Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
OPTIMAL CAPACITOR PLACEMENT IN ACTUAL CONFIGURATION AND OPERATIONAL CONDITIONS OF DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS USING RCGA

One of the most important methods in loss reduction and controlling the voltages of distribution systems is the utilization of the fixed and switched capacitors. To do this, real modelling of the system in actual operational conditions including unbalanced or balanced loading and for actual feeder structure, ie, radial/meshed configuration, are required. In this paper, a new technique for finding the optimal values of the fixed and switched capacitors in the distribution networks with above properties based on the real coded genetic algorithm (RCGA) is presented. For this purpose, the modelling of the loads at different load levels are simulated with low voltage and medium voltage capacitors that are available on the market. Regarding the above factors in addition to the various parameters in the optimization problem, RCGA is used to find the best and real optimal network with the best rate for the capacitors. Finally, this methodology is tested on a region of the distribution network of the city of Ahvaz in Iran and satisfactory results are obtained. These results show that in addition to the decreasing of the network losses and improvement of the voltage profile, the benefit saving due to application of capacitors is increased. K e y w o r d s: unbalanced distribution networks, optimization, genetic algorithm, capacitor placement
Effect of channel interference on indoor wireless local area network positioning

Localization systems for indoor areas have recently been suggested that make use of existing wireless local area network (WLAN) infrastructure and location fingerprinting approach. However, most existing research work ignores channel interference between wireless infrastructures and this could affect accurate and precise positioning. A better understanding of the properties of channel interference could assist in improving the positioning accuracy while saving significant amounts of resources in the location-aware infrastructure. This paper investigates to what extent the positioning accuracy is affected by channel interference between access points. Two sets of experiments compare how the positioning accuracy is affected in three different channel assignment schemes: ad-hoc, sequential, and orthogonal data is analyzed to understand what features of channel interference affect positioning accuracy. The results show that choosing an appropriate channel assignment scheme could make localization 10% more accurate and reduce the number of access points that are required by 15%. The experimental analysis also indicates that the channel interference usually obeys a right-skewed distribution and positioning accuracy is heavily dependent on channel interference between access points (APs).
A hierarchical and concurrent approach for IEC 61499 function blocks

The IEC 61499 function block standard proposes a new specification language for describing distributed industrial control systems. The standard specifies the use of an execution control chart (ECC) for state control, with algorithm calls for data handling. The design of complex industrial systems such as baggage handling systems can be difficult because of large state-spaces or complicated component interactions. Additionally, the flat state machines used in the standard do not provide a simple method for specifying error handling within the process's execution. State machines from synchronous languages, however, have hierarchy and concurrent constructs to aid the developer. This paper presents a Hierarchical and Concurrent extension to ECCs, which we call HCECCs, which presents new design constructs adapted from synchronous languages in order to improve system specification with function blocks. The semantics of HCECCs, which are backward compatible with the standard, are described and design using HCECCs is compared with other specification approaches.
A “bag-of-arguments” mechanism for initial verb predictions

ABSTRACT Previous studies have shown that comprehenders use rich contextual information to anticipate upcoming input on the fly, but less is known about how comprehenders integrate different sources of information to generate predictions in real time. The current study examines the time course with which the lexical meaning and structural roles of preverbal arguments impact comprehenders’ lexical semantic predictions about an upcoming verb in two event-related potential (ERP) experiments that use the N400 amplitude as a measure of online predictability. Experiment 1 showed that the N400 was sensitive to predictability when the verb's cloze probability was reduced by substituting one of the arguments (e.g. “The superintendent overheard which tenant/realtor the landlord had evicted … ”), but not when the verb's cloze probability was reduced by simply swapping the roles of the arguments (e.g. “The restaurant owner forgot which customer/waitress the waitress/customer had served … ”). Experiment 2 showed that argument substitution elicited an N400 effect even when the substituted argument appeared elsewhere in the sentence, indicating that verb predictions are specifically driven by the arguments in the same clause as the verb, rather than by a simple “bag-of-words” mechanism. We propose that verb predictions initially rely on a “bag-of-arguments” mechanism, which specifically relies on the lexical meaning, but not the structural roles, of the arguments in a clause.
Imaging diagnosis of pancreato-biliary diseases: a control study.

AIM To evaluate the clinical value of various imageological methods in diagnosing the pancreato-biliary diseases and to seek the optimal procedure. METHODS Eighty-two cases of pancreato-biliary diseases confirmed by surgery and pathology were analyzed. There were 38 cases of cholelithiasis, 34 cases of pancreato-biliary tumors and 10 other cases. The imageological methods included B-US, CT, ERCP, PTC, cross-sectional MRI and MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP). RESULTS The accuracy rate of MRCP in detecting the location of pancreato-biliary obstruction was 100%. In differentiating malignant from benign obstruction, the sensitivity of the combination of MRCP and cross-sectional MRI was 82.3%, the specificity was 93.8%, and the accuracy rate was 89.0%. The accuracy rate for determining the nature of obstruction was 87.8%, which was superior to that of B-US (P=0.0000) and CT (P=0.0330), but there was no significant difference between direct cholangiopancreatography and the combination of MRCP and conventional MRI (P=0.6666). CONCLUSION In most cases, MRCP can substitute direct cholangiopancreatography for diagnosis. The combination of MRCP and cross-sectional MRI should be considered as an important means in diagnosing the pancreato-biliary diseases, pre-operative assessment and post-operative follow-ups.
Assessment of parasitic contamination of raw vegetables in Mannuthy, Kerala state, India.

Aim: To assess the parasitic contamination of raw vegetables retailed at Mannuthy in Thrissur district of Kerala state, India. Materials and Methods: A total of 112 samples, viz. cabbage (17), mint (11), coriander leaves (11), spinach (15), onion (10), carrot (10), potato (10), ginger (15), beet root (7) and tomato (6) were collected from retail market at Mannuthy, Kerala. Collected samples were washed with physiological saline solution. The washings were collected and examined under light microscopy. Results: Helminthic eggs were detected in three (2.7%) of 112 samples. Two samples of cabbage (1.8%) and one sample of onion (0.9%) was positive for ova of Ascaris spp. Conclusion: Vegetables can act as potential source of gastrointestinal parasitic infections. The study emphasizes the need for proper washing of vegetables before they are consumed or cooked.
Management of Anterior Skull Base Defect Depending on Its Size and Location

Introduction. We present our experience in the reconstruction of these leaks depending on their size and location. Material and Methods. Fifty-four patients who underwent advanced skull base surgery (large defects, >20 mm) and 62 patients with CSF leaks of different origin (small, 2–10 mm, and midsize, 11–20 mm, defects) were included in the retrospective study. Large defects were reconstructed with a nasoseptal pedicled flap positioned on fat and fascia lata. In small and midsized leaks. Fascia lata in an underlay position was used for its reconstruction covered with mucoperiosteum of either the middle or the inferior turbinate. Results. The most frequent etiology for small and midsized defects was spontaneous (48.4%), followed by trauma (24.2%), iatrogenic (5%). The success rate after the first surgical reconstruction was 91% and 98% in large skull base defects and small/midsized, respectively. Rescue surgery achieved 100%. Conclusions. Endoscopic surgery for any type of skull base defect is the gold standard. The size of the defects does not seem to play a significant role in the success rate. Fascia lata and mucoperiosteum of the turbinate allow a two-layer reconstruction of small and midsized defects. For larger skull base defects, a combination of fat, fascia lata, and nasoseptal pedicled flaps provides a successful reconstruction.
Assessing reliability and validity of the Work Design Questionnaire as a tool for macro ergonomics surveys: A case study in an Iranian worker population in 2016

Background: The imbalance between job demand and controls is associated with physical and mental disorders. The Work Design Questionnaire (WDQ) is one of the newest tools for macro-ergonomics evaluation of organizations and workplaces. In this research, the reliability and validity of the Persian WDQ (PWDQ) in the evaluation of occupational accident management and safety promotion in Persian-language organizations were studied. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was performed among 397 randomly selected workers in a glass manufacturing company in Saveh, Iran, in 2016. The questionnaire had 77 questions with four main factors. A demographic questionnaire was also employed. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to confirm the structure of factors in PWDQ. Data analyses were performed in SPSS software (independent t-test and Pearson's correlation test) and LISREL. Results: The mean total score of the questionnaire was equals to 253.44 ± 45.05. Reliability for all questions, based on Cronbach’s alpha value, was calculated at 0.94. The result of the validity tests also indicated suitable generalization of the PWDQ. Furthermore, fitness parameters were in acceptable ranges. Pearson's correlation test showed that all factors of social characteristics are significantly associated with occupational accident (P<0.05). Moreover, feedback from job factor was negatively correlated with accident. Conclusions: The PWDQ would be applicable as a valid and reliable tool for evaluating the work characteristics of Persian-language organizations and industries. In addition, it was found that using this tool based on the macro ergonomics principles is suitable for accidents control, safety promotion, cost management, and improvement of organizational efficiency/productivity.
The Impact of Cohesion Errors in Extraction Based Summaries

We present results from an eye tracking study of automatic text summarization. Automatic text summarization is a growing field due to the modern world’s Internet based society, but to automatically create perfect summaries is challenging. One problem is that extraction based summaries often have cohesion errors. By the usage of an eye tracking camera, we have studied the nature of four different types of cohesion errors occurring in extraction based summaries. A total of 23 participants read and rated four different texts and marked the most difficult areas of each text. Statistical analysis of the data revealed that absent cohesion or context and broken anaphoric reference (pronouns) caused some disturbance in reading, but that the impact is restricted to the effort to read rather than the comprehension of the text. However, erroneous anaphoric references (pronouns) were not always detected by the participants which poses a problem for automatic text summarizers. The study also revealed other potential disturbing factors.
Cryptic lineages hybridize for worker production in the harvester ant Messor barbarus

The reproductive division of labour between queen and worker castes in social insects is a defining characteristic of eusociality and a classic example of phenotypic plasticity. Whether social insect larvae develop into queens or workers has long been thought to be determined by environmental cues, i.e. larvae are developmentally totipotent. Contrary to this paradigm, several recent studies have revealed that caste is determined by genotype in some ant species, but whether this is restricted to just a few exceptional species is still unclear. Here, we show that the Mediterranean harvester ant Messor barbarus possesses an unusual reproductive system, in which the female castes are genetically determined. Using both nuclear and mitochondrial data, we show that Iberian populations have two distinct, cryptic lineages. Workers are always inter-lineage hybrids whereas queens are always produced from pure-lineage matings. The results suggest that genetic caste determination may be more widespread in ants than previously thought, and that further investigation in other species is needed to understand the frequency and evolution of this remarkable reproductive system.
Chronic treatment with prazosin or duloxetine lessens concurrent anxiety-like behavior and alcohol intake: evidence of disrupted noradrenergic signaling in anxiety-related alcohol use

Alcohol use disorders have been linked to increased anxiety, and enhanced central noradrenergic signaling may partly explain this relationship. Pharmacological interventions believed to reduce the excitatory effects of norepinephrine have proven effective in attenuating ethanol intake in alcoholics as well as in rodent models of ethanol dependence. However, most preclinical investigations into the effectiveness of these drugs in decreasing ethanol intake have been limited to acute observations, and none have concurrently assessed their anxiolytic effects. The purpose of these studies was to examine the long‐term effectiveness of pharmacological interventions presumed to decrease norepinephrine signaling on concomitant ethanol self‐administration and anxiety‐like behavior in adult rats with relatively high levels of antecedent anxiety‐like behavior.
Vector non-Abelian Chern-Simons duality

Abelian Chern-Simons gauge theory is known to possess a `$S$-self-dual' action where its coupling constant $k$ is inverted {\it i.e.} $k \leftrightarrow {1 \over k}$. Here a vector non-abelian duality is found in the pure non-abelian Chern-Simons action at the classical level. The dimensional reduction of the dual Chern-Simons action to two-dimensions constitutes a dual Wess-Zumino-Witten action already given in the literature.
Less Can Be More: RNA-Adapters May Enhance Coding Capacity of Replicators

It is still not clear how prebiotic replicators evolved towards the complexity found in present day organisms. Within the most realistic scenario for prebiotic evolution, known as the RNA world hypothesis, such complexity has arisen from replicators consisting solely of RNA. Within contemporary life, remarkably many RNAs are involved in modifying other RNAs. In hindsight, such RNA-RNA modification might have helped in alleviating the limits of complexity posed by the information threshold for RNA-only replicators. Here we study the possible role of such self-modification in early evolution, by modeling the evolution of protocells as evolving replicators, which have the opportunity to incorporate these mechanisms as a molecular tool. Evolution is studied towards a set of 25 arbitrary ‘functional’ structures, while avoiding all other (misfolded) structures, which are considered to be toxic and increase the death-rate of a protocell. The modeled protocells contain a genotype of different RNA-sequences while their phenotype is the ensemble of secondary structures they can potentially produce from these RNA-sequences. One of the secondary structures explicitly codes for a simple sequence-modification tool. This ‘RNA-adapter’ can block certain positions on other RNA-sequences through antisense base-pairing. The altered sequence can produce an alternative secondary structure, which may or may not be functional. We show that the modifying potential of interacting RNA-sequences enables these protocells to evolve high fitness under high mutation rates. Moreover, our model shows that because of toxicity of misfolded molecules, redundant coding impedes the evolution of self-modification machinery, in effect restraining the evolvability of coding structures. Hence, high mutation rates can actually promote the evolution of complex coding structures by reducing redundant coding. Protocells can successfully use RNA-adapters to modify their genotype-phenotype mapping in order to enhance the coding capacity of their genome and fit more information on smaller sized genomes.
How Are Temporary Absences and Work Releases Being Used With Canadian Federal Offenders?

ABSTRACT Temporary absences (TAs) and work releases (WRs) allow inmates to leave the institution for short periods of time and are generally a first step in the process of gradual community reintegration. To better understand how TAs and WRs are being used with Canadian federal inmates, this study examined patterns in type, length, success rates, frequency, and timing throughout the inmates’ sentences. Using all 355,223 absences granted between 2005 and 2013, study 1 examined common descriptive information for absences over time, including analyses by reasons, group absences, and failure rates. Study 2 used two data sets. The first consisted of 27,098 inmates released between 2005 and 2011. The second included 7,341 inmates who began their sentences between April 1, 2005, and March 31, 2013, and participated in a TA or WR. Of all TAs granted during the study period, more than 90% were escorted. Escorted absences tend to be granted earlier in an inmate’s sentence than unescorted absences or WRs. Inmates participating in more than one absence type were likely to have more absences overall. Almost all inmates on absences returned to the institution without incident, indicating that they are safe initiatives for the community. Findings are compared to patterns of use from the 1990s and implications regarding granting decisions are discussed.
Emotional Exhaustion and Job Satisfaction in Airport Security Officers – Work–Family Conflict as Mediator in the Job Demands–Resources Model

The growing threat of terrorism has increased the importance of aviation security and the work of airport security officers (screeners). Nonetheless, airport security research has yet to focus on emotional exhaustion and job satisfaction as major determinants of screeners’ job performance. The present study bridges this research gap by applying the job demands–resources (JD–R) model and using work–family conflict (WFC) as an intervening variable to study relationships between work characteristics (workload and supervisor support), emotional exhaustion, and job satisfaction in 1,127 screeners at a European airport. Results of structural equation modeling revealed that (a) supervisor support as a major job resource predicted job satisfaction among screeners; (b) workload as a major job demand predicted their emotional exhaustion; and (c) WFC proved to be a promising extension to the JD–R model that partially mediated the impact of supervisor support and workload on job satisfaction and emotional exhaustion. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Does the public sector respond to private competition? An analysis of privatization and prison performance

ABSTRACT The competition thesis states that the introduction of competition from private-sector service providers will spur performance improvements in previously monopolistic public-sector service providers, who fear (further) delegation of their responsibilities to the private sector. This article examines the competition thesis in the context of incarceration. Using data on U.S. adult correctional facilities in 2000 and 2005, it employs a difference-in-difference strategy to compare over-time performance changes among newly competitive facilities relative to non-competitive facilities. Prison performance is measured along four dimensions (safety, order, activity, and conditions), using survey responses from prisons. The results do not show a beneficial competition effect; prisons in newly competitive states experienced performance change in ways that were statistically indistinguishable from prisons in non-competitive states. Supplemental analyses reveal this finding to be robust to most modifications to the sample and the model. A discussion considers four reasons – constitutional safeguards, professional standards, labor opposition, and non-credible threats – incarceration may be resistant to a competition effect and the implications for public policy.
Noise-induced spatial pattern formation in stochastic reaction-diffusion systems

This paper is concerned with stochastic reaction-diffusion kinetics governed by the reaction-diffusion master equation. Specifically, the primary goal of this paper is to provide a mechanistic basis of Turing pattern formation that is induced by intrinsic noise. To this end, we first derive an approximate reaction-diffusion system by using linear noise approximation. We show that the approximated system has a certain structure that is associated with a coupled dynamic multi-agent system. This observation then helps us derive an efficient computation tool to examine the spatial power spectrum of the intrinsic noise. We numerically demonstrate that the result is quite effective to analyze noise-induced Turing pattern. Finally, we illustrate the theoretical mechanism behind the noise-induced pattern formation with a ℌ2 norm interpretation of the multi-agent system.
Calcium‐activated DNA fragmentation kills immature thymocytes

Glucocorticoid hormones kill immature thymocytes by activating a self‐destructive process that involves extensive DNA fragmentation. It has been demonstrated that thymocyte suicide is dependent on an early, sustained increase in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration, and new protein synthesis, but the biochemical lesion that leads to cell death has not been established. To determine whether endonuclease activation or activation of another Ca2+‐de‐pendent process could mediate cell killing, we treated thymocytes with the glucocorticoid methylprednisolone in the presence of inhibitors of various Ca2+‐dependent degradative enzymes. The role of poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase, an enzyme known to be activated by DNA damage, was also assessed. Glucocorticoid‐induced chromatin cleavage and cell killing were blocked by the endonuclease inhibitor aurintricarboxylic acid, whereas inhibitors of other Ca2+‐dependent degradative processes or of poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase did not abrogate cell death. In addition, stimulation of thymocyte DNA fragmentation by the Ca2+ ionophore A23187 resulted in cell killing that could be blocked by the endonuclease inhibitor. Together, our results suggest that thymocyte suicide is caused by extensive Ca2+‐stimulated DNA fragmentation. — McConkey, D. J.; Hartzell, P.; Nicotera, P.; Orrenius, S. Calcium‐activated DNA fragmentation kills immature thymocytes. FASEB J. 3: 1843‐1849; 1989.