Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A comprehensive analysis study about harmonic resonances in megawatt grid-connected wind farms

This paper presents a comprehensive analysis technique about harmonic resonance issues in megawatt grid-connected wind farms where the doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) is used. Wherein, firstly, the background theories of the series resonance, parallel resonance and their impacts on the electric system are described. Moreover, a suitable equivalent circuit of typical grid-connected DFIG wind farms for analyzing impedance in the frequency domain is proposed. Then, mathematical formulas are introduced detail to determine exactly orders and amplifications of the voltage and current distortions on both the medium-voltage (MV) bus and low-voltage (LV) bus. Lastly, results obtained from the proposed equivalent circuit and impedance analysis technique are compared to other results achieved with the detailed wind farm simulated in MATLAB/SimPowerSystems. As well, many different operation cases of the illustrative grid-connected DFIG wind farm, including parametric variations, are also examined to evaluate the accuracy and effectiveness of the proposed analysis technique.
Survival analysis of breast cancer patients using Cox and frailty models.

BACKGROUND Cox proportional hazard (CPH) model is the most widely used model for survival analysis. When there are unobserved/unmeasured individuals factor, then the results of the Cox proportional hazard model may not be reliable. The purpose of this study was to compare the results of CPH and frailty models in breast cancer (BC) patients. METHODS A historical cohort study was carried out using medical records gathered from the Fars Province Cancer Registry. The dataset consisted of 769 women having BC referred to Shiraz Namazi Hospital, south of Iran. These patients had been followed for 6 years. After selecting the most important prognostic risk factors on survival, CPH and gamma-frailty Cox models were used to estimate the effects of the risk factors. RESULTS The results of CPH model showed that, tumor characteristics and number of involved lymph nodes increase the mortality hazard of BC(P<0.05). In addition, the frailty model showed that there is at least a latent factor in the model (P=0.005). CONCLUSION Both of the frailty and CPH model emphasis that the early detection of BC improves survival in BC patients.
Adjuvant Therapy in Colon Cancer

Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Approximately three quarters of patients are diagnosed with disease limited to the bowel wall or surrounding lymph nodes. Over the past decade, significant progress has been made in the treatment of localized colon cancer. The use of adjuvant chemotherapy has improved prognosis in stage III disease, but much work remains to be done in optimizing adjuvant treatment. The FOLFOX4 regimen is now considered standard treatment for stage III disease. Combinations of irinotecan and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) have not proven to be more effective than 5-FU/folinic acid. In stage II, the value of post-operative treatment remains controversial, but the identification of histopathological and molecular prognostic factors would allow selection of patients who can benefit from adjuvanttreatment. The inclusion of molecular targeted agents in combination regimens with cytotoxins, which have already proven effective in advanced disease, is the main field of development in the most recent protocols of adjuvant therapy.
Fourth order compact differnce scheme for 3D convection diffusion equation with boundary layers on nonuniform grids

We present a fourth order compact nite diierence scheme for a general three dimensional convection diiusion equation with variable coeecients on a uniform cubic grid. This high order compact diierence scheme is used to solve convection diiusion equation with boundary layers on a three dimensional nonuniform grid. We compare the computed accuracy and computational eeciency of the fourth order compact difference scheme with that of the standard central diierence scheme and the rst order upwind diierence scheme. Several convection diiusion problems are solved numerically to validate the proposed fourth order compact scheme.
Distribution of Neuronal Apoptosis Inhibitory Protein in Human Tissues

The neuronal apoptosis inhibitory protein (NAIP) gene, also known as the baculovirus inhibitor of apoptosis repeat-containing protein 1 (BIRC1) gene, is a member of the inhibitors of apoptosis (IAP) family and was first characterized as a candidate gene for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). The expression of NAIP has been thoroughly studied in the central nervous system and overlaps the pattern of neurodegeneration in SMA. Recent studies have pointed to a role for NAIP in non-neuronal cells. We report here the production of a specific anti-NAIP antibody and the profile of NAIP expression in human adult tissues by Western blot and immunohistochemical detection methods. NAIP was detected in a number of tissues by Western blot analysis, but immunohistochemistry revealed that NAIP's presence in certain tissues, such as liver, lung, and spleen, is most likely due to macrophage infiltration. In the small intestine, the expression of NAIP coincides with the expression of p21WAF1. This observation, coupled with findings from other groups, suggests a role for NAIP in increasing the survival of cells undergoing terminal differentiation as well as the possibility that the protein serves as an intestinal pathogen recognition protein. This manuscript contains online supplemental material at http://www.jhc. org. Please visit this article online to view these materials.
Differential Effects of cAMP in Neurons and Astrocytes

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation provides cell type-specific signals important for cellular differentiation, proliferation, and survival. Cyclic AMP (cAMP) has divergent effects on MAPK activity depending on whether signaling is through Ras/Raf-1 or Rap1/B-raf. We found that central nervous system-derived neurons, but not astrocytes, express B-raf. In neurons, cAMP activated MAPK in a Rap1/B-raf-dependent manner, while in astrocytes, cAMP decreased MAPK activity. Inhibition of MAPK in neurons decreased neuronal growth factor-mediated survival, and activation of MAPK by cAMP analogues rescued neurons from death. Furthermore, constitutive expression of B-raf in astrocytoma cells increased MAPK activation, as seen in neurons, and enhanced proliferation. These data provide the first experimental evidence that B-raf is the molecular switch which dominantly permits differential cAMP-dependent regulation of MAPK in neuronsversus astrocytes, with important implications for both survival and proliferation.
Red Capitalists: Political Connections and Firm Performance in China

Using a unique firm level data, this paper analyses the role of political connections in the post-entry performance of private start-up companies in China. It documents robust evidence that political affiliation enhances firms' survival and growth prospects. But interestingly politically neutral start-ups enjoy faster productivity improvements conditional on survival. In addition, the benefits of political connections are largely confined to firms associated with local or top level governments, and they are more pronounced in capital-intensive industries. We conclude that the close association between the state and a segment of the business community is leading to sub-optimal resource allocation in the economy by interfering with the process of market selection.
Knowledge Integration and Infromation Technology Project Performance

Successful product and process design depends on management's ability to integrate fragmented pockets of specialized knowledge. This integrative capability has important implications for large-scale information technology projects. This article examines the relationship between timely project completion and two dimensions of management's integrative capability: access to external knowledge and internal knowledge integration. Measures of these two dimensions are used to predict on-time project completion, where completion is a function of the duration of IT-related project delays. In a longitudinal study of 74 enterprise application integration projects in the medical sector, integrative capability was measured from the point of view of the CIO and a facility IT manager. Accounting for several project controls, our Cox regression results indicate both integrative dimensions significantly mitigate the duration of IT-related project delays, thus promoting timely project completion. The analysis also reveals the importance of taking management structure into consideration when studying IT phenomena in networked organizations.
Mechanisms underlying activity of antiretroviral drugs in HIV‐1‐infected macrophages: new therapeutic strategies

Monocyte‐derived macrophages (M/M) are considered the second cellular target of HIV‐1 and a crucial virus reservoir. M/M are widely distributed in all tissues and organs, including the CNS, where they represent the most common HIV‐infected cells. Differently from activated CD4+ T lymphocytes, M/M are resistant to the cytopathic effect of HIV and survive HIV infection for a long time. Moreover, HIV‐1 replication in M/M is a key pathogenetic event during the course of HIV‐1 infection. Overall findings strongly support the clinical relevance of anti‐HIV drugs in M/M. Nucleoside RT inhibitors (NRTIs) are more active against HIV in M/M than in CD4+ T lymphocytes. Their activity is further boosted by the presence of an additional monophosphate group (i.e., a phosphonate group, as in the case of Tenofovir), thus overcoming the bottleneck of the low phosphorylation ability of M/M. In contrast, the antiviral activity of non‐NRTIs (not affecting the DNA chain elongation) in M/M is similar to that in CD4+ T lymphocytes. Protease inhibitors are the only clinically approved drugs acting at a late stage of the HIV lifecycle. They are able to interfere with HIV replication in HIV‐1 chronically infected M/M, even if at concentrations greater than those observed in HIV‐1 chronically infected CD4+ T lymphocytes. Finally, several new drugs have been shown to interfere efficiently with HIV replication in M/M, including entry inhibitors. A better understanding of the activity of the anti‐HIV drugs in M/M may represent a key element for the design of effective anti‐HIV chemotherapy.
Helium-3 emission related to volcanic activity.

The helium-3/helium-4 ratio in bubbling gases from ten hot springs located around Mount Ontake, an active volcano in central Japan, ranges from 1.71 R/sub atm/ (1.71 times the atmospheric ratio of 1.40 x 10/sup -6/) to 6.15 R/sub atm/. The value of the ratio decreases with distance from the central cone of the volcano. Such a tendency may be a characteristic of helium-3 emission in volcanic areas and suggests more primitive helium-3 is carried with fluid flowing through a conduit during volcanic activity. 6 references, 1 figure, 1 table.
Biochemical and behavioural effects of acute tryptophan depletion in abstinent bulimic subjects: a pilot study

SYNOPSIS We studied the effect of acute tryptophan (TRP) depletion in a group of eight abstinent bulimic (BN) subjects and in 12 healthy female controls. Despite being free of episodes of bingeeating and vomiting for a prolonged period, the abstinent BN subjects still appeared to practice dietary restraint as judged by their food intake in a test meal. In addition, their plasma TRP concentrations were significantly lower than those of the controls. Administration of a TRP-free amino acid load (52 g) significantly lowered plasma total and free TRP. However, compared to a balanced amino acid load, this procedure did not have significant effects on mood, appetite or food intake in either the abstinent BN subjects or the healthy controls.
Acute Exercise has no Effect on Ghrelin Plasma Concentrations

Exercise is a potent, dose-dependent stimulus of growth hormone (GH) secretion. The hypothalamic peptides, GH-releasing hormone (GHRH) and somatostatin are regarded as major regulators of this stimulation. The role of the stomach-derived peptide ghrelin, which has been shown to exert strong GH releasing effects, has not been fully characterized yet. We therefore studied GH and ghrelin plasma concentrations in response to graded levels of exercise in eight healthy young volunteers. After determination of their individual maximal exercise capacity, all individuals underwent a treadmill exercise at 50 %, 70 %, and 90 % of maximum oxygen consumption (VO (2)max) on different days. Maximal GH response to exercise was observed after 40 minutes at 50 % VO (2)max and after 20 minutes at 70 and 90 % VO (2max). GH serum concentrations increased significantly at all three exercise intensities (GH peak concentrations were 5.8 +/- 2.3 ng/ml, 12.0 +/- 3.2 ng/ml, and 9.8 +/- 4.7 ng/ml, respectively). In contrast, ghrelin plasma concentrations remained unchanged at all three workloads. Assuming that the sensitivity of the GH neuroendocrine/metabolic regulation of GH is unaltered, ghrelin does not participate in the regulation of the GH response to exercise in healthy males.
Hypertension, Age, and Location Predict Rupture of Small Intracranial Aneurysms

BACKGROUND:Although current guidelines for the management of unruptured intracranial aneurysms (IAs) suggest aneurysms larger than 7 mm should be considered for treatment, a significant number of subarachnoid hemorrhages are caused by IAs 7 mm or smaller. Thus, we sought to identify risk factors associated with the rupture of IAs 7 mm or smaller. METHODS:We identified 100 patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage resulting from IAs 7 mm or smaller between January 2001 and 2004. Patients were compared with controls (n = 51) with unruptured IAs 7 mm or smaller, diagnosed by conventional angiography or three-dimensional computerized angiography, with respect to aneurysm characteristics (size, location, and age of presentation) and risk factors (hypertension, smoking, cocaine use, and family history). RESULTS:Hypertensive patients with IAs 7 mm or smaller were 2.6 times more likely to experience rupture (P = 0.01; 95% confidence interval, 1.21–5.53) than patients with normal blood pressure. Posterior circulation aneurysms were 3.5 times more likely to rupture than anterior circulation aneurysms (P = 0.048; 95% confidence interval, 0.95–19.4). After adjustment for location and hypertension, the age of patient on presentation was associated with a trend toward inverse correlation with aneurysmal rupture risk (P = 0.07). Hypertension and posterior location remained significant independent predictors in the logistic regression model. CONCLUSION:Among patients with small aneurysms (≤7 mm), hypertension, relatively young age, and posterior circulation were significant risk factors for rupture. Given the minimal long-term morbidity and mortality of treatment of unruptured aneurysms in large, tertiary medical centers, management of unruptured aneurysms 7 mm or smaller should be governed by factors other than size, specifically age, history of hypertension, and location.
Field Evidence on Individual Behavior & Performance in Rank-Order Tournaments

Economic analysis of rank-order tournaments has shown that intensified competition leads to declining performance. Empirical research demonstrates that individuals in tournament-type contests perform less well on average in the presence of larger number of competitors in total and superstars. Particularly in field settings, studies often lack direct evidence about the underlying mechanisms, such as the amount of effort, that might account for these results. Here we exploit a novel dataset on algorithmic programming contests that contains data on individual effort, risk taking, and cognitive errors that may underlie tournament performance outcomes. We find that competitors on average react negatively to an increase in the total number of competitors, and react more negatively to an increase in the number of superstars than non-superstars. We also find that the most negative reactions come from a particular subgroup of competitors: those that are highly skilled, but whose abilities put them near to the top of the ability distribution. For these competitors, we find no evidence that the decline in performance outcomes stems from reduced effort or increased risk taking. Instead, errors in logic lead to a decline in performance, which suggests a cognitive explanation for the negative response to increased competition. We also find that a small group of competitors, who are at the very top of the ability distribution (non-superstars), react positively to increased competition from superstars. For them, we find some evidence of increased effort and no increase in errors of logic, consistent with both economic and psychological explanations.
A distance transform based tip point detection method for neurons in confocal microscopy images

Neuron tip points are very good candidates of seeding points for neuron tracing applications. Previously, a ray-shooting model was proposed to detect neuron tips in confocal microscopy images. However, it is not applicable in challenging datasets where the neuron structure is very complicated. In this paper, we propose a tip point detection method based on the Multistencils Fast Marching (MSFM) distance transform method. Neuron tip points are picked by finding the local maximum of the distance values in a distance map obtained by MSFM. The experimental results show that the proposed method can achieve more reasonable results in many challenging datasets than the previously proposed detection method.
Leg Ulcer in Hereditary Spherocytosis

Abstract: Indolent leg ulcers are a rare complication found in patients with hereditary spherocytosis. We report a 13‐year‐old girl with hereditary spherocytosis who developed a chronic painful ulcer on the medial malleolus. All other etiologies were ruled out. Nine months after splenectomy the ulcer healed completely and the symptoms disappeared. We discuss and review this unusual entity in children.
Effects of Short Photoperiod and Melatonin Treatment on Thermogenesis in the Syrian Hamster

This study investigated whether short photoperiod or melatonin‐treatment could alter the thermogenic capacity of Syrian hamsters. Exposure of hamsters to short photoperiod and to exogenous melatonin treatment induced gonadal regression and hypertrophy of brown adipose tissue (BAT). Short photoperiod and melatonin‐induced BAT hypertrophy was not accompanied by any change in noradrenaline (NA) turnover in this tissue. The concentration of NA was significantly decreased in hypertrophied BAT, indicating that sympathetic innervation in BAT did not effect its hypertrophy. No improvement in nonshivering thermogenic capacity was noticed in hamsters with increased BAT mass. However, capability for shivering thermogenesis seemed to be enhanced in melatonin‐treated hamsters. These observations suggest that melatonin, in addition to mediating short photoperiod‐induced gonadal regression in the Syrian hamster, also brings about thermoregulatory adjustments necessary for hibernation.
Involvement of Environmental Mercury and Lead in the Etiology of Neurodegenerative Diseases

The incidence of neurodegenerative disease like Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease (AD) increases dramatically with age; only a small percentage is directly related to familial forms. The etiology of the most abundant, sporadic forms is complex and multifactorial, involving both genetic and environmental factors. Several environmental pollutants have been associated with neurodegenerative disorders. The present article focuses on results obtained in experimental neurotoxicology studies that indicate a potential pathogenic role of lead and mercury in the development of neurodegenerative diseases. Both heavy metals have been shown to interfere with a multitude of intracellular targets, thereby contributing to several pathogenic processes typical of neurodegenerative disorders, including mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, deregulation of protein turnover, and brain inflammation. Exposure to heavy metals early in development can precondition the brain for developing a neurodegenerative disease later in life. Alternatively, heavy metals can exert their adverse effects through acute neurotoxicity or through slow accumulation during prolonged periods of life. The pro-oxidant effects of heavy metals can exacerbate the age-related increase in oxidative stress that is related to the decline of the antioxidant defense systems. Brain inflammatory reactions also generate oxidative stress. Chronic inflammation can contribute to the formation of the senile plaques that are typical for AD. In accord with this view, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and antioxidants suppress early pathogenic processes leading to Alzheimer's disease, thus decreasing the risk of developing the disease. The effects of lead and mercury were also tested in aggregating brain-cell cultures of fetal rat telencephalon, a three-dimensional brain-cell culture system. The continuous application for 10 to 50 days of non-cytotoxic concentrations of heavy metals resulted in their accumulation in brain cells and the occurrence of delayed toxic effects. When applied at non-toxic concentrations, methylmercury, the most common environmental form of mercury, becomes neurotoxic under pro-oxidant conditions. Furthermore, lead and mercury induce glial cell reactivity, a hallmark of brain inflammation. Both mercury and lead increase the expression of the amyloid precursor protein; mercury also stimulates the formation of insoluble beta-amyloid, which plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of AD and causes oxidative stress and neurotoxicity in vitro. Taken together, a considerable body of evidence suggests that the heavy metals lead and mercury contribute to the etiology of neurodegenerative diseases and emphasizes the importance of taking preventive measures in this regard.
Safety evaluation of desloratadine in allergic rhinitis

Introduction: Desloratadine is a biologically active metabolite of second-generation antihistamine loratadine. It is also indicated for the treatment of allergic diseases, including allergic rhinitis. Areas covered: A Medline search was conducted to identify preclinical and clinical studies of desloratadine. This was supplemented with additional articles obtained from online sources. The focus of this review is on the safety profile of desloratadine. Expert opinion: The review of these data indicates that the safety profile of desloratadine is similar to other second-generation antihistamines. Desloratadine is highly selective for histamine H1-receptors, does not cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), and has minimal adverse events (very low sedation rate), with a better safety and tolerability than first-generation antihistamines. Desloratadine is safe and well tolerated without having central nervous system (CNS) or cardiovascular effects and with low drug interaction.