Search

Thermal regulators are devices that can adopt either the role of a thermal insulator or a thermal conductor, depending on the thermal input conditions, and play an increasingly important role in thermal management systems. In this study, we developed and tested a new passive thermal regulator design that operates around room temperature and achieves high switching ratios. Our regulator is structurally integer, scalable, orientation-independent, resistant to vibration, and can be easily integrated into existing thermal management solutions. The working principle of the passive regulator is simple yet effective, whereby an aluminum plug attached to a bimetallic strip enters and exists a wedge-shaped gap between two conductors. We demonstrate a switching ratio of ≈ 50 (- 8 + 34) :1 for a fully packaged prototype (≈ 320 (± 200):1 for a non-packaged regulator) operated in the open laboratory environment. Through geometric optimization using numerical simulations, we show that a switching ratio of ≈ 100 (- 15 + 18) :1 can be easily obtained, which can be further increased by increasing the cross-sectional area of the input conductor, hence increasing the ON-state heat transfer rate. The OFF-state thermal performance is much less sensitive to the size of the conductor, making the device highly scalable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Pulse regulators are widely used to match the output resistance of the source with the load resistance in order to ensure the possibility of taking maximum power when the value of the load resistance changes. Problem. In the case of using nontraditional and renewable sources of electrical energy, for a more uniform supply of energy to the load, a battery is often connected to the output of the pulse regulator, which works in buffer mode. In such cases, the load for the pulse regulator will be the battery itself, and the role of the source load will be performed by the input resistance of the regulator. To ensure the mode of operation of the pulse regulator, in which the maximum power will be transmitted from the source to the load, it is necessary to know the regulating characteristics of the regulator. There are works that analyze the regulating characteristics of step-up and step-down pulse regulators, which are used to match the load with the output resistance of the source. At the same time, for the same purpose, pulse regulators of the step-up and step-down type can be used. Goal. The purpose of the work is to analyze the features of the operation of step-up and step-down type pulse regulators in the mode of maximum power transmission from the source to the battery, as well as to determine the conditions under which it is possible and appropriate to use such regulators for the specified purpose. Methodology. The regulating characteristics of step-up and step-down type pulse regulators with sequential and parallel switching on of the controlled key were determined and analyzed, taking into account the presence of a battery at their output. Results. It is shown that the transfer of energy from the source to the battery is possible only under certain modes of operation of the regulator, which depend on the type of regulator, as well as the amount of voltage on the battery. The conditions under which it is possible to draw the maximum power from the source are determined. Originality. Since the output resistance of the source and the load resistance are of the same order in the maximum power selection mode, the internal resistance of the power source was taken into account when determining the regulating characteristics of the regulators. Practical value. The obtained results made it possible to formulate practical recommendations for a justified choice of the regulator’s operating modes, depending on its type and the value of voltage on the battery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to intensified off-balance sheet disclosure by regulatory authorities, financial reports now contain a substantial amount of information beyond the financial statements. Consequently, the length of footnotes in financial reports exceeds that of the financial statements. This poses a novel challenge for regulators and users of financial reports in efficiently managing this information. Financial reports, with their clear structure, encompass abundant structured information applicable to information extraction, automatic summarization, and information retrieval. Extracting headings and paragraph content from financial reports enables the acquisition of the annual report text's framework. This paper focuses on extracting the structural framework of annual report texts and introduces an OpenCV-based method for text framework extraction using computer vision. The proposed method employs morphological image dilation to distinguish headings from the main body of the text. Moreover, this paper combines the proposed method with a traditional, rule-based extraction method that exploits the characteristic features of numbers and symbols at the beginning of headings. This combination results in an optimized framework extraction method, producing a more concise text framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to gauge the nature and level of organizational legitimacy of private higher education institutions (PHEIs) in Ethiopia through the perspectives of regulators involved in accrediting and auditing private institutions. The study adopted a mixed-methods approach, particularly the explanatory sequential design, and used questionnaire, documentary evidence, and interview as principal means of data collection. One hundred and twenty-one regulators were involved in the survey and ten regulators participated in the in-depth interview. The findings revealed that both the overall rating of PHEIs and the various categories of legitimacy identified as procedural, consequential, structural, personal, and linkage received average ratings by regulators. This denotes a threshold level of acceptance suggesting the need for a more substantial legitimacy level that the Ethiopian private higher education sector should attain if it seeks to earn heightened credibility and active support from stakeholders. Conclusions and implications of the study at the nexus of theory, policy, and practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses a new robust control technique that enables the DC-DC boost converter driving a permanent magnet direct current (PMDC) motor to operate in high static and dynamic performances. The new technique is based on the design of a both linear quadratic regulator (LQR) and linear quadratic regulator-proportional integral (LQR-PI) type controllers, which have the advantage of eliminating oscillations, overshoots and fluctuations on different characteristics in steady-state system operation. In order to increase the output voltage, the LQR regulator is combined with a first-order system represented in the form of a closed-loop transfer function, the latter raising the output voltage to 24 volts, this voltage is enough to drive the permanent magnet direct current motor. The contribution of this paper is the creation of a robust control system represented in the form of a hybrid corrector able to regulate steady-state and transient disturbances and oscillations as well as to increase DC-DC boost converter output voltage for the PMDC motor to operate at rated voltage. The results of the three control techniques are validated by MATLAB Simulink. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive disease and challenging to treat due to its mixture of transcriptional subtypes and subtype transitions. Transcription factor (TF) networks have been the focus of studies to identify SCLC subtype regulators via systems approaches. Yet, their structures, which can provide clues on subtype drivers and transitions, are barely investigated. Here, we analyze the structure of an SCLC TF network by using graph theory concepts and identify its structurally important components responsible for complex signal processing, called hubs. We show that the hubs of the network are regulators of different SCLC subtypes by analyzing first the unbiased network structure and then integrating RNA-seq data as weights assigned to each interaction. Data-driven analysis emphasizes MYC as a hub, consistent with recent reports. Furthermore, we hypothesize that the pathways connecting functionally distinct hubs may control subtype transitions and test this hypothesis via network simulations on a candidate pathway and observe subtype transition. Overall, structural analyses of complex networks can identify their functionally important components and pathways driving the network dynamics. Such analyses can be an initial step for generating hypotheses and can guide the discovery of target pathways whose perturbation may change the network dynamics phenotypically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synergy between Na+-K+ pumps, Na+-Ca2+ exchangers, membrane currents and the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) generates the coupled-clock system, which governs the spontaneous electrical activity of heart sinoatrial node cells (SANCs). Ca2+ mediates the degree of clock coupling via local Ca2+ release (LCR) from the SR and activation of cAMP/PKA signaling. Marinobufagenin (MBG) is a natural Na+-K+ pump inhibitor whose effect on SANCs has not been measured before. The following two hypotheses were tested to determine if and how MBG mediates between the Na+-K+ pump and spontaneous SAN activity: (i) MBG has a distinct effect on beat interval (BI) due to variable effects on LCR characteristics, and (ii) Ca2+ is an important mediator between MBG and SANC activity. Ca2+ transients were measured by confocal microscopy during application of increasing concentrations of MBG. To further support the hypothesis that Ca2+ mediates between MBG and SANC activity, Ca2+ was chelated by the addition of BAPTA. Dose response tests found that 100 nM MBG led to no change in BI in 6 SANCs (no BI change group), and to BI prolongation in 10 SANCs (BI change group). At the same concentration, the LCR period was prolonged in both groups, but more significantly in the BI change group. BAPTA-AM prolonged the BI in 12 SANCs. In the presence of BAPTA, 100 nM MBG had no effect on SANC BI or on the LCR period. In conclusion, the MBG effects on SANC function are mediated by the coupled clock system, and Ca2+ is an important regulator of these effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Employee turnover intention in the Nigeria banking industry has become a challenging experience, not only to the regulators and banks but also the employees themselves. Although, several factors have been examined in some of the previous studies as the possible predictors of turnover intention some of them ignored the critical roles of entry level employees in the profitability of commercial banks. While managerial cadre is important in providing needed leadership bulk of the critical functions such as customer relationship, marketing, accounting and operations are largely performed by the entry level employees of banks. The present study is designed to investigate the predictors of turnover intention among entry level employees in Nigeria banking industry in order to design an effective and proper managerial intervention which will achieve reduce turnover intention in Nigeria banking industry. adopted a sample population of five (5) commercial banks from Victoria Island of Lagos. The five selected banks are the largest, most visible and most profitable banks in Nigeria (First Bank, UBA, Guarantee Trust Bank, Access Bank and Zenith Bank). Using a sample of 250 respondents, it was found that work engagement was statiscally significant with turnover intention (β=0.162; sig.<0.01). Compensation (β=0.258; sig.<0.01), work environment (β=0.118; sig.<0.01) and perceived organizational support (β=0.281; sig.<0.01). Managerial implications for policy and practice were provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: False key‐controlled aggressive voltage scaling (FKCAVS) technique is a lightweight and effective leakage power analysis (LPA) attack countermeasure. However, the regular FKCAVS technique may not be utilized as a countermeasure against differential power analysis (DPA) attacks unconditionally. The primary reason is that the working frequency of DPA attacks is significantly higher than the corresponding frequency of LPA attacks. Thus, it is difficult to make the speed of voltage scaling keep pace with the speed of DPA attacks by employing the regular FKCAVS technique. In this paper, a fast FKCAVS technique is proposed to maximize the security of a cryptographic circuit (CC) against DPA attacks while minimizing the corresponding overhead by embedding a machine learning low‐dropout (LDO) regulator (MLLR). As shown in the result, by deploying the proposed FKCAVS technique, the measurement‐to‐disclose (MTD) value against DPA attacks is maintained over 1 million with less than 17.4% power/area overhead. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new method of designing controllers with an integral term as part of multivariable optimal control systems in discrete time is proposed. Traditional methods of designing multivariable controllers have been investigated, and a prototype of the controller has been chosen as a basis for comparison. Specific formulas for design of the proposed controller are given. Comparing the transition processes of the control systems outputs with a unit-step disturbance at the plant input using the proposed controller and optimal controller obtained by the typical method, it can be concluded that the proposed controller compensates the disturbance and gives a faster transition process. The main feature of the proposed method is that, for multivariable systems with a large number of inputs and outputs, it significantly simplifies the design of the controller. This is because it does not require the extension of the plant state matrix by the number of inputs at the transfer of the matrices to the optimal controller design programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The peculiarities of regulating the dynamics of the world financial and economic system (FES) under the conditions of globalization are considered. It is proposed to use the matrix of the cross movement of capital as a model for the analysis of the movement of investments and management of the global FES. The need for coordinated actions of regulators of world economies is substantiated, and a model of actions of regulators to preserve the sustainable dynamics of the global FES is developed. The impact of the capital transfer market on the parameters of Kondratiev–Schumpeter waves is considered. A mathematical model for determining the efficiency of "helicopter money" injections is proposed. To assess the state of the economy under the conditions of globalization, it is proposed to use a combination of the Buffett indicator, the splashing out indicator, foaming coefficient, and the indicator of the rate of change in the share of loan investments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deposit money banks play significant role in achieving sound financial system digitalization through implementation of online banking policy enacted by the financial system regulators. Financial system digitalization improves banks customer transactions which makes more income available to deposit money banks and thus enhanced bank financial stability. Despite positive contribution of digitalization of financial system to commercial banks, there still exist problem of perceived information security risks and perceived flop in government policy on digitalization of financial system among populace or banks customers in Nigeria. Survey research design and regression method of analysis was employed through Structural Equation Modelling via SmartPls 3.0 and reliability results ranged between 0.716 to 0.798 as well as Average Variance Explained (AVE) for validity was greater than 0.5, thus items in the instruments were reliable and valid. Findings revealed that e-Naira, populace perceived security and perceived government policy of digital currency have positive and significant influence on bank financial stability of deposit money banks in Nigeria. The study recommended that the Central Bank of Nigeria continue to emphasize the advantages of e-Naira and ensure the information security of bank customers in order to encourage the public or bank customers to adopt it. As a result, deposit money banks would be able to collect more transaction fees, increasing the financial stability of Nigerian banks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Government, regulators, exchanges, banks, and institutions collaborate to develop rules and devote significant time and resources to improving the financial system, with the ultimate goal of creating a more effective market. The statistics on turnover and earnings only show the market's Quantitative' growth. The figures do not demonstrate how the market has improved in terms of Quality and Market Efficiency. A robust market structure and long-term growth in any market are only possible when development is based on both qualitative (market efficiency) and quantitative factors (Turnovers and Earnings). Historically, studies and research have laid great emphasis on determining the market's level of efficiency. However, market efficiency was always checked using staggered time frames and efficiency tests. The need of the hour is a transparent and simple-to-understand tool that can continuously measure market efficiency and has universal applicability. This study proposes a tool for measuring efficiency called the Financial Market Efficiency Index — FMEI. The Index would derive its parameters from the broad market Index of any country to assess and compare market efficiency. The index would not only measure the qualitative growth (Market Efficiency) of any market, but it would also compare the market efficiency of all countries around the world. This would allow stakeholders to make the best decisions for their respective markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a high power supply rejection ratio (PSRR) low dropout (LDO) regulator with a low quiescent current. A low quiescent current capacitive feed-forward ripple cancellation (CFFRC) technique is proposed to cancel the power supply noise. With this technique, low power consumption is achieved via feed-forward capacitors and back-to-back pseudo-resistors bias. This design was fabricated using the 0.18- $\mu \text{m}$ CMOS technology. The entire proposed LDO consumes a quiescent current of 0.9 $\mu \text{A}$. Compared with an LDO without enhancement, at the maximum load current of 200 mA, the measured PSRR has an enhancement of −22 dB at 1 MHz. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A low output impedance voltage buffer for the design of flipped voltage follower (FVF) based low drop out (LDO) regulator usually assists in maintaining better stability and fast transient response. An adaptive source follower with very low output impedance is presented for driving gate of bulky pass element in the FVF based output stage of the LDO for faster recovery during load transients. Based on the buffer, a fast response (280 ps Approximately) output capacitor less LDO capable of driving 10's of pF to 1 nF capacitive loads while maintaining enough phase margin is proposed. The LDO is verified with simulation in 45 nm CMOS process, 1.2 V supply. The LDO offers stable regulation over range from 200 µA to 30 mA with regulated DC voltage of 1.1 V. with quiescent current of 36 µA. During the load transition of 200 µA → 30 mA with 10 ns edge time, the recovery time of 37 ns under typical conditions is achieved with overshoot of 93 mV and undershoot of 122 mV. The transient performance is also verified against wider loads as large as 10 pF–1 nF. The worst case deviation from the regulated output for various process corner variations are within 2 % of nominal 1.1 V. The simulated PSR is - 22 dB over the band of 1–100 kHz for heavy load current of 30 mA, - 15.5 dB for light load current of 200 µA. The proposed LDO achieves an overall efficiency of 78.4 % [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Decentralized clinical trials (DCTs) have the potential to improve accessibility, diversity, and retention in clinical trials by moving trial activities to participants' homes and local surroundings. In this study, we conducted semi‐structured interviews with 20 European regulators to identify regulatory challenges and opportunities for the implementation of DCTs in the European Union. The key opportunities for DCTs that were recognized by regulators include a reduced participation burden, which could facilitate the participation of underserved patients. In addition, regulators indicated that data collected in DCTs are expected to be more representative of the real world. Key challenges recognized by regulators for DCTs include concerns regarding investigator oversight and participants' safety when physical examinations and face‐to‐face contact are limited. To facilitate future learning, hybrid clinical trials with both on‐site and decentralized elements are proposed by the respondents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective field theories (EFTs) require regularization and renormalization to gain predictive power. While regularization is inconsequential from the point of view of the observable predictions of EFT—in a renormalized theory predictions are regulator-independent once the cutoff is removed—the particular details of regulator dependence might provide interesting insights into the inner workings of an EFT. In fact, the analysis of regulator dependence has been frequently suggested as a tool to study the ordering scheme or power counting of EFTs. We show here the quantitative differences betweeen inferred residual cutoff dependence from different regulators, thereby showing that cutoff variations might provide limited information about uncertainties and power counting (at least in practical settings). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Sphingopyxis granuli TFA is a contaminant degrading alphaproteobacterium that responds to adverse conditions by inducing the general stress response (GSR), an adaptive response that controls the transcription of a variety of genes to overcome adverse conditions. The core GSR regulators (the response regulator PhyR, the anti‐σ factor NepR and the σ factor EcfG) are duplicated in TFA, being PhyR1 and PhyR2, NepR1 and NepR2 and EcfG1 and EcfG2. Based on multiple genetic, phenotypical and biochemical evidences including in vitro transcription assays, we have assigned distinct functional features to each paralogue and assessed their contribution to the GSR regulation, dictating its timing and the intensity. We show that different stress signals are differentially integrated into the GSR by PhyR1 and PhyR2, therefore producing different levels of GSR activation. We demonstrate in vitro that both NepR1 and NepR2 bind EcfG1 and EcfG2, although NepR1 produces a more stable interaction than NepR2. Conversely, NepR2 interacts with phosphorylated PhyR1 and PhyR2 more efficiently than NepR1. We propose an integrative model where NepR2 would play a dual negative role: it would directly inhibit the σ factors upon activation of the GSR and it would modulate the GSR activity indirectly by titrating the PhyR regulators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many prokaryotes show complex behaviors that require the intricate spatial and temporal organization of cellular protein machineries, leading to asymmetrical protein distribution and cell polarity. One such behavior is cyanobacterial phototaxis which relies on the dynamic localization of the Type IV pilus motor proteins in response to light. In the cyanobacterium Synechocystis, various signaling systems encompassing chemotaxis‐related CheY‐ and PatA‐like response regulators are critical players in switching between positive and negative phototaxis depending on the light intensity and wavelength. In this study, we show that PatA‐type regulators evolved from chemosensory systems. Using fluorescence microscopy and yeast two‐hybrid analysis, we demonstrate that they localize to the inner membrane, where they interact with the N‐terminal cytoplasmic domain of PilC and the pilus assembly ATPase PilB1. By separately expressing the subdomains of the response regulator PixE, we confirm that only the N‐terminal PATAN domain interacts with PilB1, localizes to the membrane, and is sufficient to reverse phototactic orientation. These experiments established that the PATAN domain is the principal output domain of PatA‐type regulators which we presume to modulate pilus extension by binding to the pilus motor components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low-dropout regulators, which have the capabilities of handling large output current and obtaining a superior transient response, are receiving increasing attention. This paper presents a high-output-current low-dropout regulator with high loop gain. An adaptive positive feedback compensation method is presented. It guarantees stability under full load conditions and achieves high loop gain. Without relying on an external zero, a ceramic capacitor with low equivalent series resistance can be employed, resulting in the minimized output voltage variation during the load transient response. In addition, the load regulation and line regulation are both small. An impedance adapting stage is inserted between the error amplifier and power transistor. It is suitable for low-supply voltage applications and drives the power transistor quickly. The simulation results indicate that the proposed LDO can supply a 1000 mA load current with a 200 mV dropout voltage. The load regulation and line regulations are 0.089 μV/mA and 0.562 m V/V, respectively. The power supply rejection is above 75 dB at 1 kHz under the full range of the output current. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the mechanism of risk-shifting in the presence of information asymmetry. Due to the asymmetry of information, the regulator cannot differentiate bank assets by the risk level, and therefore cannot guarantee the banking system's solvency. This restrictive policy encourages the banks to work outside of regulation, using credit intermediation or other schemes that are not imposed by regulation. The paper suggests the IRB approach, as a tool to reduce information asymmetry that affects shadow banking size. The modification of the model Ordoñez (2018) is proposed. It presented the critical levels of the capital requirements at which banks choose to stay in shadow banking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a framework to describe how professional experts regulate complex adaptive systems (CAS), a skill found across biopsychological, ecological, technical, and social contexts. The regulation aim is to facilitate and constrain the self-organization of a CAS; regulators engage in dynamic decision making while the system evolves. While many naive regulators are overtaxed when they encounter nonlinear and multi-causal dynamics, less is known about how experts perform. I argue that a rich set of competencies can make expert performance distinctive. The basic sensitivities for CAS that shape the general philosophy of practice and a role identity as process facilitators provide some foundation. Turning this into an applied skill set, however, additionally requires (a) the creation of mediating interfaces with a "target" CAS, (b) interaction skills for exploring and stimulating the CAS, (c) the use of domain knowledge about the system's nature and structure for conceptualizing its state as well as dynamics, (d) the use of analogical reasoning, categories, heuristics, and models to make "if-then" inferences from systemic problem constellations to holistic strategies, and (e) synoptic and meta-regulative capabilities that allow supervising the mix of deployed resources relative to the demands of ongoing task. These CAS regulation tools mesh in variable ways and can mutually amplify each other, i.e. synergize. Illustrations for the framework come from two somatic therapies (aka bodywork), the Shiatsu and Feldenkrais methods, in which therapists use manual techniques as a regulatory means to help their clients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Formación Universitaria is the property of Centro de Informacion Tecnologica (CIT) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper focusses on the design of optimal control strategies for a variable-speed wind energy system based on Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator (PMSG). The fractional order PI controller, denoted PIλ, is an extension of the classical PI controller, which provides greater flexibility, better performance and robustness, however the tuning of the controller parameters is challenging. In this work, Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Genetic Algorithm (GA) provide approximate solutions to various problems and form a good optimization. In our system, they are used to have the PI regulator parameters and tune the parameters of the proposed controllers. The proposed controllers have been applied as maximum power point (MPPT) controllers for the wind turbine and to regulate the PMGS currents under variable weather conditions and. The results show that, among all these controllers, the fractional order PI controller optimized by the PSO leads to better performance in terms of the transient response characteristics such overshoot, rise time and settling time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reversible switching of the bacterial flagellar motor between clockwise (CW) and counterclockwise (CCW) rotation is necessary for chemotaxis, which enables cells to swim towards favorable chemical habitats. Increase in the viscous resistance to the rotation of the motor (mechanical load) inhibits switching. However, cells must maintain homeostasis in switching to navigate within environments of different viscosities. The mechanism by which the cell maintains optimal chemotactic function under varying loads is not understood. Here, we show that the flagellar motor allosterically controls the binding affinity of the chemotaxis response regulator, CheY-P, to the flagellar switch complex by modulating the mechanical forces acting on the rotor. Mechanosensitive CheY-P binding compensates for the load-induced loss of switching by precisely adapting the switch response to a mechanical stimulus. The interplay between mechanical forces and CheY-P binding tunes the chemotactic function to match the load. This adaptive response of the chemotaxis output to mechanical stimuli resembles the proprioceptive feedback in the neuromuscular systems of insects and vertebrates. It is unclear how bacterial cells adapt the reversible switching of flagellar motor rotation to environments of different viscosities. Here, Antani et al. show that flagellar mechanosensors allosterically control the motor's binding affinity for the chemotaxis response regulator, CheY-P, to adapt flagellar switching over varying viscous loads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents an energy regulator based on a Model Predictive Control (MPC) algorithm for a Voltage Source Converter (VSC). The MPC is formulated to optimise the converter performance according to the weights defined in an objective function that trades off additional features, such as current harmonic distortion, reactive power tracking and DC bus voltage oscillation. Differently from most approaches found in the research literature, the MPC proposed here considers the coupling dynamics between the AC and DC sides of the VSC. This study is focused on the example case of a single-phase VSC, which presents a nonlinear relationship between its AC and DC sides and a sustained double-line frequency power disturbance in its DC bus. To reduce the burden of the MPC, the controller is formulated to benefit from the slow energy dynamics of the system. Thus, the cascaded structure typically used in the control of VSCs is kept and the MPC is set as an energy regulator at a reduced sampling frequency while the current control relies on a fast inner controller. The computational burden of the algorithm is further reduced by using a linear time-varying approximation. The controller is presented in detail and experimental validation showing the performance of the algorithm is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a combined feedback–feedforward adaptive regulator applied to an active vibration control tool holder platform to contain the effect of machining vibrations. The proposed mechatronic solution can be integrated in a milling machine tool as an interface between the beam (Z -axis) and the tool holder. The aim is to counteract vibrations in the broadband frequency range (100 Hz–900 Hz), controlling the tool position in real time. The active vibration control system is based on the harmonic steady-state concept due to the sinusoidal representation of the disturbance signals. The study focuses on the regulator architecture and the main logics applied to satisfy the required performance. A full investigation is executed through simulations and experimental campaigns, proving the disturbance reduction. The active vibration control system is implemented on a 4-axis machine tool and validated using multitonal disturbances. The system is evaluated in compensating a set of undesired effects, such as vibrations generated by unbalanced tools or hard material cutting processes. The obtained results show a maximum reduction of the vibration amplitude by 43.7% at the critical frequency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with a twin rotor aerodynamic system (TRAS), which is a multi-input multi-output (MIMO) system with high crosscoupling between its two channels. It proposes an adaptive linear quadratic regulator (ALQR) to stabilize this system. The justification for using an adaptation technique is that the conventional LQR—designed by linearizing the TRAS about a certain equilibrium point—can no longer achieve the design specifications when the system operating point deviates significantly from the equilibrium point. To introduce an adaptation mechanism in the system, formulas for determining the operating points of the TRAS in terms of the reference inputs are deduced, and the linearized TRAS model is parameterized in terms of the reference inputs so that when the reference inputs change, a new LQR is designed with respect to these new reference inputs, resulting in an ALQR. To demonstrate the superiority of the ALQR over the LQR, transient response specifications (rise time, settling time, and percentage overshoot) as well as integral square error (ISE), integral absolute error (IAE), integral time squared error (ITSE), and integral time absolute error (ITAE) are calculated for both systems. The main contribution of this paper is that it identifies the operating range by its width and its position with respect to the equilibrium point (width, position), and it investigates the effect of these two attributes on the performance of the closed-loop system by considering five cases with different width and position. Simulation results (carried out by MATLAB) show that the ALQR outperforms the LQR and the PID controller in all cases, and its superiority becomes more significant for cases that are characterized by a large deviation from the equilibrium point. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In July 2015, China's national legislature brought in prosecutor-led civil environmental public interest litigation ("EPIL") for thirteen selected provincial areas of the country. After a two-year legal experiment, this prosecutor-led civil EPIL system was then established nationwide in July 2017. Yet, can it be said that prosecutorial regulators in China are in fact a paper tiger? Drawing upon content analysis of the 655 prosecutor-led civil EPILs and in-depth interviews with twelve frontline prosecutors and judges, this article examines the dynamics of regulatory practice and the motivation of the Chinese prosecutorial organs to engage in environmental regulation through litigation. Based upon the above two legislative landmarks in the law reform of this area, the regulatory practice of prosecutorial organs can be viewed as having occurred in three stages, with each stage featuring a distinct regulatory model: ad hoc regulation through local innovation before July 2015, forced regulation during the legal experiment from July 2015 to July 2017, and perfunctory regulation after the nationwide establishment of the prosecutor-led civil EPIL system in July 2017. The data shows that the Chinese prosecutorial organs have engaged in a larger number of such lawsuits since the second stage, but they have shown a strong preference for cases with less complicated facts, weak and small defendants, and minor environmental violations. Three factors that influence regulatory motivation are employed to analyse the change in regulatory models: the ambiguity of the law, the top-down political pressure for regulation, and the cost of regulation. This study highlights the very limited effectiveness of vertical political pressure in boosting prosecutorial regulation and the strong impacts of the cost of regulation and the ambiguity of the law. In particular, the high cost of regulation that takes weak regulatory capacity, lack of regulatory autonomy, and the winning rate-oriented performance appraisal system into account have significantly weakened the motivation of prosecutorial organs to pursue civil EPIL. The findings of this study echo the conditions present in the successful prosecutorial regulations in Brazil and contribute to the scholarship about prosecutorial regulations in the field of environmental protection in the Global South. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When there are potential risks in the progress of the engineering project, regulators pay more attentions to losses rather than gains. In this paper, we design a new class of risk statistics for engineering, named regulator-based risk statistics. Considering the properties of regulator-based risk statistics, we are able to derive the dual representations for them. At last, the regulator-based version is investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CRISPRi-mediated gene regulation allows simultaneous control of many genes. However, highly specific sgRNA-promoter binding is, alone, insufficient to achieve independent transcriptional regulation of multiple targets. Indeed, due to competition for dCas9, the repression ability of one sgRNA changes significantly when another sgRNA becomes expressed. To solve this problem and decouple sgRNA-mediated regulatory paths, we create a dCas9 concentration regulator that implements negative feedback on dCas9 level. This allows any sgRNA to maintain an approximately constant dose-response curve, independent of other sgRNAs. We demonstrate the regulator performance on both single-stage and layered CRISPRi-based genetic circuits, zeroing competition effects of up to 15-fold changes in circuit I/O response encountered without the dCas9 regulator. The dCas9 regulator decouples sgRNA-mediated regulatory paths, enabling concurrent and independent regulation of multiple genes. This allows predictable composition of CRISPRi-based genetic modules, which is essential in the design of larger scale synthetic genetic circuits. CRISPRi allows for the simultaneous control of many genes, however the sgRNAs compete for binding to dCas9. Here the authors design a dCas9 concentration regulator to allow independent regulation of multiple genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an ultra-low-power and high-gain low-dropout (LDO) regulator. It is based on the flipped voltage follower cell with an adaptive biasing technique that is suitable for implantable biomedical applications. The error amplifier for the proposed regulator consists of two cross-coupled common-gate cells and a pseudo-folded-cascode structure to increase the regulator's loop gain. In addition, three different compensation techniques including Miller, cascode, and Q-reduction are simultaneously utilized at the LDO regulator to achieve high stability despite having the minimum load current and ultra-low power consumption. The proposed LDO regulator has been simulated in TSMC 90-nm CMOS technology with minimum power consumption of 2.8 µW at no load. Post-layout simulation results show that the proposed LDO regulator is stable over load currents from 30 µA to 40 mA with a maximum on-chip CL of 100 pF. Moreover, the voltage regulator settles in less than 850 ns at 0.75 V output voltage that is achieved in response to a load transient step of 40 mA with a rise time of 200 ns. Besides, the obtained line and load regulations are significantly improved to 1 mV/V and 36 µV/mA, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of liquid auto-balancers to compensate the operational changes in the imbalance of rotary systems without stopping them is of interest because of the relative structural simplicity of these devices, which are passive direct- acting regulators that do not require power supply and control systems to move correction masses. The experience of the study of passive auto-balancing devices (SBD) indicates that the existing theory (statements) of passive automatic balancing of the fluid is idealized and inaccurately describes the processes that occur with the working bodies during their operation. In particular, the lack of studies on the effect of liquid viscosity on the efficiency of self-balancing and the reasonableness of the selection of liquid during the development of fluid SBD demanded to analyse the operation of liquid SBD in the real system, taking into account the influence of liquid properties on the efficiency of the vertical rotor balancing process. It is shown that the efficiency of balancing increases with the approach of the angular velocity to the critical one and with the increase of the external resistance. The massive forces of the working fluid have less effect on the balancing efficiency than the viscosity for liquid SBDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coexistence of multiple homologous resistance‐nodulation‐division (RND) efflux pumps in bacteria is frequently described with overlapping substrate profiles. However, it is unclear how bacteria balance their transcription in response to the changing environment. Here, we characterized a repressor, SrpR, in Pseudomonas putida B6‐2 (DSM 28064), whose coding gene is adjacent to srpS that encodes the local repressor of the RND‐type efflux pump SrpABC gene cluster. SrpR was demonstrated as a specific repressor of another RND efflux pump gene cluster ttgABC that is locally repressed by TtgR. SrpR was found to be capable of binding to the ttgABC operator with a higher affinity (KD, 138.0 nM) compared to TtgR (KD, 15.4 μM). EMSA and β‐galactosidase assays were performed to survey possible effectors of SrpR with 35 available chemicals being tested. Only 2,3,4‐trichlorophenol was identified as an effector of SrpR. A regulation model was then proposed, representing a novel strategy for balancing the efflux systems with partially overlapping substrate profiles. This study highlights sophisticated interactions among the RND efflux pumps in a Pseudomonas strain, which may endow bacteria with certain advantages in a fluctuant environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to analyze in theory and practice the extent and ways the role of regulators in collaborative regulatory systems differs from their roles in more traditional, state-led regulatory systems. Methodology/Approach/Design - The descriptive and analytical methodology of this paper is supported by primary and secondary sources of research data: books, newspapers, official documentation, independent reports, and private stakeholders' analysis. Moreover, field experiences of eminent professionals and senior civil servants have also been taken into consideration to reach conclusions and provide useful information. Findings - Main finding is that the regulator in collaborative systems acts as a facilitator or mediator, one who traces and deploys the regulatory activity inside a network of participation, and less as the wielder of state-authority. Practical implications - The analysis in this paper can be of considerable use to all actors who deploy regulatory activity in order to deliver better regulatory outcomes to society, performing newer and different techniques, assessing the collaborative regulator's role in practical cases. Originality/Value - This paper analyzes the role of the collaborative regulator by addressing the differences and similarities between collaborative regulation and an array of regulatory styles and approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High speed small hole electrical discharge machining (EDM) drilling processes can easily become unstable, due to changing flushing conditions, inappropriate preset electrical parameters, and machining debris residues. Although there are already successful attempts in controlling EDM processes, cost-effective adaptive control of high speed small hole EDM drilling has not been reported. Process stability can contribute to the improvement of machining efficiency and surface finish. To maintain a higher process stability, a minimum-variance self-tuning regulator (MVSTR) is designed based on an auto-regressive moving average exogenous (ARMAX) model. To determine specifications of the system, the time and frequency responses are analyzed, and the validation is executed for the offline system model. A series of high aspect ratio holes drilling experiments with different electrode diameters of 0.3 mm, 1.0 mm, and 3.0 mm show that, with the use of the MVSTR control scheme, a higher machining efficiency and a lower tool wear can be achieved as compared with the original controller. Microscopic pictures of drilled holes and electrodes show better surface quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review gives an overview of passive constant flow regulators dedicated to microfluidic applications. Without external control and energy consumption, these devices deliver a constant flow rate regardless of pressure variations, making them very attractive for various microfluidic applications, including drug delivery, flow chemistry, point-of-care tests, or microdialysis. This technical review examines progress over the last three decades in the development of these flow regulators and focuses on the working principle, fabrication methods, performance, and potential applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article proposes a bandgap reference (BGR) recursive low-dropout (LDO) regulator chip that achieves a high power supply rejection (PSR) in the low- to mid-frequency range. The presented LDO design enables the total PSR of LDO to be free from the finite ripple-rejection of the BGR circuit, resulting in low design complexity and low power consumption. To improve the PSR further, the gate buffer is modified to provide an additional ripple feedforward cancellation. The modified gate buffer also offers fast transient response and stable operation. Moreover, a light-load stabilizer loop is also suggested to provide high stability over all load conditions. A prototype chip able to supply up to 300 mA output current was implemented by 0.5-μm 5-V CMOS devices. The PSR was measured to be –102 to –80 dB at frequencies from 100 Hz to 0.1 MHz, which is higher than that of prior LDOs with COUT ≥ 1 μF. The proposed LDO consumes only 50 μA at a load current of 300 mA, and a peak current efficiency of 99.98% was achieved. The line and load regulations were measured as 0.003%/V and 0.28%/A, respectively. This chip shows a figure-of-merit of 11 ps in the transient response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work develops and investigates the performance of a new control law, specifically a Linear-Quadratic Regulator augmented with integral action (LQI), for the local ramp metering control problem when bottlenecks are located many kilometers (up to 5 km) downstream of the metered on-ramp. LQI makes use of measurements all along the stretch extending from the controllable on-ramp to the bottleneck location, being therefore capable to improve the stability and robustness properties of the control loop, compared to alternative approaches (PI regulators) that employ measurements only from the bottleneck location. Simulation results reveal that: i) the proposed methodology handles efficiently the local ramp metering task in case of very distant downstream bottlenecks; and, ii) LQI is much less sensitive compared to other previously proposed control strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our article uses text mining techniques to examine confidential letters sent from the Bank of England's Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) to financial institutions it supervises. These letters are a 'report card' written to firms annually, and are the most important, regularly recurring written communication sent from the PRA to firms it supervises. Using two complementary machine learning techniques—random forests and logistic ridge regression—we explore whether the letters vary in substance and style depending on the size and importance of the firm to whom the PRA is writing. We find that letters to high impact firms use more evaluative, judgment-based language, and adopt a more forward-looking perspective. We also examine how PRA letters differ from similarly purposed letters written by its predecessor, the Financial Services Authority. We find evidence that PRA letters are different, with a greater degree of forward-looking language and directiveness, reflecting the shift in supervisory approach that has occurred in the UK following the financial crisis of 2007–09. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A flipped-voltage-follower-based low-dropout regulator (FVF-LDO) with signal- and transient-current boosting (STCB) is proposed in this paper. The embedded STCB structure to FVF-LDO enhances both loop gain and loop bandwidth, while the FVF-LDO remains its double-pole single-zero property within the loop bandwidth and can be stabilized by an external output capacitor to achieve dominant-pole frequency compensation. The proposed LDO designed in a 65-nm CMOS technology operates at a minimum of 1 V, provides an output of 0.85 V, and delivers a maximum of 50 mA. The figure-of-merit of proposed FVF-LDO is 1.98 ps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Loss-of-function (LOF) screens provide a powerful approach to identify regulators in biological processes. Pioneered in laboratory animals, LOF screens of human genes are currently restricted to two-dimensional cell cultures, which hinders the testing of gene functions requiring tissue context. Here, we present CRISPR–lineage tracing at cellular resolution in heterogeneous tissue (CRISPR-LICHT), which enables parallel LOF studies in human cerebral organoid tissue. We used CRISPR-LICHT to test 173 microcephaly candidate genes, revealing 25 to be involved in known and uncharacterized microcephaly-associated pathways. We characterized IER3IP1, which regulates the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) function and extracellular matrix protein secretion crucial for tissue integrity, the dysregulation of which results in microcephaly. Our human tissue screening technology identifies microcephaly genes and mechanisms involved in brain-size control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a virtual induction generator (VIG) concept-based microgrid with multifunctional objectives such as seamless transition capabilities, secondary frequency regulation, adaptive with variation in grid frequency and phase. The secondary frequency regulation scheme is presented to improve the system dynamics bereft of any using proportional-integral-derivative controller. Furthermore, the VIG provides auto-synchronization with the distribution grid even without direct knowledge of the phase and frequency of the grid. Moreover, the presented controller eliminates the requirement of a dedicated synchronising unit such as a phase-locked loop and proportional–integral regulators, and an additional unintentional islanding detection scheme, which provides a robust feasible solution for practical implementation. In contrast to the state-of-art techniques, the controller has been formulated such a way that VIG does not require the control reconfiguration even under mode transition enabling unintentional islanding detection. Simulation results validate the effectiveness of the self-synchronising VIG under various operating conditions. The comparative performances are analysed with the state-of art techniques for dynamic operation conditions to validate the effectiveness of the self-synchronising VIG. Test results demonstrate satisfactory performance of VIG under various dynamic operating conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, a low‐ripple coarse‐fine digital low‐dropout regulator (D‐LDO) without ringing in the transient state is proposed. Conventional D‐LDO suffers from a ringing problem when settling the output voltage at a large load transition, which increases the settling time. The proposed D‐LDO removes the ringing and reduces the settling time using an auxiliary power stage which adjusts its output current to a load current in the transient state. It also achieves a low output ripple voltage using a comparator with a complete comparison signal. The proposed D‐LDO was fabricated using a 65‐nm CMOS process with an area of 0.0056 μm2. The undershoot and overshoot were 47 mV and 23 mV, respectively, when the load current was changed from 10 mA to 100 mA within an edge time of 20 ns. The settling time decreased from 2.1 μs to 130 ns and the ripple voltage was 3 mV with a quiescent current of 75 μA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reliability and trouble-free operation of nuclear power plants is due to the reliability of the pipeline systems connecting the main and auxiliary equipment. The main elements of such systems are power valves, the reliable operation of which largely determines the reliability of the NPP as a whole. At the same time, one of the problems that reduce the service life of the reinforcement is the erosive wear of its main elements. The article is devoted to the development and experimental research of reinforcement with increased resistance to erosion wear. The problems associated with the operation of valves and the relevance of the raised problem are shown. It should be noted that the study of such a valve is performed for the first time. A feature of the valve design is that the medium, passing through the regulator, does not leave the valve, but enters the porous filling, where the flow rate and associated noise are effectively damped. The article presents an experimental design of such a valve and describes an experimental stand for its research, gives a description of research methods. To study the flow in the porous layer, 12 sensors were used, inserted into the layer. Fractional polyethylene was used as a porous backfill, therefore the experiment was carried out at low pressures and normal temperatures. As a result of the experiment, the pressure distribution in the porous layer was obtained depending on the degree of valve opening and the increase in flow through it. Nonlinear dependences are obtained at average flow rates and linear at maximum and minimum flow rates. It has been established that in such reinforcement the section with a high velocity of the medium will be in a porous backfill. The study of the hydraulic characteristic showed that this characteristic has near linear character, similar for flows in porous media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article proposes an optimal control strategy with a view to achieving the best performance of a wind energy conversion system (WECS). The optimal control strategy depends on the linear-quadratic regulator (LQR) algorithm, which provides fast convergence and less mathematical intricacy. The machine- and the grid-side converter/inverter are adjusted using the LQR controller. In this article, the system model and its control strategies are illustrated. Practical wind speed data are considered in this article for achieving realistic responses. The system performance is evaluated by comparing the results obtained using the LQR controller with that realized when the grey wolf optimizer algorithm-based optimized proportional-integral controllers are used, taken into account severe network disturbances. The simulation studies are extensively performed through the MATLAB/Simulink environment that prove the validity of the LQR controller for improving the performance of the WECS. The simulation results are compared with the experimental results for more validation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With increased political polarisation and the emergence of populist governments around the world – many of which erode regulatory requirements such as EIA – there is an urgent need to be able to identify and explain the potential benefits of EIA for government. The aim of this paper is to explore the benefits of EIA for government as perceived by EIA regulators. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to 175 representatives from the South African EIA regulator. The questionnaire asked the respondents to indicate what they perceive to be potential and realised EIA benefits for government. They were also asked how they recommend the gap between potential and realised benefits might be closed. The results show that the main perceived benefits of EIA to government relate to short-term, project-specific benefits such as the protection of local biodiversity, public participation, legal compliance and enforcement, as well as certain immediate economic benefits. The promotion of sustainable development is not considered a realistically achievable benefit for EIA. It is recommended that for EIA to clearly define and achieve its potential benefits for government, it needs to rediscover and embrace its roots as a project level instrument aimed at dealing with biophysical impacts and environmental protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In aircraft engine control, replacing linear regulators by sliding mode control (SMC) regulators is considered as an effective approach to reducing the conservatism in the traditional treatment for limit protection. However, most of the relevant studies are based on linear descriptions, which cannot represent the nonlinear systems directly due to their limited valid range. Even if gain scheduling techniques are employed, the stability of the nonlinear systems cannot be theoretically guaranteed. In this paper, a sliding mode strategy for a class of uncertain linear parameter varying (LPV) systems is studied. LPV descriptions are applied to extend the valid range of the linear models covering the entire operation envelope with guaranteed performance and stability. The mismatch between LPV and the real systems is considered as uncertainties. With a sliding surface defined by the tracking errors, system properties on the surface are proved to be satisfactory. After that, a reaching law is designed to ensure global invariance of SMC. Based on a reliable model turbofan, simulation results show that the SMC method can fully exploit the limit margin and, compared to the traditional proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control, has a faster response. In addition, stability and effectiveness of the proposed method are verified in a temperature protection case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There appears to be a mismatch between the assumed therapeutic equivalence of generic drugs, their interchangeability, and reported clinical discomfort following generic drug use and drug switches. In this article, we describe why we are of the opinion that the current regulatory approach to the evaluation of generic drugs based on average bioequivalence is sufficient to expect therapeutic equivalence in the clinical setting. This has often been debated, specifically as adverse drug reactions related to generic drug switches are regularly reported. We agree that clinical discomfort during a bioequivalent drug switch may indeed be caused by different exposures to the active substance. However, this difference in exposure is not a result of the characteristics or quality of generic drugs; it is caused by the pharmacokinetic within-subject variability of the active substance, i.e., the variability on the bioavailability of the active substance, when comparing two occasions of administration of the same drug product, to the same patient. Therefore, reported clinical discomfort following generic drug use and drug switches does not warrant a change in the regulatory approach to the evaluation of the bioequivalence of generic drugs. Switching from a brand-name drug to currently approved generic drugs, or between different generic drugs, will in principle result in comparable exposure, within boundaries determined by the within-subject variability of the pharmacokinetics of the active substance involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How is neuropathic pain regulated in peripheral sensory neurons? Importins are key regulators of nucleocytoplasmic transport. In this study, we found that importin a3 (also known as karyopherin subunit alpha 4) can control pain responsiveness in peripheral sensory neurons in mice. Importin a3 knockout or sensory neuron–specific knockdown in mice reduced responsiveness to diverse noxious stimuli and increased tolerance to neuropathic pain. Importin a3–bound c-Fos and importin a3–deficient neurons were impaired in c-Fos nuclear import. Knockdown or dominant-negative inhibition of c-Fos or c-Jun in sensory neurons reduced neuropathic pain. In silico screens identified drugs that mimic importin a3 deficiency. These drugs attenuated neuropathic pain and reduced c-Fos nuclear localization. Thus, perturbing c-Fos nuclear import by importin a3 in peripheral neurons can promote analgesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]