Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Minimum requirements for rapid voltage changes regulation based on their effect on flicker

The definition and the method to characterize a rapid voltage change (RVC) are defined in the standard IEC 61000-4-30. Other standards, such as IEC 61000-3-7, IEC 61000-2-12 or EN 50160, limit the number and magnitude of RVCs for compatibility level or for planning levels in medium and low voltage public supply systems. Those limits control the effect of RVCs on light flicker. This work analyses the effect of the magnitude and rate of change of voltage of RVCs on light flicker through the study of the flicker perception obtained by means of an IEC flickermeter. The work was performed using simulated RVC waveforms and also through real voltage waveforms recorded in a low-voltage distribution network in Spain. The results show that RVCs have a greater influence than had been reported in previous studies which were based on subjective tests. The limits established by the standards leave margin for RVCs to produce enough flicker to be annoying.
Frequency of Pediatric Medication Administration Errors and Contributing Factors

This study examined the frequency of pediatric medication administration errors and contributing factors. This research used the undisguised observation method and Critical Incident Technique. Errors and contributing factors were classified through the Organizational Accident Model. Errors were made in 36.5% of the 2344 doses that were observed. The most frequent errors were those associated with administration at the wrong time. According to the results of this study, errors arise from problems within the system.
Evaluation of reliability and validity of three dental color-matching devices.

PURPOSE To assess the repeatability and accuracy of three dental color-matching devices under standardized and freehand measurement conditions. MATERIALS AND METHODS Two shade guides (Vita Classical A1-D4, Vita; and Vita Toothguide 3D-Master, Vita), and three color-matching devices (Easyshade, Vita; SpectroShade, MHT Optic Research; and ShadeVision, X-Rite) were used. Five shade tabs were selected from the Vita Classical A1-D4 (A2, A3.5, B1, C4, D3), and five from the Vita Toothguide 3D-Master (1M1, 2R1.5, 3M2, 4L2.5, 5M3) shade guides. Each shade tab was recorded 15 continuous, repeated times with each device under two different measurement conditions (standardized, and freehand). Both qualitative (color shade) and quantitative (L, a, and b) color characteristics were recorded. The color difference (ΔE) of each recorded value with the known values of the shade tab was calculated. The repeatability of each device was evaluated by the coefficient of variance. The accuracy of each device was determined by comparing the recorded values with the known values of the reference shade tab (one sample t test; α = 0.05). The agreement between the recorded shade and the reference shade tab was calculated. The influence of the parameters (devices and conditions) on the parameter ΔE was investigated (two-way ANOVA). Comparison of the devices was performed with Bonferroni pairwise post-hoc analysis. RESULTS Under standardized conditions, repeatability of all three devices was very good, except for ShadeVision with Vita Classical A1-D4. Accuracy ranged from good to fair, depending on the device and the shade guide. Under freehand conditions, repeatability and accuracy for Easyshade and ShadeVision were negatively influenced, but not for SpectroShade, regardless of the shade guide. CONCLUSION Based on the total of the color parameters assessed per device, SpectroShade was the most reliable of the three color-matching devices studied.
Fluoroscopically Assisted Pedicle Screw Fixation for Thoracic and Thoracolumbar Injuries: Technique and Short-Term Complications

Study Design. Retrospective review of charts and fluoroscopic, radiographic, and computed tomography images for 252 screws (41 patients). Objectives. To describe a fluoroscopically assisted technique of thoracic pedicle screw insertion and to determine the technique’s safety, short-term complications, and accuracy. Summary of Background Data. Pedicle screw instrumentation is safe and effective for lumbar spine stabilization, but evidence of its accuracy and complications in the thoracic spine is lacking. Methods. Between 1997 and 2000, 41 consecutive patients with unstable cervicothoracic, thoracic, and thoracolumbar spine injuries were admitted to a regional, level 1 trauma center. These patients underwent posterior spine arthrodesis and pedicle screw instrumentation placed via intraoperative multiplanar fluoroscopic imaging. Pedicle screw placement accuracy was determined by review of postoperative computed tomography scans. Instrumentation failure prevalence was determined by review of fluoroscopic images, postoperative radiographs, and computed tomography scans. Neurologic, infectious, vascular, and gastrointestinal complications were determined by review of operative reports, hospital records, and clinic notes. Results. Of the 126 (50%) thoracic screws (22 patients) with postoperative computed tomography scans, 16 (12.7%) penetrated the pedicle cortex (4 [2.4%] medially and 13 [10.3%] laterally) and 7 (5.6%) penetrated the vertebral body. There were four surgical complications: one instrumentation failure (broken rod, no loss of correction), one deep infection, and two superficial infections. The infections resolved with irrigation, debridement, and intravenous antibiotics. During the 6- to 24-month follow-up period, there were no neurologic, vascular, or gastrointestinal complications. Conclusions. Cervicothoracic, thoracic, and thoracolumbar spine injuries can be managed safely and effectively with thoracic pedicle screws inserted under multiplanar fluoroscopic imaging.
A molecular phylogeny of the Dactylogyridae sensu Kritsky & Boeger (1989) (Monogenea) based on the D1-D3 domains of large subunit rDNA

Phylogenetic analyses based on the partial large subunit rDNA (LSU) sequences of polyonchoinean monogeneans belonging to the Dactylogyridea and Monocotylidea were generated to investigate relationships among various subfamilies of the Dactylogyridae sensu Kritsky & Boeger, 1989. Monophyly of the Dactylogyridae was supported by all analyses performed. Status of the Ancyrocephalidae sensu Bychowsky & Nagibina, 1978 and Ancyrocephalinae sensu Kritsky & Boeger, 1989 was revised based on the present data. All phylogenetic analyses indicated polyphyletic origins of the Ancyrocephalidae and Ancyrocephalinae. Freshwater species of Ancyrocephalinae (Actinocleidus, Ancyrocephalus, Cleidodiscus and Urocleidus) and Ancylodiscoidinae (Thaparocleidus) collected from the fish in European waters were positioned at the base of the Dactylogyridae. The Dactylogyrinae formed a monophyletic group, sister to a clade including the Pseudodactylogyrinae and the tropical and subtropical Ancyrocephalinae. Analyses including only data set on Dactylogyridea were focused on relationships between representatives of the Asian and European Dactylogyrus species. Dactylogyrus species formed a monophyletic group, and the parasite colonization appeared to follow the dispersal history of the Cyprinidae from Asia to Europe. Three lineages of Dactylogyrus species were recognized: the first including species specific to hosts of Asian origin, the second by Dactylogyrus species from Chinese fish hosts, and the third included Dactylogyrus species from European cyprinids and one species from a percid host. The position of D. cryptomeres from Gobio gobio seems to be unresolved.
Quantitative noise analysis for gene expression microarray experiments

A major challenge in DNA microarray analysis is to effectively dissociate actual gene expression values from experimental noise. We report here a detailed noise analysis for oligonuleotide-based microarray experiments involving reverse transcription, generation of labeled cRNA (target) through in vitro transcription, and hybridization of the target to the probe immobilized on the substrate. By designing sets of replicate experiments that bifurcate at different steps of the assay, we are able to separate the noise caused by sample preparation and the hybridization processes. We quantitatively characterize the strength of these different sources of noise and their respective dependence on the gene expression level. We find that the sample preparation noise is small, implying that the amplification process during the sample preparation is relatively accurate. The hybridization noise is found to have very strong dependence on the expression level, with different characteristics for the low and high expression values. The hybridization noise characteristics at the high expression regime are mostly Poisson-like, whereas its characteristics for the small expression levels are more complex, probably due to cross-hybridization. A method to evaluate the significance of gene expression fold changes based on noise characteristics is proposed.
An automatic 3D expression recognition framework based on sparse representation of conformal images

We propose a general and fully automatic framework for 3D facial expression recognition by modeling sparse representation of conformal images. According to Riemann Geometry theory, a 3D facial surface S embedded in ℝ3, which is a topological disk, can be conformally mapped to a 2D unit disk D through the discrete surface Ricci Flow algorithm. Such a conformal mapping induces a unique and intrinsic surface conformal representation denoted by a pair of functions defined on D, called conformal factor image (CFI) and mean curvature image (MCI). As facial expression features, CFI captures the local area distortion of S induced by the conformal mapping; MCI characterizes the geometry information of S. To model sparse representation of conformal images for expression classification, both CFI and MCI are further normalized by a Mobius transformation. This transformation is defined by the three main facial landmarks (i.e. nose tip, left and right inner eye corners) which can be detected automatically and precisely. Expression recognition is carried out by the minimal sparse expression-class-dependent reconstruction error over the conformal image based expression dictionary. Extensive experimental results on the BU-3DFER dataset demonstrate the effectiveness and generalization of the proposed framework.
Atorvastatin improving renal ischemia reperfusion injury via direct inhibition of active caspase-3 in rats

Caspase-3 is a key molecule involved in the inflammation and apoptosis of ischemia reperfusion (IR) injury. Statins are known to inhibit IR injury, but the mechanism of action remains uncertain. In the present study, the effect and underlying mechanism of ischemia alone, and reperfusion with or without atorvastatin (AT) as a timed intervention were examined, since clinically the kidney is only exposed to drug delivery during reperfusion. Male Sprague‐Dawley rats were subjected to 45‐min clamping of the left renal hilus followed by four hours reperfusion with a right nephrectomy. AT 10 mg/kg was intravenously administered after clamping the renal hilus, but prior to kidney reperfusion. Ischemia alone did cause tubulointerstitial damage (TID), protein carbonylation and caspase-3 activation with an increase in 12 kDa subunit, while reperfusion further enhanced TID, monocyte (ED-1+ cell) infiltration, apoptosis and necrosis together with caspase-3 activity and 17 kDa subunit, but reversed protein carbonylation. AT significantly reduced TID (26%), ED-1+ cell infiltration (74%), tubular apoptosis (47%) and necrosis (73%), and interstitial apoptosis (64%), as well as caspase-3 activity (26%), but did not change serum creatinine and cholesterol. Importantly, without affecting either caspase-3 active protein cleavage or S-nitrosylation, AT directly inhibited caspase-3 active enzyme in a dose-dependent manner in vitro. In conclusions, IR and AT exerted opposing effects on caspase-3 activity by differing mechanisms, with IR stimulating caspase-3 proteolytic cleavage and AT inhibiting active caspase-3 enzyme. This new inhibitory mechanism of AT may improve reperfusion tolerance in ischemic kidneys and benefit transplant recipients.
Effects of copper exposure on hatching success and early larval survival in marbled salamanders, Ambystoma opacum

The creation of wetlands, such as urban and industrial ponds, has increased in recent decades, and these wetlands often become enriched in pollutants over time. One metal contaminant trapped in created wetlands is copper (Cu2+). Copper concentrations in sediments and overlying water may affect amphibian species that breed in created wetlands. The authors analyzed the Cu concentration in dried sediments from a contaminated wetland and the levels of aqueous Cu released after flooding the sediments with different volumes of water, mimicking low, medium, and high pond‐filling events. Eggs and larvae of Ambystoma opacum Gravenhorst, a salamander that lays eggs on the sediments in dry pond beds that hatch on pond‐filling, were exposed to a range of Cu concentrations that bracketed potential aqueous Cu levels in created wetlands. Embryo survival varied among clutches, but increased Cu levels did not affect embryo survival. At Cu concentrations of 500 µg/L or greater, however, embryos hatched earlier, and the aquatic larvae died shortly after hatching. Because Cu concentrations in sediments increase over time in created wetlands, even relatively tolerant species such as A. opacum may be affected by Cu levels in the posthatching environment. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014;33:1631–1637. © 2014 SETAC
Sovereign Wealth Fund Acquisitions: A Comparative Analysis with Mutual Funds

Purpose – Run a comparative analysis between investments of sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) and mutual funds, focusing on firm-level, country-level, and institutional variables. Methodology/approach – We use a hand-collected sample of 1,845 acquisitions around the world over the last 25 years (251 for SWFs and 1,594 for mutual funds). We then run univariate parametric and nonparametric tests to assess the differences in the investments of both subsamples. Findings – We review the literature on the determinants of SWFs' investment decisions. Our analysis adds to the scarce available literature on the investment decisions of SWFs and their comparison with other institutional investors. Our results show that, compared to mutual funds, SWFs indeed exhibit different preferences: for instance, SWFs prefer to acquire stakes in larger, less liquid companies which are financially distressed but which also have a higher level of growth opportunities. They also prefer less innovative firms with more concentrated ownership, which are located in less developed but geographically closer countries with whom they do not necessarily share cultural and religious backgrounds. Social implications – Our results are important for practitioners and firms seeking to attract a given type of institutional investment. They also add insights to the debate on the “hidden” political objectives behind SWF investments in the Western world. Originality/value of paper – This is the first attempt to empirically assess the differences in the investment choices of SWFs and mutual funds.
EGF‐induced neuritogenesis and correlated synthesis of plasma membrane gangliosides in cultured embryonic chick CNS neurons

Epidermal growth factor (EGF), over a low range of concentrations (165–825 pM), induced neuritogenesis in post‐mitotic chick CNS precursor neurons cultured in a serum‐free medium, without the addition of other growth factors. Antibody to EGF blocks the neurite‐promoting activity of EGF. Similarl, neuritogenesis of cultured chick CNS neurons in medium supplemented with 20% fetal bovine serum is blocked by antibody to EGF, even though serum may contain other neuronotrophic bioactive proteins and steroids.
The Role of Substance P in Secondary Pathophysiology after Traumatic Brain Injury

It has recently been shown that substance P (SP) plays a major role in the secondary injury process following traumatic brain injury (TBI), particularly with respect to neuroinflammation, increased blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability, and edema formation. Edema formation is associated with the development of increased intracranial pressure (ICP) that has been widely associated with increased mortality and morbidity after neurotrauma. However, a pharmacological intervention to specifically reduce ICP is yet to be developed, with current interventions limited to osmotic therapy rather than addressing the cause of increased ICP. Given that previous publications have shown that SP, NK1 receptor antagonists reduce edema after TBI, more recent studies have examined whether these compounds might also reduce ICP and improve brain oxygenation after TBI. We discuss the results of these studies, which demonstrate that NK1 antagonists reduce posttraumatic ICP to near normal levels within 4 h of drug administration, as well as restoring brain oxygenation to near normal levels in the same time frame. The improvements in these parameters occurred in association with an improvement in BBB integrity to serum proteins, suggesting that SP-mediated increases in vascular permeability significantly contribute to the development of increased ICP after acute brain injury. NK1 antagonists may therefore provide a novel, mechanistically targeted approach to the management of increased ICP.
ANALISIS RASIO KINERJA KEUANGAN TERHADAP FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY BANK PERKREDITAN RAKYAT (BPR) DI JAWA TENGAH (Periode 2010-2014)

This Research aims to analyze the influence of Return on Assets Previous Year ( 𝑅𝑂𝐴𝑡−1 ) , Non Performing Loan (NPL), Cash Ratio, Loan to Deposit Ratio (LDR), Bank Size, Deposit Mobilization and Bank Age to financial sustainability as measured by the Financial Sustainability Ratio (FSR). Case Study on Rural Banks (BPR) in Central Java during the period 2010-2014. The population of the research is rural banks (BPR) in Central Java during the period 2010-2014. 45 samples were taken by using purposive sampling method. The data used were obtained from the annual report of Rural Banks during 2010-2014. The analysis technique used is multiple linear regression analysis, statistical F-test, ststistical t-test, and classical assumption test that includes normality test, multicollinearity test, heteroscedasticity test and autocorrelation test. The results shows that the Return on Assets Previous Year ( 𝑅𝑂𝐴𝑡−1 ) has positive and significant effect to Financial Sustainability, Non Performing Loan (NPL) has negative and significant effect to Financial Sustainability, Cash Ratio has negative and significant effect to Financial Sustainability, Loan to Deposit Ratio (LDR) has positive and not significant effect to Financial Sustainability, the Bank Size has positive and significant effect to Financial Sustainability, the Deposit Mobilization and Bank Age has negative and not significant to Financial Sustainability. The results of regression estimation shows the predictive ability of the model is 42.8%, while the remaining 57.2% is influenced by other factors outside the model.
Capability building in fuzzy front end management in a high technology services company

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the adherence between the Fuzzy Front End (FFE)’ enablers, reported in the literature, and its application in the innovation process of a very innovative multinational company of high-tech services.To investigate how a company should manage its resources and processes to efficiently manage the FFE phase of PPD, this work included conducting field research based on the case study method.To succeed with this goal, this paper is structured as follows: at first moment we present a theoretical background to capture the key enablers for efficient management of the FFE. Subsequently, based on these findings, a questionnaire was structured and applied during the case development, resulting in assessing the applicability of these theoretical elements in the companyThis paper is justified in this context, evidenced by the importance of capability building in FFE management. The FFE isn’t fully understood by the managers and it is considered as a major weakness in the innovation process . As a theorical contribution we identify, in the literature review, 14 FFE enablers. Other important contribution is the framework elaborated to assess the process’s maturity of the FFE Management in the case. As a social contribution we identified if the enablers were applicable in the FFE Management in the company.
Determining the relative labour force status of M‰ori and non-M‰ori using a multinomial logit model 1

Using a stratified sample of 150,000-unit record data on the Maori and non-Maori working-age population from the New Zealand censuses of 1981, 1986 and 1991, we estimate multinomial logit models in order to determine the effects of age, education, marital and parental status, local unemployment rates and type of location on the probability of being in full-time employment, in part-time employment, unemployed or out of the labour force. We find that differences in individual characteristics can explain a substantial proportion of the Maorinon-Maori differences in labour market outcomes (and, in 1981 and 1986, all of it for women). The beneficial effect of education is substantially larger for Maori than for non-Maori, putting an exceptionally high penalty on the majority of Maori who are without formal qualifications.
Predictive animal models of mania: hits, misses and future directions

Mania has long been recognized as aberrant behaviour indicative of mental illness. Manic states include a variety of complex and multifaceted symptoms that challenge clear clinical distinctions. Symptoms include over‐activity, hypersexuality, irritability and reduced need for sleep, with cognitive deficits recently linked to functional outcome. Current treatments have arisen through serendipity or from other disorders. Hence, treatments are not efficacious for all patients, and there is an urgent need to develop targeted therapeutics. Part of the drug discovery process is the assessment of therapeutics in animal models. Here we review pharmacological, environmental and genetic manipulations developed to test the efficacy of therapeutics in animal models of mania. The merits of these models are discussed in terms of the manipulation used and the facet of mania measured. Moreover, the predictive validity of these models is discussed in the context of differentiating drugs that succeed or fail to meet criteria as approved mania treatments. The multifaceted symptomatology of mania has not been reflected in the majority of animal models, where locomotor activity remains the primary measure. This approach has resulted in numerous false positives for putative treatments. Recent work highlights the need to utilize multivariate strategies to enable comprehensive assessment of affective and cognitive dysfunction. Advances in therapeutic treatment may depend on novel models developed with an integrated approach that includes: (i) a comprehensive battery of tests for different aspects of mania, (ii) utilization of genetic information to establish aetiological validity and (iii) objective quantification of patient behaviour with translational cross‐species paradigms.