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Heart failure (HF) is a huge global public health task due to morbidity, mortality, disturbed quality of life, and major economic burden. It is an area of active research and newer treatment strategies are evolving. Recently angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI), a class of drugs (the first agent in this class, Sacubitril–Valsartan), reduces cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in chronic HF patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Positive therapeutic effects have led to a decrease in cardiovascular mortality and HF hospitalizations (HFH), with a favorable safety profile, and have been documented in several clinical studies with an unquestionable survival benefit with ARNI, Sacubitril–Valsartan. This consensus statement of the Indian group of experts in cardiology, nephrology, and diabetes provides a comprehensive review of the power and promise of ARNI in HF management and an evidence-based appraisal of the use of ARNI as an essential treatment strategy for HF patients in clinical practice. Consensus in this review favors an early utility of Sacubitril–Valsartan in patients with HF with reduced EF (HFrEF), regardless of the previous therapy being given. A lower rate of hospitalizations for HF with Sacubitril–Valsartan in HF patients with preserved EF who are phenotypically heterogeneous suggests possible benefits of ARNI in patients having 40–50% of LVEF, frequent subtle systolic dysfunction, and higher hospitalization risk

Objective: To analyze the outcomes of patients receiving immunotherapy (IO) with advanced non-driver mutated non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after progression on systemic treatment. Methods: The overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS) and best response to IO of 64 patients who met our inclusion criteria were analyzed. Results: Median follow-up, OS and PFS were 35.9, 7.1 and 3.2 months, respectively. On uni- and multi-variable analysis, better ECOG PS and fewer extra-thoracic metastases were associated with prolonged OS and PFS. Response to IO was associated with prolonged OS, while thoracic radiotherapy and isolated CNS involvement were associated with prolonged PFS. ECOG PS, thoracic radiotherapy and PDL1 status significantly influenced the likelihood of response to IO. Overall, 30% patients experienced any grade toxicity. Conclusion: Our results are concordant with reported trial outcomes and support the application of IO in Indian patients.

Multisource inverters (MSIs) as a new approach for the integration of the energy and the power sources in electric vehicle applications have gained considerable attraction. Such structures offer the active control of the dc sources without using any dc/dc converters or magnetic elements, which reduces the weight, and the volume of the power electronics interface between the sources and the load. Moreover, high power density and improved efficiency due to the elimination of the magnetics are the other significant features of an MSI. This article proposes a novel three-phase MSI for integration and active control of a high-voltage dc source and a low-voltage dc source. The proposed MSI structure employs a smaller number of semiconductor devices at the current path in various operating modes in comparison to the previously published counterparts, which results in an improved efficiency operation. Performance of the proposed MSI using a modified space vector modulation technique for all possible operating modes is verified through simulations and experiments on a laboratory prototype

This letter addresses the problem of steering a robotic vehicle along a geometric path specified with respect to a reference frame moving in three dimensions, termed the Moving Path Following (MPF) motion control problem. The MPF problem is solved for a large class of robotic vehicles that require a minimum positive forward speed to operate. This restriction poses additional challenges with respect to the control design, and is developed using geometric concepts, wherein the attitude control problem is formulated on the Special Orthogonal group SO(3). To this end, a MPF error model formulation is first derived that allows to exclude the conservative constraints on the initial position of the vehicle with respect to the reference path by enabling the explicit control of the progression of a virtual point moving along the reference path. The task of the MPF control law is then to steer the vehicle towards the moving path and to converge to the virtual point. Stability and convergence guarantees of the resulting closed-loop system are provided using the Input-to-State Stability concept. In particular, we show that the proposed controller is robust to imperfect tracking errors and external disturbances (e.g., autopilot errors and wind gusts). Simulation results are presented to illustrate the efficacy of the proposed MPF control law.

This paper highlights some of the work that the author has done in the field of resonant power conversion for nearly the past 40 years. The work presented here is based on practical resonant converters designed for induction heating, space, telecommunications, and renewable energy applications. This work contains information that can help design similar converters and/or devise new ones.

A precise, curvature-based, average modeling technique for switched-capacitor (SC) dc–dc converters is proposed. The generalized modeling technique provides a comprehensive characterization of the converter at steady-state, across the full range of practical operating conditions. An expression for the equivalent output impedance is obtained, which relates the slow- and fast-switching limit impedances to the total output impedance. This expression can be used to accurately compute the output voltage without deriving the converter’s state equations and precisely weighs the contribution of each floating capacitor and parasitic resistance on the output impedance. The modeling technique is applied to a unity-gain SC converter, a multiphase binary converter, and a nonsymmetrical parallel–series converter, and the results are compared with existing steady-state models. The accuracy of the model is validated through simulations and experimental measurements.

Light load efficiency and output voltage regulation of a low- $Q$ LLC resonant converter is a critical problem for wide input voltage and load range applications. Parasitic capacitances such as rectifier diode junction capacitance ( $C_j$ ) degrade the soft switching performance. Compact size, high density, and high transformer turns-ratio requirements for microinverter applications add significant distributed capacitance ( $C_d$ ) of the low-profile transformer, worsening the output regulation and zero-voltage-switching (ZVS) capability at light loads. Wide switching frequency requirement for regulation at light loads, which increases core losses and turn- off switching losses in power MOSFETs, further degrades the power conversion efficiency. The conventional phase-shift modulation causes a high circulating current and loss of ZVS at light loads. Therefore, a hybrid adjustable switching-frequency-duty-cycle modulation technique for improving the light load efficiency is proposed and analyzed for a full-bridge $LLC$ resonant converter. Accurate loss analysis for the proposed modulation scheme, including the effect of parasitic capacitances, is performed using time-domain equations. The proposed methodology precalculates the optimal duty cycle at light load conditions for the required input voltage range such that minimum power losses are incurred. Variation in switching frequency at the preselected duty-cycle value regulates the output voltage. ZVS over a wide range of operating conditions is observed. An experimental prototype for a 20–40 V input, 380-V/300-W output $LLC$ converter is tested for the validation of theoretical analysis.

The molecular pathogenesis of breast cancer (BC), the second most common cancer, varies significantly between sexes, with minimal data in the transgender population. The overall prevalence of BC in transgenders is estimated to be 0.02%. Besides experiencing social disparities, transgenders have to face a lot of discrimination in the healthcare system. Adversities faced, along with the urge to identify with physical attributes to the gender felt by them, forces transgenders to use non-prescribed hormones. Gender affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) is a key feature of transition-related care, rehabbing mental health, and the quality of life of transgenders, but at the expense of their health. Studies have reported that GAHT is associated with severe health conditions such as cancer in transgenders. Estrogens and testosterone are associated with a moderate risk of developing BC. The types of BC diagnosed in transgenders after cross-sex hormone therapy include invasive ductal and neuroendocrine carcinoma, in addition to tubular adenocarcinoma. Although diagnosed at an age earlier compared with ciswomen, BC screening recommendations for transgenders are the same as for ciswomen. This review studies in detail the types of transgenders, their characteristics, different types of breast cancers associated, issues faced while treatment, and their best possible solutions. We also hope to have well-designed research in the future, which will fill the existing gaps in knowledge and provide scientific insight into the transgender population and issues related to their health. There are no international guidelines on screening and management of transgender patients but it appears that breast screening before cosmetic mastectomy, exposure to hormonal therapy for more than 5 years, and as per natal women screening guidelines should be offered to the patient with detailed discussion on the harms and benefits of the same.

This article presents a new droop-based supervisory-level controller for nanogrids (NGs) in the islanded mode of operation. The proposed control system is able to significantly improve the dynamics of power electronic interfaces in NGs. Unlike the existing techniques, the proposed controller takes into account the input-side (i.e., source-side) and the output-side (i.e., load-side) parameters as well as the dc-bus voltage dynamics. Theoretical analysis, simulation results, and experimental results confirm the feasibility of the proposed control system and demonstrate its superior performance.

A comprehensive framework for the analysis and design of multiphase, reconfigurable switched-capacitor (SC) dc–dc converters is presented. A generalized method, utilizing graph theory and network analysis, is first proposed, which enumerates all attainable ideal conversion ratios for a given SC converter structure. From this analysis, the performance limits of multiphase SC converters are expanded, and a reconfigurable, multiphase SC dc–dc converter is proposed. The converter utilizes a programmable and optimized switching configuration that can generate an increased number of attainable ideal conversion ratios for the given number of capacitors and switching states. This property allows the converter to maintain high efficiency across a wide range of operating conditions and achieve very high step-up and step-down conversion ratios. A set of sample switching sequences are provided to generate any attainable ideal conversion ratio, for up to four capacitors, using a minimal number of switching states. An experimental prototype of the converter has been designed and fabricated as an integrated circuit using 0.35- $\mu \text{m}$ CMOS technology to validate the performance.

Hybrid energy storage systems using battery packs and super capacitor (SC) banks are gaining considerable attraction in electric vehicle (EV) applications. In this article, a new modular reconfigurable multisource inverter (MSI) is proposed for active control of energy storage systems in EV applications. Unlike the conventional approaches, which use massive high-power dc–dc converters with bulk magnetic elements for combining SC banks and battery packs, the new approach utilizing the MSI offers magnetic-less structures. This reduces the weight and volume of the power electronics interface and offers simple control. Along with the proposed MSI, a space vector modulation technique and a deterministic state of charge (SOC) controller are also introduced for the control of the switching actions and operation of the SC bank. Simulations using MATLAB/Simulink and experimental results on a scaled down lab prototype are studied to assess the concepts.

Power electronic converters for electric vehicles (EVs) have been the subject of great interest over the last several decades. This article presents a thorough review of different EV power electronic converters on which the authors have worked for more than one decade. The readers will find this review interesting to design current products and to devise/invent new converters for emerging applications in EV.

Objective To describe remote triage of ‘potentially’ critically ill or injured children in a western Canadian province and to examine the associated factors with ‘missings’ in vital sign items recorded in centralized telephone triage consultations. Methods This is a provincial-wide prospective cohort study. We included all children under 17 years of age consulted through the central transport coordination centres in Alberta from June 2016 to July 2017. We labeled a value as ‘missing’ when the actual value was not identified in the audio records. Results In total, 429 cases were included in this study. The median duration of triage calls was 6.8 minutes. Although the patients’ demographics and primary diagnoses were similar, backgrounds of the referring physicians and hospitals were significantly different between the two cohorts (i.e., patients referred to Calgary versus Edmonton). The proportion of ‘missings’ among the vital sign items varied significantly, in which capillary refilling time (60%), pupils (86%), Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) (79%), and level of respiratory effort (50%) were not well recorded, whereas heart rate (proportion of ‘missings’: 12%), SpO2 (20%), and respiratory rate (26%) were recorded reasonably well. The lower proportion of ‘missings’ was observed in older aged patients for several vital sign items including systolic blood pressure and GCS. Conclusions The proportion of missing vital signs recorded varied significantly. The ‘missings’ could be associated with referring physician’s background and patients’ demographics such as ‘age’ that should be considered for the improvement of triage quality in the future.

This paper presents a new harmonic compensation system along with a hybrid load observer used for micro-grids in the islanded mode. The proposed control system includes an online hybrid load observer, which is able to precisely estimate the harmonic contents of the load as well as the equivalent load impedance in the islanded mode. One of the main features of the proposed control system is its capability to deal with unknown load harmonics, which is a big challenge in micro-grids. Basically, the proposed control system is able to detect, estimate, and compensate various load disturbances and harmonics (e.g., synchronous and asynchronous harmonics, and dc components). Theoretical analysis, simulation results, and experimental results verify the feasibility and performance of the proposed control system.

Multi Source Inverters (MSI) as a new technology for integration of the DC sources with different features have been introduced lately. Since the output voltage of an MSI is similar to the conventional Voltage Source Inverter (VSI), its THD content is high, which requires bulky output filters to diminish unwanted harmonics. In this paper, a Pseudo Multi Level Space Vector Modulation (PMLSVM) technique is proposed, which decreases the voltage THD of these converters significantly in comparison with the traditional SVM methods. A generalized formulation for calculation of the dwell-times using the 60o coordinate system is escalated, which decreases the computational burden for the practical implementations. The proposed SVM method is implemented on a recently proposed MSI and the simulation and experimental results are provided to verify the concept.

This paper introduces a technique to optimize the efficiency of wireless power transfer (WPT) systems having one transmitter and two receivers having cross-coupling (crosstalk) among the receivers. It is shown that the presence of crosstalk may or may not be beneficial to system efficiency. The emphasis is on the improvement of efficiency in the presence of crosstalk rather than its elimination, which has not been done in previous works. To enable that, a switched capacitor circuit (SCC) is proposed that varies the resonant frequency of the receivers (by varying the net receiver capacitance) in the presence of crosstalk. This improves the total system efficiency in the presence of variable coupling and load conditions, using a perturb-and-observe algorithm.

Introduced over 30 years ago, the LCC resonant dc/dc converter topology with capacitive output filter is gaining renewed interest to develop the first-stage of a two-stage PV inverter and 48V to 1V VRM for server applications. Previously reported time domain and Fundamental Harmonic Approximation analysis techniques suffer from degraded accuracy at low quality factors (Q). This paper presents a frequency domain model valid for any Q by accurately deriving the expression for the parallel capacitor voltage. This general model applies to the study of the converter under variable frequency and phase shift modulation techniques. Converter characteristics can be studied using generalized curves of voltage gain (V 0 /V i ), phase shift ($\phi$), and non-conduction angle ($\theta$) which are suitable for optimizing converter performance in terms of resonant component ratings and zero-voltage-switching (ZVS) range. The model is verified against a 380V, 250W experimental prototype.

The LCLC resonant converter topology is popular and frequently used in high voltage applications as it can more accurately describe the effect of parasitic elements in high turns ratio transformers over LLC or LCC. The accuracy of the Fundamental Harmonic Approximation (FHA) analysis technique suffers from low-quality factor (Q) designs which is desired to minimize component stress. Presented in this paper is a new frequency domain model incorporating effects of both input and load side harmonics under a duty cycle-variable frequency-based hybrid modulation technique previously shown to be advantageous under light load conditions. Generalized curves of converter resonant tank gain describe its operation. Steady-state waveforms from the model and a 400V, 250W experimental prototype is used to verify the accuracy