Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Distributed Bisection Method for Economic Power Dispatch in Smart Grid

In this paper, we present a fully distributed bisection algorithm for the economic dispatch problem (EDP) in a smart grid scenario, with the goal to minimize the aggregated cost of a network of generators, which cooperatively furnish a given amount of power within their individual capacity constraints. Our distributed algorithm adopts the method of bisection, and is based on a consensus-like iterative method, with no need for a central decision maker or a leader node. Under strong connectivity conditions and allowance for local communications, we show that the iterative solution converges to the globally optimal solution. Furthermore, two stopping criteria are presented for the practical implementation of the proposed algorithm, for which sign consensus is defined. Finally, numerical simulations based on the IEEE 14-bus and 118-bus systems are given to illustrate the performance of the algorithm.
Utilization of Positive Deviance Analysis in Evaluating Community-Based Nutrition Programs: An Application to the Dular Program in Bihar, India

Background Positive deviance is increasingly employed in international development activities to permit the utilization of proven local solutions. Including positive deviance methods in evaluation analysis, particularly in places like Bihar, India, where the rates of child underweight hover at 55%, can help identify project activities and household characteristics that affect key outcomes. These can, in turn, inform decision-making regarding the intensification of particularly promising activities. Objectives To apply positive deviance analysis to the Dular program in Bihar, a community-based nutrition program that seeks to improve the impact of India's Integrated Child Development Services on young children. Methods In order to assure that desired program outcomes were not dependent on higher economic status, the analysis isolated a subset of program beneficiaries—the poorest children with the best nutritional outcomes—and examined the behavioral and project factors that may have brought about positive results in this subgroup. The data for this analysis were drawn from a 2005 program evaluation with a sample of 1,560 children. Results The analysis found that positive deviant children with normal nutritional status in the poorest 50% of Dular households were introduced to complementary food almost 2 months earlier (7.18 vs. 9.02 months of age) than severely malnourished children, were more than twice as likely to use soap for handwashing after defecation (25.0% vs. 11.8%), and were more than seven times as likely to have literate mothers (25.0% vs. 3.5%). Conclusions The analysis suggests that programmatic efforts relating to these activities have been particularly effective and may well deserve increased investment.
The adipocyte differentiation protein APMAP is an endogenous suppressor of Aβ production in the brain

The deposition of amyloid-beta (Aβ) aggregates in the brain is a major pathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Aβ is generated from the cleavage of C-terminal fragments of the amyloid precursor protein (APP-CTFs) by γ-secretase, an intramembrane-cleaving protease with multiple substrates, including the Notch receptors. Endogenous modulation of γ-secretase is pointed to be implicated in the sporadic, age-dependent form of AD. Moreover, specifically modulating Aβ production has become a priority for the safe treatment of AD because the inhibition of γ-secretase results in adverse effects that are related to impaired Notch cleavage. Here, we report the identification of the adipocyte differentiation protein APMAP as a novel endogenous suppressor of Aβ generation. We found that APMAP interacts physically with γ-secretase and its substrate APP. In cells, the partial depletion of APMAP drastically increased the levels of APP-CTFs, as well as uniquely affecting their stability, with the consequence being increased secretion of Aβ. In wild-type and APP/ presenilin 1 transgenic mice, partial adeno-associated virus-mediated APMAP knockdown in the hippocampus increased Aβ production by ∼20 and ∼55%, respectively. Together, our data demonstrate that APMAP is a negative regulator of Aβ production through its interaction with APP and γ-secretase. All observed APMAP phenotypes can be explained by an impaired degradation of APP-CTFs, likely caused by an altered substrate transport capacity to the lysosomal/autophagic system.
Intelligent-Based Approach to Islanding Detection in Distributed Generation

This paper introduces a new intelligent-based approach for detecting islanding in distributed generation (DG). This approach utilizes and combines various system parameter indices in order to secure the detection of islanding for any possible network topology, penetration level and operating condition of the DG under study. Hence, every parameter index displays characteristics for a given set of events. The proposed technique uses the data-mining technology to extract information from the large data sets of these indices after they are screened off-line via massive event analyses using network simulations. The technique is tested on a typical DG with multiple distributed resources and the results indicate that this technique can successfully detect islanding operations. In addition, this technique can also overcome the problem of setting the detection thresholds inherent in the existing techniques by optimizing their settings
Geosphere: An Exact Depth-First Sphere Decoder Architecture Scalable to Very Dense Constellations

This paper presents the algorithmic design, experimental evaluation, and very large scale of integration (VLSI) implementation of Geosphere, a depth-first sphere decoder able to provide the exact maximum-likelihood solution in dense (e.g., 64) and very dense (e.g., 256, 1024) quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) constellations by means of a geometrically inspired enumeration. In general, linear detection methods can be highly effective when the multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) channel is well-conditioned. However, this is not the case when the size of the MIMO system increases and the number of transmit antennas approaches the number of the receive antennas. Via our wireless open access research platform (WARP) testbed implementation, we gather indoor channel traces in order to evaluate the performance gains of sphere detection against zero-forcing and minimum mean-square errors (MMSE) in an actual indoor environment. We show that Geosphere can nearly linearly scale performance with the number of user antennas; in <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$4\times 4$ </tex-math></inline-formula> multi-user MIMO for 256-QAM modulation at 30-dB SNR, there is a <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$1.7\times $ </tex-math></inline-formula> gain over MMSE and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$2.4\times $ </tex-math></inline-formula> over zero-forcing and a 14% and 22% respective gain in <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$2\times 2$ </tex-math></inline-formula> systems. In addition, by using a new node labeling-based enumeration technique, low-complexity integer arithmetic, and fine-grained clock gating, we implement for up to 1024-QAM constellations and compare in terms of area, delay, power characteristics, the Geosphere VLSI architecture, and the best-known best-scalable exact ML sphere decoder. Results show that Geosphere is twice as area-efficient and 70% more energy efficient in 1024-QAM. Even for 16-QAM, Geosphere is 13% more area-efficient than the best-known implementation for 16-QAM, and it is at least 80% more area-efficient than the state-of-the-art <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$K$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-best detectors for 64-QAM.
Spatially-explicit impacts of carbon capture and sequestration on watersupply and demand - eScholarship

Spatially-­‐Explicit Impacts of Carbon Capture and on Water Supply and Demand Roger Sathre, Hanna Breunig, Peter Larsen, Eric Masanet, Thomas McKone, Nigel Quinn, Corinne Scown Environmental Energy Technologies Division Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Berkeley, CA 94720 June 2012
Redesigning Layered Network Architecture for Next Generation Networks

Redesigning the Internet in “Clean slate approach” has attracted considerable attention. In clean slate approach, several network architectures are proposed, which are not based on the layered model. This paper discusses what model is appropriate to the network architecture for the New Generation Network from the viewpoint of ease of understanding, ease of management, and ease of implementation. As a result, this paper reaches a conclusion that the layered model with cross-layer collaboration and split of the data plane and the control plane is most appropriate. The major features of the proposed network architecture are as follows: (1) introducing the layer-5 to provide the applications with more abstract communication paths, (2) introducing cross-layer collaboration for efficient processing in each layer, (3) splitting the node identifier and the node locator for mobility, multi-homing, and security, (4) splitting the data plane and the control plane for manageability, and (5) introducing a recursive layered model to support network virtualization.
[Heat production from reaction of inhalation anesthetics with dry soda lime].

UNLABELLED There are some case reports about excessive heat production in the absorbent canister when sevoflurane or enflurane are washed into a circle containing dried soda lime. This observation was often made in the DRAGER ISO 8 circle system with the gas inlet upstream of the soda lime canister with the gas-flow from bottom to top. METHODS The temperature in the center of an absorbent canister was measured 3.0 cm and 7.5 cm above the bottom. Soda lime (DRAGERSORB 800) was dried in an O2 stream for 2-3 days until there was no further loss in weight. 5 Vol% of desflurane, enflurane, isoflurane and sevoflurane in 2 1/min O2 or 4 Vol% of halothane in 2.5 I/min O2 were continuously fed into the canister. The concentration of the respective inhalational agents were measured after the soda lime canister using a DATEX Capnomac. Experiments were performed at ambient temperatures of 20-22 degrees C. RESULTS A considerable temperature increase was achieved with all anaesthetics. The highest temperatures were measured at the upper sensor with 56-58 degrees C for desflurane, 76-80 degrees C for enflurane and isoflurane, 84-88 degrees C for halothane and 126-130 degrees C for sevoflurane. IR-detection for some agents was considerably delayed or the time course indicated that other compounds might have formed which absorb at the wavelength monitored. DISCUSSION The high temperatures indicate the degradation rather than absorption of the volatile anaesthetics. CO is known to be degradation product of all currently used volatile anaesthetics except sevoflurane. Sevoflurane, however, produced the highest temperatures passing through dried soda lime. There are no reports about new specific breakdown products for sevoflurane on dried soda lime.
Investigation of a Suitable Shear Friction Interface between UHPC and Normal Strength Concrete for Bridge Deck Applications

Given that bridge deck deterioration occurs due to the formation of cracks on the top surface, a cost-effective yet highly durable composite bridge deck could be formed by overlaying a thin ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) layer over a normal-strength concrete (NC) slab. However, a dependable shear friction for the UHPC and NC interface and the factors influencing the connection’s behavior needs to be investigated to make this concept a reality for field applications. Mechanically connecting the two layers was not considered a possible option as this would increase the cost of construction
The Evolution and Development of Cephalopod Chambers and Their Shape

The Ammonoidea is a group of extinct cephalopods ideal to study evolution through deep time. The evolution of the planispiral shell and complexly folded septa in ammonoids has been thought to have increased the functional surface area of the chambers permitting enhanced metabolic functions such as: chamber emptying, rate of mineralization and increased growth rates throughout ontogeny. Using nano-computed tomography and synchrotron radiation based micro-computed tomography, we present the first study of ontogenetic changes in surface area to volume ratios in the phragmocone chambers of several phylogenetically distant ammonoids and extant cephalopods. Contrary to the initial hypothesis, ammonoids do not possess a persistently high relative chamber surface area. Instead, the functional surface area of the chambers is higher in earliest ontogeny when compared to Spirula spirula. The higher the functional surface area the quicker the potential emptying rate of the chamber; quicker chamber emptying rates would theoretically permit faster growth. This is supported by the persistently higher siphuncular surface area to chamber volume ratio we collected for the ammonite Amauroceras sp. compared to either S. spirula or nautilids. We demonstrate that the curvature of the surface of the chamber increases with greater septal complexity increasing the potential refilling rates. We further show a unique relationship between ammonoid chamber shape and size that does not exist in S. spirula or nautilids. This view of chamber function also has implications for the evolution of the internal shell of coleoids, relating this event to the decoupling of soft-body growth and shell growth.
Alfabetización en Geografía y mapas mentales. Los conocimientos mínimos entre los estudiantes universitarios de Educación Primaria

As a reflection on the discontinuous and marginal role of geography in the Spanish education system, we examine the minimum level of geographical knowledge in students studying in the primary education degree program. To do this we use the mental maps of the Balearic Islands made by students in the second year of the primary education degree program at the University of the Balearic Islands as an instrument with which to calibrate these future teachers’ geographical literacy. The test is inspired by the content, abilities, and competencies that appear in the new curriculum for social sciences in primary education, according to the LOMCE. Overall, students were unable to produce adequate maps, and they showed a lack of knowledge regarding the use of conventional cartographic language. Also, after analysing the maps, we concluded that areas where life experiences took place were given greater weight than areas that were learned about in an academic context.
Multiobjective optimal choice and design of isolated dc-dc power converters

This paper presents a computer-aided design (CAD) tool for the design of isolated dc-dc converters. This tool, developed in Matlab environment, is based on multiobjective optimization (MO) using Genetic Algorithms (GAs). The Elitist Nondominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm (NSGA-II) is used to perform search and optimization whereas analytical models are used to model the power converters. The design problem requires minimizing the weight, losses and cost of the converter while ensuring the satisfaction of a number of constraints. The optimization variables are, as for them, the operating frequency, the current density, the maximum flux density, the transformer dimensions, the wire diameter, the core material, the conductor material, the converter topology (among Flyback, Forward, Push-Pull, half-bridge (HB) and full-bridge (FB) converters), the number of semiconductor devices associated in parallel, the number of cells (each of them corresponding to a topology) associated in serial or parallel as well as the kinds of input and output connections (serial or parallel) of these cells and the semiconductor devices (among diodes, IGBTs and MOSFETs). Finally, a design example is presented and the results show that such tool to design dc-dc power converters presents several advantages. In particular, it proposes to the designer a set of solutions — instead of a single one — so that he can choose a posteriori which solution best fits the application under consideration. Moreover, interesting solutions not considered a priori can be found with this tool.
Assessment of in vitro potency of inactivated Newcastle disease oil-adjuvanted vaccines using hemagglutination test and blocking ELISA

Aim: The present study was aimed to establish a protocol for the evaluation of the in vitro potency of commercial inactivated Newcastle disease virus (NDV) oil-adjuvanted vaccines using hemagglutination test (HA) and blocking ELISA (B-ELISA) based on polyclonal antibodies. Materials and Methods: Aqueous phases from a total of 47 batches of inactivated NDV vaccines manufactured by 20 different companies were extracted with isopropyl myristate. The viral antigen in each sample was detected and quantified by a standard HA test and a B-ELISA assay. To verify the efficiency of the antigen extraction method used in the batches which showed HA and to test the validity of using in vitro antigen quantification by HA and B-ELISA tests, a subset of 13 batches (selected from the total 47 batches) was inoculated in groups of 3-4-week-old specific pathogen-free chickens using the recommended vaccine dose. The immunogenicity of the selected vaccine batches was assessed by the NDV-hemagglutination inhibition antibody titers in individual serum samples collected 4 weeks after vaccination. Further, the efficacy of the vaccines and their protection rates were determined by a challenge test carried out for the vaccinated chickens with the Egyptian 2012 isolate of the virulent NDV genotype VII. Results: A strong correlation was observed between HA titers and B-ELISA mean titers in the tested 47 batches (R2=0.817). This indicated the possibility of using the latter in vitro assays for vaccine potency assessment. The recommended protective NDV antigen titer measured by B-ELISA was determined to be 28 ELISA units per dose. The comparison between the HA titers of the aqueous extracts of test vaccines and the corresponding results of in vivo potency assays (i.e., immunogenicity and efficacy), including antibody titers in the serum of vaccinated birds, indicated that the efficiency of the antigen extraction used may interfere with obtaining a strong correlation between the in vitro and in vivo results. Conclusion: HA or B-ELISA tests can be used as rapid and cost-effective alternatives to traditional in vivo potency tests for vaccine potency assessment by quantifying the NDV antigen present in aqueous phase extracts of the tested vaccines. The latter in vitro protocol, however, requires efficient extraction of the antigen to be able to obtain good correlation with the traditional in vivo potency tests.
An analytical model to estimate the time taken for cytoplasmic reactions for stochastic simulation of complex biological systems

The complexity of biological systems motivates the use of a computer or "in silico" stochastic event based modeling approach to better identify the dynamic interactions of different processes in the system. This requires the computation of the time taken by different events in the system based on their biological functions and corresponding environment. One such important event is the reactions between the molecules inside the cytoplasm of a cell where the reaction environment is highly chaotic. We present a mathematical formulation for the estimation of the reaction time between two molecules within a cell based on the system state assuming that the reactant molecules enter the system one at a time to initiate reactions. We derive expressions for the average and second moment of the time for reaction to be used by our stochastic event-based simulation. Unlike rate equations, the proposed model does not require the assumption of concentration stability for multiple molecule reactions. The reaction time estimate is considered to be a random variable that suits the stochastic event based simulation method.
Topological Interference Management With Transmitter Cooperation

Interference networks with no channel state information at the transmitter except for the knowledge of the connectivity graph have been recently studied under the topological interference management framework. In this paper, we consider a similar problem with topological knowledge but in a distributed broadcast channel setting, i.e., a network where transmitter cooperation is enabled. We show that the topological information can also be exploited in this case to strictly improve the degrees of freedom (DoF) as long as the network is not fully connected, which is a reasonable assumption in practice. Achievability schemes from graph theoretic and interference alignment perspectives are proposed. Together with outer bounds built upon generator sequence, the concept of compound channel settings, and the relation to index coding, we characterize the symmetric DoF for the so-called regular networks with constant number of interfering links, and identify the sufficient and/or necessary conditions for the arbitrary network topologies to achieve a certain amount of symmetric DoF.
Ontogenetic and spatial variation in size‐selective mortality of a marine fish

Although body size can affect individual fitness, ontogenetic and spatial variation in the ecology of an organism may determine the relative advantages of size and growth. During an 8‐year field study in the Bahamas, we examined selective mortality on size and growth throughout the entire reef‐associated life phase of a common coral‐reef fish, Stegastes partitus (the bicolour damselfish). On average, faster‐growing juveniles experienced greater mortality, though as adults, larger individuals had higher survival. Comparing patterns of selection observed at four separate populations revealed that greater population density was associated with stronger selection for larger adult size. Large adults may be favoured because they are superior competitors and less susceptible to gape‐limited predators. Laboratory experiments suggested that selective mortality of fast‐growing juveniles was likely because of risk‐prone foraging behaviour. These patterns suggest that variation in ecological interactions may lead to complex patterns of lifetime selection on body size.
Origins of carbon sustaining the growth of whitefish Coregonus lavaretus early larval stages in Lake Annecy: insights from fatty-acid biomarkers.

The hypothesis that diatom carbon (C) produced during the spring peak supported spring zooplankton production and, ultimately, the growth of Coregonus lavaretus early larval stages from March to May 2006 in Lake Annecy, France, was tested using gut content analyses and fatty acid biomarkers. Gut content results showed that C. lavaretus larvae from stages 1 to 4 preferentially fed on copepods with Daphnia sp. only a minor proportion of larval diet. The levels of diatom-marker fatty acids (C16:1n-7 and C20:5n-3) were high in Daphnia sp. , but lower in both copepods and C. lavaretus larvae from stages 0 to 4. These results indicated that the spring diatom biomass was actually grazed by Daphnia sp. , but, contrary to what was expected, the spring bloom was not the only C source supporting copepods secondary production and, consequently, the growth of C. lavaretus early larval stages. In contrast, levels of terrestrial fatty acid marker (C24:0) were low in Daphnia sp. but high in copepods and C. lavaretus larvae, indicating a significant contribution of terrestrial carbon to copepods and, ultimately, to the growth of C. lavaretus early larval stages.