Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A New Method for Computerized Solution of Power Flow Equations

We employ an adjoint network concept based on an augmented form of Tellegen's theorem to describe a novel method for solving the load flow problem. The method incorporates successive adjoint network simulations with a sparse, mostly constant matrix of coefficients, the majority of its elements representing basic data of the problem already stored in computer memory. Nevertheless, the exact version of the method enjoys the same rate of convergence as the Newton-Raphson method. Moreover, it automatically supplies the sensitivities of all system states with respect to adjustable variables at the load flow solution without any additional adjoint simulation. An approximate version of the method is also presented. It partly employs very fast repeat forward and backward substitutions with constant LU factors of a reduced matrix of coefficients and is applicable to both the rectangular and the polar formulations of the power flow equations. Numerical examples are presented for illustration and comparison.
Pour une « histoire ambitieuse »

Résumé Cet article répond aux multiples critiques formulées contre la thèse de David Armitage et Jo Guldi selon laquelle la longue durée est de retour après une période de retrait et qu’elle fait bien de revenir, afin de faire revivre la discipline historique comme une science humaine critique. Ils soutiennent que la longue durée a des significations différentes selon les traditions historiques ; que son importance pour le public non universitaire ne sera pas la même que pour le lectorat universitaire ; que la longue durée doit être combinée avec d’autres échelles de temps historiques (y compris ceux couverts par le domaine de la microhistoire) ; que cette combinaison d’échelles peut nous aider à mieux comprendre le présent à la lumière du passé et à nous orienter dans le futur ; en somme, que le retour de la longue durée peut être un moyen, parmi d’autres, de faire face à la « crise des humanités » vécue par les chercheurs dans le monde entier.
Heavy grazing constraints on foraging behavior of Mongolian livestock

We investigated the effects of overgrazing on the foraging behavior of livestock on a Mongolian steppe, by quantifying some behaviors of cattle, sheep and goats foraging in a lightly and a heavily grazed area in summer and winter. All animal species showed higher walking velocity and tended to show higher step/bite ratio when they foraged in the heavily grazed area than in the lightly grazed area. The effect of overgrazing on the step/bite ratio was greater in sheep and goats than in cattle, and the effect on the walking velocity was stronger in winter than in summer. The results indicate that heavy grazing altered the foraging behavior of animals imposing higher foraging costs, which varied among the animal species and between the seasons. The declined quantity of preferred species in the heavily grazed area required high searching efforts and decreased the bite rate, for selecting acceptable plants and better feeding sites. The stronger effects on sheep and goats than on cattle and in winter than in summer may reflect different foraging behavior potentials among the animals and different food availabilities between the seasons. We suggest that the ongoing increase in the number of goats in Mongolia is problematic not only from the viewpoint of grassland deterioration but also from feeding cost of whole livestock animals.
Comparison of electrical impedance tomography reconstruction techniques applied to IMPETOM system

Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) reconstruction can estimate thorax fluid content. Its use in critically ill patients is promising and may prove clinically useful. Boundary voltages (16-electrode frames) were obtained with our 50 kHz-5 mA IMPETOM system. Comparison of the 492-element Newton-Raphson algorithm with EIDORS open source tool (NOSER & GREIT algorithms), applied to a healthy volunteer, suggests that anatomically adjusted 3D models give better results. Nevertheless for phantom imaging an initial uniform image yields more accurate reconstructions. The results help in the selection and implementation of the reconstruction method for systems similar to IMPETOM.
Examination of the Psychometric Properties of the Personal Growth Initiative Scale–II in African American College Students

Personal growth initiative (PGI), an individual’s active and intentional desire to engage in the growth process, has been an important construct in studies of physical and mental health around the world. However, there is a dearth of research examining this construct in African American samples. In addition, PGI has recently undergone a revision of both its theory and measure; the resulting Personal Growth Initiative Scale–II (PGIS-II) has been validated for use only with European American and international college student samples. The current study examined the psychometric properties of the PGIS-II in a sample of African American college students. Confirmatory factor analyses yielded results consistent with previous studies, and the PGIS-II showed evidence of convergent and discriminant validity for three of its four factors. In addition, the PGIS-II was significantly related to aspects of Black racial identity, suggesting that it is a viable construct in this population.
A Comprehensive Compact Model for GaN HEMTs, Including Quasi-Steady-State and Transient Trap-Charge Effects

A comprehensive scalable trap-charge model for the dc and pulsed I-V modeling of GaN high electron-mobility transistor is presented. While interface traps are considered for dc I-V modeling, surface states and traps in the AlGaN barrier and GaN buffer are considered for the pulsed I-V model. A surface-potential-based model is presented for interface traps, which is then adapted to the current model for the dc modeling. For the pulsed I-V modeling, a semiempirical approach is proposed for gate lag as well as both gate-lag and drain-lag conditions. The model is able to capture the effects of gate (Vgq) and drain (Vdq) quiescent biases as well as the stress time (TOFF), and is validated with both numerical simulation and measurement data. Finally, for the accurate transient simulations in switching applications, the emission of electrons is also modeled in Verilog-A using an asymptotic solution of a differential equation, which can be a better alternative to that of the RC subcircuit approach.
Reverse Temporalis Muscle Flap for the Reconstruction of Orbital Exenteration Defects

Orbital exenteration is a surgical procedure that results in devastating functional and aesthetic losses. Many reconstructive techniques, ranging from spontaneous epithelialization to free flaps, have been described for orbital exenteration defects. The temporalis muscle flap is one of the most frequently used flaps to obliterate the orbital cavity, but only a small portion of the muscle can be used for this purpose because most of the muscle is used as the pedicle. The reverse temporalis muscle flap based on the superficial temporal vessels is a versatile flap by which the entire temporalis muscle can be elevated and carried to defects beyond the midline. The authors have used this flap for orbital reconstruction after exenteration in 6 patients with successful results. This flap enables placement of highly vascularized tissue that provides the reconstructive goals of primary healing, obliterates dead space with separation of the orbit from the nasal cavity or sinuses, provides the potential for early postoperative radiotherapy, and offers possible flaps that can be used in combination for complex, wide defects.
Enforcing fairness with explicit network feedback in the Internet

Fairness in the Internet is becoming a major obstacle for the introduction of commercial services. In this paper we address the problem of fairness with a slightly non-standard approach: we show that, in order to achieve fairness in the Internet, it is enough to provide good congestion control, without the need for explicit computation of fairness indexes. We first introduce a TCP-based congestion scheme that takes into account available bandwidth resources on links, describing how this scheme can be easily introduced as a TCP option in end-systems; it requires neither a centralized approach in routers, nor a per-flow management of traffic. Then several scenarios are analyzed via simulation, showing how and to what degree fairness is achieved. Results are compared with a traditional TCP-Reno implementation with RED routers. Finally, the coexistence of the new TCP version with traditional implementations is discussed.
[Surgery for the recurrent and persistent lymph node of nasopharyngeal carcinoma after radiotherapy].

OBJECTIVES To investigate the effect of four types of neck dissections for the recurrent and persistent lymph nodes of NPC after radiotherapy. METHODS The clinical data of 88 cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma with recurrent and persistent lymph nodes after radiotherapy were analyzed retrospectively, the 5-year survival rate, recurrent rate, distant metastatic rate and surgical complications were analyzed. The survival rate and recurrent rate of the radical neck dissection (RND), modified radical neck dissection (MRND), selective neck dissection (SND) and lymph node resection (LNR) were compared. The survival and recurrent rate between those with and without postoperative radiotherapy were investigated as well. RESULTS The 5-year survival rate and recurrent rate of whole group were 42.8% and 22.7%, respectively. As for the patients with disease staged II, III, IV, the 5-year survival rates were 56.7%, 36.1% and 32.4%, respectively. The 5-year survival rate of groups of RND, MRND, SND and LMR were 39.8%, 60.0%, 37.9% and 44.1%, respectively, the differences were insignificant (Log Rank = 1.0, P = 0.8011), the recurrent rate of the lymph node among the 4 groups were insignificant either (chi2 = 0.470, P = 0.493). The 5-year survival rates of those with and without postoperative radiotherapy were 39.1% and 45.3%, respectively, the differences were insignificant (Log Rank = 0.06, P = 0.8138), the recurrent rate of the two groups were insignificant (chi2 = 0.593, P = 0.441). CONCLUSIONS The four types of neck dissection were effective and safe to control the recurrent and persistent lymph nodes in the neck after radiotherapy, as long as choosing patients rationally and gave postoperative radiotherapy if necessary.
Secular trends for skinfolds differ from those for BMI and waist circumference among adults examined in NHANES from 1988-1994 through 2009-2010.

BACKGROUND Although the prevalence of a body mass index [BMI (in kg/m2)] ≥30 has tripled among US adults since the 1960s, BMI is only moderately correlated with body fatness. Because skinfolds can more accurately estimate body fatness than can BMI, it is possible that skinfolds could be useful in monitoring secular trends in body fatness. OBJECTIVE We examined whether there were similar secular trends for skinfolds (triceps and subscapular), BMI, and waist circumference between US adults. DESIGN This study was an analysis of 45,754 adults who participated in the NHANES from 1988-1994 through 2009-2010. Approximately 19% of the subjects were missing ≥1 skinfold-thickness measurement. These missing values were imputed from other characteristics. RESULTS Trends in mean levels and in the prevalence of high levels of the 4 body size measures were fairly similar between men, with mean levels increasing by ≥5% from 1988-1994 through 2009-2010. Slightly larger increases were seen in women for BMI and waist circumference (7-8%), but trends in skinfolds were markedly different. The mean triceps skinfold, for example, increased by 2 mm through 2003-2004, but subsequently decreased so that the mean in 2009-2010 did not differ from that in 1988-1994. Compared with obese women in 1988-1994, the mean BMI of obese women in 2009-2010 was 1 higher, but mean levels of both skinfolds were 5-10% lower. CONCLUSIONS Although there were fairly similar trends in levels of BMI, waist circumference, and skinfold thicknesses in men in the United States from 1988-1994 through 2009-2010, there were substantial differences in women. Our results indicate that it is unlikely that skinfold thicknesses could be used to monitor trends in obesity.
Measurement of Cerebral Blood Flow in Newborn Infants Using Near Infrared Spectroscopy with Indocyanine Green

Cerebral blood flow (CBF) measurement by near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) using oxyhemoglobin (Hbo2) as a tracer (CBF-Hbo2) needs rapid changes in arterial oxygen saturation (Sao2) which often cannot be achieved in many sick infants. An alternative method based on the same adaptation of the Fick principle using i.v. injection of the dye indocyanine green (ICG) is described (CBF-ICG). Six mechanically ventilated infants (age 26-38 wk, birth weight 0.885-3.730 kg) requiring supplementary oxygen therapy were studied within 72 h of birth. For CBF-ICG measurements, ICG (0.1 mg·kg-1 was injected via an umbilical venous catheter, and blood ICG concentration was measured by an optical umbilical artery catheter and brain ICG concentration was measured by NIRS. For CBF-HbO2 measurements the inspired oxygen concentration was rapidly increased, blood Hbo2 concentration was calculated from Sao2 measured by pulse oximetry, and brain Hbo2 concentration was measured by NIRS. A series of CBF measurements were performed using each method before and after altering the arterial carbon dioxide tension (Paco2). Mean CBF values from repeated measurements by each method at any given Paco2 were used to compare the methods. The SD of single measurements within an individual subject by CBF-ICG was 15%, and by CBF-HbO2, 24%. The relationship between the methods was mean CBF-ICG = (1.13. mean CBF-HbO2) - 2.76 mL·100 g-1·min-1 Hbo2 (r = 0.93, p< 0.001). The mean difference between the methods (CBF-ICG - CBF-Hbo2) was -0.25 mL·100 g-1·min-1 (95% confidence interval 6.30 to -6.80). The methods were in good agreement, and the use of i.v. ICG permitted rapid and repeated CBF measurements in the sickest infants at greatest risk of cerebral injury.
Polymerase chain reaction: detection of varicella-zoster virus

It was very informative to read the publication of Kido et al. about the detection of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) DNA in clinical samples from patients with VZV infection by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (2). We have also been working on using PCR for detection of cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus, and VZV in the aqueous humor of human immunodeficiency virus type 1-positive patients (1). Therefore, we examined the primer sequences mentioned in the above publication and compared their primer and PCR protocol with our VZV primer and protocol. We were pleased to see that the sensitivity and specificity of our primer were the same as those described by Kido et al., with the exception of IE1 and IE2 (gene 62). However, it seems that this primer does not work very well with the PCR protocol of Kido et al. We present our modified protocol, which in our experience had a much better sensitivity. We tested each modification of this new PCR protocol with highly purified VZV DNA, with supernatant of tissue culture of VZV-infected fibroblasts, and with VZV-positive aqueous humor of a patient with VZV retinitis. The DNA samples were first heated at 95°C for 10 min. DNA was amplified in a total volume of 50 ,ul of reaction mixture consisting of 50 mM KCI, 10 mM Tris hydrochloride (pH 8.3), 1.5 mM MgCl2, 0.01% gelatin, 200 ,uM (each) deoxynucleoside triphosphates (dNTPs), and 1.5 U of Taq polymerase (Perkin-Elmer Cetus). Denaturation was performed at 94°C for 30 s. Annealing was performed at 58°C for 30 s, and extension was performed at 72°C for 90 s. The amplification was carried out in 35 cycles in a DNA thermal cycler (Perkin-Elmer Cetus). It is important to note that with this protocol the user saves expensive dNTPs and Taq polymerase because it can be done with half the volume of reaction mixture. Moreover, PCR amplification can be done much faster with our protocol, and the detection of the amplified product can be started on the same day. We consider this to be important as a rapid viral diagnostic tool.
Noise in quantum and classical computation & non-locality

htmlabstractQuantum computers seem to have capabilities which go beyond those of classical computers. A particular example which is important for cryptography is that quantum computers are able to factor numbers much faster than what seems possible on classical machines. In order to actually build quantum computers it is necessary to build sufficiently accurate hardware, which is a big challenge. In part 1 of this thesis we prove lower bounds on the accuracy of the hardware needed to do quantum computation. We also present a similar result for classical computers. One resource that quantum computers have but classical computers do not have is entanglement. In Part 2 of this thesis we study certain general aspects of entanglement in terms of quantum XOR games and non-locality.
Fast and scalable parallel matrix computations with reconfigurable pipelined optical buses

We present fast and highly scalable parallel computations for a number of important and fundamental matrix problems on linear arrays with reconfigurable pipelined optical bus systems. These problems include computing the powers, the inverse, the characteristic polynomial, the determinant, the rank and an LU- and a QR-factorization of a matrix; multiplying a chain of matrices; and solving linear systems of equations. These computations are based on efficient implementation of the fastest sequential matrix multiplication algorithm, and are highly scalable over a wide range of system size. Such fast and scalable parallel matrix computations were not seen before on distributed memory parallel computing systems.
The Chi-Square Approximation of the Restricted Likelihood Ratio Test for the Sum of Autoregressive Coefficients with Interval Estimation

The restricted likelihood (RL) of an autoregressive (AR) process of order one with intercept/trend possesses enormous advantages, such as yielding estimates with significantly reduced bias, powerful unit root tests, small curvature and a well-behaved likelihood ratio test (RLRT ) near the unit root. We consider the likelihood ratio test based on the Restricted Likelihood (RLRT ) for the sum of the coefficients in AR(p) processes with intercept/trend. The limit of the leading error term in the chi-square approximation to the RLRT distribution is shown to be finite as the unit root is approached, suggesting a good approximation over the entire parameter space and well-behaved interval inference for nearly integrated processes. Our result is stronger than the pointwise first order result currently available for competing confidence interval procedures in the intercept/trend model. We extend the correspondence between the AR coefficients and the partial autocorrelations from the stationary to the unit root case. The resulting parameter space is the bounded p-dimensional hypercube (−1, 1] × (−1, 1)p−1, which greatly simplifies both computation and optimisation of the Restricted Likelihood (RL) as well as the computation of confidence intervals for the sum of the AR coefficients. In simulations, we show that the RLRT intervals have almost exact coverage and also shorter lengths and significantly higher power against stationary alternatives than other competing intervals. An application to the Nelson-Plosser data yields intervals that can be markedly different from those in the literature.
Imipenem therapy of experimental Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus faecalis endocarditis.

Imipenem was very active in vitro against 36 Staphylococcus aureus isolates from cases of infective endocarditis; the MBC90 was 0.06 mg/l (four- to eight-fold more active than nafcillin). The in-vitro activity of imipenem against 22 Streptococcus faecalis isolates from proven endocarditis cases was similar to that of penicillin G (MBC90 = 8 mg/l). Imipenem was compared with nafcillin and with penicillin plus gentamicin in the therapy of experimental endocarditis induced in rabbits by Staph. aureus and Str. faecalis, respectively. The dosages were chosen to simulate closely serum antibiotic concentrations found in humans receiving standard parenteral regimens. Imipenem was more rapidly bactericidal than nafcillin in experimental staphylococcal endocarditis. The mean +/- S.D. Staph. aureus concentrations within aortic valve vegetations (log10 cfu/g) after 5 days of therapy were as follows: imipenem = 1.39 +/- 0.61 versus nafcillin 2.39 +/- 0.36 (P less than 0.02). Both the imipenem and nafcillin regimens resulted in 'sterile' vegetations in congruent to 50% of rabbits with experimental staphylococcal endocarditis after 5 days of therapy (P greater than 0.05). Imipenem was also equivalent to penicillin plus gentamicin in the therapy of experimental enterococcal endocarditis for 5 days, as assessed by the mean cfu/g vegetation and the percentage of vegetations rendered sterile. However, 7 days of therapy cured experimental enterococcal endocarditis in 72% of rabbits receiving penicillin plus gentamicin versus 20% for imipenem alone (P less than 0.05). Imipenem deserves further evaluation in the therapy of infective endocarditis, both in experimental animal models of infection and in humans. This agent may prove useful in the therapy of staphylococcal endocarditis in a variety of difficult clinical situations. Therapy of enterococcal endocarditis with imipenem alone is not advisable, pending further data.
Neurotrophic Factor Neurotrophin-4 Regulates Ameloblastin Expression via Full-length TrkB*

Neurotrophic factors play an important role in the development and maintenance of not only neural but also nonneural tissues. Several neurotrophic factors are expressed in dental tissues, but their role in tooth development is not clear. Here, we report that neurotrophic factor neurotrophin (NT)-4 promotes differentiation of dental epithelial cells and enhances the expression of enamel matrix genes. Dental epithelial cells from 3-day-old mice expressed NT-4 and three variants of TrkB receptors for neurotrophins (full-length TrkB-FL and truncated TrkB-T1 and -T2). Dental epithelial cell line HAT-7 expressed these genes, similar to those in dental epithelial cells. We found that NT-4 reduced HAT-7 cell proliferation and induced the expression of enamel matrix genes, such as ameloblastin (Ambn). Transfection of HAT-7 cells with the TrkB-FL expression construct enhanced the NT-4-mediated induction of Ambn expression. This enhancement was blocked by K252a, an inhibitor for Trk tyrosine kinases. Phosphorylation of ERK1/2, a downstream molecule of TrkB, was induced in HAT-7 cells upon NT-4 treatment. TrkB-FL but not TrkB-T1 transfection increased the phosphorylation level of ERK1/2 in NT-4-treated HAT-7 cells. These results suggest that NT-4 induced Ambn expression via the TrkB-MAPK pathway. The p75 inhibitor TAT-pep5 decreased NT-4-mediated induction of the expression of Ambn, TrkB-FL, and TrkB-T1, suggesting that both high affinity and low affinity neurotrophin receptors were required for NT-4 activity. We found that NT-4-null mice developed a thin enamel layer and had a decrease in Ambn expression. Our results suggest that NT-4 regulates proliferation and differentiation of the dental epithelium and promotes production of the enamel matrix.