Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Proposed Shunt Rounding Technique for Large-Scale Security Constrained Loss Minimization

Optimal reactive power flow applications often model large numbers of discrete shunt devices as continuous variables, which are rounded to their nearest discrete value at the final iteration. This can degrade optimality. This paper presents novel methods based on probabilistic and adaptive threshold approaches that can extend existing security constrained optimal reactive power flow methods to effectively solve large-scale network problems involving discrete shunt devices. Loss reduction solutions from the proposed techniques were compared to solutions from the mixed integer nonlinear mathematical programming algorithm (MINLP) using modified IEEE standard networks up to 118 buses. The proposed techniques were also applied to practical large-scale network models of Great Britain. The results show that the proposed techniques can achieve improved loss minimization solutions when compared to the standard rounding method.
A Multi-Layer K-means Approach for Multi-Sensor Data Pattern Recognition in Multi-Target Localization

Data-target association is an important step in multi-target localization for the intelligent operation of un- manned systems in numerous applications such as search and rescue, traffic management and surveillance. The objective of this paper is to present an innovative data association learning approach named multi-layer K-means (MLKM) based on leveraging the advantages of some existing machine learning approaches, including K-means, K-means++, and deep neural networks. To enable the accurate data association from different sensors for efficient target localization, MLKM relies on the clustering capabilities of K-means++ structured in a multi-layer framework with the error correction feature that is motivated by the backpropogation that is well-known in deep learning research. To show the effectiveness of the MLKM method, numerous simulation examples are conducted to compare its performance with K-means, K-means++, and deep neural networks.
Use of Amplified-Fragment Length Polymorphism To Study the Ecology of Campylobacter jejuni in Environmental Water and To Predict Multilocus Sequence Typing Clonal Complexes

ABSTRACT We determined the genetic variability among water isolates of Campylobacter jejuni by using amplified-fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Across a highly diverse collection of isolates, AFLP clusters did not correlate with MLST clonal complexes, suggesting that AFLP is not reliable for deciphering population genetic relationships and may be problematic for larger epidemiologic analyses.
UALITY A SSESSMENT FOR O NLINE I RIS I MAGES

Iris recognition systems have attracted much attention for their uniqueness, stability and reliability. However, performance of this system depends on quality of iris image. Therefore there is a need to select good quality images before features can be extracted. In this paper, iris quality is done by assessing the effect of standard deviation, contrast, area ratio, occlusion, blur, dilation and sharpness on iris images. A fusion method based on principal component analysis (PCA) is proposed to determine the quality score. CASIA, IID and UBIRIS databases are used to test the proposed algorithm. SVM was used to evaluate the performance of the proposed quality algorithm. The experimental results demonstrated that the proposed algorithm yields an efficiency of over 84 % and 90 % Correct Rate and Area under the Curve respectively. The use of character component to assess quality has been found to be sufficient for quality detection.
Performance analysis of ambient backscattering for green Internet of Things

In this paper, we assess the information-theoretic performance of a point-to-point link that exploits ambient backscattering to support green Internet-of-Thing (IoT) communications. In this framework, an IoT passive device transmits its information by reusing ambient radio-frequency signals emitted by an existing or legacy multicarrier communication system. After introducing the signal model of the relevant communication links, the information-theoretic capacity of both the legacy and backscatter systems is derived. It is found that, under reasonable operative conditions, the legacy system can turn the RF interference arising from backscattering into a form of multipath diversity, which can be exploited to increase its own performance. Moreover, it is shown that, even when it employs simple single-carrier modulation techniques, the backscatter system attains significant data rates over relatively short distances.
Layered Architecture for Real-Time Sign Recognition

Sign and gesture recognition offers a natural way for human–computer interaction. This article presents a real-time sign recognition architecture including both gesture and movement recognition. Among the different technologies available for sign recognition Data Gloves and accelerometers were chosen for the purposes of this research. Due to the real-time nature of the problem, the proposed approach works in two different tiers, the segmentation tier and the classification tier. In the first stage the glove and accelerometer signals are processed for segmentation purposes, separating the different signs performed by the system user. In the second stage the values received from the segmentation tier are classified. In an effort to emphasize the real use of the architecture, this approach deals specially with problems such as sensor noise and simplification of the training phase.
A D2D communication architecture under full control using SDN

Device-to-device (D2D) communication is a potential solution to the incessant increase in data traffic on cellular networks. The greatest problem is how to control the interference between D2D users and cellular mobile users, and between D2D users themselves. This paper proposes a solution for this issue by putting the full control privilege in cellular network using the software-defined networking (SDN) concept. A software virtual switch called Open vSwitch and several components are integrated into mobile devices for data forwarding and radio resource mapping, whereas the control functions are executed in the cellular network via a SDN controller. This allows the network to assign radio resources for D2D communication directly, thus reducing interference. This solution also brings out many benefits, including resource efficiency, energy saving, topology flexibility, etc. The advantages and disadvantages of this architecture are analyzed by both a mathematical method and a simple implementation. The result shows that implementation of this solution in the next generation of cellular networks is feasible.
Charter Schools as a Vehicle for Education Reform: Implementation and Outcomes at Three Inner-City Sites

This study examined the impact of 3 2nd-year charter schools (1 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high school) on student achievement, school climate, and pedagogy. All schools served predominantly African American students in an inner-city district. Using a matched treatment-control student analytical design, charter school enrollees were individually matched to highly comparable control students of the same ethnicity, poverty level, gender, and ability. Qualitative and descriptive analyses showed reasonable to good progress in program implementation, very strong school climate, positive teacher and parent perceptions, largely traditional but academically-focused teaching, and positive student achievement on state-mandated tests (p < .05 on 12 out of 18 school × cohort × subtest comparisons). Interpretations of results stress the likely implications of teacher and family choice for effective implementation of the charter schools' academic and organizational programs.
Increasing Cloud power efficiency through consolidation techniques

In the recent years, Cloud computing is emerging as the next big revolution of both computer networks and web provisioning. Due to its enormous promises, several vendors, such as Amazon and IBM, started designing, developing, and deploying Cloud solutions to optimize the usage of their own data centers. Unfortunately, several management issues of the Cloud are still open and deserve additional research. Among them, and fuelled by the emerging Green Computing research, Cloud architectures have to consolidate virtual machines in the minimal number of physical servers to reduce the run-time power consumption. In this paper, we present a project on power saving through server consolidation conducted at the IBM Innovation Centre in Dublin. Our experimental results, collected on a real testbed, show that server consolidation can effectively save energy, while introducing minimum performance degradation.
Expansion of Activated Lymphocytes Obtained from Renal Cell Carcinoma in an Automated Hollow Fiber Bioreactor

Immunotherapy using IL-2 alone or combined with activated lymphocytes has been promising for metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Cytotoxic lymphocytes can be isolated from tumors, expanded in vitro with IL-2, and adoptively transferred back into the tumor-bearing host. These cells can also be transduced with the genes coding for cytokines for local delivery to tumor sites. A major drawback in adoptive immunotherapy is the cumbersome and expensive culture technology associated with the growth of large numbers of cells required for their therapeutic effect. To reduce the cost, resources, and manpower, we have developed the methodology for lymphocyte activation and expansion in the automated hollow fiber bioreactor IMMUNO*STAR™ Cell Expander (ACT BIOMEDICAL, INC). Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TIL) isolated from human renal cell carcinoma tumor specimens were inoculated at a number of 108 cells in a small bioreactor of 30 ml extracapillary space volume. We have determined the medium flow rates and culture conditions to obtain a significant and repeated expansion of TIL at weekly intervals. The lymphocytes cultured in the bioreactor demonstrated the same phenotype and cytotoxic activity as those expanded in parallel in tissue culture plates. Lymphocyte expansion in the hollow fiber bioreactor required lower volumes of medium, human serum, IL-2 and minimal labor. This technology may facilitate the use of adoptive immunotherapy for the treatment of refractory malignancies.
Effects of statin treatment on endothelial function, oxidative stress and inflammation in patients with arterial hypertension and normal cholesterol levels

Objective Patients with arterial hypertension are characterized by impaired endothelial function and increased cardiovascular risk. Statins have been proposed as a potential treatment option in hypertension, even in those with normal low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol levels. We tested whether fluvastatin reduces oxidative stress and inflammation, and improves endothelial function in patients with arterial hypertension and normal LDL-cholesterol. Methods In a cross-over designed, double-blind randomized trial, 26 patients with arterial hypertension and LDL-cholesterol below 160 mg/dl were treated for 2 weeks with either placebo or fluvastatin 80 mg/day. Endothelium-dependent vasodilation (EDV) was assessed as the forearm blood flow (FBF) response to intra-arterial infusion of acetylcholine (ACH, 12 and 48 &mgr;g/min), and endothelium-independent vasodilation (EIV) as the FBF response to nitroprusside (3.2 and 12.8 &mgr;g/min). Furthermore, we measured reduced to oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG) ratio in red blood cells, total antioxidant capacity in plasma (TAC) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels. Results Fluvastatin lowered LDL-cholesterol from 118 ± 16 to 90 ± 25 mg/dl (P < 0.0001), but had no effect on blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol or triglycerides. EDV and EIV were unaffected by fluvastatin treatment (e.g. increase of FBF 48 &mgr;g/min: 339 ± 285% during placebo versus 268 ± 194% during fluvastatin, n.s.). Finally, GSH/GSSG ratio, TAC and hs-CRP levels were similar between fluvastatin and placebo treatment. Conclusion Fluvastatin treatment did not improve endothelial function, oxidative stress or inflammation in patients with arterial hypertension and normal LDL-cholesterol levels. These data argue against the usefulness of statins in patients with arterial hypertension in the absence of hypercholesterolemia or other additional risk factors.
Access control in mobile databases using mobile agents

The popularity of mobile devices has made them lovely targets for malicious code developers; and these attacks to mobile devices, are growing day by day. In comparison to fixed environments, mobility has its special features and limitations, like frequently disconnections and user's movement, that affect security mechanisms. They delay user's access to his data; and this delay can lead to change in access conditions. Therefore, Access control mechanisms must cover these changes dynamically. In this paper we use both mobile agents and role based access control in form of capability lists, to introduce a dynamic access control mechanism.
Proteomic and selected metabolite analysis of grape berry tissues under well‐watered and water‐deficit stress conditions

In order to investigate the unique contribution of individual wine grape (Vitis vinifera) berry tissues and water‐deficit to wine quality traits, a survey of tissue‐specific differences in protein and selected metabolites was conducted using pericarp (skin and pulp) and seeds of berries from vines grown under well‐watered and water‐deficit stress conditions. Of 1047 proteins surveyed from pericarp by 2‐D PAGE, 90 identified proteins showed differential expression between the skin and pulp. Of 695 proteins surveyed from seed tissue, 163 were identified and revealed that the seed and pericarp proteomes were nearly completely distinct from one another. Water‐deficit stress altered the abundance of approximately 7% of pericarp proteins, but had little effect on seed protein expression. Comparison of protein and available mRNA expression patterns showed that 32% pericarp and 69% seed proteins exhibited similar quantitative expression patterns indicating that protein accumulation patterns are strongly influenced by post‐transcriptional processes. About half of the 32 metabolites surveyed showed tissue‐specific differences in abundance with water‐deficit stress affecting the accumulation of seven of these compounds. These results provide novel insights into the likely tissue‐specific origins and the influence of water‐deficit stress on the accumulation of key flavor and aroma compounds in wine.
Mosquito larva classification method based on convolutional neural networks

In Mexico a great number of diseases spread by the mosquitos Aedes has been reported. There are some regions on the country that this number is alarming. The spread of this disease becomes a public health problem and the government is worried about this situation and applied some methods for reducing the infection rate. One of principal methods relies on the localization of the mosquito's larvae and then fumigates them. The localization of Aedes larvae is accomplished through state programs which take a considerable time, making them not efficient enough. In this paper we propose a novel method based on convolutional neural networks, where a dataset of larva is used in training in order that the machine learns two types of mosquitos, genus Aedes and “others” genera. The digital images of larva are processed using a set of machine learning algorithms and as a result, the classification task is done. The proposed method would make the larva identification process more efficient, automatic and faster than the conventional methods, and thus the infection rates would be decrease. The results show a good performance on Aedes larva identification, proving that the system can be applied in the real world.
Integrin CD 11 c / CD 18-Chain Phosphorylation Is Functionally

Background: Leukocyte integrins are involved in cell adhesion, cell migration, and phagocytosis. Results: CD11c/CD18, a leukocyte integrin expressed on monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells, is phosphorylated on Ser-1158 of the -chain. Abrogation of phosphorylation results in impaired adhesion and phagocytosis. Conclusion: Integrin inside-out activated adhesion is regulated by a single phosphorylation site on CD11c. Significance: Regulation of integrin activity is essential for immune cells.
Hepatitis C virus entry: Molecular biology and clinical implications

With an estimated 170 million infected individuals, hepatitis C virus (HCV) has a major impact on public health. A vaccine protecting against HCV infection is not available, and current antiviral therapies are characterized by limited efficacy, high costs, and substantial side effects. Binding of the virus to the cell surface followed by viral entry is the first step in a cascade of interactions between virus and the target cell that is required for the initiation of infection. Because this step represents a critical determinant of tissue tropism and pathogenesis, it is a major target for host cell responses such as antibody‐mediated virus‐neutralization—and a promising target for new antiviral therapy. The recent development of novel tissue culture model systems for the study of the first steps of HCV infection has allowed rapid progress in the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of HCV binding and entry. This review summarizes the impact of recently identified viral and host cell factors for HCV attachment and entry. Clinical implications of this important process for the pathogenesis of HCV infection and novel therapeutic interventions are discussed. (HEPATOLOGY 2006;44:527–535.)
Baclofen inhibits guinea pig magnocellular neurones via activation of an inwardly rectifying K+ conductance

The GABAB receptors GABAB‐R1 and GABAB‐R2 have been cloned in several mammalian species, and the functional receptor has been shown to exist as a heterodimeric complex. We have cloned guinea pig GABAB‐R1 and GABAB‐R2 receptor sequences and, using in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry for vasopressin (AVP), we found that GABAB‐R1 and ‐R2 receptors are expressed in vasopressin neurones of the supraoptic (SON) and paraventricular nuclei (PVN). Therefore, we used both sharp electrode and whole‐cell patch recording techniques to examine the effects of the selective GABAB agonist baclofen on SON and PVN magnocellular neurones and to determine the coupling of the GABAB receptor to effector pathways. Recordings were made in coronal hypothalamic slices from both female (ovariectomized) and male guinea pigs. In the presence of tetrodotoxin (TTX), baclofen hyperpolarized (ΔVmax= 5.6 mV, EC50= 2.3 μM) SON magnocellular neurones (n= 27) under current clamp, or induced an outward current that reversed at EK (ΔImax= 24.2 pA) in PVN magnocellular neurones (n= 33) under voltage clamp. Seventeen of the 24 biocytin‐labelled SON magnocellular neurones were identified as AVP neurones, and ten of the 33 biocytin‐labelled PVN neurones were identified as AVP or neurophysin‐containing neurones, although all of the cells were clustered in the vasopressin‐rich core. In the absence of TTX, baclofen activated an outward K+ current that hyperpolarized SON and PVN neurones and significantly reduced their firing rate. The outward current showed inward rectification and was blocked by the K+ channel blocker barium and the GABAB receptor antagonist CGP 35348. Therefore, GABAB receptors are coupled to inwardly rectifying K+ channels in SON and PVN magnocellular neurones and may play a prominent role in modulating phasic bursting activity in guinea pig vasopressin neurones.
Intelligent PID Control for USM Using PSO in Real-Time Environment

In this paper, an intelligent PID controller is proposed for ultrasonic motor (USM) in real-time environment. To overcome the problems of characteristic variation and non-linearity, an intelligent PID controller using neural network (NN) combined with particle swarm optimization (PSO) is studied. In the proposed method, an NN controller is designed for adjusting PID gains. The learning of NN is implemented by PSO updating the weights of NN on-line. By employing the proposed method, the characteristic changes and non-linearity of USM can be compensated effectively in real-time environment. The effectiveness of the method is confirmed by experiments.
Brief Health Literacy Screening Items Predict Newest Vital Sign Scores

Background: Numeracy is an important but understudied component of health literacy (HL). The purpose of this study was to examine the predictive ability of established general HL and numeracy screening items in estimating Newest Vital Sign (NVS) scores. Methods: We studied 241 adults attending primary care clinics in the midwestern United States. Demographic items, HL screening questions, and the NVS were administered to patients. To determine the accuracy of HL and numeracy screening items, area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curves were determined for each screening item, using NVS scores as the reference standard. Results: Patients' mean age was 46.1 ± 16.3 years; 71.0% were female, 53.4% were African American, 7.5% had less than a high school education, and 44.4% were insured by Medicaid/Medicare. The mean NVS score was 3.7 ± 2.0, with 17.8% classified as having inadequate HL/numeracy (NVS score of 0 or 1). The HL screening item, “How confident are you filling out medical forms by yourself? ” was the best predictor of both limited (AUROC, 0.83; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.76–0.89) and limited/marginal (AUROC, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.73–0.85) NVS scores. The numeracy screening item, “In general, how easy or hard do you find it to understand medical statistics? ” was the best predictor of both limited (AUROC, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.76–0.89) and limited/marginal (AUROC = 0.78; 95% CI, 0.72–0.84) NVS scores. Conclusion: Brief HL and numeracy screening items are useful for quickly estimating NVS scores among English-speaking primary care clinic populations.
Effect of inhaled ciclesonide on airway responsiveness to inhaled AMP, the composition of induced sputum and exhaled nitric oxide in patients with mild asthma.

To assess the efficacy of ciclesonide, a novel corticosteroid pro-drug, we compared its effect on lung function, airway responsiveness to inhaled AMP, the composition of induced sputum, and the level of exhaled nitric oxide (NO) with the effect of budesonide in patients with asthma. Fifteen non-smoking steroid-naive patients (mean FEV(1), 94%pred) inhaled either 400 microg ciclesonide or 400 microg budesonide as a single morning dose for two weeks each separated by a > or =3 week wash-out period. The study was performed in a double-observer, randomized, cross-over design. FEV(1)increased significantly during treatment with budesonide (3.38 vs. 3.64 l P=0,003), but not after ciclesonide (3.60 vs. 3.69 l). PC(20)FEV(1)of AMP increased (P<0,001, each) after both budesonide (4.59 vs. 32.48 mg/ml, 2.8 doubling doses) and ciclesonide (3.92 vs. 20.00 mg/ml, 2.4 doubling doses). The percentage of sputum eosinophils was significantly reduced after ciclesonide (7.9 vs. 3.4% P=0.01), but not budesonide (6.0 vs. 4.3%). After both budesonide and ciclesonide, a significant (P<0.001) reduction in the level of exhaled NO occurred. In none of the parameters studied, the changes differed significantly between treatment with budesonide or ciclesonide. These data suggest that ciclesonide is equi-effective to budesonide with regard to its potency to reduce the airway responsiveness to inhaled AMP as well as airway inflammation in patients with mild asthma.