Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
PSO TUNED UNSCENTED KALMAN FILTER FOR DETECTING DATA ATTACKS IN SMART POWER GRID

: The conventional electric power grid is presently evolving into smart grid by providing new services based mainly on information and communication technology. Due to the new facilities and services, the strength of a smart grid communication network against data attack is one of the ultimate problems that affect the entire system. In this work, some of the most vulnerable data attacks such as random fault attack, denial of service (DoS) attack and false data injection attacks against the state estimation in electric power system are discussed. This article is dedicated to study these cyber security issues in smart grid enabled power system using Unscented Kalman filter (UKF) along with χ 2 -detector and Euclidean detector. To obtain a reliable estimate of the system’s state, the noise covariance of the Kalman filter has to be tuned before the operation. Therefore, tuning of the UKF using particle swarm optimization (PSO) technique for minimizing estimation error is presented in this work. The simulation results show the benefits of the PSO tuned UKF for solving the proposed problem.
Ergosterol Content of Fungi Associated with Dendroctonus ponderosae and Dendroctonus rufipennis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae)

Abstract Insects require sterols for normal growth, metamorphosis, and reproduction, yet they are unable to synthesize these organic compounds and are therefore dependent upon a dietary source. For phloephagous species, such as Dendroctonus bark beetles, whose food does not necessarily contain appropriate types or adequate quantities of sterols, fungal symbionts may provide an alternative source in the form of ergosterol. We determined and compared the relative amounts of ergosterol in the primary fungal associates of Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins and Dendroctonus rufipennis Kirby. Ergosterol content of host tree phloem naturally infested with larvae (and their fungal symbionts) of both species also was compared with ergosterol contents in uninfested phloem tissue. Mycelia of Ophiostoma montium (Rumfold) von Arx and Ophiostoma clavigerum (Robinson-Jeffrey & Davidson) Harrington isolated from D. ponderosae mycangia, and Leptographium abietinum (Peck) Wingfield isolated from the exoskeleton of D. ruifpennis contained relatively large quantities of ergosterol, although no significant differences in content were found among these fungal species. Phloem colonized by larvae of both species contained significantly more ergosterol than did uninfested host phloem tissue. Our results suggest that larval life stages of D. ponderosae and D. rufipennis may obtain vital nutrients not only from the host tree phloem but also from fungal symbionts, in the form of ergosterol, while mining larval galleries.
An Optimized Metagenomic Approach for Virome Detection of Clinical Pharyngeal Samples With Respiratory Infection

Respiratory virus infections are one of the major causes of acute respiratory disease or exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, next-generation sequencing has not been used for routine viral detection in clinical respiratory samples owing to its sophisticated technology. Here, several pharyngeal samples with COPD were collected to enrich viral particles using an optimized method (M3), which involved M1 with centrifugation, filtration, and concentration, M2 (magnetic beads) combined with mixed nuclease digestion, and M4 with no pretreatment as a control. Metagenomic sequencing and bioinformatics analyses showed that the M3 method for viral enrichment was superior in both viral sequencing composition and viral taxa when compared to M1, M2, and M4. M3 acquired the most viral reads and more complete sequences within 15-h performance, indicating that it might be feasible for viral detection in multiple respiratory samples in clinical practice. Based on sequence similarity analysis, 12 human viruses, including nine Anelloviruses and three coronaviruses, were characterized. Coronavirus OC43 with the largest number of viral reads accounted for nearly complete (99.8%) genome sequences, indicating that it may be a major viral pathogen involved in exacerbation of COPD.
A Holistic Modeling Approach to Project the Evolution of Inlet-Interrupted Coastlines Over the 21st Century

Approximately one-quarter of the World’s sandy beaches, most of which are interrupted by tidal inlets, are eroding. Understanding the long-term (50–100 year) evolution of inlet-interrupted coasts in a changing climate is, therefore of great importance for coastal zone planners and managers. This study, therefore, focuses on the development and piloting of an innovative model that can simulate the climate-change driven evolution of inlet-interrupted coasts at 50–100 year time scales, while taking into account the contributions from catchment-estuary-coastal systems in a holistic manner. In this new model, the evolution of inlet-interrupted coasts is determined by: (1) computing the variation of total sediment volume exchange between the inlet-estuary system and its adjacent coast, and (2) distributing the computed sediment volume along the inlet-interrupted coast as a spatially and temporally varying quantity. The exchange volume, as computed here, consists of three major components: variation in fluvial sediment supply, basin (or estuarine) infilling due to the sea-level rise-induced increase in accommodation space, and estuarine sediment volume change due to variations in river discharge. To pilot the model, it is here applied to three different catchment-estuary-coastal systems: the Alsea estuary (Oregon, United States), Dyfi estuary (Wales, United Kigdom), and Kalutara inlet (Sri Lanka). Results indicate that all three systems will experience sediment deficits by 2100 (i.e., sediment importing estuaries). However, processes and system characteristics governing the total sediment exchange volume, and thus coastline change, vary markedly among the systems due to differences in geomorphic settings and projected climatic conditions. These results underline the importance of accounting for the different governing processes when assessing the future evolution of inlet-interrupted coastlines.
A Revised Computational Neuroanatomy for Motor Control

Abstract We discuss a new framework for understanding the structure of motor control. Our approach integrates existing models of motor control with the reality of hierarchical cortical processing and the parallel segregated loops that characterize cortical–subcortical connections. We also incorporate the recent claim that cortex functions via predictive representation and optimal information utilization. Our framework assumes that each cortical area engaged in motor control generates a predictive model of a different aspect of motor behavior. In maintaining these predictive models, each area interacts with a different part of the cerebellum and BG. These subcortical areas are thus engaged in domain-appropriate system identification and optimization. This refocuses the question of division of function among different cortical areas. What are the different aspects of motor behavior that are predictively modeled? We suggest that one fundamental division is between modeling of task and body whereas another is the model of state and action. Thus, we propose that the posterior parietal cortex, somatosensory cortex, premotor cortex, and motor cortex represent task state, body state, task action, and body action, respectively. In the second part of this review, we demonstrate how this division of labor can better account for many recent findings of movement encoding, especially in the premotor and posterior parietal cortices.
Spleen transient elastography predicts actuarial survival after liver transplantation.

Background Splenic transient elastography (TE) correlates with increased portal pressure. Little data are available in the post liver transplantation (LTx) setting. Methods Three months after LTx, we performed splenic TE in 125 LTx recipients. Results Mean splenic TE values were 29.4 (±6.3; range, 21.6-49.2) kPa. Splenic TE correlated with reduced time to development until persistent ascites (30 events, OR =1.082, 95% CI: 1.034-1.133; P=0.001), hepatorenal syndrome (8 events, OR =1.109, 95% CI: 1.015-1.211; P=0.022) and hepatic encephalopathy (16 events, OR =1.136, 95% CI: 1.066-1.211; P=0.000). In Cox univariate analysis, splenic TE served as a predictor of actuarial survival free of liver (OR =1.114, 95% CI: 1.050-1.182; P<0.001) and remained an independent risk factor associated with reduced actuarial survival free of LTx in multivariate analysis (OR =1.103, 95% CI: 1.026-1.186; P=0.008). Conclusions Splenic TE measurement at 3 months after LTx serves as a robust predictor of survival in LTx recipients.
A Sociolinguistic Route to the Characterization and Detection of the Credibility of Events on Twitter

Although Twitter constitutes as one of the primary sources of real-time news with users acting as the sensors updating the content from all across the globe, yet the spread of rumours via Twitter is becoming an increasingly alarming issue and is known to have caused significant damage already. We propose a credibility analysis approach based on the linguistic structure of the tweets. We not only characterize the Twitter events but also predict their perceived credibility of them by a novel deep learning architecture. We use the huge CREDBANK data to conduct our experiments. Some of our exciting findings are that standard LIWC categories like 'negate', 'discrep', 'cogmech', 'swear' and the Empath categories like 'hate', 'poor', 'government', 'worship' and 'swearing-terms' correlate negatively with the credibility of events. While some of our results resonate with the earlier literature others represent novel insights of the fake and legitimate twitter events. Using the above observations and the current deep learning architecture we predict the credibility of an event (a four-class classification problem in our case) with an accuracy of 0.54 that improves the best-known state-of-the-art (current accuracy 0.43) by ~ 26%. A fascinating observation is that even by looking at the first few tweets of an event, it is possible to make the prediction almost as accurate as in the case where the entire volume of tweets is observed.
Heart Rate Variability, Risk-Taking Behavior and Resilience in Firefighters During a Simulated Extinguish-Fire Task

Firefighters face a high-risk potential, thus their psychological ability to cope with critical or traumatic events is a crucial characteristic. This study examines correlations between cardiac autonomic modulation, risk-taking behavior, and resilience in professional firefighters. Twenty male professional firefighters underwent a 20 min beat-to-beat heart rate (HR) monitoring at baseline in the morning upon awakening, then before, during and after a realistic deployment in a container, systematically set on fire. Risk-taking behavior, resilience, and subjective stress were assessed by specific validated tools after deployment: the Risk-taking Scale (R-1), the Resilience Scale (RS-13), and the multi-dimensional NASA-Task Load Index. The cardiac autonomic modulation at rest and in response to stress was assessed by classic indexes of heart rate variability (HRV) as RMSSD and LF/HF ratio. Results showed that: (i) risk-taking behavior correlated with a withdrawal in vagal indices, shifted the baseline sympathovagal balance toward sympathetic predominance (LF/HF ratio r(8) = 0.522, p = 0.01), and increased mean HR both in baseline and during physical exercise (r(8) = 0.526, p = 0.01 and r(8) = 0.445, p = 0.05, respectively); (ii) resilience was associated with higher vagal indices (RMSSD r(18) = 0.288, p = 0.04), and with a baseline sympathovagal balance shifted toward parasympathetic predominance (LF/HF ratio r(18) = −0.289, p = 0.04). Associations of risk-taking behavior and resilience with cardiac autonomic modulation could be demonstrated, showing that HRV may be a valuable monitoring tool in this specific population; however further studies are warranted for validation.
Influence of Fibres Inclination on the Degree of Gaussianity of Simulated Surface EMG Signals

The main purpose of this simulation study was to estimate the effect of muscle fibres inclination on the degree of Gaussianity of the surface electromyographic (sEMG) signals generated in a cylindrical multilayer volume conductor constituted by bone, muscle, fat and skin layers and detected by the longitudinal single differential (LSD), inverse binomial of order two (IB2), maximum kurtosis filter (MKF) and three rings (3RGs) systems. This estimation was based on the computation of the Kurtosis of simulated sEMG signals when the fibres inclination angle (FIA) varied from 0° to 180° in a step of 2.5°. For each FIA, the effects of the motor units (MUs) recruitment range (RR) and the level of muscular voluntary contraction (MVC) were also assessed. The results showed that with the same detection system, the degree of Gaussianity of the EMG signal is highly influenced by the fibres inclination with respect to the electrodes arrangement. Indeed, the classification of the studied detection systems according to the degree of Gaussianity of sEMG signals detected by them is different from a FIA interval to another i.e. a surface EMG signal detected by any detection system may be the most Gaussian with an FIA interval as it may be the least Gaussian in another FIA interval.
An evaluation of the state of spatial point pattern analysis in ecology

Over the last two decades spatial point pattern analysis (SPPA) has become increasingly popular in ecological research. To direct future work in this area we review studies using SPPA techniques in ecology and related disciplines. We first summarize the key elements of SPPA in ecology (i.e. data types, summary statistics and their estimation, null models, comparison of data and models, and consideration of heterogeneity); second, we review how ecologists have used these key elements; and finally, we identify practical difficulties that are still commonly encountered and point to new methods that allow current key questions in ecology to be effectively addressed. Our review of 308 articles published over the period 1992–2012 reveals that a standard canon of SPPA techniques in ecology has been largely identified and that most of the earlier technical issues that occupied ecologists, such as edge correction, have been solved. However, the majority of studies underused the methodological potential offered by modern SPPA. More advanced techniques of SPPA offer the potential to address a variety of highly relevant ecological questions. For example, inhomogeneous summary statistics can quantify the impact of heterogeneous environments, mark correlation functions can include trait and phylogenetic information in the analysis of multivariate spatial patterns, and more refined point process models can be used to realistically characterize the structure of a wide range of patterns. Additionally, recent advances in fitting spatially-explicit simulation models of community dynamics to point pattern summary statistics hold the promise for solving the longstanding problem of linking pattern to process. All these newer developments allow ecologists to keep up with the increasing availability of spatial data sets provided by newer technologies, which allow point patterns and environmental variables to be mapped over large spatial extents at increasingly higher image resolutions.
Crew-Friendly Countermeasures Against Musculoskeletal Injuries in Aviation and Spaceflight

Aviation and space medicine face many common musculoskeletal challenges that manifest in crew of rotary-wing aircraft (RWA), high-performance jet aircraft (HPJA), and spacecraft. Furthermore, many astronauts are former pilots of RWA or HPJA. Flight crew are exposed to recurrent musculoskeletal risk relating to the extreme environments in which they operate, including high-gravitational force equivalents (g-forces), altered gravitational vectors, vibratory loading, and interaction with equipment. Several countermeasures have been implemented or are currently under development to reduce the magnitude and frequency of these injuries. Cervical and lumbar spine, as well as extremity injuries, are common to aviators and astronauts, and occur in training and operational environments. Stress on the spinal column secondary to gravitational loading and unloading, ± vibration are implicated in the development of pain syndromes and intervertebral disk pathology. While necessary for operation in extreme environments, crew-support equipment can contribute to musculoskeletal strain or trauma. Crew-focused injury prevention measures such as stretching, exercise, and conditioning programs have demonstrated the potential to prevent pre-flight, in-flight, and post-flight injuries. Equipment countermeasures, especially those addressing helmet mass and center of gravity and spacesuit ergonomics, are also key in injury prevention. Furthermore, behavioral and training interventions are required to ensure that crew are prepared to safely operate when faced with these exposures. The common operational exposures and risk factors between RWA and HPJA pilots and astronauts lend themselves to collaborative studies to develop and improve countermeasures. Countermeasures require time and resources, and careful consideration is warranted to ensure that crew have access to equipment and expertise necessary to implement them. Further investigation is required to demonstrate long-term success of these interventions and inform flight surgeon decision-making about individualized treatment. Lessons learned from each population must be applied to the others to mitigate adverse effects on crew health and well-being and mission readiness.
FEWER T LYMPHOCYTES AND DECREASED PULMONARY INFLUENZA VIRUS BURDEN IN MICE EXPOSED TO 2,3,7,8-TETRACHLORODIBENZO-p-DIOXIN (TCDD)

The immune system is a sensitive target for the toxicity of the environmental contaminant 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). In mice, immunotoxicity associated with exposure to TCDD includes suppression of humoral and cell-mediated immunity and impaired host resistance to infectious agents. However, the underlying mechanisms for these effects of TCDD are unknown. We previously reported that treatment of C57Bl/6 mice with TCDD and influenza A virus increases mortality, impairs cytokine production, and suppresses T cell expansion and the generation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) in the draining lymph node. However, the overall virus-specific cytolytic activity in the lung is unaffected. This enigmatic finding left several questions unanswered, including whether decreased CD8+ lymphocytes in the lung are the consequence of either delayed or suppressed recruitment of cells to the lung; whether exposure to TCDD affects the recruitment of CD4+ cells to the lung; and what effect TCDD treatment has on pulmonary virus burden. To compare the kinetics of the response in vehicle- and TCDD-treated mice, we examined the number of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells and CTL activity in the lung through d 10 postinfection. We found that the peak day for cellular influx and cytolytic activity in the lung is 9 d after infection. Immunophenotypic analysis of BAL cells shows that, when compared with BAL cells from infected controls, exposure to TCDD caused a 50% decrease in the percentage and number of both CD4+ and CD8+ cells. When the pulmonary virus burden was examined over time, we found that on d 1-5 postinfection, lungs from mice exposed to TCDD generally had lower virus titers than lung homogenates from vehicle-treated controls. By d 9 postinfection, no influenza virus was detected in lung homogenates from either vehicle- or TCDD-treated mice. These findings are likely not related to the observed decrease in CD4+ and CD8+ BAL cells; moreover, the diminished CD4+ population in the lung indicates that CD4+ cells are probably not compensating for the decreased CTL generation in TCDD-treated mice. Our observation that mice exposed to TCDD and infected with influenza virus do not have an increased pulmonary virus burden suggests either that TCDD treatment alters the host response to infection, creating a cellular environment that is less supportive for viral growth, or that exposure to TCDD directly affects influenza virus, leading to impaired virus replication within lung epithelial cells.
Is there direct and delayed density dependent variation in population structure in a temperate European cyclic vole population

Population structure, in terms of the body mass, condition, sex and reproductive status of individuals, has been found to vary in phase with population density in cyclic populations of microtine rodents. Because sustained population cycles involve delayed density dependent changes in the population growth rate, we would expect at least some life history traits also to depend on past densities. Detailed, long-term studies of changes in vole life history traits are however few, and are largely restricted to northern Europe. In view of the uncertainty as to whether the cyclic microtine populations of western Europe represent the same phenomenon as those of northern Europe, we studied temporal variation in the structure of a clearly cyclic population of the common vole Microtus arvalis Pallas, in the cereal plains of mid-western France. Our data set contains seasonal, individual-level data from long-term, large-scale trapping covering four entire population cycles. We found considerable cyclic variation in population structure in spring (April), but less so in summer (June). In spring of post-peak years, animals were of low body weight and body condition (particularly females), litter sizes were smaller and there was a reduction in the proportion of breeders. All of these could be proximal drivers of increased mortality rates, or decreased birth rates, contributing to the population declines. Few life history traits, however, showed direct density dependent variation, and none of the traits studied here showed delayed density dependence. We have shown declines in the fecundity and body condition of voles from a western European population that coincides with, and may be a proximal cause of, cyclic declines in population density. Closer attention to proximal causes, by which ecological processes drive cycles, could clarify the extent to which microtine cycles across Europe represent a single phenomenon.
Influence of Storage Temperatures and Period on Settlement Rate and Substrate Discrimination in Cyprids of the Barnacle Balanus amphitrite

The barnacle Balanus amphitrite is an excellent model organism for antifouling studies because of its rapid larval development and the ease of synchronous mass cultures.1,2) Basically two types of larval assay2-5) have been used to study barnacle settlement. The essential differences be tween them, summarized by Clare,6 are as follows. Crisp and Meadows3) employed slate substrata that are placed into a rotating dish of seawater. Cyprids of unknown age are then added and allowed to "choose" between substrata that have been treated in different ways. On the other hand, the assay developed by Rittschof et al.2,5) is per formed in small polystyrene petri dishes under static condi tions, using known-age cyprids previously stored in the dark at 6•Ž. No choice of substrata is offered. Although the method of Rittschof et al.2,5) has often been used, we thought that cyprids might be adversely affected by storing at such low water temperature, because cyprids of this animal live in the sea at 16-27•Ž. 7-9) Accord ingly, we examined differences of settlement rate and sub strate discrimination between cyprids stored at 25•Ž and 5•Ž by our larval assay under the condition of water flow.10,11) At 25•Ž, two hundred 0-day-old cyprids, which were newly-transformed larvae from nauplii, were placed into a