Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Improvement of the lightning shielding performance of overhead transmission lines by passive shield wires

This paper addresses a numerical electromagnetic analysis of the influence of installing passive shield wires "extra ground wires" (EGW) underneath the bottom phase conductor on the lightning shielding performance of 765-kV, 3-phase, double-circuit transmission lines. The method of moment (MOM) is employed to model the whole structure in three dimensions except the lightning channel. The lightning channel is simulated by the well-known transmission-line model (TLM), where the influence of the lightning-channel-generated electric and magnetic fields (EMF) are taken into account. The lightning shielding performance with and without EGW is introduced and discussed, without ac energization and due to three distinct lightning strokes, namely, the negative first, the negative subsequent and the positive strokes. The produced voltages and currents in the phase conductors and ground wires as well as the voltage across the insulators are computed, with and without the EGW, due to different lightning current waveforms, locations and inclination of the lightning channel, and return-stroke velocities. The introduction of such EGW results in a significant improvement of the shielding effectiveness by reducing the lightning-produced voltages and currents in the phase conductors as well as the voltage across the insulators. Accordingly, much lower transient overvoltages can be expected with less inadvertent outages of the lines, where the probabilities of flashover and back-flashover decrease, and the reliability enhances.
Optimum Design of an Input-Commutated Inverter for AC Motor Control

In any forced commutated inverter scheme, a certain amount of energy is "trapped" at the end of the commutation interval. It is desirable to minimize this level of trapped energy for best circuit component utilization. An input commutation circuit, suitable for single or three-phase inverter circuits, is introduced as a model. A mathematical analysis of the circuit yields expressions for circuit component values in terms of the load impedance at the instant of commutation. Optimizing procedures produce direct expressions for the components to yield the most efficient operation and minimum trapped energy.
Risk Factor Analysis of Green Tobacco Sickness (GTS) and the handling method on Tobacco Farmers

A B S T R A C T Tobacco farmers are at risk of developing occupational diseases associated with exposure to pesticides and absorption of wet tobacco leaves nicotine through the skin that is called Green Tobacco Sickness (GTS). This study used an analytical approach with survey method and using cross-sectional design. This study was conducted at 89 tobacco farmer from 12 districts in Jember regency which is a center of tobacco production in September to December 2013. Data were analyzed by logistic regression statistical test. The results showed that most respondents are male sex, do not go to school, married and has become a tobacco farmer for more than 10 years and have a monthly income below the minimum wage. Most tobacco farmers have low knowledge of GTS symptoms (96.6%), with a negative attitude towards prevention of GTS (98.9%), and have poor precautions of GTS (86.5%). There are 66.3% of tobacco farmers who have GTS symptoms. Statistical tests showed that there were influences between the sexes (p = 0.022) and time been tobacco farmer (p = 0.025) as well as preventive behavior of GTS (p = 0.002) on the occurrence of GTS symptoms on tobacco farmers. The handling Method of GTS is through three approaches (farmers' knowledge and attitudes about GTS, Procurement of PPE, Chairman of Farmers Group and Agricultural Extension Officers). It is needed a socialization in groups of tobacco farmers about the prevention of GTS symptoms through behavioral approach by means of a shower and change clothes after working in the tobacco field, and the use of waterproof clothing, gloves and boots
Management of invasive alien species in Spain: A bibliometric review

Scientific and grey literature on invasive alien species (IAS) is conditioned by social, economic and political priorities, editorial preferences and species and ecosystem characteristics. This leads to knowledge gaps and mismatches between scientific research interests and management needs. We reviewed the literature on IAS management in Spain found in Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar and Dialnet to identify key deficiencies and priority research areas. The collected literature was classified, employing features describing formal aspects and content. We used bibliometric and keyword co-occurrence network analyses to assess the relationship between features and reveal the existence of additional topics. Most of the compiled documents (n = 388) were focused on terrestrial ecosystems and inland waters, whereas marine and urban ecosystems were under-represented. The literature was largely generic and not species-specific, focusing on raising awareness and proposing changes on current regulation as prominent approaches to prevent further introductions. The compiled authors exhibited many clear publishing preferences (e.g. language or document type), but less regarding target taxa. In addition, there was a strong association between species and the different features considered, especially between the methodological approach (e.g. review, field experiment) and the primary emphasis of study (i.e. basic/theoretical, applied or interdisciplinary). This indicates that research on IAS has had a strong species-specific focus. References about terrestrial species focused mainly on vascular plants, whereas references about inland waters were mostly on fishes and the giant reed (Arundo donax), which has been managed with partial success. Animal culling and plant removal were the most frequent eradication and small-scale control treatments, whereas the documents addressing wider spatial scales were largely theoretical. Consequently, the success of described treatments was largely uncertain. Spanish invasion science research has been occasionally innovative, incorporating novel technologies (e.g. species distribution modelling) and engaging society with citizen-science approaches. However, the ratio between basic/theoretical and applied studies indicates that more applied research/management is needed, especially in inland waters and marine ecosystems. We call for increasing effort in the effective dissemination of experience in IAS management to enhance current practical knowledge, including that of schemes undertaken by public agencies.
Adjunctive Chinese Herbal Medicine Treatment is Associated With an Improved Survival Rate in Patients With Cervical Cancer in Taiwan: A Matched Cohort Study

Background Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers in Taiwan. Some patients take Chinese herbal medicine (CHM). However, very few current studies have ascertained the usage and efficacy of CHM in patients with cervical cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the benefits of complementary CHM among patients with cervical cancer in Taiwan. Methods We included the newly diagnosed cervical cancer patients who were registered in the Taiwanese Registry for Catastrophic Illness Patients Database between 2000 and 2010. The end of follow-up period was December 31, 2011. Patients who were less than 20 years old, had missing information for age, withdrew from the National Health Insurance (NHI) program during the follow-up period, or only received other TCM interventions such as acupuncture or tuina massage were excluded from our study. After performing 1:1 frequency matching by age and index date, we enrolled 7521 patients in both CHM and non-CHM user groups. A Cox regression model was used to compare the hazard ratios (HRs) of the risk of mortality. The Kaplan-Meier curve was used to compare the difference in survival time. Results According to the Cox hazard ratio model mutually adjusted for CHM use, age, comorbidity, treatment, and chemotherapeutic agents used, we found that CHM users had a lower hazard ratio of mortality risk (adjusted HR = 0.29, 95%CI = 0.27-0.31). The survival probability was higher for patients in the CHM group. Bai-Hua-She-She-Cao (Herba Oldenlandiae, synonym Herba Hedyotis diffusae) and Jia-Wei-Xiao-Yao-San were the most commonly prescribed single herb and Chinese herbal formula, respectively. Conclusions Adjunctive CHM may have positive effects of reducing mortality rate and improving the survival probability for cervical cancer patients. Further evidence-based pharmacological investigations and clinical trials are warranted to confirm the findings in our study.
Active contour model for image segmentation with dilated convolution filter

ACMs have been demonstrated to be highly suitable as image segmentation models for computer vision tasks. Among other ACM, the local region-based models show better performance because they extract the local information regarding intensity in the neighborhood and embed it into the energy minimization function to guide the active contour to the boundary of the desired object. However, the online segmentation of noisy and inhomogeneous is still a challenging task for local region-based ACM models. To overcome this challenge, This paper proposes a novel region-based active contour model, named active contour model with local dilated convolution filter (ACLD). The ACLD integrates local image information in the form of a signed pressure force function. Then, a Gaussian kernel is applied using dilated convolution instead of discrete convolution for regularizing the level set formulation. Finally, instead of using a constant stopping condition, the ACLD automatically stops at the object boundaries. The proposed model shows improved image segmentation results visually combined with less computational time in the case of synthetic and natural images compared with the state-of-the-art models. Further, on the ISIC2017 dataset, the ACLD yields segmentation results with the highest accuracy.
Metformin Treatment Attenuates Brain Inflammation and Rescues PACAP/VIP Neuropeptide Alterations in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet

High-fat diet (HFD)-induced comorbid cognitive and behavioural impairments are thought to be the result of persistent low-grade neuroinflammation. Metformin, a first-line medication for the treatment of type-2 diabetes, seems to ameliorate these comorbidities, but the underlying mechanism(s) are not clear. Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) are neuroprotective peptides endowed with anti-inflammatory properties. Alterations to the PACAP/VIP system could be pivotal during the development of HFD-induced neuroinflammation. To unveil the pathogenic mechanisms underlying HFD-induced neuroinflammation and assess metformin’s therapeutic activities, (1) we determined if HFD-induced proinflammatory activity was present in vulnerable brain regions associated with the development of comorbid behaviors, (2) investigated if the PACAP/VIP system is altered by HFD, and (3) assessed if metformin rescues such diet-induced neurochemical alterations. C57BL/6J male mice were divided into two groups to receive either standard chow (SC) or HFD for 16 weeks. A further HFD group received metformin (HFD + M) (300 mg/kg BW daily for 5 weeks) via oral gavage. Body weight, fasting glucose, and insulin levels were measured. After 16 weeks, the proinflammatory profile, glial activation markers, and changes within the PI3K/AKT intracellular pathway and the PACAP/VIP system were evaluated by real-time qPCR and/or Western blot in the hypothalamus, hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and amygdala. Our data showed that HFD causes widespread low-grade neuroinflammation and gliosis, with regional-specific differences across brain regions. HFD also diminished phospho-AKT(Ser473) expression and caused significant disruptions to the PACAP/VIP system. Treatment with metformin attenuated these neuroinflammatory signatures and reversed PI3K/AKT and PACAP/VIP alterations caused by HFD. Altogether, our findings demonstrate that metformin treatment rescues HFD-induced neuroinflammation in vulnerable brain regions, most likely by a mechanism involving the reinstatement of PACAP/VIP system homeostasis. Data also suggests that the PI3K/AKT pathway, at least in part, mediates some of metformin’s beneficial effects.
The evolutionary impacts of synonymous mutations

During the 50 years since the genetic code was cracked, our understanding of the evolutionary consequences of synonymous mutations has undergone a dramatic shift. Synonymous codon changes were initially considered selectively neutral, and as such, exemplars of evolution via genetic drift. However, the pervasive and non-negligible fitness impacts of synonymous mutations are now clear across organisms. Despite the accumulated evidence, it remains challenging to incorporate the effects of synonymous changes in studies of selection, because the existing analytical framework was built with a focus on the fitness effects of nonsynonymous mutations. In this chapter, I trace the development of this topic and discuss the evidence that gradually transformed our thinking about the role of synonymous mutations in evolution. I suggest that our evolutionary framework should encompass the impacts of all mutations on various forms of information transmission. Folding synonymous mutations into a common distribution – rather than setting them apart as a distinct category – will allow a more complete and cohesive picture of the evolutionary consequences of new mutations.
Consumer-centric factors for the implementation of smart meters in South Africa

Smart meter implementation is still in its infancy in many African countries, including South Africa. This is evident from the fact that most research studies are either Eurocentric or American-centric. Hence, this research aimed to identify consumer-centric factors for planning considerations in implementation of smart meters in South Africa. We used various behavioural theoretical models found in literature to identify potential factors relevant to this study. Based on quantitatively gathered data (n = 705), a structural equation model (SEM) was used to evaluate the identified factors. This study found that only ten consumer-centric factors were significant to smart meter consumers. These factors include behavioural intention, attitude, trust in technology, social norms, facilitating conditions, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, privacy risk, monetary cost, and perceived value. In conclusion, the study shows that not all factors suggested within the European and American context are relevant for smart meter implementation within the South African context. Hence, results of this study hold some practical implications in assisting utility companies in identifying consumer-centric factors that are relevant to the South African population. Finally, consumer-centric factors can be used by policy makers and energy regulators as baseline factors for future pervasive technology acceptance studies.
Reversible off-state breakdown walkout in passivated AlGaAs/InGaAs PHEMTs

The reversible breakdown walkout in the Si/sub 3/N/sub 4/ passivated AlGaAs/InGaAs pseudomorphic high-electron mobility transistors (PHEMTs) has been observed and investigated. Due to the double passivation processes, the fabricated PHEMTs demonstrated the reversible off-state breakdown walkout without changing device dc and RF performance significantly. This reversible breakdown behavior was induced by on-state stress. By repeating off-state and on-state stress, the breakdown voltages (V/sub B/s) eventually reached "stable region" or "reverse region" depending on the final stress process. A 2 V difference was observed between these two regions of breakdown.
Particular Patterns of the Influence of the Physiology of Normal Pregnancy on the Pharmacokinetics of Drugs in the Liver

Pregnant women are the most "untouchable" group of people in relation to pharmacological research due to ethical and legal aspects, as well as concerns for the health and integrity of the fetus. And that is why pregnant women practically do not participate in clinical, pharmacodynamic, or pharmacokinetic testing. The mechanisms of teratogenesis are unpredictable, and in this case mutations can occur regardless of the duration of pregnancy and at any level. In women during pregnancy, the activity of liver enzyme systems involved in drug metabolism changes completely, which affects their clearance. This should be taken into account when selecting drugs and dosages for the treatment of various diseases. Our study showed that during pregnancy, a significant decrease in the intrinsic hepatic clearance of the CYP1A2 substrate is enhanced by a decrease in the binding of theophylline to plasma proteins and an increase in the glomerular filtration rate.
Combination of Two Kinds of Medicated Microparticles Based on Hyaluronic Acid or Chitosan for a Wound Healing Spray Patch

Olive leaves extract (OLE) has been extensively studied as antioxidant and antibiotic and these characteristics make it particularly interesting for use on wounds. For this reason, the aim of this study was to introduce OLE in microparticles (MP) of hyaluronic acid (MPHA-OLE) or chitosan (MPCs-OLE) to obtain a spray patch for the treatment of wounds in anatomical areas that are difficult to protect with traditional patches. The MP were characterized for particle size and ability to protect OLE from degradation, to absorb water from wound exudate, to control OLE release from MP. The MPHA and MPCs medicated or not and mixtures of the two types in different proportions were studied in vitro on fibroblasts by the scratch wound healing assay. The MP size was always less than 5 µm, and therefore, suitable for a spray patch. The MPCs-OLE could slow down the release of OLE therefore only about 60% of the polyphenols contained in it were released after 4 h. Both MPHA and MPCs could accelerate wound healing. A 50% MPHA-OLE-50% MPCs-OLE blend was the most suitable for accelerating wound healing. The MPHA-OLE-MPCs-OLE blends studied in this work were shown to have the characteristics suitable for a spray patch, thus giving a second life to the waste products of olive growers.
Development of a nonhuman primate challenge model to evaluate CD8+ T cell responses to an adenovirus-based vaccine expressing SIV proteins upon repeat-dose treatment with checkpoint inhibitors

ABSTRACT Targeting immune checkpoint receptors expressed in the T cell synapse induces active and long-lasting antitumor immunity in preclinical tumor models and oncology patients. However, traditional nonhuman primate (NHP) studies in healthy animals have thus far demonstrated little to no pharmacological activity or toxicity for checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs), likely due to a quiescent immune system. We developed a NHP vaccine challenge model in Mauritius cynomolgus monkey (MCMs) that elicits a strong CD8+ T cell response to assess both pharmacology and safety within the same animal. MHC I-genotyped MCMs were immunized with three replication incompetent adenovirus serotype 5 (Adv5) encoding Gag, Nef and Pol simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) proteins administered 4 weeks apart. Immunized animals received the anti-PD-L1 atezolizumab or an immune checkpoint-targeting bispecific antibody (mAbX) in early development. After a single immunization, Adv5-SIVs induced T-cell activation as assessed by the expression of several co-stimulatory and co-inhibitory molecules, proliferation, and antigen-specific T-cell response as measured by a Nef-dependent interferon-γ ELIspot and tetramer analysis. Administration of atezolizumab increased the number of Ki67+ CD8+ T cells, CD8+ T cells co-expressing TIM3 and LAG3 and the number of CD4+ T cells co-expressing 4–1BB, BTLA, and TIM3 two weeks after vaccination. Both atezolizumab and mAbX extended the cytolytic activity of the SIV antigen-specific CD8+ T cell up to 8 weeks. Taken together, this vaccine challenge model allowed the combined study of pharmacology and safety parameters for a new immunomodulatory protein-based therapeutic targeting CD8+ T cells in an NHP model.
Multi-echelon service models for inventory systems under different rationing policies

In this paper we model the service performance of two-echelon divergent production networks consisting of one central stock-point feeding a number of end stock-points where the external demand is realized. The systems we consider allow all stock-points to hold inventory and use periodic review ordering policies at all levels. Whenever the lower echelon has insufficient inventory to cover all upper echelon requisitions some policy to ration the available material is needed. Concentrating on one push and one pull rationing policy, we explore the system dynamics and develop models for three popular measures of the system service performance. All models make use of non-dimensional ratios which drastically reduce the number of parameters involved. Although these models are only approximate, numerical and simulation results demonstrate the adequacy of the approximations involved.
Accelerated Weathering and Carbonation (Mild to Intensified) of Natural Canadian Silicates (Kimberlite and Wollastonite) for CO2 Sequestration

Canada’s mineral reserves can play a very important role in curbing climate change if natural alkaline minerals are used for the process of mineral carbonation. In this work, the potential of using two Canadian natural silicates for accelerated carbonation is experimentally assessed: kimberlite mine tailing (Mg0.846Al0.165Fe0.147Ca0.067SiO3.381) from the Northwest Territories, and mined wollastonite ore (Ca0.609Mg0.132Al0.091Fe0.024SiO2.914) from Ontario. The aim of this work was to evaluate the weathering reactivity and CO2 uptake capacity via carbonation of these two comminuted rocks, both of which are made up of a mixture of alkaline minerals, under process conditions that spanned from milder to intensified. Research questions addressed include: does kimberlite contain a sufficient amount of reactive minerals to act as an effective carbon sink; is dehydroxylation necessary to activate kimberlite, and to what extent does it do this; do secondary phases of wollastonite hinder its reactivity; and can either of these minerals be carbonated without pH buffering, or only weathered? Incubator, slurry, and pressurized slurry methods of accelerated weathering and carbonation were used, and the effect of the process parameters (temperature, solid-to-liquid ration, reaction time, CO2 level, pH buffer) on the CO2 uptake and crystalline carbonates formation is tested. The reacted samples were analyzed by pH test, loss-on-ignition test, calcimeter test, and X-ray diffraction analysis. Results showed that wollastonite ore (rich in fast-weathering CaSiO3) is more suitable for accelerated carbonation than kimberlite tailing (containing slow-weathering hydrated magnesium silicates and aluminosilicates) when only its capability to rapidly form solid carbonates is considered. Incubator and pressurized buffered slurry methods proved to be most effective as under these conditions the precipitation of carbonates was more favorable, while the unbuffered slurry reaction conditions were more akin to accelerated weathering rather than accelerated carbonation.