Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Visualization of time-sequential simulation for large power distribution systems

Many graphical alternatives are useful to demonstrate critical characteristics of distribution systems such as voltage regulation or power flow. The visualization of electrical variables can also be an effective approach to analyze, compare and evaluate large-scale systems. However, visual analysis of large power distribution systems is increasing in complexity for operational and research purposes. In this paper, we show a proposed approach to take advantage of the statistical inference to visualize complex behaviors in time-sequential simulations. This method provides a meaningful representation to millions of simulation results that can be used for analysis and validation of smart grid strategies and devices. The visual examples show a fast identification of electrical phenomena obtained from the OpenDSS simulation of the EPRI Ckt24 test circuit. This approach can be applied to the volt-var control, topological reconfiguration, distributed generation management, storage control, and operation assessment among others.
An annotated English child language database

The use of large-scale naturalistic data has been opening up new investigative possibilities for language acquisition studies, providing a basis for empirical predictions and for evaluations of alternative acquisition hypotheses. One widely used resource is CHILDES (MacWhinney, 1995) with transcriptions for over 25 languages of interactions involving children, with the English corpora available in raw, part-of-speech tagged, lemmatized and parsed formats (Sagae et al., 2010; Buttery and Korhonen, 2005). With a recent increase in the availability of lexical and psycholinguistic resources and robust natural language processing tools, it is now possible to further enrich child-language corpora with additional sources of information.
Implementation and Effectiveness of an Expedited Partner Therapy Program in an Urban Clinic

Background Partner notification of exposure to gonorrhea or chlamydia is traditionally conducted by the index case or a disease intervention specialist. However, a significant proportion of partners remain untreated and thus are at risk for continued transmission. Expedited partner therapy (EPT) obviates the requirement for a health care visit by the partner: the index case delivers medications to the partner. Although shown to be efficacious in randomized control trials, effectiveness studies of delivering EPT in real-world situations are needed. We describe the implementation, patient characteristics, and clinical impact of an EPT program at the Denver Metro Health Clinic (DMHC). Methods We identified 2578 patient visits eligible for EPT (heterosexual men or women diagnosed as having chlamydia or gonorrhea) from November, 2006, to April, 2011. We examined EPT acceptance rates over clinical process improvements. To measure clinical impact, we assessed the association between initial acceptance of EPT and infection status among 351 patients who returned for retesting. Results Requiring complete documentation of EPT in the clinic electronic medical record increased EPT acceptance from 20% to 48%. Expedited partner therapy acceptance was associated with a reduced risk of chlamydial reinfection (odds ratio, 0.7; 95% confidence interval, 0.3–1.6) and a reduced risk of gonorrheal reinfection (odds ratio, 0.5; 95% confidence interval, 0.2–1.4); however, these changes were not statistically significant. Conclusions Expedited partner therapy at the DMHC was substantially enhanced by process changes in the clinic and may be associated with a decreased risk of reinfection.
In Vitro Synergy of Colistin Combinations against Colistin-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolates

ABSTRACT Colistin resistance, although uncommon, is increasingly being reported among Gram-negative clinical pathogens, and an understanding of its impact on the activity of antimicrobials is now evolving. We evaluated the potential for synergy of colistin plus trimethoprim, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (1/19 ratio), or vancomycin against 12 isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii (n = 4), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 4), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 4). The strains included six multidrug-resistant clinical isolates, K. pneumoniae ATCC 700603, A. baumannii ATCC 19606, P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853, and their colistin-resistant derivatives (KPm1, ABm1, and PAm1, respectively). Antimicrobial susceptibilities were assessed by broth microdilution and population analysis profiles. The potential for synergy of colistin combinations was evaluated using a checkerboard assay, as well as static time-kill experiments at 0.5× and 0.25× MIC. The MIC ranges of vancomycin, trimethoprim, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (1/19) were ≥128, 4 to ≥128, and 2/38 to >128/2,432 μg/ml, respectively. Colistin resistance demonstrated little impact on vancomycin, trimethoprim, or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole MIC values. Isolates with subpopulations heterogeneously resistant to colistin were observed to various degrees in all tested isolates. In time-kill assays, all tested combinations were synergistic against KPm1 at 0.25× MIC and 0.5× MIC and ABm1 and PAm1 at 0.5× MIC. In contrast, none of the tested combinations demonstrated synergy against any colistin-susceptible P. aeruginosa isolates and clinical strains of K. pneumoniae isolates. Only colistin plus trimethoprim or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole was synergistic and bactericidal at 0.5× MIC against K. pneumoniae ATCC 700603. Colistin resistance seems to promote the in vitro activity of unconventional colistin combinations. Additional experiments are warranted to understand the clinical significance of these observations.
Cosmetic features and applications of lipid nanoparticles (SLN®, NLC®)

A detailed review of the literature is presented in attempts to emphasize several advantages of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) for cosmetic applications. Examples of several actives are given and the main features of the solid core of SLN and NLC for topical delivery of cosmetics are discussed. Lipid nanoparticles have been more and more explored in pharmaceutical technology, showing superior advantages for topical purposes over conventional colloidal carriers.
Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV‐8) infection in healthy urban employees from Greece: Seroprevalence and associated factors

A cross‐sectional study was carried out in healthy company employees from Greece with the aim of assessing the prevalence of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV‐8) and identifying risk factors for this herpesviral infection. Serum samples obtained from 955 subjects were tested for antibodies to HHV‐8 by the K8.1 enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Associations between HHV‐8 serostatus and potential risk factors were examined using t‐test, chi square test, and multivariate logistic regression analysis. HHV‐8 prevalence was 7.6% (95% confidence interval (CI): 6.0%, 9.5%) and it increased with age from 6.5% among <30 years old to 13.8% among ≥50 years old subjects (P = 0.006). HHV‐8 seropositivity was independently associated with endoscopic examination (odds ratio (OR): 2.01; 95% CI: 1.09, 3.70; P = 0.026), HBsAg positivity (OR: 5.16; 95% CI: 2.02, 13.20; P = 0.001) and age (OR ≥50 years old vs. <50 years old: 2.09; 95% CI: 1.23, 3.52; P = 0.006). No statistically significant associations between HHV‐8 positive status and gender, occupational status, surgery, transfusion, tattoos/body piercing, multiple sex partners, weakness/fatigue, HCV status were observed. HHV‐8 is prevalent in Greece. The strong association between HBV infection and HHV‐8 positive status supports the hypothesis of an association between these two viral infections. The association between HHV‐8 seropositivity and endoscopic examination requires further investigation. J. Med. Virol. 79:591–596, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Stature signals status: The association of stature, status and perceived dominance - a thought experiment.

SUMMARY Background: There is a common perception that tall stature results in social dominance. Evidence in meerkats suggests that social dominance itself may be a strong stimulus for growth. Relative size serves as the signal for individuals to induce strategic growth adjustments. Aim: We construct a thought experiment to explore the potential consequences of the question: is stature a social signal also in humans? We hypothesize that (1) upward trends in height in the lower social strata are perceived as social challenges yielding similar though attenuated upward trends in the dominant strata, and that (2) democratization, but also periods of political turmoil that facilitate upward mobility of the lower strata, are accompanied by upward trends in height. Material and methods: We reanalyzed large sets of height data of European conscripts born between 1856-1860 and 1976-1980; and annual data of German military conscripts, born between 1965 and 1985, with information on height and school education. Results: Taller stature is associated with higher socioeconomic status. Historic populations show larger height differences between social strata that tend to diminish in the more recent populations. German height data suggest that both democratization, and periods of political turmoil facilitating upward mobility of the lower social strata are accompanied by a general upward height spiral that captures the whole population. Discussion: We consider stature as a signal. Nutrition, health, general living conditions and care giving are essential prerequisites for growth, yet not to maximize stature, but to allow for its function as a lifelong social signal. Considering stature as a social signal provides an elegant explanation of the rapid height adjustments observed in migrants, of the hitherto unexplained clustering of body height in modern and historic cohorts of military conscripts, and of the parallelism between changes in political conditions, and secular trends in adult human height since the 19th century.
A moderate but not total decrease of mitochondrial membrane potential triggers apoptosis in neuron‐like cells

The effects of various degrees of perturbation of the mitochondrial membrane potential (mtΔψ) on apoptosis was investigated by intensified fluorescence digital-imaging microscopy on neuron-like cells, ND7. MtΔψ was either decreased by 40% by the protonophore carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone (FCCP 100 nM, 15 min) or completely collapsed (FCCP 10 μM, 60 min). A moderate decrease of mtΔψ induced a reduction of mitochondrial NADH, followed by exposure of phosphatidyl serine and then by chromatin condensation, 36% of nuclei being condensed 60 min after FCCP treatment. During these stages, mitochondrion morphology was fully preserved. In contrast, no chromatin condensation was observed after a rapid and total dissipation of mtΔψ. These results suggest that a partial decrease of mtΔψ would allow mitochondrial functions required to trigger apoptosis to be sustained.
Statistical study of the impact of the basis effect on futures hedging: Evidence from China

This article extends the works of Lien and Yang (2008a) in two different aspects. First, we enhance their bivariate GARCH dynamic conditional correlation (BGARCH-DCC) model by improving the efficiency of the estimation of the model parameters through the adoption of the Engle’s (2002) DCC specification. Second, other than the variance Lien and Yang (2008a) employed, we further investigate the effect 1220 Youhua (Frank) Chen et al. of the basis using value at risk (VaR) as the hedging performance criterion for deriving the optimal hedge ratio. The corresponding hedge ratio is known as the zero-value at risk (zero-VaR) hedge ratio. Based on data on spot and futures prices of aluminum and copper from the Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE), we conduct the within-sample and out-ofsample analysis. Under both hedging performance measures (variance and VaR) and hedge ratios (minimum variance and zero-VaR hedge ratios), the within-sample and out-of-sample tests both show that the basis effect, especially the asymmetric one, is important in improving of the hedging performance.
C22. Enhanced fusion for Infrared and visible images

An enhanced fusion technique for Infrared (IR) and visible images, which is based on the curvelet transform and homomorphic processing using the additive wavelet transform, is presented in this paper. The idea behind this technique is based on fusing the IR and visible images using the curvelet transform, and then decomposing the fused image into sub-bands in an additive fashion using the additive wavelet transform. The homomorphic enhancement is performed on each sub-band, separately. Finally, an inverse additive wavelet transform is performed on the homomorphic enhanced sub-bands to get an enhanced fused image with better visual details. The simulation results with real IR and visible images show that the proposed technique effectively enhances IR targets and preserves the details of visible images.
Modeling board-level four-point bend fatigue and impact drop tests

In this paper, modeling and simulation of board-level four-point bend fatigue and impact tests were investigated for 7 mm times 7 mm VQFN (48 I/O) assembly and 15 mm times 15 mm FBGA (324 I/O) assembly with Sn-Ag-Cu lead-free solder and OSP board surface finish. For cyclic bending fatigue, four-point bend cyclic loading at room temperature (25degC) and at high temperature (125degC) were investigated in order to develop bend fatigue model for Pb-free solder. The acceleration factor of failure at high temperature (125degC) to room temperature (25degC) is presented. Test results show that the cycle to failure increases significantly when bending displacement ranges decrease for both bend tests at 25degC and 125degC. The acceleration factor of cycle to failure due to high temperature (125degC) effect is higher than that due to room temperature effect. The FBGA component has higher bending fatigue resistance compared to VQFN component. Accumulated energy density per cycle at 125degC is more than that at 25degC significantly, which indicates that higher temperature accelerates bending fatigue failure of solder. Energy-based bending fatigue models were developed for Sn-Ag-Cu lead free solder subjected to cyclic bending load at 25degC and 125degC based on FEA result and experimental data. Using the same FEA model the loading was changed to simulate a four-point bend impact test with the same corresponding magnitude of bending curvatures. Comparisons of solder joint deformation response between the slow cyclic bend test and impact drop bend test are presented
Design and utilization of a light flickermeter

The paper is focused on design, realization, verification and utilization of a light-flickermeter simulating response of an average observer on disturbing light flicker under specific conditions. The design of the light-flickermeter is based on standard IEC flickermeter measuring scheme where the measuring chain does not include model of the reference incandescent bulb and where irradiance (radiant flux) waveform produced by any lamp is measured and analyzed. It means that this type of flickermeter output is expected to be independent on a light source type producing light flicker. The developed instrument evaluates measured luminous flux fluctuation utilizing appropriate hardware and signal processing by means of virtual instrumentation in LabView. Results of the flickermeter verification then advanced performance analysis and utilization for measurement of various lamps sensitivity or immunity to different kind of voltage disturbances are shown and discussed.
Anti-platelet and anti-hypertension medication use in patients with fibromuscular dysplasia: Results from the United States Registry for Fibromuscular Dysplasia

Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD), a non-inflammatory arterial disease, may lead to renovascular hypertension (HTN) and cerebrovascular disease. Little is known about medication use in FMD. Clinical features and medication use were reviewed in a national FMD registry (12 US sites). Medication usage was assessed in raw and adjusted analyses. Covariates included demographic characteristics, co-morbid conditions and vascular bed involvement. A total of 874 subjects (93.6% female) were included in the analysis. Mean age was 55.6±13.1 years, 74.5% had HTN, 25.4% had a history of transient ischemic attack or stroke, and 7.5% had a history of coronary artery disease (CAD). Renal and cerebrovascular arteries were affected in 70.4% and 74.7%, respectively. Anti-platelet agents were administered to 72.9% of patients. In multivariate analyses, factors associated with a greater likelihood of anti-platelet agent use were older age (OR=1.02 per year, p=0.005), CAD (OR=3.76, p=0.015), cerebrovascular artery FMD involvement in isolation (OR=2.31, p<0.0001) or a history of previous intervention for FMD (OR=1.52, p=0.036). A greater number of anti-HTN medications was evident in isolated renal versus isolated cerebrovascular FMD patients. Factors associated with a greater number of anti-HTN medications were older age (OR=1.03 per year, p<0.0001), history of HTN (OR=24.04, p<0.0001), history of CAD (OR=2.71, p=0.0008) and a history of a previous therapeutic procedure (OR=1.72, p=0.001). In conclusion, in FMD, medication use varies based on vascular bed involvement. Isolated renal FMD patients receive more anti-HTN agents and there is greater anti-platelet agent use among patients with cerebrovascular FMD. Further studies correlating medication use in FMD with clinically meaningful patient outcomes are necessary.
Impact of Open Educational Resources in Higher Education Institutions in Spain and Latin Americas through Social Network Analysis

The modernization of the European education system is allowing undertake new missions such as university responsibility. Higher education institutions have felt the need to open and provide educational resources. OpenCourseWare (OCW) and Open Educational Resources (OER) in general contribute to the dissemination of knowledge and public construction, providing a social good. Openness also means sharing, reuse information and create content in an open environment to improve and maintain the quality of education, at the same time provide an advertising medium for higher education institutions. OpenCourseWare Consortium himself and other educational organizations stress the importance of taking measurement and evaluation programs for an institution OCW. Two main reasons are argued:  Allow monitoring the usefulness and usability of Open Educational Resources (OER) and the efficiency of the publishing process, helping to identify and implement improvements that may be relevant over time.  Measure the use and impact of the parties involved in the OCW site helps ensure their commitment. This paper the authors evaluate social network analysis like a technique to measure the impact of open educational resources, and shows the results of applied this kind analysis in OpenCourseWare Spanish and Latin American, trying to tackle the above problems by extending the impact of resource materials in the new innovative teaching strategies and mission of university social responsibility providing updated information on the impact of OCW materials, and showing the true potential inherent in the current OCW repositories in Latin American universities. To evaluate the utility of Social Network Analysis in open educational resources, different social networks were built, using the explicit relationships between different participants of OCW initiatives, e.g. co-authorship, to show the current state of OCW resources. And through the implicit relationships, e.g. tagging, to assess the potential of OCW. To measure the impact of OCW, the social relationships, drawing from the information published by universities of Spain and Latin American, between OCW actors are described and assessed using social networks analysis techniques and metrics, the results obtained let to: present a current state of OCW in Latin America, know the informal organization behind the OCW initiatives, the folksonomies arise from using tags to describe courses, and potential collaborative networks between: universities, professors linked to production of OCW.
Peak wind energy extraction using Particle Swarm Optimization

In this proposed paper, the system aims that in wind power generation a powerful optimization technique can profitably maximize energy extraction at given wind farms. Maximizing the extraction of wind can be achieved with the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO). Maximizing wind energy extraction of PSO applied to common Constant frequency (CF) set-up instead of using Variable frequency (VF) set-up. Since VF has the major negative aspect in controlling independently the speed of each turbine. Hence this paper uses PSO to increase CF scheme for extracting maximum wind energy. PSO is to calculate for different wind speed scenarios applied to standard case studies of constant electrical frequency off shore wind units. The case study looks attentively a wind units of unruffled single turbine operated by synchronous generator. The simulation confirms a considerable improvement of CF scheme 6% more than the VF scheme using in literature.
Influence of ambient temperature on prolactin concentrations in serum of Holstein and Brahman x Hereford heifers.

Four Holstein and four Brahman x Hereford heifers about 8 mo of age were used in a study to determine whether breed influences the effects of ambient temperature on concentrations' of prolactin in serum. Two heifers of each breed were stanchioned in each of two environmental chambers at 21 C for 7 d, after which chamber temperatures were changed to 7 or 31 C during 6 h. After 5 d at 7, 21 or 31 C, heifers were injected with 60 micrograms thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH). A switch-back design was used and each heifer was exposed to all treatments. Concentrations of prolactin in serum of heifers during exposure to 7, 21 or 31 C for 5 d were related to ambient temperature (9.0, 20.9 and 29.5 ng/ml, respectively; P less than .001), but the response was not influenced by breed. Heifers of both breeds responded similarly to treatment with TRH, and prolactin in serum increased (P less than .001) within 5 min from 7.0 +/- 3.2 to 45.7 +/- 8.2 ng/ml in heifers at 7 C, from 13.1 +/- 1.6 to 97.2 +/- 9.6 ng/ml in heifers at 21 C and from 18.2 +/- 3.5 to 96.2 +/- 11.3 ng/ml in heifers at 31 C. We conclude that concentrations of prolactin in serum of heifers are positively associated with ambient temperature and that the effects of temperature on basal and TRH-stimulated concentrations of prolactin do not differ significantly between Holstein and Brahman x Hereford heifers. Thus, differences in tolerance to heat were not related to differences in prolactin secretion.