A reduced vector model predictive controller for a three-level neutral point clamped inverter with common-mode voltage suppression.

This paper presents a novel, state-of-the-art predictive control architecture that addresses the computational complexity and limitations of conventional predictive control methodologies while enhancing the performance efficacy of predictive control techniques applied to three-level voltage source converters (NPC inverters). This framework's main goal is to decrease the number of filtered voltage lifespan vectors in each sector, which will increase the overall efficiency of the control system and allow for common mode voltage reduction in three-level voltage source converters. Two particular tactics are described in order to accomplish this. First, a statistical approach is presented for the proactive detection of potential voltage vectors, with an emphasis on selecting and including the vectors that are most frequently used. This method lowers the computational load by limiting the search space needed to find the best voltage vectors. Then, using statistical analysis, a plan is presented to split the sectors into two separate parts, so greatly limiting the number of voltage vectors. The goal of this improved predictive control methodology is to reduce computing demands and mitigate common mode voltage. The suggested strategy's resilience is confirmed in a range of operational scenarios using simulations and empirical evaluation. The findings indicate a pronounced enhancement in computational efficiency and a notable diminution in common mode voltage, thereby underscoring the efficacy of the proposed methodology. This increases their ability to incorporate renewable energy sources into the electrical grid.

Proctocolitis From Coffee Enema.

Coffee enemas are often used by naturopathic practitioners to treat a number of diseases, including cancer. However, there is no supportive evidence, and its use comes with major risks. We report a case of proctocolitis in a healthy patient after coffee enema treatment. To our knowledge, only 3 other cases of this adverse effect exist in the literature.

Performance characteristics of EUS-FNA biopsy for adrenal lesions: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The role of EUS-FNA biopsy (EUS-FNAB) for detection of metastatic lesions (mets) to adrenals has not been evaluated systematically. Our aim is to systematically evaluate the performance characteristics of EUS-FNAB in detecting metastasis to the adrenal glands. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a systematic search on PubMed and OvidSP from January 1990 to July 2016 using various search terms for EUS and adrenal lesion. Only articles published in English literature were included in the study. Studies with fewer than 10 patients were excluded from the study. Publication bias was assessed using Begg-Mazumdar test and visual inspection of funnel plots. RESULTS: Eight studies including 360 adrenal lesions that underwent EUS-FNAB were identified. Of these, 137 FNABs were conclusive for malignancy. Sensitivity of EUS-FNAB in detecting metastasis to the adrenals was 95% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 90%-98%) and specificity was 99% (95% CI: 96%-100%). Pooled positivity of EUS-FNAB in detecting lung cancer metastasis to the adrenals was 44% (95% CI: 31.5%-57.3%). No evidence of publication bias was noted. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates that EUS-FNAB is highly sensitive and specific in detecting metastasis to adrenals. It also shows that up to about half of the patients with lung cancer and adrenal lesions on imaging have metastasis, a finding with profound implications on lung cancer staging and treatment.

Serovar prevalence of Leptospira in semirural India and the development of an IgM-based indirect ELISA.

INTRODUCTION: Leptospirosis is a major public health problem in India. However, it has been underreported and under-diagnosed due to a lack of awareness of the disease, a functional surveillance system, and appropriate laboratory diagnostic facilities. METHODOLOGY: This multicenter study aimed to understand the Leptospira serovars causing leptospirosis in seven secondary-level hospitals in six states in India. Since early and accurate diagnosis of leptospirosis is one of the challenges faced by clinicians in India due to the poor specificity and sensitivity of commercially available diagnostic systems, an in-house indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed. Genomic DNA from L. interrogans serovar Canicola was used for polymerase chain reaction amplification, cloning, and expression of the lipL32 gene in E. coli to amplify, clone, and express the lipL32 gene. RESULTS: Australis was the common serovar seen at all the study centers. Serovar Icterohaemorrhagiae was seen in samples from Tamil Nadu and Assam. In-house ELISA was standardized using the purified recombinant LipL32 polypeptide and was used to evaluate serum. Subsequently, acute serum samples from leptospirosis patients (n = 60) were screened. Compared to the gold standard, the microscopic agglutination test, sensitivity and specificity of the in-house ELISA was 95% and 90%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding Leptospira serovars circulating in leptospirosis-endemic areas will help to formulate better vaccines. LipL32-based ELISA may serve as a valuable tool for early diagnosis of leptospirosis.

Role of cancer stem cells in racial disparity in colorectal cancer.

Although African-Americans (AAs) have a higher incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) than White people, the underlying biochemical mechanisms for this increase are poorly understood. The current investigation was undertaken to examine whether differences in self-renewing cancer stem/stem-like cells (CSCs) in the colonic mucosa, whose stemness is regulated by certain microRNAs (miRs), could partly be responsible for the racial disparity in CRC. The study contains 53 AAs and 47 White people. We found the number of adenomas and the proportion of CD44(+) CD166(-  ) CSC phenotype in the colon to be significantly higher in AAs than White people. MicroRNAs profile in CSC-enriched colonic mucosal cells, expressed as ratio of high-risk (≥3 adenomas) to low-risk (no adenoma) CRC patients revealed an 8-fold increase in miR-1207-5p in AAs, compared to a 1.2-fold increase of the same in White people. This increase in AA was associated with a marked rise in lncRNA PVT1 (plasmacytoma variant translocation 1), a host gene of miR-1207-5p. Forced expression of miR-1207-5p in normal human colonic epithelial cells HCoEpiC and CCD841 produced an increase in stemness, as evidenced by morphologically elongated epithelial mesenchymal transition( EMT) phenotype and significant increases in CSC markers (CD44, CD166, and CD133) as well as TGF-ß, CTNNB1, MMP2, Slug, Snail, and Vimentin, and reduction in Twist and N-Cadherin. Our findings suggest that an increase in CSCs, specifically the CD44(+) CD166(-) phenotype in the colon could be a predisposing factor for the increased incidence of CRC among AAs. MicroRNA 1207-5p appears to play a crucial role in regulating stemness in colonic epithelial cells in AAs.

Verification of computerized treatment planning for HDR 192Ir brachytherapy for gynaecological cancer.

Treatment planning in both teletherapy and brachytherapy is time consuming practice but accurate determination of planning parameters is more important. This paper aims to verify the dose delivery time for the treatment of vaginal cancer, which is a vital parameter of High Dose Rate (HDR) brachytherapy treatment planning. Treatment time has been calculated by the computerized treatment planning system (ABACUS 3.1), and then it has been compared with the manually calculated time. The results obtained are in good agreement. Independent verification of nominal time by two different protocols assures the quality of treatment. This should always be practiced to increase the accuracy of treatment.