Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ground Fault Location on a Transmission Line Using High-Frequency Transient Voltages

This letter presents a fault-location method using high-frequency transient voltages generated by ground faults on a transmission line. The method is based on the measurement from one end of the line. The fault location is determined solely from the arrival time of initial waves of modal voltages at the measuring bus. The method does not need to use the reflected waves. The method is tested using the Electromagnetic Transient Program and the statistical results are presented.
Finite difference simulations of seismic scattering: Implications for the propagation of short‐period seismic waves in the crust and models of crustal heterogeneity

Synthetic seismograms produced by the finite difference method are used to study the scattering of elastic and acoustic waves in two-dimensional media with random spatial variations in seismic velocity. The results of this study provide important insights about the propagation of short-period ( 5), the self-similar medium is characterized by a scattering Q that is constant with frequency, whereas theory predicts that the apparent Q in an exponential medium is proportional to frequency. These alternative models of crustal heterogeneity can thus be tested by improved measurements of the frequency dependence of crustal Q at frequencies greater than about 1 Hz, assuming that scattering is responsible for most of the attenuation at these frequencies. Measurements of the time decay of the synthetic coda waves clearly show that the single scattering model of coda decay is not appropriate in the presence of moderate amounts of scattering attenuation (scattering Q ≤ 200). In these cases, Q values derived from the coda decay rate using the single scattering theory do not correspond to the transmission Q of the medium. The cross correlation of synthetic waveforms observed for an array of receivers along the free surface is observed to be dependent on the correlation distance of the medium. The self-similar random medium proposed here for the crust produces waveform variations at high frequencies (15–30 Hz) similar to those reported for actual small-scale seismic arrays with apertures of hundreds of meters.
Design of a Computer Game for an Information Technology Class

Para conseguir captar e motivar estudantes de ciencias de desporto na disciplina de “ciencias de computadores”, um jogo digital foi conceptualizado especificamente para a materia da disciplina, seguindo o metodo de “digital game based learning” e as teorias de aprendizagem construtivistas. Procura-se incluir na narrativa assuntos relacionados com a vida destes estudantes e para alem disso apresentar um ambiente de aprendizagem com contexto significativo. Os resultados deste projecto ate ao momento incluem uma planificacao (design document) para o primeiro nivel do jogo com a inclusao de puzzles propostos pela professora da disciplina e um prototipo preliminar, que ira ser testado com os estudantes do primeiro ano lectivo do Departamento de Educacao Fisica e Ciencias de Desporto da Universidade de Thessaly (Grecia) para se comprovar a eficacia inicial e apelo geral. Palavras-chave : digital game based learning; ciencias dos computadores; teorias de aprendizagem . Abstract In order to engage and motivate sport science students in the subject of computer science an educational game was designed specifically for the subject matter, following the digital game based learning approach and the constructivist learning theories. A narrative was included to which the students could relate themselves. The narrative provides a meaningful context to the learning environment. The results of this project so far are a design document for the first level of the game with the inclusion of puzzles proposed by the instructor and a preliminary prototype to be tested with the first year students of the Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences of the University of Thessaly (Greece) in order to evaluate the initial effectiveness and overall appeal of the game. Keywords : digital game based learning; computer science; learning theories .
Enterococcus faecalis rnjB Is Required for Pilin Gene Expression and Biofilm Formation

ABSTRACT Pili in Gram-positive bacteria play a major role in the colonization of host tissue and in the development of biofilms. They are promising candidates for vaccines or drug targets since they are highly immunogenic and share common structural and functional features among various Gram-positive pathogens. Numerous publications have helped build a detailed understanding of pilus surface assembly, yet regulation of pilin gene expression has not been well defined. Utilizing a monoclonal antibody developed against the Enterococcus faecalis major pilus protein EbpC, we identified mutants from a transposon (Tn) insertion library which lack surface-exposed Ebp pili. In addition to insertions in the ebp regulon, an insertion in ef1184 (dapA) significantly reduced levels of EbpC. Analysis of in-frame dapA deletion mutants and mutants with the downstream gene rnjB deleted further demonstrated that rnjB was responsible for the deficiency of EbpC. Sequence analysis revealed that rnjB encodes a putative RNase J2. Subsequent quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Northern blotting demonstrated that the ebpABC mRNA transcript level was significantly decreased in the rnjB deletion mutant. In addition, using a reporter gene assay, we confirmed that rnjB affects the expression of the ebpABC operon. Functionally, the rnjB deletion mutant was attenuated in its ability to produce biofilm, similar to that of an ebpABC deletion mutant which lacks Ebp pili. Together, these results demonstrate the involvement of rnjB in E. faecalis pilin gene expression and provide insight into a novel mechanism of regulation of pilus production in Gram-positive pathogens.
Decentralized trust management

We identify the trust management problem as a distinct and important component of security in network services. Aspects of the trust management problem include formulating security policies and security credentials, determining whether particular sets of credentials satisfy the relevant policies, and deferring trust to third parties. Existing systems that support security in networked applications, including X.509 and PGP, address only narrow subsets of the overall trust management problem and often do so in a manner that is appropriate to only one application. This paper presents a comprehensive approach to trust management, based on a simple language for specifying trusted actions and trust relationships. It also describes a prototype implementation of a new trust management system, called PolicyMaker, that will facilitate the development of security features in a wide range of network services.
Weak graph colorings: distributed algorithms and applications

We study deterministic, distributed algorithms for two weak variants of the standard graph coloring problem. We consider defective colorings, i.e., colorings where nodes of a color class may induce a graph of maximum degree d for some parameter d>0. We also look at colorings where a minimum number of multi-chromatic edges is required. For an integer k>0, we call a coloring k-partially proper if every node v has at least min{k,deg(v)} neighbors with a different color. We show that for all d∈{1,. ,Δ}, it is possible to compute a O(Δ2/d2)-coloring with defect d in time O(log*n) where Δ is the largest degree of the network graph. Similarly, for all k∈{1,. ,Δ}, a k-partially proper O(k2)-coloring can be computed in O(log*n) rounds. As an application of our weak defective coloring algorithm, we obtain a faster deterministic algorithm for the standard vertex coloring problem on graphs with moderate degrees. We show that in time O(Δ+log*n), a (Δ+1)-coloring can be computed, a task for which the best previous algorithm required time O(Δ*log(Δ) + log*n). The same result holds for the problem of computing a maximal independent set.
The experience of working with refugees: counsellors in primary care

ABSTRACT The provision of counselling services for refugee and asylum-seeking patients is relatively new in the UK and their complex needs may present considerable challenges within primary care, where access to specialist support resources is often limited. As far as we know, no previous research has attempted to look at the experiences of the counsellors who do this work. We undertook in-depth interviews with 13 counsellors who provide counselling to refugees in primary care in north London. The findings of this study suggest that counsellors who work in a primary care setting find themselves conflicted, troubled and out of their depth by the experiences, narratives and distress presented by refugee and asylum-seeking patients. They also report an erosion of usual counselling boundaries. Thus, the problems presented by refugees seem to demand approaches which go beyond standard counselling practice and which create ambivalence and uncertainty. These counsellors express feelings of isolation and impotence. The paper concludes with implications for counselling practice and suggestions for further research.
Testing the validity of the comprehensive model of educational effectiveness: a step towards the development of a dynamic model of effectiveness

This paper presents the methods and the main results of the 6 studies which were conducted in order to test the validity of the comprehensive model of educational effectiveness. The synthesis of these studies reveals that some support to the model has been provided. It is also demonstrated that 2 characteristics of the comprehensive model concerned with its multilevel nature can be seen as starting points for the development of the dynamic model of effectiveness, which is able to establish strong links between effectiveness research and improvement of practice. Finally, the results of these studies reveal the importance of 4 elements of the dynamic model concerned with its attempt to (a) use a framework to measure the functioning of effectiveness factors, (b) take into account new theories of learning in defining classroom-level factors, (c) incorporate results of differential effectiveness research, and (d) illustrate the dynamic perspective of effectiveness.
Looking at their side of the conflict? Effects of single versus multiple perspective history teaching on Jewish and Arab adolescents’ attitude to out-group narratives and in-group responsibility

In the last decade, the issue of teaching the Palestinian perspective on the Jewish–Arab conflict in Israeli schools gave rise to considerable debate and competing curricula. A quasi-experimental study compared the effects of these competing approaches on learners’ attitudes to out-group narratives and perceived in-group responsibility (IR). A total of 176 Israeli Jewish and Arab participants were randomly allocated into teaching approaches differing in method of engagement with historical narratives (single authoritative narrative, empathetic dual narrative, and critical analysis of conflicting sources). Results revealed effects for teaching approach and majority–minority status. Engagement with a single authoritative narrative decreased interest in out-group perspectives while empathetic engagement with out-group and in-group perspectives increased it, though the effect was more pronounced for members of the Arab minority than for those of the Jewish majority. Among Jewish participants, an empathetic teaching approach led to a decrease in perceived IR while the critical approach led to the opposite outcome. The trends were inverted for Arab participants. Engagement with historical perspectives also moderated the impact of interest in out-group perspectives on acceptance of IR. Educational implications point to the harmful effects of enforcing a single narrative in conflicted societies and to the beneficial outcomes of multiple perspective teaching.
Mitigation of Ergot Vasoconstriction by Clover Isoflavones in Goats (Capra hircus)

Ergot alkaloids produced by a fungal endophyte (Epichloë coenophiala; formerly Neotyphodium coenophialum) that infects tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum) can induce persistent constriction of the vasculature in ruminants, hindering their capability to thermo-regulate core body temperature. There is evidence that isoflavones produced by legumes can relax the vasculature, which suggests that they could relieve ergot alkaloid-induced vasoconstriction and mitigate the vulnerability to severe heat stress in ruminants that graze tall fescue. To test if isoflavones can relieve alkaloid-induced vasoconstriction, two pen experiments were conducted with rumen-fistulated goats (Capra hircus) to determine with ultrasonograpy if isoflavones can (1) promote vascular compliance by countering alkaloid-induced vasoconstriction and (2) relieve already imposed alkaloid-induced vasoconstriction. Goats were fed ad libitum chopped orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata)–timothy (Phleum pratense) hay prior to conducting the experiments. Measures of carotid and interosseous luminal areas were obtained pre- (baseline) and post-ruminal infusions in both experiments with goats being fed the hay, and for blood flow rate in the carotid artery in Experiment 2. Responses to infusion treatments were evaluated as proportionate differences from baseline measures. Peak systolic velocity, pulsatility index, and heart rate were measured on the last day on treatment (DOT) in Experiment 1, and on all imaging sessions during Experiment 2. For Experiment 1, rumens were infused with ground toxic fescue seed and isoflavones in Phase A and with only the toxic seed in Phase B. The infusion treatments were switched between phases in Experiment 2, which employed a fescue seed extract having an ergot alkaloid composition equivalent to that of the ground seed used in Experiment 1. During Experiment 1, luminal areas of carotid and interosseous arteries in Phase A did not deviate (P > 0.1) from baselines over 1, 2, 3, and 4 DOT, but the areas of both declined linearly from baselines over 1, 2, 3, and 4 DOT in Phase B. By 6, 7, and 8 DOT in Experiment 2, luminal areas of the arteries and flow rate declined from baselines with infusions with the only seed extract in Phase A, but luminal areas and flow rate increased over 4, 5, and 6 DOT with the additional infusion of isoflavones. Peak systolic velocity and heart rate were not affected by treatment in either experiment, but were highest when infused with only ergot alkaloids in both experiments. Treatment with isoflavones was demonstrated to relax the carotid and interosseous arteries and reduce resistance to blood flow. Results indicate that isoflavones can relax persistent vasoconstriction in goats caused by consumption of ergot alkaloids, and mitigate the adverse effect that ergot alkaloids have on dry matter intake.
Quality of life in epidermolysis bullosa

Summary The quality of life of people with epidermolysis bullosa (EB) living in Scotland was assessed by postal questionnaire using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and the Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI). There were 143 people with EB simplex (EBS) and 99 individuals with non‐Hallopeau‐‐Siemens subtypes of dystrophic EB (DEB). A further six individuals had the severe Hallopeau‐‐Siemens subtype of DEB (RDEB‐HS). The overall response was 48% (EBS 52%, DEB 40% and RDEB‐HS 83%). Impairment of quality of life (QOL) was greatest in those with RDEB‐HS, mean scores (adults, 18; children, 22) exceeding those of any skin disorder previously assessed. The effect on QOL of EBS and other subtypes of DEB was similar to that of moderately severe psoriasis and eczema. EBS had a greater impact on QOL than the non‐Hallopeau‐‐Siemens subtypes of DEB (EBS adults mean score, 10.7; EBS children mean score, 15; DEB adults mean score, 7.5; DEB children mean score, 11.5).
WPFP-PCA: weighted parallel fixed point PCA Face recognition

Principal Component Analysis (PCA) is one of the feature extraction techniques, commonly used in human facial recognition systems. PCA yields high accuracy rates when requiring lower dimensional vectors; however, the computation during covariance matrix and Eigenvalue Decomposition (EVD) stages leads to a high degree of complexity that corresponds to the increase of datasets. Thus, this research proposes an enhancement to PCA that lowers the complexity by utilizing a Fixed Point (FP) algorithm during the EVD stage. To mitigate the effect of image projection variability, an adaptive weight was also employed added to FP-PCA called wFP-PCA. To further improve the system, the advance in technology of multicore architectures allows for a degree of parallelism to be investigated in order to utilize the benefits of matrix computation parallelization on both feature extraction and classification with weighted Euclidian Distance (ED) optimization. These stages include parallel pre-processor and their combinations, called weighed Parallel FP-PCA wPFP-PCA. When compared to a traditional PCA and its derivatives which includes our first enhancement wFP-PCA, the performance of wPFP-PCA is very positive, especially in higher degree of recognition precisions, i.e., 100% accuracy over the other systems as well as the increase of computational speed-ups.
Polar Origanum vulgare (Lamiaceae) extracts with antifungal potential against Sporothrix brasiliensis

&NA; Oregano (Origanum vulgare) has anti‐Sporothrix spp. activity, including against strains that are resistant to antifungal drugs. As the studies are limited to the essential oil, the aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical, antioxidant and cytotoxic properties of polar oregano extracts and their anti‐Sporothrix brasiliensis activity. Aerial plant parts were used in the preparation of 10 min (INF10) and 60 min (INF60) infusions, a decoction (DEC) and a hydroalcoholic extract (HAE). Six phenolic acids and four flavonoids were identified and quantified through liquid‐chromatography (LC‐MS). Extracts in increasing order of total phenolic and flavonoid contents were HAE<INF60<INF10<DEC and HAE<DEC<INF60<INF10, respectively. All extracts showed DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging potential (HAE<INF60<DEC<INF10). HAE showed the least toxicity toward MDCK and CRFK cell lines in the MTT colorimetric assay. The antifungal potential against 29 S. brasiliensis isolates obtained from cats and dogs was evaluated following the CLSI M38‐A2 protocol adapted to natural products. Minimum inhibitory concentration for 50% of the isolates (MIC50) was 5 mg/ml for all extracts, and minimum fungicidal concentration for 50% of the isolates (MFC50) was 20 mg/ml for INF10 and 40 mg/ml for the remaining extracts. MIC90 was 10 mg/ml for all extracts, except for DEC (20 mg/ml). MFC90 was 40 mg/ml for INF10 and > 40 mg/ml for the other extracts. This is the first report of oregano extracts showing antifungal activity against S. brasiliensis. Its use in the treatment of sporotrichosis may be considered upon toxicity and safe‐use conditions are tested.
RANDOM WALKS FOR INTERACTIVE ALPHA-MATTING

Interactive, efficient, methods of foreground extraction and alpha-matting are of increasing practical importance for digital image editing. Although several new approaches to this problem have recently been developed, many challenges remain. We propose a new technique based on random walks that has the following advantages: First, by leveraging a recent technique from manifold learning theory, we effectively use RGB values to set boundaries for the random walker, even in fuzzy or low-contrast images. Second, the algorithm is straightforward to implement, requires specification of only a single free parameter (set the same for all images), and performs the segmentation and alpha-matting in a single step. Third, the user may locally fine tune the results by interactively manipulating the foreground/background maps. Finally, the algorithm has an inherit parallelism that leads to a particularly efficient implementation via the graphics processing unit (GPU). Our method processes a 1024× 1024 image at the interactive speed of 0.5 seconds and, most importantly, produces highquality results. We show that our algorithm can generate good segmentation and matting results at an interactive rate with minimal user interaction.
Lipoxygenase Products Regulate IRGpllb/llla Receptor Mediated Adhesion of Tumor Cells to Endothelial Cells, Subendothelial Matrix and Fibronectin

Abstract Tumor cell adhesion to endothelial cells, subendothelial matrix, and fibronectin is stimulated by the lipoxygenase metabolite of arachidonic acid, 12(S)-HETE, but not by 12(R)-HETE, 5-HETE or 15-HETE. Adhesion is also stimulated by the phorbol ester TPA, an effect inhibited by lipoxygenase but not cyclooxygenase inhibitors.TPA and 12(S)-HETE mediated adhesion is due, in part, to an integrin receptor (i.e., IRGpllb/llla) related to the platelet glycoprotein llb/llla complex and is inhibited by specific monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies against platelet llb/llla. TPA and 12(S)-HETE stimulated adhesion is also inhibited by a lipoxygenase product of linoleic acid; i.e., 13-HODE. These results suggest bidirectional control of tumor cell adhesion by lipoxygenase products of arachidonic acid (increase) and linoleic acid (decrease).
FLIGHT: clock calibration using fluorescent lighting

In this paper, we propose a novel clock calibration approach called FLIGHT, which leverages the fact that the fluorescent light intensity changes with a stable period that equals half of the alternating current's. By tuning to the light emitted from indoor fluorescent lamps, FLIGHT can intelligently extract the light period information and achieve network wide time calibration by referring to such a common time reference. We address a series of practical challenges and implement FLIGHT in TelosB motes. We conduct comprehensive experiments using a 12-node test-bed in both static and mobile environments. Over one-week measurement suggests that compared with existing technologies, FLIGHT can achieve tightly synchronized time with low energy consumption.
A systematic approach to derive the scope of software product lines

Product line scoping is a critical activity because it elicits the common realms upon which the different products of a product line can be optimally engineered with respect to economies of scope. This, in turn, upper bounds the overall economic benefits that can be accrued from product line based development. Inherently, product line scoping is difficult because of the complexity of the factors that must be taken into account. Many are not known a priori. Traditional scoping approaches (from domain engineering) have focused on the notion of application domains. However, domains proved difficult to optimally scope and engineer from an enterprise standpoint because a domain captures extraneous elements that are of no interest to an enterprise which must focus on particular products, whether existing, under development, or anticipated. Hence, the domain view provides a flawed economic basis for making a scoping decision. We introduce PuLSE-Eco, a technique especially developed to address the aforementioned issues. Its main characteristics are: a complete product-centric orientation done via product maps, the separation of concerns achieved through the definition and operationalization of strategic business objectives, and last, diverse types of analyses performed upon product maps allowing scoping decisions based on these objectives. We illustrate the technique with a running example.