Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Partial discharge-induced degradation characteristics of insulating structure constituting oil-immersed power transformers

The soundness of an oil-immersed power transformer under an operating voltage is evaluated in partial discharge (PD) test of long-duration ac withstand voltage test. The acceptance criterion for this PD test is 500 pC according to IEC standard; however, only insufficient basic data backing this criterion are available. In addition, the harmful level of the insulation performance has not necessarily been perceived in such a manner as the present one, for example, only the insulation breakdown, instead of the insulation performance degradation, has been assumed to be harmful. In light of the consideration presently paid, it is necessary to determine the PD level that causes the insulation performance to be degraded in order to confirm the soundness by the test using an actual transformer. As the initial step of the study for this purpose, the previous paper investigated the PD and the insulation damage level using oil-impregnated press-boards (PBs) used in the transformer, at which PD is more likely to occur when ac voltage is applied than at any other parts, and evaluated the harmful PD level for insulating materials themselves. To investigate the harmful PD level for the actual transformer, this paper studied the harmful PD level that decreases the residual lightning impulse (LI) withstand voltage using the main insulation model, which is the insulating structure constituting the oil-immersed power transformer. As a result, black discoloration occurred on the surface of the PB and the residual LI withstand voltage also tended to decline when exposed to ac PD of 20,000 pC or more. On the other hand, when it had been exposed to ac PD of 10,000 pC, no visible damage was observed and there was no drop in the residual LI withstand voltage either. Consequently, the harmful ac PD level for the oil-immersed transformer can be determined at between 10,000 pC and 20,000 pC. This result coincided with that for insulating materials themselves, hence it was revealed that the harmful PD level be set to 10,000 pC on a conservative side.
The N-terminus of hTERT contains a DNA-binding domain and is required for telomerase activity and cellular immortalization

Telomerase defers the onset of telomere damage-induced signaling and cellular senescence by adding DNA onto chromosome ends. The ability of telomerase to elongate single-stranded telomeric DNA depends on the reverse transcriptase domain of TERT, and also relies on protein:DNA contacts outside the active site. We purified the N-terminus of human TERT (hTEN) from Escherichia coli, and found that it binds DNA with a preference for telomeric sequence of a certain length and register. hTEN interacted with the C-terminus of hTERT in trans to reconstitute enzymatic activity in vitro. Mutational analysis of hTEN revealed that amino acids Y18 and Q169 were required for telomerase activity in vitro, but not for the interaction with telomere DNA or the C-terminus. These mutants did not reconstitute telomerase activity in cells, maintain telomere length, or extend cellular lifespan. In addition, we found that T116/T117/S118, while dispensable in vitro, were required for cellular immortalization. Thus, the interactions of hTEN with telomere DNA and the C-terminus of hTERT are functionally separable from the role of hTEN in telomere elongation activity in vitro and in vivo, suggesting other roles for the protein and nucleic acid interactions of hTEN within, and possibly outside, the telomerase catalytic core.
Comprehensive Study of Radio over Fiber with different Modulation Techniques – A Review

With the increase in the technology of networks and the internet, the need of the users also increases. The requirement of high bandwidth, high data transmission rate etc increases. To fulfill this need the concept of fiber optic was developed. Fiber optic communication is optical communication which is the combination of two communication methodologies and can be used for both wired and wireless communication systems. This form of communication is used by the users from many years but still it requires some advancements and developments to make it more refine. The conventional systems designed for RoF technology comprises of various drawbacks such as limited number of users, unwanted frequencies in the signals and quality of the system. This paper provides a brief to the concept of fiber communication and various modulation schemes along with this the developments that had been done in this work are also define in related work section.
Effects of a 60 Hz magnetic field on photosynthetic CO2 uptake and early growth of radish seedlings

Photosynthetic CO2 uptake rate and early growth parameters of radish Raphanus sativus L. seedlings exposed to an extremely low frequency magnetic field (ELF MF) were investigated. Radish seedlings were exposed to a 60 Hz, 50 μTrms (root mean square) sinusoidal magnetic field (MF) and a parallel 48 μT static MF for 6 or 15 d immediately after germination. Control seedlings were exposed to the ambient MF but not the ELF MF. The CO2 uptake rate of ELF MF exposed seedlings on day 5 and later was lower than that of the control seedlings. The dry weight and the cotyledon area of ELF MF exposed seedlings on day 6 and the fresh weight, the dry weight and the leaf area of ELF MF exposed seedlings on day 15 were significantly lower than those of the control seedlings, respectively. In another experiment, radish seedlings were grown without ELF MF exposure for 14 d immediately after germination, and then exposed to the ELF MF for about 2 h, and the photosynthetic CO2 uptake rate was measured during the short term ELF MF exposure. The CO2 uptake rate of the same seedlings was subsequently measured in the ambient MF (control) without the ELF MF. There was no difference in the CO2 uptake rate of seedlings exposed to the ELF MF or the ambient MF. These results indicate that continuous exposure to 60 Hz, 50 μTrms sinusoidal MF with a parallel 48 μT static MF affects the early growth of radish seedlings, but the effect is not so severe that modification of photosynthetic CO2 uptake can be observed during short term MF exposure. Bioelectromagnetics 25:572–581, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Job Satisfaction Among Multiple Sclerosis Certified Nurses

&NA; Several studies document high levels of job satisfaction among certified nurses, but no study has examined job satisfaction and factors influencing job satisfaction of certified multiple sclerosis (MS) nurses. This study tested a theoretical model proposing that two organizational factors, colleague relationships and benefits, will predict job satisfaction. Job satisfaction was represented by four factors: autonomy, professional status, professional growth, and time efficiency. Participants included MS nurses certified for 6 months or more practicing mostly in three countries (Canada, Great Britain, and the United States) who anonymously completed the Misener Nurse Practitioner Job Satisfaction Scale, an overall job satisfaction rating, and demographic information. Findings indicate that colleague relationships and benefits significantly estimated organization structure and that autonomy, professional status, professional growth, and time efficiency significantly estimated job satisfaction; furthermore, organization factors such as colleague relationships and benefits significantly predict job satisfaction. Among the countries, several statistically significant differences were observed between job satisfaction factors as well as items in both organization and job satisfaction subscales. Average factor scores among the countries were mostly rated satisfactory. The International Organization of Multiple Sclerosis Nurses Executive Board plans to use the study findings to see how it needs to focus efforts as an organization toward enhancing and standardizing MS care and develop MS nurse professionalism worldwide.
REPRODUCIBILITY AND RELIABILITY OF OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY ANGIOGRAPHY FOR FOVEAL AVASCULAR ZONE EVALUATION AND MEASUREMENT IN DIFFERENT SETTINGS

Purpose: Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) allows delineating the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) easily and noninvasively. The present study aims to test reproducibility and reliability of FAZ evaluation by means of OCTA in different settings. Methods: Twenty-four eyes of 24 normal subjects were investigated using AngioVue OCTA Imaging System. A series of OCTA acquisitions were taken both in basal and in different experimental settings after vasoactive stimuli. Images were evaluated separately by two operators and FAZ area was measured both manually and using the built-in automated measurement tool. Results: No differences for FAZ area were found in the repetition of basal acquisitions, neither in manual nor in automated measurement (0.215 ± 0.06 vs. 0.216 ± 0.07, and 0.268 ± 0.05 vs. 0.264 ± 0.09, first vs. second basal measurement in square millimetres for manual and automated evaluation, P = 0.25 and P = 0.35, respectively). Interoperators correlation was optimal (r2 = 0.978 [95% CI 0.981–0.976]). No differences were found among the other settings, which included first basal and then repeated (second) in the morning, after flickering light stimulus, after a Bruce treadmill stress test, after 30 minutes dark adaptation, and basal in the evening, neither in automated nor in manual measurements. Automated measurements for nonflow areas provided significantly larger diameters than manual ones. Conclusion: AngioVue OCTA Imaging System produces highly reproducible FAZ images with a high interoperators concordance level. Optical coherence tomography angiography capability to detect FAZ area seems not to be influenced by any of the vasoactive stimuli considered in the current study. Nonflow areas seem to be larger when measured automatically than manually.
Disruption of posteromedial large-scale neural communication predicts recovery from coma

Editors' Note: Commenting on “Disruption of posteromedial large-scale neural communication predicts recovery from coma,” Rosazza et al. share their own experience with disorders of consciousness (DOC) and propose further research with longer follow-up and different DOC etiology. In response, Dr. Silva adds that future studies should explore brain-functional networks from acute to chronic DOC states throughout the recovery process and that the DOC etiology may not be as important as the alteration of coordination between the posterior cingulate cortex and medial prefrontal cortex. Drs. Nabavizadeh and Mamourian challenge the diagnosis in the NeuroImage “Calcified otogenic brain abscess” and propose that the correct diagnosis should be calcifying pseudoneoplasm of the neuraxis. Ye et al., …
Exploiting mathematical models to illuminate electrophysiological variability between individuals

Abstract Across individuals within a population, several levels of variability are observed, from the differential expression of ion channels at the molecular level, to the various action potential morphologies observed at the cellular level, to divergent responses to drugs at the organismal level. However, the limited ability of experiments to probe complex interactions between components has hitherto hindered our understanding of the factors that cause a range of behaviours within a population. Variability is a challenging issue that is encountered in all physiological disciplines, but recent work suggests that novel methods for analysing mathematical models can assist in illuminating its causes. In this review, we discuss mathematical modelling studies in cardiac electrophysiology and neuroscience that have enhanced our understanding of variability in a number of key areas. Specifically, we discuss parameter sensitivity analysis techniques that may be applied to generate quantitative predictions based on considering behaviours within a population of models, thereby providing novel insight into variability. Our discussion focuses on four issues that have benefited from the utilization of these methods: (1) the comparison of different electrophysiological models of cardiac myocytes, (2) the determination of the individual contributions of different molecular changes in complex disease phenotypes, (3) the identification of the factors responsible for the variable response to drugs, and (4) the constraining of free parameters in electrophysiological models of heart cells. Together, the studies that we discuss suggest that rigorous analyses of mathematical models can generate quantitative predictions regarding how molecular‐level variations contribute to functional differences between experimental samples. These strategies may be applicable not just in cardiac electrophysiology, but in a wide range of disciplines.
Induction of implantation in the rat by intraparametrial injection of actinomycin D.

Systemic administration of various doses of actinomycin D to ovariectomized pregnant rats treated with progesterone (P), was unable to induce implantation of 'delayed' blastocysts in a significant number of animals. However, under the same conditions, topical injection of this drug into the parametrium entailed the occurrence of implantation sites into the homolateral uterine horn in 71% of rats. It is concluded that actinomycin D precipitates implantation by acting directly on uterine cells. Intraparametrial injections of α-amanitin or cycloheximide did not elicit significant rates of implantation.
Viral Interferon Regulatory Factor 1 of Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Interacts with a Cell Death Regulator, GRIM19, and Inhibits Interferon/Retinoic Acid-Induced Cell Death

ABSTRACT Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) plays a significant role in the development of Kaposi's sarcoma, primary effusion lymphoma, and some forms of multicentric Castleman's disease. The KSHV open reading frame K9 encodes the viral interferon (IFN) factor 1 (vIRF1), which downregulates IFN- and IRF-mediated transcriptional activation, and leads to cellular transformation in rodent fibroblasts and induction of tumors in nude mice. Using the yeast two-hybrid assay, we identified genes associated with retinoid-IFN-induced mortality-19 (GRIM19), which interacts directly with vIRF1, both in vivo and in vitro. The N-terminal region of vIRF1 is required for binding GRIM19. Colocalization of vIRF1 and GRIM19 was observed in 293T cells. The vIRF1 protein deregulates GRIM19-induced apoptosis in the presence of IFN/all-trans-retinoic acid (RA) and inhibits IFN/RA-induced cell death. Another DNA tumor viral protein, human papillomavirus type 16 E6, also binds GRIM19, suggesting that this is a general target of viral proteins. Our results collectively indicate that vIRF1 modulates IFN/RA-cell death signals via interactions with GRIM19.
Alcohol Relapses Associated with September 11, 2001: A Case Report

The timing of the terrible events of September 11, 2001 (9–11), and an ongoing randomized clinical trial of case monitoring have allowed a prospective examination of the effects of trauma upon the relapse rates of a group of clients following alcohol detoxification. The clients studied in this report were enrolled in case monitoring prior to 9–11. Case monitoring consists of telephone contacts on a tapering schedule designed to help clients avoid relapses, reduce the severity of relapses that do occur, and get clients back into treatment, at less intense levels, than would occur without case monitoring. For those clients completing a telephone contact before and a telephone contact after 9–11, none of the clients drank between detox discharge and 9–11, while 42% drank by the first telephone contact after 9–11. Data from another study were analyzed and results counter the rival hypothesis that the case monitoring study results reflect an annual seasonal effect. Results suggest that terrorist events may lead to a greater likelihood of relapse for those in alcohol recovery. These effects may be ameliorated by public education and outreach.
Graduate Students' Attitudes in an Activity-Based Statistics Course.

This study investigated graduate students' attitudes toward statistics in a class in which the focus of instruction was the use of a computer program that made possible an individualized, self-paced studentcentered, activity-based course. The six sections involved in the study were offered in 2001 and 2002. There were 43 participants for whom there were complete data. All were enrolled in advanced statistics. The instrument used was the Statistics Attitude Survey (D. Roberts and E. Bilderback, 1980). Both chi square (21.69, p=0.0002) and Kendall's Coefficient of Concordance W (0.36) indicated that there were differences in the distributions of ranks between pretest and posttest results. Most of these differences occurred as increases in the rankings marked at each end of the scales. That is, after the course, more students felt more strongly that they agreed or disagreed with statements about some aspects of statistics. For example, students agreed more strongly-that statistics would be useful to test the superiority of one method over another, and that statistics would be useful in evaluating other people. They disagreed more strongly that one should be good at mathematics before attempting statistics and that it is unreasonable to expect the average professional to master and apply statistics. Comments from open-ended evaluation may help explain the results of the survey. Findings suggest that offering the course using computers may help improve students' attitudes about certain aspects of statistics. An attachment contains the course syllabus and schedule. (Contains 2 figures and 11 references.) (Author/SLD) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. 1 PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY
Coherence, Memory and Conditioning : A Modern Viewpoint

We present a novel viewpoint on the complexity of neural mechanisms, addressing some aspects of cortical processing, like memory, context modulation and coherence. Our simulation studies show how relatively small, recurrent microcircuits can interact with populations of neurons, achieving spontaneous memory / recall effects. Here, context modulation can play an important part in the conditioned recall. The emphasis is on the dynamical self-sustained activity of the recurrent microcircuit viewed as a "mental state" which can be interpreted by a target output population and controlled by external waves of activity (mainly external inhibitory waves). We also consider the problem of self- organization and dynamical interaction between neuronal populations, which could have a key role in inference, memory and behavior.
Composite materials based on modified epoxy resin and carbon fiber

Epoxy resin networks have been modified with block copolymer of polybutadiene and bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (DGEBA)-based on epoxy resin. The epoxy resin modified with carboxyl-terminated polybutadiene presented improved impact resistance and outstanding mechanical performance in terms of flexural and tensile properties because of the presence of rubber particles homogeneously dispersed inside the epoxy matrix. This modified system also resulted in an improvement of mechanical properties of the corresponding carbon fiber based composites. The outstanding properties were attributed to a better interaction fiber-matrix, as indicated by SEM micrographs.
Contractile and relaxant effects of phorbol ester in the intestinal smooth muscle of guinea‐pig taenia caeci

1 Effects of phorbol esters on the cytosolic Ca2+ level ([Ca2+]i) and muscle tension in the intestinal smooth muscle of guinea‐pig taenia caeci were examined. 2 12‐Deoxyphorbol 13‐isobutyrate (DPB, 1 μm) did not change the [Ca2+]i and tension in resting muscle. 3 In high K+‐stimulated muscle, 1 μm DPB transiently augmented the contraction and decreased [Ca2+]i. 12‐Deoxyphorbol 13‐isobutyrate 20‐acetate (1 μm) and phorbol 12, 13‐dibutyrate (1 μm) showed similar effects to DPB whereas phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate (1 μm) and phorbol 12, 13‐didecanoate (1 μm) were ineffective. 4 DPB (1 μm) inhibited both [Ca2+]i and tension stimulated by 300 nm carbachol or 3 μm histamine. In the presence of a higher concentration of carbachol (1 μm), DPB decreased [Ca2+]i and transiently increased muscle tension. 5 In the muscle strips permeabilized with bacterial α‐toxin, 1 μm DPB shifted the Ca2+‐tension curve to the left. An inhibitor of protein kinase C, H‐7 (30 μm), inhibited the effect of DPB. 6 DPB did not change the high K+‐induced contraction in the muscle strips pretreated with 3 μm phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate for 24 h. 7 These results suggest that activation of protein kinase C has dual effects; it augments contraction by increasing the Ca2+ sensitivity of the contractile elements and it inhibits contraction by decreasing [Ca2+]i.
Clinical, aetiological and evolutive aspects of West syndrome in Yaoundé (Cameroon) *

Background: West syndrome (WS) is an epileptic syndrome of the infant occurring between the 3rd and 12th months of life and characterized by the triad: infantile spasms in flexion, extension or mixed; global developmental delay; and hypsarrythmia on the electroencephalogram (EEG). Its incidence varies between 2.9 and 4.5 per 10,000 live births. West syndrome is caused by a brain dysfunction whose origins can be prenatal, neonatal and postnatal. Sometimes the aetiology is genetic or unknown. Purpose: To determine the main clinical, aetiological and major evolutive aspects of West syndrome in child neurology unit in a university-affiliated hospital in Yaounde. Materials and Methods: It was a retrospective descriptive study conducted from September 2011 to January 2012 inthe child neurology unit of the Yaounde gynaeco-obstetric and paediatric hospital. The medical records of 68 children followed for West syndrome (WS) in the service during the period from February 2008 to January 2012 (48 months) were used. All infants of 1- to 16-month-old with the diagnosis of WS were included. The diagnosis of WS was based on clinical evidence of spasm in flexion and/or in extension with global development delay, and EEG evidence of hypsarythmia or focal/multifocal epileptic abnormalities when hypsarythmia is absent. For each included infant, relevant medical history and complete physical examination were performed. The following data were collected and reported on a standardized questionnaire: prenatal, perinatal and postnatal past histories, age at onset of spasms, age at diagnosis, semiology of spasms, psychomotor development, the EEG and CT aspects and the evolutive modes of WS under treatment. Psychomotor development was assessed using theDenverdevelopmental screening test (DDST) which assesses the mental age compared to chronological age. Results: The age of onset of spasms varied between 1 and 16 months with a mean of 4.69 (±1.98) months. Males were highly represented with a sex ratio of 1.72. Flexion spasms were the most common clinical presentation (79.41%). 82.83% of the patients had a global developmental delay on the onset of spasms. Structural causes or symptomatic West syndrome was the most frequent presentation (77.94%). Perinatal aetiologies were highly represented (73.58%) with the main cause being neonatal asphyxia (55.88%). A hypsarrythmic tracing was found on the electroencephalogram (EEG) in 73.53% of cases. The most frequent CT abnormality was cortico-subcortical atrophy (38.24%). At the end of our study, global developmental delay persisted in 89.72%. Conclusion: The main aetiologies of West syndrome in our context are the sequelae of neonatal asphyxia and viral embryofoetopathies. There is a high incidence of associated global developmental delay. More prevention methods on risk factors for foetal distress and proper monitoring of deliveries to minimize severe neonatal asphyxia are indispensable.