Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of Superconducting Fault Current Limiting Transformers in Power Systems

Superconducting devices have emerged in many applications during the last few decades. They offer many advantages, including high efficiency, compact size, and superior performance. However, the main drawback of these devices is the high cost. An option to reduce the high cost and improve the cost-benefit ratio is to integrate two functions into one device. This paper presents the superconducting fault current limiting transformer (SFCLT) as a superior alternative to normal power transformers. The transformer has superconducting windings and also provides fault current limiting capability to reduce high fault currents. The SFCLT is tested in two power system models: a 7 bus wind farm-based model simulated in PSCAD and on the 80 bus simplified Australian power system model simulated in real-time digital simulator. Various conditions were studied to investigate the effectiveness of the fault current limiting transformer.
SOX2 regulates acinar cell development in the salivary gland

Acinar cells play an essential role in the secretory function of exocrine organs. Despite this requirement, how acinar cells are generated during organogenesis is unclear. Using the acini-ductal network of the developing human and murine salivary gland, we demonstrate an unexpected role for SOX2 and parasympathetic nerves in generating the acinar lineage that has broad implications for epithelial morphogenesis. Despite SOX2 being expressed by progenitors that give rise to both acinar and duct cells, genetic ablation of SOX2 results in a failure to establish acini but not ducts. Furthermore, we show that SOX2 targets acinar-specific genes and is essential for the survival of acinar but not ductal cells. Finally, we illustrate an unexpected and novel role for peripheral nerves in the creation of acini throughout development via regulation of SOX2. Thus, SOX2 is a master regulator of the acinar cell lineage essential to the establishment of a functional organ. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.7554/eLife.26620. 001
HLA Genes, Islet Autoantibodies and Residual C-Peptide at the Clinical Onset of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus and the Risk of Retinopathy 15 Years Later

Aims/Hypothesis HLA genes, islet autoantibodies and residual C-peptide were studied to determine the independent association of each exposure with diabetic retinopathy (DR), 15 years after the clinical onset of type 1 diabetes in 15–34 year old individuals. Methods The cohort was identified in 1992 and 1993 by the Diabetes Incidence Study in Sweden (DISS), which investigates incident cases of diabetes for patients between 15 and 34 years of age. Blood samples at diagnosis were analyzed to determine HLA genotype, islet autoantibodies and serum C-peptide. In 2009, fundus photographs were obtained from patient records. Study measures were supplemented with data from the Swedish National Diabetes Registry. Results The prevalence of DR was 60.2% (148/246). Autoantibodies against the 65 kD isoform of glutamate decarboxylase (GADA) at the onset of clinical diabetes increased the risk of DR 15 years later, relative risk 1.12 for each 100 WHO units/ml, [95% CI 1.02 to 1.23]. This equates to risk estimates of 1.27, [95% CI 1.04 to 1.62] and 1.43, [95% CI 1.06 to 1.94] for participants in the highest 25th (GADA>233 WHO units/ml) and 5th percentile (GADA>319 WHO units/ml) of GADA, respectively. These were adjusted for duration of diabetes, HbA1c, treated hypertension, sex, age at diagnosis, HLA and C-peptide. Islet cell autoantibodies, insulinoma-antigen 2 autoantibodies, residual C-peptide and the type 1 diabetes associated haplotypes DQ2, DQ8 and DQ6 were not associated with DR. Conclusions Increased levels of GADA at the onset of type 1 diabetes were associated with DR 15 years later. These results, if confirmed, could provide additional insights into the pathogenesis of the most common microvascular complication of diabetes and lead to better risk stratification for both patient screenings and DR treatment trials.
Immobilization of Borate Waste Simulate in Cement-Water Extended Polyester Composite Based on Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate) Waste: 2-Frost Resistance of the Polymer Modified Cement Composite

Modified composite from water extended polyester (WEP); based on the recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate), (PET), and ordinary Portland cement (OPC) is a candidate matrix for processing borate waste solutions originating from the primary coolant circuit of pressurized water reactors (PWRs). This part of the work discusses the frost resistance of this polymer-modified cement composite (PCC) during the disposal course. Frost resistance is assessed for the candidate PCC after 115 cycles of freezing and thawing treatment (FTC) by evaluating their durability index, compressive strength, apparent porosity, volume of open pores, water absorption, and bulk density. Infrared (IR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) as non-destructive analyses were performed for the candidate PCC before and after the freezing/thawing treatment to follow the changes that may take place during the hydration regime. The results obtained indicate that the candidate-modified cement composite exhibits acceptable resistance to freezing and thawing treatment even at very exaggerating conditions (−19°C and +60°C).
Outcome after very early treatment of dense congenital unilateral cataract.

PURPOSE To evaluate whether very early treatment for congenital unilateral cataract results in better long-term functional outcomes, grating acuity, contrast sensitivity, recognition acuity, and random-dot stereoacuity were evaluated in two groups of children. METHODS Grating acuity and contrast sensitivity data were obtained with standard forced-choice protocols. Stereoacuity data were obtained both in a forced-choice laboratory protocol and by the Randot test. RESULTS Immediately after treatment, both the very early (1 to 6 weeks; n = 8) and early (2 to 8 months; n = 6) treatment groups showed a 0.3 log unit grating acuity deficit in the aphakic eye. Grating acuity in the early group showed some improvement with age but reached a plateau of 0.75 logMAR at 18 to 24 months; the very early group showed more improvement and reached a plateau of 0.22 logMAR at 37 to 48 months. At 5 to 8 years of age, aphakic eyes of the very early group had significantly better contrast sensitivity and recognition acuity than the aphakic eyes of the early group. Overall, grating acuity deficits during years 2 through 5 were significantly correlated with contrast sensitivity and recognition acuity outcomes measured at 5 to 8 years of age. No deficits in grating acuity, contrast sensitivity, or recognition acuity were found for phakic fellow eyes in either group. Three children in the very early treatment group (37.5%) were orthotropic and demonstrated gross random-dot stereopsis; one child in the early group was orthotropic but none of these children demonstrated random-dot stereopsis. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that treatment initiated at 1 to 6 weeks of age maximizes the opportunity for normal or near-normal visual development of a congenitally cataractous eye with little or no risk to the phakic fellow eye.
Surface Microstructures on Planar Substrates and Textile Fibers Guide Neurite Outgrowth: A Scaffold Solution to Push Limits of Critical Nerve Defect Regeneration?

The treatment of critical size peripheral nerve defects represents one of the most serious problems in neurosurgery. If the gap size exceeds a certain limit, healing can't be achieved. Connection mismatching may further reduce the clinical success. The present study investigates how far specific surface structures support neurite outgrowth and by that may represent one possibility to push distance limits that can be bridged. For this purpose, growth cone displacement of fluorescent embryonic chicken spinal cord neurons was monitored using time-lapse video. In a first series of experiments, parallel patterns of polyimide ridges of different geometry were created on planar silicon oxide surfaces. These channel-like structures were evaluated with and without amorphous hydrogenated carbon (a-C:H) coating. In a next step, structured and unstructured textile fibers were investigated. All planar surface materials (polyimide, silicon oxide and a-C:H) proved to be biocompatible, i.e. had no adverse effect on nerve cultures and supported neurite outgrowth. Mean growth cone migration velocity measured on 5 minute base was marginally affected by surface structuring. However, surface structure variability, i.e. ridge height, width and inter-ridge spacing, significantly enhanced the resulting net velocity by guiding the growth cone movement. Ridge height and inter-ridge distance affected the frequency of neurites crossing over ridges. Of the evaluated dimensions ridge height, width, and inter-ridge distance of respectively 3, 10, and 10 µm maximally supported net axon growth. Comparable artificial grooves, fabricated onto the surface of PET fibers by using an excimer laser, showed similar positive effects. Our data may help to further optimize surface characteristics of artificial nerve conduits and bioelectronic interfaces.
Detection of Babesia DNA in blood and spleen samples from Eurasian badgers (Meles meles) in Scotland

SUMMARY Babesia are intraerythrocytic parasites of importance worldwide within the fields of human and veterinary medicine, as some Babesia sp. , including Babesia microti are potentially zoonotic and can cause fatal disease in both humans and animals. The aims of this study were to use a nested PCR (amplifying the 18S rRNA gene) to determine the presence and species of Babesia parasite DNA found in blood (n = 47) and spleen (n = 47) samples collected from Eurasian badgers (Meles meles) in Scotland. The results showed 28/47 (59·6%) blood and 14/47 (29·8%) spleen samples tested positive for the presence of Babesia DNA. Initial sequence analysis of the Babesia DNA identified three distinct sequence types (submitted to GenBank KX528553, KX528554 and KX528555), which demonstrated ⩾99% identity to Babesia sp. parasites previously identified in badgers in Spain (KT223484 and KT223485). Phylogenetic analysis showed that the three isolates are closely related to Babesia annae, B. microti and other Piroplasmida species found in wildlife. Further sequence analysis of the samples demonstrated that the badgers were routinely infected with more than one parasite isolate and there was also evidence of genetic recombination between the Babesia parasite isolates (submitted to GenBank KY250472 – KY250477)
An Efficient Method for Studying Weak Resonant Double Hopf Bifurcation in Nonlinear Systems with Delayed Feedbacks

An efficient method, called the perturbation‐incremental scheme (PIS), is proposed to study, both qualitatively and quantitatively, the delay‐induced weak or high‐order resonant double Hopf bifurcation and the dynamics arising from the bifurcation of nonlinear systems with delayed feedback. The scheme is described in two steps, namely, the perturbation and the incremental steps, when the time delay and the feedback gain are taken as the bifurcation parameters. As for applications, the method is employed to investigate the delay‐induced weak resonant double Hopf bifurcation and dynamics in the van der Pol–Duffing and the Stuart–Landau systems with delayed feedback. For bifurcation parameters close to a double Hopf point, all solutions arising from the resonant bifurcation are classified qualitatively and expressed approximately in a closed form by the perturbation step of the PIS. Although the analytical expression may not be accurate enough for bifurcation parameters away from the double Hopf point, it is.
A Developmental Psychopathology Perspective on Child Maltreatment

Child maltreatment exemplifies a pathogenic relational environment that confers considerable risk for maladaptation across diverse psychological and biological domains of development. Deprived of many of the experiences believed to promote adaptive functioning across the life span, maltreated children traverse a probabilistic pathway characterized by an increased likelihood for compromised resolution of stage-salient developmental tasks. Because the maltreating home represents such a dramatic violation of the average expectable environment, research on child maltreatment informs developmental theory by elucidating the conditions necessary for normal development and healthy adaptation. Moreover, research on child maltreatment enhances clinical, legal, and policy decisions aimed to promote children’s safety and well-being.
Role of JNK in a Trp53-Dependent Mouse Model of Breast Cancer

The cJun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) signal transduction pathway has been implicated in mammary carcinogenesis. To test the role of JNK, we examined the effect of ablation of the Jnk1 and Jnk2 genes in a Trp53-dependent model of breast cancer using BALB/c mice. We detected no defects in mammary gland development in virgin mice or during lactation and involution in control studies of Jnk1−/− and Jnk2−/− mice. In a Trp53−/+ genetic background, mammary carcinomas were detected in 43% of control mice, 70% of Jnk1−/− mice, and 53% of Jnk2−/− mice. These data indicate that JNK1 and JNK2 are not essential for mammary carcinoma development in the Trp53−/+ BALB/c model of breast cancer. In contrast, this analysis suggests that JNK may partially contribute to tumor suppression. This conclusion is consistent with the finding that tumor-free survival of JNK-deficient Trp53−/+ mice was significantly reduced compared with control Trp53−/+ mice. We conclude that JNK1 and JNK2 can act as suppressors of mammary tumor development.
Mesoscale vortices and the paradox of the plankton

Coexistence of competitive species is severely limited by the availability of resources and the characteristics of the environment. In particular, the so–called–competitive exclusion principle' states that, at equilibrium, the number of coexisting species cannot be larger than the number of resources for which they compete. However, many in situ observations have revealed prolonged coexistence of a large number of competitive plankton species, a phenomenon known as –the paradox of the plankton'. Here we investigate this problem and show that ocean mesoscale vortices generate transport barriers and incomplete horizontal mixing, allowing for a prolonged survival of the less–fit species, even for fully homogeneous resource distributions. In such a situation, the temporarily less–fit plankton species are protected from competition by the action of the vortices.
Final overall survival analysis for the phase II RECORD-3 study of first-line everolimus followed by sunitinib versus first-line sunitinib followed by everolimus in metastatic RCC

Background RECORD-3 compared everolimus and sunitinib as first-line therapy, and the sequence of everolimus followed by sunitinib at progression compared with the opposite (standard) sequence in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). This final overall survival (OS) analysis evaluated mature data for secondary end points. Patients and methods Patients received either first-line everolimus followed by second-line sunitinib at progression (n = 238) or first-line sunitinib followed by second-line everolimus (n = 233). Secondary end points were combined first- and second-line progression-free survival (PFS), OS, and safety. The impacts of neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and baseline levels of soluble biomarkers on OS were explored. Results At final analysis, median duration of exposure was 5.6 months for everolimus and 8.3 months for sunitinib. Median combined PFS was 21.7 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 15.1–26.7] with everolimus-sunitinib and 22.2 months (95% CI 16.0–29.8) with sunitinib-everolimus [hazard ratio (HR)EVE-SUN/SUN-EVE, 1.2; 95% CI 0.9–1.6]. Median OS was 22.4 months (95% CI 18.6–33.3) for everolimus-sunitinib and 29.5 months (95% CI 22.8–33.1) for sunitinib-everolimus (HREVE-SUN/SUN-EVE, 1.1; 95% CI 0.9–1.4). The rates of grade 3 and 4 adverse events suspected to be related to second-line therapy were 47% with everolimus and 57% with sunitinib. Higher NLR and 12 soluble biomarker levels were identified as prognostic markers for poor OS with the association being largely independent of treatment sequences. Conclusions Results of this final OS analysis support the sequence of sunitinib followed by everolimus at progression in patients with mRCC. The safety profiles of everolimus and sunitinib were consistent with those previously reported, and there were no unexpected safety signals. Clinical Trials number ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT00903175
Validation of S-NPP VIIRS Day-Night band and M bands performance using ground reference targets of Libya 4 and Dome C

This paper provides methodologies developed and implemented by the NASA VIIRS Calibration Support Team (VCST) to validate the S-NPP VIIRS Day-Night band (DNB) and M bands calibration performance. The Sensor Data Records produced by the Interface Data Processing Segment (IDPS) and NASA Land Product Evaluation and Algorithm Testing Element (PEATE) are acquired nearly nadir overpass for Libya 4 desert and Dome C snow surfaces. In the past 3.5 years, the modulated relative spectral responses (RSR) change with time and lead to 3.8% increase on the DNB sensed solar irradiance and 0.1% or less increases on the M4-M7 bands. After excluding data before April 5th, 2013, IDPS DNB radiance and reflectance data are consistent with Land PEATE data with 0.6% or less difference for Libya 4 site and 2% or less difference for Dome C site. These difference are caused by inconsistent LUTs and algorithms used in calibration. In Libya 4 site, the SCIAMACHY spectral and modulated RSR derived top of atmosphere (TOA) reflectance are compared with Land PEATE TOA reflectance and they indicate a decrease of 1.2% and 1.3%, respectively. The radiance of Land PEATE DNB are compared with the simulated radiance from aggregated M bands (M4, M5, and M7). These data trends match well with 2% or less difference for Libya 4 site and 4% or less difference for Dome C. This study demonstrate the consistent quality of DNB and M bands calibration for Land PEATE products during operational period and for IDPS products after April 5th, 2013.
Investigation of tube hydroforming along with stamping of thin-walled tubes in square cross-section dies

In this article, tube hydroforming along with stamping, a compound forming technology of thin-walled tube using stamping and hydroforming processes, was presented to cut forming costs, reduce number of forming and assembly operations, and improve forming efficiency. A simple experimental tooling was designed and manufactured. Forming experiments of stamping and tube hydroforming along with stamping processes in two square cross-section dies were performed for SS304 tubes at different upper die velocities. The experimental results indicated that the better formability and the more uniform thickness distribution are obtained by the tube hydroforming along with stamping processes than by the stamping.
Biochemical studies of interleukin-2, 4, 6 and 8 in patients with chronic liver and kidney diseases

Background: Interleukins are a group of cytokines (secreted proteins/signaling molecules) that were first seen to be expressed by white blood cells (leukocytes). In chronic hepatitis C, intra-hepatic expression of both IL-8 and IL-2 increased with fibrosis and inflammatory activity. Positive correlations were found between IL-8 and other cytokines and between cytokines themselves. These findings suggest that these interacting cytokines play an active role in the pathogenesis of CHC, and maybe involved in the up regulation or induction of one and other, and interleukin-6 (IL-6), the major cytokine inducers of the acute phase response, are markedly raised in acute alcoholic hepatitis and correlate closely with clinical and laboratory indicators of disease severity. Methods: We measured (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-8) serum levels in 60 patients classified into three different groups twenty chronic renal failure patients, twenty liver disease patients and twenty patients of chronic renal failure combined with liver diseases in comparison to twenty healthy controls. Serum (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-8) were determined using ELISA technique. Results: IL-2 and IL-6 were significantly highest in HCV and combined groups with no significant difference between them, followed by renal group compared to IL-4 and IL-8 were significantly highest in combined group, followed by renal group, followed by HCV group and lowest in control group. Conclusions: IL-2 and IL-6 are elevated in patients with chronic HCV disease. IL-4 and IL-8 are elevated in chronic renal failure.
Solitary waves for the generalized equal width (GEW) equation

We consider solitary wave solutions of the generalized equal width (GEW) wave equation u t + ϵu p u x − δu xxt = 0. This paper presents a collocation method for the GEW equation, which is classified as a nonlinear PDE using quadratic B-splines at midpoints as element shape functions. In this research, the scheme of the equation under investigation is found to be unconditionally stable. Test problems including the single soliton and the interaction of solitons are used to validate the suggested methods that is found to be accurate and efficient. The three invariants of the motion are evaluated to determine the conservation properties of the generated scheme. Finally, a Maxwellian initial condition pulse is then studied.
Processing Ordinality and Quantity: The Case of Developmental Dyscalculia

In contrast to quantity processing, up to date, the nature of ordinality has received little attention from researchers despite the fact that both quantity and ordinality are embodied in numerical information. Here we ask if there are two separate core systems that lie at the foundations of numerical cognition: (1) the traditionally and well accepted numerical magnitude system but also (2) core system for representing ordinal information. We report two novel experiments of ordinal processing that explored the relation between ordinal and numerical information processing in typically developing adults and adults with developmental dyscalculia (DD). Participants made “ordered” or “non-ordered” judgments about 3 groups of dots (non-symbolic numerical stimuli; in Experiment 1) and 3 numbers (symbolic task: Experiment 2). In contrast to previous findings and arguments about quantity deficit in DD participants, when quantity and ordinality are dissociated (as in the current tasks), DD participants exhibited a normal ratio effect in the non-symbolic ordinal task. They did not show, however, the ordinality effect. Ordinality effect in DD appeared only when area and density were randomized, but only in the descending direction. In the symbolic task, the ordinality effect was modulated by ratio and direction in both groups. These findings suggest that there might be two separate cognitive representations of ordinal and quantity information and that linguistic knowledge may facilitate estimation of ordinal information.