Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Equivalent surface conductivity of ice accumulated on insulators during development of AC and DC flashovers arcs

Surface conductivity of ice was investigated during the development of AC and DC arcs on ice-covered insulators. To determine this parameter, an approach based on fluid mechanics combined with experimental measurements of the water film flow rate and conductivity was used. In particular, the variation of the thickness and volume conductivity of the water film as well as the mechanisms of discharge initiation and arc development on the surface of an ice-covered post insulator were studied. The effect of ice surface conductivity on arc propagation velocity was evaluated for different freezing water conductivities using highspeed video camera techniques. Empirical models were proposed to account for equivalent surface conductivity dynamics during the flashover process. The derived equivalent surface conductivity was used to improve existing dynamic models to predict the minimum flashover voltage of the ice-covered insulator. The computed results from the models were in good agreement with those obtained experimentally.
New primitives for interlaced memory policies in Markov regenerative Stochastic Petri Nets

The non-Markovian Stochastic Petri Net (SPN) models appeared so far in the literature, are based on the assumption that the underlying marking process can be specified by assigning an individual memory policy to each timed transition. The present paper proposes to introduce interlaced, or state dependent, memory policies, where the memory of a transition can be modified by the occurrence of some condition on the net. Adhering to the spirit of the graphical language of the PN, we introduce new primitives in the form of suitable arcs connecting places to transitions, and whose effect is to modify the memory policy of the transition. Through a number of simple examples, we show how the new primitives increase the modeling power of non-Markovian SPN by allowing firing mechanisms which were not possible in the traditional models. Numerical results on the steady state behavior of a dependable processor system with two kinds of interruptions are also presented.
Independent Component Analysis and Multiresolution Asymmetry Ratio for Brain–Computer Interface

This study proposes a brain–computer interface (BCI) system for the recognition of single-trial electroencephalogram (EEG) data. With the combination of independent component analysis (ICA) and multiresolution asymmetry ratio, a support vector machine (SVM) is used to classify left and right finger lifting or motor imagery. First, ICA and similarity measures are proposed to eliminate the electrooculography (EOG) artifacts automatically. The features are then extracted from the wavelet data by means of an asymmetry ratio. Finally, the SVM classifier is used to discriminate between the features. Compared to the EEG data without EOG artifact removal, band power, and adoptive autoregressive (AAR) parameter features, the proposed system achieves promising results in BCI applications.
Preventing cardiovascular disease and diabetes: a call to action from the American Diabetes Association and the American Heart Association.

Excess body weight has become a major public health problem in the U.S., with nearly two-thirds of adults either overweight or obese.1 The steady gain in the prevalence of obesity over the last 25 years has affected our entire population—no racial or ethnic group, no region of the country, and no socioeconomic group has been spared.2 Perhaps most worrisome is the observation that the rise in the rate of obesity has been greatest in children and minorities, which suggests that future generations of Americans, and our fastest growing populations, may bear the ultimate burden of this condition.3 Overweight or obesity results in a wide range of elevated risk factors and many fatal and nonfatal conditions.4 Paradoxically, although we have witnessed decades in which heart disease and stroke have steadily declined and cancer mortality has at worse remained stable,5 the prevalence of diabetes has soared.6 The increase in diabetes can largely be attributed to weight gain,7,8 and it threatens the enormous advances in disease prevention we have seen.3,9,10 Among individuals with diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality9,11; adults with diabetes have a two- to fourfold higher risk of CVD compared with those without diabetes.12,13 Diabetes is also accompanied by a significantly increased prevalence of hypertension and dyslipidemia.14 It is reasonable to postulate that in many individuals, excess weight gives rise to diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia, thereby leading to frank CVD.15–17 This seemingly simple algorithm is undoubtedly more complex because (1) many studies …
C‐terminal interactions between the XerC and XerD site‐specific recombinases

Studies of the site‐specific recombinase Cre suggest a key role for interactions between the C‐terminus of the protein and a region located about 30 residues from the C‐terminus in linking in a cyclical manner the four recombinase monomers present in a recombination complex, and in controlling the catalytic activity of each monomer. By extrapolating the Cre DNA recombinase structure to the related site‐specific recombinases XerC and XerD, it is predicted that the extreme C‐termini of XerC and XerD interact with α‐helix M in XerD and the equivalent region of XerC respectively. Consequently, XerC and XerD recombinases deleted for C‐terminal residues, and mutated XerD proteins containing single amino acid substitutions in αM or in the C‐terminal residues were analysed. Deletion of C‐terminal residues of XerD has no measurable effect on co‐operative interactions with XerC in DNA‐binding assays to the recombination site dif, whereas deletion of 5 or 10 residues of XerC reduces co‐operativity with XerD some 20‐fold. Co‐operative interactions between pairs of truncated proteins during dif DNA binding are reduced 20‐ to 30‐fold. All of the XerD mutants, except one, were catalytically proficient in vitro; nevertheless, many failed to mediate a recombination reaction on supercoiled plasmid in vivo or in vitro, implying that the ability to form a productive recombination complex and/or mediate a controlled recombination reaction is impaired.
Optimizing the dynamic response of pressure reducing valves to transients in water networks

Pressure reducing valves (PRVs) are typically used to regulate excessive pressure in water distribution networks. During transient events, the dynamic response of PRVs may adversely affect pressure fluctuations in distribution networks. In this study, the dynamic response of PRVs was analyzed by developing a numerical model that coupled an existing water-hammer model and a two-parameter dynamic PRV model. PRV parameters were calibrated, and the model was validated using previous experimental observations. The model was then used to study the effect of PRV dynamics during transient events in a distribution network. To optimize the rate of PRV opening and closure and control its dynamic response, the model was interfaced with an optimization algorithm based on shuffled complex evolution. The applied objective function gave PRV parameters that accelerated damping of the transient pressure waves and minimized the root-mean-square deviation from post-transient steady pressure at all nodes in the network. The results of this study indicate the importance of accounting for PRV response when simulating transients in water distribution networks. This study also highlights the need for PRV manufacturers to include in their product catalogs dynamic PRV parameters for use in transient analysis.
Pax3-FKHR Knock-In Mice Show Developmental Aberrations but Do Not Develop Tumors

ABSTRACT Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma is a pediatric disease specified by the recurrent chromosome translocations t(2;13) and t(1;13). These translocations result in the formation of the PAX3-FKHR and PAX7-FKHR fusion genes, which are thought to play a causal role in the genesis of this disease. Although PAX3-FKHR exhibits transforming activity in immortalized fibroblast cell lines, a direct role of this fusion protein in tumorigenesis in vivo has not been shown. We determined whether expression of Pax3-FKHR in the mouse germ line would render these animals prone to the development of rhabdomyosarcomas. By targeting FKHR cDNA sequences into the Pax3 locus of embryonic stem cells, we used these cells to generate mice carrying a Pax3-FKHR knock-in allele. Despite low expression of the knock-in allele, heterozygous offspring of Pax3-FKHR chimeric mice showed developmental abnormalities. These included intraventricular septum defects, tricuspid valve insufficiency, and diaphragm defects, which caused congestive heart failure leading to perinatal death. In addition, Pax3-FKHR heterozygous offspring displayed malformations of some but not all hypaxial muscles. However, neither newborn heterozygous pups nor their chimeric parents showed any signs of malignancy. We conclude that the Pax3-FKHR allele causes lethal developmental defects in knock-in mice but might be insufficient to cause muscle tumors.
The sarolga: conservation implications of genetic and visual evidence for hybridization between the brolga Antigone rubicunda and the Australian sarus crane Antigone antigone gillae

Abstract To investigate the extent of suspected hybridization between the brolga Antigone rubicunda and the Australian sarus crane Antigone antigone gillae, first noted in the 1970s, we analysed the genetic diversity of 389 feathers collected from breeding and flocking areas in north Queensland, Australia. We compared these with 15 samples from birds of known identity, or that were phenotypically typical. Bayesian clustering based on 10 microsatellite loci identified nine admixed birds, confirming that Australian cranes hybridize in the wild. Four of these were backcrosses, also confirming that wild Australian crane hybrids are fertile. Genetic analyses identified 10 times more hybrids than our accompanying visual field observations. Our analyses also provide the first definitive evidence that both brolgas and sarus cranes migrate between the Gulf Plains, the principal breeding area for sarus cranes, and major non-breeding locations on the Atherton Tablelands. We suggest that genetic analysis of shed feathers could potentially offer a cost-effective means to provide ongoing monitoring of this migration. The first observations of hybrids coincided with significantly increased opportunities for interaction between the two species when foraging on agricultural crops, which have developed significantly in the Atherton Tablelands flocking area since the 1960s. As the sarus crane is declining in much of its Asian range, challenges to the genetic integrity of the Australian sarus crane populations have international conservation significance.
Overexpression of hns in the plant growth‐promoting bacterium Enterobacter cloacae UW5 increases root colonization

Aims: Plant growth‐promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) introduced into soil often do not compete effectively with indigenous micro‐organisms for plant colonization. The aim of this study was to identify novel genes that are important for root colonization by the PGPR Enterobacter cloacae UW5.
What do universities want from publishing?

At a simple level, universities want publishing to support and further their mission to carry out research and teaching. However, at a detailed level there are major differences within and between universities, which mean there will be different wants and expectations of publishing. Bearing in mind these complexities, this paper examines universities' various requirements as producers, purchasers and consumers of publications. Some of the key wants of universities include impact, affordability, quality and access. The merits of the established system of subscription‐based journal publishing and the emerging system of open‐access publishing and dissemination are discussed in relation to universities' wants.
Modèle intégratif du tube digestif intégrant les interactions digestives, les flux de nutriments d’intérêt et compatible avec les systèmes UF et PDI

Les systemes d’unites d’alimentation energetique et proteique actuels ne permettent pas de predire les reponses multiples des ruminants aux variations de composition des regimes et aux pratiques alimentaires. La plupart de ces reponses sont largement predeterminees dans le tube digestif, particulierement dans le rumen. Ces dernieres annees, de nombreux resultats ont ete publies sur la digestion des ruminants. Des bases de donnees ont ainsi pu etre creees et leur interpretation par meta-analyses a permis de disposer de nombreux modeles empiriques des reponses digestives a l’alimentation. L’enjeu est de valoriser toutes ces relations en un ensemble coherent qui puisse etre connecte aux systemes d’unites d’alimentation renoves. Dans ce but, un modele mecaniste a compartiments du tube digestif a ete construit en integrant, d’une part, les equations de base des systemes UF et PDI renoves et, d’autre part, de nombreuses autres equations relatives aux reponses digestives aux regimes, en particulier les flux de nutriments absorbables et de gaz, qui sous-tendent largement les reponses multiples des animaux. Certaines de ces relations sont privilegiees et constituent les charpentes du modele, utilisees pour calibrer les parametres du modele mecaniste. Ce travail a en particulier permis de quantifier les effets des principaux facteurs d’interactions digestives (niveau d’ingestion de MS, proportion de concentre et balance proteique du rumen), et de proposer des previsions plus precises de la MO fermentee dans le rumen, de la synthese microbienne et des rejets de CH4 et d’azote. Ces renovations amenent a revoir le calcul de la valeur des aliments au sein d’une ration (qui ne sont plus fixees mais varient en fonction de la composition de la ration et du niveau d’ingestion). Ce modele est developpe sur des relations relatives aux bovins, et son application aux petits ruminants est en cours pour garantir sa genericite
Tryptophan 250 on the alpha subunit plays an important role in flavin and aldehyde binding to bacterial luciferase. Effects of W-->Y mutations on catalytic function.

Bacterial luciferase is a heterodimer (alpha beta) that catalyzes the oxidation of FMNH2 and a fatty aldehyde, resulting in light emission. To explore the nature of the flavin binding site with respect to the role of tryptophan residues, the catalytic and binding properties of single-point mutants of Xenorhabdus luminescens luciferase with one of the eight tryptophans converted to a tyrosine residue were investigated by luminescence and fluorescence measurements. Conversion of tryptophans 194 and 250 on the alpha subunit to tyrosine had relatively large effects on the properties of luciferase with only minor changes in the properties on mutation of the other four tryptophans on alpha and the two on the beta subunit. Mutation of alpha W250 decreased the binding to FMNH2, FMN, aldehyde, and fatty acid, causing major changes in luminescence emission and decay. The results are consistent with alpha W250 interacting with flavin which in turn affects aldehyde binding. Mutation of alpha W194 did not affect the interaction with flavin or aldehyde but did change the relative rate of decay of light emission with aldehydes of different chain lengths as well as the activation energy for this process. Moreover, these results provide evidence for alpha W250, and to a lesser extent alpha W194, being in contact with the isoalloxazine ring of flavin, a proposal that has been recently made based on a model with flavin bound to the alpha subunit and anchored at a binding site for the phosphate moiety of FMN(H2) identified in the crystal structure of Vibrio harveyi luciferase [Fisher, A. J. Raushel, F. M. , Baldwin, T. O. , & Rayment, I. (1995) Biochemistry 34, 6581-6586].
Source and Load Adaptive Design for a High-Power Soft-Switching Inverter

The operating range of a zero-voltage switched inverter is typically constrained by the source and load variation. This paper adopts a variable turns ratio coupled magnetic type soft-switching inverter for a wide-range source and load adaptability. The operating principle and design guideline are described in detail. Design examples have been verified with computer simulation and hardware implementation. Experimental results of a 120-kW hardware prototype are presented to show superiority of the proposed soft-switching inverter design and significant reduction on loss and dv/dt
A proposed system for modifying aspect based opinion mining for ranking of products

The increasing use of the Internet has led to the dissemination of word-of-mouth through social networking sites. A product that has many favorable reviews are preferred in comparison with a similar kind of product with few favorable reviews. These feedback are rich in knowledge but are unstructured since they are written by non-experts. Aspect based Opinion Mining is modified in this proposed system to help consumers and enterprises in the analysis of user reviews by determining the strengths and weaknesses of the products. The aim of the project is to rank the product and its important aspects which would eventually help in faster decision-making. The developed system includes four main phases: Pre-processing Phase, Enhanced Aspect Identification and Opinion Word Extraction Phase, Aspect Polarity Identification Phase, Products and Aspects Ranking Phase. The developed system will be beneficial for the consumers and business analysts who explore user reviews for determining purchase decisions and enterprise strategies.
The synergistic impact of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and metabolic syndrome on subclinical atherosclerosis

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a well‐known contributor for the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). We examined the influence of NAFLD and metabolic syndrome (MetS) on markers of subclinical atherosclerosis, including carotid intima‐media thickness (CIMT), brachial–ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and ankle–brachial pressure index (ABI), after adjusting for cardiometabolic risk factors.
DC/DC Converter Parametric Models for System level Simulation

The objective of this work is to propose a whole solution for simulating power systems based on the use of behavioral DC/DC converter models. The proposed model is a generic model whose parameters can be obtained from datasheets (especially useful to model commercial converters) or equivalent tests. The model has configurable features which can be activated or disabled in order to perform optimal simulations or to generate models with different levels of abstraction to be used in a top-down design methodology.
A Retrospective Occupational Cohort Study of End-Stage Renal Disease in Aircraft Workers Exposed to Trichloroethylene and Other Hydrocarbons

Objective: Case–control studies suggest hydrocarbons increase end-stage renal disease (ESRD) risk. No cohort studies have been conducted. Methods: An occupational database was matched to the U.S. Renal Data System, and the outcome of all-cause ESRD was examined using multivariable Cox regression. Sixteen individual hydrocarbons were studied, although exposures were not mutually exclusive. Results: For the 1973–2000 period, there was an approximate twofold increased risk of ESRD among workers exposed to trichloroethylene, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, and JP4 gasoline compared with unexposed subjects (all P < 0.05). Relative risk was greater than unity (P > 0.05) for several other hydrocarbons. Associations attenuated (all P > 0.05) when 2001–2002 data were included in the analyses. Conclusions: Certain hydrocarbons may increase all-cause ESRD risk. Uncertainty regarding the mechanism for increased risk and the observed attenuation in risk in 2001–2002, as well as the overlap of exposures, complicates interpretation. Additional research is needed.
Solid lipid microparticles: formulation, preparation, characterisation, drug release and applications

This review details the properties of solid lipid microparticles (SLMs): a promising drug carrier system that has been until now rather unexploited. First, the advantages of SLMs compared with other drug carrier systems are listed. Then an overview of SLM manufacturing compounds and techniques is presented. A detailed discussion of the characteristics of SLMs follows, and includes the determination of particle size distribution, the determination of SLM morphology, the solid-state analysis, the determination of SLM drug loading and the factors influencing it. The invitro drug release studies that have been carried out so far and the parameters affecting them are also described. Some preliminary invivo aspects (invivo drug release studies, b-iocompatibility studies and invivo fate) are also considered.
Interleukin-6-Specific Activation of the C/EBPδ Gene in Hepatocytes Is Mediated by Stat3 and Sp1

ABSTRACT C/EBPδ (CCAAT/enhancer binding protein δ) has been implicated as a regulator of acute-phase response (APR) genes in hepatocytes. Its expression increases dramatically in liver during the APR and can be induced in hepatic cell lines by interleukin-6 (IL-6), an acute-phase mediator that activates transcription of many APR genes. Here we have investigated the mechanism by which C/EBPδ expression is regulated by IL-6 in hepatoma cells. C/EBPδ promoter sequences to −125 bp are sufficient for IL-6 inducibility of a reporter gene and include an APR element (APRE) that is essential for IL-6 responsiveness. DNA binding experiments and transactivation assays demonstrate that Stat3, but not Stat1, interacts with this APRE. Two Sp1 sites, one of which is adjacent to the APRE, are required for IL-6 induction and transactivation by Stat3. Thus, Stat3 and Sp1 function cooperatively to activate the C/EBPδ promoter. Replacement of the APRE with Stat binding elements (SBEs) from the ICAM-1 or C/EBPβ promoter, both of which recognize both Stat1 and Stat3, confers responsiveness to gamma interferon, a cytokine that selectively activates Stat1. Sequence comparisons suggest that the distinct Stat binding specificities of the C/EBPδ and C/EBPβ SBEs are determined primarily by a single base pair difference. Our findings indicate that the cytokine specificity of C/EBPδ gene expression is governed by the APRE sequence.
Cross Correlation of Orthogonally Polarized Backscatter Components

The backscattering of an elliptically polarized plane wave from two kinds of complex radar objects is considered from the standpoint of coherency theory, and the antenna polarizations that give rise to maximum correlated and uncorrelated orthogonally polarized components in the receiving channels are discussed. The resulting observations may find application in radar systems which use the correlation between the received orthogonally polarized components for detecting targets in natural and man-made interference.