Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Particle Swarm Optimization based Optimal Power Flow for reactive loss minimization

Optimal Power Flow (OPF) problem in electrical power system is consider as a static, non-linear, multi-objective or a single objective optimization problem. As the power industrial companies have been moving in to a more competitive environment, OPF has been used as a tool to define the level of the inter utility power exchange. Basically, this research work provide a new approach to solve the single objective OPF problem considering critical objective function of reactive loss minimization for utility/industrial companies, while satisfying a set of system operating constraints, including constraints dedicated by the electrical network. Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) has been used for this purpose. Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) is a population based stochastic optimization technique. The system is initialized with a population of random feasible solutions and searches for optima by updating generations. The IEEE-30 bus system is considered throughout this research work to test the proposed algorithm.
A simple method to detect sperm chromatin abnormalities: cytochemical mechanism and possible value in predicting semen quality in assisted reproductive procedures.

Protamine crosslinking by disulphide (-SS-) bonds in the main factor responsible for the stability of chromatin structure in mammalian spermatozoa. Sperm chromatin containing arginine/cysteine-rich protamines shows a deeply modified cytochemical reactivity (e.g. basophilia) when compared with somatic chromatic. After methanol or ethanol-acetic acid fixation and toluidine blue (TB) staining, most sperm heads in semen smear from human fertile donors exhibited a pale blue (orthochromatic) colour, while a few sperm heads exhibited violet-blue or violet (metachromatic) staining. Smears from infertile patients showed an increased amount of metachromatic sperm nuclei. After reduction of -SS- bonds by dithiothreitol, sperm heads from all smears were metachromatic, suggesting that DNA phosphates then become available for TB stacking. Micro- and macro-spectrophotometric studies confirmed the microscopic colour reaction of sperm nuclei. The ortho-/metachromatic ration seems a useful parameter for evaluation of altered chromatin structure in spermatozoa cells. Taking into account the current interest in complementary staining tests for evaluation of semen quality, the metachromatic TB reaction represents a simple cytochemical approach for detecting sperm chromatin abnormalities based on differences in -SS- crosslinking.
Risk factors for wheezing, eczema and rhinoconjunctivitis in the previous 12 months among six-year-old children in Himeji City, Japan: food allergy, older siblings, day-care attendance and parental allergy history.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to clarify whether some environmental and genetic factors (food allergy, older siblings, early day-care attendance and parents' allergy history) are related to the development of allergic symptoms (wheezing in the previous 12 months [WP], eczema symptoms in the previous 12 months [EP], and rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms in the previous 12 months [RP]) in Japanese children. METHODS Using the modified version of the International Study on Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISSAC) questionnaire, we studied the prevalence of WP, EP and RP among six-year-old children attending 72 primary schools throughout Himeji City, Japan, during the two years from 2005 to 2006. RESULTS Food allergy and parents' history of allergy showed a significant relationship with the prevalence of WP, EP and RP. Day-care attendance in the first two years of life and presence of older siblings showed a significant inverse relationship with the prevalence of RP. However, neither day-care attendance nor presence of older siblings was related to the development of W and ER. CONCLUSIONS Among Japanese children, food allergy and parents' history of allergy are risk factors for WP, ES or RS. However, early day-care attendance and presence of older siblings might be protective factors against RS. Infections in early life may affect the prevalence of rhinoconjunctivitis in six-year-old children.
The glycerol channel Fps1p mediates the uptake of arsenite and antimonite in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae FPS1 gene encodes a glycerol channel protein involved in osmoregulation. We present evidence that Fps1p mediates influx of the trivalent metalloids arsenite and antimonite in yeast. Deletion of FPS1 improves tolerance to arsenite and potassium antimonyl tartrate. Under high osmolarity conditions, when the Fps1p channel is closed, wild‐type cells show the same degree of As(III) and Sb(III) tolerance as the fps1Δ mutant. Additional deletion of FPS1 in mutants defective in arsenite and antimonite detoxification partially suppresses their hypersensitivity to metalloid salts. Cells expressing a constitutively open form of the Fps1p channel are highly sensitive to both arsenite and antimonite. We also show by direct transport assays that arsenite uptake is mediated by Fps1p. Yeast cells appear to control the Fps1p‐mediated pathway of metalloid uptake, as expression of the FPS1 gene is repressed upon As(III) and Sb(III) addition. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing a eukaryotic uptake mechanism for arsenite and antimonite and its involvement in metalloid tolerance.
Seismic Response of Asymmetric Systems: Energy-Based Approach

An energy-based approach has been used to investigate the seismic behavior of code-designed asymmetric-plan systems. The systems considered in this investigation had large eccentricities in both directions, were designed for bidirectional earthquake loading, and their responses were computed with both components of ground motion acting simultaneously. The presented results demonstrate that the total input energy is about the same whether the system plan is symmetric or asymmetric. Furthermore, flexible-side elements in asymmetric-plan systems may be more vulnerable to earthquakes than the same elements in symmetric-plan systems if they are not designed to accommodate the higher hysteretic-energy demands. This observation correlates well with the damage observed in street corner buildings during several earthquakes. Stiff-side elements, on the other hand, are expected to suffer no more damage in asymmetric-plan systems than in symmetric-plan systems.
α-Synuclein Alters Proteasome Function, Protein Synthesis, and Stationary Phase Viability*

α-Synuclein appears to play a role in mediating neurotoxicity in a number of neurodegenerative disorders, collectively referred to as synucleinopathies. Most of these disorders are associated with aging and a probable impairment of the proteasome-proteolytic pathway, although the relationship between aging, proteasome inhibition, and α-synuclein toxicity has not been fully elucidated. Recent studies suggest that yeast may provide a useful system for studying the biology and toxicity of α-synuclein in mitotic cells, recapitulating many features observed in the various synucleinopathy disorders. Additional studies indicate that the stationary phase model of aging in yeast provides a useful system for understanding the biochemistry and regulation of aging in post-mitotic cells. In the present study we examined the effect of wild type and mutant α-synuclein (A30P) on multiple aspects of proteasome homeostasis, protein synthesis, as well as the ability of cells to survive stationary phase aging. These data demonstrate that α-synuclein alters proteasome composition, impairs proteasome-mediated protein degradation, impairs protein synthesis, and impairs the ability of cells to withstand stationary phase aging. Interestingly, α-synuclein had little effect on intracellular proteasome content or protein ubiquitination, and did not increase the vulnerability of cells to a variety of stressors. Together, these data suggest that yeast may be useful for understanding the ability of α-synuclein to impair proteasome-mediated protein degradation, as well as for understanding the basis for age-related α-synuclein cytotoxicity.
Differential Expression of Glutamate Receptor Subtypes in Rat Pancreatic Islets*

Immunocytochemistry was carried out on sections of rat pancreas to localize the expression of glutamate receptor subunits and the major pancreatic peptide hormones. Glutamate receptor expression was concentrated in pancreatic islets, and each islet cell type expressed different neuronal glutamate receptors of the α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid (AMPA) and kainate classes. AMPA receptor subunits were expressed in α, β, and pancreatic polypeptide cells, whereas kainate receptors were found predominantly in α and δ cells. Patch clamp electrophysiology was used to measure the functional properties of islet cell glutamate receptors. L-glutamate and other glutamate receptor agonists evoked currents in islet cells that were blocked by the selective AMPA receptor antagonist, 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione and potentiated by cyclothiazide in a manner indistinguishable from that of neuronal AMPA receptors. Activation of islet cell AMPA receptors produced steady-state cation currents that depolarized the cells an average of 20.7 ± 5.4 mV (n = 6). Currents mediated by functional kainate receptors were also observed in a line of transformed pancreatic α cells. Thus, L-glutamate probably regulates islet physiology via actions at both AMPA and kainate receptor classes. The pattern of receptor expression suggests that glutamate receptor activation may have multiple, complex consequences for islet physiology.
Underwater soft-bodied pulsed-jet thrusters: Actuator modeling and performance profiling

A new kind of underwater vehicle is developed by taking inspiration from cephalopods. Its actuation routine is scrutinized via a suitable model. Similar to octopuses and squids, these vehicles consist of an elastic, hollow shell capable of undergoing sequential stages of ingestion and ejection of ambient fluid, which is driven by the recursive inflation and deflation of the shell. The shell actively collapses, and in this way it expels water through a funnel; then it passively returns to the inflated shape, drawing ambient fluid into the cavity. By doing so, a pulsed-jet propulsion routine is performed that enables the vehicle to propel itself in water. Due to their soft nature, the actuation of these vehicles is largely dependent on the subtle management of the elastic response of the shell throughout the propulsion routine. A kinematic model of the actuation mechanism, thoroughly corroborated by experimental validation, is devised which elucidates the relationship between the active (collapse) and passive (refill) stages of the actuation. Upon association with the dynamics of the vehicle, this model permits the derivation of the generic performance profiles of this new kind of vehicle. It is acknowledged that, for given design specifications, an optimal swimming speed exists in coincidence with the coordinated operation between the crank mechanism driving the shell contraction and the onset of elastic energy, which determines the speed of inflation of the shell. These results are invaluable in the definition of rigorous design criteria and derivation of ad-hoc control laws for a new breed of optimized soft-bodied, pulsed-jet, unmanned underwater vehicles.
Missing the Boat on Freshwater Fish Conservation in California

Population growth and increasing water‐use pressures threaten California's freshwater ecosystems and have led many native fishes to the brink of extinction. To guide fish conservation efforts, we provide the first systematic prioritization of river catchments and identify those that disproportionately contribute to fish taxonomic diversity. Using high‐resolution range maps of exceptional quality, we also assess the representation of fish taxa within the state's protected areas and examine the concordance of high‐priority catchments with existing reserves and among distinct taxonomic groups. Although most of the state's native fishes are found within protected areas, only a small proportion of their ranges are represented. Few high‐priority catchments occur within protected areas, suggesting that fish conservation will require active management and targeted river restoration outside of reserves. These results provide the foundation for systematic freshwater conservation planning in California and for prioritizing where limited resources are allocated for fish recovery and protection.
Real-time stroke-based halftoning

This work deals with the non-photorealistic rendering of geometric models. We pursue an approach that combines the expressiveness of stroke-based rendering and the efficiency of halftoning to create a new genre of real-time rendering methods that are applicable to interactive applications such as computer games. Like in traditional halftoning, we create images with black color on a white background. Since strokes are used for shading, we refer to the ensuing methods as stroke-based halftoning. To display strokes for this purpose, we introduce explicit and implicit rendering techniques specifically designed to be accelerated by modern graphics hardware. Explicit techniques determine the geometric extent of strokes before rendering them using vertex programs, while the implicit approaches are based on textures that latently contain stroke information which is revealed in the rendering process. Because outline strokes are important to the visual style created by stroke-based halftoning, methods to render these outlines are developed. Again, both explicit and implicit techniques are introduced. The usability of the new rendering approach is examined in case studies from the fields of archaeological visualization and non-photorealistic game rendering.
Integrated Batteryless Electron Timer

From the viewpoint of information security, the semiconductor timing devices are reviewed, and a promising cell with floating gate (FG) is proposed as an integrated batteryless electron timer. The first issue is the difficulty in the timing precision, which is related to the trap-detrapping phenomena in the tunnel oxide between the FG and the silicon surface. The basic idea to resolve this issue is to monitor the trap-free cells among a plurality of prepared cells. The integrated batteryless electron timer is composed of a plurality of single-polysilicon-type solid-state aging devices that are connected in parallel. The first sample is fabricated in a standard complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor process, and the measurements clearly exhibit the first evidence that we succeeded to remove the trap-detrapping-related fluctuation in the ticking operation. The resultant secondary issues on the precision, i.e., the manufacturing fluctuation (subjecting to the central-limit theorem) and the temperature dependence, are also briefly discussed.
Risk factors associated with recurrence in patients with solid pseudopapillary tumors of the pancreas.

CONTEXT Solid pseudopapillary tumors (SPT) are rare, generally low grade pancreatic neoplasms that occasionally display malignant behavior. OBJECTIVE To analyze the clinical and pathological features associated with increased risk of recurrence of SPT. METHODS Cohort study of patients with SPT who underwent resection of the primary tumor and in selected cases resection of metastatic disease from 1999-2013 at a single tertiary care Hepatopancreatobiliary center. Risk factors for recurrence were statistically analyzed. RESULTS There were 32 patients. The mean age was 35.65 years (standard deviation: 12.26), 26/32, 81.25% were female. Median size of resected tumors was 4.7 cm (1.1-14.5). Most were solid and cystic (22/32, 68.75%), encapsulated (27/32, 84.4%) and located in the pancreatic body or tail (22/32, 68.75%). All displayed strong β-catenin, cyclin D1, CD56, and progesterone receptor staining with loss of E-cadherin. Most stained positive for vimentin (15/16, 93.75%) and CD10 (17/18, 94.4%). Median follow-up was 43 months (range: 3-207); 3/32, 9.38% recurred (all after 5-years from curative resection) and 1 died by the end of the study period, 11 years after diagnosis. Patients who developed recurrences (n=3) more commonly had synchronous metastases at presentation (P=0.006), lymphovascular invasion (P=0.04) and invasion of tumor capsule (P=0.08) compared to those who did not have disease recurrence. CONCLUSIONS Lymphovascular invasion, synchronous metastases and local invasion of tumor capsule are associated with aggressive behavior. Since recurrences may occur >5 years from resection, this high-risk group should undergo extended follow-up. Progression and recurrence is slow, therefore, resection of liver metastases can offer long-term survival.
Preparation of immunomodulatory hydrolysates from Alaska pollock frame.

BACKGROUND Immunomodulatory peptides can enhance body immunity. There have been few systematic investigations on preparing immunomodulatory peptides from Alaska pollock frame. The aim of this study was to obtain such peptides from Alaska pollock frame and determine their properties. RESULTS Trypsin protein hydrolysate (TPH) significantly enhanced the proliferation of spleen lymphocytes, T cells and peritoneal macrophages (P < 0.05). Compared with TPH with molecular weight (MW) > 2 kDa, TPH with MW < 2 kDa showed higher lymphocyte proliferation activity at 10, 50 and 500 µg ml(-1). The optimised hydrolysis conditions were a temperature of 50 °C, an enzyme dose of 24 U mg(-1) and a time of 290 min. The proliferation rate and degree of hydrolysis were 28.45 ± 1.79% and 16.87 ± 0.15% respectively. The main amino acids in TPH were proline, aspartate, glutamic acid and leucine. TPH had high solubility and low viscosity. TPH showed high stability under both acid and alkaline conditions or when digested by trypsin and/or pepsin. CONCLUSION TPH showed high immunomodulatory activity, with molecular weight and amino acid composition being the important factors affecting this activity. TPH had high solubility, low viscosity and high stability. As a good immunomodulator, TPH may therefore have wide application.
Response Rate to Glyceryl Trinitrate as First Line Therapy in Patients with Chronic Anal Fissure in Kirkuk City

Chronic anal fissure is common perianal condition. Surgical sphincterotomy is very successful at healing these fissures but requires an operation with associated morbidity. Temporary reduction in sphincter tone can be achieved on an outpatient basis by applying a topical nitric oxide donor (glyceryl trinitrate) 0.4% twice daily for four week duration. A total of 120 patients with chronic anal fissure were collected randomly from Kirkuk general hospital and private surgerical clinic prospectively from September 2014 till December 2015. Whether pharmacological treatment or surgical treatment is the best first line options in the treatment of chronic anal fissure will be the main issue of this study. Results: A total of 120 patients with chronic anal fissure were enrolled in this study. All patients received (GTN) as first line therapy for 4 week. 100 patients were able to complete medical treatment, while the remaining twenty patients were unable to complete medical treatments due to side effects caused by the drug. Regarding medical treatment outcome: 65 of patients(from total 100) (45 male, 23 female) achieved complete recovery and only 35 of patients (23 male, 12female) failed to reach complete recovery even after 4 week of treatment and undergoing sphincterotomy as second line options. About 91%(n=59) of patients achieved complete recovery within 2-3 week from the start of (GTN), and 9% (n=6) of patients recovered with complete 4 week administration of (GTN). Conclusions: digital application of glyceryl trinitrate as first line therapy for chronic anal fissure was the best choice for majority of patients, with treatment course of 4 week.
Long-duration head-down bed rest: project overview, vital signs, and fluid balance.

INTRODUCTION Spaceflight has profound effects on the human body. Many of these effects can be induced with head-down bed rest, which has been a useful ground-based analog. With limited resources aboard the International Space Station for human research, the bed rest analog will be a primary platform on which countermeasures will be developed and tested for lunar and Mars mission scenarios. METHODS NASA Johnson Space Center, in conjunction with the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), has created the NASA Flight Analogs Project (FAP), a research program with the overall objective of using head-down bed rest to evaluate, compare, and refine candidate countermeasures to spaceflight deconditioning. This paper serves as an overview and describes the standard conditions, the standard set of subject screening criteria, and the standard set of measurements for all FAP bed rest subjects. RESULTS Heart rate and diastolic pressures decreased transiently at the onset of bed rest. Fluid balance showed an early diuresis, which stabilized within 3 d. In this supplement, detailed results from multiple disciplines are presented in a series of reports. DISCUSSION The following reports describe multi-disciplinary results from the standard measurements by which the responses to bed rest will be assessed and by which countermeasures will be evaluated. The data presented in this overview are meant to serve as a context in which to view the data presented in the discipline specific manuscripts. The dietary support and behavioral health papers provide additional information regarding those aspects of implementing bed rest studies successfully.
Outbreak Caused by Enterobacteriaceae Harboring NDM-1 Metallo-β-Lactamase Carried in an IncFII Plasmid in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Mexico City

ABSTRACT Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae carrying New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase 1 (NDM-1) have rarely been reported in Latin America. We report of an outbreak caused by a blaNDM-1-harboring plasmid spread through different bacterial species, including Escherichia coli (ST617) and Enterobacter cloacae (ST182) isolates from the same patient and three Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates (ST22) derived from three epidemiologically related patients. IncFII plasmids were found in all strains. Measures to control the outbreak were applied successfully.
Prevalence and risk factors of cerebral microbleeds

Background: Cerebral microbleeds are focal deposits of hemosiderin that can be visualized with MRI. Little is known on their prevalence in the general population and on their etiology. It has been suggested that, in analogy to spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage, the etiology of microbleeds differs according to their location in the brain, with lobar microbleeds being caused by cerebral amyloid angiopathy and deep or infratentorial microbleeds resulting from hypertension and atherosclerosis. We investigated the prevalence of and risk factors for microbleeds in the general population aged 60 years and older. Methods: This study is based on 1,062 persons (mean age 69.6 years) from the population-based Rotterdam Scan Study. MRI was performed at 1.5 T and included a sequence optimized to increase the conspicuity of microbleeds. We assessed the relation of APOE genotype, cardiovascular risk factors, and markers of small vessel disease to the presence and location of microbleeds with multiple logistic regression. Results: Overall prevalence of cerebral microbleeds was high and increased with age from 17.8% in persons aged 60-69 years to 38.3% in those over 80 years. APOE ε4 carriers had significantly more often strictly lobar microbleeds than noncarriers. In contrast, cardiovascular risk factors and presence of lacunar infarcts and white matter lesions were associated with microbleeds in a deep or infratentorial location but not in a lobar location. Conclusion: The prevalence of cerebral microbleeds is high. Our data support the hypothesis that strictly lobar microbleeds are related to cerebral amyloid angiopathy, whereas microbleeds in a deep or infratentorial location result from hypertensive or atherosclerotic microangiopathy.