Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Investigating the declining reactive power demand of UK distribution networks

The significant decline of reactive power (Q) demand in the UK is considered one of the factors that led in 2011 to over-voltages in the 400kV network. To examine this, a distribution network known to have this decline is modelled in detail (from the transmission interface, 132kV, to 33kV) and validated using monitoring data. In particular, the effects from replacing overhead lines with cables as well as P and Q demand trends (at primary substations) on Q exchanges at the GSP are investigated. Results for this particular distribution network show that high cable penetrations in 132kV circuits lead, during minimum demand, to Q gains many times larger than its 2013 level. In addition, the identified P and Q demand trends at primary substations highlight the future larger Q injections through the transmission interface. These findings can be used to coordinate operational and planning actions between networks operators.
Effect of dietary habits on the risk of metabolic syndrome: Yazd Healthy Heart Project

Abstract Objective Metabolic syndrome (MetS) refers to a group of risk factors that increase the risk of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. Dietary habits are among the most important risk factors for MetS. The current study aimed at assessing the effect of dietary habits on the risk of MetS in a 10-year follow-up study in central Iran. Design Cohort study. Setting Yazd, Iran. Subjects Participants aged 20–74 years without any history of MetS, who were originally recruited for Yazd Healthy Heart Project (YHHP) during 2005–2006, were revisited during 2015–2016. At phase I of YHHP, demographic data, anthropometric measurements, five components of MetS, biochemical tests and dietary habits were evaluated; and the same data were collected in phase II. Results A total of 1092 participants were eligible to be included in the present study. After follow-up, the 10-year cumulative incidence of MetS was 56·1 %. After adjustment for potential confounders, increased risk of MetS (hazard ratio; 95 % CI) was found in those who did not try to control their body weight (1·57; 1·06, 2·35), did not usually eat salad (1·91; 1·22, 3·00) and added salt to their food (1·57, 1·06, 2·33). These associations were stronger in men than in the total population after subgroup analysis, but were not present in women. Conclusions Dietary habits affect the risk of MetS in the Iranian population. Lifestyle interventions are needed to improve dietary habits to reduce the risk of MetS. Future studies are highly recommended to confirm our results in other populations.
Divergent Selection on Opsins Drives Incipient Speciation in Lake Victoria Cichlids

Divergent natural selection acting on ecological traits, which also affect mate choice, is a key element of ecological speciation theory, but has not previously been demonstrated at the molecular gene level to our knowledge. Here we demonstrate parallel evolution in two cichlid genera under strong divergent selection in a gene that affects both. Strong divergent natural selection fixed opsin proteins with different predicted light absorbance properties at opposite ends of an environmental gradient. By expressing them and measuring absorbance, we show that the reciprocal fixation adapts populations to divergent light environments. The divergent evolution of the visual system coincides with divergence in male breeding coloration, consistent with incipient ecological by-product speciation.
Evolution of Competitive Ability: An Adaptation Speed vs. Accuracy Tradeoff Rooted in Gene Network Size

Ecologists have increasingly come to understand that evolutionary change on short time-scales can alter ecological dynamics (and vice-versa), and this idea is being incorporated into community ecology research programs. Previous research has suggested that the size and topology of the gene network underlying a quantitative trait should constrain or facilitate adaptation and thereby alter population dynamics. Here, I consider a scenario in which two species with different genetic architectures compete and evolve in fluctuating environments. An important trade-off emerges between adaptive accuracy and adaptive speed, driven by the size of the gene network underlying the ecologically-critical trait and the rate of environmental change. Smaller, scale-free networks confer a competitive advantage in rapidly-changing environments, but larger networks permit increased adaptive accuracy when environmental change is sufficiently slow to allow a species time to adapt. As the differences in network characteristics increase, the time-to-resolution of competition decreases. These results augment and refine previous conclusions about the ecological implications of the genetic architecture of quantitative traits, emphasizing a role of adaptive accuracy. Along with previous work, in particular that considering the role of gene network connectivity, these results provide a set of expectations for what we may observe as the field of ecological genomics develops.
Liar’s Domination in Graphs

A set D V (G) of a graph G = (V;E) is a liar's dominating set if (1) for all v 2 V (G) jN[v] \ Dj 2 and (2) for every pair u; v 2 V (G) of distinct vertices, jN[u] [ N[v] \ Dj 3. In this paper, we consider the liar's domination number of some middle graphs. Every triple dominating set is a liar's dominating set and every liar's dominating set must be a double dominating set. So, the liar's dominating set lies between double dominating set and triple dominating set.
The effects of intraocular pressure reduction on perimetric variability in glaucomatous eyes.

PURPOSE To investigate changes in the variability of white-on-white perimetry in patients with glaucoma who are undergoing surgical or medical reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP). METHODS This retrospective study included 67 eyes of 50 patients who underwent trabeculectomy (25 eyes) or medical IOP reduction (25 eyes) about midway through the follow-up; 17 fellow eyes of the surgical group were the control group. Their pre- and postinterventional visual fields were analyzed (full-threshold, 24-2 program, Humphrey Field Analyzer; Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc., Oberkochen, Germany) to evaluate changes in short-term fluctuation (SF) and test-retest variability (TRV). The longest follow-up periods possible were considered, provided that glaucoma was stable (as confirmed by intraocular pressure, optic nerve appearance and visual field). For each patient and in each period, TRV was defined as the mean of the square roots of the mean variances in each of the 54 locations. RESULTS Trabeculectomy reduced mean IOP (5.7 +/- 4.7 mm Hg; P < 0.0001), IOP fluctuations (-2.9 +/- 4.4 mm Hg; P = 0.003), and eye drop use (-1.3 +/- 1.4; P = 0.0001). Pre- and postsurgical SF was 3.0 +/- 1.1 and 2.7 +/- 1.0 dB, respectively (P = 0.34), and pre- and postsurgical TRV was 2.90 +/- 0.97 and 2.53 +/- 0.86 dB, with a decrease of 0.37 dB (P = 0.0006). In the medical group, mean IOP decreased (-4.0 +/- 2.0 mm Hg; P < 0.0001) as did IOP fluctuation (-3.7 +/- 4.1 mm Hg; P = 0.0008), but eye drop use increased by 1.0 +/- 0.6 (P < 0.0001). TRV (2.58 +/- 0.53 vs. 2.72 +/- 0.67 dB; P = 0.37) and SF (2.3 +/- 0.8 vs. 2.3 +/- 0.8 dB; P = 0.89) remained stable during the study. There was no change in perimetric variability throughout the study in the control group. The individual reductions in TRV were higher in the surgical group than in the medical (P = 0.004) or control (P = 0.015) groups. No differences were found between the control and medical groups (P = 0.55). CONCLUSIONS After trabeculectomy, there was a small but statistically significant reduction in long-term perimetric variability compared with the medical and control groups. There were no significant changes in short-term variability in any of the groups during the study.
Eeyarestatin 1 Interferes with Both Retrograde and Anterograde Intracellular Trafficking Pathways

Background The small molecule Eeyarestatin I (ESI) inhibits the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-cytosol dislocation and subsequent degradation of ERAD (ER associated protein degradation) substrates. Toxins such as ricin and Shiga/Shiga-like toxins (SLTx) are endocytosed and trafficked to the ER. Their catalytic subunits are thought to utilise ERAD-like mechanisms to dislocate from the ER into the cytosol, where a proportion uncouples from the ERAD process, recovers a catalytic conformation and destroys their cellular targets. We therefore investigated ESI as a potential inhibitor of toxin dislocation. Methodology and Principal Findings Using cytotoxicity measurements, we found no role for ESI as an inhibitor of toxin dislocation from the ER, but instead found that for SLTx, ESI treatment of cells was protective by reducing the rate of toxin delivery to the ER. Microscopy of the trafficking of labelled SLTx and its B chain (lacking the toxic A chain) showed a delay in its accumulation at a peri-nuclear location, confirmed to be the Golgi by examination of SLTx B chain metabolically labelled in the trans-Golgi cisternae. The drug also reduced the rate of endosomal trafficking of diphtheria toxin, which enters the cytosol from acidified endosomes, and delayed the Golgi-specific glycan modifications and eventual plasma membrane appearance of tsO45 VSV-G protein, a classical marker for anterograde trafficking. Conclusions and Significance ESI acts on one or more components that function during vesicular transport, whilst at least one retrograde trafficking pathway, that of ricin, remains unperturbed.
The Effect of Bisphenol A on Puberty: A Critical Review of the Medical Literature

Many scientific studies have revealed a trend towards an earlier onset of puberty and have disclosed an increasing number of children that display precocious puberty. As an explanation, some authors have considered the global socio-economic improvement across different populations, and other authors have considered the action of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Among these, bisphenol A (BPA), an aromatic compound largely used worldwide as a precursor of some plastics and chemical additives, is well known for its molecular oestrogen-like and obesogenic actions. We reviewed the medical literature of the previous 20 years that examined associations between BPA exposure and the age of puberty in humans, considering only those referring to clinical or epidemiological data. Of 19 studies, only 7 showed a correlation between BPA and puberty. In particular, the possible disruptive role of BPA on puberty may be seen in those with central precocious puberty or isolated premature breast development aged 2 months to 4 years old, even if the mechanism is undefined. Some studies also found a close relationship between urinary BPA, body weight, and early puberty, which can be explained by the obesogenic effect of BPA itself. The currently available data do not allow establishment of a clear role for BPA in pubertal development because of the conflicting results among all clinical and epidemiological studies examined. Further research is needed to fully understand the potential role of exposure to EDCs and their adverse endocrine health outcomes.
Tumour metabolic activity measured by fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography for radiotherapy planning as a prognostic factor for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

OBJECTIVES To analyse whether the maximum standardized uptake value of the positron emission tomography/computed tomography for radiotherapy planning was useful as a prognostic factor for tumour response and survival of patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer. BACKGROUND Increased 18F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose uptake by lung cancer cells, measured as the maximum standardized uptake value, has been reported to predict the biologic aggressiveness of both early and advanced non-small cell lung cancer. METHODS A prospective study was performed in 61 consecutive patients with unresectable stage IA-IIIB of non-small cell lung cancer. The mean age was 65 years. Seventy five percent of patients in the entire group received an induction chemotherapy. The mean dose of radiotherapy was 61Gy. All patients underwent 18F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography for radiotherapy planning. RESULTS Thirty six percent of the patients experienced a complete response and 20 % had a partial tumour response. Forty four percent of the patients suffered from a progressive disease. The maximum standardized uptake value of the primary tumour more than 11.4 was correlated with a worse tumour response (p = 0.0001) and a shorter survival of our patients (p = 0.0109). CONCLUSION We found a correlation between the maximum standardized uptake value and the patient prognosis and lung cancer aggressiveness (Tab. 3, Fig. 5, Ref. 18).
Delayed Maturation of Fast-Spiking Interneurons Is Rectified by Activation of the TrkB Receptor in the Mouse Model of Fragile X Syndrome

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is a leading cause of inherited intellectual disability, and the most common known cause of autism spectrum disorder. FXS is broadly characterized by sensory hypersensitivity and several developmental alterations in synaptic and circuit function have been uncovered in the sensory cortex of the mouse model of FXS (Fmr1 KO). GABA-mediated neurotransmission and fast-spiking (FS) GABAergic interneurons are central to cortical circuit development in the neonate. Here we demonstrate that there is a delay in the maturation of the intrinsic properties of FS interneurons in the sensory cortex, and a deficit in the formation of excitatory synaptic inputs on to these neurons in neonatal Fmr1 KO mice. Both these delays in neuronal and synaptic maturation were rectified by chronic administration of a TrkB receptor agonist. These results demonstrate that the maturation of the GABAergic circuit in the sensory cortex is altered during a critical developmental period due in part to a perturbation in BDNF-TrkB signaling, and could contribute to the alterations in cortical development underlying the sensory pathophysiology of FXS. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Fragile X (FXS) individuals have a range of sensory related phenotypes, and there is growing evidence of alterations in neuronal circuits in the sensory cortex of the mouse model of FXS (Fmr1 KO). GABAergic interneurons are central to the correct formation of circuits during cortical critical periods. Here we demonstrate a delay in the maturation of the properties and synaptic connectivity of interneurons in Fmr1 KO mice during a critical period of cortical development. The delays both in cellular and synaptic maturation were rectified by administration of a TrkB receptor agonist, suggesting reduced BDNF-TrkB signaling as a contributing factor. These results provide evidence that the function of fast-spiking interneurons is disrupted due to a deficiency in neurotrophin signaling during early development in FXS.
Online Generative-Discriminative Model for Object Detection in Video: An Unsupervised Learning Framework

Traditional single-view object detection methods often perform worse under unconstrained video environments. To address this problem, many modern multi-view detection approaches model complex 3D appearance representations to predict the optimal viewing angle for detection. Most of these approaches require an intensive training process on large database, collected in advance. In this paper, the proposed framework takes a remarkably different direction to resolve multi-view detection problem in a bottom-up fashion. First, a scene-specific objector is obtained from a fully autonomous learning process triggered by marking several bounding boxes around the object in the first video frame via a mouse. Here the human labeled training data or a generic detector are not needed. Second, this learning process is conveniently replicated many times in different surveillance scenes and results in a particular detector under various camera viewpoints. Thus, the proposed framework can be employed in multi-view object detection applications from unsupervised learning process. Obviously, the initial scene-specific detector, initialed by several bounding boxes, exhibits poor detection performance and is difficult to improve with traditional online learning algorithm. Consequently, we propose Generative-Discriminative model to partition detection response space and assign each partition an individual descriptor that progressively achieves high classification accuracy. A novel online gradual learning algorithm is proposed to train the Generative-Discriminative model automatically and focus online learning on the hard samples: the most informative samples lying around the decision boundary. The output is a hybrid classifier based scene-specific detector which achieves decent performance under different viewing angles.
Specific Capture and Whole-Genome Sequencing of Viruses from Clinical Samples

Whole genome sequencing of viruses directly from clinical samples is integral for understanding the genetics of host-virus interactions. Here, we report the use of sample sparing target enrichment (by hybridisation) for viral nucleic acid separation and deep-sequencing of herpesvirus genomes directly from a range of clinical samples including saliva, blood, virus vesicles, cerebrospinal fluid, and tumour cell lines. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the method by deep-sequencing 13 highly cell-associated human herpesvirus genomes and generating full length genome alignments at high read depth. Moreover, we show the specificity of the method enables the study of viral population structures and their diversity within a range of clinical samples types.
Electromagnetic performance of a three-dimensional woven fabric antenna conformal with cylindrical surfaces

Textile structural antenna is one of the most important components for wearable electronics. To obtain structural integrity and stability, three-dimensional orthogonal weaving technology is adopted to weave three-dimensional fabric antennas (3DFAs). The electromagnetic performance of the 3DFAs with the radii of curvature of 75, 60, 45 and 25 mm are simulated with a High Frequency Structural Simulator and tested experimentally. The simulated and tested results agree reasonably well. The results show that the return losses are less than –10 dB, while the resonant frequencies and radiation patterns are significantly influenced by the curvature and the feeding direction. The 3DFAs with the curvature perpendicular to the feeding direction show more stable resonant frequencies and radiation patterns than those of the 3DFAs with the curvature parallel to their feeding direction.
Identification of a Novel Calotropis procera Protein That Can Suppress Tumor Growth in Breast Cancer through the Suppression of NF-κB Pathway

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. To date, improvements in hormonal and cytotoxic therapies have not yet led to a sustained remission or cure. In the present study, we investigated the in vitro and in vivo antitumor activities of a novel Calotropis procera protein (CP-P) isolated from root bark. CP-P protein inhibited the proliferation and induced apoptosis of breast cancer cells through the suppression of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kB) activation. CP-P, when administered individually or in combination with cyclophosphamide (CYC, 0.2 mg/kg) to rats with 7, 12-dimethyl benz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-induced breast cancer decreased tumor volume significantly without affecting the body weight. To elucidate the anticancer mechanism of CP-P, antioxidant activities such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione-s-transferase (GST) and non-enzymatic antioxidant - reduced glutathione (GSH), vitamin E and C generation in the breast were analyzed by various assays. SOD, CAT, GST, GSH, vitamin E and C levels were high in combination-treated groups (CP-P+CYC) versus the CYC alone-treated groups. Also, the combination was more effective in down-regulating the expression of NF-kB-regulated gene products (cyclin D1 and Bcl-2) in breast tumor tissues. Our findings indicate that CP-P possesses significant antitumor activity comparable to a commonly used anticancer drug, cyclophosphamide, and may form the basis of a novel therapy for breast cancer.
Coarse-to-fine texture analysis for inner cell mass identification in human blastocyst microscopic images

Accurate identification of different components of a developing human embryo play crucial roles in assessing the quality of such embryo. One of the most important components of a day-5 human embryo is Inner Cell Mass (ICM). ICM is a part of an embryo that will eventually develop into a fetus. In this paper, an automatic coarse-to-fine texture based approach presented to identify regions of an embryo corresponding to the ICM. First, blastocyst area corresponding to the textured regions is recognized using Gabor and DCT features. Next, two ICM localization approaches are introduced to identify a rough estimate of the ICM location. Finally, the boundaries of the ICM region is finalized using a region based level-set. Experimental results on a data set of 220 day-5 human embryo images confirm that the proposed method is capable of identifying ICM with average Precision, Recall, and Jaccard Index of 78.7%, 86.8%, and 70.3%, respectively.
Relative centrality and local community detection

Abstract In this paper, we develop a formal framework for what a good community should look like and how strong a community is (community strength). One of the key innovations is to incorporate the concept of relative centrality into structural analysis of networks. In our framework, relative centrality is a measure that measures how important a set of nodes in a network is with respect to another set of nodes, and it is a generalization of centrality. Building on top of relative centrality, the community strength for a set of nodes is measured by the difference between its relative centrality with respect to itself and its centrality. A community is then a set of nodes with a nonnegative community strength. We show that our community strength is related to conductance that is commonly used for measuring the strength of a small community. We define the modularity for a partition of a network as the average community strength for a randomly selected node. Such a definition generalizes the original Newman's modularity and recovers the stability in as special cases. For the local community detection problem, we also develop efficient agglomerative algorithms that guarantee the community strength of the detected local community.
Malwise&#x2014;An Effective and Efficient Classification System for Packed and Polymorphic Malware

Signature-based malware detection systems have been a much used response to the pervasive problem of malware. Identification of malware variants is essential to a detection system and is made possible by identifying invariant characteristics in related samples. To classify the packed and polymorphic malware, this paper proposes a novel system, named Malwise, for malware classification using a fast application-level emulator to reverse the code packing transformation, and two flowgraph matching algorithms to perform classification. An exact flowgraph matching algorithm is employed that uses string-based signatures, and is able to detect malware with near real-time performance. Additionally, a more effective approximate flowgraph matching algorithm is proposed that uses the decompilation technique of structuring to generate string-based signatures amenable to the string edit distance. We use real and synthetic malware to demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of Malwise. Using more than 15,000 real malware, collected from honeypots, the effectiveness is validated by showing that there is an 88 percent probability that new malware is detected as a variant of existing malware. The efficiency is demonstrated from a smaller sample set of malware where 86 percent of the samples can be classified in under 1.3 seconds.