Computer Aided Design of Thyristor Phase-Control Circuits

The paper presents the computer aided design (CAD) method, the program, the design and the experimental results of inverse parallel thyristor phase control circuits. The calculated values agree well with the measured. The CAD program contains the next two methods which are inquired carefully by authors, such as (i) the optimization by SUMT (Sequential Unconstrained Minimization Technique) method, and (ii) the combined use of the gradient and the cramp calculation methods

The association of Toll-like receptor 4 gene polymorphisms with the development of emphysema in Japanese subjects: a case control study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The principal role of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is the induction of immune responses to lipopolysaccharides. Previously, mice deficient in the <it>TLR4 </it>gene exhibited up-regulation of the NADPH oxidase system in the lungs. This resulted in increased oxidant generation and elastolytic activity, which led to pulmonary emphysema. It was suggested that TLR4 might maintain constitutive lung integrity by modulating oxidant generation. We investigated whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the <it>TLR4 </it>gene were associated with the emphysema phenotype in Japanese subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Seven SNPs in the <it>TLR4 </it>gene (<it>rs10759930</it>, <it>rs1927914</it>, <it>rs12377632</it>, <it>rs2149356, rs11536889</it>, <it>rs7037117</it>, and <it>rs7045953</it>) were genotyped with allelic discrimination assays. The frequencies of SNPs were compared between 106 patients with the emphysema phenotype of COPD and 137 healthy smokers. We found that the positivity of the individuals with the major G allele of <it>rs11536889 </it>was significantly less in the emphysema group than the control group (<it>p </it>= 0.019). The frequencies of the minor C allele and the distribution of the CC genotype as well as the frequency of the major haplotype that carried the minor C allele of <it>rs11536889 </it>were all significantly higher in the emphysema group than the control group (<it>p </it>= 0.0083, 0.019, and 0.004, respectively). Furthermore, the strength of the association of the CC genotype with the emphysema phenotype was in an odds ratio of 2.60 with 95% confidence intervals from 1.17 to 5.78. However, these significances were not apparent after adjust for age and smoking history by logistic regression. No associations were observed between the <it>rs11536889 </it>and the low attenuation area score, the forced expiratory volume, and the carbon monoxide diffusion capacity in the emphysema group.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The minor C allele of the <it>rs11536889 </it>SNP in the <it>TLR4 </it>gene is likely associated with the risk of developing emphysema in the Japanese population.</p