Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Detection and Classification of Power Quality Disturbances Using Double Resolution S-Transform and DAG-SVMs

The accurate detection and classification of power quality (PQ) disturbances in power systems is a key step to determine the causes of these events before any proper countermeasure could be taken. This paper presents a new algorithm for detection and classification of PQ disturbances based on the combination of double-resolution S-transform (DRST) and directed acyclic graph support vector machines (DAG-SVMs). The proposed method first employs DRST for an effective feature extraction from power signals. Then, the DAG-SVMs are used to predict the classes of PQ disturbances. The DRST not only has better time-frequency localization and stronger robustness but also reduces the computational complexity without losing the useful information of the original signal in comparison with the traditional S-transform. Through the combined use of DRST and DAG-SVMs, the algorithm can be easily implemented in embedded real-time applications. Finally, the implementation of the proposed algorithm in a digital signal processor + advanced reduced instruction set computing machine-based hardware test platform is introduced. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated by means of computer simulations and practical experiments with single and combined PQ disturbances.
A Deterministic Approach to RF Noise in Silicon Devices Based on the Langevin–Boltzmann Equation

In this paper, a new deterministic approach to electron noise based on a spherical harmonics expansion (SHE) of the Langevin-Boltzmann equation in the frequency domain is presented for silicon devices. Compared to the standard Monte Carlo (MC) approach, the SHE method has many advantages. It can handle the full frequency range from zero to terahertz, low current levels, and slow processes, and it gives more insight into the physics of noise. This is demonstrated for RF noise in a nanoscale silicon N+NN+ structure and an n-p-n bipolar junction transistor, for which not only the terminal-current fluctuations are investigated but also the spatial origin of the noise, which is not possible by MC simulation. With respect to numerics, the new approach is similar to classical device simulation (e.g., drift-diffusion model), and the same well-known methods can be used (e.g., adjoint method, ac analysis, harmonic-balance technique, linear solvers, maximum entropy dissipation stabilization, box integration, etc.)
Macromolecular recognition through electrostatic repulsion.

In the process of genetic translation, each aminoacyl‐tRNA synthetase specifically aminoacylates its cognate tRNAs and rejects the 19 other species of tRNAs. A decrease in the specificity of this reaction can result in misincorporations of amino acids into proteins and be deleterious to the cell. In the case of tyrosyl‐tRNA synthetase from Bacillus stearothermophilus, the change of residue Glu152 into Ala results in erroneous interactions with non‐cognate tRNAs. To analyse how Glu152 contributes to the discrimination between tRNAs by tyrosyl‐tRNA synthetase, 11 changes to this residue were created by mutagenesis. The misaminoacylations of tRNA(Phe) and tRNA(Val) with tyrosine in vitro (on a scale going from 1 to 30) and the toxicity of tyrosyl‐tRNA synthetase in vivo (on a scale from 1 to 10(7)) increased in a correlated way when the nature of the side chain in position 152 varied from negatively charged to uncharged then to positively charged. The aminoacylation of tRNA(Tyr) was unaffected by the mutations. The results show that the role of Glu152 in the discrimination between tRNAs is purely negative, that it acts by electrostatic repulsion of non‐cognate tRNAs and that this mechanism has been conserved throughout evolution.
Detection of Fraudulent Sellers in Online Marketplaces using Support Vector Machine Approach

The e-commerce share in the global retail spend is showing a steady increase over the years indicating an evident shift of consumer attention from bricks and mortar to clicks in retail sector. In recent years, online marketplaces have become one of the key contributors to this growth. As the business model matures, the number and types of frauds getting reported in the area is also growing on a daily basis. Fraudulent e-commerce buyers and their transactions are being studied in detail and multiple strategies to control and prevent them are discussed. Another area of fraud happening in marketplaces are on the seller side and is called merchant fraud. Goods/services offered and sold at cheap rates, but never shipped is a simple example of this type of fraud. This paper attempts to suggest a framework to detect such fraudulent sellers with the help of machine learning techniques. The model leverages the historic data from the marketplace and detect any possible fraudulent behaviours from sellers and alert to the marketplace.
Evolution of viral RNA in a Chinese patient to interferon / ribavirin therapy for hepatitis C

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a single stranded RNA virus of positive polarity belonging to the Flaviviridae family. The about 9.6 kb single-stranded viral RNA genome expresses a single polyprotein consisting of about 3,000 amino acids, which undergoes proteolytic cleavage with the help of host and virally-encoded proteases. This results in production of up to 10 different viral proteins, both structural and nonstructural (NS) proteins. HCV infection affects 170 million people worldwide (1). It is estimated that 20% of HCV-infected patients will develop cirrhosis, with the associated risks of developing liver failure and/or liver cancer (2,3). The primary aim of anti-HCV therapy is permanent eradication of the virus or a sustained viral response, finally to prevent development of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Currently, Original Article
Current limitations of volumetric capnography in surfactant-depleted small lungs

Objective To investigate the suitability of volumetric capnography for assessing alveolar gas exchange in very small, surfactant-depleted lungs. Design Prospective animal trial. Settings Animal laboratory in a university setting. Subjects Twenty-one ventilated newborn piglets (age <12 hrs; median weight, 890 g; range, 560–1435 g). Interventions Bronchoalveolar lavage with instillation of 30 mL/kg normal saline. Ventilatory, circulatory, and lung mechanic variables were measured before and 0, 30, and 60 mins after bronchoalveolar lavage. Measurements and Main Results The alveolar deadspace fraction calculated by the Bohr and the Bohr/Enghoff equations increased three-fold (p < .001) after bronchoalveolar lavage in capnograms with distinct alveolar plateau, whereas in capnograms without alveolar plateau no statistical significant difference was seen. The main problem of capnography in small and especially stiff lungs was the high number of discarded records exclusively caused by a missing alveolar plateau. Rates of discarded records of capnography were 9.5% before lavage and increased (p < .01) to 52.4%, 47.6%, and 42.8% after bronchoalveolar lavage (0, 30, and 60 mins). With decreasing exhalation time, the number of discarded records increased significantly. No plateau was seen in >75% of recorded files with exhalation times <200 msecs. The effect of bronchoalveolar lavage on all variables measured was quite different, with the highest impact on required ventilatory settings, calculated oxygenation variables, and compliance. The effect of bronchoalveolar lavage on arterio-alveolar CO2 difference, CO2 production, and alveolar deadspace was much lower and statistically significant only in capnograms with alveolar plateau. Conclusions Volumetric capnography is a useful tool to detect impaired alveolar gas exchange in surfactant-depleted small lungs. However, the method failed if there was no alveolar plateau in the volumetric capnogram especially in stiff lungs with short exhalation times.
Postzygotic Isolation Over Multiple Generations of Hybrid Descendents in a Natural Hybrid Zone: How Well Do Single-Generation Estimates Reflect Reproductive Isolation?

Understanding speciation depends on an accurate assessment of the reproductive barriers separating newly diverged populations. In several taxonomic groups, prezygotic barriers, especially preferences for conspecific mates, are thought to play the dominant role in speciation. However, the importance of postzygotic barriers (i.e., low fitness of hybrid offspring) may be widely underestimated. In this study, we examined how well the widely used proxy of postzygotic isolation (reproductive output of F1 hybrids) reflects the long-term fitness consequences of hybridization between two closely related species of birds. Using 40 species-specific single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers, we genotyped a mixed population of collared and pied flycatchers (Ficedula albicollis and F. hypoleuca) to identify grand- and great grand-offspring from interspecific crosses to derive an accurate, multigeneration estimate of postzygotic isolation. Two independent estimates of fitness show that hybridization results in 2.4% and 2.7% of the number of descendents typical of conspecific pairing. This postzygotic isolation was considerably stronger than estimates based on F1 hybrids. Our results demonstrate that, in nature, combined selection against hybrids and backcrossed individuals may result in almost complete postzygotic isolation between two comparatively young species. If these findings are general, postzygotic barriers separating hybridizing populations may be much stronger than previously thought.
Toxicity assessment of mono‐substituted benzenes and phenols using a Pseudomonas initial oxygen uptake assay

A methodology is presented for assessing the toxicity of chemical substances through their inhibitory action toward the Pseudomonas initial oxygen uptake (PIOU) rate. The current studies reveal that the PIOU assay is rapid, cost‐efficient, and easy to perform. The oxygen uptake rate was found to be associated with a putative benzoate transporter and highly dependent on benzoate concentration. The putative benzoate transporter has been shown to follow Michaelis–Menten kinetics. Most phenols were found to be noncompetitive inhibitors of the benzoate transporter. The inhibition constant (Ki) of these noncompetitive inhibitors can be related to the concentration causing 50% oxygen uptake inhibition in Pseudomonas putida. Modeling these data by using the response–surface approach leads to the development of a quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) for the toxicity of phenols ((1/Ki) = –0.435 (±0.038) lowest‐unoccupied‐molecular orbital + 0.517 (±0.027)log KOW −2.340 (±0.068), n = 49, r2 = 0.930, s = 0.107, r2adj = 0.926, F = 303.1). A comparison of QSAR models derived from the Ki data of the PIOU method and the toxicity data of 40‐h Tetrahymena pyrifomis growth inhibition assay (Tetratox) indicated that there was a high correlation between the two approaches (r2 = 0.925).
Coupling between fast and slow inactivation revealed by analysis of a point mutation (F1304Q) in mu 1 rat skeletal muscle sodium channels.

1. We sought to elucidate the mechanism of the defective inactivation that characterizes sodium channels containing mutations in the cytoplasmic loop between the third and fourth domains (the III‐IV linker). Specifically, we measured whole‐cell and single‐channel currents through wild‐type and F1304Q mutant mu 1 rat skeletal muscle Na+ channels expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. 2. In wild‐type channels, inactivation is complete and the faster of two decay components predominates. In F1304Q, inactivation is incomplete; the slow decay component is larger in amplitude and slower than in wild‐type. The fraction of non‐inactivating current is substantial (37 +/‐ 2% of peak current at ‐20 mV) in F1304Q. 3. Cell‐attached patch recordings confirmed the profound kinetic differences and indicated that permeation was not altered by the F1304Q mutation. The F1304Q phenotype must be conferred entirely by changes in gating properties and is not remedied by coexpression with the beta 1‐subunit. 4. Recovery from inactivation of F1304Q channels is faster than for wild‐type channels and three exponentials are required to describe recovery adequately following long (5 s) depolarizations. Thus, there are three inactivated states even in ‘inactivation‐deficient’ F1304Q channels. 5. The steady‐state voltage dependence of F1304Q inactivation is right‐shifted by 26 +/‐ 2 mV. 6. A gating model incorporating three inactivated states, all directly accessible from multiple closed states or the open state, was constrained to fit wild‐type and F1304Q inactivation (h infinitive) data and repriming data simultaneously. While it was necessary to alter the rate constants entering and exiting all three inactivated states, the model accounted for the F1304Q‐induced rightward shift in steady‐state inactivation without imposing voltage dependence on the inactivation rate constants. 7. We conclude that the F1304Q mutation in mu 1 sodium channels modifies several inactivation processes simultaneously. The fact that a single amino acid substitution profoundly alters both fast and slow inactivation indicates that these processes share physical determinants in Na+ channels.
"Roll Up Your Sleeves and Get At It!" Climate Change Education in Teacher Education

We present findings from research on a nine-week elective course, Climate Change Pedagogy, taught for the first time in the Bachelor of Education program at Lakehead University in Winter 2014. After reviewing literature on what is needed for effective teaching about climate change and some of the neoliberal barriers to this teaching, we draw on interview and questionnaire data to describe successful aspects of the course and barriers to teaching about climate change. Participants said openness and a welcoming environment were important and they appreciated the relevance of course content and pedagogy to their future teaching in various grades and subjects. Barriers to teaching about climate change include teacher candidates’ lack of knowledge and concerns about the “political” nature of climate change education. Many participants said that the course should be longer and mandatory for all teacher candidates.
Prognostic Value of the 7th AJCC/UICC TNM Classification of Noncardia Gastric Cancer: Analysis of a Large Series From Specialized Western Centers

Objective:To conduct a retrospective evaluation of the 7th-TNM classification of gastric cancer (GC) on a prospectively collected database. Background:The recent TNM introduced relevant changes to GC classification. Methods:Data regarding 2090 consecutive patients with noncardia GC operated upon between 1991 and 2005 at 5 specialized centers were considered. The application of the new TNM was simulated, and its prognostic value was estimated. Results:Relevant changes in stage distribution between 6th and 7th TNM were observed, mainly regarding the shift of a large proportion of cases from stages IB to IIA and from IIIA and IV to stages IIIB and IIIC. Cancer-related 10-year survival probability was 53% ± 1%. Different survival rates between new T (T2 vs. T3, P < 0.001) and N categories (N1 vs. N2, P < 0.001) were observed. Survival rate of N3a subgroup (7–15 involved lymph nodes) was significantly better than N3b (>15 involved lymph nodes; P < 0.001). Stages IB and IIA of the 7th TNM showed similar prognosis, whereas significant differences were observed among all other subgroups. The analysis of TNM categories within 7th TNM stages revealed nonhomogeneous survival rates in stages IIB, IIIB, and IV. Conclusions:The 7th AJCC/UICC TNM classification of noncardia GC identifies subgroups of patients with different prognosis. Stage distribution and stage-related survival changed notably from the 6th edition. Some improvements may be suggested from our data, with special reference to a higher prognostic weight of N status and the separation of N3a and N3b categories for stage grouping.
Improving accented Mandarin speech recognition by using recurrent neural network based language model adaptation

In this paper, we propose adapt the recurrent neural network (RNN) based language model to improve the performance of multi-accent Mandarin speech recognition. N-gram based language model has already been applied to speech recognition system, but it is hard to describe the long span information in a sentence and arises a serious phenomenon of data sparse. Instead, RNN based language model can overcome these two shortcomings, but it will take a long time to decode directly. Taking these into consideration, this paper combines these two types of language model (LM) together and adapts the RNN based language model to rescore lattices for different accented Mandarin speech. The architecture of the adapted RNN LM is accent-specific top layers and shared hidden layer. The accent-specific top layers are used to adapt different accents and the shared hidden layer stores history information, which can be seen as memory layer. Experiments on the RASC863 corpus show that the proposed method can improve the performance of accented Mandarin speech recognition over the baseline system.
Reduced gap junctional communication among astrocytes in experimental diabetes: Contributions of altered connexin protein levels and oxidative–nitrosative modifications

Experimental diabetes increases production of reactive oxygen–nitrogen species and inhibits astrocytic gap junctional communication in tissue culture and brain slices from streptozotocin (STZ)‐diabetic rats by unidentified mechanisms. Relative connexin (Cx) protein levels were assessed by Western blotting using extracts from cultured astrocytes grown in high (25 mmol/liter) or low (5.5 mmol/liter) glucose for 2–3 weeks and STZ‐diabetic rat brain. Chemiluminescent signals for diabetic samples were normalized to those of controls on the same blot and same protein load. Growth in high glucose did not alter relative Cx26 level, whereas Cx30 and glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) were reduced by ∼30%, and Cx43 increased ∼1.9‐fold. In the inferior colliculus of STZ‐diabetic rats, Cx30 and Cx43 levels in three of four rats were half those of controls, whereas GAPDH and actin were unaffected. Diabetes did not affect levels of Cx30, Cx43, or GAPDH in cerebral cortex, but actin level rose 24%. Cx43 was predominantly phosphorylated in control and diabetic samples, so the reduced dye transfer is not due to overall dephosphorylation of Cx43. Astrocytic growth in high glucose reduced the dye‐labeled area by 75%, but 10 min of treatment with dithiothreitol restored normal dye transfer. In contrast, nitric oxide donors inhibited dye transfer among astrocytes grown in low glucose by 50–65% within 1 hr. Thus, modifications arising from oxidative–nitrosative stress, not altered connexin levels, may underlie the reduced dye transfer among severely hyperglycemic cultured astrocytes, whereas both oxidative–nitrosative stress and regionally selective down‐regulation of connexin protein content may affect gap junctional communication in the brains of STZ‐diabetic rats. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The BeSMART (Best Supportive Management for Adults Referred with Tonsillopharyngitis) multicentre observational study

INTRODUCTION Tonsillopharyngitis is the most common ear, nose and throat emergency admission, with 80,000 episodes recorded in England in 2015‐2016. Despite this, there is a paucity of evidence addressing the supportive management of tonsillopharyngitis in inpatients. The aim of this retrospective multicentre observational study was to consider the Best Supportive Management for Adults Referred with Tonsillopharyngitis (BeSMART) in the inpatient setting, and to establish any associations between practice and outcomes. METHODS Seven hospitals in North West England and North East Scotland participated in the study. Overall, 236 adult patients admitted with tonsillopharyngitis were included. The main outcome measures were interval to return to soft diet, length of stay (LOS), pain scores and readmissions. RESULTS Women were more likely to seek professional help before presenting to secondary care (p=0.04). Patients admitted at the weekend were more likely to have a shorter LOS (p=0.03). There was no relationship between day of admission and seniority or specialty of the doctor initially seen. Prescription of corticosteroid, analgesia and a higher initial intravenous fluid infusion rate were not related to a shorter LOS. CONCLUSIONS This study is the first to yield valuable insights into the inpatient management of tonsillopharyngitis. This work represents part of an ongoing project to establish the evidence for common medical interventions for sore throat. Patient and professional surveys as well as a prospective interventional study are planned for the future.
Enhanced energy consumption reduction schemes in Radio-On-Demand WLANs

Current IEEE 802.11 wireless LAN (WLAN) rate adaptation schemes are intended to improve the communication efficiency by minimizing frame error rates, etc., and do not consider any energy efficiency of the WLAN at the same time. New WLAN developments, such as Radio-On-Demand (ROD), aim to reduce the energy consumption of WLAN access points (APs) during inactive periods, e.g., switching on/off the WLAN communication module. In order to further reduce the WLAN energy consumption, the design of adaptive controlling schemes is necessary which reduce the energy consumption while the AP is transmitting. In this paper, an enhanced energy consumption reduction scheme for ROD WLANs is proposed. The energy consumption of IEEE 802.11n WLAN module is analyzed for each modulation coding scheme (MCS). In addition, it is shown that the IEEE802.11n energy consumption can be approximated by our proposed analytical model. As a result, it was found that the number of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) radio frequency (RF) chains significantly affects the amount of energy consumption in WLAN APs. We then implement a simple RF chain control to our ROD WLAN AP prototype and show that the proposed scheme reduces the energy consumption of highspeed wireless LANs by 43% in the case of lower signal-to-noise ratio.