Abstract

Abstract

Abstract
In this article, two new unidirectional multilevel six-phase power rectifier topologies are proposed and investigated. Such topologies may be applied to ac-dc systems such as wind energy conversions systems, aerospace generator drives, telecommunications or any other application where regenerative operation is either not required or prohibited. The first topology is composed of two three-level neutral-point-clamped (NPC) converters connected to the open-end windings of a six-phase permanent magnet synchronous generator, and a three-phase noncontrolled diode bridge converter. The second topology is composed of three modified NPC converters with the substitution of two controlled switches by diodes in each leg. The use of a noncontrolled converter with diodes aims to reduce the controlled switches count, the system complexity, and the costs. However, it makes both systems nonreversible. The system models, operating principles, the space vector pulsewidth modulation strategies, the dc-links balance, and the control system to ensure the elimination of the zero-crossover distortion caused by the use of the diodes are presented. Due to the high number of levels generated, the systems are suitable for high power applications with voltage and current ratings restrictions. A study concerning harmonic distortion and semiconductor losses for both systems is performed, in order to be compared with a standard configuration. The feasibility of the system is demonstrated by simulation and experimental results.

Abstract
This paper presents Alloy4Fun, a web application that enables online editing and sharing of Alloy models and instances (including dynamic ones developed with the Electrum extension), to be used mainly in an educational context. By introducing secret paragraphs and commands in the models, Alloy4Fun allows the distribution and automated assessment of simple specification challenges, a mechanism that enables students to learn the language at their own pace. Alloy4Fun stores all versions of shared and analyzed models, as well as derivation trees that depict how they evolved over time: this wealth of information can be mined by researchers or tutors to identify, for example, learning breakdowns in the class or typical mistakes made by Alloy users. Alloy4Fun has been used in formal methods graduate courses for two years and for the latest edition we present results regarding its adoption by the students, as well as preliminary insights regarding the most common bottlenecks when learning Alloy (and Electrum).

Abstract
We present the complete genome sequences of two Xanthomonas euroxanthea strains isolated from buds of a walnut tree. The whole-genome sequences of strains CPBF 367 and CPBF 426 consist of two circular chromosomes of 4,923,218 bp and 4,883,254 bp and two putative plasmids of 45,241 bp and 17,394 bp, respectively. These data may contribute to the understanding of Xanthomonas species-specific adaptations to walnut.

Abstract
Prediction of labor is of extreme importance in obstetric care to allow for preventive measures, assuring that both baby and mother have the best possible care. In this work, the authors studied how important nonlinear parameters (entropy and compression) can be as labor predictors. Linear features retrieved from the SisPorto system for cardiotocogram analysis and nonlinear measures were used to predict labor in a dataset of 1072 antepartum tracings, at between 30 and 35 weeks of gestation. Two groups were defined: Group A—fetuses whose traces date was less than one or two weeks before labor, and Group B—fetuses whose traces date was at least one or two weeks before labor. Results suggest that, compared with linear features such as decelerations and variability indices, compression improves labor prediction both within one (C-Statistics of 0.728) and two weeks (C-Statistics of 0.704). Moreover, the correlation between compression and long-term variability was significantly different in groups A and B, denoting that compression and heart rate variability look at different information associated with whether the fetus is closer to or further from labor onset. Nonlinear measures, compression in particular, may be useful in improving labor prediction as a complement to other fetal heart rate features.