Assessment indexes for converter p-Q control coupling

This work presents a concise methodology for the calculation of assessment indexes regarding the coupling between active and reactive power control observed on distribution level converters. First, the reader is introduced to the concept of power coupling; when, where and how it appears in power control of converters. A brief summary of the theory and formulation behind it is also included, together with relevant literature. Then, the methodology for the assessment of active and reactive power control performance of any grid-connected converter is presented. The impact of small control disturbances during a testing procedure is monitored, analyzed and converted to meaningful indexes, so that the type and level of coupling is quantified without putting the converter or the grid at risk. The efficiency of the methodology to assess the type and level of coupling is verified experimentally. This is done by assessing several power control approaches with different level of decoupling efficiency on the same power converter connected to a distribution grid. While the assessment is performed with safe, minimal disturbances, its exceptional accuracy is later confirmed by the level and type of coupling observed during significant power step changes

Designer receptors show role for ventral pallidum input to ventral tegmental area in cocaine seeking.

The ventral pallidum is centrally positioned within mesocorticolimbic reward circuits, and its dense projection to the ventral tegmental area (VTA) regulates neuronal activity there. However, the ventral pallidum is a heterogeneous structure, and how this complexity affects its role within wider reward circuits is unclear. We found that projections to VTA from the rostral ventral pallidum (RVP), but not the caudal ventral pallidum (CVP), were robustly Fos activated during cue-induced reinstatement of cocaine seeking--a rat model of relapse in addiction. Moreover, designer receptor-mediated transient inactivation of RVP neurons, their terminals in VTA or functional connectivity between RVP and VTA dopamine neurons blocked the ability of drug-associated cues (but not a cocaine prime) to reinstate cocaine seeking. In contrast, CVP neuronal inhibition blocked cocaine-primed, but not cue-induced, reinstatement. This double dissociation in ventral pallidum subregional roles in drug seeking is likely to be important for understanding the mesocorticolimbic circuits underlying reward seeking and addiction

Automated detection of unfair clauses in online consumer contracts

Consumer contracts too often present clauses that are potentially unfair to the subscriber. We present an experimental study where machine learning is employed to automatically detect such potentially unfair clauses in online contracts. Results show that the proposed system could provide a valuable tool for lawyers and consumers alike

Undifferentiated carcinoma with osteoclast-like giant cells of the pancreas: An individual participant data meta-analysis

Undifferentiated carcinoma with osteoclast-like giant cells (UC-OGCs) of the pancreas is a rare neoplasm that accounts for less than 1% of all pancreatic malignancies. The aim of this study was to review the literature regarding UC-OGC, and to highlight its biological behavior, clinicopathologic characteristics, prognosis, and therapeutic options. A systematic review of the literature in PubMed/Medline and Scopus databases was performed (last search October 31st, 2023) for articles concerning pancreatic UC-OGC in the adult population. Fifty-seven studies met the inclusion criteria, involving 69 patients with a male-to-female ratio of 1.1:1 and a mean age of 62.96. Main symptoms included abdominal pain (33.3%), jaundice (14.5%), weight loss (8.7%), while fourteen patients (20.3%) were asymptomatic. Surgical resection was performed in 88.4% of cases. Survival rates at one, three, and five years were 58%, 44.7%, and 37.3% respectively. Sex, age, size (cut-off of 4 cm), location, and adjuvant treatment did not significantly affect patient survival. UC-OGC of the pancreas is a rare subtype of undifferentiated pancreatic carcinoma with a better prognosis than conventional pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma or undifferentiated carcinoma without giant cells. The establishment of a dedicated patient registry is imperative to further delineate the optimal treatment for this uncommon clinical entity

Optimization of the hydrogen response characteristics of halogen-doped SnO 2

The increasing demand for efficient sensing devices with facile low-cost fabrication has attracted a lot of scientific research effort in the recent years. In particular, the scientific community aims to develop new candidate materials suitable for energy-related devices, such as sensors and photovoltaics or clean energy applications such as hydrogen production. One of the most prominent methods to improve materials functionality and performance is doping key device component(s). This paper aims to examine in detail, both from a theoretical and an experimental point of view, the effect of halogen doping on the properties of tin dioxide (SnO2) and provide a deeper understanding on the atomic scale mechanisms with respect to their potential applications in sensors. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations are used to examine the defect processes, the electronic structure and the thermodynamical properties of halogen-doped SnO2. Calculations show that halogen doping reduces the oxide bandgap by creating gap states which agree well with our experimental data. The crystallinity and morphology of the samples is also altered. The synergy of these effects results in a significant improvement of the gas-sensing response. This work demonstrates for the first time a complete theoretical and experimental characterization of halogen-doped SnO2 and investigates the possible responsible mechanisms. Our results illustrate that halogen doping is a low-cost method that significantly enhances the room temperature response of SnO2

Water Networks as Hydrophobic Recognition Motifs in Proteins

The hydrophobic effect is a central force in molecular recognition, typically attributed to the ordering of water molecules around apolar groups. Hydrophobic interaction sites on proteins are therefore readily predicted based on surface polarity. Yet, in the bromodomain‐containing protein 4 (BRD4), a well‐known hydrophobic hot spot is paradoxically lined by a network of water molecules. Here we combine binding assays, structural data, molecular dynamics, and free‐energy calculations to resolve this apparent contradiction. We show that the water network functions as a hydrophobic recognition motif that cannot accommodate polar groups without disruption. Instead, as the protein pre‐organizes the water network, apolar groups can bind with minimal entropic cost. In turn, they reinforce the surrounding hydrogen‐bond network, limiting the mobility of the entire protein–water assembly. With this perspective, we identify water networks potentially functioning as hydrophobic motifs in other pharmacological targets, revealing a general but overlooked recognition element with broad implications in drug discovery and protein design

Water Networks as Hydrophobic Recognition Motifs in Proteins

The hydrophobic effect is a central force in molecular recognition, typically attributed to the ordering of water molecules around apolar groups. Hydrophobic interaction sites on proteins are therefore readily predicted based on surface polarity. Yet, in the bromodomain‐containing protein 4 (BRD4), a well‐known hydrophobic hot spot is paradoxically lined by a network of water molecules. Here we combine binding assays, structural data, molecular dynamics, and free‐energy calculations to resolve this apparent contradiction. We show that the water network functions as a hydrophobic recognition motif that cannot accommodate polar groups without disruption. Instead, as the protein pre‐organizes the water network, apolar groups can bind with minimal entropic cost. In turn, they reinforce the surrounding hydrogen‐bond network, limiting the mobility of the entire protein–water assembly. With this perspective, we identify water networks potentially functioning as hydrophobic motifs in other pharmacological targets, revealing a general but overlooked recognition element with broad implications in drug discovery and protein design

Preparation of hydrogen, fluorine and chlorine doped and co-doped titanium dioxide photocatalysts: a theoretical and experimental approach

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) has a strong photocatalytic activity in the ultra-violet part of the spectrum combined with excellent chemical stability and abundance. However, its photocatalytic efficiency is prohibited by limited absorption within the visible range derived from its wide band gap value and the presence of charge trapping states located at the band edges, which act as electron-hole recombination centers. Herein, we modify the band gap and improve the optical properties of TiO2via co-doping with hydrogen and halogen. The present density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicate that hydrogen is incorporated in interstitial sites while fluorine and chlorine can be inserted both as interstitial and oxygen substitutional defects. To investigate the synergy of dopants in TiO2 experimental characterization techniques such as Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray and ultra-violet photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS/UPS), UV-Vis absorption and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) measurements, have been conducted. The observations suggest that the oxide’s band gap is reduced upon halogen doping, particularly for chlorine, making this material promising for energy harvesting devices. The studies on hydrogen production ability of these materials support the enhanced hydrogen production rates for chlorine doped (Cl:TiO2) and hydrogenated (H:TiO2) oxides compared to the pristine TiO2 reference

Baclofen for maintenance treatment of opioid dependence: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial [ISRCTN32121581]

BACKGROUND: Results of preclinical studies suggest that the GABA(B )receptor agonist baclofen may be useful in treatment of opioid dependence. This study was aimed at assessing the possible efficacy of baclofen for maintenance treatment of opioid dependence. METHODS: A total of 40 opioid-dependent patients were detoxified and randomly assigned to receive baclofen (60 mg/day) or placebo in a 12-week, double blind, parallel-group trial. Primary outcome measure was retention in treatment. Secondary outcome measures included opioids and alcohol use according to urinalysis and self-report ratings, intensity of opioid craving assessed with a visual analogue scale, opioid withdrawal symptoms as measured by the Short Opiate Withdrawal Scale and depression scores on the Hamilton inventory. RESULTS: Treatment retention was significantly higher in the baclofen group. Baclofen also showed a significant superiority over placebo in terms of opiate withdrawal syndrome and depressive symptoms. Non-significant, but generally favorable responses were seen in the baclofen group with other outcome measures including intensity of opioid craving and self-reported opioid and alcohol use. However, no significant difference was seen in the rates of opioid-positive urine tests. Additionally, the drug side effects of the two groups were not significantly different. CONCLUSION: The results support further study of baclofen in the maintenance treatment of opioid dependence

Outcomes After Distal Pancreatectomy with Celiac Axis Resection for Pancreatic Cancer: A Pan-European Retrospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND: Western multicenter studies on distal pancreatectomy with celiac axis resection (DP-CAR), also known as the Appleby procedure, for locally advanced pancreatic cancer are lacking. We aimed to study overall survival, morbidity, mortality and the impact of preoperative hepatic artery embolization (PHAE). METHODS: Retrospective cohort study within the European-African Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary-Association, on DP-CAR between 1-1-2000 and 6-1-2016. Primary endpoint was overall survival. Secondary endpoints were radicality (R0-resection), 90-day mortality, major morbidity, and pancreatic fistulae (grade B/C). RESULTS: We included 68 patients from 20 hospitals in 12 countries. Postoperatively, 53% of patients had R0-resection, 25% major morbidity, 21% an ISGPS grade B/C pancreatic fistula, and 16% mortality. In total, 82% received (neo-)adjuvant chemotherapy and median overall survival in 62 patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patients was 18 months (CI 10-37). We observed no impact of PHAE on ischemic complications. CONCLUSIONS: DP-CAR combined with chemotherapy for locally advanced pancreatic cancer is associated with acceptable overall survival. The 90-day mortality is too high and should be reduced. Future studies should investigate to what extent increasing surgical volume or better patient selection can improve outcomes