Robust cascade controller for the power factor of the three-phase supply and the induction motor velocity.

It is well known that induction motors consume active and reactive energy from the utility grid to operate; additionally, when a power converter drives the motor, a high content of current harmonics is produced, and both circumstances decrease the utility grid power factor, which later requires to be improved. To this end, this paper presents a novel complete solution through a robust control system employed in a back-to-back topology power converter to deliver, instead of consuming, regulated reactive power toward the main grid, which comes from a capacitor bank in a DC-bus. This salient feature of delivering reactive power, and simultaneously, regulating the speed for an induction motor, becomes one of the contributions of this work to enhance the power factor. The robust converter controller is synthesized in a cascade form, by applying the linearization block control and state-feedback techniques. These techniques are combined with the super-twisting strategy for canceling the nonlinearities and the effect of the external disturbances. The complete system consists of a back-to-back converter, an LCL filter coupled to the main grid for mitigating the current harmonic content, and an induction motor under variable load conditions. Experimental tests expose the performance and robustness of the proposed controller, where a robust control for the reactive power acts under sudden changes in the active power produced through abrupt variations in the motor load.

Possible effects of different types of agricultural wastes on food security and mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) production.

One of the new waters, and environmentally friendly agriculture initiatives in Peru is to encourage the utilization of agricultural waste, because low agricultural output is a threat to food security there. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the effect of harvest residues on the basidiocarp production of the fungus Pleurotus Ostreatus, in Acobamba-Huancavelica. The trial had a completely randomized design, and the treatments included T1, barley stubbles; T2, wheat stubbles; T3, pea stubbles; T4, broad bean stubbles; and T5, quinoa stubbles. The research was quantitative in nature, taking the form of an experiment with an applied, explanatory level of design. The recorded data was tabulated and analyzed with analysis of variance, as well as Tukey's test (α:0.05), for which the statistical software Infostat was used. The results are presented in tables and graphs for a better interpretation. As main results, it was obtained that the time (colonization), diameter (stem, pileus), length (stem) and weight (basidiocarps), present statistical differences between treatments showing significant enhancement in all parameters. Despite a numerical difference, a Tukey average comparison test revealed that there was no statistically significant difference between the averages for the variable time for fungus colonisation, suggesting that the treatment T5 in which quinoa substrate showed the greatest average. Treatment T4 in which broad bean stubbles were used gave the most low-average. In conclusion, increment in all parámeters were noted in all treatment of Pleurotus basidiocarps ostreatus under Acobamba conditions.

Clinical delineation of a patient with trisomy 1q32.qter and monosomy 5p resulting from a familial translocation 1;5.

We describe a patient who had multiple malformations including ventriculomegaly, colpocephaly, corpus callosum, cerebellum and vermix hypoplasia, optic nerve hypoplasia, corneal opacity and congenital heart disease in whom a trisomy 1q32-qter and monosomy 5p derived from a t(1;5)mat was diagnosed by karyotype and FISH analysis. This trisomy/monosomy association has not been previously reported. The familial analysis of the translocation was carried out in four generations and its implications on the phenotype of the patient and genetic counseling are discussed.

A familial reciprocal translocation t(1;15) in three generations identified in a regular trisomy 21 patient.

The concurrence of a reciprocal translocation and an aneuploidy represent a rare coincidence and an interchromosome effect between these two events has been suggested. We report the case of a family with a t(1;15) in three generations which was identified through the evaluation ofa patient with classical trisomy 21 or Down syndrome. The cytogenetic analysis with GTG banding showed that the proband had a regular trisomy 21 and a balanced translocation t(1;15). FISH and microsatellite analysis were carried out in the family in order to discard an interchromosomal effect. The implications for genetic assessment are discussed.

[Immunocytochemical identification of carcinomas of unknown primaries on fine-needle-aspiration-biopsies]. / Immunzytochemische Abklärung des initialen CUP-Syndroms an Feinnadelpunktaten.

Clinical investigations with imaging- and endoscopic techniques in order to identify the primary tumor sites in patients with CUP syndrome generally entail a significant diagnostic effort. If costs exceed 800.00, a financial loss ensues for German hospitals, as public health insurance companies do not reimburse above this amount. Combined cytological/immunocytochemical investigation of metastatic cancer cells represents a cost-effective, minimally invasive procedure to identify the probable primary cancer site that can be applied on an outpatient basis. We report on 85 fine needle aspiration biopsies of metastases to the liver, 30 to the lymph nodes and over 180 serous effusions and/or ascites with metastatic cancer cells in CUP. After conventional microscopic inspection, a routine panel of six monoclonal antibodies was applied (CK 5/6, CK 7, CK 20, Cdx 2, TTF 1 and CA 125). We were thus able to correctly identify the primary tumor sites in 90.3%, 92.0% and 85.1%, respectively, within three days. In total, 23 primary hepatocellular carcinomas could all be classified correctly, applying the antibodies HepPar 1, BerEp 4, AFP, CD 31, CD 68 and Ki 67. In addition, 141 malignant epithelial mesotheliomas were typed correctly in 97.1%, using the antibodies BerEp 4, Calretinin, Mesothelin, EMA and WT. Therefore, immunocytochemical investigation of metastatic cancer cells from fine needle aspiration biopsies or in serous effusions offers an efficient, cost-effective diagnostic alternative to imaging and endoscopic techniques in the workup of patients with CUP syndrome.

PCR-RFLP assay as an option for primary HPV test.

Persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is an essential factor of cervical cancer. This study evaluated the analytical performance of restriction fragment length polymorphism polymerase chain reaction (PCR-RFLP) assay compared to PapilloCheck® microarray to identify human papilloma virus (HPV) in cervical cells. Three hundred and twenty-five women were analyzed. One sample was used for conventional cytology and another sample was collected using BD SurePath™ kit for HPV tests. Eighty samples (24.6%) were positive for HPV gene by PCR-Multiplex and were then submitted to PCR-RFLP and PapilloCheck® microarray. There was a genotyping agreement in 71.25% (57/80) on at least one HPV type between PCR-RFLP and PapilloCheck® microarray. In 22 samples (27.5%), the results were discordant and those samples were additionally analyzed by DNA sequencing. HPV 16 was the most prevalent HPV type found in both methods, followed by HPVs 53, 68, 18, 39, and 66 using PCR-RFLP analysis, and HPVs 39, 53, 68, 56, 31, and 66 using PapilloCheck® microarray. In the present study, a perfect agreement using Cohen's kappa (κ) was found in HPV 33 and 58 (κ=1), very good for HPV 51, and good for types 16, 18, 53, 59, 66, 68, 70, and 73. PCR-RFLP analysis identified only 25% (20/80) HPV coinfection, and PapilloCheck® microarray found 62.5% (50/80). Our Cohen's kappa results indicate that our in-house HPV genotyping testing (PCR-RFLP analysis) could be applied as a primary HPV test screening, especially in low income countries. If multiple HPV types are found in this primary test, a more descriptive test, such as PapilloCheck® microarray, could be performed.

Possible effects of different types of agricultural wastes on food security and mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) production / Possíveis efeitos de diferentes tipos de resíduos agrícolas na segurança alimentar e na produção de cogumelos (Pleurotus ostreatus)

One of the new waters, and environmentally friendly agriculture initiatives in Peru is to encourage the utilization of agricultural waste, because low agricultural output is a threat to food security there. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the effect of harvest residues on the basidiocarp production of the fungus Pleurotus Ostreatus, in Acobamba-Huancavelica. The trial had a completely randomized design, and the treatments included T1, barley stubbles; T2, wheat stubbles; T3, pea stubbles; T4, broad bean stubbles; and T5, quinoa stubbles. The research was quantitative in nature, taking the form of an experiment with an applied, explanatory level of design. The recorded data was tabulated and analyzed with analysis of variance, as well as Tukey's test (α:0.05), for which the statistical software Infostat was used. The results are presented in tables and graphs for a better interpretation. As main results, it was obtained that the time (colonization), diameter (stem, pileus), length (stem) and weight (basidiocarps), present statistical differences between treatments showing significant enhancement in all parameters. Despite a numerical difference, a Tukey average comparison test revealed that there was no statistically significant difference between the averages for the variable time for fungus colonisation, suggesting that the treatment T5 in which quinoa substrate showed the greatest average. Treatment T4 in which broad bean stubbles were used gave the most low-average. In conclusion, increment in all parámeters were noted in all treatment of Pleurotus basidiocarps ostreatus under Acobamba conditions.

Uma das novas iniciativas de águas e agricultura ecológica no Peru é incentivar a utilização de resíduos agrícolas, porque a baixa produção agrícola é uma ameaça à segurança alimentar no país. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar o efeito dos resíduos da colheita na produção de basidiocarpos do fungo Pleurotus ostreatus, em Acobamba-Huancavelica. O ensaio teve um delineamento inteiramente casualizado, e os tratamentos incluíram T1, restolho de cevada; T2, soqueiras de trigo; T3, restolho de ervilha; T4, restolho de fava; e T5, restolho de quinoa. A pesquisa foi de natureza quantitativa, assumindo a forma de experimento com um nível de design aplicado e explicativo. Os dados registrados foram tabulados e analisados com análise de variância, bem como teste de Tukey (α:0,05), para o qual foi utilizado o software estatístico Infostat. Os resultados são apresentados em tabelas e gráficos para melhor interpretação. Como principais resultados, obteve-se que o tempo (colonização), diâmetro (caule, píleo), comprimento (caule) e peso (basidiocarpos) apresentam diferenças estatísticas entre os tratamentos, mostrando melhora significativa em todos os parâmetros. Apesar da diferença numérica, o teste de comparação de médias de Tukey revelou que não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre as médias para a variável tempo de colonização do fungo, sugerindo que o tratamento T5 em que usou o substrato quinoa, apresentou a maior média. O tratamento T4, no qual foram usadas restolhos de fava, apresentou a média mais baixa. Em conclusão, incrementos em todos os parâmetros foram observados em todos os tratamentos de Pleurotus basidiocarps ostreatus nas condições de Acobamba.

Dominant lethal effects of n-butyl glycidyl ether in mice.

Using the dominant lethal assay, the ability of n-butyl glycidyl ether to induce mutations in male mice was investigated. No significant dose-related changes either in pregnancy rates or in average number of implants per pregnant female were found. However, while the results were not altogether conclusive, there was evidence of a significant increase in fetal death rates by the end of the first week after the highest dosage was administered.

Clinical, Cytogenetic, and Biochemical Analyses of a Family with a t(3;13)(q26.2;p11.2): Further Delineation of 3q Duplication Syndrome.

Chromosomal abnormalities that result in genomic imbalances are a major cause of congenital and developmental anomalies. Partial duplication of chromosome 3q syndrome is a well-described condition, and the phenotypic manifestations include a characteristic facies, microcephaly, hirsutism, synophrys, broad nasal bridge, congenital heart disease, genitourinary disorders, and mental retardation. Approximately 60%-75% of cases are derived from a balanced translocation. We describe a family with a pure typical partial trisomy 3q syndrome derived from a maternal balanced translocation t(3;13)(q26.2;p11.2). As the chromosomal rearrangement involves the short arm of an acrocentric chromosome, the phenotype corresponds to a pure trisomy 3q26.2-qter syndrome. There are 4 affected individuals and several carriers among three generations. The report of this family is relevant because there are few cases of pure duplication 3q syndrome reported, and the cases described here contribute to define the phenotype associated with the syndrome. Furthermore, we confirmed that the survival until adulthood is possible. This report also identified the presence of glycosaminoglycans in urine in this family, not related to the chromosomal abnormality or the phenotype.

Human platelet surface binding of endogenous secreted factor VIII-von Willebrand factor and platelet factor 4.

Washed human platelets in buffers containing either 2 mM Ca++ or 4 mM EDTA were stimulated by human alpha-thrombin to induce secretion. The binding of two endogenous secreted proteins, factor-VIII-related protein (VIII-R) (von Willebrand factor) and platelet factor 4, was measured by reacting thrombin-treated and control platelets with specific antibodies to these proteins, then quantifying antibody binding with 125I-staphylococcal protein A. Both of these granule proteins were associated with the platelet membrane surface by a calcium-dependent mechanism after thrombin-induced secretion. This ability to bind endogenous secreted proteins to the plasma membrane surface may provide a mechanism by which the platelet can concentrate and organize its secreted proteins for subsequent physiologic reactions.