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Summary This article narrates a robust sensor‐less indirect rotor field‐oriented control (IRFOC) of a six‐phase asymmetrical induction motor (SPAIM) drive with an online estimation of parameters and reduction of common mode voltage (CMV). In comparison to the conventional IRFOC technique, the proposed IRFOC provides the least CMV using modified space vector modulation (SVM). To guarantee proper operation of IRFOC, accurate estimation of rotor time constant is mandatory; any mismatch in the actual and tuned value may lead to poor performance of the IRFOC algorithm. This problem will be further accelerated with encoder‐less control using model‐based estimators. In this manuscript, the problem of simultaneous estimation of speed and machine parameters is investigated, and a model reference adaptive system (MRAS) based speed estimator accompanied by online estimation of parameters is proposed to improve sturdiness against variation of parameters. A Simulink model of the proposed method is developed and a simulation study is carried out. To validate the simulation results, a scaled prototype model of The SPAIM rated for 2 HP, 200 V is developed and encoder‐less IRFOC for the SPAIM drives is implemented using an STM32F407VG controller board. The performance of the proposed observers is tested and verified for all the possible operating conditions and results are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a leading cause of loss of hearing, vision, and mental retardation in congenitally infected children. It is also associated with complications of organ transplant and opportunistic HIV coinfection. The Roche COBAS® AmpliPrep/COBAS® TaqMan® CMV test is an FDA–approved test that measures CMV DNA viral load in plasma for the diagnosis and management of patients at risk of CMV‐associated diseases. Besides plasma, CMV is often found in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and urine. Thus, monitoring of CMV for critical care of patients in these nonplasma samples becomes necessary. The objective of this study was to conduct an analytic and clinical feasibility study of the Roche CMV test in BAL, CSF, and urine. The lower limit of detection, analytic measurement range, assay sensitivity, specificity, and precision were determined. Results of this study showed that the lower limit of detections were 50, 100, and 300 IU/mL for BAL, CSF, or urine, respectively. The analytic measurement ranges were from log10 2.48 to log10 5.48. The assay specificity was 94.4% for BAL and 100% for CSF and urine. The assay precision was all within the acceptable range. The performance of Roche test was further compared with 2 comparators including the RealTime CMV assay (Abbott Molecular) and a CMV Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction test (Vela Diagnostics). There was a general positive correlation between the Roche method and the Abbott or the Vela method. Overall, this study suggests that the Roche CMV test is suitable for the quantification of CMV viral load DNA in the described nonplasma samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Low health literacy ( HL) indicates a limited ability to understand and use basic information to make appropriate health care decisions. Whereas low HL is associated with higher morbidity, mortality, and health care costs in multiple chronic conditions, little is known about HL and its associations in Parkinson's disease ( PD). Methods This was a cross-sectional study of nondemented adults with PD participating in the National Parkinson Foundation Parkinson's Outcomes Project at the University of Pennsylvania. Subjects were administered two brief HL assessments-the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine-Short Form ( REALM- SF), a word-recognition test, and the Newest Vital Sign ( NVS), a test of literacy, numeracy, and understanding of health information-as well as demographic and clinical questionnaires. Adverse outcomes included falls in the 3 months preceding the study visit and hospital admissions, emergency room visits, infections, or injuries in the preceding year. Caregiver burden was measured using the Multidimensional Caregiver Strain Index. Results A total of 168 subjects completed both HL screens (mean, 65.8 years; 65.5% male; 65.2% H & Y stage 2). Using the REALM- SF, 97.6% of subjects had adequate HL. Using the NVS, however, 29.8% had low HL, which was associated with older age, lower education, male sex, greater disease severity, and poorer cognition. Low HL was associated with hospital admission and increased caregiver burden. Conclusions Low HL is common and associated with greater caregiver burden and a higher likelihood of hospitalization in patients with PD. Because HL is associated with both disease severity and adverse outcomes, it may be an important, modifiable contributor to morbidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]