Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Experimental validation of frequency control from offshore wind power plants in multi-terminal DC grids

The value of cyber security is increasing every day and, with the progressive role that information technologies are playing in the global economy, its weight will increase more and more in the following years. In the focus of national cyber security strategies are the essential services for the whole society and the need to implement all the actions and measures for their secure operation, including the capacity to be resilient to evolving cyber threats and to respond to new attacks. A number of cyber security standards and regulations have been recently issued, that refer to the establishment of processes and activities supporting the public and private cooperation for the exchange of critical information and incident/ crisis management. An information security governance that aims to meet compliance with those practices must develop a combination of capabilities encompassing organizational processes and technical cyber security solutions. In line with the regulatory frameworks and in continuation with previous similar initiatives of the Cigré Study Committee D2, this paper is reporting on the outcome of the information sharing that has occurred between Cigré and IEC working groups addressing the cyber security for the power industry. Nomenclature: ARP Address Resolution Protocol CSIRT Security Incident Response Team DER Distributed Energy Resource DoS Denial of Service DNS Domain Name Server EPU Electric Power Utility GDPR General Data Protection Regulation ICS Industrial Control System ICT Information and Communication Technology IED Intelligent Electronic Device HMI Human Machine Interface IDS Intrusion Detection System IP Internet Protocol IT Information Technology MITM Man In The Middle NIS Network and Information Security OT Operational Technology SCADA Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition SIEM Security Information and Event Management TLS Transport Layer Security
Excitation of waves at 2 ω p,e and back propagating waves at ω p,e : a parametric study

Abstract. We present a parametric study of electrostatic waves generated with angular frequencies 2 wp,e and - wp,e by an electron beam using a one-dimensional Vlasov code. We consider a background plasma consisting of three components: two electron populations (a background and a beam) and a proton population (with a mass ratio mp /me = 400 and temperatures Tp = Te = T ). We investigate the influence of different beam parameters on the nonlinear growth rate of waves with angular frequency 2 wp,e and compare the results of the numerical experiments to theoretical predictions. We also examine the presence and excitation of back propagating waves with angular frequency wp,e . A discussion on the possible generating mechanisms of the different modes observed in these simulations is also presented.
Simultaneous Monitoring of Ballistocardiogram and Photoplethysmogram Using a Camera

We present a noncontact method to measure ballistocardiogram (BCG) and photoplethysmogram (PPG) simultaneously using a single camera. The method tracks the motion of facial features to determine displacement BCG, and extracts the corresponding velocity and acceleration BCGs by taking first and second temporal derivatives from the displacement BCG, respectively. The measured BCG waveforms are consistent with those reported in the literature and also with those recorded with an accelerometer-based reference method. The method also tracks PPG based on the reflected light from the same facial region, which makes it possible to track both BCG and PPG with the same optics. We verify the robustness and reproducibility of the noncontact method with a small pilot study with 23 subjects. The presented method is the first demonstration of simultaneous BCG and PPG monitoring without wearing any extra equipment or marker by the subject.
Community detection in social networks: The power of ensemble methods

In this work, we present an original seed-centric algorithm for community detection. Instead of expanding communities around selected seeds as most of existing seed-centric approaches do, we propose applying an ensemble clustering approach to different network partitions derived from local communities computed for each seed. Local communities are themselves computed applying an ensemble ranking approach that allow combining different local modularity functions that are used in a classical greedy optimization process.
Raccoon: Closing Digital Side-Channels through Obfuscated Execution

Side-channel attacks monitor some aspect of a computer system's behavior to infer the values of secret data. Numerous side-channels have been exploited, including those that monitor caches, the branch predictor, and the memory address bus. This paper presents a method of defending against a broad class of side-channel attacks, which we refer to as digital side-channel attacks. The key idea is to obfuscate the program at the source code level to provide the illusion that many extraneous program paths are executed. This paper describes the technical issues involved in using this idea to provide confidentiality while minimizing execution overhead. We argue about the correctness and security of our compiler transformations and demonstrate that our transformations are safe in the context of a modern processor. Our empirical evaluation shows that our solution is 8.9× faster than prior work (GhostRider [20]) that specifically defends against memory trace-based side-channel attacks.
PHYSICAL FITNESS OF AN INDUSTRIAL FIRE DEPARTMENT VS. A MUNICIPAL FIRE DEPARTMENT

Both industrial and municipal firefighters need to maintain high levels of physical fitness and minimize cardiovascular risk factors. The nature of firefighter responsibilities in industrial and municipal settings may vary, affecting the ability to sustain high levels of physical fitness. We compared the working conditions, physical fitness, and exercise training practices of an industrial fire department (n = 17) to those of a nearby municipal fire department (n = 55). After informed consent, aerobic capacity, muscular strength, muscular endurance, body composition, flexibility, blood lipid concentrations, and blood pressure levels were measured. Exercise training practices and related factors were assessed using a questionnaire. Despite programmatic differences, these departments demonstrated similar, relatively high degrees of physical fitness and similar blood lipid concentrations, blood pressure levels, and cardiac risk factors. It is recommended that fire departments involve appropriately trained staff, schedule on-duty times for exercise, offer well-equipped exercise facilities, and follow National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) guidelines for exercise conditioning in order to maintain a high degree of physical fitness.
Competition between two microbial populations in a sequencing fed‐batch reactor: Theory, experimental verification, and implications for waste treatment applications

Competition between two microbial populations for a single pollutant (phenol) was studied in a sequencing fed‐batch reactor (SFBR). A mathematical model describing this system was developed and tested experimentally. It is based on specific growth rate expressions revealed from pure culture batch experiments. The species employed were Pseudomonas putida (ATCC 17514) and Pseudomonas resinovorans (ATCC 14235). It was found that both species biodegrade phenol following inhibitory kinetics which can be described by Andrews' expression. The model predicts that the dynamics of a SFBR, and the kinetics of biodegradation, result in a complex set of operating regimes in which neither species, only one species, or both species can survive at steady cycle. The model also predicts the existence of multiple outcomes, achievable from different start‐up conditions, in some domains of the operating parameter space. Experimental results confirmed the model predictions. There was excellent agreement between predicted and measured concentrations of phenol, total biomass, and the biomass of each individual species. This study shows how serious discrepancies can arise in scale‐up of biodegradation data if population dynamics are not taken into account. It also further confirms experimentally the theory of microbial competition in periodically forced bioreactors. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Different Signaling Pathways in Bovine Sperm Regulate Capacitationand Hyperactivation1

Abstract Hyperactivated sperm motility is characterized by high-amplitude and asymmetrical flagellar beating that assists sperm in penetrating the oocyte zona pellucida. Other functional changes in sperm, such as activation of motility and capacitation, involve cross talk between the cAMP/PKA and tyrosine kinase/phosphatase signaling pathways. Our objective was to determine the role of the cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA) signaling pathway in hyperactivation. Western blot analyses of detergent extracts of whole sperm and flagella were performed using antiphosphotyrosine antibody. Bull sperm capacitated by 10 μg/ml heparin and/or 1 mM dibutyryl-cAMP plus 100 μM 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine exhibited increased protein tyrosine phosphorylation without becoming hyperactivated. Procaine (5 mM) or caffeine (10 mM) immediately induced hyperactivation in nearly 100% of motile sperm but did not increase protein tyrosine phosphorylation. After 4 h of incubation with caffeine, sperm expressed capacitation-associated protein tyrosine phosphorylation but hyperactivation was significantly reduced. Sperm initially hyperactivated by procaine or caffeine remained hyperactivated for at least 4 h in the presence of Rp-cAMPS (cAMP antagonist) or PKA inhibitors H-89 or H-8. Pretreatment with inhibitors also failed to block induction of hyperactivation; however, the inhibitors did block protein tyrosine phosphorylation when sperm were incubated with capacitating agents, thereby verifying inhibition of the cAMP/PKA pathway. While induction of hyperactivation did not depend on cAMP/PKA, it did require extracellular Ca2+. These findings indicate that hyperactivation is mediated by a Ca2+ signaling pathway that is separate or divergent from the pathway associated with acquisition of acrosomal responsiveness and does not involve protein tyrosine phosphorylation downstream of the actions of procaine or caffeine.
Robust Identification-Based State Derivative Estimation for Nonlinear Systems

A robust identification-based state derivative estimation method for uncertain nonlinear systems is developed. The identifier architecture consists of a recurrent multilayer dynamic neural network which approximates the system dynamics online, and a continuous robust feedback Robust Integral of the Sign of the Error (RISE) term which accounts for modeling errors and exogenous disturbances. Numerical simulations provide comparisons with existing robust derivative estimation methods including: a high gain observer, a 2-sliding mode robust exact differentiator, and numerical differentiation methods, such as backward difference and central difference.
Distribution of TRPC1 receptors in dendrites of rat substantia nigra: a confocal and electron microscopy study

Transient receptor potential channels (TRPC) are plasma membrane, non‐selective cationic channels and have been proposed as candidates involved in the regulation of cellular Ca2+ influx. The expression, at mRNA level, of several TRPCs has been demonstrated recently in dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra (SN). The aim of the present study was to characterize the expression of TRPC1, at a protein level, in the substantia nigra neurons and non‐excitable cells of Wistar rats. Single‐label immunohistochemistry and double‐label immunofluorescence were used to study the expression of TRPC1 among substantia nigra dopamine neurons and cellular processes using antibodies against tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), substance P (SP), enkephalin, synaptophysin, vesicular glutamate transporter‐2 (Vglut‐2), microtubule associated protein‐2 and metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (mGluR1). Moreover, the ultrastructural localization of TRPC1 was investigated by means of electron microscopy. A set of dual label experiments was also performed to investigate the presence of TRPC1 among glial cells. Our results showed that TRPC1 is localized mainly in dendritic processes of dopamine neurons, whereas a relatively small percentage of neuronal somata display a light TRPC1 immunoreactivity. Such results were confirmed by our electron microscopy observations. Our study demonstrates, for the first time, a coexpression of TRPC1 and mGluR1 receptors in dendrites of the substantia nigra dopaminergic neurons. Such observation reinforces the concept of an involvement of TRPC1 in mGluR1‐mediated excitatory inputs in rat dopamine neurons.
Effects of Escherichia coli Physiology on Growth of Phage T7 In Vivo and In Silico

ABSTRACT Phage development depends not only upon phage functions but also on the physiological state of the host, characterized by levels and activities of host cellular functions. We established Escherichia coli at different physiological states by continuous culture under different dilution rates and then measured its production of phage T7 during a single cycle of infection. We found that the intracellular eclipse time decreased and the rise rate increased as the growth rate of the host increased. To develop mechanistic insight, we extended a computer simulation for the growth of phage T7 to account for the physiology of its host. Literature data were used to establish mathematical correlations between host resources and the host growth rate; host resources included the amount of genomic DNA, pool sizes and elongation rates of RNA polymerases and ribosomes, pool sizes of amino acids and nucleoside triphosphates, and the cell volume. The in silico (simulated) dependence of the phage intracellular rise rate on the host growth rate gave quantitatively good agreement with our in vivo results, increasing fivefold for a 2.4-fold increase in host doublings per hour, and the simulated dependence of eclipse time on growth rate agreed qualitatively, deviating by a fixed delay. When the simulation was used to numerically uncouple host resources from the host growth rate, phage growth was found to be most sensitive to the host translation machinery, specifically, the level and elongation rate of the ribosomes. Finally, the simulation was used to follow how bottlenecks to phage growth shift in response to variations in host or phage functions.
Synaptotagmin VII Restricts Fusion Pore Expansion during Lysosomal Exocytosis

Synaptotagmin is considered a calcium-dependent trigger for regulated exocytosis. We examined the role of synaptotagmin VII (Syt VII) in the calcium-dependent exocytosis of individual lysosomes in wild-type (WT) and Syt VII knockout (KO) mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) using total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy. In WT MEFs, most lysosomes only partially released their contents, their membrane proteins did not diffuse into the plasma membrane, and inner diameters of their fusion pores were smaller than 30 nm. In Syt VII KO MEFs, not only was lysosomal exocytosis triggered by calcium, but all of these restrictions on fusion were also removed. These observations indicate that Syt VII does not function as the calcium-dependent trigger for lysosomal exocytosis. Instead, it restricts the kinetics and extent of calcium-dependent lysosomal fusion.
A novel method to generate three-dimensional paths for vehicles with bounded pitch and yaw

This paper presents a method for generating three-dimensional paths for a vehicle with a bounded maximum curvature in both yaw and pitch rotations. We build upon the two-dimensional time-optimal path generation for constant speed vehicles with bounded steering that produces the socalled Dubins curves. We formulate a similar problem in three-dimensional space and solve it with the additional constraints imposed by real systems such as the maximum vertical climbing angle of an underwater or aerial vehicle. We generate the paths by using simple geometric construction that allows for explicit curve representation that in turn allows for real-time implementation on any three-dimensional maneuvering vehicle.
Patient preferences for treatment of metastatic breast cancer: a study of women with early-stage breast cancer.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to elicit preferences for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer in women with early-stage breast cancer who were given hypothetical treatment scenarios. We predicted that quality of life, demographic, and treatment variables would have an impact on patient preferences. PATIENTS AND METHODS One hundred fifteen patients with stage 1-IIIA breast cancer were interviewed. All patients had either mastectomy or lumpectomy plus radiotherapy as primary treatment. Sixty-seven (58%) had prior adjuvant chemotherapy. Patients were given four clinical scenarios that described a woman with metastatic breast cancer who was stated to have a life expectancy of 18 months. Side effects of the treatment options were systematically varied from low (hormonal therapy) to life-threatening (high-dose experimental therapy) and were consistent with common clinical situations. Patients were asked to select which treatment, with its associated toxicity, they would accept and prefer for a 50% chance of specified increments in life expectancy, ie, 5 years, 18 months, 1 year, 6 months, 1 month, and 1 week. RESULTS Quality of life at the time of interview, previous chemotherapy treatment, and degree of difficulty of previous treatments did not predict patient preferences. The greater the toxicity potential of the treatment, the less likely patients were to accept the treatment, although approximately 15% of patients would prefer high-risk treatment for as little as 1 month of added life expectancy. Between 34% and 82% of patients would prefer different therapies for a 6-month addition to life expectancy, whereas almost all patients would accept treatment for a 5-year increase in length of survival. Younger patients were more willing to assume the risks of treatment for a small increase in life expectancy. Of note, between 54% and 78% of patients would elect to start the different treatments even without symptoms related to metastatic disease. Moreover, 76% of patients would prefer standard treatment or an experimental agent to reduce symptoms or pain, even if such treatment did not prolong life. Additionally, only 10% of patients would allow randomization to a clinical trial comparing high-dose with standard chemotherapy. Participation in the study was not distressing to most patients. CONCLUSION Patients showed clear preferences for specific treatments for metastatic disease when given hypothetical scenarios. There was a wide range of patient preferences for treatment based on risk-benefit assessment, but a substantial percentage of patients would accept the risk of major toxicity for minimal increase in overall survival.
Biological Diversity in Headwater Streams

Headwaters, the sources of all stream networks, provide habitats that are unique from other freshwater environments and are used by a specialised subset of aquatic species. The features of headwaters that provide special habitats include predator-free or competitor-free spaces; specific resources (particularly detrital based); and moderate variations in flows, temperature and discharge. Headwaters provide key habitats for all or some life stages for a large number of species across just about all freshwater phyla and divisions. Some features of headwaters, including isolation and small population sizes, have allowed for the evolutionary radiation of many groups of organisms within and beyond those habitats. As small and easily engineered physical spaces, headwaters are easily degraded by streambank development, ditching and even burial. Headwater streams are among the most sensitive of freshwater ecosystems due to their intimate linkage with their catchments and how easily they are impacted. As a unique ecosystem with many specialist species, headwater streams deserve better stewardship.
Biophysical principles predict fitness landscapes of drug resistance

Significance Development of predictive models of antibiotic resistance is challenging due to a lack of understanding of the relationship between molecular and fitness effects of mutations (the genotype–phenotype gap). Here we close the genotype–phenotype gap for an essential enzyme, dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), which is an important target of the common antibiotic trimethoprim. We show that IC50 of trimethoprim resistance of Escherichia coli can be predicted, with high accuracy, from a unique combination of molecular properties of stepwise-resistant DHFR variants. These results show that the challenge to predict de novo evolutionary dynamics of antibiotic resistance lies in the need for accurate prediction of the effects of mutations on the molecular properties of target enzymes. Fitness landscapes of drug resistance constitute powerful tools to elucidate mutational pathways of antibiotic escape. Here, we developed a predictive biophysics-based fitness landscape of trimethoprim (TMP) resistance for Escherichia coli dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR). We investigated the activity, binding, folding stability, and intracellular abundance for a complete set of combinatorial DHFR mutants made out of three key resistance mutations and extended this analysis to DHFR originated from Chlamydia muridarum and Listeria grayi. We found that the acquisition of TMP resistance via decreased drug affinity is limited by a trade-off in catalytic efficiency. Protein stability is concurrently affected by the resistant mutants, which precludes a precise description of fitness from a single molecular trait. Application of the kinetic flux theory provided an accurate model to predict resistance phenotypes (IC50) quantitatively from a unique combination of the in vitro protein molecular properties. Further, we found that a controlled modulation of the GroEL/ES chaperonins and Lon protease levels affects the intracellular steady-state concentration of DHFR in a mutation-specific manner, whereas IC50 is changed proportionally, as indeed predicted by the model. This unveils a molecular rationale for the pleiotropic role of the protein quality control machinery on the evolution of antibiotic resistance, which, as we illustrate here, may drastically confound the evolutionary outcome. These results provide a comprehensive quantitative genotype–phenotype map for the essential enzyme that serves as an important target of antibiotic and anticancer therapies.
A TSV test structure for simultaneously detecting resistive open and bridge defects in 3D-ICs

After the 3D stacking process, TSV-based 3D-ICs are required to perform the post-bond testing in order to detect TSV faults or device functional defects. To detect the resistive open and bridge defects, various effective TSV testing techniques have been studied. At an early stage of TSV manufacturing, it is important to consider that the TSV testing is required not only determining whether each TSV is defective or non-defective, but also digitizing the fault degree into the TSV resistance value during the silicon debugging. In this paper, we propose a new TSV test structure for simultaneously detecting the resistive open and bridge defects with supporting the debug mode to analysis the characteristic of the specific TSV. It can highly reduce the test time by detecting TSV defects at the same time without compromising test quality.