Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dynamic performance analysis of DC microgrid with a proposed control strategy for single-phase VCVSI

This paper presents the dynamic performance analysis of a “dc microgrid”, under islanded mode, considering the impact of dc cable drops, and a control strategy developed for the single-phase Voltage Controlled Voltage Source Inverter (VCVSI) under various operating scenarios. The DC Microgrid (DCMG) consists of wind turbine, solar photo-voltaic, fuel cell, Distributed Generations (DGs), battery energy storage system, and various dc and ac loads. The dc cable has been used for connecting each of the DGs and loads to the DCMG. The control strategy of single-phase VCVSI, using the combination of “feedback” and “feed-forward” control loops, has been suggested and implemented in d-q rotating reference frame. The developed control scheme has been used to connect single-phase ac loads to the DCMG, which maintains desired sinusoidal load-voltage waveform with low total harmonic voltage distortion and required power flow from the DCMG to single-phase ac loads.
High expression of miR-105-1 positively correlates with clinical prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma by targeting oncogene NCOA1

Increasing evidence supports that microRNA (miRNA) plays a significant functional role in cancer progression by directly regulating respective targets. In this study, the expression levels of miR-105-1 and its target gene were analyzed using genes microarray and hierarchical clustering analysis followed by validation with quantitative RT-PCR in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and normal liver tissues. We examined the expression of nuclear receptor coactivator 1 (NCOA1), the potential target gene of miR-105-1, following the transfection of miR-105-1 mimics or inhibitors. Our results showed that miR-105-1 was downregulated in HCC tissues when compared with normal liver tissues and patients with lower miR-105-1 expression had shorter overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS). Moreover, NCOA1 was confirmed to be a direct target of miR-105-1. Furthermore, concomitant high expression of NCOA1 and low expression of miR-105-1 correlated with a shorter median OS and PFS in HCC patients. In conclusion, our results provide the first evidence that NCOA1 is a direct target of miR-105-1 suggesting that NCOA1 and miR-105-1 may have potential prognostic value and may be useful as tumor biomarkers for the diagnosis of HCC patients.
What Role Does Job Satisfaction Play on The Relationship Between Organizational Justice Perception And Organizational Citizenship Behavior? Empirical Evidence from Sri Lankan Employees

Although studies on organizational justice perception relating to organizational citizenship behavior have been conducted, few empirical studies have examined this phenomenon. This study aimed at exploring the relationships among organizational justice perception, job satisfaction and organizational citizenship behavior. Two hundred and twenty five employees participated in this study. Results revealed that organizational justice perception affects job satisfaction and organizational citizenship behavior. Hierarchical linear regression was used to analyze the mediation effect. The results also revealed job satisfaction partially mediate the relationship between organizational justice and organizational citizenship behavior. This study suggests that employee organizational citizenship behavior and job satisfaction can be increased by increasing justice practices in the workplace. Limitations, areas for future research and implications of the findings are also discussed.
Design of an Interactive Experience with Medieval Illuminations: A Journey into the Beauty and Meaning of Medieval Portuguese Manuscripts

This article presents the design, implementation, and evaluation of an interactive installation to explore color in medieval illuminations and their context. The main goal of the installation is to promote wide dissemination of Portuguese medieval illuminations as well as to achieve engagement of the public in the conservation of this treasured heritage. The interactive installation is based on the experience and results obtained in a series of hands-on workshops, where “real” colored paints were produced using techniques and pigments similar to the originals. The design and development process of the interactive installation was carried out by a multidisciplinary team in computer engineering, design, illustration, art history, history, chemistry, and conservation science. The installation, after several iterations on the content and technology, explores innovative computational interfaces and how they can be developed and used in cultural heritage. It has three components that work independently or as a full installation: (1) Virtual Scriptorium, (2) Interactive Panel, and (3) Augmented Book. The design rational, implementation, and evaluation of the modular installation are described, as well as how this work contributes to the wide dissemination of information on these extraordinary medieval manuscripts.
The influence of perchlorate ions on complex charging transients in amphibian striated muscle

1 The effects of perchlorate ions on intramembrane charge movements were examined under different conditions of ryanodine receptor (RyR) modification in intact voltage‐clamped amphibian skeletal muscle fibres studied in the gluconate‐containing solutions previously reported to emphasize the features of qγ at the expense of those of the qβ charge. 2 The introduction of graded increases in perchlorate concentration to the experimental solutions selectively shifted the threshold of appearance of the qγ‘hump’ currents to more negative test potentials at which they actually appeared in the absence of prior qβ transients at perchlorate concentrations of 4.0‐8.0 mM. Such findings suggested that the delayed (qγ) transitions can take place independently of any previous exponential (qβ) decay. 3 These kinetic effects were accompanied by hyperpolarizing shifts in the transition potentials (V*) of the steady‐state voltage dependences of either the overall or the isolated qγ charge. These shifts were graded with concentration and reached their maximum effects at 4.0‐8.0 mM perchlorate. However, both the total charge (Qmax) and the steepness factor (k) remained conserved at values consistent with a system that included significant contributions from the steeply voltage‐sensitive qγ component (overall charge: Qmax≈ 19‐21 nC μF−1, k≈ 7‐9 mV; qγ component alone: Qmax≈ 10‐12 nC μF−1, k≈ 4‐6 mV). This contrasts with earlier reports on the effects of perchlorate in fibres that were studied in sulphate‐ or methanesulphonate‐containing extracellular solutions. 4 Perchlorate (8.0 mM) restored the ‘hump’ waveform associated with qγ charge movements that had previously been obliterated by the prior application of fully effective (0.1 mM) concentrations of either ryanodine or daunorubicin. 5 Perchlorate similarly reversed the positive shift in the transition potential of the qγ component that was brought about by such RyR modification (from V*≈ ‐40 mV back to V*≈ ‐60 mV). In contrast, the values of either Qmax (overall charge, 19‐21 nC μF−1; qγ component, 10‐13 nC μF−1) or k (overall charge, 7‐9 mV; qγ component, 4‐6 mV) remained conserved through all these experimental manoeuvres. 6 The inclusion of perchlorate also reversed the action of 2 mM tetracaine and restored delayed qγ transients to an extent that was graded with concentration (0.5‐8.0 mM perchlorate). There was an accompanying recovery of the steeply voltage‐dependent steady‐state (qγ) component consistent with a competitive interaction between these agents upon the qγ intramembrane charge. 7 The present findings suggest that perchlorate exerts a specific action upon the qγ charge in independent transitions that are driven by the tubular membrane field. Its interactions with the known RyR inhibitors that nevertheless conserve both the charge and its voltage sensitivity suggest a primary action upon the RyR that in turn exerts reciprocal actions upon the voltage sensor.
Radically different scales of phylogeographic structuring within cryptic species of freshwater shrimp (Atyidae: Caridina)

We compared the phylogeographic structures of four cryptic species of freshwater shrimp from the Caridina indistincta complex (Atyidae) in eastern Australia using sequences of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase subunit I. We found very large differences between the species in the scales of overall geographic distribution, intraspecific divergence, and population structure. These species were characterized as either: (1) species with large ranges, low intraspecific divergence, and limited phylogeographic structuring (sp. D); (2) species with large ranges, high intraspecific divergence, and a high level of phylogeographic structuring (sp. B); (3) species with limited ranges, low intraspecific divergence, and no phylogeographic structuring (sp. E); or (4) species with limited ranges, high intraspecific divergences, and a high level of phylogeographic structuring (sp. A and sp. C [from another study]). A single haplotype of sp. D has a much larger distribution than other entire species, which have divergent intraspecific phylogroups isolated from each other at very small geographic scales. These patterns likely reflect a combination of large‐scale factors, such as landscape structure and climate change, and small‐scale factors, such as species‐specific tolerances to local conditions and differing dispersal capabilities. Life history variation (egg size) between Caridina species may be linked with differing dispersal abilities. Species in this study with the smallest eggs have the least intraspecific divergence and largest distribution, whereas those with the biggest eggs have the most divergence and smallest distribution, with medium‐sized egg species in between.
Cyber-hate on social media in the aftermath of Woolwich

This paper presents the first criminological analysis of an online social reaction to a crime event of national significance, in particular the detection and propagation of cyberhate on social media following a terrorist attack. We take the Woolwich, London terrorist attack in 2013 as our event of interest and draw on Cohen’s process of warning, impact, inventory and reaction to delineate a sequence of incidents that come to constitute a series of deviant responses following the attack. This paper adds to contemporary debates in criminology and the study of hate crime in three ways: (1) it provides the first analysis of the escalation, duration, diffusion and de-escalation of cyberhate in social media following a terrorist event; (2) it applies Cohen’s work on action, reaction and amplification and the role of the traditional media to the online context and (3) it introduces and provides a case study in ‘computational criminology’.
Running Behavior and Its Energy Cost in Mice Selectively Bred for High Voluntary Locomotor Activity

Locomotion is central to behavior and intrinsic to many fitness‐critical activities (e.g., migration, foraging), and it competes with other life‐history components for energy. However, detailed analyses of how changes in locomotor activity and running behavior affect energy budgets are scarce. We quantified these effects in four replicate lines of house mice that have been selectively bred for high voluntary wheel running (S lines) and in their four nonselected control lines (C lines). We monitored wheel speeds and oxygen consumption for 24–48 h to determine daily energy expenditure (DEE), resting metabolic rate (RMR), locomotor costs, and running behavior (bout characteristics). Daily running distances increased roughly 50%–90% in S lines in response to selection. After we controlled for body mass effects, selection resulted in a 23% increase in DEE in males and a 6% increase in females. Total activity costs (DEE − RMR) accounted for 50%–60% of DEE in both S and C lines and were 29% higher in S males and 5% higher in S females compared with their C counterparts. Energetic costs of increased daily running distances differed between sexes because S females evolved higher running distances by running faster with little change in time spent running, while S males also spent 40% more time running than C males. This increase in time spent running impinged on high energy costs because the majority of running costs stemmed from “postural costs” (the difference between RMR and the zero‐speed intercept of the speed vs. metabolic rate relationship). No statistical differences in these traits were detected between S and C females, suggesting that large changes in locomotor behavior do not necessarily effect overall energy budgets. Running behavior also differed between sexes: within S lines, males ran with more but shorter bouts than females. Our results indicate that selection effects on energy budgets can differ dramatically between sexes and that energetic constraints in S males might partly explain the apparent selection limit for wheel running observed for over 15 generations.
Kinetic mechanism of the p38-alpha MAP kinase: phosphoryl transfer to synthetic peptides.

p38 is a member of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase family. Activation (phosphorylation) of p38 acts as a switch for the transcriptional and translational regulation of a number of proteins, including the proinflammatory cytokines. Investigation of a set of small peptides revealed that, as with protein substrates, p38-alpha behaves as a proline-directed Ser/Thr MAP kinase for a peptide substrate, peptide 4 (IPTSPITTTYFFFKKK). We investigated the steady-state kinetic mechanism of the p38-alpha-catalyzed kinase reaction with EGF receptor peptide, peptide 1, as a substrate. Lineweaver-Burk analysis of the substrate kinetics yielded a family of lines intersecting to the left of the ordinate, with either ATP or peptide 1 as the varied substrate. Kinetic analysis in the presence of ADP yielded a competitive inhibition pattern when ATP was the varied substrate and a noncompetitive pattern if peptide 1 was the varied substrate. At saturating peptide substrate concentrations, inhibition by phosphopeptide product yielded an uncompetitive pattern when ATP was the varied substrate. These data are consistent with ordered binding with ATP as the initial substrate. We provide further evidence of the existence of a productive p38.ATP binary complex in that (a) activated p38-alpha has intrinsic ATPase activity, (b) ATPase and kinase activities are coupled, and (c) inhibitors of ATPase activity also inhibit the kinase activity with a similar inhibition constant. The k(cat) for the kinase reaction was lowered by 1.8-fold when ATP-gamma-S was used. Microviscosity linearly affected the k(cat) values of both the ATP and ATP-gamma-S reactions with a slope of about 0.8. These observations were interpreted to mean that the phosphoryl transfer step is not rate-limiting and that the release of product and/or enzyme isomerization is a possible rate-limiting step(s).
Genetic Characterization of the Belgian Nephropathogenic Infectious Bronchitis Virus (NIBV) Reference Strain B1648

The virulent nephropathogenic infectious bronchitis virus (NIBV) strain B1648 was first isolated in 1984, in Flanders, Belgium. Despite intensive vaccination, B1648 and its variants are still circulating in Europe and North Africa. Here, the full-length genome of this Belgian NIBV reference strain was determined by next generation sequencing (NGS) to understand its evolutionary relationship with other IBV strains, and to identify possible genetic factors that may be associated with the nephropathogenicity. Thirteen open reading frames (ORFs) were predicted in the B1648 strain (5′UTR-1a-1b-S-3a-3b-E-M-4b-4c-5a-5b-N-6b-3′UTR). ORFs 4b, 4c and 6b, which have been rarely reported in literature, were present in B1648 and most of the other IBV complete genomes. According to phylogenetic analysis of the full-length genome, replicase transcriptase complex, spike protein, partial S1 gene and M protein, B1648 strain clustered with the non-Massachusetts type strains NGA/A116E7/2006, UKr 27-11, QX-like ITA/90254/2005, QX-like CK/SWE/0658946/10, TN20/00, RF-27/99, RF/06/2007 and SLO/266/05. Based on the partial S1 fragment, B1648 clustered with the strains TN20/00, RF-27/99, RF/06/2007 and SLO/266/05 and, further designated as B1648 genotype. The full-length genome of B1648 shared the highest sequence homology with UKr 27-11, Gray, JMK, and NGA/A116E7/2006 (91.2% to 91.6%) and was least related with the reference Beaudette and Massachusetts strains (89.7%). Nucleotide and amino acid sequence analyses indicated that B1648 strain may have played an important role in the evolution of IBV in Europe and North Africa. Further, the nephropathogenicity determinants might be located on the 1a, spike, M and accessory proteins (3a, 3b, 4b, 4c, 5a, 5b and 6b). Overall, strain B1648 is distinct from all the strains reported so far in Europe and other parts of the world.
On the transient radiation of energy from simple current distributions and linear antennas

Smith (1998) examined the radiation from two simple filamentary current distributions: traveling-wave and uniform. The radiated or far-zone electric field was computed for an excitation that was a Gaussian pulse in time. Two interpretations for the origin of the radiation were presented, based on the far-field results. The present article continues this investigation; however, the emphasis is on an examination of the near field and the related transport of energy away from the current filament. We examine traveling-wave and standing-wave current distributions, because these distributions are frequently used to model practical antennas. Exact analytical expressions are presented for the electric and magnetic fields of the assumed, filamentary current distributions when the excitation is a general function of time. For the filamentary distributions, the current and charge are confined to a line (a line source). There is no radius associated with the filament. The expressions for the fields apply in both the near and far zones, and are used to determine the Poynting vector. For an excitation that is a Gaussian pulse in time, exact analytical expressions are obtained for the energy leaving the filament per unit time per unit length, the total energy leaving the filament per unit length, and the total energy radiated. Graphical results based on these expressions are used to study the energy transport from the filamentary current distributions. The results for the standing-wave current distribution are compared with those from an accurate analysis of a pulse-excited, cylindrical monopole antenna, performed using the FDTD method.
Modulation of DNA Repair In vitro after Treatment with Chemotherapeutic Agents by the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitor Gefitinib (ZD1839)

Purpose: The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is commonly expressed in human tumors and provides a target for therapy. Gefitinib (Iressa, ZD1839) is a quinazoline derivative that inhibits EGFR tyrosine kinase activity. Gefitinib demonstrated anticancer efficacy in vivo, and although experiments in vitro have suggested that inhibition of EGFR modulates the activity of chemotherapeutic agents, the mechanism of this interaction is unclear. We investigated mechanisms for this modulation. Experimental Design: The antiproliferative effect of gefitinib alone or combined with cisplatin, melphalan, and etoposide was determined in a human breast (MCF-7) cancer cell line. Using the alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis (comet) assay, we investigated kinetics of DNA damage and repair after treatment with the chemotherapeutic drugs combined with gefitinib. To investigate whether the phosphatidylinositol 3′-kinase pathway was contributing to repair-inhibition produced by gefitinib, cells were exposed to chemotherapy in combination with the phosphatidylinositol 3′-kinase inhibitor LY294002. Results: A superadditive (synergistic) increase in growth inhibition for combined treatment with gefitinib was found for cisplatin and etoposide, but not with melphalan. There was delayed repair of DNA strand breaks after treatment with etoposide combined with gefitinib, and repair of DNA interstrand cross-links produced by cisplatin is delayed in combination with gefitinib. Inhibition of cell proliferation and DNA repair was identical in cells treated with LY294002. Immunoprecipitation of cell extracts demonstrated that after exposure to gefitinib, there was an association between EGFR and DNA-PKCS. Conclusion: Gefitinib acts through inhibition of repair of cisplatin and etoposide-induced DNA damage; this effect is mimicked by inhibitors of the phosphatidylinositol 3′-kinase suggesting similar mechanisms of action.
Insertion of Vaccinia Virus C7L Host Range Gene into NYVAC-B Genome Potentiates Immune Responses against HIV-1 Antigens

Background The highly attenuated vaccinia virus strain NYVAC expressing HIV-1 components has been evaluated as a vaccine candidate in preclinical and clinical trials with encouraging results. We have previously described that the presence of C7L in the NYVAC genome prevents the induction of apoptosis and renders the vector capable of replication in human and murine cell lines while maintaining an attenuated phenotype in mice. Methodology/Principal Findings In an effort to improve the immunogenicity of NYVAC, we have developed a novel poxvirus vector by inserting the VACV host-range C7L gene into the genome of NYVAC-B, a recombinant virus that expresses four HIV-1 antigens from clade B (Env, Gag, Pol and Nef) (referred as NYVAC-B-C7L). In the present study, we have compared the in vitro and in vivo behavior of NYVAC-B and NYVAC-B-C7L. In cultured cells, NYVAC-B-C7L expresses higher levels of heterologous antigen than NYVAC-B as determined by Western blot and fluorescent-activated cell sorting to score Gag expressing cells. In a DNA prime/poxvirus boost approach with BALB/c mice, both recombinants elicited robust, broad and multifunctional antigen-specific T-cell responses to the HIV-1 immunogens expressed from the vectors. However, the use of NYVAC-B-C7L as booster significantly enhanced the magnitude of the T cell responses, and induced a more balanced cellular immune response to the HIV-1 antigens in comparison to that elicited in animals boosted with NYVAC-B. Conclusions/Significance These findings demonstrate the possibility to enhance the immunogenicity of the highly attenuated NYVAC vector by the insertion of the host-range gene C7L and suggest the use of this modified vector as an improved vaccine candidate against HIV/AIDS.
Localized pointwise a posteriori error estimates for gradients of piecewise linear finite element approximations to second-order quasilinear elliptic problems

Two types of pointwise a posteriori error estimates are presented for gradients of finite element approximations of second-order quasilinear elliptic Dirichlet boundary value problems over convex polyhedral domains $\Omega$ in space dimension n \ge 2. We first give a residual estimator which is equivalent to \|\nabla(u-u_h)\|_{L_\infty(\Omega) up to higher-order terms. The second type of residual estimator is designed to control \nabla(u-u_h)locally over any subdomain of $\Omega$. It is a novel a posteriori counterpart to the localized or weighted a priori estimates of [Sch98]. This estimator is shown to be equivalent (up to higher-order terms) to the error measured in a weighted global norm which depends on the subdomain of interest. All estimates are proved for general shape-regular meshes which may be highly graded and unstructured. The constants in the estimates depend on the unknown solution u in the nonlinear case, but in a fashion which places minimal restrictions on the regularity of u.