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Considering different applications that require varied power and voltage conversion levels between AC grids and AC loads, AC–AC power conversion between AC grids has become an inevitable technology of energy management systems. An isolated converter for performing AC-to-AC transmission is proposed with minimal components for reduced losses and enhanced system efficiency. Single-phase direct buck-boost AC to AC converter with minimum components constituted with two dual IGBT control units (IGBT 1–IGBT 4), inductor (Lf), and capacitor (Cf) is proposed in this work. The MATLAB/Simulink platform is used to provide in-depth analysis of the circuit and components along with the design guidelines, and simulation outcomes of this proposed model. The voltage gains of G = 2.13, power factor of 0.97, and overall efficiency of 98% are achieved in the proposed system with minimum components of 4 switches, 2 conductors, and 1 capacitor and inductor respectively. The obtained results are compared with existing technology to evaluate the proposed system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dysarthria is a speech communication disorder that is associated with neurological impairments. To detect this disorder from speech, we present an experimental comparison of deep models developed based on frequency domain features. A comparative analysis of deep models is performed in the detection of dysarthria using scalogram of dysarthric speech. Also, it can assist physicians, specialists, and doctors based on the results of its detection. Since dysarthric speech signals have segments of breathy and semi-whispery, experiments are performed only on the frequency-domain representation of speech signals. Time-domain speech signal is transformed into a 2-D scalogram image through wavelet transformation. Then, the scalogram images are applied to pre-trained convolutional neural networks. The layers of pre-trained networks are tuned for our scalogram images through transfer learning. The proposed method of applying the scalogram images as input to pre-trained CNNs is evaluated on the TORGO database and the classification performance of these networks is compared. In this work, AlexNet, GoogLeNet, ResNet 50 and two pre-trained sound CNNs, namely VGGish and YAMNET are considered deep models of pre-trained convolutional neural networks. The proposed method of using pre-trained and transfer learned CNN with scalogram image feature achieved better accuracy when compared to other machine learning models in the dysarthria detection system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction The quality control (QC) procedures for positron emission tomography (PET) scanners are covered by National Electrical Manufacturers Association and International Electrotechnical Commission. QC must be carried out at regular intervals according to the specifications of the scanner manufacturer. Daily and weekly QC plays a valuable role in monitoring positron emission tomography (PET) scanner performance changes. This study shares operational and performance experience of QC procedures that do not require a radioactive Ge-68 source to perform daily QC and experience with fluorodeoxyglucose F18 (18 F-FDG) as a substitute for germanium-68/sodium-22 (Ge-68/Na-22) source for weekly QC. Method This study was performed on an uMI550 digital positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) scanner. In this scanner daily QC checks system temperature and humidity, system count rate, data link status, and voltage. QC was performed at the console control, the position of the scanner table was in the home position pulled out from the gantry, and the room was closed during the quick QC. Weekly full QC check items include look-up table drift, energy drift, time-of-flight status, C-map status, temperature and humidity, and voltage. Weekly full QC was performed with a 18 F-FDG source in a rod phantom source. Results Over 200 daily QC tests without a radioactive source Ge-68 phantom and 50 full weekly QC tests using a 18 F-FDG rod phantom were performed with this scanner according to the manufacturer's instructions and a test report was generated. No daily QC errors or warnings were observed during this period. Conclusion The new approach for the daily PET QC does not expose operators to radiation. This translates into commercial and operational merits with consistent performance and results. Implications for Practice Reduction in radiation exposure to operating staff during QC procedure in PET-CT scanner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

KY boost converter (KBC) finds wide application in photovoltaic (PV) and single-phase inverters. In this study, a novel KBC containing seven levels of a multilevel inverter (MLI) is presented. Here, KBC between the direct current (DC) source and the inverter is proposed. Moreover, the authors considered a closed-loop response of the KBC-MLI system with a proportional integral (PI) controller and a fractional-order PID (FOPID) Controller. The main purpose of this suggested technique is to match the output current, total harmonic distortion (THD), and dynamic response of closed-loop PI and FOPID-controlled KBC-MLI systems. The proposed model is simulated with the MATLAB software, and the attained outcome illustrated an enhanced dynamic performance by using the FOPID-controlled KBC-MLI system. The simulation results of the KBC-MLI technique have been evaluated against the theoretical models. Finally, extensive experiments were carried out to validate the theoretical results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, a novel Euclidean distance mapping (EDM) technique for space vector pulse width modulated (SVPWM) voltage source inverter (VSI) is presented. The EDM technique processes space vector diagram (SVD) as an image, which simplifies execution of SVPWM. In the proposed technique, Euclidean distance calculation between all eight switching vectors and the tip of the revolving reference voltage vector for every subcycle is carried out. The identification of nearest three voltage vectors (NTV) and switching sequence designs are done on the basis of these Euclidean distances. The EDM-SVPWM technique achieves improvement in the inverter performance in the context of the factors like stator flux ripple over a subcycle, distortion factor (DF), total harmonics distortion (THD) of line voltage, and line current ripple of the inverter. The performance of EDM-SVPWM technique is verified analytically and confirmed experimentally by hardware implementation over the wide range of fundamental frequencies and modulation indices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) is a major virus found in shrimp that causes huge economic loss in shrimp farms. A selective diagnostic approach for WSSV is required for the early diagnosis and protection of farms. This work proposes a novel recognition method based on improved Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) namely Dense Inception Convolutional Neural Network (DICNN) for diagnoses of WSSV disease. Initially, the process of data acquisition and data augmentation is carried out. The Inception structure is then used to improve the performance of multi-dimensional feature extraction. As a result, the proposed work has the highest accuracy of 97.22% when compared to other traditional models. The proposed work is targeted to Litopenaeus Vannamei (LV), and Penaeus Monodon (PM) diversities for major threats detection of White Spot Syndrome (WSS). Performance metrics related to accuracy have been compared with other traditional models, which demonstrate that our model will efficiently recognize shrimp WSSV disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We must find novel approaches to improve intrusion detection systems in cloud computing as network traffic increases and attacks become more pervasive and complex. This study offers Ensemble methods for Cloud-based Network Intrusion Detection and Classification. The main means through which Ensemble Learning enhances each Machine Learning result Using algorithms and a strong classifier. In starting, the redundant data is removed from the collected raw data and the data cleaning is performed as the pre-processing phase. From these pre-processed data, modified holoentropy, correntropy, information gain, and statistical features are extracted. An ensemble technique that uses models like the neural network (NN), support vector machine (SVM), random forest (RF), and optimized deep belief network (DBN) performs the final detection of the presence or absence of attacks. The process of fine-tuning is supervised, and in order to increase the training's accuracy, the weights received from the RBM pre-training are modified. A new hybrid model called Moth Logarithmic Assisted Deer Hunting Optimization performs this fine-tuning (MLADHO). The conceptual fusion of the traditional Moth Flame Optimization (MFO) and the Deer Hunting Optimization Algorithm (DHO) yields the suggested algorithm. Finally, both the algorithmic and classifier evaluation is performed by comparing the suggested over conventional methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: For 1.3 billion population in India, there are only scarce reports on disability of epilepsy using disability-adjusted life year (DALY) as a measure. Our objective was to estimate DALY using real-life data over a period of time for a cohort of people with epilepsy (PWE) admitted to an Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU) of a tertiary care epilepsy center. Materials and Methods: We ascertained survival status as on December 31, 2016 of all eligible admissions to the EMU between 01/01/2005 and 12/31/2015. We examined the medical records of randomly selected 200 of the 1970 survivors and all the expired PWE (n = 40) for clinical characteristics. The cumulative real-life DALY (cr-DALY) for individual was calculated as the sum of the years lost to disability (YLD) and the years of life lost (YLL). Annual population-based DALY (p-DALY) was estimated from the cr-DALY, total patient-years of follow-up, and regional population prevalence. Results: The cr-DALY per PWE was 17.63 (generalized seizures only). The cr-DALY increased by 23.7% when all seizure types were considered (23.12). PWE with epilepsy onset <10 years of age, focal epilepsy (particularly, extratemporal lobe epilepsy), and premature death had significantly higher cr-DALY. Those who underwent surgery for epilepsy or achieved remission had significantly lower cr-DALY. The computed p-DALY was 583/1,00,000 population (generalized epilepsy contributed 165/1,00,000 population; focal epilepsy contributed 418/1,00,000 population). Conclusion: Our study had identified, for the first time, several determinants that reduced DALY significantly. Real-life DALY, rather than prevalence-based DALY, captures the cumulative disability of affected individuals. Epilepsy leads to loss of 23 years of disability-adjusted life span for the affected person. This can be extrapolated to substantial economic benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A laboratory setup is developed to experimentally reinforce the student's understanding of multilevel neutral point clamped inverter operated with various multicarrier and modulation reference signals. Sixteen combinations of carrier and reference signals out of many more possible are studied in this setup. The lab module is project-based and is designed to perform experiments for the 'advanced power electronics and drives' course at the undergraduate level. The hardware implementation details of the multilevel inverter are given in detail for reference to the teachers, students and researchers. Flexible hardware able to be driven by an analogue pulse-generation circuit is explained here or by an external digital programmable device is developed. With the help of dSPACE, complex reference signals are produced for performance analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy efficiency in optical networks is one of the important criteria to attain enhanced performance. Better energy efficiency can be attained in optical networks if the resources are properly scheduled. Polling sequences perform resource scheduling based on load requirements, and various methodologies have evolved in recent times for better efficiency. Load adaptive sequence arrangement (LASA) is one of the familiar and efficient methodologies adopted in various methodologies. However, the power consumption and idle time of optical network units are high which should be reduced to attain optimal network performances. Considering this, a modified LASA is presented in this research work for the regional area metropolitan optical access network (RAMOAN). The modified LASA is obtained by integrating the first-in-last-out polling sequence such that the proposed arrangement provides a better coverage radius, minimal power cost, maximum access reach, maximum energy saving, and minimal delay and energy cost. The better performance of the proposed approach is compared with traditional time and wavelength division multiplexed (TWDM), TWDM-protected, and RAMOAN with LASA through simulation analysis to validate the better performances of the proposed model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: This paper presents the digital realization of the fractional‐order PI (FOPI) controller fractional integrator element using the improved constant phase approximation method. A new pole‐zero rationalization approach is proposed within the bandwidth of the Bode phase plot. The voltage source inverter fed induction motor fractional‐order model has been identified. A novel mathematical FOPI controller design procedure for the identified FO plant model has been proposed. The designed FOPI controller fractional integrator element is implemented using the constant phase approximation method. A detailed comparative performance study of the proposed approximation method with the existing Charef, Oustaloup, and refined Oustaloup methods has been carried out using the Bode, Nyquist, and Nichols plots. The proposed FOPI controller is placed in the speed feedback loop of the rotor field‐oriented control algorithm of IM. To confirm the proposed FOPI controller approximation method's robustness, a hardware study is carried out on the laboratory hardware‐in‐loop (HIL) platform. In addition, variation in the number of pole‐zero pair's effect on the speed tracking performance, robustness against parameter and load variations are also analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a new nonlinear fractional-order model identification of a two-level voltage source inverter fed induction motor (VSI-IM). The nonlinearities present in inverter and IM cause the failure of the sensorless controls and model predictive controls, which mainly depends on the VSI-IM model. In the proposed work, an attempt has been made to identify the exact nonlinear behavior of the VSI-IM model using the PWM signal injection method. The identified fractional-order VSI-IM model is helpful to provide more insight into the dynamic behavior of the IM drive in the speed controller design (sensorless and sensored) and in predictive controls (model-based and model-free). The fractional VSI-IM models are identified at low, medium, and high frequencies. The best fit of these models is compared to the integer-order identified VSI-IM models. The experimental study clearly shows that the fractional-order VSI-IM identified model is superior to the integer-order VSI-IM model in terms of best fit with the actual hardware speed response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multilevel inverters play a vital role in the industrial and renewable energy sectors due to their flexibility in synthesizing sinusoidal waveforms using a low-pass filter with a medium voltage range. It has several drawbacks, such as a higher number of power component requirements and voltage balancing problems. In this study, a new structure for multilevel inverters has been developed to offer good power quality with minimum number of switching devices and gate driver circuits. The proposed structure is configured to operate in symmetrical and asymmetrical configurations for single/three-phase versions. A simulation study using MATLAB/Simulink has been utilized to study the operating characteristics under both configurations. A laboratory prototype has been built to check the feasibility of the proposed structure for real-time applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the shortage of fossil fuel usage, the solar Photovoltaic (PV) energy has increased grownup over the last decade. Most conventional applications of renewable energy are being phased out in order to reduce costs and save the environment. PV plants undergo numerous failures in faults detection and ultimate power developments. These consequences demonstrate in the environmental field and internal components. Even when internal standards are followed, the faults are unavoidable and undetectable. Due to this, the performance of manufacturing plants are not predictable. As a result, a proper fault detection mechanism is required for a PV system to detect faults and avoid energy losses. To address these issues, this research work proposed Internet of Things (IoT) sensor-based fault identification in a solar PV system. The PV panel status is monitored using pressure, light intensity, voltage, and current sensors. These sensor data's are stored in the cloud for further analysis using a web-based control server. To classify the sensor data, models of Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Extreme Learning Machine (ELM) are utilized. The experimental results indicate that ELM achieves a classification accuracy of 96.32%. Which is higher than SVM and other optimization control techniques. The proposed model uses the IoT cloud to provide real-time monitoring and fault detection in plant environmental and electrical parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This correction notice is for an article titled "Design and analysis of solitary AC-AC converter using reduced components for efficient power generation system" published in Scientific Reports. The correction addresses an error in the affiliation of one of the authors. The correct affiliation is listed as the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, E.G.S. Pillay Engineering College, Nagapattinam, Tamilnadu, India. The original article has been corrected. The authors of the article are K. Nandakumar, V. Mohan, Faisal Alsaif, and S. Senthilkumar. [Extracted from the article]

Summary: This paper presents the fractional‐order voltage‐source‐inverter‐controlled induction machine (FO‐VSI‐IM) model extraction and integration to improve the closed‐loop speed control performance of variable speed drives. In the operating range of variable speed drive, it is susceptible to load disturbance and speed tracking error. This paper provides the practical approach to obtain the fractional‐order model of VSI‐fed induction motor (IM) drive by using PWM signal injection technique. The injected PWM signals and speed encoder response signals are recorded using the dSPACE 1104 platform. This model is used in constructing the closed‐loop speed control of VSI‐IM with designed integer‐order PI speed controller. The comparative performance is evaluated for FO‐VSI‐IM and integer‐order voltage‐source‐inverter‐controlled induction machine (IO‐VSI‐IM) with feed‐forward gain variations and load disturbances. It is observed that the robust speed tracking capability with the controller designed using the FO‐VSI‐IM model over the controller with IO‐VSI‐IM model under load disturbances. The improvement in speed tracking with less control effort in the FO‐VSI‐IM model is advantageous in field‐oriented control (FOC) drives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multilevel inverters (MLI) are becoming more common in different power applications, such as active filters, elective vehicle drives, and dc power sources. The Multi-Group Marine Predator Algorithm (MGMPA) is introduced in this study for resolving transcendental nonlinear equations utilizing an MLI in a selective harmonic elimination (SHE) approach. Its applicability and superiority over various SHE approaches utilized in recent research may be attributed to its high accuracy, high likelihood of convergence, and improved output voltage quality. For the entire modulation index, the optimum switching angles (SA) from Marine Predator Algorithm (MPA) is utilized to control a three-phase 11-level MLI employing cascaded H-bridge (CHB) architecture to regulate the vital element and eliminate the harmonics. The limitation of SHE is that it is difficult to find solutions for nonlinear equations. As a result, specific optimization approaches must be used. Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms can handle such a nonlinear transcendental equation successfully, although their time consumption as well as convergence abilities vary. Here, recurrent neural network (RNN) is considered where the hidden neurons are tuned by MGMPA with the intention of harmonic distortion parameter (HDP) minimization, thus called as enhanced recurrent neural network (ERNN). The method's resilience and consistency are demonstrated by simulation and analytical findings. The MGMPA method is more effective and appropriate than various algorithms including the MPA, Harris Hawks optimization (HHO), and Whale optimization algorithm (WOA), according to simulation data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The performance of photovoltaic (PV) systems must be predicted through accurate simulation designs before proceeding to a real-time application to avoid errors. However, predicting the cohesive relationship between current and voltage and estimating the parameters of a single diode model become a perplexing task due to insufficient data in the datasheet of PV panels. This research work presents single-diode solar PV system simulation analysis under different conditions, and the performance is improved by introducing an optimization-based maximum power point tracking (MPPT) strategy. Before simulation, a mathematical model for a single diode and optimization approaches are presented in this research work. Particle swarm optimization (PSO), genetic algorithm (GA), BAT optimization, and grey wolf optimization (GWO) model-based MPPT circuits are designed, and the performances are comparatively analyzed. The simulation results identify the nonlinear relationship between current and voltage and between power and voltage as characteristic curves for different temperature and irradiance values. For maximum power (Pmax), the maximum peak point tracking power and efficiency are analyzed to verify the optimization-based MPPT system. The simulation results demonstrate that the GWO model obtains a maximum tracking efficiency (TE) of 98%, which is much better than that of other optimization techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The performance of photovoltaic (PV) systems must be predicted through accurate simulation designs before proceeding to a real-time application to avoid errors. However, predicting the cohesive relationship between current and voltage and estimating the parameters of a single diode model become a perplexing task due to insufficient data in the datasheet of PV panels. This research work presents single-diode solar PV system simulation analysis under different conditions, and the performance is improved by introducing an optimization-based maximum power point tracking (MPPT) strategy. Before simulation, a mathematical model for a single diode and optimization approaches are presented in this research work. Particle swarm optimization (PSO), genetic algorithm (GA), BAT optimization, and grey wolf optimization (GWO) model-based MPPT circuits are designed, and the performances are comparatively analyzed. The simulation results identify the nonlinear relationship between current and voltage and between power and voltage as characteristic curves for different temperature and irradiance values. For maximum power (Pmax), the maximum peak point tracking power and efficiency are analyzed to verify the optimization-based MPPT system. The simulation results demonstrate that the GWO model obtains a maximum tracking efficiency (TE) of 98%, which is much better than that of other optimization techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The performance of photovoltaic (PV) systems must be predicted through accurate simulation designs before proceeding to a real-time application to avoid errors. However, predicting the cohesive relationship between current and voltage and estimating the parameters of a single diode model become a perplexing task due to insufficient data in the datasheet of PV panels. This research work presents single-diode solar PV system simulation analysis under different conditions, and the performance is improved by introducing an optimization-based maximum power point tracking (MPPT) strategy. Before simulation, a mathematical model for a single diode and optimization approaches are presented in this research work. Particle swarm optimization (PSO), genetic algorithm (GA), BAT optimization, and grey wolf optimization (GWO) model-based MPPT circuits are designed, and the performances are comparatively analyzed. The simulation results identify the nonlinear relationship between current and voltage and between power and voltage as characteristic curves for different temperature and irradiance values. For maximum power (Pmax), the maximum peak point tracking power and efficiency are analyzed to verify the optimization-based MPPT system. The simulation results demonstrate that the GWO model obtains a maximum tracking efficiency (TE) of 98%, which is much better than that of other optimization techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a predictive torque control (PTC) algorithm for a five-phase (distributed winding) induction motor fed by a three-level neutral-point-clamped inverter to remove the common-mode voltage (CMV). In this approach, a finite range of 31 voltage vectors (VVs) is chosen from the total available 243 VVs for the removal of the CMV. The $xy$ -subspace current harmonic reduction is achieved with grouped VVs. The developed PTC algorithm has two successive cost functions: $g_{1h}$ for stator flux and electromagnetic torque regulation and $g_{2h}$ for $xy$ -subspace current harmonic reduction. The purpose of these two successive cost functions is to reduce the complexity in determining the independent weighting factors. This algorithm retains the torque and flux responses similar to that of conventional PTC. The minimization in switching frequency is obtained in the presented PTC algorithm with the selected set of VVs. For evaluating and ascertaining the capabilities for CMV elimination and $xy$ -subspace harmonic current reduction, the proposed algorithm is compared with the conventional PTC algorithm having a different set of VVs. Experimental outcomes show the significance of the discussed algorithm in the steady state and retain the transient operating conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radiation therapy is an effective treatment modality for a variety of cancers. Despite several advances in delivery techniques, its main drawback remains the deposition of dose in normal tissues which can result in toxicity. Common practices of evaluating toxicity, using questionnaires and grading systems, provide little underlying information beyond subjective scores, and this can limit further optimization of treatment strategies. Nuclear medicine imaging techniques can be utilised to directly measure regional baseline function and function loss from internal/external radiation therapy within normal tissues in an in vivo setting with high spatial resolution. This can be correlated with dose delivered by radiotherapy techniques to establish objective dose-effect relationships, and can also be used in the treatment planning step to spare normal tissues more efficiently. Toxicity in radionuclide therapy typically occurs due to undesired off-target uptake in normal tissues. Molecular imaging using diagnostic analogues of therapeutic radionuclides can be used to test various interventional protective strategies that can potentially reduce this normal tissue uptake without compromising tumour uptake. We provide an overview of the existing literature on these applications of nuclear medicine imaging in diverse normal tissue types utilising various tracers, and discuss its future potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a case of Klippel-Feil Syndrome, a congenital skeletal defect where multiple cervical vertebral bodies are fused. Klippel-Feil Syndrome has multiple associated anomalies, with a notable one being Sprengel's deformity. In this case, the patient was given a diagnosis of Klippel-Feil Syndrome prenatally after suspected cervical vertebrae fusion and Sprengel's deformity were seen on both fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound. Prenatal diagnosis of Sprengel's deformity has been reported once in the literature. In this report, we present imaging findings of Sprengel's deformity seen in association with Klippel-Feil Syndrome using a combination of fetal ultrasound and MRI. • Klippel-Feil Syndrome (KFS) is a defect featuring fusion of cervical vertebrae. • Sprengel's deformity should be suspected in cases of KFS. • Prenatal 3D ultrasound and MRI showed Sprengel's deformity and omovertebral bone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary lymphomatous involvement of spinal cord, nerve roots, and cauda equina is a rare entity and comprises only 0.1% of extra-nodal lymphoma spectrum. Here, we present a case of non-Hodgkin lymphoma involving cauda equina, initially suspected as ependymoma on magnetic resonance imaging that was later confirmed on nerve root biopsy as high B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of L1-S1 nerve roots. F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography was performed for staging workup which showed abnormal metabolic activity within the spinal canal from D10-S2 with no evidence of distant organ involvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: PSMA-directed therapy for metastatic prostate cancer is gaining adoption as a treatment option. However, accumulation of 177Lu/225Ac-PSMA in the salivary glands remains a problem, with risk of dose-limiting xerostomia and potentially severe effect on the quality of life. Gustatory stimulation is an approach that has commonly been used in radioactive iodine therapy to reduce accumulation in the salivary glands. However, based on theoretical differences in biodistribution, it was hypothesized that this could potentially lead to adverse increased toxicity for PSMA-ligand therapy. The primary objective of this work was to determine if gustatory stimulation by eating an assortment of sweet/fatty/acidic foods during the biodistribution phase of [18F]DCFPyl could result in a clinically relevant (> 30%) change in the uptake of the tracer in the salivary glands. Methods: 10 patients who already received a whole-body [18F]DCFPyl PET/CT scan for evaluation of prostate cancer, underwent a repeat (intervention) PET/CT scan within a month of the first (control) scan. During the intervention scan, patients chose from an assortment of sweet/fatty/acidic foods, which they then chewed and swallowed for a period of time starting 1 min before tracer administration to 10 min thereafter. Data from both scans were analyzed by placing VOIs on the major salivary glands and segmenting them using relative thresholds. Results: A slight increase in PSMA uptake in the parotid glands was observed on the intervention scan when compared to the baseline scan (+ 7.1% SULmean and + 9.2% SULmax, p < 0.05). No significant difference in PSMA uptake in the submandibular glands was seen. Conclusions: Eating only slightly increases uptake of [18F]DCFPyl in the parotid glands. We nonetheless recommend refraining from gustatory stimulation during the administration and early biodistribution phase of radionuclide therapy with PSMA-ligands to reduce the risk of avoidable additional toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 39-year-old male, with primary hyperthyroidism for the last-3 years, for which he was not receiving any treatment, presented with complaints of sudden onset weakness in all four limbs for one day. Weakness was more in the lower limbs; and was not associated with sweating or related to a carbohydrate-rich diet. Family history, drug-history was unremarkable. On physical examination, he was anxious; exophthalmos was evident. Resting pulse rate was 112/min; rest of the general physical examination was normal. Systemic examination revealed complete absence of movement in lower limbs power 0/5 [Medical research Council (MRC) grading], but he was able to move his upper limbs against gravity 3/5 (MRC grading). Deep tendon reflexes were absent. Rest of the neurological and other systems examination were unremarkable. Laboratory testing showed hypokalemia (serum potassium 2.6 mEq/L); thyroid profile revealed TSH 0.01 mIU/L, T3 2.0ng/ml, free T4 3.3 ng/mL. A possible diagnosis of thyrotoxic periodic paralysis was considered; he was treated with intravenous correction of potassium and was started on carbimazole and propranolol. On the next 48 hours, power in all the limbs became normal and deep tendon reflexes were normally elicitable. He was asymptomatic by the third day and was discharged in a stable condition with advice to follow-up in Medicine out-patient department. Thyrotoxic paralysis is a benign condition if it is diagnosed early and treated promptly. Though it is a rare condition, it requires special mention because of its life-threatening complications. The diagnosis at initial presentation is often delayed because of the subtleness of clinical features of thyrotoxicosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The yield of agriculture primarily depends on the soil moisture, soil fertility and the use of suitable fertilizers. The method of manually measuring the soil nutrients is inaccurate in the current scenario due to laps between soil samples collected at the field and measuring in the laboratory. IoT has made changes in so many fields to monitor the data remotely despite of existing wireless technologies like Zigbee, GSM, etc. In this work an effort is made to collect the data related to various soil nutrients from agriculture filed using multiple sensors. Once the data is monitored and collected at the control center helps to apply a machine algorithms to take the appropriate decision for an efficient crop yield. In the proposed system, the sensors connected to the node at the field measures the macro nutrients of the soil, temperature and humidity of the soil. The nutrition majorly required for the growth of the plant is nitrogen (N), potassium (K), and phosphorous (P) amount present in the soil. In this work a microcontroller with WiFi is used to interface various sensors and display the measured value in the LCD. This application will provide a user interface to monitor the fertilizers, irrigation and humidity control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: Salivary glands are highly perfused and express the prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) receptor as well as the sodium—iodide symporter. As a consequence, treatment with 177Lu/225Ac-PSMA for prostate cancer or 131I for thyroid cancer leads to a high radiation dose in the salivary glands, and patients can be confronted with persistent xerostomia and reduced quality of life. Salivation can be inhibited using an antimuscarinic pharmaceutical, such as glycopyrronium bromide (GPB), which may also reduce perfusion. The primary objective of this work was to determine if inhibition with GPB could provide a considerable (> 30%) reduction in the accumulation of administered 123I or 68Ga-PSMA-11 in salivary glands. Methods: Ten patients who already received a whole-body 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT scan for (re)staging of prostate cancer underwent a repeat PET/CT scan with tracer administration at 90 min after intravenous injection of 0.2 mg GPB. Four patients in follow-up after thyroid cancer, who had been treated with one round of ablative 131I therapy with curative intent and had no signs of recurrence, received 123I planar scintigraphy at 4 h after tracer administration without GPB and a repeated scan at least one week later, with tracer administration at 30 min after intramuscular injection of 0.4 mg GPB. Tracer uptake in the salivary glands was quantified on PET and scintigraphy, respectively, and values with and without GPB were compared. Results: No significant difference in PSMA uptake in the salivary glands was seen without or with GPB (Mean SULmean parotid glands control 5.57, intervention 5.72, p = 0.50. Mean SULmean submandibular glands control 6.25, intervention 5.89, p = 0.12). Three out of 4 patients showed increased 123I uptake in the salivary glands after GPB (Mean counts per pixel control 8.60, intervention 11.46). Conclusion: Muscarinic inhibition of salivation with GPB did not significantly reduce the uptake of PSMA-ligands or radioiodine in salivary glands, and can be dismissed as a potential strategy to reduce toxicity from radionuclide therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Diagnosis of isolated mediastinal tuberculosis (TB) can be challenging. Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) increases the diagnostic yield by direct sonographic visualization of mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes. With the advent of molecular techniques such as Gene Xpert, their addition to the cytology and cultures increases the diagnostic yield and detection of rifampicin resistance (RR) which helps change the effective therapeutic regimen immediately. Materials and Methods: Prospective analysis of all patients undergoing EBUS-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) with a clinical possibility of TB in isolated mediastinal lymphadenopathy patients at a tertiary care referral center between June 2016 and January 2018. All patients had at least five passes from each node of which two passes from each lymph node sampled in 2 ml of saline for culture and Gene Xpert for microbiologic, pathologic, and molecular analysis as per hospital protocol. Results: Out of 60 patients, 44 were diagnosed to have mediastinal tuberculous lymphadenitis, 8 sarcoidosis, 2 malignancies, and 6 reactive lymphadenitis. TBNA cytology was positive in 40/44 patients (90.9%), out of which 18 patients were culture positive with the sensitivity of 100%, specificity 47.6%, positive predictive value (PPV) 45%, and negative predictive value (NPV) 100%, (P value 0.011). TBNA acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear was positive in 20/44 patients (45.45%) out of which 12 were culture positive, with sensitivity of 67%, specificity 80.95%, PPV 60%, NPV 85% (P value 0.011). TBNA Gene Xpert was positive in 30/44 patients (68.2%), out of which 6 (13.63%) showed RR-TB and two were cytology negative. Sixteen patients where culture positive with sensitivity of 88.89%, specificity 66.67%, PPV 53.33%, NPV 93.33% (P value of 0.005). TBNA AFB culture was positive in 18/44 patients (40.9%). Conclusion: EBUS-TBNA is an effective and safe diagnostic tool for intrathoracic TB, especially for mediastinal tuberculous lymphadenitis. The combination of various tests increases the diagnostic yield. Mediastinal nodal aspirates traditionally believed to be paucibacillary can still be captured by Gene Xpert. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two novel types of anion exchange membranes (AEMs) having imidazolium-type functionalised nanofibrous substrates were prepared using the facile and potentially scalable method. The membranes' precursors were prepared by graft copolymerization of vinylbenzyl chloride (VBC) onto syndiotactic polypropylene (syn-PP) and polyamide-66 (PA-66) nanofibrous networks followed by crosslinking with 1,8-octanediamine, thermal treatment and subsequent functionalisation of imidazolium groups. The obtained membranes displayed an ion exchange capacity (IEC) close to 1.9 mmol g–1 and ionic (OH-) conductivity as high as 130 mS cm–1 at 80 °C. This was coupled with a reasonable alkaline stability representing more than 70% of their original conductivity under accelerated degradation test in 1 M KOH at 80 °C for 360 h. The effect of ionomer binder on the performance of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) in AEM fuel cell was evaluated with the optimum membrane. The MEA showed a power density of as high as 440 mW cm−2 at a current density is 910 mA cm−2 with diamine crosslinked quaternized polysulfone (DAPSF) binder at 80 °C with 90% humidified H2 and O2 gases. Such performance was 2.3 folds higher than the corresponding MEA performance with quaternary ammonium polysulfone (QAPS) binder at the same operating conditions. Overall, the newly developed membrane was found to possess not only an excellent combination of physico-chemical properties and a reasonable stability but also to have a facile preparation procedure and cheap ingredients making it a promising candidate for application in AEM fuel cell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a case of hypochondrogenesis, a rare autosomal dominant skeletal dysplasia that often results in infant death shortly after birth. Hypochondrogenesis can present similarly to other skeletal dysplasia diseases, notably achondrogenesis type II. The diagnosis of hypochondrogenesis was given during the prenatal stage after fetal imaging was performed using ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and low-dose computerized tomography (CT). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first known case that reported the use of low-dose CT to assist in the prenatal diagnosis of hypochondrogenesis. • Hypochondrogenesis is a lethal skeletal dysplasia with less than 100 known cases. • Fetal imaging can differentiate hypochondrogenesis from achondrogenesis type II. • Low-dose CT revealed distinguishing defects not seen on ultrasound or MRI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of Eriocaulon, E. vamanae, is described from the southern Western Ghats of Kerala, India. It resembles Eriocaulon nepalense var. luzulifolium (Mart.) Praj. & J.Parn. but differs in the shape of its involucral bracts and receptacle, the fusion of the sepals in male flowers, the shape and indumentum of the sepals in female flowers, the size and indumentum of the petals in female flowers, and the seed coat appendages. Eriocaulon vamanae is so far known only from the type locality, Meesapulimala in Idukki District, Kerala, and is assessed as 'Critically Endangered' according to the IUCN's Red List Categories and Criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a progressive comparison of predictive torque control (PTC) algorithms for a five-phase induction motor fed with a two-level five-phase inverter. The extension of three-phase PTC to the five-phase motor, introduces current harmonics of the order 10n $\pm$ 3 (n = 0, 1, 2...), which are not responsible for torque/flux production. The inherent disadvantage of PTC is being a variable frequency algorithm, which adds complexity to the design of magnetic components. This disadvantage of PTC can be overcome by applying dwell time ($t_{s}$) to the voltage vectors obtained through a minimum torque ripple condition, which is determined based on the ripple equation. In the proposed algorithm, a set of synthetic voltage vectors are generated and used for reducing flux and torque error through cost function. The use of synthetic voltage vector simplifies the cost function and further reduces the computation time. A two-step delay compensation is adopted to improve the precision of the control algorithm further. In each control cycle, an optimal switching time is calculated to reduce the torque ripple and to maintain the constant switching frequency. In this article, a modified PTC is proposed, which targets to achieve constant switching frequency, eliminate the xy-subspace current harmonics, reduce the torque ripple, and minimize the computational burden involved in the conventional predictive torque control algorithm. The experimental study is carried out on a laboratory prototype. The results show compliance with all the experimental study with different PTC algorithms with different sampling frequencies, and the modified cost function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, two coupled nonlinear differential equations related to carbon dioxide (CO2) and phenyl glycidyl ether (PGE) concentrations are solved using a residual method. This is a particular case of the exp-function method. This model has based a set of boundary conditions for Dirichlet and a mixed set of boundary conditions for Neumann and Dirichlet. This method yields a quick converging, easily computable, and efficiently verifiable approximate closed-form solutions. The numerical result is compared with the approximate solutions obtained by this method and with the other results obtained by the Adomian decomposition method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of sustainable technology for the extraction of value-added products from the ecological feedstock is gaining importance. The present work focuses on the intensification of extraction of different metabolites such as phycocyanin and β carotene from microalgae (Spirulina platensis) and also presents the optimum extraction parameters using an ultrasound-assisted approach. Initially, phycocyanin was extracted from lyophilized biomass of Spirulina platensis using an ultrasound-assisted approach, and then the extract was centrifuged and the supernatant was treated by using the sugaring-out method to separate phycocyanin from chlorophyll. The remaining biomass was further used for the extraction of β-carotene using the same ultrasound-assisted approach. Various operating parameters such as amplitude, duty cycle, sonication time, and depth of horn immersed into the solution have been investigated for intensified extraction. Moreover, Taguchi design of experiments was used to evaluate the yield of β-carotene using the L9 orthogonal array based on the effect of probe length, amplitude, duty cycle, and sonication time. On the basis of results and signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio analysis, a ranking of the parameters was performed. It can be noted here that the order of ranking was amplitude > sonication time > duty cycle > depth of horn immersing into the solution. Overall, it has been observed that maximum extraction of phycocyanin and β-carotene was 67 mg/g of dry biomass and 4.66 mg/g of dry weight, which was obtained at optimal amplitudes of 80% and 66% of the duty cycle and 0.5 cm depth of horn immersing into the solution in 4 min and 10 min, respectively. The present study clearly demonstrated that significant intensification benefits can be obtained in terms of the extraction of metabolites at optimal conditions using the ultrasound-assisted approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integrated battery chargers (IBCs) provide the flexibility of reusing the electric drive-train components of the electric vehicle (EV) for the charging operation. The purpose of the paper is to reuse its traction inverter and motor windings as rectifier and grid interfacing filter, respectively for charging and keeping rotor standstill without using any external brake. Various winding configurations are developed by splitting the three-phase induction motor (IM) winding into two parts at zero electrical degree to keep the rotor standstill. The different stator winding connections are proposed for IM which restricts the formation of rotating magnetic field (RMF). Cases are categorized into two parts, in the first part, RMF is cancelled to zero and in the other part, RMF is converted into pulsating magnetic field (PMF). Mathematical investigation for torque production in both cases is provided to prove that the proposed winding connections are incapable of developing electromagnetic torque in machine. Mathematical findings are validated by experimentation on split three-phase IM (STP-IM). This analysis is useful in identifying the nature of torque developed in motor during charging operation of EV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to numerous industrial surveys, the failure rate of stator insulation is much higher for Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) controlled induction motors than for the motors with sinusoidal voltage supply. Voltage spikes, high slew rate of spikes, and repetition and harmonics of PWM voltages generate higher electrical and thermal stresses in motor insulation that result into premature failure. In this paper, the Design of Experiments (DoE) method has been proposed to estimate the life of PWM controlled induction motor insulation. The insulation stress under PWM voltages is quantified by three factors viz. spike magnitude, spike frequency and voltage harmonics factor. These stress factors are experimentally computed for PWM controlled induction motor at different switching frequencies. Keeping these stress factors as input, a fuzzy logic model for insulation life is subsequently developed. This model is fine tuned to match the results obtained through insulation aging test with PWM voltages. The fuzzy logic data is analyzed by statistical techniques such as, ANOVA and Standardized Pareto Chart. A full factorial Design of Experiments technique is then applied to the fuzzy logic results to get the first order model relating the insulation life of induction motor with the stress factors. This model can be directly used for insulation life estimation of PWM controlled induction motors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Sepsis is a systemic, host response to infection that progresses from sepsis to severe sepsis to septic shock. Severe sepsis carries significant morbidity and mortality. In the presence of individual risk factors such as old age, diabetes mellitus, chronic liver and renal disease, the death rate remains high despite treatment with antimicrobial agents. Aim: To determine the factors associated with severe sepsis or septic shock and to identify the factors influencing the mortality among patients with gram-negative bacteraemia. Materials and Methods: In this observational cohort study, 219 patients with gram-negative bacteraemia were screened for the presence of sepsis, severe sepsis and septic shock and detailed characteristics of the patients were analysed using independent sample t-test, chi-square test and logistic regression. Results: Among 219 patients with gram-negative bacteraemia, 43 (19.6%) were as classified as severe sepsis, 69 (31.5%) as septic shock and the remaining 107 (48.9%) as only sepsis according to clinical criteria. Diabetes mellitus (p-value=0.006), chronic liver disease (p-value=0.001), presence of urinary catheter (p-value<0.001) and organisms other than E. coli (p-value=0.036) had a significant association with severe sepsis. Mortality was observed in 82 (73.3%) patients with severe sepsis and septic shock. The factors that predicted mortality among patients with gram-negative bacteraemia were age =65 years, chronic liver disease, indwelling urinary catheter, endotracheal and nasogastric tube, central venous access, organisms other than E. coli, respiratory and abdominal sources of infection. The mean Pitt bacteraemia score of >4 was significant (p-value <0.001) for development of severe sepsis and septic shock and mortality was higher in those with high scores. (p-value <0.0001). Conclusion: The present findings suggest that diabetes mellitus, chronic liver disease, indwelling urinary catheter and organisms other than E. coli are important risk factors for the development of severe sepsis or septic shock. Patients with higher Pitt bacteraemia score may have higher risk of death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines how resource acquisition timing affects a venture's ability to accelerate milestone achievement. We examine acquisition timing decisions for three types of resources: material resources, facilities and equipment resources, and human resources. Two venture milestones are examined: accomplishment of the first sale and achievement of positive cash flows. We theorize that resource acquisition timing can impact the degree of resource availability delays and the rate of resource-driven cash outflows/inflows, which, in turn, determine the time to first sale and the time to positive cash flows, respectively. Our results demonstrate that decisions concerning resource acquisition timing could have contradictory effects vis-à-vis shortening the time to first sale versus shortening the time to positive cash flows. These findings highlight the difficult tradeoffs that ventures have to navigate when making resource acquisition decisions, which have implications for multiple milestones across a venture's lifecycle. Finally, the paper demonstrates how technological novelty moderates, and, in fact, radically alters, the relationship between the timing of resource acquisitions and the time to venture milestone achievement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The real and imaginary parts of the surface impedance of YBCO superconductors have been studied at different microwave power levels. Using the relations for the critical current density and the grain boundary resistance, a relation for calculating the power dependence of the surface resistance has been obtained. Also, a relation to find the resonant frequency of a superconducting microstrip resonator at various input power levels has been derived. Measurements have been carried out on various microstrip resonators to study the variation of surface resistance and resonant frequency at different rf power levels. The experimental results are in good agreement with theoretical results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the direct torque control (DTC) for a three-level five-phase inverter-fed five-phase induction motor is proposed to improve the low-speed performance. The classical DTC scheme (DTC-I) is modified in order to minimize the demagnetization effect during a low-speed operation. According to the modification, the voltage vector space plane is divided into 20 sectors, each of sector 18°. For odd number of sectors, ${{\pm 36^\circ }}$ displaced intermediate voltage vectors, and for even number of sectors, ${{\pm 36^\circ }}$ displaced main voltage vectors are selected instead of classic ${{\pm 72^\circ }}$ displaced voltage vectors. The zero voltage vectors are omitted in the proposed DTC scheme (DTC-II) for the low-speed operation. The DTC-II scheme reduces the demagnetization effect during a low-speed region at the cost of increase in the torque ripple due to avoiding zero voltage vectors. As the speed ramps up, the ${{\pm 72^\circ }}$ displaced voltage vectors are selected through a seven-level torque comparator and are divided into ten sectors. Therefore, in the medium and the higher speed region, the torque ripple is reduced by using the seven-level torque comparator. Simulation and experimental results are presented in order to validate the DTC-II method. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper presents a simplified implementation technique for direct torque control (DTC) of asymmetric six-phase induction motor drive. Current harmonics of fifth and seventh order are observed in the phase currents if conventional DTC scheme is extended for the asymmetric six-phase machine. These harmonic components are not responsible for torque production, thus causing losses in the motor winding. Synthetic vectors are generally used for reduction of current harmonics. Average voltage in $xy$ subspace is maintained to zero by synthetic vectors leading to reduction of currents in $xy$ subspace. A simplified method of implementation of synthetic vectors is proposed in this paper, which eliminates the need for designing of switching sequence and requirement of field-programmable gate array. Also, the number of synthetic vectors that can be possibly produced is increased compared with the ones developed by techniques available in the literature. The experimentation is carried out on a laboratory-developed prototype and the experimental results are presented in this paper to verify the proposed scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Solar energy is the abundantly available source of renewable energy with least impact on environment. Direct absorption solar collector (DASC) is the commonly used device to absorb heat directly from sun and make use of it for different heating applications. In the past, many experiments have been done to increase the efficiency of DASC using nanofluids. In this paper, an examination of solar collector efficiency for hybrid CeO2/CuO-water (0.1% by volume) nanofluid under various flow rates and proportions of CeO2/CuO nanoparticles is investigated. The experiments were conducted at flow rates spanning from 20cc/min to 100cc/min and with CeO2/CuO nanoparticles proportions of 1:0, 1:0.5, 1:1, 0.5:1 and 0:1. The efficiency increases from 16.5% to 51.6% when the flow rate is increased from 20cc/min to 100cc/min for hybrid CeO2/CuO (1:1)-water nanofluid. The results also showed an increase in efficiency of 13.8%, 18.1%, 24.3%, 24.9% and 26.1% with hybrid combination of CeO2/CuO at ratios 1:0, 1:0.5, 1:1, 0.5:1 and 0:1, respectively, in comparison with water at a flow rate of 100cc/min. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a new class of continuous maps called sαrw-continuous maps in topological spaces are introduced and studied. Also some of their properties have been investigated. We also introduce sαrw-irresolute maps, strongly sαrw-continuous maps, perfectly sαrw-continuous maps and discuss some properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microwave assisted pyrolysis (MWAP) is an alternative heating approach to convert biosolids into value-added products, such as biochar, biogas and bio-oil. Studying the dielectric properties of biosolids is fundamental to understand the behaviour of this material under microwave irradiation and to design microwave assisted pyrolysis systems. This study examined the dielectric properties of biosolids with changes in moisture content and applied microwave frequency. Results demonstrated that the dielectric constant decreases with decreasing moisture content and with increasing microwave frequency, but the dielectric loss factor of dry biosolids is almost zero. Simulations demonstrated that moisture content of biosolids impacts on the distribution and intensity of electromagnetic field. Because of the poor dielectric properties of dry biosolids, a microwave susceptor must be added to the biosolids to attract microwave energy so that the materials can reach temperatures required for pyrolysis. Therefore, this study also investigated the impact of four microwave susceptors (activated carbon, charcoal, biochar and glycerol) on biosolids pyrolysis and on biochar properties produced from biosolids via microwave assisted pyrolysis at 600 °C. The choice of microwave susceptor influences the heating rate of biosolids and the specific surface area of the resultant biochar. Results show that activated carbon favours the heating process, increases surface area, and the biochar produced with activated carbon has the highest carbon stability and energy value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The contamination of water with silver has increased due to the widespread applications of products with silver employed as antimicrobial agent. Adsorption is a cost-effective method for silver removal from aqueous solution. In this study biochar, produced from the microwave assisted pyrolysis of biosolids, was used for silver removal from an aqueous solution. The adsorption kinetics, isotherms and thermodynamics were investigated to better understand the silver removal process by biochar. X-ray diffraction results demonstrated that silver removal was a combination two consecutive mechanisms, reduction and physical adsorption. The Langmuir model fitted the experimental data well, showing that silver removal was predominantly a surface mechanism. The thermodynamic investigation demonstrated that silver removal by biochar was an exothermic process. The final nanocomposite Ag-biochar (biochar plus silver) was used for methylene blue adsorption and photodegradation. This study showed the potential of using biochar produced from biosolids for silver removal as a promising solution to mitigate water pollution and an environmentally sustainable approach for biosolids management and re-use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes two direct torque control (DTC) strategies to reduce the common-mode voltage (CMV) in the five-phase induction motor driven by three-level five-phase inverter. In each technique, 31 voltage vectors consisting of 30 nonzero voltage vectors, and a zero voltage vector are selected out of available 243 voltage vectors. The selection of these voltage vectors are based on their capabilities of reducing the CMV, eliminating the x–y stator flux and maintaining the torque ripple under control. The ten large, ten small, and a zero voltage vector are same in both schemes, however only difference in designing the control strategy for the two schemes is the utilization of different ten medium voltage vectors. First proposal (DTC-I) reduces the CMV to $3V_{{\rm{dc}}}\,/ 10$ and second proposal (DTC-II) reduces to $V_{{\rm{dc}}}\,/ 10$. These schemes are compared with DTC technique of five-phase induction motor fed by two-level five-phase inverter in order to judge the capabilities of proposed schemes in context of reducing the CMV. The simulation and experimental results validate the proposed DTC techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advances in the understanding of monogenic causes of diabetes and the discovery of single-gene mutations responsible for different phenotypes have greatly increased our knowledge of β-cell physiology. Such advances have had implications for the individual patient diagnosed with the specific monogenic cause of diabetes, especially in maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY) and neonatal diabetes mellitus (NDM). Genetic diagnosis of MODY is also likely to have important prognostic and therapeutic implications in majority of the patients with confirmed HNF1A and HNF4A mutations. Genetic screening and analyses have helped several neonatal infants carrying mutations in the KCNJ11 and ABCC8 genes to shift from insulin treatment to oral sulphonylurea drugs. The progress in genomics of monogenic diabetic forms has helped in translating the discoveries from bench to bedside in clinical care. Therefore, there is an urgent need to incorporate genetic testing for the genes implicated in monogenic diabetes like MODY and NDM in the diabetes clinics. Discoveries in genetic research methodology and understanding of genetic etiology will have great translational implications for disease treatment and follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an improved direct torque control (DTC) method for an asymmetrical six-phase induction motor using a two-level six-phase inverter. As is well known, a simple extension of three-phase DTC technique to an asymmetrical six-phase motor, using large vectors only, introduces significant current harmonics of the order 6 n±1 (n = 1, 3, 5,…), which are mapped into the nonflux/torque producing (xy) plane. These harmonics cause only losses in the motor winding as they do not take part in torque production. Hence, a number of different improved DTC techniques have been developed in the past for multiphase motor drives. The paper takes one such DTC method as the starting point and improves it further by using the concept of virtual voltage vectors. Developed vector selection algorithm, based on two virtual voltage vectors, requires the information on position of the flux in the auxiliary (xy) subspace and provides stator current quality commensurate with the currently available best DTC algorithm for six-phase drives. However, use of two virtual voltage vectors enables a substantial reduction of the torque ripple, which is achieved by means of a five-level torque comparator. Extensive experimentation is performed and it is shown that the reduction of the current harmonics is in essence almost the same as in another recently developed DTC scheme, based on the use of a single virtual voltage vector. However, the achieved torque ripple reduction, which is verified experimentally, makes the scheme superior when compared to the existing approaches. At the same time, developed scheme retains qualities of conventional DTC schemes, such as simple structure and fast response. Its additional beneficial feature is the easiness of implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]