Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Short-Term Scheduling and Control of Active Distribution Systems With High Penetration of Renewable Resources

Among the innovative contributions to electric distribution systems, one of the most promising and qualified is the possibility to manage and control distributed generation. Therefore, the latest distribution management systems tend to incorporate optimization functions for the short-term scheduling of the various energy and control resources available in the network (e.g., embedded generators, reactive power compensators and transformers equipped with on-load tap changers). The short-term scheduling procedure adopted in the paper is composed by two stages: a day-ahead scheduler for the optimization of distributed resources production during the following day, an intra-day scheduler that every 15 min adjusts the scheduling in order to take into account the operation requirements and constraints of the distribution network. The intra-day scheduler solves a non-linear multi-objective optimization problem by iteratively applying a mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) algorithm. The linearization of the optimization function and the constraints is achieved by the use of sensitivity coefficients obtained from the results of a three-phase power flow calculation. The paper shows the application of the proposed approach to a medium-voltage 120 buses network with five wind plants, one photovoltaic field, ten dispatchable generators, and two transformers equipped with on-load tap changers.
Ciprofloxacin treatment of bacterial endocarditis involving prosthetic material after cardiac surgery

Two children with cyanotic congenital heart disease and Gram negative bacterial infection of prosthetic material after cardiac surgery were treated successfully with oral ciprofloxacin, initially in combination with netilmicin. The use of oral ciprofloxacin allowed prolonged outpatient treatment to be given, avoiding the need for intravenous access and early repeat surgery.
In situ measurements of H 2 O in the TTL during HIBISCUS

G. Durry, N. Huret, A. Hauchecorne, V. Marecal, J.-P. Pommereau, R. L. Jones, G. Held, N. Larsen, and J.-B. Renard Service d’Aeronomie, CNRS and Institut Pierre Simon Laplace, Route des Gatines, Verriere le Buisson cedex, 91371, France Groupe de Spectroscopie Moleculaire et Atmospherique, CNRS and Universite de Reims, Moulin de la Housse, B.P. 1039, 51687 Reims Cedex, France Laboratoire de Physique et Chimie de l’Environnement, CNRS and Universite d’Orleans, 3A Avenue de la Recherche Scientifique, 45071 Orleans cedex 2, France Center for Atmospheric Science, University Chemical Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
Attention evaluation with eye tracking glasses for EEG-based emotion recognition

Attention of subjects in EEG-based emotion recognition experiments determines the quality of EEG data. Traditionally, self-assessment with questionnaires is used to evaluate the attention degree of subjects in experiments. However, this kind of self-assessment approach is subjective and inaccurate. Low quality EEG data from subjects without attention might influence the experiment evaluation and degrade the performance of affective models. In this paper, we extract scanpaths of subjects while watching emotion clips with eye tracking glasses and propose an attention evaluation method with spacial-temporal scanpath analysis. Based on the assumption that subjects with attention have similar scanpath patterns under the same clips, our approach clusters these similar scanpath patterns and evaluate the attention degree. Experimental results demonstrate that our proposed approach can cluster EEG features under attentive conditions effectively and significantly improve the classification performance. The mean accuracy of emotion recognition based on clustered high quality data is 81.70%, whereas the mean accuracy of using the whole dataset is 68.54%.
Effect of dietary modification by calorie restriction on cholesterol levels in lipoprotein(a) and other lipoprotein classes

Background Dietary habits are associated with obesity which is a risk factor for coronary heart disease. The objective is to estimate the change of lipoprotein(a) and other lipoprotein classes by calorie restriction with obesity index and Framingham risk score. Methods Sixty females (56 ± 9 years) were recruited. Their caloric intakes were reduced during the six-month period, and the calorie from fat was not more than 30%. Lipoprotein profiles were estimated at baseline and after the six-month period of calorie restriction. Cholesterol levels in six lipoprotein classes (HDL, LDL, IDL, VLDL, chylomicron and lipoprotein(a)) were analysed by anion-exchange liquid chromatography. The other tests were analysed by general methods. Additionally, Framingham risk score for predicting 10-year coronary heart disease risk was calculated. Results Body mass index, waist circumference, insulin resistance, Framingham risk score, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and IDL-cholesterol were significantly decreased by the calorie restriction, and the protein and cholesterol levels of lipoprotein(a) were significantly increased. The change of body mass index was significantly correlated with those of TC, VLDL-cholesterol and chylomicron-cholesterol, and that of waist circumference was significantly correlated with that of chylomicron-cholesterol. The change of Framingham risk score was significantly correlated with the change of IDL-C. Conclusion Obesity indexes and Framingham risk score were reduced by the dietary modification. Lipoprotein profile was improved with the reduction of obesity indexes, but lipoprotein(a) was increased. The changes of obesity indexes and Framingham risk score were related with those of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, e.g. IDL, VLDL and CM.
Gradient descent approaches to image registration

Abstract This chapter covers a general class of image registration algorithms that apply numerical optimization to similarity measures relating to cumulative functions of image intensities. An example of these algorithms is an algorithm minimizing the least-squares difference in image intensities due to an iterative gradient-descent approach. Algorithms in this class, which work well in 2D and 3D, can be applied simultaneously to multiple bands in an image pair and images with significant radiometric differences to accurately recover subpixel transformations. The algorithms discussed differ in the specific similarity measure, the numerical method used for optimization, and the actual computation used. The similarity measure can vary from a measure that uses a radiometric function to account for nonlinear image intensity differences in the least-squares equations, to one that is based on mutual information, which accounts for image intensity differences not accounted for by a standard functional model. The numerical methods considered are basic recursive descent, a method based on Levenberg-Marquardt's technique, and Spall's algorithm. This chapter relates to the above registration algorithms and classifies them by their various elements. It also analyzes the image classes for which variants of these algorithms apply best. Introduction We consider in this chapter a class of image registration algorithms that apply numerical techniques for optimizing some similarity measures that relate only to the image intensities (or a function of the image intensities) of an image pair.
Total volume paracentesis decreases variceal pressure, size, and variceal wall tension in cirrhotic patients

It has been suggested that ascites is a risk factor for variceal bleeding in cirrhotic patients. However, no data of total volume paracentesis (TVP) effects on variceal hemodynamics has yet been published. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of TVP on variceal pressure, size, and tension in cirrhotic patients. Before sclerotherapy, 18 cirrhotic patients with grade II esophageal varices were studied. The following measurements were performed on 12 patients at basal condition and after TVP: inferior vena cava pressure, esophageal pressure (EP), and intravariceal pressure (IVP) by direct punction and variceal size at endoscopy. The same measurements were performed at basal condition and 1 hour later without TVP on the other 6 patients used as a control group. Variceal pressure gradient (VPG) and variceal wall tension (WT) were calculated. Paracentesis and intra‐ abdominal pressure were obtained with a direct punction. No demographic differences were observed between both groups. Paracentesis produced a significant reduction of IVP (from 25.6 ± 2.4 to 17.9 ± 2.1 mm Hg, means ± SEM, ‐30%, P < .05), VPG (from 16.6 ± 2.4 to 10.8 ± 1.4 mm Hg, ‐35%, P < .05). TVP also reduced variceal size (from 9 ± 0.3 to 5.6 + 0.4 mm, ‐38%, P < .05) and WT (from 75.3 ± 11.6 to 30 ± 4.7 mm Hg. mm, ‐60%, P < .05). Intra‐abdominal pressure decreased from 18 ± 2.2 to 4 ± 0.9 mm Hg (P < .05), and IVC decreased from 15.5 ± 2.4 to 5.7 ± 1.5 mm Hg (P < .05). No significant differences were observed in mean arterial pressure and heart rate. The mean ascitic fluid removed was 8 ± 0.71 L. No significant difference between measurements was observed in the control group. Our results show that TVP significantly decreases variceal pressure and tension. These results suggest that ascites removal can be useful in the treatment of variceal bleeding in cirrhotic patients.
Accelerometer data reduction: a comparison of four reduction algorithms on select outcome variables.

PURPOSE Accelerometers are recognized as a valid and objective tool to assess free-living physical activity. Despite the widespread use of accelerometers, there is no standardized way to process and summarize data from them, which limits our ability to compare results across studies. This paper a) reviews decision rules researchers have used in the past, b) compares the impact of using different decision rules on a common data set, and c) identifies issues to consider for accelerometer data reduction. METHODS The methods sections of studies published in 2003 and 2004 were reviewed to determine what decision rules previous researchers have used to identify wearing period, minimal wear requirement for a valid day, spurious data, number of days used to calculate the outcome variables, and extract bouts of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). For this study, four data reduction algorithms that employ different decision rules were used to analyze the same data set. RESULTS The review showed that among studies that reported their decision rules, much variability was observed. Overall, the analyses suggested that using different algorithms impacted several important outcome variables. The most stringent algorithm yielded significantly lower wearing time, the lowest activity counts per minute and counts per day, and fewer minutes of MVPA per day. An exploratory sensitivity analysis revealed that the most stringent inclusion criterion had an impact on sample size and wearing time, which in turn affected many outcome variables. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that the decision rules employed to process accelerometer data have a significant impact on important outcome variables. Until guidelines are developed, it will remain difficult to compare findings across studies.
The Benefits of Cooperation Between the Cloud and Private Data Centers for Multi-rate Video Streaming

Video streaming is one of the applications with the highest traffic on the Internet. This high traffic leads to a lot of workload on the video servers (data centers), and increases the energy consumption of the servers. Reducing energy consumption becomes more important in the case that the data centers use renewable energy. The cost of these servers changes over time, based on the availability of energy resources such as solar and wind power. As a result, in order to reduce the cost of the servers, we need to use a mechanism to reduce the load on the servers, especially during times of energy cost increases. One way to tackle this problem is to lease some storage clouds that work as proxies during these periods of time, and provide the users with the popular videos through these storage clouds. However, finding the proper time during which the videos should be downloaded, and the efficient amount of storage, is not straightforward. Moreover, the popularity of the videos might change over different times of day, and for different geographic locations. In this paper, we find the optimal cloud lease that results in the minimum cost. For this purpose, we model the problem as a linear programming optimization, which can be solved in polynomial time. We also propose an optimal solution for the case of multi-resolution video coding, in which different users can request and watch the videos with different qualities. Keywords—Video streaming, renewable energy, storage cloud, multi-resolution video, optimization, video-on-demand, network coding.
The Impact of Pets on Human Health and Psychological Well-Being

Because of extensive media coverage, it is now widely believed that pets enhance their owners’ health, sense of psychological well-being, and longevity. But while some researchers have reported that positive effects accrue from interacting with animals, others have found that the health and happiness of pet owners is no better, and in some cases worse, than that of non–pet owners. I discuss some reasons why studies of the effects of pets on people have produced conflicting results, and I argue that the existence of a generalized “pet effect” on human mental and physical health is at present not a fact but an unsubstantiated hypothesis.
Novel sensorless controller of brushless DC motors

The paper is focused on a sensorless controller design for a brushless DC motor. By utilizing the saturation effect of stator iron core, a low-frequency and low-voltage injection scheme is employed to estimate the initial rotor position. This scheme requires neither any current and position sensors nor faster sampling frequency and shorter time needed to complete processing and estimating such that a low-cost microcontroller would be available. Additionally, without detecting any zero- crossing point (ZCP) of the back EMF, a technique that just determines the leading or lagging commutation is presented to achieve the closed-loop speed control. A clipper is only the addition to this technique. As a result, the proposed controller can eliminate the related circuits which are indispensable to conventional methods, such as the neutral voltage, multi-stage analog filters, ZCP detector, and the complex phase shift circuits. Thereby, it significantly reduces the cost. Finally, the experimental results validate the effectiveness of the proposed controller.
Tests for quantum contextuality in terms of Q-entropies

The information-theoretic approach to Bell's theorem is developed with use of the conditional q-entropies. The q-entropic measures fulfill many similar properties to the standard Shannon entropy. In general, both the locality and noncontextuality notions are usually treated with use of the so-called marginal scenarios. These hypotheses lead to the existence of a joint probability distribution, which marginalizes to all particular ones. Assuming the existence of such a joint probability distribution, we derive the family of inequalities of Bell's type in terms of conditional q-entropies for all q ≥ 1. Quantum violations of the new inequalities are exemplified within the Clauser-Horne-Shimony-Holt (CHSH) and Klyachko-Can-Binicioǧlu-Shumovsky (KCBS) scenarios. An extension to the case of n-cycle scenario is briefly mentioned. The new inequalities with conditional q-entropies allow to expand a class of probability distributions, for which the nonlocality or contextuality can be detected within entropic formulation. The q-entropic inequalities can also be useful in analyzing cases with detection inefficiencies. Using two models of such a kind, we consider some potential advantages of the q-entropic formulation.
Siderophore-Mediated Aluminum Uptake by Bacillus megaterium ATCC 19213

The bacterium Bacillus megaterium ATCC 19213 is known to produce two hydroxamate siderophores, schizokinen and N-deoxyschizokinen, under iron-limited conditions. In addition to their high affinity for ferric ions, these siderophores chelate aluminum. Aluminum was absorbed by B. megaterium ATCC 19213 through the siderophore transport receptor, providing an extra pathway for aluminum accumulation into iron-deficient bacteria. At low concentrations of the metal, siderophore-mediated uptake was the dominant process for aluminum accumulation. At high concentrations of aluminum, passive transport dominated and siderophore production slowed the passive transport of aluminum into the cell. Siderophore production was affected by the aluminum content in the media. High concentrations of aluminum increased production of siderophores in iron-limited cultures, and this production continued into stationary phase. Aluminum did not stimulate siderophore production in iron-replete cultures. The production of siderophores markedly affected aluminum uptake. This has direct implications on the toxicity of heavy metals under iron-deficient conditions.
Leishmaniosis visceral: a 101 años del primer caso diagnosticado en las Américas

En 2011 se cumplieron, desapercibidamente, 100 anos del descubrimiento del primer caso de leishmaniosis visceral en toda America, realizado por el Dr. Migone. Ahora es aun ocasion de conmemorar ese hito historico, y de hacer una reflexion de la situacion actual de la enfermedad en nuestro pais, con profuso material de referencias bibliograficas.
Alpha‐synuclein propagation: New insights from animal models

Aggregation of alpha‐synuclein is implicated in several neurodegenerative diseases collectively termed synucleinopathies. Emerging evidence strongly implicates cell‐to‐cell transmission of misfolded alpha‐synuclein as a common pathogenetic mechanism in synucleinopathies. The impact of alpha‐synuclein pathology on neuronal dysfunction and behavioral impairments is being explored in animal models. This review provides an update on how research in animal models supports the concept that misfolded alpha‐synuclein spreads from cell to cell and describes how findings in animal models might relate to the disease process in humans. Finally, we discuss the current underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms and future therapeutic strategies targeting alpha‐synuclein propagation. © 2015 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Organization of the primary projections of the lateral line nerves in the lamprey lampetra japonica

The lateral line sensory system of Lampetra japonica is innervated by the anterior and posterior lateral line nerves. The anterior lateral line nerve innervates all electroreceptors throughout the body and mechanoreceptors of the head. The posterior lateral line nerve innervates trunk mechanoreceptors. The anterior lateral line nerve consists of two ganglia (anterior lateral line and intracapsular) and four major peripheral branches (superficial ophthalmic, buccal, hyomandibular, and recurrent nerves). The posterior lateral line nerve has one posterior lateral line ganglion and one peripheral branch. The location and central projection patterns of the primary sensory neurons of these branches of the lateral line nerves were studied with the aid of horseradish peroxidase labeling.
Computation of term associations by a neural network

This paper suggests a method for computing term associations based on an adaptive bilinear retrieval model. Such a model can be implemented by using a three-layer feedforward neural network. Term associations are modeled by weighted links connecting different neurons, and are derived by the perception learning algorithm without the need for introducing any ad hoc parameters. The preliminary results indicate the usefulness of neural networks in the design of adaptive information retrieval systems.
PCR Using Blood for Diagnosis of Invasive Pneumococcal Disease: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

ABSTRACT The use of molecular-based methods for the diagnosis of bacterial infections in blood is appealing, but they have not yet passed the threshold for clinical practice. A systematic review of prospective and case-control studies assessing the diagnostic utility of PCR directly with blood samples for the diagnosis of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) was performed. A broad search was conducted to identify published and unpublished studies. Two reviewers independently extracted the data. Summary estimates for sensitivity and specificity with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by using the hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic method. The effects of sample processing, PCR type, the gene-specific primer, study design, the participants' age, and the source of infection on the diagnostic odds ratios were assessed through meta-regression. Twenty-nine studies published between 1993 and 2009 were included. By using pneumococcal bacteremia for case definition and healthy people or patients with bacteremia caused by other bacteria as controls (22 studies), the summary estimates for sensitivity and specificity were 57.1% (95% CI, 45.7 to 67.8%) and 98.6% (95% CI, 96.4 to 99.5%), respectively. When the controls were patients suspected of having IPD without pneumococcal bacteremia (26 studies), the respective values were 66.4% (95% CI, 55.9 to 75.6%) and 87.8% (95% CI, 79.5 to 93.1%). With lower degrees of proof for IPD (any culture or serology result and the clinical impression), the sensitivity of PCR decreased and the specificity increased. All analyses were highly heterogeneous. The use of nested PCR and being a child were associated with low specificity, while the use of a cohort study design was associated with a low sensitivity. The lack of an appropriate reference standard might have caused underestimation of the performance of the PCR. Currently available methods for PCR with blood samples for the diagnosis of IPD lack the sensitivity and specificity necessary for clinical practice.
Enhancing reading abilities of learners with intellectual impairments through computer technology

Background Developments in the teaching of children with disabilities support pedagogy that emphasises learners’ strengths as opposed to their assumed deficiencies. Educators and mediators who advocate this view continually strive for tools and methodologies that enhance learner participation in academic environments. Computer technology is one of the tools recognised for its potential to enrich learning experiences of learners with an intellectual impairment. Objectives We sought to assess the influence of text-to-speech stories on the reading ability of intellectually challenged learners. Method A qualitative action research study that involves learners at a special school in Cape Town, South Africa. Pre- and post-test data of the reading performance of learners are analysed with a focus on how they demonstrate change. Results Although no claims can be made about the explicit influence on reading performance, computer-assisted learning has the potential in isolating reading processes that classroom-based interventions can address. In addition, computers enhance motivation and enthusiasm to learn. Conclusion A need for education based on inclusion and positive differentiation remains the key driver in any educational interventions.