Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of Topology on the Propagation of Cascading Failure in Power Grid

In the past two decades the frequent occurrences of large scale blackouts and catastrophic events has reduced the reliability of power grid to a great extent. A thorough analysis of the propagation of failures, in terms of line outages, combined with the topological characteristics of the grid aids, has been done to take corrective actions to save the system from complete collapse. It also helps to investigate the progress and understand the nature and intensity of blackouts. This motivates to establish the relationship between the network topological characteristics and cascading failure in the power grid. In this paper, the basic topological characteristics of the power network are studied in detail and the average propagation of failure under varying topological conditions is calculated as a branching process parameter. The variation in the mean propagation is studied in detail using a number of test bed networks with the alternate realistic networks derived from the standard IEEE networks imitating the real network conditions. The results confirm a qualitative agreement between the variations in topological parameter and the failure propagation rate in the cascading regime. Based on the analysis mentioned above, data clearly shows that the average failure propagation factor varies linearly with the variations in the statistical metrics.
Primipaternities in Families: Is the Incidence of Pregnancy‐induced Hypertensive Disorders in Multigravidas an Anthropological Marker of Reproduction?

EDITORIAL COMMENT: : We accepted this paper for publication because it provided a careful review of the literature concerning the incidence of preeclampsia in relationship to the duration of sexual cohabitation before a first pregnancy with a new partner, and other imponderables concerning human reproduction and sexual behaviour in different populations. The authors' style of presentation is unusual and has been spared routine editorial alteration. The first author together with Desmond Cooper has arranged an International Workshop on the Immunology of Preeclampsia to be held in Moorea, French Polynesia from April 29‐May 2, 1998. At this meeting the information in this paper will be presented by Pierre‐Yves Robillard, and Gustaaf Dekker will present ‘Prevention of preeclampsia: Sperm exposure and information concerning preeclampsia and preliminary results of immunonutrition trial’. There is an interesting analogy between preeclampsia, one of the commonest complications of pregnancy, and massive hypertrophy of the breasts in pregnancy, which has an incidence of less than 1 in 100,000 pregnancies (A), namely the possibility of an immunological factor provided by a new partner although previous pregnancies with different partners had not been associated with breast abnormalities; in 2 of 3 cases reported (A) the pregnancy was conceived with a new partner and the massive hypertrophy began before the first missed period which is much earlier in gestation than the trophoblastic association with preeclampsia hypothesized in this paper.
Exploring a mechanism of speech sychronization using auditory delayed experiments

This paper investigated how speakers synchronize their speech by experiments in which the participants naturally and simultaneously recited under auditory delayed conditions. Statistical analysis revealed that the speakers changed strategies to adjust the timing of their utterances. This ﬁnding constitutes one fundamental mechanism for coordinating verbal behavior that can contribute to designing comfortable interactions with virtual agents or robots
Bidirectional helical motility of cytoplasmic dynein around microtubules

Cytoplasmic dynein is a molecular motor responsible for minus-end-directed cargo transport along microtubules (MTs). Dynein motility has previously been studied on surface-immobilized MTs in vitro, which constrains the motors to move in two dimensions. In this study, we explored dynein motility in three dimensions using an MT bridge assay. We found that dynein moves in a helical trajectory around the MT, demonstrating that it generates torque during cargo transport. Unlike other cytoskeletal motors that produce torque in a specific direction, dynein generates torque in either direction, resulting in bidirectional helical motility. Dynein has a net preference to move along a right-handed helical path, suggesting that the heads tend to bind to the closest tubulin binding site in the forward direction when taking sideways steps. This bidirectional helical motility may allow dynein to avoid roadblocks in dense cytoplasmic environments during cargo transport. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.7554/eLife.03205. 001
Generalized impedance-based fault distance calculation mehtod for power distribution systems

This paper presents a new impedance-based fault distance calculation formulation for power distribution systems. The majority of low- or medium- voltage distribution systems are characterized by having numerous branches, laterals and sub-laterals, highly unbalanced operation, and time varying load profile. All of these and other characteristics make most efficient approaches proposed for fault location in power distribution systems not applicable to distribution systems. The proposed method uses only measurements of voltage and current at the beginning of the analyzed feeder, and additional equipments such as, fault locators and monitoring devices are not needed to be installed in the distribution system. The apparent impedance is calculated by using the fundamental rms values of the measured voltage and current in this paper. This method is suitable to any kinds of fault and can be used to unbalanced power distribution systems, since it is derived in phase domain.
The relationship between stress and quality of life in psychiatric outpatients

Stress is the subjective feeling produced by events that are uncontrollable or threatening. Stress factors are coded on a separate axis of the DSM-IV classification system when they influence the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of psycbiatric disorders. The relationship between stress and the psychosocial outcome measure quality of life (QOL), that has become a topic of growing interest in medical and psycbiatric practice, is hardly examined in psychiatric outpatients. Therefore, in the present study, this relationship was investigated in a population of psychiatric outpatients (n = 410) with a broad spectrum of psycbiatric disorders. Stress was assessed with the Everyday Problem Checklist (EPCL). QOL was measured with the World Health Organization (WHO) QOL Assessment Instrument (WHOQOL-100). The study population experienced considerable rates and intensities of stress, that were significantly higher compared with normative groups derived from a random sample of the Dutch population. Even after a correction for the presence of psychopathology, stress explained an amount of the variance of all aspects of QOL. It is concluded that in addition to the presence of psychopathology, stress plays a significant role in determining QOL. This justifies the classification of stress on a separate axis of DSM-IV It is advisable to consider stress more systematically in psycbiatric assessment and treatment.
Synthesis of poly(2-oxazoline)-based hydrogels with tailor-made swelling degrees capable of stimuli-triggered compound release.

A 32-membered library of poly(2-oxazoline)-based hydrogels of the composition pEtOx(m) -pPhOx(n) -pPBO(q) (m/n = 150/0, 100/50, 50/100, and 0/150; q = 1.5-30) was prepared from 2-ethyl- (EtOx), 2-phenyl-2-oxazoline (PhOx), and phenylene-1,3-bis-(2-oxazoline) (PBO). The polymerizations were performed from ground monomer mixtures at 140 °C in a single-mode microwave reactor in reaction times as short as 1 h. Purified hydrogels, containing no residual monomers, were obtained in yields of 95% or higher. Acid-mediated hydrolysis rates as well as swelling degrees of the hydrogels were adjustable over a broad range; swelling degrees in water/ethanol/dichloromethane ranged from 0 to 13.8/11.7/20.0. The hydrogels could incorporate organic molecules according to in situ or post-synthetic routines. Post-synthetic routines enabled for the preparation of hydrogels from which the incorporated compounds were only released through diffusion processes if the solvent was changed or through hydrogel degradation if the pH was lowered.
Big 4 Audit Fee Premiums for National‐ and City‐Specific Industry Leadership in the UK: Additional Evidence

This study investigates the relationship between Big 4 auditor industry specialisation and audit pricing in the U.K. in a period of many changes having taken place in the market for audit services. Using a large dataset between 2004 and 2011, our empirical results show a significantly higher fee premium for the Big 4 firms who are national industry leaders as compared to city-specific industry leaders, and that the fee premium for industry leadership is only earned by the city-specific industry leaders if and when they are also the national leaders. Neither the national nor city level industry leadership alone is priced anymore in the U.K. audit market. These findings hold for the pre- and the post-GFC period only and for a number of additional analyses. The evidence suggests that the Big 4 industry leadership in the U.K. has moved away from the previously documented premium for the Big 4 cityspecific industry leadership alone, and is now driven solely by the joint Big 4 industry expertise at the national and city-specific levels concurrently. The study’s results indicate that there is a progression from city-specific industry expertise to national-specific industry expertise, and they imply that there has been an improvement in the sharing and transferability of industry knowledge and expertise among the city offices of the Big 4 firms in the U.K. in the period of investigation.
T‐type calcium channels: an emerging therapeutic target for the treatment of pain

It has become generally accepted that presynaptic high voltage–activated N‐type calcium channels located in the spinal dorsal horn are a validated clinical target for therapeutic interventions associated with severe intractable pain. Low voltage–activated (T‐type) calcium channels play a number of critical roles in nervous system function, including controlling thalamocortical bursting behaviours and the generation of spike wave discharges associated with slow wave sleep patterns. There is a growing body of evidence that T‐type calcium channels also contribute in several ways to both acute and neuropathic nociceptive behaviours. In the one instance, the Cav3.1 T‐type channel isoform likely contributes an anti‐nociceptive function in thalamocortical central signalling, possibly through the activation of inhibitory nRT neurons. In another instance, the Cav3.2 T‐type calcium channel subtype acts at the level of primary afferents in a strongly pro‐nociceptive manner in both acute and neuropathic models. While a number of classes of existing clinical agents non‐selectively block T‐type calcium channels, there are no subtype‐specific drugs yet available. The development of agents selectively targeting peripheral Cav3.2 T‐type calcium channels may represent an attractive new avenue for therapeutic intervention. Drug Dev. Res. 67:404–415, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Association of Bone Mineral Density with Apolipoprotein E Phenotype

The phenotypes of apolipoprotein E (Apo E) and their relationship with the bone mineral density (BMD) were examined in 284 unrelated postmenopausal Japanese women aged 47–82 years (64.0 ± 1.0 years, mean ± SE). The Apo E phenotype was analyzed by the isoelectric focusing method, followed by immunoblotting. The relationship between the Apo E phenotype and the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene or estrogen receptor (ER) gene genotypes was also studied in the same population. The Apo E phenotypic frequencies in our population were 9.9% for E3/2, 66.5% for E3/3, 1.8% for E4/2, 19.7% for E4/3, and 2.1% for E4/4. We classified these phenotypes into three categories: Apo E4−/− (E3/2 and E3/3, n = 217), Apo E4+/− (E4/3 and E4/2, n = 61), and Apo E4+/+ (E4/4, n = 6). The age, body weight, body height, and years since menopause were not significantly different among these three categories. The lumbar BMD values in these three groups were significantly different in the order of E4−/− (0.91 ± 0.01 g/cm2), E4+/− (0.85 ± 0.02 g/cm2), and E4+/+ (0.83 ± 0.06 g/cm2) (p = 0.031). The same trend was also observed for the Z score of the total BMD (p = 0.022). The serum level of intact osteocalcin in E4+/+ (15.2 ± 5.7 ng/ml) was higher than in E4−/− (7.7 ± 0.3 ng/ml) or E4+/− (7.7 ± 0.7 ng/ml) (p = 0.004 by analysis of variance). However, there were no other significant differences in the serum or urinary levels of bone turnover markers. Serum cholesterol in the E4+/+ group tended to be higher than in the other two groups (p = 0.05). There were no significant associations of the VDR and ER genotypes with the Apo E4 phenotype. A multivariate linear regression analysis revealed Apo E4 to be a significant, independent predictor of the Z score of the lumbar BMD. The effect of the Apo E4 allele on the Z score of the lumbar BMD (−0.493 ± 0.152) was not significantly different from that in the AAB of VDR (−0.616 ± 0.225) or PPxx of ER (−0.785 ± 0.314). In conclusion, the Apo E4 allele is associated with a low bone mass in postmenopausal Japanese.
The Body Mass Index of San Francisco Cold-water Swimmers: Comparisons to U.S. National and Local Populations, and Pool Swimmers

To determine if cold-water swimmers have substantial differences in BMI, which might have a protective effect against heat loss during swims in cold water without wetsuits, and to determine if obesity is more or less prevalent in cold-water swimmers, we compared the body mass index (BMI) values of 103 recreational open-water swimmers (mean age 54.3 ±10.8 years) to data from various population groups. Swimmers swam consistently throughout the winter months, in the San Francisco Bay (water temperature range: 9.6° C [49.3 ° F] to 12.6° C [54.7 ° F]), without wetsuits. After matching for age and sex, the average BMI of cold-water swimmers (25.9 kg/m2) was lower than the corresponding predicted U.S. average BMI (29.2 kg/m2; p<.001), the predicted California state average BMI (28.0 kg/m2; p<.001), and the predicted San Francisco city average BMI (26.6 kg/m2; p=.047). The average BMI value for cold-water swimmers (25.9 kg/m2) was not significantly different from values of North American masters pool swimmers (25.1 kg/m2; p=.15) or international masters pool swimmers (25.3 kg/m2; p=.16). 10.7% of cold-water swimmers were classified as obese (BMI > 30 kg/m2) vs. 35.7%, 25.8%, and 11.8% of the U.S., California, and San Francisco populations, respectively. The lower or similar BMI values of our swimmers suggest that successful recreational swimming in cold water is influenced by factors other than body habitus, such as acclimatization, heat production while swimming, and most importantly, limiting immersion time. The relatively low prevalence of obesity in our swimmers suggests that cold-water swimming could contribute to a healthy lifestyle.
Applied regression analysis (2. ed.)

This book brings together a number of procedures developed for regression problems in current use. Since the emphasis is on practical application theoretical results are stated without proofs in many cases. This book provides a standard basic course in multiple linear regression but it also includes material that either has not previously appeared in a textbook or if it has appeared is not generally available. Chapters 1 and 3 together provide a course in fitting a straight line without using matrix algebra at all. If chapter 2 is added the idea of matrix representation of regression problems can be introduced as well. Chapter 4 covers 2 predictor variables and chapter 5 deals with more complicated models. Selecting the best regression equation is discussed in chapter 6. Chapter 7 covers specific problems. Chapters 8 and 9 discuss 1) multiple regression and mathematical model building and 2) multiple regression applied to analysis of variance problems. Chapter 10 contains an introduction to nonlinear estimation. The 2nd edition contains many new regression ideas and techniques. In particular new computational algorithms and new software regression packages have made it very easy to investigate the allequacy of conjectured models with many different techniques.
An Interfacial Thermodynamics Model for Protein Stability

Proteins are important macromolecules that exhibit thermodynamic and kinetic properties that are highly tuned to facilitate biological function within limited ranges of environmental conditions. Despite having a wealth of understanding of the interactions that affect protein stability [Dill, 1990; Pace, et al. 2004], such as the hydrophobic effect, hydrogen bonding, packing, solvation and electrostatic effects: Predicting thermodynamic properties of proteins is difficult because these interactions simultaneously work together within the molecular structure comprising of heterogeneous microenvironments that change dynamically as the conformational state of the protein changes. Consequently, a protein is truly a complex system [Bar-Yam, 1997] where thermodynamic and other emergent physical properties are sensitive to small perturbations in protein structure or its environment. It remains an open problem to develop models that can accurately predict protein stability, ligand-protein binding affinities and allosteric response, all of which are critical to the function of a protein [Petsko & Ringe, 2004; Klepeis, et al. 2004; Bray & Duke, 2004].
Cell‐cycle distribution of different cell compartments in normal versus reactive bone marrow: A frame of reference for the study of dysplastic hematopoiesis

Limited information is currently available about the proliferation activity and cell‐cycle distribution of different bone marrow (BM) cell subsets defined according to their lineage and maturation stage in normal versus cytopenia‐associated reactive BM samples. Here, we report a three‐color flow cytometry approach to investigate the cell‐cycle distribution of different BM cell compartments—CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor and precursor cells (HPC), maturing neutrophils and monocytic cells, mature lymphocytes, eosinophils, and nucleated red blood cell precursors (NRBC)—from normal (n = 47) versus cytopenia‐associated reactive (n = 47) BM samples. Highly similar proliferation profiles were detected in normal versus reactive BM, with a higher proliferation index (PI) for the more immature CD34+ HPC, CD11b− maturing neutrophils and NRBC versus other BM cell compartments. The only differences observed between normal and reactive BM were restricted to the more mature (CD13hi/CD11b+) bands/neutrophils and to monocytic cells, which showed an increased PI (0.9% ± 0.8% vs. 0.6% ± 0.5% and 6 ± 3.6 vs. 4.6 ± 4.5, respectively) at the expense of a lower PI of CD34+ HPC in reactive conditions. Of note, bands/mature neutrophils and mature lymphocytes showed either residual numbers or absence of S + G2/M‐phase cells in both normal and reactive BM. Our results suggest that a slight shift of proliferation from the early precursors to the more mature granulomonocytic compartment occurs in reactive BM, which could reflect an attempt of the hematopoietic system to rapidly produce functional neutrophils and monocytes, at the expense of a lower expansion of the minor compartments of CD34+ HPC. © 2011 International Clinical Cytometry Society
Crafting Strategic Objectives: Examining the Role of Business Vision andMission Statements

There exists abundant literature on business strategy topics. Yet very few of these examine the role of business mission and vision statements and their influence on strategic objectives. It is this apparent gap in the literature that this paper aims to cover. The paper aims at highlighting the importance of business vision and mission statements and how these dictate the strategic goals and objectives of the organization - both short term as well as long term. The paper consists of three sections. The first section provides a quick overview of business strategy. The remaining sections discuss the mission statement and vision statement. It provides guidelines including templates on how to develop effective mission and vision statement. Finally, it applies the learning’s to a case study - that of a hotel. My aim is to highlight how the three - mission statement, vision statement, and strategic objectives - are intertwined. It is necessary to first define the mission and vision statement prior to defining the strategic objectives. The mission and particularly the vision statement provide the foundation upon which strategic objectives are framed.
An intuitionistic fuzzy approach for IT service-level-management

: Managing the quality of virtualized, distributed and multi-tiered services is a hot topic in today’s service research. IT-centric service levels, written in IT technical terms need to be bridged to business-oriented service achievements. Due to the financial impact of Service Level Agreements (SLAs) there is great research interest in integrated management tools that automatically monitor the performance of multi-tier applications, autonomously warn for arising problems and predict in case of incidents on possible frontend impacts like end-user experience or other business implications. These problems are known as root cause analysis and business impact analysis, respectively. In addition the impact of service levels defined for these technical services on customers’ business processes, is difficult to estimate. Thus, it is a major objective to identify SLA’s that directly affect the performance of customers’ business departments. The proposed concept is providing a bridge between business impacts to distributed systems and technical components by defining dependency couplings in a practical and feasible manner in order to satisfy aspects of the distributed and fuzzy nature of SLA dependencies.
Use of the Revised Children's Diet Quality Index to assess preschooler's diet quality, its sociodemographic predictors, and its association with body weight status.

OBJECTIVE To determine the level of overall diet quality, sociodemographic predictors of diet quality, and the association between diet quality and body weight status in a nationally representative sample of preschoolers. METHODS Cross-sectional study using a sample of 2-5 years old with sociodemographic, dietary, and anthropometric data (n = 1,521) in the National Health and Examination Survey 1999-2002. Overall diet quality was determined using the Revised Children's Diet Quality Index. Sociodemographic predictors (age, sex, sociodemographic, ethnic group, household income, preschool attendance, federal food program participation) of diet quality were determined using multiple linear regression models in the total sample and stratified by household income for Food Stamp eligible (< 1.3 of the poverty income ratio) or Special Supplemental Program for Women, Infants, and Children eligible (poverty income ratio < 1.85). Association between diet quality and prevalence of childhood obesity was assessed with Pearson chi-square tests. Statistical significance was assumed at p <or= 0.05. All analysis was conducted using complex survey design routines. RESULTS On average, preschooler consumed suboptimal levels of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and dairy. Overall diet quality decreased with increasing age (beta-coefficient: -2.38, p < 0.001) but improved with increasing family income in the full sample (beta-coefficient: 1.22, p < 0.001) but not in the low-income subpopulations. Mexican American children had significantly better diet quality than non-Hispanic white children (beta-coefficient: 2.18, p < 0.033) especially in the low income group (beta-coefficient: 3.57, p < 0.006). Childhood obesity prevalence decreased significantly with increasing diet quality. CONCLUSIONS Preschooler's diet quality needs to be improved to support the prevention of childhood obesity early in life.