Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Economics of Electric Vehicle Charging: A Game Theoretic Approach

In this paper, the problem of grid-to-vehicle energy exchange between a smart grid and plug-in electric vehicle groups (PEVGs) is studied using a noncooperative Stackelberg game. In this game, on the one hand, the smart grid, which acts as a leader, needs to decide on its price so as to optimize its revenue while ensuring the PEVGs' participation. On the other hand, the PEVGs, which act as followers, need to decide on their charging strategies so as to optimize a tradeoff between the benefit from battery charging and the associated cost. Using variational inequalities, it is shown that the proposed game possesses a socially optimal Stackelberg equilibrium in which the grid optimizes its price while the PEVGs choose their equilibrium strategies. A distributed algorithm that enables the PEVGs and the smart grid to reach this equilibrium is proposed and assessed by extensive simulations. Further, the model is extended to a time-varying case that can incorporate and handle slowly varying environments.
Internal Residual Strain of GlidCop for Materials of the High-Heat-Load Components

We measured internal residual strain of GlidCopTM, a copper dispersion strengthened with aluminum oxide. The residual strains were measured by X-ray diffraction using synchrotron radiation. The purpose of this study is to verify the accuracy of an elastic-plastic analysis, which has been employed for the fatigue life prediction of GlidCop. As a result, the residual strain was estimated to be 0.11- 0.13% at any number of cycles, which is in good agreement with the analysis solutions. As to the plastic strain, we need to increase the accuracy of the calibration curve for the relationship between the FWHM of the diffraction profile and the plastic strain.
An anonymous RFID grouping-proof with missing tag identification

The emergence of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology has greatly increased the efficiency for inventory control, supply-chain management and logistics. With RFID group scanning, an RFID reader scans a collection of RFID tagged objects to generate a grouping-proof of "simultaneous" presence. Some shipments may have to be tracked remotely by readers that are not necessarily trusted. Current solutions, particularly those supporting anonymity, require readers to be trusted. In this paper we study RFID group scanning applications with untrusted readers, and present an anonymous grouping-proof of integrity for collections of RFID tagged objects. The proof can be checked by the verifier (a trusted entity) and the reader (an untrusted entity) can recover the identifiers of missing tags, but cannot generate a proof if tags are missing. The protocol can easily be adapted to get an anonymous RFID grouping code and is very efficient with just two rounds. We only assume that tags are able to generate pseudo-random numbers and compute one-way hash functions.
Cold temperature resistance in Drosophila lutescens and D. takahashii

Differentiation in low temperature resistance was investigated in two closely related species, Drosophila lutescens and D. takahashii. Drosophila flies at various developmental phases from an egg to an adult fly stage were chilled by low temperature of -3°C for six hours and the percent of hatching or hatchability for eggs, the percent of emergence for nonadult individuals and the percent of flies remaining alive after the treatment or the survival rate for adult flies were measured.It has been found from this experiment that cold resistance is in general higher in D. lutescens than in D. takahashii. For instance, adult flies 10 days after emergence of D. takahashii were all killed by the chilling, while in D. lutescens nearly all flies of the same age survived the low temperature treatment. The intraspecific variation of cold tolerance in both species was in the order of pupae>aged eggs>young eggs>larvae, leaving the larvae the most susceptible.Cold tolerance of adult flies in D. lutescens showed little variation in relation to ageing of flies, but in D. takahashii older flies proved to be more susceptible than younger ones.Genetic investigation by means of the chromosome substitution has proved that the cold tolerance is closely associated with the ratio of D. lutescens chromosomes involved in hybrid flies, suggesting that the relevant genes may be distributed in either sex chromosomes and autosomes of D. lutescens. Thus, the successful propagation of D. lutescens in the northern parts of Japan islands in contrast to D. takahashii, distribution of which is strictly limited to the southern parts, may most probably be due to the genetic differences in cold tolerance, mainly of adult flies, during the winter time.
Small-vocabulary speech recognition for resource-scarce languages

We describe a technique for attaining high-accuracy, small-vocabulary speech recognition capability in resource-scarce languages that requires minimal audio data collection and no speech technology expertise. We start with an off-the-shelf commercial speech recognizer that has been trained extensively on a resource-rich language such as English. We then derive phonemic representations for any desired word in any target language, by a process of cross-language phonemic mapping. We show that this results in high accuracy recognition of vocabularies of up to several dozen words -- enough for many development-related applications such as information access, data collection, and simple transactions.
The age‐related immunity in cattle to Babesia bovis infection involves the rapid induction of interleukin‐12, interferon‐γ and inducible nitric oxide synthase mRNA expression in the spleen

Young calves possess a strong innate immunity against Babesia bovis infection that lasts for approximately 6 months after birth and is abrogated with the removal of the spleen. This immunity is characterized as cellular involving a soluble mediator. Nitric oxide has been implicated by virtue of its babesiacidal affects in vitro, but questioned to be as effective in vivo, due to its ability to downregulate type‐1 immunity. Spleen cells were obtained from 4‐month‐old calves and adult steers and processed for monitoring cytokine and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA expression during the response to initial B. bovis infection. The data provided evidence of a transient role for nitric oxide in innate immunity, characterized by brief iNOS induction in the spleen of calves that was not detectable in the spleens of adults. The iNOS message followed the early induction of interleukin (IL)‐12 and interferon (IFN)‐γ message in calves. The induction of IL‐12 and IFN‐γ message in adults was delayed until IL‐10 message was induced. Transformation growth factor‐β mRNA expression levels were greater in spleen cells from adults early in infection and then declined, whereas expression levels increased in spleen cells from calves later in the infection process. Together, the data support the concept of ‘first come, first serve’ cytokine influence over cellular activities, the importance of a type‐1 response in the control of an initial infection and the need for tight regulation in order to prevent pathology associated with over production of nitric oxide and inflammatory cytokines.
Precession-driven flows in non-axisymmetric ellipsoids

Abstract We study the flow forced by precession in rigid non-axisymmetric ellipsoidal containers. To do so, we revisit the inviscid and viscous analytical models that have been previously developed for the spheroidal geometry by, respectively, Poincaré (Bull. Astronomique, vol. XXVIII, 1910, pp. 1–36) and Busse (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 33, 1968, pp. 739–751), and we report the first numerical simulations of flows in such a geometry. In strong contrast with axisymmetric spheroids, where the forced flow is systematically stationary in the precessing frame, we show that the forced flow is unsteady and periodic. Comparisons of the numerical simulations with the proposed theoretical model show excellent agreement for both axisymmetric and non-axisymmetric containers. Finally, since the studied configuration corresponds to a tidally locked celestial body such as the Earth’s Moon, we use our model to investigate the challenging but planetary-relevant limit of very small Ekman numbers and the particular case of our Moon.
Immune response to measles vaccine in Peruvian children.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the immune response in Peruvian children following measles vaccination. METHODS Fifty-five Peruvian children received Schwarz measles vaccine (about 10(3) plaque forming units) at about 9 months of age. Blood samples were taken before vaccination, then twice after vaccination: one sample at between 1 and 4 weeks after vaccination and the final sample 3 months post vaccination for evaluation of immune cell phenotype and lymphoproliferative responses to measles and non-measles antigens. Measles-specific antibodies were measured by plaque reduction neutralization. FINDINGS The humoral response developed rapidly after vaccination; only 4 of the 55 children (7%) had plaque reduction neutralization titres <200 mlU/ml 3 months after vaccination. However, only 8 out of 35 children tested (23%) had lymphoproliferative responses to measles antigens 3-4 weeks after vaccination. Children with poor lymphoproliferative responses to measles antigens had readily detectable lymphoproliferative responses to other antigens. Flow cytometric analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells revealed diffuse immune system activation at the time of vaccination in most children. The capacity to mount a lymphoproliferative response to measles antigens was associated with expression of CD45RO on CD4+ T-cells. CONCLUSION The 55 Peruvian children had excellent antibody responses after measles vaccination, but only 23% (8 out of 35) generated detectable lymphoproliferative responses to measles antigens (compared with 55-67% in children in the industrialized world). This difference may contribute to the less than uniform success of measles vaccination programmes in the developing world.
Sensitisation to Ambrosia in Switzerland: a public health threat on the wait.

BACKGROUND Ambrosia artemisiifolia (short name = Ambrosia common ragweed) pollen is a potent allergen and has recently been found in Switzerland, spreading from the southwest of the country. The aim of this study is to describe Ambrosia sensitisation rates in the population-based SAPALDIA cohort (Swiss Study on Air Pollution And Lung Diseases In Adults) and to test whether an increase in these rates could be observed. METHODS Among the 6345 participants from 8 areas who provided blood samples in 1991 and 2002, 5823 had valid results for specific IgE against common inhalant allergens tested with Phadiatop. In 2002 Ambrosia sensitisation was measured and positive tests were analysed for Artemisia vulgaris (mugwort). Blood samples taken in 1991 in Ticino and Geneva were also tested for Ambrosia. RESULTS Sensitisation rate (Phadiatop) did not increase significantly between the two surveys and sensitisation was found in 30% of the participants. A proportion of 7.9% showed specific IgE to Ambrosia pollen. The sensitisation rate in Lugano and Geneva had not changed substantially since 1991. Among those sensitised to Ambrosia 82% also showed specific IgE against Artemisia, suggesting a high rate of cross-reactivity. Only 1.3% were sensitized to Ambrosia alone. The incidence of asthma or hay fever in participants with specific IgE to Ambrosia pollen was not higher than in the general study population. CONCLUSION Currently Ambrosia pollen does not appear to be an important cause of inhalant allergies in Switzerland. Sensitisation rates are low and have not increased since 1991. Due to cross-reactivity Ambrosia sensitisation may be a consequence of primary sensitisation to Artemisia. Elimination of Ambrosia plants is nevertheless mandatory to avoid a future increase.
Attenuation of Alignment Effect with Exocentric Encoding of Location

An object's location is best retrieved from the orientation in which it was learned. Otherwise, retrieval necessitates a mental effort to restore the original perspective. In this case there is a cost to speed and accuracy of location responses known as the alignment effect. We hypothesised that one can attenuate this alignment effect by systematically referring objects in an exocentric frame of reference during learning. Sixteen male students were asked to learn the location of five objects disposed in a totally new environment either by locating the objects in an egocentric or in an exocentric spatial frame of reference. After the learning phase, the participants were asked to imagine orienting themselves to an object in the scene and to point to another object. The analysis of pointing accuracy, orientation, and pointing times showed that the performances of participants engaged in the exocentric condition remained insensitive to the augmentation of the angle between their actual position on the path and the imagined orientation. On the other hand, the participants engaged in egocentric learning were disoriented when the difference between their actual orientation and the imagined orientation was great. We conclude that when an object's location is intentionally referred to in an exocentric reference frame, alignment effect can be significantly reduced.
Tumoral Calcium Pyrophosphate Dihydrate Deposition Disease of the Ligamentum Flavum

OBJECTIVECalcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) deposition disease (CPPDD), also known as pseudogout, is rarely known to affect the spine. The purpose of this article is to report our experience with six cases involving massive focal deposition of CPPD crystals in the ligamentum flavum. METHODSBetween January 1998 and June 2002, we treated six patients with CPPDD involving the ligamentum flavum of the cervical and thoracic spine. Their ages ranged from 45 to 70 years. There were five female patients and one male patient. The cervical spine was involved in two cases and the thoracic spine in four. All except one patient presented with an insidious onset of myelopathy. The remaining patient presented with paraplegia after trauma. None of the patients exhibited any systemic features of CPPDD or other metabolic conditions that can lead to CPPD deposition. Plain x-rays often yielded inconclusive results. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging were useful in confirming the diagnoses. Decompressive laminectomy, with removal of the ossified ligamenta flava, was performed for all patients. Polarized-light microscopic examinations of the excised ligamenta flava revealed the characteristic rod-shaped, birefringent crystals. RESULTSFive of the six patients experienced significant improvements in their myelopathic symptoms after surgery. The remaining patient experienced improvements in sensations but no appreciable improvement in motor power. During the follow-up periods, which ranged from 7 months to 3 years, none of the patients presented with a recurrence of CPPD crystal deposition at the previously treated level. However, one patient who exhibited improvement after surgery presented 2 years later with a recurrence of myelopathic features attributable to ossification of the ligamentum flavum at a new level. CONCLUSIONTumoral CPPDD of the ligamentum flavum is rare. It commonly occurs among middle-age or elderly female patients and presents with progressive myelopathy. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are complementary in the diagnosis of this condition. Surgery, if performed early, leads to good improvement. However, long-term follow-up monitoring of these patients is necessary, because surgery provides only symptomatic relief and does not treat the underlying disease. With the increasing availability of magnetic resonance imaging, ossification of the ligamentum flavum is being more frequently recognized. In every case of ossified ligamentum flavum, the excised specimen should be examined with polarized-light microscopy. We think that this simple, inexpensive method will lead to the recognition of more cases of spinal CPPDD.
Mapping Control Structures for Sound Synthesis: Functional and Topological Perspectives

Abstract This article contributes a holistic conceptual framework for the notion of “mapping” that extends the classical view of mapping as parameter association. In presenting this holistic approach to mapping techniques, we apply the framework to existing works from the literature as well as to new implementations that consider this approach in their construction. As any mapping control structure for a given digital instrument is determined by the musical context in which it is used, we present musical examples that relate the relatively abstract realm of mapping design to the physically and perceptually grounded notions of control and sonic gesture. Making this connection allows mapping to be more clearly seen as a linkage between a physical action and a sonic result. In this sense, the purpose of this work is to translate the discussion on mapping so that it links an abstract and formalized approach—intended for representation and conceptualization—with a viewpoint that considers mapping in its role as a perceived correspondence between physical materials (i.e., those that act on controllers and transducers) and sonic events. This correspondence is, at its heart, driven by our cognitive and embodied understanding of the acoustic world.
Expression of macrophage inhibitory cytokine‐1 in prostate cancer bone metastases induces osteoclast activation and weight loss

Macrophage inhibitory cytokine‐1 (MIC‐1) belongs to the bone morphogenic protein/transforming growth factor‐β (BMP/TGF‐β) superfamily. Serum MIC‐1 concentrations are elevated in patients with advanced prostate cancer. The effects of MIC‐1 on prostate cancer bone metastases are unknown.
Punching Shear Behavior of Fiber Reinforced Polymers Reinforced Concrete Flat Slabs: Experimental Study

This paper presents the results of a two-phase experimental program investigating the punching shear behavior of fiber reinforced polymer reinforced concrete (FRP RC) flat slabs with and without carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) shear reinforcement. In the first phase, problems of bond slip and crack localization were identified. Decreasing the flexural bar spacing in the second phase successfully eliminated those problems and resulted in punching shear failure of the slabs. However, CFRP shear reinforcement was found to be inefficient in enhancing significantly the slab capacity due to its brittleness. A model, which accurately predicts the punching shear capacity of FRP RC slabs without shear reinforcement, is proposed and verified. For slabs with FRP shear reinforcement, it is proposed that the concrete shear resistance is reduced, but a strain limit of 0.0045 is recommended as maximum strain for the reinforcement. Comparisons of the slab capacities with ACI 318-95, ACI 440-98, and BS 8110 punching shear code equations, modified to incorporate FRP reinforcement, show either overestimated or conservative results.
Contribution of serotonin type 3 receptors in the successful extinction of cued or contextual fear conditioned responses: interactions with GABAergic signaling

Abstract The changes in serotonin type 3 (5-HT3) receptor activity influence memory and emotional regulation, the two essential components underlying the successful extinction of conditioned fear. These studies determined if blocking 5-HT3 receptors with granisetron influences the extinction of fear in male Sprague-Dawley rats. In Experiment 1, preextinction granisetron (0.5 or 1.0 mg/kg intraperitoneally) did not affect cued extinction learning but enhanced memory for the extinction session on retention test given 24 and 48 h later. In Experiment 2, granisetron injections given on days 1 and 4 during 6 days of extinction training reduced fear produced by contextual fear conditioning. Experiments 3 and 4 examined if 5-HT3 antagonists influence extinction memory by interactions with γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). The expression of the GABAA receptor clustering protein gephyrin was significantly elevated in the amygdala after cued fear extinction training and a subsequent extinction retention test given 24 h later. Gephyrin expression in the hippocampus but not in the amygdala or the medial prefrontal cortex was significantly reduced after contextual fear extinction sessions given 1 or 5 days after training. The current studies reveal the beneficial effects of 5-HT3 receptor activity in improving new learning associated with extinction of fearful memories and suggest that these actions could be mediated through influences on central GABAergic systems.
Energy harvesting cooperative diamond channel

We consider the energy harvesting diamond channel, where the source and two relays harvest energy from nature. The physical layer is modeled as a concatenation of a broadcast and a multiple access channel. We find the optimal offline transmit power and rate allocations that maximize the end-to-end throughput. First, we show that there exists an optimal source power allocation which is equal to the single-user optimal power allocation for the source energy arrivals and does not depend on the relay energy arrivals. Second, we show that the fraction of the power spent on each broadcast link depends on the energy arrivals for the relays. Specifically, we show that the optimal source rate allocation can be found by solving an optimal broadcasting problem with slot-dependent user priorities and these priorities can change only at instants where one of the relay data buffers is empty. Finally, we decompose the problem into inner and outer optimization problems and solve the overall problem by iterating between the two.
Aortic valve replacement: is porcine or bovine valve better?

A best evidence topic in cardiac surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was: 'Is porcine or bovine valve better for aortic valve replacement? ' Altogether, 562 papers were found using the reported search, of which 15 represented the best evidence to answer the question. All papers represent either level 1 or 2 evidence. The authors, journal, date, country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes and results of these papers are tabulated. This best evidence paper includes 9880 patients from 1974-2006 to compare both valve types. All studies compared either all or some of the following outcomes: complication, durability, mortality, functional status and haemodynamic function. Ten of 15 papers assessed the complication profile due to aortic valve replacement in both valve types. Four papers concluded that bovine valves are superior, whereas only one favoured porcine valves. Five papers showed a similar complication profile between both valves. Six of 15 papers commented on valve durability. Both porcine and bovine valve groups have two papers each to support their superiority in valve durability. Two papers demonstrated similar durability in both valves. There are 11 papers comparing the postoperative mortality. We suggest that there is no difference in mortality profile as eight papers showed that both valves had similar mortality profiles. Two papers supported bovine valve and one paper supported porcine valve in this aspect. There were four papers assessing the postoperative functional status, with three papers suggesting that both valve types had similar clinical improvement postoperatively. Eleven papers compared the haemodynamic function. Nine papers were in favour of bovine valves. Two papers demonstrated similar haemodynamic profiles in both valves. In conclusion, the bovine valve is superior in its complication and haemodynamic profiles. Both bovine and porcine valves have comparable results with regard to the mortality, postoperative functional status and valve durability. Significant variability between the valve manufacturers, study designs, study period and patient population in the above studies impose limitations to the comparison of both valves.