• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Power Electronics
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.221-227
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• 2022

The reliability improvement of PV systems is an important factor in reducing the cost of PV energy because it is closely related to the annual energy production as well as the maintenance cost of PV systems. The reliability of PV inverters plays a key role in the reliability of PV systems because it is regarded as one of the most reliable critical parts of PV systems. The lifetime evaluation of PV inverters considering the mission profile in the design phase plays an important role in reliability design to ensure the required lifetime of PV inverters. In this paper, the lifetime of representative single-phase T-type and I-type NPC inverters are comparatively evaluated by considering the mission profile of a PV system recorded at Iza, Spain. Furthermore, the effect of the pulse width modulation methods on the lifetime is also discussed. The lifetime evaluation of PV inverters is performed at the component-level first and then the system level by considering all power devices.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.43 no.12
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• pp.1011-1022
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• 2020

Cell type specification is a delicate biological event in which every step is under tight regulation. From a molecular point of view, cell fate commitment begins with chromatin alteration, which kickstarts lineage-determining factors to initiate a series of genes required for cell specification. Several important neuronal differentiation factors have been identified from ectopic over-expression studies. However, there is scarce information on which DNA regions are modified during induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) to neuronal progenitor cell (NPC) differentiation, the cis regulatory factors that attach to these accessible regions, or the genes that are initially expressed. In this study, we identified the DNA accessible regions of iPSCs and NPCs via the Assay for Transposase-Accessible Chromatin sequencing (ATAC-seq). We identified which chromatin regions were modified after neuronal differentiation and found that the enhancer regions had more active histone modification changes than the promoters. Through motif enrichment analysis, we found that NEUROD1 controls iPSC differentiation to NPC by binding to the accessible regions of enhancers in cooperation with other factors such as the Hox proteins. Finally, by using Hi-C data, we categorized the genes that directly interacted with the enhancers under the control of NEUROD1 during iPSC to NPC differentiation.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.8
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• pp.3547-3553
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• 2014

Background: The prognostic value of serum alkaline phosphatase (S-ALP) has not been fully validated for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Materials and Methods: S-ALP levels were measured in 601 patients newly diagnosed with NPC before radical treatment, and possible associations of these levels with 5-year overall survival (OS) and tumor-free survival (TFS) were explored using univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: Elevated pretreatment S-ALP (>85 U/L) was significantly less frequent among patients classified as T1+2 or stage I+II than among those classified as T3+4 or stage III+IV. Multivariate analysis showed that elevated pretreatment S-ALP (>85 U/L), age, T classification and N stage were independent predictors of poor OS and TFS. Conclusions: Pretreatment S-ALP may be a reliable biomarker to evaluate the long-term prognosis of patients with NPC.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 2007.04c
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• pp.194-197
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• 2007

This paper proposes a linearization technique for the 3 level NPC type inverter, which increases the linear control range of inverter up to the 6-step inverter. The overmodulation range is divided into two modes depending on the modulation index(MI), In mode I, the reference angles are derived from the Fourier series expansion of the reference voltage corresponds to the MI. In mode II, the holding angles are also derived in the same way. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the linear control and the maximized utilization of PWM inverter output voltage.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.8
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• pp.4567-4570
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• 2013

Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is the commonest radiocurable cancer in Malaysia. This study aimed to determine the treatment outcomes and late effects of radiotherapy for NPC patients treated in University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC). Materials and Methods: All newly diagnosed patients with NPC referred for treatment to the Oncology unit at UMMC from 2004-2008 were retrospectively analyzed. Treatment outcomes were 5 years overall survival (OS), disease free survival (DFS), cause-specific survival (CSS), locoregional control (LRC) and radiotherapy-related late effects. The Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis and differences in survival according to AJCC stage was compared using the log-rank test. Results: A total of 176 patients with newly diagnosed NPC were treated in UMMC during this period. Late presentation was common, with 33.5% presenting with T3-4 disease, 84.7% with N1-3 disease and 75.6% with AJCC stage 3-4 disease. Radical RT was given to 162 patients with 22.7% having RT alone and 69.3% having CCRT. The stipulated OTT was 7 weeks and 72.2% managed to complete their RT within this time period. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was given to 14.8% while adjuvant chemotherapy was administered to 16.5%. The 5 years OS was 51.6% with a median follow up of 58 months. The 5 years OS according to stage were 81.8% for stage I, 77.9% for stage II, 47.4% for stage III and 25.9% for stage IV. The 5 years overall CSS, DFS and LRC were 54.4%, 48.4% and 70.6%, respectively. RT related late effects were documented in 80.2%. The commonest was xerostomia (66.7%). Other documented late effects were hearing deficit (17.3%), visual deficit (3.1%), neck stiffness (3.1%), dysphagia (3.4%), cranial nerve palsy (2.5%), pneumonitis (0.6%) and hypothyroidism (1.2%). Conclusions: The 5 years OS and LRC in this study are low compared to the latest studies especially those utilizing IMRT. Implementation of IMRT for NPC treatment should be strongly encouraged.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.70-80
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• 2018

A novel strategy based on a zero common mode voltage pulse-width modulation (ZCMV-PWM) technique and zero-sequence circulating current (ZSCC) feedback control is proposed in this study to eliminate ZSCCs between three-level neutral point clamped (NPC) voltage source inverters, with common AC and DC buses, that are operating in parallel. First, an equivalent model of ZSCC in a three-phase three-level NPC inverter paralleled system is developed. Second, on the basis of the analysis of the excitation source of ZSCCs, i.e., the difference in common mode voltages (CMVs) between paralleled inverters, the ZCMV-PWM method is presented to reduce CMVs, and a simple electric circuit is adopted to control ZSCCs and neutral point potential. Finally, simulation and experiment are conducted to illustrate effectiveness of the proposed strategy. Results show that ZSCCs between paralleled inverters can be eliminated effectively under steady and dynamic states. Moreover, the proposed strategy exhibits the advantage of not requiring carrier synchronization. It can be utilized in inverters with different types of filter.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.495-509
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• 2016

Irrigation applications (IA) and increased bud load (BL) are fundamental practices that are used to achieve optimum yields in grape production, while maintaining fruit quality parameters. Two different irrigation amounts (IA-I and IA-II) based on growth stages, in addition to a non-irrigated (rain-fed) control, along with two different BL applications [normal bud load based on traditional pruning practices (1BL) and double bud load (2BL)] were evaluated over a two-year experiment for their effects on the biochemical composition of the berries. Berries from the rain-fed vines had higher sugar levels, whereas no significant change was detected in organic acid levels. The increased bud load (2BL) treatment yielded less sugar in the berries compared to the 1BL control in both years. The total non-colored phenolic compounds (NPC) were greater in the irrigated (especially IA-I) and 2BL treatments than in those of the rain-fed and 1BL control. However, total anthocyanin was greater in the non-irrigated and 1BL control than in the irrigated and 2BL treatments. The antioxidant contents of the berries also varied according to the treatments and years. Our results implied that implementing a higher bud load along with the IA-I irrigation application, in which irrigation applications were 50 and 75% of the cumulative evaporation from the Class A pan during berry set to veraison and veraison to harvest growth stages, respectively, can help in obtaining greater yields in high-plateau viticulture. Thus, if more buds are left on the vines, along with sufficient irrigation and rainfall, yield may increase while maintaining or increasing the biochemical composition of the berries.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.35 no.9
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• pp.2694-2698
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• 2014

A multisegmented polystyrene (PS) with pH-cleavable ester and carbamate linkages was successfully synthesized by a combination of atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and Cu(I)-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azide and alkynes (click chemistry). ATRP was employed to synthesize polystyrene from hydroxyl-terminated initiator using CuBr/N,N,N',N",N"-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA) as the catalyst. The reaction of the resulting PS with sodium azide yielded the azido-terminated polymer. The hydroxyl group in the other end of the polymer was reacted with 4-nitrophenyl chloroformate (NPC), followed by reaction with propargylamine to produce an alkyne end group with a carbamate linkage. The PS with an alkyne group in one end and an azide group in the other end was then self-coupled in the presence of CuBr/2,2'-bipyridyl (bpy) in DMF to yield a desired multisegmented PS. Molecular weight and molecular weight distribution of the self-coupled polymer increased with time, as in the typical step-growth-type polymerization processes. Finally, we demonstrated that the ester and carbamate linkages of the multisegmented PS were hydrolyzed in the presence of HCl to yield individual PS chains.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.22
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• pp.9835-9839
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• 2014

Fisetin is an effective compound extracted from lacquer which has been used in the treatment of various diseases. Preliminary data indicate that it also exerts specific anti-cancer effects. However, the manner in which fisetin regulates cancer growth remains unknown. In this study, we elucidated interference of fisetin with targets of the nuclear factor ${\kappa}B$ signal transduction pathway activated by Epstein-Barr virus encoding latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1)in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells, Results showed that fisetin inhibited the survival rate of CNE-LMP1 cells and NF-${\kappa}B$ activation caused by LMP1. Fisetin also suppressed nuclear translocation of NF-${\kappa}B$ (p65) and $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ phosphorylation, while inhibiting CyclinD1, all key targets of the NF-${\kappa}B$ signal transduction pathway. It was suggested that interference effects of fisetin with signal transduction activated by LMP1 encoded by the Epstein-Barr virus may play an important role in its anticancer potential.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.7569-7576
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• 2013

Background: The purpose of this article is to present preliminary results of simultaneous boost irradiation radiotherapy for locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods: Fifty-eight patients who underwent simultaneous boost irradiation radiotherapy for NPC in Cancer Center of Sun Yat-sen University between September 2004 and December 2009 were eligible. Acute and late toxicities were scored weekly according to the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) acute and late radiation morbidity scoring schemes. An especial focus was on evidence of post-radiation brain injury. Also quality of life was analysed according to the EORTC (European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer) recommendations. Discrete variables were compared by ${\chi}^2$ test. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the survival rates and generate survival curves. Results: A total of 58 patients with a mean follow-up time of 36 months completed clinical trials.Fifty-seven patients (98.3) achieved complete remission in the primary sites and cervical lymph nodes, with only one patient (1.7%) showing partial remission.The most frequently observed acute toxicities during the concurrent chemoradiotherapy were mucositis and leucopenia. Four patients (6.9%) had RTOG grade 3 mucositis, whereas four patients (6.9%) had grade 3 leucopenia. No patient had grade 4 acute toxicity. Three (5.17%) of the patients exhibited injury to the brain on routine MRI examination, with a median observation of 32 months (range, 25-42months). All of them were RTOG grade 0. The 3-year overall, regional-free and distant metastasis-free survival rates were 85%, 94% and 91%, respectively. Conclusion: Simultaneous boost irradiation radiotherapy is feasible in patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The results showed excellent local control and overall survival, with no significant increase the incidence of radiation brain injury or the extent of damage. A larger population of patients and a longer follow-up period are needed to evaluate ultimate tumor control and late toxicity.