocols were collected by asking the participants open-ended questions regarding their comparative trust. This paper finds that similar to trust in a human salesperson, trust in a virtual salesperson contains trust in competence, benevolence, and integrity; however, the formation processes of trust in virtual salespersons, trust in human salespersons, distrust in virtual salespersons, and distrust in human salespersons are different. This paper theoretically outlines to what extent research on trust in computer agents can draw from literature on interpersonal trust. It practically contributes to our understanding of how to better design trustworthy virtual salespersons.
Short-Circuit and Ground Fault Analyses and Location in VSC-Based DC Network Cables

The application of high-power voltage-source converters (VSCs) to multiterminal dc networks is attracting research interest. The development of VSC-based dc networks is constrained by the lack of operational experience, the immaturity of appropriate protective devices, and the lack of appropriate fault analysis techniques. VSCs are vulnerable to dc-cable short-circuit and ground faults due to the high discharge current from the dc-link capacitance. However, faults occurring along the interconnecting dc cables are most likely to threaten system operation. In this paper, cable faults in VSC-based dc networks are analyzed in detail with the identification and definition of the most serious stages of the fault that need to be avoided. A fault location method is proposed because this is a prerequisite for an effective design of a fault protection scheme. It is demonstrated that it is relatively easy to evaluate the distance to a short-circuit fault using voltage reference comparison. For the more difficult challenge of locating ground faults, a method of estimating both the ground resistance and the distance to the fault is proposed by analyzing the initial stage of the fault transient. Analysis of the proposed method is provided and is based on simulation results, with a range of fault resistances, distances, and operational conditions considered.
In Vitro Activity of Ceftaroline against Streptococcus pneumoniae Isolates Exhibiting Resistance to Penicillin, Amoxicillin, and Cefotaxime

Ten to forty percent of bacteremic pneumococcal infections occur in hospitalized patients, with the respiratory tract being the main portal of entry ([2][1], [3][2]). Empirical therapy of hospital-acquired pneumonia should cover Streptococcus pneumoniae and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
Diversity of Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome mec Structures in Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus haemolyticus Strains among Outpatients from Four Countries

ABSTRACT In staphylococci, methicillin (meticillin) resistance (MR) is mediated by the acquisition of the mecA gene, which is carried on the size and composition variable staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). MR has been extensively studied in Staphylococcus aureus, but little is known about MR coagulase-negative staphylococci (MR-CoNS). Here, we describe the diversity of SCCmec structures in MR-CoNS from outpatients living in countries with contrasting environments: Algeria, Mali, Moldova, and Cambodia. Their MR-CoNS nasal carriage rates were 29, 17, 11, and 31%, respectively. Ninety-six MR-CoNS strains, comprising 75 (78%) Staphylococcus epidermidis strains, 19 (20%) Staphylococcus haemolyticus strains, 1 (1%) Staphylococcus hominis strain, and 1 (1%) Staphylococcus cohnii strain, were analyzed. Eighteen different SCCmec types were observed, with 28 identified as type IV (29%), 25 as type V (26%), and 1 as type III (1%). Fifteen strains (44%) were untypeable for their SCCmec. Thirty-four percent of MR-CoNS strains contained multiple ccr copies. Type IV and V SCCmec were preferentially associated with S. epidermidis and S. haemolyticus, respectively. MR-CoNS constitute a widespread and highly diversified MR reservoir in the community.
Design and Experiment of a Macro–Micro Planar Maglev Positioning System

In this paper, a new planar magnetic levitation (maglev) positioning system is proposed, which is capable of executing dual-axis planar motions purely involving magnetic forces. Functionally, such a mechanism behaves like a planar XY table with micrometer precision. Specifically, in this system, a new structure with an adaptive sliding-mode control (ASMC) algorithm is described, which aims to achieve the following three goals: 1) a large moving range (millimeter level); 2) precise positioning (micrometer level); and 3) fast response. The system consists of a moving carrier platform, six permanent magnets (PMs) attached to the carrier, and six electromagnets mounted on a fixed base. After exploring the characteristics of the magnetic forces between PMs and electromagnets, the general 6-DOF dynamic model of this system is derived and analyzed. Then, because of the naturally unstable behavior inherent in maglev systems, the proposed ASMC guarantees satisfactory performance of the maglev system. Experiments have successfully demonstrated the feasibility and effectiveness of the overall system.
Celiac disease and gluten-free diet.

Celiac disease is an autoimmunity inflammatory disorder of the small intestine caused by the ingestion of gluten in genetically predisposed individuals. The prevalence of the disorder is around 1 % of the Western population and is still increasing. The symptoms of celiac disease include chronic abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and growth retardation in children, and chronic fatigue and headache, bowel complaints, reduced fertility, dermatitis herpetiformis, osteoporosis, nerve and brain disorders, increasing risk of intestinal cancer. The clinical diagnosis of the disease is based on the serological tests and bowel biopsy. The treatment is a long-life gluten-free diet. It is necessary exclude from the diet wheat, rye, barley and probably oats and buckwheat and their products. The novel approaches for celiac disease are focused on the genetic manipulation of nontoxic gluten proteins, enzyme therapy, immune modulation, and induction of oral tolerance to gluten.
Environmental Shewanella xiamenensis Strains That Carry blaOXA-48 or blaOXA-204 Genes: Additional Proof for blaOXA-48-Like Gene Origin

The chromosome-encoded beta-lactamases of Shewanella spp. have been recognized as progenitors of bla OXA-48-like genes ([1][1]). The analysis of available genome sequences of Shewanella spp. showed the presence of bla OXA-48-like genes in their chromosome with at least 80% identity to bla OXA-48 ([2
Discovery of Antischistosomal Drug Leads Based on Tetraazamacrocyclic Derivatives and Their Metal Complexes

ABSTRACT Praziquantel (PZQ) is the only drug available for the treatment of schistosomiasis, and since its large-scale use might be associated with the onset of resistance, new antischistosomal drugs should be developed. A series of 26 synthetic tetraazamacrocyclic derivatives and their metal complexes were synthesized, characterized, and screened for antischistosomal activity by application of a phased screening program. The compounds were first screened against newly transformed schistosomula (NTS) of harvested Schistosoma mansoni cercariae, then against adult worms, and finally, in vivo using the mouse model of S. mansoni infection. At a concentration of 33 μM, incubation with a total of 12 compounds resulted in the mortality of NTS at the 62% to 100% level. Five of these showing 100% inhibition of viability of NTS at 10 μM were selected for further screening for determination of the 50 inhibitory concentrations (IC50s) against both NTS and adult worms. Against NTS, all 5 compounds showed IC50s comparable to the IC50 of the standard drug, PZQ (0.87 to 9.65 μM for the 5 compounds versus 2.20 μM for PZQ). Three of these, which are the bisquinoline derivative of cyclen and its Fe2+ and Mn2+ complexes, showed micromolar IC50s (1.62 μM, 1.34 μM, and 4.12 μM, respectively, versus 0.10 μM for PZQ) against adult worms. In vivo, the worm burden reductions were 12.3%, 88.4%, and 74.5%, respectively, at a single oral dose of 400 mg/kg of body weight. The Fe2+ complex exhibited activity in vivo comparable to that of PZQ, pointing to the discovery of a novel drug lead for schistosomiasis.
Novel Ranking System for Identifying Efficacious Anti-Influenza Virus PB2 Inhibitors

ABSTRACT Through antigenic drift and shifts, influenza virus infections continue to be an annual cause of morbidity in healthy populations and of death among elderly and at-risk patients. The emergence of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses such as H5N1 and H7N9 and the rapid spread of the swine-origin H1N1 influenza virus in 2009 demonstrate the continued need for effective therapeutic agents for influenza. While several neuraminidase inhibitors have been developed for the treatment of influenza virus infections, these have shown a limited window for treatment initiation, and resistant variants have been noted in the population. In addition, an older class of antiviral drugs for influenza, the adamantanes, are no longer recommended for treatment due to widespread resistance. There remains a need for new influenza therapeutic agents with improved efficacy as well as an expanded window for the initiation of treatment. Azaindole compounds targeting the influenza A virus PB2 protein and demonstrating excellent in vitro and in vivo properties have been identified. To evaluate the in vivo efficacy of these PB2 inhibitors, we utilized a mouse influenza A virus infection model. In addition to traditional endpoints, i.e., death, morbidity, and body weight loss, we measured lung function using whole-body plethysmography, and we used these data to develop a composite efficacy score that takes compound exposure into account. This model allowed the rapid identification and ranking of molecules relative to each other and to oseltamivir. The ability to identify compounds with enhanced preclinical properties provides an opportunity to develop more-effective treatments for influenza in patients.
Enterprise Architecture Implementation and Management: A Case Study on Interoperability

The focus of this study is to explore why public agencies implement enterprise architecture programs and the interoperability challenges they are faced with when governing these programs at different levels (vertical) and different functions (horizontal) of government. With a theoretical lens based on institutional theory from the political science field, the analysis shows that interoperability is not just a technical issue and that economic and political factors are just as important when implementing enterprise architecture programs in government. The findings suggest that implementing enterprise architectures in government challenge the way information systems are organized and governed in public agencies and calls for a broader definition of interoperability. The case study indicates that interoperability challenges arise because there is no overall coordination of different information systems initiatives in the health sector and because public hospitals have no economic and/or immediate political incentives to share data and business functionality with other organizations.