An Unboxed Operational Semantics for ML Polymorphism

We present an unboxed operational semantics for an ML-style polymorphic language. Different from the conventional formalisms, the proposed semantics accounts for actual representations of run-time objects of various types, and supports a refined notion of polymorphism that allows polymorphic functions to be applied directly to values of various different representations. In particular, polymorphic functions can receive multi-word constants such as floating-point numbers without requiring them to be boxed (i.e., heap allocated.) This semantics will serve as an alternative basis for implementing polymorphic languages. The development of the semantics is based on the technique of the type-inference-based compilation for polymorphic record operations [20]. We first develop a lower-level calculus, called a polymorphic unboxed calculus, that accounts for direct manipulation of unboxed values in a polymorphic language. This unboxed calculus supports efficient value binding through integer representation of variables. Different from de Bruijn indexes, our integer representation of a variable corresponds to the actual offset to the value in a run-time environment consisting of objects of various sizes. Polymorphism is supported through an abstraction mechanism over argument sizes. We then develop an algorithm that translates ML into the polymorphic unboxed calculus by using type information obtained through type inference. At the time of polymorphic let binding, the necessary size abstractions are inserted so that a polymorphic function is translated into a function that is polymorphic not only in the type of the argument but also in its size. The ML type system is shown to be sound with respect to the operational semantics realized by the translation.     

Integration of individual nanoscale structures into devices using dynamic nanostenciling

We succeeded in integrating individual, pre-existing nanostructures into functional devices using ultrahigh vacuum dynamic nanostenciling and show working devices based on single-walled carbon nanotubes, a benchmark nanomaterial, and porphyrin J-aggregates, a "soft" supramolecular nanomaterial. Nanostructures are first located via atomic force microscopy, while device elements are added step by step, with an achieved positional accuracy of 20 nm, using a shadow mask assembly that moves while being exposed to evaporated material. Electronic transport, potentiometry, and scanning Kelvin probe were used for control at any fabrication stage and were available in situ. Such complex fabrication/characterization capabilities, applicable repeatedly, reliably, and nondestructively, pave the way for dynamic nanostenciling instrumentation to establish itself as a viable tool for easy integration and prototyping of fragile nanostructures synthesized through a wide range of processes.     

Multifaceted Analysis of IL-23A- and/or EBI3-Including Cytokines Produced by Psoriatic Keratinocytes

Interleukin (IL) 23 (p19/p40) plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis and is upregulated in psoriasis skin lesions. In clinical practice, anti-IL-23Ap19 antibodies are highly effective against psoriasis. IL-39 (p19/ Epstein-Barr virus-induced (EBI) 3), a newly discovered cytokine in 2015, shares the p19 subunit with IL-23. Anti-IL-23Ap19 antibodies may bind to IL-39; also, the cytokine may contribute to the pathogenesis of psoriasis. To investigate IL23Ap19- and/or EBI3-including cytokines in psoriatic keratinocytes, we analyzed IL-23Ap19 and EBI3 expressions in psoriasis skin lesions, using immunohistochemistry and normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs) stimulated with inflammatory cytokines, using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (LC-Ms/Ms). Immunohistochemical analysis showed that IL-23Ap19 and EBI3 expressions were upregulated in the psoriasis skin lesions. In vitro, these expressions were synergistically induced by the triple combination of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-17A, and interferon (IFN)-γ, and suppressed by dexamethasone, vitamin D3, and acitretin. In ELISA and LC-Ms/Ms analyses, keratinocyte-derived IL-23Ap19 and EBI3, but not heterodimeric forms, were detected with humanized anti-IL-23Ap19 monoclonal antibodies, tildrakizumab, and anti-EBI3 antibodies, respectively. Psoriatic keratinocytes may express IL-23Ap19 and EBI3 proteins in a monomer or homopolymer, such as homodimer or homotrimer.     

A comprehensive analysis of the CVD growth of boron nitride nanotubes

Boron nitride nanotube (BNNT) films were grown on silicon/silicon dioxide (Si/SiO(2)) substrates by a catalytic chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method in a horizontal electric furnace. The effects of growth temperature and catalyst concentration on the morphology of the films and the structure of individual BNNTs were systematically investigated. The BNNT films grown at 1200 and 1300?°C consisted of a homogeneous dispersion of separate tubes in random directions with average outer diameters of ~30 and ~60 nm, respectively. Meanwhile, the films grown at 1400?°C comprised of BNNT bundles in a flower-like morphology, which included thick tubes with average diameters of ~100 nm surrounded by very thin ones with diameters down to ~10 nm. In addition, low catalyst concentration led to the formation of BNNT films composed of entangled curly tubes, while high catalyst content resulted in very thick tubes with diameters up to ~350 nm in a semierect flower-like morphology. Extensive transmission electron microscopy (TEM) investigations revealed the diameter-dependent growth mechanisms for BNNTs; namely, thin and thick tubes with closed ends grew by base-growth and tip-growth mechanisms, respectively. However, high catalyst concentration motivated the formation of filled-with-catalyst BNNTs, which grew open-ended with a base-growth mechanism.     

An integrated control method for a wind farm to reduce frequency deviations in a small power system

Output power of wind turbine generator (WTG) is not constant and fluctuates due to wind speed changes. To reduce the adverse effects of the power system introducing WTGs, there are several published reports on output power control of WTGs detailing various researches based on pitch angle control, variable speed wind turbines, energy storage systems, and so on. In this context, this paper presents an integrated control method for a WF to reduce frequency deviations in a small power system. In this study, the WF achieves the frequency control with two control schemes: load estimation and short-term ahead wind speed prediction. For load estimation in the small power system, a minimal-order observer is used as disturbance observer. The estimated load is utilized to determine the output power command of the WF. To regulate the output power command of the WF according to wind speed changing, short-term ahead wind speed is predicted by using least-squares method. The predicted wind speed adjusts the output power command of the WF as a multiplying factor with fuzzy reasoning. By means of the proposed method, the WF can operate according to the wind and load conditions. In the WF system, each output power of the WTGs is controlled by regulating each pitch angle. For increasing acquisition power of the WF, a dispatch control method also is proposed. In the pitch angle control system of each WTG, generalized predictive control (GPC) is applied to enhance the control performance. Effectiveness of the proposed method is verified by the numerical simulations.     

An enzyme catalyzing O-prenylation of the glucose moiety of fusicoccin A, a diterpene glucoside produced by the fungus Phomopsis amygdali

Isoprenoids form the largest family of compounds found in nature. Isoprenoids are often attached to other moieties such as aromatic compounds, indoles/tryptophan, and flavonoids. These reactions are catalyzed by three phylogenetically distinct prenyltransferases: soluble aromatic prenyltransferases identified mainly in actinobacteria, soluble indole prenyltransferases mostly in fungi, and membrane‐bound prenyltransferases in various organisms. Fusicoccin A (FC A) is a diterpene glycoside produced by the plant‐pathogenic fungus Phomopsis amygdali and has a unique O‐prenylated glucose moiety. In this study, we identified for the first time, from a genome database of P. amygdali, a gene (papt) encoding a prenyltransferase that reversibly transfers dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP) to the 6′‐hydroxy group of the glucose moiety of FC A to yield an O‐prenylated sugar. An in vitro assay with a recombinant enzyme was also developed. Detailed analyses with recombinant PAPT showed that the enzyme is likely to be a monomer and requires no divalent cations. The optimum pH and temperature were 8.0 and 50 °C, respectively. K_m values were calculated as 0.49±0.037 μM for FC P (a plausible intermediate of FC A biosynthesis) and 8.3±0.63 μM for DMAPP, with a k_cat of 55.3±3.3×10^?3 s. The enzyme did not act on representative substrates of the above‐mentioned three types of prenyltransferase, but showed a weak transfer activity of geranyl diphosphate to FC P.     

Signal flow graph modelling and analysis of interleaved DC?DC parallel converters

This paper presents a systematic development of a unified signal flow graph model for an interleaved DC–DC parallel converter system operating in continuous current mode. This signal flow graph approach provides a means to translate directly the switching converter to its graphic model, from which the steady-state and dynamic behaviour of the converter can be studied easily. The development of a unified signal flow graph is explained for a three-cell interleaved parallel converter system. Derivation of large-signal, small-signal and steady-state models from a unified signal flow graph is demonstrated by considering a two-cell interleaved converter system operating in complementary activation mode. Converter performance expressions such as steady-state voltage gain, efficiency expressions and small-signal characteristic transfer functions are also derived. A large-signal model was programmed in a TUTSIM simulator, and the large-signal responses against supply and load disturbances were predicted. Signal flow graph analysis results are validated with PSIM simulations. Experimental observations are provided to validate the signal flow graph modelling method. Further, the mathematical models obtained from the signal flow graph modelling are in agreement with those obtained from the state-space averaging technique.     

Next Day Peak Load Forecasting Using Neural Network With Adaptive Learning Algorithm Based On Similarity

In this article we propose the adaptive learning algorithm of neural network with respect to a rapid temperature change of forecasted day. The proposed adaptive learning algorithm is used to shift the learning range of previous year of forecasted day. Therefore, the proposed neural network can be trained by using learning data, including the maximum temperature to be forecasted. The suitability of the proposed approach is illustrated through an application to actual load data of Okinawa Electric Power Company in Japan.     

Sensorless vector control of synchronous reluctance motors withdisturbance torque observer

The elimination of the position sensor has been one important requirement in vector control systems because the position sensor spoils the reliability and simplicity of drive systems. Therefore, we present a sensorless vector control technique for synchronous reluctance motors. The rotor position is calculated easily from ds-qs-axes flux linkages which are estimated with a first-order lag compensator. Furthermore, utilizing estimated rotor position as the input of the full-order observer, the rotor speed and disturbance torque are estimated. The proposed sensorless vector control scheme is demonstrated with experimental results     

Production and bond strength of similar-titanium ultrasonic welded joints

The joinability of unalloyed titanium and the bond strength of similar titanium welded joints by ultrasonic welding were investigated. It turned out that sound welded joints of similar titanium were obtained by using the jig for fixing both base metals. In the case of non-fixing and fixing the lower base metal, sound welded joints were not usually obtained due to the slip between the two base metals. Producing welded joints having sufficient bond strength required a certain threshold value of the ultrasonic energy. When the ultrasonic welding was carried out under the condition where the ultrasonic energy was higher than a threshold value (approximately 2000 W s), the welded joints were fractured within the titanium base metal but not at the interface. The values of the bond strength were associated with the fixing method and the surface roughness of the base metals. The bond interface was joined metallurgically for the most part, although some small voids were observed on the bond interface by SEM and EPMA observation.