Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A New Method of Current-Transformer Saturation Detection in the Presence of Noise

The nonlinear characteristics of magnetization of a current transformer (CT) can cause waveform distortion in the secondary current, which may result in malfunction of protective relays. This phenomenon is known as CT saturation. The accurate saturation detection, with the use of digital-signal-processing techniques applied to secondary current, plays an important function in solving the problems caused by the saturation. This paper presents a new method of saturation detection, based on the first difference of the low-noise Lanczos filter. The formulation of the adaptive threshold according to the level of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is presented and the detection algorithm is implemented, tested, and compared with the 3rd difference function method. The tests were performed using distorted secondary current signals generated by the real-time digital simulator and corrupted by several levels of white Gaussian noise. The results showed a high detection capability of the proposed algorithm regardless of the CT characteristics, the secondary burden, and the fault characteristics. In addition, the method showed to be robust against noise up to 40-dB SNR and suitable for real-time implementation.
Invertebrate-Inspired Sensory-Motor Systems and Autonomous, Olfactory-Guided Exploration

The localization of resources in a natural environment is a multifaceted problem faced by both invertebrate animals and autonomous robots. At a first approximation, locomotion through natural environments must be guided by reliable sensory information. But natural environments can be unpredictable, so from time to time, information from any one sensory modality is likely to become temporarily unreliable. Fortunately, compensating mechanisms ensure that such signals are replaced or disambiguated by information from more reliable modalities. For invertebrates and robots to rely primarily on chemical senses has advantages and pitfalls, and these are discussed. The role of turbulence, which makes tracking a single odor to its source a complex problem, is contrasted with the high-fidelity identification of stimulus quality by the invertebrate chemoreceptor and by artificial sensors.
The evolution of human fatness and susceptibility to obesity: an ethological approach

Human susceptibility to obesity is an unusual phenomenon amongst animals. An evolutionary analysis, identifying factors favouring the capacity for fat deposition, may aid in the development of preventive public health strategies. This article considers the proximate causes, ontogeny, fitness value and evolutionary history of human fat deposition. Proximate causes include diet composition, physical activity level, feeding behaviour, endocrine and genetic factors, psychological traits, and exposure to broader environmental factors. Fat deposition peaks during late gestation and early infancy, and again during adolescence in females. As in other species, human fat stores not only buffer malnutrition, but also regulate reproduction and immune function, and are subject to sexual selection. Nevertheless, our characteristic ontogenetic pattern of fat deposition, along with relatively high fatness in adulthood, contrasts with the phenotype of other mammals occupying the tropical savannah environment in which hominids evolved. The increased value of energy stores in our species can be attributed to factors increasing either uncertainty in energy availability, or vulnerability to that uncertainty. Early hominid evolution was characterised by adaptation to a more seasonal environment, when selection would have favoured general thriftiness. The evolution of the large expensive brain in the genus Homo then favoured increased energy stores in the reproducing female, and in the offspring in early life. More recently, the introduction of agriculture has had three significant effects: exposure to regular famine; adaptation to a variety of local niches favouring population‐specific adaptations; and the development of social hierarchies which predispose to differential exposure to environmental pressures. Thus, humans have persistently encountered greater energy stress than that experienced by their closest living relatives during recent evolution. The capacity to accumulate fat has therefore been a major adaptive feature of our species, but is now increasingly maladaptive in the modern environment where fluctuations in energy supply have been minimised, and productivity is dependent on mechanisation rather than physical effort. Alterations to the obesogenic environment are predicted to play a key role in reducing the prevalence of obesity.
Peripheral blood count abnormalities among patients with hepatitis C in the United States

1. Escorsell A, Bordas JM, Ruiz del Arbol L, Jaramillo JL, Planas R, Bañares R, Albillos A, et al. Randomized controlled trial of sclerotherapy versus somatostatin infusion in the prevention of early rebleeding following acute variceal hemorrhage in patients with cirrhosis. J Hepatol 1998;15:779-788. 2. Escorsell A, Ruiz del Arbol L, Planas R, Albillos A, Banares R, Cales P, Pateron D, et al. Multicenter randomized controlled trial comparing terlipressin vs endoscopic injection sclerotherapy in the treatment of acute variceal bleeding and prevention of early rebleeding: the terlipressin vs endoscopic sclerotherapy trial. HEPATOLOGY 2000;32:471-476. 3. Lo GH, Lai KH, Cheng JS, Lin CK, Huang JS, Hsu PI, Chiang HT. Emergency banding ligation versus sclerotherapy for the control of active bleeding from esophageal varices. HEPATOLOGY 1997;25:1101-1104. 4. Bosch J, Laine LA, Burroughs AK, Marcon N, Nevens F, Silvain C, Vinel JP. Baveno III Consensus Statements: Treatment of the acute bleeding episode. In: De Franchis R, ed. Portal Hypertension III. Proceedings of the 3rd Baveno International Consensus Workshop on Definitions, Methodology and Therapeutic Strategies. Oxford, UK: Blackwell Science, 2001;168169. 5. Burroughs AK, Bosch J, Garcia-Tsao G, Henderson JM, Laine L, Nevens F, Riggio O. Definitions of key events. Let’s try again. In: De Franchis R, ed. Portal Hypertension III. Proceedings of the 3rd Baveno International Consensus Workshop on Definitions, Methodology and Therapeutic Strategies. Oxford, UK: Blackwell Science, 2001;13-21. 6. Villanueva C, Ortiz J, Sabat M, Gallego A, Torras X, Soriano G, Sainz S, et al. Somatostatin alone or combined with emergency sclerotherapy in the treatment of acute esophageal variceal bleeding: a prospective randomized trial. HEPATOLOGY 1999;30:384-389.
Allocation of Actuators and Sensors for Coupled-Adjacent-Building Vibration Attenuation

An actuator and sensor allocation approach is proposed for the design of coupled-adjacent-building vibration suppression under seismic excitation. This paper first establishes a full-order model of adjacent buildings with the location information of actuators and sensors. Then, the order of the model is reduced via modal cost analysis, by retaining the modes contributing the most. In view of the fact that the output powers of the actuators are limited, this paper brings forward a mixed H∞/GH2 control. By considering that not all the states of the system can be measured by the sensors, a dynamic output feedback controller is designed. The genetic algorithm is employed to obtain the locations of the actuators and sensors, as well as the corresponding controller. With the proposed approach, the allocation problem is solved, and the vibration of coupled adjacent buildings is attenuated at a sufficiently low level with constrained acting forces. Simulations demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed approach in attenuating building vibration under earthquake excitation.
Cytotoxicity of oxidized low-density lipoprotein in cultured RPE cells is dependent on the formation of 7-ketocholesterol.

PURPOSE To determine which components present in oxidized LDL are responsible for the cytotoxicity associated with its internalization by culture ARPE19 cells. METHODS ARPE19 cells were grown in 24-well and 96-well plates. Cell viability was measured by MTT and/or adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content. LDL was oxidized with Cu(+2) and oxysterol content analyzed by a novel HPLC method. RESULTS OxLDL showed increased cytotoxicity with prolonged oxidation. Analysis of the oxLDL showed a predominance of the 7-oxygenated products, 7 alpha-hydroxycholesterol (7 alpha HCh), 7 beta-hydroxycholesterol (7 beta HCh), and 7-ketocholesterol (7kCh). Addition of these oxysterols to the ARPE19 cell in free form indicated that 7kCh is the most cytotoxic of the oxysterols but at physiologically unrealistic concentrations. Partitioning of individual oxysterols into nonoxidized LDL at concentrations similar to those found in the oxLDL also indicated that 7kCh is the most cytotoxic of the oxysterols. Transition metals are tightly bound by LDL and play an important role in the oxidation of LDL, but do not seem to enhance its cytotoxicity directly. CONCLUSIONS Prolonged oxidation of LDL increases the levels of 7kCh due to further oxidation of 7 alpha HCh and 7 beta HCh. The formation of 7KCh seems to be responsible for most of the cytotoxicity associated with oxLDL internalization in ARPE19 cells.
Multiscale nonlinear system identification

Multiscale wavelet-based representation is a powerful data analysis and feature extraction tool. In this paper, this characteristic of multiscale representation is utilized to improve the prediction accuracy of nonlinear models by developing a multiscale nonlinear (MSNL) system identification algorithm. In particular, we consider the class of linear-in-the-parameters nonlinear models with known basis functions. The idea is to decompose the input-output data, construct multiple nonlinear models at multiple scales using the scaled signal approximations of the data, and then select among all MSNL models the one which best describes the process. The main advantage of the MSNL modeling algorithm is that it inherently accounts for the presence of noise in the data by the application of low pass filters used in the multiscale decomposition, which in turn improves the model robustness to measurement noise in the data and thus enhances its prediction. This advantage of MSNL modeling is demonstrated using a reactor model with nonlinear reaction rate.
Imaging features of invasion and preoperative and postoperative tumor burden in previously untreated glioblastoma: Correlation with survival

Background: A paucity of data exists concerning the prognostic usefulness of preoperative and postoperative imaging after resection of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). This study aimed to connect outcome with imaging features of GBM. Methods: Retrospective computer-assisted volumetric calculations quantified central necrotic (T0), gadolinium-enhanced (T1) and increased T2-weighted signal volumes (T2) in 70 patients with untreated GBM. Clinical and treatment data, including extent of resection (EOR), were obtained through chart review. T1 volume was used as a measure of solid tumor burden; and T2 volume, as an indicator of invasive isolated tumor cell (ITC) burden. Indicators of invasiveness included T2:T1 ratios as a propensity for ITC infiltration compared to solid tumor volumes and qualitative analysis of subependymal growth and infiltration of the basal ganglia, corpus callosum or brainstem. Cox multivariate analysis (CMVA) was used to identify significant associations between imaging features and survival. Results: In the 70 patients studied, significant associations with reduced survival existed for gadolinium-enhancing tumor crossing the corpus callosum (odds ratio, 3.14) and with increased survival with gross total resection (GTR) (GTR median survival, 62 weeks versus 37 and 34 weeks for sub-total resection and biopsy, respectively). For a selected “GTR-eligible” subgroup of 52 patients, prolonged survival was associated with smaller preoperative gadolinium-enhancing volume (T1) and actual GTR. Conclusion: Some magnetic resonance (MR) imaging indicators of tumor invasiveness (gadolinium-enhancing tumor crossing the corpus callosum) and tumor burden (GTR and preoperative T1 volume in GTR-eligible subgroup) correlate with survival. However, ITC-infiltrative tumor burden (T2 volume) and “propensity” for ITC invasiveness (T2:T1 ratio) did not impact survival. These results indicate that while the ITC component is the ultimate barrier to cure for GBM, the pattern of spread and volumes of gadolinium-enhancing solid tumor are more robust indicators of prognosis.
Effect of positive end-expiratory pressure on leukocyte transit in rabbit lungs.

Previous experiments in humans and animals have shown that neutrophils (PMN) are delayed in the lung by the inhalation of cigarette smoke. Others have shown that cigarette smoking raises airway resistance, and it follows that this will increase the expiratory time constant of the airways. When the expiratory time constant of the airways exceeds that of the chest wall, alveolar pressure will rise and compress alveolar capillaries. To determine the effect of alveolar compression on PMN retention, we measured the arteriovenous (A-V) difference for leukocytes across the lung and determined the retention of 51Cr-labeled PMN in the lungs of anesthetized ventilated rabbits. The results show that the application of positive end-expiratory airway pressure (PEEP) produced an immediate difference for PMN across the lung, which disappeared in approximately 3 min when PEEP was continuously applied. This effect was attributed to alveolar compression rather than reduced cardiac output, because a similar A-V difference for PMN was observed in separate experiments in which cardiac output was maintained by vascular expansion during PEEP. The results also show that, when PEEP was continuously applied for approximately 30 min, it failed to increase the percent retention of either inactivated (PEEP = 14 +/- 2% vs. non-PEEP 16 +/- 3%) or activated (PEEP = 62 +/- 7% vs. non-PEEP 63 +/- 6%) 51Cr-PMN. We conclude that the application of PEEP traps PMN in compressed alveolar capillaries, creating an immediate A-V difference that disappears as blood flow is redistributed to vessels that are not compressed by PEEP. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Shine-Dalgarno Sequences Play an Essential Role in the Translation of Plastid mRNAs in Tobacco

Genome-wide analysis sheds light on the dependence of plastid translation on interactions between Shine-Dalgarno-like sequences in mRNA and the anti-Shine-Dalgarno sequence in 16S ribosomal RNA. In prokaryotic systems, the translation initiation of many, though not all, mRNAs depends on interaction between a sequence element upstream of the start codon (the Shine-Dalgarno sequence [SD]) and a complementary sequence in the 3′ end of the 16S rRNA (anti-Shine-Dalgarno sequence [aSD]). Although many chloroplast mRNAs harbor putative SDs in their 5′ untranslated regions and the aSD displays strong conservation, the functional relevance of SD-aSD interactions in plastid translation is unclear. Here, by generating transplastomic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) mutants with point mutations in the aSD coupled with genome-wide analysis of translation by ribosome profiling, we provide a global picture of SD-dependent translation in plastids. We observed a pronounced correlation between weakened predicted SD-aSD interactions and reduced translation efficiency. However, multiple lines of evidence suggest that the strength of the SD-aSD interaction is not the only determinant of the translational output of many plastid mRNAs. Finally, the translation efficiency of mRNAs with strong secondary structures around the start codon is more dependent on the SD-aSD interaction than weakly structured mRNAs. Thus, our data reveal the importance of the aSD in plastid translation initiation, uncover chloroplast genes whose translation is influenced by SD-aSD interactions, and provide insights into determinants of translation efficiency in plastids.
Response to mechanical strain in an immortalized pre‐osteoblast cell is dependent on ERK1/2

Mechanical strain inhibits osteoclastogenesis by regulating osteoblast functions: We have shown that strain inhibits receptor activator of NF‐κB ligand (RANKL) expression and increases endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and nitric oxide levels through ERK1/2 signaling in primary bone stromal cells. The primary stromal culture system, while contributing greatly to understanding of how the microenvironment regulates bone remodeling is limited in use for biochemical assays and studies of other osteoprogenitor cell responses to mechanical strain: Stromal cells proliferate poorly and lose aspects of the strain response after a relatively short time in culture. In this study, we used the established mouse osteoblast cell line, conditionally immortalized murine calvarial (CIMC‐4), harvested from mouse calvariae conditionally immortalized by insertion of the gene coding for a temperature‐sensitive mutant of SV40 large T antigen (TAg) and support osteoclastogenesis. Mechanical strain (0.5–2%, 10 cycles per min, equibiaxial) caused magnitude‐dependent decreases in RANKL expression to less than 50% those of unstrained cultures. Overnight strains of 2% also increased osterix (OSX) and RUNX2 expression by nearly twofold as measured by RT‐PCR. Importantly, the ERK1/2 inhibitor, PD98059, completely abrogated the strain effects bringing RANKL, OSX, and RUNX2 gene expression completely back to control levels. These data indicate that the strain effects on CIMC‐4 cells require activation of ERK1/2 pathway. Therefore, the CIMC‐4 cell line is a useful alternative in vitro model which effectively recapitulates aspects of the primary stromal cells and adds an extended capacity to study osteoblast control of bone remodeling in a mechanically active environment. J. Cell. Physiol. 207: 454–460, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
CNS1 Encodes an Essential p60/Sti1 Homolog in Saccharomyces cerevisiae That Suppresses Cyclophilin 40 Mutations and Interacts with Hsp90

ABSTRACT Cyclophilins are cis-trans-peptidyl-prolyl isomerases that bind to and are inhibited by the immunosuppressant cyclosporin A (CsA). The toxic effects of CsA are mediated by the 18-kDa cyclophilin A protein. A larger cyclophilin of 40 kDa, cyclophilin 40, is a component of Hsp90-steroid receptor complexes and contains two domains, an amino-terminal prolyl isomerase domain and a carboxy-terminal tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) domain. There are two cyclophilin 40 homologs in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, encoded by the CPR6 and CPR7 genes. Yeast strains lacking the Cpr7 enzyme are viable but exhibit a slow-growth phenotype. In addition, we show here that cpr7 mutant strains are hypersensitive to the Hsp90 inhibitor geldanamycin. When overexpressed, the TPR domain of Cpr7 alone complements both cpr7 mutant phenotypes, while overexpression of the cyclophilin domain of Cpr7, full-length Cpr6, or human cyclophilin 40 does not. The open reading frame YBR155w, which has moderate identity to the yeast p60 homologSTI1, was isolated as a high-copy-number suppressor of thecpr7 slow-growth phenotype. We show that this Sti1 homolog Cns1 (cyclophilin seven suppressor) is constitutively expressed, essential, and found in protein complexes with both yeast Hsp90 and Cpr7 but not with Cpr6. Cyclosporin A inhibited Cpr7 interactions with Cns1 but not with Hsp90. In summary, our findings identify a novel component of the Hsp90 chaperone complex that shares function with cyclophilin 40 and provide evidence that there are functional differences between two conserved sets of Hsp90 binding proteins in yeast.
Dihydrobiopterin synthesis defect

A deficiency of dihydrobiopterin synthesis was found in a 27-year-old man with mild mental retardation, rigid spasticity, hyperreflexia, dystonia, myoclonus, and delay in the initiation of action, since age 10. Symptoms improved after sleep. Urine contained large amounts of neopterin and a trace of biopterin. Dihydropteridine reductase activity in red blood cells was normal. CSF levels of HVA and 5-HIAA were low. Tetrahydrobiopterin administration lowered serum phenylalanine and improved the symptoms.
The Control of Movement in the Preferred and Non-Preferred Hands*

The nature of the difference in skill between the preferred and non-preferred hands was investigated using a peg-board task. The first experiment examined the effects of varying movement amplitude and target tolerance on performance. The difference between hands was found to be related to tolerance rather than movement amplitude. The second study analysed a film record of well-practised subjects, confirming the hypothesis that most of the difference between hands is due to relative slowness of the non-preferred hand in the positioning phase involving small corrective movements. Analysis of the type and number of errors further suggested that this result is not due to differences in duration of movements but to their increased frequency, implying greater accuracy of aiming with the preferred hand. Thus whilst the initial gross analysis implicated feedback processing in skill differences the more detailed analysis suggests that motor output of the nonpreferred hand is simply more variable.
Toward a General Model of Financial Markets

This paper aims to discuss the possibilities of capturing efficient market hypothesis and behavioral finance under a general framework using the literature of decision theories and information sciences. The focus is centered on the broad definition of rationality, the imprecision and reliability of information. The main thesis advanced is that the root of behavioral anomalies comes from the imprecision and reliability of information. Modeling on basis of imprecision and reliability of information within the broad definition of rationality will lead us to a more general model of financial markets.
A soft contact lens with a MEMS strain gage embedded for intraocular pressure monitoring

We propose a novel approach to intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement allowing minimal invasive continuous monitoring over prolonged periods, regardless of patient position and activities. The key element of this innovative measurement method is a soft contact lens with a microfabricated strain gage embedded allowing the measurement of the cornea curvature deformation due to IOP changes. Tests on a eye-simulating device have shown that the sensor is capable of monitoring continuously a deformation of cornea radius inferior to 0.0055 mm, which corresponds to a sensitivity of better than 2 mmHg IOP, according to an in vitro and an in vivo studies about the correlation between IOP and corneal curvature in human beings.
Impact of Reputation and Promotion on Internet Auction Outcomes: Finnish Evidence

ABSTRACT The purpose of this article is to explore the impact of seller’s reputation and promotional methods on auction outcomes in the Finnish online auction website, Huuto.net. Multiple linear and logistic regression analyses are used to test a set of hypotheses. The dataset consists of 227 auctions of iPhone 4S 16 GB mobile phones posted for auction by 138 individual sellers. The main finding is that sellers who have acquired a free identification from Huuto.net achieve a hefty increase in the final sales price. Sellers who have not established an online reputation achieve considerably lower closing prices at auction. An increase in negative feedback points reduces the final sales price. Purchasing display-enhancing promotional options does not increase the price but may improve probability of sale. Establishing reputation, avoiding negative feedback, and acquiring identification pay off. The promotional options associated with fonts and colors are not worth the cost.