Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Attributed Graph Clustering Approach Based on Nearest Neighbor Graph

The traditional attribute graph clustering approaches suffer from low computation efficiency and poor accuracy problems. How to design a general attribute graph cluster method, which leverages both the attribute and structure characteristics, has become a new challenge. This paper proposes an attribute graph clustering algorithm based on $k$ Nearest Neighbor(kNN) graph, called KAGC, which leverages both the traditional structured graph clustering method SCAN and kNN graph. KAGC performs a three-step fusion. Firstly, KAGC constructs a weighted graph based on the mixed similarity of attribute and structure, then clusters the nodes based on high similarity edges in DFS order, and finally merges the small clusters by joint strength. Experimental results demonstrate that the KAGC can effectively cluster the attribute graph and better balance the attribute and structural information of nodes.
Assessing the performance of a semi‐automated acoustic monitoring system for primates

Passive acoustic monitoring is frequently used for marine mammals, and more recently it has also become popular for terrestrial species. Key advantages are the monitoring of (1) elusive species, (2) different taxa simultaneously, (3) large temporal and spatial scales, (4) with reduced human presence and (5) with considerable time saving for data processing. However, terrestrial sound environments can be highly complex; they are very challenging when trying to automatically detect and classify vocalizations because of low signal‐to‐noise ratios. Therefore, most studies have used manual preselection of high‐quality sounds to achieve better classification rates. Consequently, most systems have never been validated under realistic field conditions. In this study, we evaluated the performance of a passive acoustic monitoring system for four primate species in the highly noisy rain forest environment of the Taï National Park, Côte d'Ivoire. We collected 12 851 h of recordings with 20 autonomous recording units and did not preselect high‐quality sounds manually. To automatically detect and classify the sounds of interest, we used an automated system built on speaker segmentation, support vector machines and Gaussian mixture models. One hundred and seventy‐nine hours of recordings were used for validating the system. The system performed well in detecting the loud calls of Cercopithecus diana and Colobus polykomos with a recall of 50% and 42%, respectively. Recall rates were lower for Pan troglodytes and Procolobus badius. To determine the presence of Cercopithecus diana and Colobus polykomos with a certainty of P > 0·999, 2 and 7 h of recordings were needed, respectively. For these two species, our automated approach reflected the spatio‐temporal distribution of vocalization events well. Despite the seemingly low precision, time investment for the manual removal of false positives in the system's output was only 3·5% compared to a human collecting and processing the primate vocalization data. The proposed monitoring system is already fully applicable for Cercopithecus diana and Colobus polykomos, whereas it needs further improvement for the other species tested. In principle, it can be applied to any distinctive animal sound and can be implemented for the collection of acoustic data for behavioural, ecological and conservation studies.
DETERMINACIÓN DE MATERIA SECA EN PASTOS Y FORRAJES A PARTIR DE LA TEMPERATURA DE SECADO PARA ANÁLISIS

Durante el periodo 1986-2002, se procesaron un total de 4 011 muestras de alimentos de diversas categorias, con la caracteristica comun de requerir secado previo a la molienda, para disenar una rutina de trabajo que permita simultanear el proceso de determinacion de materia seca verdadera y la obtencion de muestra desecada para su analisis. Tras homogeneizacion manual, las muestras fueron subdivididas en dos fracciones. Una se seco a 102°C para la determinacion de materia seca verdadera y otra a 60°C para obtener muestra seca para analisis. La metodologia fue identica en ambos casos, a excepcion de la temperatura de secado. La relacion obtenida entre los porcentajes de materia seca segun ambas temperaturas puso de manifiesto que, mediante un unico proceso de secado a 60°C durante 24h con aire forzado, es posible obtener muestra desecada para analisis de pastos, forrajes verdes, subproductos humedos, ensilados de forrajes, cereales y subproductos, forrajes deshidratados y dietas completas y, simultaneamente, calcular el porcentaje de materia seca. Conlleva un error por exceso para forrajes no ensilados, subproductos y ensilados de cereales y subproductos y por defecto para los ensilados de hierba, raigras italiano y maiz y dietas completas con ensilado, careciendo ambos errores de importancia practica dada la heterogeneidad del tipo de muestras objeto de estudio
Synchronisation of a class of networked passive systems with switching topology

This article considers the output synchronisation of a class of networked agents. Each agent is a passive system. Local information, used by each agent to adjust its movement, forms a network with switching adjacent topology. First, we consider the asymptotic stability of switched non-linear time-varying systems with delayed measurement feedback by using multiple Lyapunov function. A Barbalat-like lemma is obtained. Then the result is applied to the output synchronisation of a class of networked passive systems with switching topology. A verifiable sufficient condition is presented.
Detection and Differentiation of Avian Reoviruses Using SYBR-Green I–Based Two-Step Real-Time Reverse Transcription PCR with Melting Curve Analysis

SUMMARY. A two-step SYBR-Green I–based real-time PCR with melting curve analysis was developed to detect and differentiate the avian reovirus (ARV) &sgr;C gene in field and vaccine ARVs. Three primer sets were used to amplify the &sgr;C gene from its 5′, center, and 3′ regions and analyze the melting point temperatures of nine ARVs. By combining the melting curves of the three ARV &sgr;C gene regions, melting curve analysis could accurately distinguish the ARVs of different subtypes, and the results were consistent with phylogenetic analysis. The ARV &sgr;C gene polymorphisms from different strains were also used to explain the differences in melting point temperatures. Compared with traditional subtyping methods, the current melting curve analysis provided an accurate test for separating ARVs, thereby making it a useful method for the improved selection of ARV vaccines. RESUMEN. Detección y diferenciación de reovirus aviares utilizando un método de transcripción reversa y PCR en tiempo real en dos pasos con análisis de la curva de fusión utilizando SYBR-Green I. Se desarrolló un método de PCR en tiempo real en dos pasos basado en el análisis de las curvas de fusión con SYBR-Green I para detectar y diferenciar reovirus aviares mediante el gene sigma C de cepas de campo y de vacunas. Se utilizaron tres pares de iniciadores para amplificar el gene Sigma C desde las regiones del extremo 5′, el centro y el extremo 3′ y se analizaron las temperaturas de punto de fusión de nueve reovirus aviares. Mediante el análisis combinado de las curvas de fusión de las tres regiones del gene sigma C, el análisis de la curva de fusión pudo distinguir con precisión los diferentes subtipos de reovirus aviares, y los resultados fueron confirmados mediante el análisis filogenético. Los polimorfismos del gene C de diferentes cepas también fueron utilizados para explicar las diferencias en las temperaturas de punto de fusión. En comparación con los métodos tradicionales de subtipificación, este análisis de la curva de fusión, resultó ser una prueba exacta para clasificar los reovirus aviares, por lo tanto resultó ser un método útil para la selección más adecuadas vacunas contra reovirus aviares.
Ultrasonic monitoring of bone fracture healing

Quantitative ultrasound has attracted significant interest in the evaluation of bone fracture healing. Animal and clinical studies have demonstrated that the propagation velocity across fractured bones can be used as an indicator of healing. Researchers have recently employed computational methods for modeling wave propagation in bones, aiming to gain insight into the underlying mechanisms of wave propagation and to further enhance the monitoring capabilities of ultrasound. In this paper, we review the relevant literature and present the current status of knowledge.
Analysis of Power System Disturbances Based on Wide-Area Frequency Measurements

It is very important to understand system dynamics during disturbances in order to improve control measures to ensure power system security and reliability. Power system disturbances are examined in this paper based on wide-area frequency data from a nation-wide frequency monitoring network (FNET). Frequency characteristics of events in three major North America power grids are investigated. Typical frequency patterns of generation loss and load drop events are analyzed for Eastern Interconnection system, Western Electricity Coordinating Council system, and Electric Reliability Council of Texas system. The recovery patterns following disturbances are also studied to evaluate control performances of the interconnections.
Sonication versus Vortexing of Implants for Diagnosis of Prosthetic Joint Infection

ABSTRACT Biofilm removal efficacy of vortexing alone was compared with the standard vortexing-sonication procedure. Among 135 removed prostheses, 35 were diagnosed with infection and 100 with aseptic failure. At a cutoff of ≥50 CFU/ml, sonication was more sensitive than vortexing (60% versus 40%, P = 0.151), while the specificity was 99% for both methods.
Effects of ryanodine on tension development in rat aorta and mesenteric resistance vessels

1 The effects of ryanodine on contractile responses dependent either on intracellular Ca2+ release or on extracellular Ca2+ influx were studied in aorta and mesenteric resistance vessels of the rat. 2 In aorta, in the presence of extracellular Ca2+, pretreatment with ryanodine (10−5 m) did not modify contractile responses to noradrenaline (NA) (10−6 m) whereas in the absence of Ca2+, pretreatment with ryanodine reduced to about 25% the contractile response to NA (10−6 m) and totally abolished the transient contraction elicited by caffeine (5 × 10−2 m). 3 In mesenteric resistance vessels, ryanodine (10−5 m) had no effects on NA (10−5 m)‐induced tension in the presence of extracellular Ca2+ but totally abolished contractile responses to caffeine (10−2 m) in the absence of Ca2+. 4 In K+‐depolarized mesenteric resistance vessels, pretreatment with ryanodine (10−5 m) significantly enhanced contractile responses to Ca2+ concentrations higher than 10−4 m and 10−3 m for arteries depolarized with 30 mm and 40 mm K+ respectively. Concentrations of either diltiazem (6 × 10−7 m) or nifedipine (10−8 m) that abolished contractile responses to Ca2+ in depolarized arteries (K+, 40 mm) did not totally inhibit the enhancement of Ca2+‐induced contractions obtained in the presence of ryanodine. 5 Ryanodine did not modify the Ca2+ concentration‐effect relationships in mesenteric resistance vessels exposed to NA or arginine vasopressin. 6 These data are consistent with the hypothesis that ryanodine induces a release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores, resulting in a subsequent reduction of the amplitude of contractions dependent upon intracellular Ca2+ liberation. Furthermore, the ability of sarcoplasmic reticulum to buffer rises in cytoplasmic Ca2+ may be reduced in the presence of ryanodine, thereby accounting for the potentiation of contractile responses to Ca2+ in K+‐depolarized mesenteric resistance vessels.
Urinary concentration of human chorionic gonadotrophin and its fragments as a prognostic marker in bladder cancer.

OBJECTIVE To examine the prognostic significance of elevated urinary beta human chorionic gonadotrophin (beta-hCG) in patients with bladder cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS Total beta-hCG was measured in the urine of 142 patients referred for cystoscopic examination. Patients were followed for a minimum of 17 months and grouped according to stage of disease. Because the water output by individual patients varied, urinary creatinine levels were measured as an indicator of the concentration of the urine sample. Patient outcomes were correlated with urinary total beta-hCG levels both corrected and uncorrected for creatinine concentration. After correcting for urinary creatinine levels, 40 patients were excluded because the sample was too dilute (undetectable beta-hCG and a creatinine level of < 4 mmol/L). A further four patients were excluded as they had concurrent malignancies not in the bladder and one patient was lost to follow up. RESULTS None of the 52 patients with benign conditions, nine of the 27 with Ta-T1, and nine of the 25 with T2-T4 bladder disease had urinary total beta-hCG levels > 3.74 IU/mmol/L creatinine. There was no significant association between urinary total beta-hCG concentrations and the rates of recurrence or progression for Ta-T1 disease at 17 months of follow-up. For patients with T2-T4 disease there was a significant association with widespread metastasis (P < 0.01) and mortality (P < 0.01) at 17 months of follow-up. These associations persisted when urinary total beta-hCG levels were not corrected for urinary creatinine concentration (metastasis, P < 0.01; mortality, P = 0.07; Kaplan-Meier survival time analysis, uncorrected for creatinine P = 0.027, corrected for creatinine P < 0.001). This association could not be accounted for by differences in age, histopathology or treatment. CONCLUSION Although sample concentration was a serious confounding factor, after correcting for dilution using the creatinine content, the elevated urinary levels of total beta-hCG indicated those T2-T4 lesions which were likely to metastasize and those patients likely to die early. If this test is to be used clinically, concentrated samples, i.e. early-morning urine, and a more sensitive beta-hCG assay are required. Nevertheless, for T2-T4 bladder tumours, an elevated pre-treatment level of urinary beta-hCG is a marker of poor prognosis and may prove useful in deciding appropriate therapy.
Determination of the optimal position of the sink node for the purposes of preservation of low emissivity in the last mile telemetrie network

The paper presents the method for determination of the sink node for the purposes of lowering the emissivity of the smart grid last mile network. This is crucial as an air interface is more and more affected by the interference caused by the growing number of such wireless devices. Finding the optimal position of the sink node will provide optimal routing of the information from the source node avoiding unnecessary transmissions.
The effect of stress on the inflammatory response to Porphyromonas gingivalis in a mouse subcutaneous chamber model.

BACKGROUND The impact of emotional stress on the outcome of infectious diseases was studied in animal models and humans, but data related to the effect of stress on periodontal infection are limited. Using the subcutaneous chamber model in mice, the present study was carried out to investigate the effect of stress on the host response to Porphyromonas gingivalis. METHODS Mice with subcutaneous chambers (2 per animal) were divided into 4 treatment groups: cold-stress; isolation-stress; corticosterone (CS)-injected; and controls. On the third day of stress conditions, heat-killed P. gingivalis were injected into the chambers. The chambers were sampled 1 and 5 days later and analyzed for leukocyte number, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha levels, and interferon (IFN)-gamma levels. RESULTS Injection of P. gingivalis induced the migration of leukocytes into the chambers and increased the intrachamber levels of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha. There were no significant differences in cell number and IFN-gamma levels between the different treatment groups, but the levels of TNF-alpha were significantly lower in the isolation-stress and cold-stress groups compared to control animals. CS-injected animals were not different from controls. In addition, the levels of TNF-alpha in the stressed animals were lower on the fifth day post-injection than on the first day, but not in the CS and control group. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that the levels of TNF-alpha induced by P. gingivalis in the infection site are downregulated in stressed animals, and CS is not the sole mediator responsible. The stress-induced reduction in TNF-alpha levels might have an impact on the pathogenesis of periodontal disease in humans experiencing emotional stress.
Genetic Steps of Mammalian Homologous Repair with Distinct Mutagenic Consequences

ABSTRACT Repair of chromosomal breaks is essential for cellular viability, but misrepair generates mutations and gross chromosomal rearrangements. We investigated the interrelationship between two homologous-repair pathways, i.e., mutagenic single-strand annealing (SSA) and precise homology-directed repair (HDR). For this, we analyzed the efficiency of repair in mammalian cells in which double-strand break (DSB) repair components were disrupted. We observed an inverse relationship between HDR and SSA when RAD51 or BRCA2 was impaired, i.e., HDR was reduced but SSA was increased. In particular, expression of an ATP-binding mutant of RAD51 led to a >90-fold shift to mutagenic SSA repair. Additionally, we found that expression of an ATP hydrolysis mutant of RAD51 resulted in more extensive gene conversion, which increases genetic loss during HDR. Disruption of two other DSB repair components affected both SSA and HDR, but in opposite directions: SSA and HDR were reduced by mutation of Brca1, which, like Brca2, predisposes to breast cancer, whereas SSA and HDR were increased by Ku70 mutation, which affects nonhomologous end joining. Disruption of the BRCA1-associated protein BARD1 had effects similar to those of mutation of BRCA1. Thus, BRCA1/BARD1 has a role in homologous repair before the branch point of HDR and SSA. Interestingly, we found that Ku70 mutation partially suppresses the homologous-repair defects of BARD1 disruption. We also examined the role of RAD52 in homologous repair. In contrast to yeast, Rad52 − / − mouse cells had no detectable HDR defect, although SSA was decreased. These results imply that the proper genetic interplay of repair factors is essential to limit the mutagenic potential of DSB repair.
Connection of offshore wind parks: HVAC and HVDC-LCC links with STATCOM

High wind speeds and wide available area at sea have recently increased the global interest on offshore wind farms. As offshore wind farms become larger and are placed further from the shore, the power transmission to the onshore grid becomes a key feature. The objective of this work is to give further insight to HVAC and HVDC-LCC transmission systems. Several compensation schemes for absorbing the excessive reactive power associated to HVAC are evaluated. Furthermore, the benefits of the STATCOM, namely in what concerns its improved voltage control capabilities, are addressed for both technologies. The results obtained bare some similarities, but also important differences, which are highlighted in the paper.
Association of Uric Acid with Obesity and Endothelial Dysfunction in Children and Early Adolescents

Background: Hyperuricemia in adults is known to be associated with hypertension, the metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the factors associated with hyperuricemia in obese children and early adolescents and to investigate the threshold serum level of uric acid (UA) for the metabolic syndrome in children. Methods: We assessed anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, body composition and biochemical data in 1,559 obese children. To assess endothelial dysfunction, flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) was measured in 92 children. The correlations between serum UA levels and various parameters were examined. The threshold serum UA level for the metabolic syndrome was calculated by receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results: Serum UA levels were positively correlated with lipids in both boys and girls, and they were inversely correlated with FMD in the boys but not the girls. The threshold serum UA level for the metabolic syndrome was 5.25 mg/dl in boys and 5.05 mg/dl in girls. However, the specificity and sensitivity of ROC curve analysis are not so striking. Conclusion: The correlation between UA and FMD showed gender differences and might be affected by the hormonal status. The cutoff level of serum UA as a marker of the metabolic syndrome in obese children was affected by both age and gender.
Metal‐Catalyzed Disruption of Membrane Protein and Lipid Signaling in the Pathogenesis of Neurodegenerative Disorders

Abstract: Membrane lipid peroxidation and oxidative modification of various membrane and associated proteins (e.g., receptors, ion transporters and channels, and signal transduction and cytoskeletal proteins) occur in a range of neurodegenerative disorders. This membrane‐associated oxidative stress (MAOS) is promoted by redox‐active metals, most notably iron and copper. The mechanisms whereby different genetic and environmental factors initiate MAOS in specific neurological disorders are being elucidated. In Alzheimer's disease (AD), the amyloid β‐peptide generates reactive oxygen species and induces MAOS, resulting in disruption of cellular calcium homeostasis. In Parkinson's disease (PD), mitochondrial toxins and perturbed ubiquitin‐dependent proteolysis may impair ATP production and increase oxyradical production and MAOS. The inheritance of polyglutamine‐expanded huntingtin may promote neuronal degeneration in Huntington's disease (HD), in part, by increasing MAOS. Increased MAOS occurs in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) as the result of genetic abnormalities (e.g., Cu/Zn‐superoxide dismutase mutations) or exposure to environmental toxins. Levels of iron are increased in vulnerable neuronal populations in AD and PD, and dietary and pharmacological manipulations of iron and copper modify the course of the disease in mouse models of AD and PD in ways that suggest a role for these metals in disease pathogenesis. An increasing number of pharmacological and dietary interventions are being identified that can suppress MAOS and neuronal damage and improve functional outcome in animal models of AD, PD, HD, and ALS. Novel preventative and therapeutic approaches for neurodegenerative disorders are emerging from basic research on the molecular and cellular actions of metals and MAOS in neural cells.